Chapter 356 (Self Edited) – Shattered Hope
Cecilia looked ahead with her eyes wide open, but there was no doubt it was Soma.
However, even if she understood that, there were many things that weren’t understood. There were so many questions to ask, like why he was here, or how he got here.
Before Cecilia could open mouth, more voices rained down from above.
“Goodness, you’re too far ahead. Why don’t you think about the rest of us a little bit?” (Aina)
“…Yes, too fast.” (Sheila)
It was Aina and Sheila who landed on the ground along with these words.
Cecilia opened and closed her mouth at the series of situations, but of course, no one would wait for him.
“Sure, but if we’re moving too slowly, it will be too late for us, yes? I mean, I also said I don’t mind waiting.” (Soma)
“Cecilia may be in danger, but you can’t stay asleep, can’t you?” (Aina)
“…It’s probably safest to come with you.” (Sheila)
“Well, that’s true, but… aah, I didn’t plan the timing of appearance for each of us, alright. It’s a coincidence that it was good timing.” (Soma)
“Aah… eh? S-sure, I didn’t doubt that but…?” (Cecilia)
She thought Soma noticed that she was trying to say a lot of things, but that wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
She wondered what exactly was going on, with Aina and Sheila coming as well. Her mind started to get confused, but then, she heard a voice that made her calm down..
“Houu… I’m sure I’ve put you to sleep well… Should I say as expected of the Demon King?” (Isac)
“Eh…? The Demon King…?” (Cecilia)
Cecilia, of course, understood what the Demon King was.
Nearly twenty years ago, it was the source of some of the things that led to the decline of Veritas and the disappearance of… her friends. He was the ruler of Demento, and he was the one who was recently accused by the Empire due to the true Demon King.
“Is that you, Soma-dono?” (Cecilia)
There was no way Soma was going to point to someone else in this situation.
Then, Soma answered Cecilia’s question with a shrug of his shoulders as if it was nothing.
“That reminds me, I didn’t tell you about that, did I? That’s what they call me these days.” (Soma)
It didn’t seem like something that could be done so lightly, but it was also true that there were more important things to do right now. Soma immediately turned his gaze and looked forward.
“However, there must be a limited number of people who know that I am. The fact that you know that is…” (Soma)
“Well, I know what you’re going to say. To put it simply, you want me to say it, right? That the Devil is involved in this power of mine? You’re correct. This power is lent by the deal with the Devil.” (Isac)
“Hmm, is that so… well, apparently, there seems to be no problem.” (Soma)
Soma, who said this, seemed to have no qualms about it. He looked at Isac with a relaxed appearance, as if to say that this was normal.
“I would like to argue with you, but… it seems that my power isn’t effective enough for you.” (SSoma)
“You don’t seem to be in any particular hurry when you say that, do you?” (Soma)
“I don’t have to do that. It’s simple. I don’t have to defeat you.” (Isac)
“Hmm?” (Soma)
It was the next moment when Soma reacted to something.
His figure abruptly disappeared from the scene. It wasn’t like he moved at an invisible speed or anything. It was a complete and total disappearance.
“…Eh?” (Cecilia)
“W-wait… are you kidding me?” (Aina)
Not only Cecilia but Aina muttered stunned. However, Sheila shook her head as if to deny the slightest hope.
“…There is no sign of him. …in the surrounding area. He’s completely gone.” (Sheila)
“Eh… no, no… by the way, the same thing happened a while ago. I couldn’t feel any signs of that, and I couldn’t feel the residue…. Perhaps, he jumped somewhere else. It’s impossible for Soma to be done in such an instant.” (Aina)
Aina’s voice was trembling even as she rea.s.sured her. The current scene would have been unbelievable.
In fact, Cecilia even thought that it was impossible. She thought that Soma could handle most things, and she couldn’t imagine him losing. Even Cecilia, who had only known Aina for a short time, felt this way, so it was only natural that Aina and Sheila felt it even more strongly.
However…
“Haaa… should I say as expected as well? After all, you’re coming together with the Demon King. That’s the correct answer. It’s impossible for us to kill the Demon King in an instant. I just got rid of him. Well, I can’t say that he can’t lose after that, but you all don’t have to worry about him anyway. You’re going to play with me now.” (Isac)
That was exactly what Isac said. Just because Soma was gone… no, that was why the situation was very bad. This wasn’t the time to be worrying about Soma.
Aina and Sheila must have thought so too because they quickly prepared themselves. They couldn’t shake the uneasiness from their face, but it was inevitable. They were worried about Soma’s safety, but the fact that he wasn’t here was what worried them the most.
However, Cecilia also had no time to worry about others. In fact, the person with the least fighting ability in this place was definitely her. She couldn’t afford to be distracted by unnecessary things.
However, how far could they go against an opponent with such an eerie atmosphere. Cecilia gulped down her saliva once as she readied herself. She then looked at Isac, who happily lifted the edge of his mouth.
—
“Hmm… I’ve experienced something similar lately.” (Soma)
Muttering something like that, Soma looked around the place.
The area around him was completely different from the one he had been earlier, and it seemed to be a large room made of stone. it was large enough that there was no problem with rampaging. It was probably a training ground or something.
“So… what business do you have with me?” (Soma)
When Soma turned his gaze as he said it, he saw a small figure ahead of him.
The height was about his chest. It seemed like a boy of about ten years old.
Of course, there was no possibility that he was a normal boy when he was here in this situation.
[Business, is it… Do I need to tell you in this situation?] (??)
His voice was a bit high-pitched, peculiar to a boy, and it seemed that somehow innocence remained on his face.
However, the boy’s presence indicated that this wasn’t reason to be careless at all.
“Isn’t it rather necessary to tell because of this situation? Don’t you agree? Devil.” (Soma)
[I see…. you may be right. As expected of the Demon King.] (??)
“Well, the quickest way to do that would be to cut you to pieces here, no question asked.” (Soma)
[That would be troublesome…. However, I’ll explain the situation properly before you do so.] (??)
The boy smiled… and put the sword in his hand, which he had taken from somewhere else. Then….
[So, please forgive me, but I’m in trouble if you get in the way. That’s why…. yes. You, the Demon King, will have to die here.] (??)
While pointing the cutting edge toward Soma, the boy said such words.