Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 216

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 216 – Those Who Know Pride

“Huh? What was that shock just now…?”

The Noble District was an area where the residences of the high-ranking nobles who lived in the capital city of Heim were lined up.

Lloyd walked through the area with several royal guards and the two people he rescued.

“E-excuse me… Your Excellency Lloyd?”

Then the heir to Grand Duke Augusto… Lyle spoke to Lloyd.

“Hey, Lyle. You can’t just start talking to people like that when they’re in the middle of a mission. I told you that before…”

“Hahaha, that’s fine. Now, what is it, Lyle-dono?”

“Um, did my mother and grandfather really go to Ishtalika?”

“Lyle!”

“Harley-dono. There is no need to be so angry. Now, Lyle-dono. As for your question, as I told you when we broke into Grand Duke Augusto’s mansion, the two of them live in our homeland of Ishtalika. Speaking of Graff-dono, he is now a formidable figure even in Ishtalika, you know?”

Lyle’s words were a bit thoughtless.

However, Lloyd understood Lyle’s feelings and replied with a warm attitude.

Harley, who was listening next to him, also looked relieved by Lloyd’s tone.

“But I’m worried―why don’t you ask about Krone-dono?”

“…Well, I thought if it was my older sister, there was no need to worry…”

“…..”

Lloyd fell silent at Lyle’s answer.

Then, the royal knights also fell silent, and the next moment, they all burst out laughing.

“Hahaha! I see… if it’s Krone-dono, then there’s nothing to worry about.”

Lloyd laughed out loud, and then,

“Kukuku… well, as I thought, they really are a family, aren’t they, Lloyd-sama?”

“That’s right. If it’s Krone-dono, there’s nothing to worry about.”

The royal knights continued in agreement.

However, the cheerful mood came to an end, and one of the royal knights noticed a change in the capital.

“Lloyd-sama, I think that shock earlier was probably caused by that thing…”

“That thing? Could it be that Heim Castle collapsed…?”

Her eyes turned to Heim Castle.

At the sight of it slowly but surely crumbling before their eyes, Lloyd panicked and worried about Ain’s safety.

“Everyone, take these two to a safe place! I’ll hurry to Ain-sama’s side…”

“…I won’t let you go. You barbarians… are also destined to rot here with me. Besides, even if you return to the ship, there is a trump card my mother has prepared for you.”

“…E-Ed! You… now of all times!?”

Ed, who had suddenly appeared, was surrounded by a thick, glowing red aura, just like when they had fought three against one.

It looked like he had completely changed his stance, and Lloyd, who was facing him, broke into a wry smile and began to sweat.

Even if he tried to turn back, there was no point in retreating because Ed had come to the front of the path.

“I have to go and see what happened at the castle… I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to hold back…”!

“(Is it time to pay the annual tribute? This is really the worst possible time…)”

Lloyd muttered to himself.

Even though he wanted to give up and hang his head in the worst possible situation, he couldn’t allow himself to give up.

“What a coincidence, I was just thinking about getting serious…!”

“Lloyd-dono, please run away. The nobles of Heim will have to take responsibility for this.”

Then Harley stood in front of Lloyd with his legs shaking.

He also felt responsible for the unrest that had started in his own country.

“Please, run away…!”

“Ahhh… What a touching story. This is the kind of behavior that is appropriate for the stage.”

Ed was pleased with Harley’s words, but he couldn’t help but laugh when he saw Harley’s trembling feet.

Even the sight of a child named Lyle, who was afraid of death, was just another source of excitement for Ed at the moment.

But Ed wanted more than that.

“But this isn’t the end.”

Suddenly, Ed disappeared, and the next moment he had a spear in one of the royal knight’s neck.

“…L-Lloyd…sa…ma…”

His eyes popped out of his head as he widened them, and the royal knight breathed his last as blood spurted from his neck.

“(No way…is he even stronger than he was in the fight before?)”

There was a reason why Lloyd was so surprised.

The thing was, Lloyd had not been able to see Ed’s movements.

Before he knew it, Ed had plunged his spear into the royal knight and was laughing in his blind spot.

“Next time it’ll be you!”

Then Ed twisted his body and kicked Lloyd’s injured arm away.

With a muffled scream, Lloyd was blown several feet away and crashed into the wall.

“Hah… hah… hah… fuh…! Is that all you’ve got?”

“You’re so stubborn. Does it hurt? Do you want to cry? Don’t you want to rest? Come on, just tell me how you feel.”

“Wait, you! Let Lloyd-sama――”

“Stop it! You two, protect them!”

Lloyd stood up unsteadily after stopping the royal knights who were about to join the fight.

“My name is Lloyd! Lloyd Glacier! This body, this sword―everything is dedicated to the great Ishtalika! If you can destroy it, then destroy it! Red Fox!”

