Magic Gems Gourmet

Chapter 285

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ED: LonelyMatter

Chapter 285 – The Demon Lord’s Power and the Schedule for the Last Day in Balt

After finishing their discussion with Sylvia and things seeming to settle into place, the second night came to a close.

On the third day, the four of them enjoyed meals and tea together while Ain and Cain trained. They didn’t do any work that felt like an investigation.

Since the two who lived in the Demon Lord’s Castle desired this leisurely time, Ain and Chris readily agreed.

Then, that night…

After dinner, the two crossed swords one last time.

“Hah… Hah… I… I surrender…”

Gasping for breath, Ain sat down on the floor. He addressed the Sword King, who was standing there with his sword pointed at him.

They were in the backyard of the Demon Lord’s Castle. Though the atmosphere differed from that of the capital’s castle, flowers glowing bewitchingly like blue fire roses cast a fantastical light over their battle.

“Your physical strength is ample, and your fighting spirit is abundant. At least when facing me, that bad habit of yours doesn’t seem to surface.”

“Well, that would be impossible no matter how you look at it.”

The “bad habit” referred to Ain’s tendency to observe his opponent’s movements. The other phrase was “the sword granted to the strong.”

However, neither held meaning against this man. He could only continue fighting desperately.

“Still, your growth rate is impressive. There’s nothing to lament. With the long time ahead, you might even catch up to me.”

“Long time—you say?”

“You bear the name World Tree. While we don’t know your exact lifespan, it must surpass that of the elves.”

But such a distant future was beyond his comprehension.

Ain, who just turned fifteen this year, hadn’t lived long enough to imagine a lifespan exceeding that of ordinary humans.

Without words, he simply smiled firmly and slowly rose from his heavy seat.

He walked while catching his breath, then sat down on the edge of a snow-covered flowerbed.

“Ain, Are you unsatisfied?”

“H-huh?”

Cain, who stood before him, asked. Why?

He couldn’t possibly look unsatisfied. Just look at how exhausted he was!

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he was already satisfied.

“I’m pretty exhausted myself, you know? Not bored or anything…”

“Let me rephrase. You’re not itching to go on a rampage, are you?”

“…I see. That’s what you meant.”

For Ain, experiences where he could rampage without restraint, setting aside purpose and inner thoughts, could be counted on one hand.

Broadly speaking, there were three occasions: the Sea Dragon, Marco’s outburst, and the Heim War.

When he was young and before becoming the Demon Lord, there were figures like Lloyd and Chris. Though he wouldn’t say it outright, they were no match for him now.

Training with Marco was fulfilling, but it lacked a sense of liberation.

“I can’t handle that kind of mental strain, you know? Don’t lose control over something like that, okay?”

“No, no, no… I won’t do anything stupid like that.”

“Can you move? I’ll keep you company this time.”

“…I can move.”

“All right, the rules are… Don’t use needlessly vicious techniques. For example, don’t use techniques that could destroy the former royal capital.”

Fight as a Demon Lord. Ain, go wild and blow off some steam. Those were Cain’s words.

“This area is within the Demon Lord’s castle grounds. Sylvia’s barrier extends here, so you can go wild to your heart’s content.”

With concerns about affecting the surroundings dispelled, the stage was set without fuss.

Come to think of it, this could be considered his first time truly fighting as the Demon Lord.

He’d shown glimpses of that power before, but not enough to truly be called the Demon Lord.

He took several more seconds to steady his breathing, exhaling a large puff of white vapor as he looked up at the sky.

The star-filled night sky was beautiful, and the blooming flowers below resembled a starry sky on the ground—almost mesmerizing.

Soon after, he stood up with a smile different from his usual one; it was somehow more alluring.

“Cain-san, your fighting style will be different from before, too, right?”

“Yes. I’ll face you with the work of the Sword King—a blade that can cleave the heavens.”

“Understood. Then I too…”

A veteran swordsman. The Sword King. He cut down sea dragons with a single stroke.

