Tales of the Old World Demon Lord

Chapter 38 – Parting gift

[Eternum Calendar 1971]

“Heee~ that’s a great idea, how about we do this as well?”

Ripping apart the tide of malevolent tempests and through the harsh veil, three beings came to answer Astaroth’s call. Normally they would have knelt down in the presence of their master, but the situation did not allow them to do so. Instead they prepared their individual weapons and poised themselves for battle.

Cedric [Title: Slime King]

Age - 89

Race - Slime

Threat Level - 1492 (Highly Dangerous)

Affinity – Close Combat Mastery

Condition - Normal

Ailments - None

External Effects – Slime King’s Attribute (Physical Damage Nullification)

A being adorned from head to toe in blinding white and noble blue armor, if ever there was such a being as a ‘true’ paladin, then without a doubt it would have been this person. He stood tall, almost two meters, behind his impenetrable tower shield and with his war sword in hand.

Curious, Morgant had determined through his [analysis] ability that this person was of the [Slime] race. Yet with only simple glance not a shred of such attributes of the species could be identified on this being. Though Morgant’s compendium of knowledge regarding monsters of this world wasn’t large he had at least studied up on some of them during Diana’s lectures. He had understood the species to have a simple, ‘squishy’ appearance with a minute sense of sentience.

This appearance, though impressive, was rather redundant considering his race’s specific attribute. [Physical Damage Nullification], what was the point of hiding behind such a thick plate of armor if damage did not affect what was inside? ‘Perhaps it’s armor to protect against magic based attack? Or to maintain a humanoid shape?’ Morgant thought of various reasons but in the end decided to leave it until they were out of this current predicament.

Arachna [Title: Spider Queen]

Age - 124

Race - Arachne

Threat Level - 1583 (Highly Dangerous)

Affinity – Ice Element

Condition - Normal

Ailments - None

External Effects – Spider Queen’s Domain (Periodic Ice type Elemental Damage)

With ever breath, the air seemed to freeze as white fog appeared before her mouth. Just to be standing next to her was agonizing as the chilling tundra crept from below, unexpectedly. It was debatable whether her title should be ‘Spider Queen’ or ‘Frost Queen’ as either would be very fitting, yet her figure did not betray her name.

Everything from the waist up was the complete imagery of a sharp beauty; her hair colored in silky black, carefully decorated by bloody red jewels, her skin deathly pale as though shunned by sunlight, yet her well-toned and slender body nullified her sickly complexion. With her battle ready red eyes she gazed upon the world looking for every opportunity to pounce upon the preys before her.

Yet everything from the waist down was the complete imagery of a complete monster; eight extremely sharp, black and metallic legs supporting her as she tread the grounds. Each of her legs appeared as though they had enough power behind them to puncture through solid steel. Her domed abdomen, not unlike a spider was coated over by a similar metallic black carapace with the symbol of a large red skull etched upon it.

‘She seems as tough as she looks.’ Morgant complimented in his head as he studied her anatomy. ‘A mixture of endo and exo skeletal frames? Doesn’t seem particularly feasible or logical, but neither does the existence of a Lamia… what did Ingrid call it again, Psychokinetic Hyper Evolution?’ Yet he couldn’t deny the existence that was right in front of him and simple accepted it as was.

Her form could easily and aptly be described as ‘beauty and the beast, all in one’.

Texzatopekmetziluxotl [Title: Immortal Emperor]

Age - 672

Race - Undead

Threat Level - 1999 (Highly Dangerous)

Affinity – Close Combat Mastery

Condition - Normal

Ailments - None

External Effects – Siphoning Life (Periodic Life Siphoning Damage)

‘The embodiment of death’ was probably too apt of a description for this being. Morgant had seen skeleton knights many times before, yet not one quite as menacing or dreary as this one. That being said, there was a distinct regal aura coming from this skeleton knight. Armored in clean black armor with not a helmet but an aureate crown upon its skull it stood with his arms crossed as his royal red cape fluttered in the wind.

‘It’s smiling?’ Morgant questioned himself. Surely enough, with his razor sharp teeth he smiled as he gazed upon the world as if imaging its destruction and annihilation.

By Astaroth’s command these three impressive figures had appeared to her aid. Each one of them with a higher threat value than even the previous demon lord, Morgant wondered to himself if the previous lord lost his position because he could not keep up in terms of power.

‘Monsters of a different era… well there were monsters in my time as well. It’s rather refreshing for them to have an appearance befitting of their status,’ Morgant smirked as he returned his attention to the original target.

“Hoh… with only a single command you’ve gathered a most impressive cavalcade of your prized champions. Really, what to do…? You’ve put me at quite the disadvantage.”

Dian Cecht remarked, yet his tone of voice betrayed his words as not a single twinge of discomfort could be found reflected by his body language. ‘Well, I’d have done the same,’ Morgant commented silently in his head as he peered towards the arrogant standing ‘god’. Letting the enemy get a hold of even a glimpse of hesitation would be fatal, especially on this level against gods and high demons.

“Tch, is he enjoying this? Is he secretly a masochist? Or does he have some kind of trump card that we’re not aware of…?”

Arachna spoke, her voice did not betray her appearance, though only one voice it sounded as though two different voices overlapped. One, the sweet and soothing voice of a young maiden, the second, a crueler and harsher tone befitting that of a true monster. Her expressions soured when looking at Dian Cecht as though he was lower than trash, ‘could she be underestimating him?’ though Morgant wasn’t doubtful about their abilities he knew the enemy was also equally formidable.

The problem now was on how to proceed with the situation, or more specifically, predicting how Dian Cecht would move in revelation of his cornered state. Though Dian Cecht was at a rather disadvantaged situation, it was only compounded due to the fact that Morgant was also amongst the enemy. If it came to be about playing the role of a ‘villain’ then it was Morgant that had extreme proficiency in that aspect.