“That’s very brave of you. But do you really think you can stand up to me with that body? With one arm, one eye… do you really think you can take my life?”

Despite his introduction, Lloyd’s stance was unsteady.

His footing was unstable from pain and exhaustion, and it could be said that he was on the verge of death.

“That’s what irritates me… you low race!”

Ed readied his spear and charged at Lloyd.

In addition to the sound of it slicing through the air, there was the sound of the ground being kicked for a moment.

Ed’s breathing could be heard right next to Lloyd’s ear, and the next moment, Ed’s spearhead was swung down towards Lloyd’s neck…

“Don’t take me for granted!”

Ed was confident.

With this, Lloyd’s head would fall, and then he would quickly kill the royal knights and then the two from Grand Duke Augusto’s family, and it would be over.

Despite his confidence, the outcome defied Ed’s expectations.

“What… you still have that kind of power?”

Lloyd’s newly acquired sword and Ed’s spear clashed, producing a loud metallic sound.

Lloyd, who had parried the spear with a reaction speed that could truly be called godlike, looked at Ed with a triumphant expression.

“Kuh… haha… Ed! I’m not dead yet…!”

…But Lloyd was blown away by Ed’s strength.

After being blown away twice, Lloyd’s strength had reached its limit… it seemed that even standing up was difficult now.

“Lloyd-sama!”

“Marshal!”

The voice of the royal knights reached his ears.

However, Lloyd had no time for them at the moment.

… And then, at that very moment, a new strange phenomenon occured in the royal capital.

“What on earth is that…?”

Ed stopped following them and looked in the direction of the Grand Duke Augusto’s mansion, at the far end of the noble district.

“…A giant tree?”

Then Lloyd looked in the same direction as Ed.

The two of them were a little dazed, but then Ed suddenly started laughing in a good mood.

“Hahaha… it looks like we won! I think that means your Crown Prince has probably fallen into my mother’s hands.”

“Don’t tell lies!”

“What do you mean by lying? Isn’t it funny? After all, Mother has tamed even the demon King Arche… so there’s nothing strange about a prince of a different race.”

These words were very convincing to Lloyd.

The power drained from his body, and despair began to rise in his heart.

The royal knights, who had listened to Ed’s words, also changed their expressions and stared at the giant tree with a look as if they were about to cry.

“Ha… Hahahahaha! I’m sorry, but you’re done now…!”

It’s over.

Lloyd was strongly driven by this feeling.

He felt like he’s given up everything, thinking that they couldn’t do anything for Ishtalika or Ain.

“Are you giving up?”

Suddenly, a voice reached them from a different direction than Ed’s.

It was a clear voice but also a strong, gentle voice that made you want to rely on it.

“…Yes, I can’t move anymore.”

Then Lloyd answered the voice.

He answered with his exhausted body and his mind, already on the verge of death.

Who the voice belonged to, of course, he didn’t care.

“…Hmm. In that case, you are failing as a loyal retainer―because of your surrender, the lord you serve is one step closer to death.”

“Hahaha. My ears… they hurt…”

“…To believe what the enemy says and be discouraged instead of seeing for yourself. This is the height of folly, beyond comparison. …But if you can feel remorse because your ears hurt, then your loyalty is not yet dead.”

Lloyd wanted to cling to him.

To his voice and to his big heart that comforted him.

As he continued to listen to his voice while keeping his head down, he felt like trying again…

“One last piece of advice from this old body―even if your limbs are chopped off, cling to your enemy as long as you have life. Bite them, pounce on them, and your master will live that much longer.”

“Ah, you’re right. I’m glad to hear something like that before I go to the afterlife.”

Then, a metallic clang sounded before Lloyd’s eyes.

The distinctive sound of heavy armor walking was transmitted, making Lloyd think that a new enemy had arrived.

…But that armor was standing in front of Lloyd, the royal knights, and Harley and Lyle, speaking to Lloyd with a voice that seemed to be smiling.

“The land of eternity―do you know what kind of world that is?”

“I don’t know, but in my case it would be a world full of regret and pain and sadness.”

“Hahaha… that’s a misunderstanding. In that case, I’ll teach you.”

Ed was astonished.

Unconsciously, he took a few steps back, opening and closing his mouth like a fish.

He showed his surprise, which he couldn’t express, and pointed his spear at the man who had appeared.

“The Land of Eternity was full of warmth. …I can’t deny that I thought that drifting there would be my happiness, my end.”

“That is a lie. Don’t be ridiculous… Hey…!”

Ed shouted, but he continued to speak without answering.

“But my lord wanted me. He gave me a new role after I completed my five hundred years of service… There is no greater reward.”

A deep, broad pulse spread through his body.

