A dazzling, leaden warhammer.
“CRUUUSH IIIIT!! HAMMER BLAST, OOOOOOHHHHHHH!!”*
A blow beyond reason, annihilating the demon’s very existence.
The crushing impact reverberated to the bone—overkill so blatant even a layman could tell the demon stood no chance.
The shockwave physically rattled the city before, predictably, reducing the giant to rubble.
“…Was that… Lady Irena?”
Forcing her legs to keep moving, Asha’s mind reeled.
Meanwhile, Hyoka reacted not to the spectacle—
—but to the name.
Corpse King.
A fellow ice mage.
A name that sounded like—
TL Note : Corpse King = Shi Ou
Against her will, her brother’s image surfaced in her mind.
And her own title: 【Corpse Ice’s Younger Sister】. Everything clicked. Driven by an irrepressible impulse, she quickened her pace.
■
“Hah… hah…!”
Dust glittered under the icy air’s glow.
At the center of the devastated city, Rena panted heavily, hands on her knees.
“Wow… That was amazing. As expected.”
“W-why… hah… are you so calm…? Hah…”
“It was even better than I imagined. You’re incredible, Rena-chan.”
“…Ugh, you’re insufferable.”
I pretend not to notice the unmistakable hint of joy in her curt reply, shifting my gaze to the materials Bifrons left behind.
A demon’s core—its heart, so to speak. It acts as a reservoir of magical energy that composes the demon’s body, remaining intact even after the body perishes. Its durability speaks for itself.
But Bifrons’ core…
“It’s in tatters… patched up all over.”
What was once a cube-shaped object now lay battered, its corners chipped and broken beyond recognition.
Back when I killed Bifrons, its core had vanished.
Though I crafted equipment from Glasya-Labolas’ remains, Bifrons’ materials had disappeared without a trace.
“Someone artificially revived it… Who—?”
“What’s wrong…?”
My unusually serious tone must’ve caught her attention. Rena-chan catches her breath, peering at my face with suspicion.
“Ah… it’s nothing.”
She puffs her cheeks, dissatisfied as I dodge the question, but soon breaks into a resigned smile.
Watching Gagiur settle back into slumber, I dispel my ice magic.
The shattering ice transforms into particles of mana, enveloping the city like silver stars. Soon, the town will return to normal. The destruction was unavoidable… but well, blame the demon. At least we helped take it down.
“Still…”
The great tree of Gagiur.
The massive fissure running down its trunk. The torrent of mana spilling from it seeps into the earth—enough to restore the barren lands in no time.
The sapling the demon worshipped. Back when I buried it, it was just a tree saturated with mana.
No matter how much I tampered with it, it never reacted. It should’ve stayed silent, indifferent.
Yet now, it had clearly changed.
Of course. I’d never discard something capable of serving as a demon’s catalyst. If it were, I’d either destroy it or use it.
Now, it’s reverted to its original form—a harmless, mana-rich giant.
Too many mysteries…
The anomalies that occurred in this world during my absence. Their roots run deeper than I expected.
“…Hey! Are you even listening?!”
“Ah, sorry. Got lost in thought.”
“Ugh!”
Rena-chan flares up, shaking her arm before thrusting her hand out.
On her palm rests Bifrons’ core.
“Here, take it!”
“Huh? Why?”
“What do you mean ‘why’?! You’re the one who basically defeated it! I’m not shameless enough to keep it!”
“Even after buying the credit for drawing your sword?”
“That was negotiation!”
“Don’t joke around!” I tease, amused by her quick retorts, then shake my head.
“You landed the final blow, Rena-chan. You’re the one who really defeated it. That’s yours.”
“B-but—!”
“Tell you what. My crew probably wrecked part of the town anyway, so consider this an apology. A Greater Demon’s core sells for a fortune—more than enough to cover repairs.”
“Ugh, you’re impossible…!”
Grudgingly accepting the core, Rena-chan glances around, bewildered by the ongoing cheers.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.GITHUB.IO
“H-hey… how much longer are you staying in this town?”
“Hm? Oh, we’re leaving soon.”
“…Huh?!”
She stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.
Then—
“My Kiiiiiinnnnggg!!”
Nid plummets from the sky, thudding beside Nifl, whom she glares at.
“Unbelievable! You snuck in to hog the spotlight, you opportunistic—!”
“Too slow, Dragon Failure. Spotlight or not, serving the Corpse King is my sole purpose.”
“Grr…!”
