I Became a Dark Fantasy Villain-Chapter 707

"Perhaps that is so," Cherwyn answered lightly.

She then inclined her head slightly toward Thesaya and lowered her voice. "However, is it really necessary for the Agent of the Saint to know in advance that the archduke is being made to pay the price he deserves?"

"Oh?"

"Of course, it may mean that he ends up walking a path we never expected."

Thesaya watched Cherwyn as a low exclamation escaped her. Before long, one corner of her mouth curled upward. She had grasped the implication behind the Saintess’s words at once, along with her true intention.

"True," Thesaya replied flatly as she turned her gaze forward. "However, it is impossible to predict the outcome of every matter."

Ahead, the rear of the Crimson Legion came into view. The soldiers were cutting down monsters blocking their advance as they converged toward the gate.

"And perhaps, no matter what path the Agent of the Saint walks, it might lead to the same result," added Thesaya.

She took in the sight of the wall, where explosions of all sizes and echoing screams overlapped, then turned back to Cherwyn. "Just as all roads of the Empire eventually lead to the capital."

Cherwyn’s eyes curved softly as she met Thesaya’s gaze. "Your vision is much broader, and you are far more clever than I was told, Elder."

"I am merely ashamed of my own narrow-mindedness," Thesaya replied. "I believed you had little interest in the affairs of the outside world, despite your noble Imperial blood. I should have sought a deeper conversation with you much sooner."

The smile on Thesaya deepened slightly. It was the kind of smile unique to fairies, one that might appear faintly sinister to an onlooker.

"The feeling is mutual. I, too, held prejudices toward you, Elder, even though I already knew you were a close friend of the Agent of the Saint."

As Cherwyn spoke calmly, Miguel, holding the reins, rose slightly from the driver’s seat. He gave Thesaya an exaggerated shrug, as though such prejudice were only natural. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Since you put it that way, I feel even more restless," Thesaya said, casting Miguel a brief glare before tilting her head to the side. "Well then, shall we let our mutual prejudices fade into the past? Isn’t it the present and the future that matter?"

Cherwyn tilted her head in response. "Of course. And the fact that you agree with my opinion is just as important."

"It’s more than a simple agreement. If I can be of help, I would be glad to offer it."

As Miguel cleared his throat and tugged the reins to slow the horses further, Thesaya shrugged.

"I’m not sure how much help a fairy like me can be in the North, though."

"Oh, there certainly is. You could play a very significant role. If you wish, my niece would very kindly—" Cherwyn stopped mid-sentence.

At the same moment, Thesaya snapped her head toward the left rear, on the opposite side.

Screeeee—

With a scream like leaking wind, an archdemon surged upward noisily, crushing buildings in the distance. It was not far from the path the legion had taken.

It had finally crossed the city and reached the vicinity of the training grounds before the inner castle.

"Shit... how is it even moving in that state?" Miguel muttered hollowly from behind.

The answer was likely Akihatara’s appearance. It was soaring upward while spewing debris and purple trajectories. Its wings and legs were completely broken, and even its head hung at a grotesque angle, dangling precariously.

Screech!

That was why its scream had grown so distorted. From its neck, gouged as if by an ax, purple-tinged fluid sprayed outward.

Thesaya, a fairy, could see Akihatara’s head in chilling detail. Its crown of feathers was no longer recognizable, and not a single light shone from its face, which was riddled with gashes.

All six of its eyes have gone blind.

Thesaya’s lips twisted. Of course, blindness was likely the least of the archdemon’s problems. Its entire body was torn and slashed, and its chest had been cut open to the bone. And even now, a golden trajectory was chasing it like an arrow.

Whoosh—

It was Ian, his golden wings spread wide, and his greatsword raised high. Red divinity, smoldering as it turned orange, still clung to him.

Zap-crackle!

Dodging the sharp purple trajectories that burst out spasmodically, Ian hurled himself straight into the center of the archdemon’s torso. Akihatara bent sharply in midair and was sent falling away, as though struck aside by an overwhelming force.

Rumble, crash—

As the archdemon vanished among the buildings, a cloud of dust mixed with debris burst upward once more. Multicolored sparks flared within it, likely a phenomenon born from the collision of chaos and divinity.

