NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 23
“Clank.”
“…That was close.”
A greatsword was forcibly lodged into Levina’s back, stubbornly holding its place. Though it looked like a fatal wound, Levina’s regenerative abilities, far surpassing those of an average demon, rendered it largely ineffective.
However, the name of the greatsword embedded in her back was “Severance.” While it couldn’t deliver a fatal blow, it managed to halt her movements, if only temporarily.
“Kuh… Keh… C-can we consider this a capture…?”
“No, the resistance is stronger than expected. We won’t be able to maintain this state for long.”
Thanks to forcibly interfering with Levina’s dream space and disrupting her focus, the effect of Severance was barely activated. But even that was temporary, and physical damage wasn’t easy to inflict.
“Tch… Just… just because of one measly vampire… What is this…?”
While Bell Ross held Levina in place, the man who had regenerated his throat first and regained his voice spoke up.
“I clearly told you she wasn’t an easy opponent, didn’t I?”
“Sh-shut up… How dare a lowly being like you speak to me, a mid-tier demon…?”
The man had been thoroughly monitoring Levina alongside Bell Ross for quite some time. Unlike Bell Ross, who harbored no racial discrimination, the man was an extreme bigot and looked down on Levina, a weaker race, until the very end.
“After watching for so long, you still haven’t realized it?”
“W-what are you talking about…?”
“She’s not just a regular vampire. She’s too strong for us to handle.”
At Bell Ross’s blunt remark, the man immediately furrowed his brows and reacted.
“Th-that’s… nonsense… In the end, she’s just a vampire…”
“Your so-called ‘superior speech’ didn’t work on her either, did it?”
“She must be hiding something… There’s no doubt about it…”
Despite his body being torn to shreds by Levina, the man continued to deny reality, spouting all sorts of ugly excuses. He refused to accept that a mid-tier demon like himself had been reduced to such a state by a mere vampire.
“……”
“Anyway… I’ll go recover nearby for a bit… In the meantime, you keep holding that vampire down…”
“What do you plan to do after you recover?”
“First… I’ll return to the church… and take everyone inside as hostages…”
“…Hostages?”
“Since they resorted to such cowardly tactics… we should respond in kind, don’t you think…?”
Bell Ross couldn’t take his eyes off the man as he weakly shuffled away. The forest was quickly filled with an eerie atmosphere, and a discomforting silence began to spread.
“The order I received was only to deal with this vampire.”
At Bell Ross’s quiet remark, the man stopped in his tracks and let out a heavy sigh.
“What does that matter… In the end, we’ll still deal with the vampire… So there’s no problem, right…?”
“There’s nothing to gain from messing with those kids. You’ll only create unnecessary trouble.”
“How would you know without trying…?”
“Based on what I’ve observed so far. I don’t know why, but this vampire holds those children in very high regard.”
“That’s all the more reason… to take them hostage, isn’t it…?”
Bell Ross fell silent for a moment. Though it was a relatively short time, having entered Levina’s dream and seen quite a lot, he could instinctively tell that the man’s choice would not lead to a favorable outcome for the demons.
Moreover─.
“…If you’re going to go that far and harm the children, I’ll withdraw from this mission.”
“…?!”
Unlike the man, who, true to his demon nature, felt no guilt over any action, Bell Ross was acutely aware of the responsibility that came with his actions. Harming the children here would completely shatter the principles he had barely managed to uphold. Especially since the targets were innocent children who knew nothing.
“……”
“What is this, Bell Ross… Are you refusing to follow my orders now…?”
“Sorry, but I don’t consider you my superior.”
With those words, Bell Ross brutally punched through the man’s chest with his bare fist.
“Kuh… Kehk…”
Bell Ross was only a low-ranking demon because he selectively followed orders, not because he was weak.
“I’ve always wondered. How can you do such things without hesitation?”
“W-what… what are you…?”
“It was the same when we raided the church. You tried to kill innocent children for no reason.”
“H-how dare you…?”
“The order I received didn’t include harming children.”
Having lived as a demon for a long time, Bell Ross found Levina to be a very peculiar and refreshing existence. Unlike himself, who was trapped within the demon framework and forced to follow absurd orders, Levina, despite being a demon, lived peacefully with human children without any sense of discord.
That alone made him vaguely realize how foolish and contradictory his own life had been.
“Therefore, it’s not me who disobeyed the order, but you.”
