Gozine

Book of Dantalion

This book that capable of seeing the future, in fact, had one more very special power hidden.
The clever demon controlled the information to prevent this fact from spreading widely, but it possessed the power to show the grand future that most directly affected himself, albeit irregularly.

“It’s the resurrection of the demon king Baal. Why on earth does this book speak of such an ending?”

It was strange.
Dantalion was trapped in a small room and pondering.
He had died to Nox this time and was revived again.
It was possible because his soul was not completely destroyed.

However, he was in a state where he couldn’t contain his curiosity about the grand future written in this book now more than his own resurrection.
He did whisper content related to Nox, but would things really proceed like this?
Honestly it was hard to believe.

‘No matter how much I think about it, it’s difficult. What kind of power does he have that……’

But it was also something he couldn’t not trust.
Partly because Nox’s existence itself was too alien, but the biggest point was that this book had never told a lie even once.

The book he had obtained by chance had stories about the future written randomly, and among them were things as hard to believe as now.

“But all of that became reality.”

Reality is sometimes the most dramatic.
Not knowing how it will flow makes it more interesting, and Dantalion, who alone monopolizes this knowledge, couldn’t help but find it amusing.

The reason for not participating in this war.
The reason a Grand duke-level demon gave up the opportunity to raise his honor was precisely because of this book.

“Let’s watch how it flows.”

Saying so, Dantalion sat in his study, crossed his legs, and looked at the crystal.
It was a tool showing the situation of the battlefield, and Baal had already been resurrected.
From now on, the proper battle would probably begin, and he would be able to properly verify if the prophecy spoken by this book comes true.

It will be an interesting sight……

Thinking so, he closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them.
The scene of Nox starting the attack first was visible through the crystal.

**********

Nox had prepared several countermeasures to deal with Baal.
First, Baal is an Archduke with the dark attribute and a demon king-level existence.
But facing him with just a speck of holy attribute is impossible.

‘I’ll clash with the same dark element. I must fight with the three initial stage forms I mastered first and the two middle stage forms.’

If that had been possible from the start, he might have aimed for mutual destruction with him, but he could quickly realize without further explanation that it was practically difficult.

Therefore, he decided to use dark as his main element to confront the enemy.
This was inevitable.

Baal would try to absorb the dark element anyway, and it would take time for him to accept the unique thick black energy emitted by Nox.
No matter how much of a demon king he is, this continent is not their space.

This place is too tailored to humans for him to use all of his dark mana.
Thus, only after some time had passed and he had adapted to the light could he exert proper impact.

On the contrary, in a situation like now, if too much attack through the dark element accumulates and damage builds up, that power could reflux into Baal’s soul.

‘Of course, this won’t kill him.’

First, Nox used Black Blade Flash.
Next, he randomly slashed the enemy using Black Blade Chain of Flashes.

But it’s pointless.
The guy seems almost unharmed. Of course, it’s natural since Nox aimed for this, intending the dark magic power to reflux, not expecting it to kill him.

[Interesting. Your judgment is not bad either. I’ll take your body and give you another, how about joining me?]

Baal sneered creepily and proposed.
Nox raised his sword, showing his refusal through action.

“There’s no reason to go under a damn bug. I don’t even think there’s anyone who can handle me from the start.”

[Arrogant.]

“Aren’t you the same?”

[Hahahaha!]

Baal laughed loudly.

Dash!

A short leap follows.
But it’s different from kicking off the ground normally.

Wings sprouting from Baal’s back before one knows it.
They were instantly boosting his speed, accelerating.
The direction of Baal’s attack changing several times mid-air.

Chaeng! Chaeng!

Ten times.
He just barely managed to deflect two out of a full ten attacks.
Baal caused cracks in the ground with the club in one hand and immediately followed up with a spear stab. This wasn’t easy. Even with devilization progressing, Baal was an absurdly strong opponent, and Nox naturally lacked the speed to block his attacks. Lack of stamina was also a reason.
Ellie hasn’t grown enough yet.

He had already entrusted her again to Eleanor.

‘Haa.’

Nox exhaled.
It doesn’t feel real that this is just the beginning.
It feels like we’ve clashed several times already, yet this is just the first exchange.

‘Well, I guess it’s natural.’

If he’s a bit stronger than the last cycle meant he could endure this?
If he was lucky, he might have killed this demon dozens of times over by now.

“Do it properly.”

[Doesn’t seem like something to say with a body beaten to a pulp and full of wounds, Reinhaver.]

“Nox. That’s my name.”

Nox said, propping himself up with his sword on the ground.

“Nox von Reinhaver.”

[…Nox von Reinhaver. Hmm, amusing.]

Baal crossed his arms as he continued.

[White hair with the name Night (Note: ‘Nox’ can mean Night in Latin). Whoever named you seems to have done a poor job.]