Each of Cain’s epithets was proof of his supremacy. Since birth, he had felt true fear only a handful of times.

Yet, what he sensed from Ain was a torrent of power so staggering that it felt as if the night sky itself belonged to him.

He deliberately put some distance between himself and Ain, his lips curling into a defiant smirk.

Then, the name he favored slipped naturally from his lips:

“Behold, The peerless King of Swords.”

His entire body was encased in jet-black armor, revealing his true greatsword, not the one used for training.

Even at night, he stood out like a solar eclipse—a presence so powerful that even falling snowflakes avoided him.

Gripping the greatsword suspended in midair, he swung it several times in a threatening manner.

“Behold! Before him, nothing is permitted.”

Cain had only made this proclamation a handful of times before.

The most recent instance was during the Heim War. Before that, it dated back to the founding era of Old Ishtalika.

“I am the Demon Lord. A special being.” Demon Lord Ain told himself, yet the aura emanating from Cain before him was extraordinary.

Tension naturally wrapped itself around his entire body.

Eventually, Cain finished preparing, and Dullahan Cain stood before him, imposing and formidable.

For the first time, Ain felt that he might be fought as an equal, and he felt a surge of joy.

“I feel like there’s some kind of connection, even though the Demon Lord is rampaging in the Demon Lord’s Castle.”

“We’re family anyway. It’s the same thing, isn’t it?”

“…Now that you mention it, you’re right.”

Ain drew his sword a moment later.

He summoned magic power with a flourish, and for a few seconds, the sword flashed with a brilliance reminiscent of a holy blade.

“Come at me anytime. Show me the power of a reasonable Demon Lord!”

“Very well. Then, I won’t hold back!”

What seemed like an instant lunge to an observer was a speed both could track with their eyes.

Advancing head-on, Cain conjured several phantom hands on his back and fed them his seemingly inexhaustible magic.

With strength akin to a giant’s, they should naturally pose a threat to Cain—but…

“Huh? So this so-called Demon Lord bothers to extend his hands behind him, too…”

Cain’s vigilance was first drawn to his back.

The instant several vines emerged from the ground, he sensed it without turning around.

Then, he conjured phantom hands too, transforming their tips into razor-sharp blades to slash at the vines.

“N-no way…!”

“What’s impossible about it?! There’s no way I can’t master my own power!”

Cain learned this at that moment, realizing that he could do such a thing.

Though he was momentarily startled, facing a fierce opponent like Cain meant that this wouldn’t end easily.

But the next instant, Cain vanished.

He disappeared without a trace, leaving only a black mist, as if he were dissolving into the endless black void.

“You had that technique too!”

“I never expected you to react at first sight. I’ll give you credit for that.”

Cain had appeared behind him unnoticed. Ain barely managed to stop his sword just before it came down.

He was holding the sword with multiple illusory hands, forcing it to a halt.

His disadvantageous position worsened. Cain’s attack with his illusory hands sent Ain flying several meters away.

“Yeah. That guy is seriously strong…”

With the Demon Lord’s seal lifted, his physical abilities and skills had changed.

Still, he was incredibly strong, and Ain couldn’t help but be astonished by his hidden power. Just as Ain muttered this, Cain spoke up from a short distance away.

“Hey, what do you take me for?”

“Eh, well, you’re the strongest swordsman around, but—”

“No, that’s not it. Do you think I’m some delicate town girl? That kind of restraint, like you’re touching a virgin, is just creepy when directed at me.”

“…Huh?”

Ain stared blankly at the abrupt words.

“I won’t break. Even when you were out of control, we survived. So use your power more freely. Much more freely.”

“――!”

This may be a unique perspective, but those words conveyed an immense capacity for acceptance.

The image of a father playing with his child and the sentiment of “don’t hold back” pierced his heart.

“I don’t think I’m holding back…”

“Then, it was a matter of mindset. If you’re treating this like training, change your attitude. This is a battle. Even if it’s fundamentally a fight to the death, if the meaning is different for us, that should be enough.”

