Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 207

TN: Please read my translations only on my website since I never give my permission to any site to host my translations. And if you like my translations, please support this site on Ko-fi and Patreon to read several chapters ahead!

Sponsored chapter by our Patreon. Enjoy~

ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 207 – Battle of Heim’s Capital Part 6

“What do you want to say…?”

Ed replied in a very cold, inorganic voice.

Lili looked at him without flinching and continued with a smug expression.

“Nothing. I was just thinking about things. I was just… I was wondering if you were really satisfied with being third.”

She was shaking Ed’s self-esteem and poking at his unstable psyche.

Whether a demon or a snake will come out―although she feels a sense of eeriness towards Ed himself, Lili does not break her composure.

“…Actually, I don’t mind either way.”

“…What?”

“No, it’s not that I don’t mind. I’m just saying it, so don’t worry about it. …Oh, but if I hit the nail on the head, I’m sorry.”

She had no intention of apologizing.

Ed was also a little taken aback by Lili’s obvious reaction.

Depending on who was looking, it might have looked like a childish provocation.

But it contained just the right amount of words to shake Ed’s spirit.

As he smiled, Ed’s face turned pale.

“Young lady, do you know? A vulgar provocation is a sign of the character of the person who utters it.”

“Oh, I don’t really care what people think. Besides, I was raised to be a spy, so I don’t really care what people think. Well, I’m not really acting as a spy right now.”

“I see. It seems like you’ve lived a rather trivial life.”

“Haha, you know? Being a spy is also a form of loyalty. You who have lived a trivial life―you wouldn’t understand that, would you?”

Ed put his hand to his mouth, stunned by Lili’s parroting.

“…I see, so it was you who was the most troublesome?”

Ed understands.

Of the three people who are hostile to him, she was the most annoying.

Despite her claim to be a spy, this woman named Lili showed her high ability even in the open, and her quick decisions were exquisite.

In addition, her quick thinking was also top-notch.

Although she was an enemy, Ed had a high opinion of Lili in his heart.

However, it was also true that she continues to dig deep into Ed’s self-esteem.

“You there… you said your name was Lloyd, didn’t you?”

Ed then turned to Lloyd and spoke.

“Ah, you’re right. It is me.”

“I apologize for not explaining myself the other day.”

He had a completely different, cheerful expression on his face.

To those who didn’t know the circumstances, he was just a friendly old man.

However, to the three people who knew Ed’s true identity, he was nothing short of creepy.

“…Hmm?”

“It’s about the miasma.”

The word “miasma” made everyone stiff.

If Ed happened to emit miasma, they would have no choice but to run away.

“Ah, don’t worry! I won’t emit miasma―if I did, I wouldn’t be myself.”

“You wouldn’t be yourself?”

Hearing the disturbing words, Lloyd muttered to himself.

“I slipped up. At least that’s one way of looking at it.”

“Hey, wait! What the hell are you doing?”

Ed reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black stone.

He kissed it like a famous scene from a play and then carefully wrapped it in the palm of his hand.

“The Red Fox race is close to a different race. In other words, like that elf, we have a core and we also have a magic stone within us.”

Ed smiles menacingly and begins his speech with a grand gesture.

“The line between monsters and different races… that is very, very difficult. If we were to simplify it, it could be that the important factor is to be able to communicate with such people, but let’s leave that interpretation aside for now.”

“…So what have you been doing since just now?”

“For example, you could artificially extract the energy from the magic stone and then pour that energy into the core. What do you think would happen then?”

Chris looked up in surprise.

Pour the magic stone’s energy into the core. She remembered those words.

Yes, it was exactly the old research she had received from Ist, and she remembered the events of that time like a revolving lantern.

“Lloyd-sama! Hurry and get Ed!”

“O…oh!”

Chris began running toward Ed.

The object was the black stone in Ed’s hand, and Chris raised her sword to smash it.

Lloyd and Lili, surprised by Chris’ sudden action, attack Ed in unison.

“…it makes you very, very strong.”

Ed took a big gulp of the black stone as if swallowing a pill.

His Adam’s apple rose and fell as it passed down his throat.

“I can keep going…!”

Chris desperately stretched out her arm and plunged the tip of the dagger into Ed’s neck.

She wants to kill him before the effect kicks in, but…

“No. I’m afraid it’s too late.”

Just like the other day, Ed caught Lloyd’s sword with one hand and grabbed the dagger Lili threw at him with the other.

Chris’ dagger was also about to touch his neck, but he managed to bend his neck and avoid it.

Suddenly, the three of them felt as if they were floating on water, and they were blown away as if caught in a sudden gust of wind.

“What the hell are you doing…!”

Since they had only been blown away, it was easy to take a defensive stance.

Lloyd, who had regained his composure, glared at Ed.

The true nature of the shock that had occurred around Ed―not only Lloyd but also Chris and Lili―had no idea.