“I don’t know either. I don’t particularly like my name.”

Nox thought while looking at his body breaking down after just one exchange.
Time is passing.

Endure a little longer, wait for the moment.
If he can pull this off, it’s enough.

Just, within this time, he desperately hopes not to meet his end.

“Here I come.”

Nox charges in again.

He begins to mix and deploy the two middle-stage forms of the Black Sword.

Using Fire Mirror, he floats numerous mirrors and makes a black rose bloom at the center.
A kind of phantom sword to completely steal the guy’s vision and continue attacking.

This is what Nox aimed for.

Baal watches with interest.

[In the past, such techniques didn’t exist in Reinhaver. Did you create a new one?]

“What if I did?”

[Not bad. If a bit more power were put into it, it would have been quite worth trying.]

Baal said, rolling the ground with his foot, and along with that, the numerous mirrors Nox had created shattered to pieces.
The black rose also withers quickly.

‘Buying time won’t be as easy as I thought.’

“Nox! It’s dangerous!”

Princess Penelope’s voice. When did she arrive?

But Nox ignored it.
She probably won’t reach here anyway.

His companions are strong, and Penelope is outstanding among them.
Because of the Imperial family bloodline, she can resist to some extent even in this darkness.

But reaching here is impossible.

Even Ulysses would find it difficult.
Sword Emperor, or Sage.
There is no one who can enter this place.

Without having the same conditions as me.
No matter what method is used, it will be difficult.
The only one who can come is just one person, and she is already approaching me.

{Captain Luna, can you hear me?}

{I’m coming now. Wait.}

Luna said that and was running towards me.
But it doesn’t seem easy.

In this pitch darkness, enduring this sticky dark mana and coming forward?

It can’t be done easily.

Normally, one would be frozen in fear and give up moving.
But she can do it.
If it’s Luna, the Luna I know, she can do it.

Past cycle, I mentioned that I had entered Lunatic before.
That was the first time, and at that time, when I was in mortal danger, Luna told me the following story.
As she risked her life pushed through the demons’ main force to save me.

— I thought about it for a long time, but I guess I really don’t want to see my companion die.
— Brazen newcomer. Do you know the first emotion I felt when I saw you?

I answered that I didn’t know.
Then Luna continued.

— A genius. An overwhelmingly overwhelming genius. Funny? That I’m saying this.

— But it’s true. I don’t think I could do it like you even if I were reborn. Having such swordsmanship at your age, making difficult judgments…
— Not easy, you seem to make such decisions so easily. So I’m afraid.

— Huh? Afraid…

— That you might leave.

Luna added nonchalantly.

— That you might leave me and our companions.

— Just as Nox von Reinhaver always does his best to save those he cherishes, I’m also the type who fears losing those around me.

— Is that the reason you came to save me? Because you’re afraid I might leave?

— Yes. You can’t leave me. Our Lunatic decided we’d rather disband and quit altogether than fail to protect one newcomer.

The swarming numerous armies.
Lunatic’s members. Only then did I realize.
So this is what Luna is like.
A person who can think of others as much as herself.

I know that even if I regress and repeat countless lives, this feeling cannot be conveyed purely to my companions.
But it was at that moment that I thought that at least Luna might understand similarly.
I genuinely wish for her to live.
She probably feels the same.

So I will ask.

{I said I had one request to ask of you. Do you remember?}

{Now, at this moment, you have a request?}

I continued.

{I told you, Captain. That I am dying. That I’m terminally-ill, no different from living with a bomb in my heart.}

{…What are you trying to say?}

{I have the ability to see my remaining lifespan. And my remaining lifespan is about a week now.}

{What do you…! If it’s true, why didn’t you tell me sooner?}

{I will ask you here. Captain Luna. I can exert a great force by pledging my lifespan. So I plan to execute the plan now.}

Luna speeds up her running. Blood wells up in her tightly clenched fist.
Is it because she already knows what he will say?
Is she this agitated because she knows what kind of request Nox will make of her?
She doesn’t know.

Thinking so, Luna continues to run forward.
Anyway, she wanted to see Nox’s face.

[The full moon will rise soon. At that time, I will have Baal possess my body. Leaving only a few seconds of my lifespan. While pretending to strike a blow at him.]

What expression is he making now,
With what feelings is he speaking to me.

I wonder if despite being a kid, he’s pushing himself, pretending to be a grown adult.
Seeing him trying to sacrifice himself like when he saved me from Zagan’s water prison, my eyes unknowingly became wet.

Why.
Why are you making such a decision.

{Stop.}

{After Baal possesses my body.}

Nox didn’t seem intent on listening to Luna’s words. Nox looked back for a moment and smiled faintly.

{Please kill me.}