A half-ruined cityscape stretched out before us at our destination.
This was a town within the Empire’s territory. No living soul remained; only corpses peered out from the gaps in the rubble.
Just as I registered our surroundings, I detected a massive surge of magic power ahead. Countless shimmering grains began to streak across the sky, hurtling toward us.
(What is this?)
I focused my gaze on the incoming projectiles. They were grains of ice imbued with dense magic power. They closed the distance with the ferocious intensity of a torrential downpour. This was no natural phenomenon. Though the caster was not yet visible, this was undoubtedly the work of the Great Spirit. The trajectory aligned perfectly with the presence I had sensed.
(She wastes no time...)
I invoked defense magic, erecting a barrier to shield both myself and Logan. A moment later, the ice storm slammed into the area.
Nearby buildings were pulverized, and the very earth was churned up. Every trace of civilization was being systematically erased by the onslaught. Fractures began to spiderweb across my defensive barrier. As the shell threatened to shatter, I layered additional defense magic over it.
I held my ground, struggling to maintain a grasp on the situation as I weathered the storm. There was no sign of the barrage relenting. The ice fell incessantly, bringing nothing but absolute destruction. The remains of the town, which had barely been clinging to its shape, were quickly ground into unrecognizable dust.
Beside me, Logan stood with his hands clasped in deep concentration. His eyes grew sharp as he spoke.
“I’ve located the Great Spirit. I’m going to attempt a dialogue through Spirit Language. Can you buy me a little more time?”
“That will not be a problem,” I replied, manifestng multiple layers of defense magic in quick succession.
The ice storm possessed terrifying power, but it was not more than I could manage. My magic power was supplied directly from the Valley of the Dead, rendering my reserves virtually inexhaustible. My recovery rate already outpaced my consumption. If I so desired, I could maintain this defense indefinitely.
Logan’s magic power surged. He closed his eyes and began to mutter under his breath. It was not a standard incantation; rather, he was projecting his refined mana toward the source of the ice storm. He repeated the process several times.
“...It is done.”
Eventually, Logan opened his eyes and relaxed his stance. Simultaneously, the storm of ice ceased. Judging by his calm demeanor, it seemed he had successfully initiated contact. He truly was a master of his craft; as expected of the Elven Chief. Had I been alone, I likely would have been given no opportunity for words and would have been forced to fight a war of attrition.
As we waited, the magic signature I had been tracking began to approach. Gliding through the air was a humanoid figure of pale blue light. Its features were indistinct, possessing only the vague contours of a human face. However, the long hair and general physique suggested a feminine form.
This radiant entity was surely the Great Spirit. Facing her directly, I could clearly perceive her overwhelming magic power. It was obvious that she possessed a level of strength existing on an entirely different dimension from a mortal's.
However, I felt a slight sense of dissonance regarding her form. While the quality and quantity of her mana were undoubtedly top-tier, the flow was unnatural. I could not detect a soul or a core—the vital center of a living being. Despite her immense power, her presence felt strangely unstable.
“……”
Puzzled, I focused my consciousness to analyze her. The results confirmed my suspicion: this entity was a construct maintained by a remote magic power supply. She was not a fake, but neither was she the true body. The Great Spirit before us was an avatar, a secondary shell manifested to act in this world. I was curious about the location of her main body, but I could not probe deep enough to find it.
Ignoring my internal analysis, the Great Spirit descended and stood before us.
“An elf and an undead. What a peculiar combination.”
Her voice was clear and feminine, yet it lacked warmth, carrying an air of detached transcendence. I addressed her without hesitation.
“You are the Great Spirit, I presume?”
“I am. And who might you be?”
“I am the Demon King.”
Upon hearing my title, the atmosphere around the Great Spirit shifted slightly. It felt as though I had piqued her curiosity. It seemed the name of the Demon King carried weight even with a being like her.
“...Hmph. Many have claimed the title of Demon King in the past, but the nature of your existence is exceptional. And the one beside you?”