The only thing they knew was that Ed’s body was filled with power.

Even more so than before he had been absorbed by Ain.

“Isn’t this a common story? The hero awakens to his powers and defeats the evil enemy.”

Ed spread his arms wide in joy and looked up to the sky.

“I’m in that situation right now!”

Ed’s face had become younger, and the muscles in his arms were fresh and vibrant.

His voice had also taken on a new vibrancy, and in a word, he seemed to have been reborn.

Then he looked at the three of them with powerful eyes surrounded by a red, glittering aura.

“I can say that I have now reached the same level as the Demon King Arche.”

Ed, speaking triumphantly, carried his prized spear and showed no sign of hiding his joy.

The sound of the air being sliced by the spinning spear echoed, and the three who were staring at Ed stared at him with their mouths agape.

But it was Lloyd who came to his senses first.

When he realized what Ed had said, he looked panicked and asked him what he really meant.

“On a par with the Demon King Arche?”

He didn’t want to think about it.

That was the consensus of everyone, and even Lili’s cheeks turned pale.

The noise of the two armies clashing around them was completely inaudible, and strangely enough, only Ed’s voice continued to reach their ears.

“Strengthening through external influence without using internal factors… no, making someone a demon king. That’s what I just showed you.”

Chris’ brow furrowed as she lowered her head, her prediction coming true.

This development was the worst. If Ed’s words were true, even if the three of them work together.

…But then reassuring words come.

“Chris-sama? Please look up.”

Lili, who had come right next to Chris without her noticing, tapped her on the shoulder.

“It’s okay. The battle isn’t over yet.”

“…Lili-san.”

Although they were two people of different heights, Lili, looking up at Chris from below, somehow looked more mature than Chris.

Lili smiled benevolently at Chris and said, “Alright!” before turning her attention back to Ed.

“Did you feel like you got younger?”

“…My whole body has started to become more active and I’ve grown physically. So it’s not like I’ve gotten younger.”

“I see, I see.”

Lili nodded with a serious expression on her face and then gave Lloyd a mischievous look.

Seeing Lloyd nod in a worried manner, Lili decided to continue acting freely.

“Suu… Haahh…”

However, even Lili found it difficult not to feel nervous when she was told that he was equal to the Demon King.

Trying not to let her thoughts show on her face, she took a deep breath to calm herself down.

“Uncle? Have you regained your confidence?”

“…Phew. What are you trying to say this time?”

“Hahaha. It’s obvious.”

Lili took a step forward with a nervous gait.

With her current distance from Ed, such an action was tantamount to suicide.

But Lili had made up her mind.

――The most dangerous thing was to fight in a calm situation.

…And then.

That’s why she kept talking to Ed.

Even though she knew it would be dangerous, Lili continued to try to influence Ed to find a way to win.

“I know. I’ve seen people like you before, back home.”

Lili mentioned her homeland, Ishtalika.

Even Lloyd and Chris, listening nearby, had no idea what Lili was going to say.

This was especially true of Ed, who felt like a child in front of a huge surprise box.

“I’m interested. Where did you see it?”

Ed took a step forward.

Even though his movements were relaxed, each of them was full of power, and he showed himself to be a ruler-like figure.

“You look just like them. You look like a rich lady.”

“Hahahaha! This is good! I’m interested! Why did you compare me with those ladies?”

“Well, that’s because…”

While answering, Lili took a new dagger out of her chest.

Ed’s mind was filled with questions like, “How many weapons does she have hidden in her body?”

But without noticing Ed’s doubts, Lili spoke to him.

“I mean, you look like a nouveau riche lady who’s satisfied with buying expensive cosmetics and applying them thickly!”

Lili mocked him.

With a faint smile, she stared at Ed.

From the bottom of her heart, she mocked Ed, who had become arrogant by relying on objects instead of his own abilities.

When she threw the dagger she had prepared at Ed, it triggered the resumption of the battle.

The difference from before was that Ed had been strengthened, and his own mental state was at its worst.

“You can’t be saved. After I tear off your limbs, I’ll hand you over to the tired Heim soldiers”.

Then Ed approached Lili with a speed that was incomparable to what he was doing just a moment ago.

Lili, though surprised, threw a needle-like projectile and distanced herself from Ed.

“I’d like to ask you to spare me that… it’s so disgusting, I can’t stop getting goosebumps!”

“Lili! Move back, I’ll take the front…”

“Stay back. I’ll deal with you later.”

Ed cut the air with his spear.

“Wha… what kind of power is that…!”

Lloyd blocked the powerful spear blow with his greatsword.

He wanted to continue the competition, but the spear’s direct hit was too heavy, and he felt a little numbness in both arms.

Ed, surrounded by a red aura, continued towards Lili without even looking at Lloyd.

“I’m confident in my speed, too!