After casting one last glance at the scene, Thesaya turned back to Cherwyn, who was still staring into the distance.

"Why don’t we finish our conversation quietly later? From what I can see, it won’t be long before the Agent of the Saint kills the archdemon," said Thesaya.

"Let’s do that, Elder," Cherwyn answered, blinking as if snapping back to her senses.

Turning her gaze forward, she added, "For now, the priority is to let everyone in Calbrook witness the Agent of the Saint’s great deed."

Cherwyn’s eyes, shimmering with divinity, carefully traced the wall and the area near the gate. It was likely one of the many elements in the plan she and the princess were orchestrating.

"This is insane. I can’t believe it, even watching it happen. He was monstrously strong even back then, but now he’s just..." Miguel muttered in disbelief.

Thesaya followed his gaze. Across the ground, blanketed with monster corpses, the Crimson Legion had gathered into a broad semicircle, encircling the gate.

Screech!

Beyond that, the faint screams of monsters and the shouts of warriors continued. The legion was clearly clearing out the remaining stragglers rushing in.

Judging by how few people were carrying wounded toward the supply wagons, it was plainly a one-sided slaughter.

Snort...

At that moment, Moro, trudging slowly beside the brazier wagon, snorted and pawed at the ground. Thesaya immediately understood why. Among the heaps of corpses ahead lay a conspicuously visible white horse.

Selim.

It had been the beloved mount of the dark-red paladin standing before the gate. It was also a comrade to the squire standing behind her, gripping a halberd.

Thesaya patted Moro’s neck as it lifted its head toward the wall, then raised her gaze with it. The battle against the monsters, now being pushed back toward the inner fortress, was clearly nearing its end.

Whoosh—

Here and there, scattered fireballs arced over the wall, striking the monsters beyond. From the faintly echoing howls, it was clear that outside the wall as well, the monsters had fallen into chaotic infighting.

This is pretty much...

With her eyes slightly narrowed, Thesaya nodded, then turned her head again.

Boom! crash—

Behind them, Akihatara burst upward, smashing through a low wall and the buildings beyond it.

It no longer had the strength to soar properly, tracing a slanted, faltering arc instead. Purple chaos seeped sluggishly from its entire body, leaving lingering afterimages in its wake, especially from the gaping wound in the center of its chest.

Fwoosh—

At that moment, Thesaya shifted her gaze upward. A golden trail arced far higher than the archdemon in a vast parabola. It was Ian, leaping as if taking flight, his wings spread wide.

"Oh, Lu Entre..." Miguel’s exclamation followed.

The reaction was natural. Even to Thesaya’s eyes, Ian rising with his greatsword raised looked transcendent.

Swoosh—

The shimmer surrounding the raised greatsword was no illusion. He had likely drawn out even the divinity of the sacred ring. As a result, Ian now looked every bit like a messenger descended from the heavens.

You’ve been through a lot, Ian.

Still, Thesaya’s impression differed slightly from the others’. Thanks to her keen eyesight, she could see through the blazing divinity and draconic mana to his true state.

Ian was caked in dust and ash. His armor was torn in several places, as if sharply sliced, and even the cloak that usually gleamed smoothly was ripped and fluttering raggedly behind him.

Whoosh—

Even so, the fact that he was overwhelming the archdemon remained unchanged. As the sacred flame illuminated the surroundings ever more brightly, Ian’s trajectory plunged downward like a lightning bolt. Akihatara, rapidly being closed in upon, could no longer offer even the slightest resistance.

Crackle!

Gripping the greatsword with both hands, Ian brought it down with all his strength, crashing into the creature. The massive blade, its edge chipped in countless places, sank deep into the archdemon’s chest.

Crunch!

Akihatara slammed straight into the ground and was dragged backward, violently tearing up flagstones and gravel. The monster corpses strewn across the ground were crushed and hurled aside in all directions.

Rumble—

After driving the greatsword down, Ian dropped into a crouch atop the creature. Sparks and clouds of dust erupted chaotically around him in his wake.

Swoosh—

As the archdemon finally began to slow, Ian rose to his feet and spread his wings. Akihatara twitched violently, as if seized by convulsions. Ian wrenched the greatsword free from its chest and brought it down again with all his might.

