Chapter 82
He's got her.
Tmaout calmly aimed beyond the gas mist. Though hidden and invisible, he could be certain.
He's got her this time.
Though the imperial bastards killed pure engineering to maintain magicians' privileges, it was different in the demon realm.
To overcome the tragedy of not being able to use magic stones mined from demon realm mines due to the empire's restrictions, they focused on pure engineering instead of magic stone engineering.
To think he could kill the Craft family, who subdued the impregnable demon realm by enticing a great demon, with the achievements containing the demon realm's hardships.
Though it was a problem that the moderates didn't cooperate so he brought an old-fashioned blunderbuss instead of a new shotgun, it wasn't a big issue. Even if old-fashioned, when used by an apprentice knight-class, it's a firearm that can kill even other apprentice knight-class.
If he cuts off the Craft lineage here, he'll have something to confidently tell the next generation Demon King born somewhere according to the new covenant prophecy. From now on, the hardliners can push out the moderates and receive support from the next generation Demon King.
The only thing bothering him was if the Craft hiding in the gas mist escapes from here as is.
"Don't hide like a coward! To think you became the Craft family head with such a mindset! Aren't you ashamed before your ancestors!"
Tmaout aimed his gun muzzle beyond the purple mist and examined closely. The mist where even an inch ahead was barely visible was silently calm.
Was it a mistake to confirm Craft's appearance by pushing away the mist with shotgun fire?
When Craft approached from behind without even footsteps then suddenly stopped speaking and hid her position, he became wary. So he fired before it was too late, but was it the wrong judgment?
Though Craft played with people through ominous schemes, she probably hadn't actually seen firearms reflecting advanced pure engineering, so he showed the powerful force.
"Did you run away! You coward! You Crafts were always like this! When you thought the situation wasn't favorable, you just ran away betraying oaths and pledges!"
Tmaout was having difficulty controlling his anger while thoroughly examining the gas mist.
Craft's appearance momentarily visible from the gunfire was shocking as a demon race. To think she was leisurely riding a broom and flying without even being an archmage. Wasn't it a flying method just like the late Demon King?
It was obvious how she could do that. Craft was at the vanguard of the demon realm invasion. She must have somehow stolen the Demon King's secret techniques through various tricks.
Until now it was controversial so they kept it stored away in some warehouse, but when the Craft family itself collapsed, they finally took it out.
"How far will you insult us!"
As Tmaout was enraged, he suddenly heard faint footsteps. Light footsteps like a girl's. A presence secretly approaching.
Did she not run away?
Experience trained while reaching apprentice knight-class suppressed excitement and made him respond. His body turned and the gun muzzle aimed beyond the sound.
A human form was briefly reflected in the gas mist.
He's got her.
Tmaout pulled the trigger.
A roar rang out. Flames arose and a barrage swept the front. Purple gas was pushed away like a storm and revealed the result.
An autumn coat tattered by countless bullet holes fluttered in the air without an owner.
Tmaout's eyes bulged.
Suddenly a magic stone knife flew piercing through the coat. The knife cut Tmaout's gas mask as he avoided it. Terrible smelling gas leaked in.
Kuk.
Tmaout hurriedly held his breath. Meanwhile he threw away the already fired gun and kicked up the loaded gun at his feet to grab it.
Where is she. Where are you.
The gun muzzle frantically aimed around.
The gas mist was still quiet.
While maintaining vigilance, he shouted to subordinates who should be nearby.
"Throw me a spare mask!"
A subordinate invisible in the gas mist made a voice then moved. Along with that, a chilling flesh sound was made and screams rang out. The sound of bodies collapsing was especially loud.
Tmaout's spine chilled. He pressed the gap of his broken mask with one hand.
"Don't think you can kill me with mere gas!"
He gestured near his face. An apprentice knight-class's rank created wind and pushed away the atmosphere. Most of the gas was pushed away and breathable air was exhaled.
"I never thought that."
A hazy voice was heard from behind.
Tmaout hurriedly turned around.
Pink hair fluttered. As the gun muzzle was aimed, the girl's palm struck up the gun barrel. A shockwave burst. Superhuman strength tore apart Tmaout's grip and sent the gun flying into the sky.
"Kuk!"
The girl's sword strike flew.
Tmaout drew his one-handed sword and faced it. His posture, momentum, and timing were clearly not good.
But the opponent is a genius who hasn't yet reached the realm. Minor conditions aren't important with the difference in realm. An apprentice knight-class's sword strike can cut even steel.
He'll cut through sword and all.
Sword and sword collided. Sparks flew and noise rang out.
Tmaout felt intense resistance. His eyes bulged.
Why isn't it cutting?
A thought flashed.
The Craft family had an unbreakable magic sword.
A magic sword with a great demon sealed inside.
His gaze touched the girl's sword.
