A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - Chapter 92

• Chapter 92 : A curse and the past stir in the shadows of peace and tranquility.

When the light grows stronger, it is only natural for the dark to grow darker as well.

A lone shadow was on the move.

It was not only Osiris, who had the information, but even the Demon King’s army, who were growing increasingly frustrated, that were unable to accurately grasp the reality of the situation.

A shadow was about to reach out to the world.

One in the form of a woman with long black hair.

The way she walked through the forest in the darkness of the night with teardrop makeup on her beautiful eyes and a faint smile on her face made her look like a vengeful ghost.

The sorceress in a black coat and a black dress bearing the epithet of “Nephthys of the Weeping Souls” was in a good mood, as if a perfect opportunity had fallen onto her lap.

[Now, I have to get this over with quickly before I meet the Hero. …I was surprised when this fell right on top of me, but I’m glad I only kept the head just in case.] (Nephthys)

Nephthys spread out the blood-soaked wrapping cloth in her right hand on the ground without losing her smile.

What it contained was the head of Angelica, the former mage of the Hero’s party.

It was embalmed and decorated with funeral makeup, but it had a peaceful expression, as if she were sleeping, illuminated by the moonlight shining through the trees.

Her old bad temperament had vanished from her face. Looking at her like this, she just seemed like a pitiful girl.

However, Nephthys knew how wicked this woman was.

[Such arrogance and greed… The nerve of you to carry a soul like that. But that’s good! This is the perfect material for an “outstanding talent that will surpass the Demon King”.] (Nephthys)

Sorcery had the same origin as magic, but its effects were different.

Magic was literally the art of using mana, while sorcery was the art of sublimating the power of nature to the realm of the supernatural and exerting its effectiveness.

To illustrate it simply, if magic was the art of replacing the energy emitted from within one’s body to the outside world with fire or wind, sorcery was the art of making the invisible energy that existed outside the body manifest as a purpose or phenomenon.

And the term “nature” included not only trees, water, and soil, but also the atmosphere and the universe at large.

Those who manipulated the energy within them were known as sorcerers, and the now lost art of Major Sorcery was the art of causing high-dimensional phenomena.

Nephthys was an adept of that art.

Still shrouded in mystery, she began to cast Major Sorcery.

There was no incantation in particular.

The pulsation of the universe responding to the wavelength of the being known as Nephthys itself was equivalent to an incantation.

[Now, Angelica, the mage of the Hero’s party. Prepare to be reborn. …As the Empress of Darkness that will transcend humanity.] (Nephthys)

An eerie shadow clung to Angelica.

It made a grotesque sound, as if someone was chewing its food viciously.

Just as the eyes on Angelica’s head snapped open and she began to scream, Nephthys placed her own black cloak over her.

[…It’ll take two days at the earliest. Maybe even less than that. Until then, be a good girl and kick up a fuss as you come back to life. Once you do… you’ll be “free” to go.] (Nephthys)

Nephthys walked on with a smile filled with doom and chaos as she turned to Angelica, who was under her black cloak.

The strong moonlight enveloped the madness hidden behind her smile.

[Defeat the Demon King and humanity will get a happy ending? No, no, no. That would be a waste. After all, we live in a world where “magic swords” and “wendigos” exist… What this world needs is chaos.] (Nephthys)

As she passed through the forest and silently looked forward, what laid ahead was the campfire where the Hero Reid was probably camping for the night.

On top of a faintly high hill, there was a lone figure illuminated by the light.

The stench of blood and deadly sins was so strong that even Nephthys could smell it from where she stood.

She took it all in with a smile and approached Reid.

[Might you be the great Hero Reid?] (Nephthys)

[Who are you? A woman alone in such a place on a night like this… This is suspicious.] (Reid)

[Yes. As you said, I’m a suspicious and despicable woman. I’ve been wanting to meet… Or rather, to assist you, a man who fights for a noble purpose.] (Nephthys)

[…Tell me more.] (Reid)

That last village Reid visited was now in ruins.

Not only did he kill the man who was trying to find the daughter he murdered first, but he also bared his sinister fangs at the entire village.

He robbed them of their money and goods, calling it divine punishment for living in peace and prosperity while he had been suffering so much, and Reid’s villainous ways were not about to stop there.

He could no longer trust anything but himself, yet for some reason, Reid took an interest in the woman in front of him.

She introduced herself as Nephthys, and he found himself drawn to her as they spoke.

Such a sad tale.