“I-is that so?”

“Unleash your hidden power. There’s no need to awaken it gracefully.”

Suu… Haahh. After taking several calming breaths, he reflected on the words spoken to him.

What was demanded was to fight following instinct. Not fighting as a swordsman, but solely as the Demon Lord, Ain.

At the same time, he trusted that using his power on this person was safe.

The shift in mindset came quickly, like a first-magnitude star settling in his eyes.

As the illusory hands vanished from his back, his own hands went limp and dropped.

“Right. Show me again, clearly, what you made me feel just now.”

“You’ll forgive me if I misjudge the power, right?”

“Hah! Save the cocky talk for when you’ve actually produced results.”

Cain spat out taunting words, then tightened his grip on the sword.

This time, he would make the first move. Just as he stomped down hard on the packed snow, he noticed something amiss around him.

“It’s a bit irritating, you know? Imitating that guy’s fighting style…or rather, adopting the same stance.”

“That guy…?”

“Sorry, that’s my business. It’s about that guy I didn’t like, the one who looked a lot like me back in that world.”

“…”

“Sorry to keep you waiting. The World Tree of Gluttony seems to have finally returned.”

As he finished speaking, all the surrounding darkness was absorbed.

The night was dark. Yet, why? An even darker, colossal power hovered above Ain’s head, scattering a black aura like streaks of purple lightning.

Then, strangely, Ain’s cloak was also dyed black.

“You’re stubbornly trying to win with a sword just because you can’t win with one. I’m sure this is an emotion I once held too.”

“…But there’s no need to cling to it.”

Suddenly, a bead of sweat trickled down Cain’s temple.

The thing hovering above Ain’s head was undoubtedly on a different scale from him.

Moreover, Ain, standing below, was its master.

“Number of moves, technique, size—and power. Hold nothing back.”

“Haha… Understood. I’ll get started right away.”

The strength of the Demon Lord Ain truly lay in its racial nature, the World Tree of Gluttony.

Beyond the special enhancement of becoming a Demon Lord, the World Tree race’s overwhelming presence was palpable.

“Devour it all.

Truly unrestrained. Vertically, horizontally, diagonally, up, down, front, back.

Attacking from every direction were scorching masses of magical power.

No matter how he swung his sword, they wouldn’t vanish. In the end, Cain resigned himself to taking the hits while advancing toward Ain.

“Hmph—that wasn’t bad, Ain!”

Ain slowly raised a hand, clenching his fingertips tightly.

A single black droplet fell from above, spreading a dark swamp around Ain.

“I won’t let this happen in the past tense.”

Ain’s unarmed hand turned a poisonous black.

When Cain finally closed the distance and swung his sword down, Ain thrust out his blackened hand.

“You stopped my sword… with your bare hands!?”

“I kind of get it. That thing embodies the World Tree’s power of gluttony.”

“Even so, stopping my sword with just your bare hands—”

Ain had no intention of stopping there.

With a single breath, he gathered his strength and violently hurled Cain away, sword and all.

It had been a long time since Cain had been thrown off balance like this. He grimaced as he struggled desperately to get back up.

“Finally! Finally, I feel like I’ve properly landed a hit.”

Standing before Cain was Ain.

He raised his sword and swung it in a wide, horizontal cut.

“Guh! I won’t go down that easily!”

Cain raised his sword for one last, desperate swing.

He endured the blow just before impact, then rolled backward to create distance and avoid the disadvantageous position.

But beneath the night sky, which seemed to hold its breath, Ain’s power only grew.

“No, sorry—I won’t let you.”

That movement won’t be tolerated. It was a line that Ain often blurted out to his enemies.

The fact that it left his mouth meant that Ain held overwhelming superiority.

Usually, he would close the distance and corner his opponent with swordplay. But today, Ain was the Demon Lord of the World Tree.