But even if he realized that now, it meant nothing to Bell Ross, who had already secured a certain position within the demon hierarchy.
– Clank…
“This feels strange─.”
***
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【Aizen】- Messiah
[Race] Human
[Class] Knight
[Level] 1
[Passive Skill] Brave One
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【Ellie】- Messiah
[Race] Human
[Class] Priest
[Level] 1
[Active Skill] Heal
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【Iris】- Messiah
[Race] Human
[Class] Mage
[Level] 1
[Active Skill] Fireball
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“We… we did it…!!”
Can, who had already exhausted all his stamina in the fight with me. Even though he was a demon, his empty shell of a body couldn’t easily handle even Level 1 children.
“We defeated a demon…!!”
Moreover, during the intense battle with Can, the children had unconsciously manifested one skill each.
Aizen’s Brave One, which seemed to enhance his physical abilities.
Ellie’s Heal, which slightly restored the target’s health.
Iris’s Fireball, which created and launched a small fireball.
At first glance, these were very basic skills, laughable to others. But for me, who had been living with the children, there was no moment more touching than this.
“Sister…!! We did it!!”
“I used magic!”
As soon as they confirmed that Can had stopped moving, the children rushed over to me, jumping around in joy. I watched them with pride, gently patting each of their heads.
“It seems your efforts have paid off. You fought really well.”
“What do you think, Levi?! Do we still seem weak to you?!”
At Aizen’s confident question, I slowly shook my head.
“No. You’re not just reliable—you’re downright admirable.”
“From now on, as the leader of this party, I’ll protect Levi, Ellie, and Iris! Just trust me!”
Aizen’s shoulders puffed up with pride. It seemed he was incredibly proud and satisfied with being the official leader of the party.
Though I’m not sure why I was naturally included in that party.
“…I see.”
Just as I was praising the children and feeling proud, Can’s weak voice faintly reached us from a distance.
“Huh…?! He’s still alive?!”
“H-how…?!”
“I thought we defeated him…”
Can’s barely hanging arms dropped limply to the ground, and he stood there in an even more pitiful state. He creakily turned his head and met my gaze.
“I want to talk for a moment. As promised, I’ll give you some useful information.”
The children quickly straightened up at Can’s words, but sensing the atmosphere, I calmly reassured them and slowly approached Can.
“Priscilla, could you watch the kids for a bit?”
“Y-yes…?”
“I need to talk to him.”
Both the children and Priscilla looked bewildered, but I resolutely stepped forward and approached Can.
Soon, I stood right in front of Can, looking at his crumpled face indifferently.
“The sun will rise soon. So I’ll keep it brief.”
“Okay.”
Can took a moment to catch his breath, then continued in a calm tone.
“After today, the demons will invade not to reclaim the forest, but solely to eliminate you.”
“…What?”
“The Demon King already knows of your existence. Even if not immediately, as long as you stay in that forest, you’ll face increasingly difficult challenges.”
This was shocking news. While I hadn’t completely ruled out the possibility, the timing felt too soon.
“But don’t worry. With your strength, you should be able to handle it to some extent.”
“If they all come at once, even I…”
“You have the kids.”
At Can’s sudden remark, I was momentarily at a loss for words.
“From the recent battle, it’s clear why you care so much for those children.”
“What do you mean…?”
“I’ve never seen children that young manifest magic before.”
The more Can spoke, the more confused I became. I couldn’t understand what he was getting at.
“You must have recognized their potential early on.”
“……”
“Impressive. And I respect that.”
With those final words, Can’s head began to droop weakly, as if he had reached his limit.
“I don’t have enough time to fully understand you. But it was a meaningful time nonetheless.”
“…Are you reaching your limit?”
“I can feel my demon stone cracking.”
Can’s demon stone, which functioned like a human heart, was breaking. Its destruction meant Can’s death.
“…Looking back now, you were quite pleasant for a demon. I feel a strange mix of relief and regret.”
“Hmph, how dull. Talking is tiring now. That’s all I have to say, so go back to the kids.”
Honestly, I still didn’t fully trust Can. We hadn’t spent enough time together to fully understand each other. His actions during that short time were too contradictory, which might have contributed to my feelings.
“Alright. Rest well.”
“Yeah.”
With those final words, a cracking sound echoed as Can collapsed to the ground.
After witnessing Can’s final moments, I turned around with a heavy heart and slowly walked back to where the children were.
.
.
.
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【Active Skill】New!
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A notification popped up, announcing a new skill.