This traitor great demon!
To betray Craft twice and yet again...!
The girl pushed the sword just like that. The crossguards interlocked and a roar arose. Shockwaves pushed away the purple gas.
Tmaout faced it while putting strength in his muscles. The cult's magic stone stimulant created superhuman strength. A frail girl is no match. Arm muscles swelled and blood vessels expanded red and blue.
"This mere sword!"
As Tmaout shouted, he felt strong pressure. His posture crumbled from the girl's superhuman strength and one knee was forced down.
What is this...
The girl who dug into the gap in emotions pushed the interlocked crossguards to the side. The deadlock situation was suddenly broken. Tmaout's sword that was continuously exerting force couldn't overcome its own strength and just cut the air.
Tmaout realized death.
His gaze went to the girl who should be delivering a sword strike.
But the girl made a hazy smile then rather let go of the magic sword from her hand. In slow time, the sword fell powerlessly.
What?
Tmaout didn't miss the opportunity and quickly recovered his crumbled posture. The sword strike created along with the posture change aimed at the defenseless girl.
The girl's hand stretched to the sky. The fallen gun was caught in the girl's hand. As it rotated, the muzzle was aimed.
The girl opened her mouth with eyes full of hazy ecstasy.
"Bang~♥"
Tmaout was enraged at the excited appearance.
Craft!
You even treat people's deaths...!
The trigger was pulled.
A roar arose and the barrage sliced up flesh.
#
Pastel was sprawled face down on an outdoor patient bed like laundry.
Medical staff treating students poisoned by gas moved busily around.
"Eeng eeng."
I need to clean up the aftermath.
Strong exhaustion came. With each exhale, a sense of emptiness like her insides were completely hollow was felt.
Hormone friend, you enjoyed it too much.
Eeng.
A voice was heard from the adjacent bed.
"I'll recover on my own so just give me painkillers and go. Ah. Since I'm a student, should I use honorifics? I'm tired today so I'll do it from next time."
Duchess Elsior was speaking informally to the professor. The professor was actually too flustered to scold her.
After finishing various insubordinate conversations, Elsior approached with slightly staggering steps.
Eeyeeng.
Pastel painfully turned her body. She roughly changed from lying face down to lying on her back.
The silver-haired girl looking down blankly was visible.
"Hello Elsior. How's your physical condition?"
"Not bad."
"Even though you were inhaling poison gas until just now?"
"Because I'm apprentice knight-class."
Does it get better just from breathing some clean air?
Heeh.
Elsior hesitated. She looked around at the ongoing medical treatment, organized her thoughts, then spoke.
"Give me time to think about the proposal."
Eeng.
What proposal?
Pastel blankly turned her head.
Come to think of it, talkative Mr. Tmaout slandered.
That I showed my true self to Elsior with the intention of manipulating the Bellamont ducal family's succession competition.
And that I was threatening that if she doesn't receive Craft's sponsorship, she should fear retaliation from Craft who has such a true self.
Huk.
"It's a misunderstanding!"
She suddenly raised her body from the bed.
She waved both arms violently.
"It's a misunderstanding! A misunderstanding! Good good Pastel doesn't make threatening proposals to friends!"
Pastel shouted.
"To begin with, I'm not even two-faced! I'm just as I appear! Just as I appear!"
I'm just just...
"Pink pink Pastel who just loves money and power!"
A mutter was heard from the adjacent bed.
"So you love money and power anyway."
It was Melissa. She was resting in a gracefully lying posture.
Pastel wanted to refute because Melissa's tone was strange, but she couldn't because it was correct.
Huk.
Good Pastel who can't lie...!
Why do they see such good Pastel so badly?
This is all because of Mr. Tmaout who made lots and lots of slander!
Though hormone friend carried out poetic justice, once words are spoken they can't be taken back!
Uwaa!
Pastel clutched her head. Pink hair tangled between her fingers.
Elsior flinched seeing that appearance. She shrank like a debtor meeting a loan shark and avoided her gaze.
"I won't think long. I need time to make up my mind too..."
Feeling like I've completely become a bad person!
Pastel's hands trembled tremble tremble.
This isn't right!
"You don't need to think!"
She gently held Elsior's hands.
"I understand your circumstances!"
To think you're fated to receive death threats from siblings just for the family head position.
"Tell me anytime if you need my sponsorship!"
Pastel smiled brightly.
"I'll help with anything as a friend!"
Anyone hearing would think it's Pastel who loves friends too much.
"Sponsorship...?"
Elsior blankly looked at the bright smile.
"I see. My worries weren't needed."
"Yes yes!"
Just trust me!
"...I'll receive sponsorship."
Elsior who answered shrank into a corner.
Ta-da.
Popular Pastel made a friend (subordinate) again today!
Oh yeah.
Melissa watched in shock.