Black magic power crawled along the ground, pursuing Cain and spreading up and down as if to devour him.

Then,

“…!?”

A gigantic creature opened its massive jaws and swallowed Cain whole—that description felt undeniably fitting.

But Cain was also a formidable powerhouse, even swallowed whole. He remained composed as well, unleashing a sword strike that sliced through the heavens.

“N-no way…?”

“No way? That’s what I should be saying!”

Ain thought the fight was over, but Cain was indeed the Sword King.

With a single swing, astonishingly powerful, he unleashed his true strength and devoured the engulfing magic.

Observing the situation, it still seemed like the two were evenly matched. In truth, though, the burden raining down on Cain’s body was immeasurable.

“Damn… It’s not just my limbs; it’s my entire body.”

Ain’s demon lord attacks were too powerful.

Each strike could deliver a fatal wound. If Cain let his guard down, he would likely fall without a moment to think.

Seizing Ain’s moment of surprise, Cain took a deep breath and readied his sword. Then, Ain stepped back—

“…Cain-san. This is my thirst.”

Black, viscous masses of magical power swirled up from the ground.

They gathered gradually toward the orb above, radiating an aura befitting a black sun.

However, compared to the one seen in Ain’s mental world, it was much smaller. This proved not only that this was the real world but also that he still had considerable reserves left.

Still, he didn’t have the courage to embrace Cain and use his power like the World Tree of Gluttony had done back then.

Soon, Ain sent a flash of steel overhead with his sword, coating it in the black droplets leaking from the orb.

“You’re quite skilled with it, aren’t you? Where did you practice?”

“I haven’t practiced. I’m just trying to do what the final boss did in my own way.”

“The final boss…?”

Not understanding his words, Cain tilted his head slightly. However, he regained his composure without pausing and pointed his sword at Ain, his formidable foe.

The tremor was unmistakably that of a warrior’s resolve. He assumed a proper stance, leaving no openings in his offense or defense.

“Is it really necessary to go out of your way to receive the force downward? That wouldn’t be very convenient, would it?”

“Well, it is the World Tree. Frankly, I’m just grateful I can move like this at all.”

Suddenly, a black droplet fell from the tip of Ain’s sword.

The surrounding silver snow evaporated instantly, revealing the lush green grass beneath.

Then, another drop fell to the floor.

The grass rejoiced, revealing its hidden vitality and bursting into bloom.

As the final drop fell, the grass and flowers transformed into ominous crimson and black petals.

“—I see. The Demon Lord.”

The World Tree stood at the pinnacle of nature. Even Cain couldn’t help but smile with delight at the proof of its status as the Demon Lord.

“This is different from before. This is truly the power of the Demon Lord Ain.”

“…You might be right.”

This was yet another transformation, but the ultimate way of fighting captivated Demon Lord Ain.

Above all, it was the most fundamental use of power.

As the black orb above his head flashed crimson-black, potent magic dwelled within Ain’s body.

“I’ll finish it with the next one.”

“Ah, go ahead—Ain!”

To be clear, this wasn’t a battle to take each other’s lives, nor was it a fight born of hatred.

It’s purely an opportunity for Ain, and deep down, they both found it enjoyable.

However, their enjoyment was far from ordinary. As the battle neared its end, Ain felt a pang of sadness.

“If you can take it—”

“Hah! I don’t pray to gods or anything; I always intend to win!”

Cain charged forward while Ain lowered his head and positioned his sword for a horizontal sweeping strike.

Saturated with the Demon Lord’s power, the sword whistled and sneered, scattering a heavy pressure that seemed to absorb the very air around it. The pressure abruptly subsided, and the surrounding air fell silent again as if nothing had happened.

“—!?”

The next instant, Cain felt only one word: “Defeated.”

He raised his sword to defend himself unconsciously, and magic power surged into his jet-black armor. Cain’s stance was relaxed, without a hint of tension. Yet, Cain glimpsed an overwhelming strength that made him want to laugh.