Nephthys completely approved of Reid, praising even his many bad deeds that he fearfully confessed to her as if they were great achievements.

Reid trembled with joy, believing her every word.

At last, he had found a true companion.

[I, Nephthys, pledge my absolute loyalty to you, Reid-sama. For your actions will surely bring light to the world.] (Nephthys)

[Very well. Nephthys, I allow you to join me on my journey. Do your best not to drag me down.] (Reid)

[My soul belongs to the will of Reid-sama, the Hero of Light.] (Nephthys)

Reid had a bright expression, but this atmosphere was enveloped in a dark shadow.

Even as she knelt down, Nephthys internally chuckled to herself.

This brat really pulled nothing but the craziest stunts, from kicking out the members of his own party in the middle of their journey to attacking unrelated people. But that’s okay. Because I think this sorry excuse of a Hero and Angelica will be of great use to me. (Nephthys)

While there was movement on the Hero’s side, there was also movement on the Demon King’s side.

The Demon King’s army was completely exhausted, and their morale was close to zero.

Most of the monsters were also fed up with the Demon King’s tantrums.

Unbeknownst to him, the monsters had formed their own factions and were managing the Demon King’s army somehow.

Unlike the old-timers, the relatively younger monsters were starting to pay attention to Sebek, who ran on the battlefield with overwhelming power.

Naturally, Sebek didn’t seem very interested in them, but…

[Yo, Sebek!] (???)

[Huh? Hey, uh… Who’re you again?] (Sebek)

[Hey, Sebek! This is Isis the Wicked Fairy, one of the leaders of our army, so watch your language!] (Goburoku)

[Oh, it’s fine, really. I also take that kind of attitude with the Demon King myself. …Besides, formal language gives me the creeps.] (Isis)

Goburoku scolded Sebek for his nonchalant attitude, but Isis stopped him with a light chuckle.

Isis yawned while flapping his shiny, energy-like wings and levitated his little boy-like body in the air.

[So, whatcha need me to do? Go to the frontlines again?] (Sebek)

[No, no, that’s not it. I just wanna communicate with my subordinate. Because you, Sebek, are basically the ace of our army, y’know? I treat you with respect.] (Isis)

[You, a fairy… and a wicked variety to boot, know the concept of respect? Well, okay then. So? You didn’t come over just to chat, right?] (Sebek)

[Now that’s the strongest magic sword soldier of the Demon King’s army for you! …I’ll get straight to the point. Would you like to work under me directly? You don’t want the Demon King to tell you where to go anymore, right? If you work for me, I could more efficiently choose a battlefield with a high level of difficulty and dispatch you there. What do you think?] (Isis)

Goburoku could not hide his surprise at Isis’s arbitrary orders.

Sebek’s expression also stiffened a little, though he did not show it.

[The way he is now, the Demon King is incapable of making accurate judgments. He used to complain a lot about me violating his orders, but now, it’s creepy how he doesn’t even get mad at me anymore.] (Isis)

[Hehehe! You’re right. Coming from Mr. Demon King, that’s creepy.] (Sebek)

[Right? And that’s when I, the great Isis, diligent and loyal executive of the Demon King’s army, had an idea!! Let’s use this as an opportunity to destroy the humans in an even more entertaining way! That way, the Demon King should feel a little better.] (Isis)

[I see. Well, I don’t really care either way. As long as I get to face someone tough, I’m good…] (Sebek)

[Ahh, yeah… I got the intel on that human kid named Seto.] (Isis)

[One day, I’ll be the one to cut him down. So keep your hands off—… No actually, I don’t mind if you get involved. If Setocchi survives whatever you throw at him, it’ll mean that he’s gotten eeeeeven stronger.] (Sebek)

[Hmm~, I don’t really care about that guy. What I’m after is… Hehehe.] (Isis)

[I… Isis-sama?] (Goburoku)

[Doooon’t mind me, Goburoku. Okay! I’m adding you into the Isis group too! Keep up the good work. Hahaha!] (Isis)

After saying that, Isis flew away in a good mood.

Goburoku was stunned, and Sebek smiled with his eyes downcast.

Behind them, Isis was licking his own lips.

Hehehe… According to the intel, that Seto guy had Satis-neesan with him. Aah, I still clearly remember everything, Satis-neesan. That night… The day your screams and despair got me burning with excitement. That sensation I felt when I tortured you personally! …Being able to feel that again is like a dream come true. (Isis)

Behind the light woven by humans and monsters, the desire for the darkness created by humans and monsters was stirring.