Book 2: Chapter 17

Demons and Flaming Knights

Ryuushins Side

Gu!!!

Ryuushin!!

Ryuka hurriedly ran towards me.

I clutched my shoulder as a feeble attempt to stop bleeding from my lost left arm.

It seems like I mistook you for someone else.

The guy who cut off my arm stood there as he said that indifferently.

Just a while ago, Ryuka and I were steadily defeating C-rank monsters such as Orcs and Goblin Magicians as we made our way toward the east side of the Steel Forest.

Suddenly, a black-haired, golden-eyed man in a black mantle appeared as if he tore through the air. He abruptly attacked me.

When I came to my senses, my left arm was already hand-chopped by that guy.

Wh, what are you!!!

I yelled at him while enduring the pain.

I had already activated [Dragon Skin], an automatic self-protection skill exclusive to Dragonoids. This defense skill boasts of being at par with that of a true Dragon, but he effortlessly sliced through it. His offense power is definitely not average.

I do not hold interest in talking to a lowlife like you Ah, well, consider this as a congratulatory gift for my reawakening. Ill make an exception and converse with you. I am Valf the Warlock.

The man said he was a Warlockthe existence that governs monsters and the demon race. Warlocks do not differ in appearance to ordinary humans, but they hold a massive amount of magical powers.

Ryuka stood before me and tried to protect me. Her body was trembling from the sheer power of the Warlock.

Wh, why did you attack us? asked Ryuka.

I just sense a nostalgic magic around this area. Ah, well, its unfortunate that its a mistaken identity, but theres no need to go into the details. Incidentally, do you know a man called Volgano Ryuuden?

Ryuuden is my father.

What? So youre the child of Ryuuden. So, is Ryuuden in good health?

Dad died before I was born.

Huh, so that fellows already gone. So, youre the orphan of that guy.

The Warlock stood there, contemplatively.

He suddenly disappeared without warning.

!? Guaaa!

My right arm is so hot I felt like it was burning. Blood spurted, and my right arm was already missing.

The Warlock cut it off.

Fumu. Youre of a different caliber than Ryuuden. Are you sure youre his son?

Demon* twirled my right hand around the air while showing a disappointed expression.

Re, Resurrection!

Luna cast [Recovery Magic] on me. White foam bubbled from my arm stumps, and finally, both arms regenerated.

GuS, SorryRyuka

Its okay, but we have to escape, Ryuushin!

Hoh, so you can regenerate. But dont think you can run away from me.

Though my arms were restored thanks to Ryukas magic, I dont think we can flee from this Demon. 

Ryuushin-is it. I have nothing against you, but your dear father sealed me for a hundred years. Now that Ryuudens dead, I decided Ill repay my agony to you instead.

I finally remembered!

It was a story I heard from the village chief a long time ago.

In the past, a Warlock came to kill the Dragonoids who were not under the Demon Kings jurisdiction.

The Warlock was overwhelmingly strong, and he slaughtered the warriors of the Dragonoid Village. 

It was said that Dad, who was the strongest in the village at the time, bet his life and sealed the Warlock.

It seems that the seal on Valf, that Warlock, has been broken.

The embodiment of pure malice stood in front of us.

Ill kill you. Ah, but not immediately. Ill let you taste pain and despair thats enough to make you wish you were never born. Then Ill slowly take my time killing you.

After that, the Warlock turned his palm towards Ryuka. In that instant, I understood what he wanted to do.

NO!!! STOP!! RUN, RYUKA!!

Hiiiii!!!! Guuuu!!!

Something invisible clung to Ryukas neck and started to strangle her. Ryuka squirmed and struggled, but that object didnt break.

Ku! DRAGONIZE!!!

My right arm transformed, and I tried to punch Demon.

My fist didnt even make contact.

I dont know how it happened, but I was lying on the ground. I tried to get up, but that Demon stepped on my head and pushed me towards the dirt.

Whats with that half-baked dragonification? Are you even his son? Dont joke with me.

R Ryu..ShinRrun

Hey, this woman has more guts than you. These kinds are the ones worth killing.

The Warlock raised his arm, and several black stakes appeared mid-air. Their sharp, pointed tips were facing Ryuka.

W, wait!! I beg you! Just kill me instead!!

Hmpf. Wont do. You just have to resent your weak self.

He released one of the black stakes towards Ryuka.

RYYYUUUKKKKKAAAA!!!! 

Shuu

What!?

The stake didnt reach Ryuka.

All the stakes have been burned by a knight blazing in flames standing in front of Ryuka.

Whats with that? Maybe a demon- no, is that your mana?

Guu!

The Warlock put more strength on his feet as he trampled my head.

Suddenly, his foot disappeared.

Gubu!!

The Warlock made a weird noise as he was blown away. The blazing knight struck that Demon at the speed of light.

The blazing knight looked down at me.

D, did it help me?

I glanced at Ryuka. She was sitting on the ground with her eyes wide open. Its a relief that the invisible thing no longer choked her.

What on earth are you, vermin!!!

The revived Warlock attacked the blazing knight who also counter-attacked.

Whenever Demon punches the knight, his fist is burnt. However, he just heals it abnormally fast, and immediately strikes again.

On the other hand, the blazing knight was stripped of his armor every time he was hit.

Huff, huff, huffDDid it finally go to hell?

After a few minutes of intense battle, the Warlock finally succeeded in extracting what seems to be the core of the blazing knight. The knight dispersed on the spot when its core was removed.

Demon looked like he was tired, but his magic is still overwhelming for us.

We dont stand a chance.

I was desperately hoping the blazing knight would win, but

What was that? Was it you guys who summoned that? Ah, I dont care anymore; lets just finish you off right now!

Desolations coming.

suddenly, he stopped in his tracks.

Ah, ah, ahhhhh!

The Warlocks face contorted in despair. 

The blazing knight that tortured Demon reappeared.

Not only that, one became five.

D, dont mess with me!!!!

Taking Demons shout as a signal, the battle resumed.

Nope, its not even a battle. It was a one-sided mob-violence.

In just a few seconds, it seems that Demon had already reached the limit of his recovery due to the continuous attacks of the blazing knights.

The Demons black hair turned white, his skin dried up, and his eyes became sunken.

As a final blow, the five knights pierced him with a spear simultaneously, and Demon crumbled into dust.

After the Warlock was defeated, the knights gave us a final glance, and they ran out in different directions.

WeWere saved

Ryuushin! Are you okay?

Ryuka, how about your neck?

We confirmed that both of us were fine.

What are those knights

I dont know. But I cant feel any malice from them.

Yeah.

Thats what Im bothered with. I cant help but think that they protected us. Was it Teacher Tina? No, that cant be. Those knights power is at a higher level than hers.

Dont say Is it Halt?

Nah That cant be.

_____________

T/N: The actual term used for Valf is Majin, . Its actually a broad term but basically means someone who practices magic, sorcery, and witchcraft. Not really a devil, which is Akuma . Usually, the Japanese people use Mahou Tsukai (), or Majutsushi () to refer to wizards (so many terms lol!) So to distinguish them, I used Warlock for those associated with the demons, and Magicians for the others.   

*This particular Warlock is so evil, he is a Demon in essence.

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