It was reddish-black and pulsed violently and intricately as if the power was being transmitted to the muscles.

“Then my answer is my loyalty… My chivalry!”

As he struck into the void, the scenery shattered like glass.

A huge sword appeared, almost as long as a spear, and he raised it with a movement that felt weightless.

“This old body… everything that crosses the tip of my fingernail… I will offer this proud body as a sword.”

Then, he stood in a majestic stance.

With the sword outstretched, he pressed his open hand to his chest and declared as if looking up to the heavens.

Meanwhile, Ed’s heart was in turmoil.

“(No, it’s a lie. It’s all a lie…)”

Ed stuttered as he spoke.

“…Don’t be ridiculous. I never asked for this kind of ending! …No, I didn’t ask for it!”

“What… N-no way… are you…!”

At that moment.

Lloyd finally looked up and saw the figure of the man standing in front of him.

It was the first time Lloyd had seen him, but his name came to him naturally.

“It’s a strange kind of vitality, but it’s not very stylish. For now, let’s just bask in the supreme joy of being able to fulfill a duty.”

His voice was full of joy.

As he spoke, he approached Ed with a gallant stride.

He raised the huge sword high in the air, with a power unlike any other sword…

…And he declared.

The veins that spread out like blood vessels were stained red and black… and he raised it high with dignity!

“You vile beast that wronged my lord… all shall vanish like mist! The royal sword… declares it!”

The giant sword approached Ed with immense force, not to be outdone by its appearance.

“Aaaaaaahhh!”

Ed panicked and held his spear out to the side to defend himself.

“Marco… no, you armored bastard…! How, how can you be here!”

“Where is the knight who does not answer his lord’s call? This time I am filled with the desire to slay the hated beast!”

“Y-You are Marco-dono? You met Ain-sama at the Demon King’s castle…”

“This is no time to talk. You have someone to protect! Hurry to the port city… go quickly!”

“B-but, Ain-sama…!”

“That person is alive. Just go quickly!”

The fiery voice made Lloyd and the others tremble.

Then Lloyd stood up, turned around, and called to the knight.

“We can’t miss this chance. Let’s retreat to the port city of Roundheart.

“Ha!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Now, both of you… please come with me.”

In response to Lloyd’s call, the royal knights moved their feet in unison.

The destination was the port city of Roundheart… Lloyd decided to retreat, taking advantage of Marco’s words.

As he left, he bowed deeply and retreated with Harley and Lyle.

“But my gratitude only grows. We have been given the opportunity to end the fateful bond that remains between us. … What’s the matter, Beast? Your arrogance is spoiling it.”

“Whose fault is it… you faceless armored bastard!”

“Are you going to scream again? You look like a child… Red Fox!”

“Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut uuupppp!”

Ed continued his relentless attacks.

He may call himself a demon king, but he used his enhanced body to the fullest and thrust his spear at Marco like a madman.

However, Marco, who received the attack, looked very calm.

“…You should remember well how you could not stand before us without that female fox.”

“Don’t open your mouth any more―don’t act so high and mighty in front of me when you’ve been defeated!”

“Don’t make a mistake. I did not lose to you. The only person I lost to was that person… no, only to Ain-sama.”

Then Marco changed his stance.

When his grip strength reached a level beyond human understanding, he shook off Ed’s spear as if it were a nuisance.

“Remember well. In the past… there was not a single time when you were able to defeat me in a duel. Even though you have grown in size and strength, you are not even close to being a true demon king… you are nothing compared to me now!”

“What… !?”

Ed’s body collapsed heavily as he was easily shaken off.

“As expected from a fox. To keep transforming like that… you’re something else…”

“Shut uuuuupppp!”

…But in the end, it all ended so abruptly.

Was this the result of their different abilities?

Marco raised his sword and brought it down with such speed that Ed didn’t even notice that he had been cut.

“Kah… hahhh…?”

“Go to the afterlife without regret. The royal sword before you is nothing a beast can match.”

“You can’t even shed a tear… a flawed… existence…”

A bright red streak appeared in a straight line from the center of Ed’s body―starting from the top of his head, down to his chest, and then across his lower body.

Blood then oozed from the line. Ed, who had fallen to the ground, was cut in half down the middle of his body, with the line as the center.

“Yes, it’s true that my body can’t shed tears. But it’s not that flawed.”

Marco sighed. With a touch of sadness, he spoke to the body of the fallen Ed.

“…If you can’t cry, that’s a blessing. Because you don’t have to show your shameful appearance to your lord… but not being able to shed tears for your lord must be the saddest thing of all.”

Then, the Knight of Loyalty stepped forward.

With a huge sword on his shoulder, he set out to put an end to those controlled by the hand of the beast that has spread throughout Heim…

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