There were two things worthy of note in this current situation, in other words two things worthy of being called a ‘victory’ condition for the enemy. The first of which was the Golden Monolith, however that had already been crumbled to the ground and thus was no longer of much value. The second thing, and most likely the more important object of note was…

“You! Protect Alice!”

As Morgant shouted desperately he pointed to the heart of the storm, towards the gentle sleeping figure of a small child. The most likely more important object of note was indeed Alice and whatever secret identity she possessed. Gerald had also shown quite the bit of interest as he tried to stop anyone from interfering with him approaching her. Morgant had a few ideas in his head as to what she really was but with no way of confirming them in this current situation the best he could do was secure her from the enemy’s prying hands.

Cedric nodded and made a straight line dash for the prize. Though Morgant was not his master and his real master was standing behind him, Cedric had obeyed his commands as if he were. They were allies so taking each other’s advice was not a bad idea, especially when their opponent was a god, at the very least Cedric had thought of the situation in such a manner.

Cedric’s movements were unexpectedly fast for his metal clad and clunky looking body. In only a few brief seconds he had closed a distance of about a 100 meters, yet despite this impressive speed, Dian Cecht was a little faster. As Morgant had expected, the enemy’s aim truly was Alice.

Though he didn’t have any particular reason to save Alice other than it being an ally’s wish, he gave everything he had to not be overtaken. With the fate of the race appearing to be in Dian Cecht’s favor, Cedric had to change up his plans or else he would truly lose. He stopped running and instead used the momentum to lob his great tower shield across the remaining distance.

“As if I’d let you!”

Cedric shouted with a gallant voice.

A massive torrent of explosive dust expanded in the area which made it difficult for even Dian Cecht, who was wearing a mask, to successfully navigate. When the dust eventually cleared Dian Cecht found himself standing before a large white and blue figure, having lost the race.

With impressive recovery, Dian Cecht didn’t spend his time dawdling on what to do next but instead immediately proceeded to follow through with his backup plan. He turned his gaze from Alice to other vulnerable targets, namely Morgant’s other childhood friends and Miko. Yet even with that kind of rebound in mind Dian Cecht found it hard to move in with the backup as something unexpected was impeding his ability to do so.

“Whoa… he really was planning to take hostages. Not bad kid.”

Arachna and Astaroth stood in their defense.

“I told you; my future husband is a master genius!”

Astaroth replies with a playful tone and a hearty smile as she gives a thumbs up to Morgant.

“Heh~ to predict my movements to this extent… it seems I really should be thankful that I’ve stumbled upon your existence this soon. Who knows what kind of tragedy you will bring to us if I don’t start taking into consideration your capabilities from now on?”

Having all of his avenues to achieve his objective cut off Dian Cecht offered a small compliment to the boy who outwitted him. Morgant couldn’t particularly see it beneath his mask, but he was sure that Dian Cecht was smiling at him.

“It goes both ways, now that I know of yours I’ll make sure to give you more surprises in the future.”

“How kind of you.”

Dian Cecht shifted his position away from Cedric and moved this original location in the middle. Though surrounded on all fronts, both he and Morgant spoke as if the confrontation was about to end and he would slip away. Of course neither Astaroth nor her champions had any inclination of making that easy, but to Morgant and Dian Cecht they knew how the song and dance would end.

More so than anything else, to ‘villains’ the most important thing was them to understand their enemies. It would have been an overwhelming defeat for anyone else, but to Morgant and Dian Cecht, realizing each other’s existence was the most bountiful of harvests.

“Really… I cannot stop but wonder who you are…”

Dian Cecht asked once more, to which Morgant simply scoffed as he dodged the question.

“I’m not anyone in particular, just some no-name orphan brat who grew up in this small backwater town.”

Morgant mocked.

“I wonder…”

“Whether you believe me or not is entirely your choice. So then, what will you do now? Try again? Or will you escape?”

“Well, while don’t quite like the idea of mindless beast encroaching upon her majesty, if it’s you by her side… then perhaps I will allow this small intrusion. Do not worry; I will definitely return to retrieve her. So until such a time, you best prepare yourself as well.”

The winds shifted ominously as Dian Cecht gave his promise to Morgant. A great and dreadful presence slithered through the veins of the land and slowly a black mist oozed out. As though the very ground beneath their feet were bleeding the black mist stole the essence of everything it touched. The plants withered, air became stale and trees crumbled to the floor.

Instinctively everyone jumped out of the way. Cedric forcefully took a hold of Alice and dragged her away, and as she was removed from the center the turbulence also ceased. Astaroth and Arachna also moved the children away from the scene as Miko followed shortly after.

“Aren’t you going to run?”

Morgant asked the lumbering figure behind him, Texzatopekmetziluxotl. Through the darkened and cracked skull the ‘Immortal Emperor’ looked down upon him.

“Death does not scare the ruler of the dead.”

A deep and reassuring voice came somehow through the teeth of the skeletal lord.

“Is that so? Well, that sounds about right. Still… what an ironic power, for the God of ‘Healing’ to command ‘death’.”

Morgant remarked as he slowly walked away from the black miasma that ate away at the land. Dian Cecht would use this opportunity to escape, the Golden Monolith was destroyed and most likely even the Blood Ritual was ceased. Even as everything return to its original status quo, boiling deep within Morgant was a desire to finish what he had started with Dian Cecht.

Just as the God considered him, it was not every day that ‘Sovereign’ would meet an entity that could actually be considered a real ‘threat’. Morgant’s heart raced fanatically as he found himself unable to remove the large and ominous smirk off from his face.

“Yeah, don’t worry. I’ll be sure to prepare myself for your second coming.”