Clang! Rumble—

A heavy boom echoed as the archdemon’s body lurched. Dust mixed with sparks billowed thickly into the air.

That was likely why the front lines fell silent. Before long, not only those near the gate but even the garrison soldiers on the wall were turning to look back at the archdemon sprawled on the ground and at Ian, who continued to drive his greatsword down.

Crunch— Splat!

Only a few seconds later, a dense purple mist burst forth from the archdemon’s body, which had been jolting with every strike.

Thesaya’s eyes twitched. It wasn’t because the fading screams of demons beyond the wall brushed past her ears.

"Finally..."

The end of Bukikia, the archdemon of the deep sea, had been the same. It was unmistakable. The creature had completely lost control of the chaos within it.

"The Demigod has won!"

That was why Thesaya turned toward the gate and raised her clenched right fist high as she shouted. For a brief moment, her magic-laced voice rang out across the battlefield.

"Oooooo—"

"The Demigod of the North has defeated the archdemon!"

"For the victory of the Great Demigod!"

The barbarian warriors’ fiery cheers erupted. The shouts quickly spread all the way up to the wall.

"O Demigod of the North!"

"Long live the Great Dragon Slayer—"

Not only the dispatched legionnaires but also the garrison soldiers raised their weapons high, waving them wildly.

Thesaya and Cherwyn met each other’s gazes almost simultaneously and shared meaningful smiles.

As Cherwyn slowly lifted both hands, the sacred flames burning in the two braziers flared brighter, illuminating the surroundings in a warm, radiant glow.

Fwoosh—

It was so that Ian’s figure would not be obscured, even within the dense, fog-like spread of purple chaos.

Immediately after, Thesaya’s eyes, which had been glancing behind, twitched. She realized that Ian was still staring down at the archdemon. There was even a faint frown on his face, a detail no one else could have seen.

Flash!

At that moment, Ian raised the Platinum Barrier, wrenched the greatsword free, and hurled himself backward. As he did, he folded his wings tightly around his body.

Thesaya understood the reason an instant later.

Whaaaaam—

The chaos Akihatara had been exhaling like mist suddenly surged violently, dyeing everything violet. In the next instant, the entire area flashed blindingly.

Crack, boom!

A thunderous roar erupted, swallowing the cheers whole. Thesaya reflexively lifted her head, her lips parting slightly.

Violet light spread through the storm clouds above. They churned faster and faster, and the eye of the vortex began to open slowly.

"Damn it... this happened before, didn’t it...?" Miguel muttered blankly.

That alone was enough to snap Thesaya back to herself. Veins bulged around her eyes as a blue glow gathered in her pupils.

Whoooooosh—

The violet chaos mist rushed in, swirling like a violent whirlwind. The sacred fire illuminating the surroundings flickered unsteadily as Thesaya thrust her left arm, clutching a jewel, over the brazier.

Crack, crack, crack!

A spell was released in haste. Beyond the wagon, a massive wall of ice surged upward.

Crash, rumble—

Though hastily deployed, it was enough to shield the brazier and wagon from the raging storm of chaos. The wall turned a pure white as the violet waves swept overhead, brushing past as though repelled by the sacred fire.

"Dammit! In the end, again!" Miguel spat, his face twisted in a deep scowl as he staggered. Even so, he rushed to Cherwyn and pulled her into his arms, shielding her with his body.

"I knew it. I didn’t see it wrong earlier!" Thesaya shouted, spreading her left hand wide.

Without even noticing the blood beginning to trickle from her nose again, she turned back toward Miguel and Cherwyn.

"It’s Dharmaraja! That damn bastard didn’t just send the demons!"

"Don’t tell me— Akihatara..." Cherwyn finally stammered, still held in Miguel’s arms.

Thesaya turned sharply toward her, frowning. "What did you say?"

"Dharmaraja already has a history of sacrificing countless humans to gain immense power," Cherwyn said. Her voice trailed off, as if she were speaking to herself, before she lifted her gaze to Thesaya.

"Perhaps this time... it used Akihatara and its vassals as sacrifices."