(To wield such power so effortlessly… Demon Lord transformation is truly formidable.)

Then, a sweeping horizontal slash cut through the air. Waves of magical power writhed and danced like a black whirlwind, striking with a momentum that seemed to mock him.

Enraged by this sense of impending defeat, Cain brought down a single stroke upon Ain, a strike that seemed to cleave the heavens.

Though this exchange could have killed any ordinary man in an instant, fear held no sway here.

“Wh-what?! It won’t stop!? But my sword should—”

“No, I win—Cain-san.”

The second sweeping slash arrived.

A torrent of demonic power, unleashed by Demon Lord Ain, struck where Cain couldn’t defend himself fully.

It shattered his armor, split his gauntlets, and blew his greaves away, creating a symphony of grinding metal.

Eventually, Cain, supported only by his greatsword, saw that weapon shattered, too.

“Hah… Dammit! Ain, you really are…”

Cain fell flat on his back with a thud.

Exhausted and gasping for breath, he gazed up at the starry sky.

His combat gear had been swept away, leaving him with no strength for a second clash.

“Huh? Wait, you didn’t take my magic!?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, rampaging demon king. If I did that, we would never reach a conclusion.”

The battle would end when Ain’s magic ran dry.

In that case, this battle would be meaningless.

“You’re okay, right?”

“Yeah. Sorry, but I just received some magic power from Ain. I’m not quite back to full strength, but I’ve regained enough vitality.”

With that, he sat down, propping himself up on one knee.

“Remember this feeling well. If something happens, it would be better than using your powers on the spot.”

“Huh… So that’s why you fought me?”

“Well, yes. But still… You’ve been taught swordsmanship by me. What’s more, you’re the Demon Lord. Yet you don’t know how to wield your power? That’s rather embarrassing, don’t you think?”

For the first time since his rampage, he used his powers again.

He stared at his palms for several seconds, nodded with satisfaction, and clenched his fists.

“Thank you. Thanks to you, I think I’ve grasped how much force does what.”

“Yeah, that’s the best news of all. Let’s call it a day on today’s training. Perfect timing—I’m going to the baths. Come with me.”

“Understood. Let’s go then.”

And then, a beautiful elf gazed out from the castle window.

Had she been able to hear their conversation, she surely would have objected to the word “training.”

“A-Ain-sama… He won…”

“Isn’t that obvious? Ain-kun is an awakened Demon Lord, after all. Unfortunately, not even Cain could win if he used his full power.”

Chris couldn’t count how many times she wiped the foggy window with her hand.

Chris was captivated by Ain; her heart filled with joy the moment he won.

“The flowers Ain-kun made bloom are beautiful, too. Since they changed the look of the garden, I must thank him later.”

◇ ◇ ◇ ◇

“Huh… a party?”

“Yes, well, Sylvia-sama and the others said it would be too much trouble.”

When Ain returned to his room after having a bath, he found Chris waiting for him.

Unlike yesterday, she was wearing her usual shirt, but her makeup looked different.

“So, you’re saying that Count Raizer is hosting a party and wants us to attend?”

“That’s what it seems like. I wasn’t sure how to express our gratitude, but she said we could attend as a token of it…”

Given that, he couldn’t really refuse.

While his sudden attendance might cause some awkwardness, Cain and Sylvia were connected to the current royal family.

If they were invited anyway, it probably wouldn’t make much difference.

Cain dried his slightly damp hair with a towel while glancing at the invitation Chris handed him.

“Understood. Chris and I will attend. We’ll report back to Warren-san and the others afterward, but I don’t see it as a problem.”

“Exactly. It was the right call to bring formal attire after all. I’ll be by your side as usual.”

This contradicted Sylvia’s words.

Rather, Chris spoke as she always did, mindful of her position.

The day after they spent their final night in the Demon Lord’s castle,

Neither of them knew yet that Sylvia would take Chris away and dress her up like a proper noble lady.

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