“Logan Rhyn Freetilt. I am the Chief of the Elves.”
“A Guardian of the World Tree, then. I thank you for your service, as I have thanked those in every age before you.”
The Great Spirit’s tone turned noticeably gentler when she spoke to Logan. It was clear that the bond between elves and spirits remained deep and harmonious. I felt a sense of relief that I had brought him along.
Her greetings finished, the Great Spirit looked between the two of us.
“What business do two such individuals have with me?”
“I want you to stop your assault on the human nations,” I stated plainly.
“And why is that? You are a Demon King. I see no reason for you to shield humanity.”
The Great Spirit voiced her doubt, clearly finding my request incomprehensible. It was a logical reaction; it was unthinkable for a Demon King to protect the human race. I gave her the answer I had prepared beforehand.
“Because I intend to occupy this territory myself. It would be inconvenient for me if you left nothing but scorched earth.”
“I cannot grant that request. The humans of this land stole my Secret Stone. Until it is returned, I have no intention of ceasing my destruction.”
The Great Spirit shook her head. I pressed her on the details.
“Have you not recovered it yet?”
“The thieves are cunning. They have used a concealment art to hide its location from me. I have already annihilated the great city where its signature first vanished, but unfortunately, it was not there.”
The Great Spirit spoke with cold detachment, but I could sense a faint, simmering irritation beneath her words. Even she was beginning to lose her composure. The Secret Stone was clearly of vital importance to her; her quiet fury at its theft was palpable.
(So they still have it...)
This information was unexpected. I had assumed that with the Great Spirit’s power, she would have recovered it almost instantly. The fact that the Imperial Capital had been wiped out suggested as much. This meant the humans responsible for the theft were not only still alive but had managed to go to ground. To outwit a Great Spirit required a level of audacity that bordered on suicidal. I found myself almost impressed by their sheer desperation.
Having grasped the situation, I asked the Great Spirit a final question.
“If the Secret Stone is returned, will you end this slaughter?”
“I will never forgive the ringleaders or those complicit in the theft, but once it is back in my possession, my wrath shall be quelled.”
The Great Spirit gave her word. I had no qualms about the extermination of the thieves; that was her prerogative. I was not so naive as to try and save the very people who had invited this catastrophe.
“Very well. Then I shall recover the Secret Stone for you.”
“Do you truly believe you are capable of such a feat?”
“I do.”
I answered without a moment's hesitation. The Great Spirit stared at me in silence, and I met her gaze with equal resolve. We stood in a stifling, heavy silence, searching for any sign of deception.
It was the Great Spirit who finally looked away. Her posture relaxed slightly as she spoke in a more composed tone.
“So be it. I shall leave this task to you and wait here. You have three days to bring it to me.”
“Understood.”
I nodded firmly. Before any further complications could arise, I took Logan and teleported back to the Royal Capital.
We reappeared in the Audience Chamber. Logan took one look around and collapsed onto the carpet, his strength spent. He let out a long, heavy sigh before shooting me a weary look.
“That was a dangerously bold negotiation. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”
“I was confident that I could defeat her even if talks broke down. The main body might have been a challenge, but I can handle an avatar.”
My plan had been simple: trap her within a Miasma Barrier to forcibly cut off the magic power supply from the main body. Once her primary advantage was neutralized, I could have finished her with a combination of high-level sorcery and swordsmanship. Even if she had sent a second avatar, I would have simply crushed it as well.
Charging in without a plan would be suicide, but any power can be countered once you understand its mechanism. Analysis and counter-strategy were my specialties. During my life as a human, I had used these skills to survive countless battles against the demon race. When facing a superior opponent, intellect and stratagems were the only equalizers. Back then, I never had the luxury of the overwhelming power I wield now.
Reflecting on those days, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.
“...Has becoming an undead stripped you of your sense of fear?” Logan asked, sounding utterly exasperated.
“Perhaps it has,” I replied quietly.