As Nid growls in frustration, Gurba appears behind her, carrying Garm over his shoulder, hammer in hand.
“King! Fine work—!”
“You’re still acting so bitterly and recklessly, young man.”
“Good job, both of you.”
As we exchange praise, Rena-chan’s voice quivers timidly.
“Y-you’re really leaving already?”
Her face betrays anxiety for what’s to come—the weight of responsibility settling on her shoulders. But sorry, this isn’t my domain anymore. The town doesn’t need me.
“Lass.”
“…Y-yes?!”
While I hesitate over how to phrase it, Gurba crouches to meet Rena-chan’s gaze.
Tensing slightly under his gentle demeanor, she waits for his words.
“…Do you hear those cheers?”
He gestures to the jubilant voices still rising from the streets.
When Rena-chan nods, Gurba grunts.
“Humans crave leaders. Strong ones. Without strength, allegiances shift, betrayals bloom. Gagiur made me its symbol. But now, who stands in that role?”
Rena-chan gulps, meeting Gurba’s blazing eyes.
“A Forge God who extorted gold? Or the lord’s daughter who bravely slew a Greater Demon? The choice is obvious.”
The ceaseless cheers are for one person: Irena Will Iron.
It may be a burden. A heavy duty.
But the moment she bought the credit for drawing her sword to save her home, this was the path she chose.
Achievements demand expectations. One misstep, and the abyss awaits.
A path of nobility and lordship—something beyond my understanding.
“Fear not. Griffil’s banner approaches Gagiur. Royalty rides with them. And every soul in this town witnessed your valor. All of it will become your strength.”
Finally ruffling Rena-chan’s ashen hair, Gurba hefts his hammer and stands beside me.
“Let me repeat myself. Sure, we set things up. But even without us, you’d have fought that demon. Your efforts just led you to us. Your powers felled Bifrons. Your actions reached the people. Undermining yourself insults my judgment.”
“I… don’t remember doing anything that impressive…”
“That’s fine. A fragment of your efforts hooked me. That’s enough. Helheim’s full of strays like that.”
Gathered at Gagiur’s roots, we face Rena-chan.
Though we met barely two days ago, she looks ready to cry.
“Nifl.”
“Understood.”
With a short reply, Nifl releases her mana. The teleportation will activate soon.
Well, might as well reassure her.
“About your father—sounds like Bifrons was controlling him. He’ll probably wake up soon.”
“R-really?!”
“Yeah. So wipe that teary face.”
“Sh-shut up!”
As she scrubs her eyes, Gurba chuckles for some reason.
“Rejoice, lass. Our king’s a meddler. He’ll fret over Gagiur for ages. If trouble brews, he’ll invent excuses to visit… eh, boy?”
“Like hell. I’m not that nice.”
At my protest, everyone else smirks.
Ugh, whatever.
“Corpse King, it’s time.”
Nifl’s words signal our deadline.
Time for goodbyes.
“Rena-chan. Don’t mention our names. Helheim’s… controversial. Let rumors handle the rest.”
“…This incident will spread naturally. I’ll avoid direct mentions. Happy?”
“Perfect.”
She snorts, pleased.
The rest is up to fate.
Now then, with eyes likely on us, it’s time for the Corpse King to perform…
I’ll be bedridden for three days after this.
But someone will notice. And PR matters.
“—Hero of Gagiur, Irena Will Iron… Maiden of Iron, who saved the steel city. A brave soul who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Corpse King, etched into our memory. Let this bond be our anchor. Until we meet again… See you later, Rena-chan. When you’re stronger, let’s travel together.”
Light engulfs us, silencing the world.
Rena-chan’s lips move slightly.
Yep, she definitely mouthed “Idiot.”
Totally an idiot! Grand speeches like this are stupid!
I try to resist, but my inner chuunibyou screams “So cool!”
I hate attention, yet crave it—a self-destructive paradox.
So I commit.
“Helheim—return.”
[Ha!]
The last thing I see is Rena-chan’s tear-streaked, dazzling smile.
■
At the roots of Gagiur’s great tree,
a group clad in gray vanishes into light.
What Asha sees is Irena in tears—and an all-too-familiar figure.
No mistake.
“CORPSE KIIIIIIING?!”
Her scream falls on empty air. Only the broken town and the weeping girl remain.
Clenching her fist, Asha whirls toward Hyouka.
“Hy-Hyouka?!”
The usually stoic girl’s face is drenched in shock and confusion.
“…B-Brother…?”
Her whisper falls coldly upon the iron city.
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