Chris continued to face Ed―when she got to the other side of Lloyd, she stabbed her sword in several places.

“Tsk… you’re really annoying…! You’re so fast, it’s irritating!”

“It’s my weapon! I’m sure I’m a good match for you!”

Chris and Ed had similar preferences when it came to fighting styles.

Although Ed was clearly superior in strength and speed, Chris was fast enough to stand in Ed’s way.

Chris had also grown up in the Ishtalika Knight Order.

As her master Ain grew stronger, Chris must have grown as well.

“Thank you, Chris-sama! Look, Uncle! I’ll continue too!”

Lili, who had gained some distance due to Chris’ interference.

Then, she launched another attack from a distance.

She threw the weapon at many parts of the body, such as the neck, feet, and wrists, and in the gap, Lloyd’s arm also recovered.

“I’m sorry. I froze for a few seconds!”

He readied his greatsword and brought it down on Ed.

When Ed realized he’s being attacked from three different directions, he let out a look of pure annoyance.

“I don’t know what to say. I appreciate your efforts, but you just seem a little annoying.”

The next moment… Ed was demonstrating a simple attack.

It wasn’t even a technique, just brute force―he swung the spear he held tightly with all his might.

It was just that kind of attack.

“Wha… what… !”

“Kyaaa… !?”

“C-can the shock reach this far…?”

The two people who were close to Ed received the spear blow to their bodies and were easily blown away.

On the other hand, Lili, who was far away, fell to her knees from the shock wave that reached her location.

“I really feel like the main character of a story. I, who have awakened, had to play such a role… Are you listening?”

Ecstatic with his own power, Ed asked for the opinions of the three people who had fallen.

“By the way, this crimson is beautiful. Don’t you think it suits me and my mother?”

He held out his hand and repeatedly opened and closed his palm.

The crimson color continued to drift around his body, and Ed let out a delighted voice at the sight.

“Ed the Demon King―that has a nice ring to it. After all, I am the one who should be standing next to my mother. Let’s get rid of this human quickly and make a paradise just for my mother and me…”

The reason that none of the three answered was because they were trying to catch their breath after the pain that had run through their bodies.

But Ed didn’t care that they didn’t answer and continued to speak on his own.

“To create a paradise? But is that person who is so infatuated with that human really my mother…?”

Lloyd and the others listened in silence―and then it happened.

Suddenly, Ed’s appearance began to look confused.

“Could it be that she’s been replaced by a fake without my noticing? No, that’s impossible. That kind of beauty and scent is definitely her. Then why does she love that dust instead of me? Why does she let that dust lie with her body instead of me?”

“W-what in the world is wrong with that guy?”

Watching Ed continue his one-man show, Lloyd muttered to Chris.

“I don’t know. But it doesn’t seem like he’s acting on purpose… and it’s different from the instability he showed earlier.”

“I-I agree with you…”

While Chris was answering, Lili came over with a lot of sweat on her forehead.

Lili’s heavy steps made it seem as if her body had turned to stone.

Seeing her like that, Lloyd gave her a gentle shoulder.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m sorry. When the shock hit me, a large stone flew at me… Ah, here it is… Ouch…”

The spot Lili was referring to was her kneecap.

The armor she was wearing was slightly dented, and it was clear that she had been hit hard by the flying stone.

With a wry smile, Lili replied that she was fine, and the three of them looked at Ed, who continued to question himself.

“Could it be that he’s following the same path as the Demon King Arche?”

The group watched Ed for over ten seconds.

In the midst of this, Chris muttered to herself.

“The same path as the Demon King Arche?”

“Well, Chris-sama, could you explain a little more…”

“Well, um… that’s right.”

The two of them listened to Chris’ words.

Then Chris continued her explanation, keeping an eye on Ed.

“If this really is some kind of demon king transformation, then Ed might be a little out of control.”

“I see, so he’s lost his mind.”

Lloyd replied, looking as if he understood.

However, Lili let out a voice as if she was not satisfied with the explanation.

“But that doesn’t make sense. If he really has become the Demon King, then even if we all fight together, we won’t be able to defeat him…”

“Well, that’s true…”

There was a gap in Chris’ hypothesis.

If Ed had really become the Demon King, then even the three of them would be no match for him.

This was even more true if he had gone berserk.

“A sudden evolution―that could be the reason.”

“Lloyd-sama? What do you mean by a sudden evolution?”

Lloyd spoke to them with a confident look in his eyes.

Chris, her eyes wide open, hurriedly urged him to continue.

“If he really has the goal of becoming the Demon King… that means he’s still growing―both physically and mentally. Hmph… what a troublesome thing. And it looks like the time we have left is not going to be long at all.”

Will this really be an opening for them to take advantage of?

Or will it be a prelude to despair? No one could think of an answer.

If you like my translations, please support me on Ko-Fi and subscribe my Patreon to read several chapters ahead!