TL/Editor: raei
Status: ongoing
Illustrations: none
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Acrimosia, Archdemon of Madness.
One of the two Great Demons who appeared directly in the chronicle and fought the hero's party.
That's why Zion recognized her immediately.
'Why is the Archdemon of Madness here?'
Originally, beings of Great Demon level weren't supposed to appear at this time.
No, more accurately, they couldn't appear.
Though their power approached semi-divinity due to carrying different "fates of destruction," they also had tremendous restrictions.
Of course, these restrictions naturally loosened as the world's end drew closer.
But currently, they shouldn't be able to use their original power outside the demon realm due to how severe the restrictions were.
He couldn't understand why she would reveal herself here despite that limitation.
"How fascinating. How could a human like you exist? You're not even a hero. And you gained this much power in just about a year? Is that even possible?"
Acrimosia leaned forward with her hands behind her back as she studied Zion.
Her eyes were full of interest.
"I'm the one who's fascinated. I didn't expect such a large rat to crawl out so soon."
Zion's cold voice flowed as he met the Great Demon's gaze.
"Oh? Seems you know who I am?"
The Archdemon of Madness smiled brightly and said,
"I was curious, you see. The underlings keep going on about Zion Agnes this, Zion Agnes that - I just had to see for myself."
"But isn't it strange to call me a rat? That's what stronger beings say to weaker ones. Strong enough to kill them whenever they want."
As she spoke, the interest in Acrimosia's eyes began turning to madness.
Then-
"Who are you!"
One of the nearby watching magicians approached Acrimosia.
"How dare you show such disrespect to Prince Zion-!"
Before the magician could finish-
"Don't interfere."
An ice-cold voice completely different from before flowed from the Great Demon's lips.
At that moment-
CRUNCH!
Without warning, everything except the magician's head was torn away by something invisible.
THUD, roll roll.
The magician's head fell and rolled across the floor.
Their face remained frozen in the same expression of shouting at the girl, as if they hadn't realized they were dead.
As everyone's eyes trembled at this gruesome sight-
RUMBLE!
The presence Acrimosia had been hiding suddenly exploded outward, pressing down on the entire lecture hall.
No, her presence began spreading beyond the lecture hall to encompass the entire city.
The magicians' movements stopped, consumed by this presence that casually transcended mortal limits.
Like prey caught in a spider's web.
Their bodies froze, unable to move even an eyebrow or finger.
'Can't... breathe...!'
The less accomplished magicians and students collapsed, blood flowing from their eyes and noses as they couldn't withstand the pressure.
"This should prevent any more interference, right?"
Just as the Archdemon of Madness looked at them with satisfaction-
"Well, I suppose you're not just a rat after all."
A quiet voice reached her ears.
Turning back toward Zion at those words, surprise appeared in Acrimosia's eyes for the first time.
Zion Agnes was watching her with eyes so calm they appeared languid.
Though nothing about him had changed from before-
'He can move normally?'
That's what surprised her.
Though restricted, this was still presence that she had deliberately revealed.
The overwhelming pressure from the resulting gap in status wasn't something that could be withstood so casually.
'He should at least show some discomfort...'
But there was none of that either.
"You... you really are interesting, aren't you?"
As she muttered this, the surprise in her eyes transformed into an even greater interest than before.
'What should I do...'
In a quiet forest far from the floating city.
CLANG!
A demon's iron door completely out of place appeared in the middle of the forest where only small animals lived.
From beyond this door emerged a girl.
It was Acrimosia, the Archdemon of Madness.
"Zion Agnes..."
Acrimosia's face was flushed as she muttered that name.
How long had it been since she'd felt such excitement?
It was the first time her heart had raced like this since killing one of the previous Four Great Demons and taking their place.
"I'm glad I went to see him in person."
Fresh excitement flowed through Acrimosia's entire body, enough to instantly blow away the boredom she had felt for so long.
Especially that final sword strike that split her created sun - it had even given her a thrill.
'To think I'd feel this way about a being who doesn't even carry the fate of salvation...'
Though he still couldn't match her yet, given more time he would surely gain power sufficient to satisfy her.
'But that power feels familiar somehow. I definitely haven't seen it before, but...'
As she tilted her head in thought-
"...Hm?"
Her eyes lit up as she discovered something.
"What's this? Seems I wasn't the only one giving gifts."
The Archdemon of Madness grinned as she spoke.
Her eyes fell on a cleanly cut section of her dress and the rather deep wound revealed beneath.
* * *
After the incident at Seifran Magic School, Adegrifa was literally turned upside down.
While exposing the demons hiding in the city was shocking enough, Archdemon Acrimosia's appearance left everyone astounded.
Perhaps because their belief that the city had never been and would never be attacked by the demon realm had been shattered?
The floating city's leadership raised security to near wartime levels and began searching the entire city, with the city's magicians in full agreement.
The recent incident had been that threatening.
They had literally almost lost the entire city.
Naturally, when the empire received this news, they also fell into chaos and strengthened their defensive posture.
Some even suggested that this incident showed the great war with the demon realm had drawn within visible range.
Amid this chaos and busy atmosphere, at the city's edge-
"Are you leaving right away?"
The city's leadership had come to see off Zion, who stood before the warp gate.
"Why not stay a bit longer? The exchange conference isn't even over."
Ackendelt spoke with a regretful expression.
The conference was just an excuse - his true purpose was repayment.
Repayment for saving the city twice, from both Stigma and the Archdemon of Madness.
Ackendelt recalled that second terrifying yet thrilling moment.
Without this man, the city would have been destroyed.
That's why he felt even more grateful to Prince Zion.
"No, I need to go now."
Though Zion understood Ackendelt's feelings, he shook his head.
There was something he needed to do immediately.
Something even more urgent than the Archdemon of Madness at present.
"Besides, I think we'll meet again soon anyway."
"What? What do you mean?"
Ackendelt's eyes turned questioning at Zion's words.
It seemed he hadn't yet received word from Obergia.
Zion didn't answer, instead turning toward the warp gate.
FLASH!
The warp gate shone brightly as if prepared in advance to welcome Zion.
Behind him, Ackendelt and the gathered floating city magicians began bowing deeply.
"Then we await seeing you again, Your Highness Prince Zion Agnes."
Their farewell was filled with sincerity.
Zion smiled slightly before stepping into the gate without hesitation.
The World Conference.
The world's largest conference and one of the most important gateways determining the next emperor had finally drawn near.
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