Chapter 35: The Truth Exposed

Holding Viola in his arms, Nox descended to the terrace.

Nox opened his mouth after checking on Ignaz, who had his arms crossed, and Arnold, who had fixed his bangs.

“Nice to meet you.”

The nature of the magic was unclear. Nox’s voice resonated vividly, as if he were speaking right next to everyone in the country.

“I am Nox. Normally, I am called the Demon King.”

Starting with those words, Nox began to speak slowly.

About his birth, the path he had taken in life, the identity of the hero, and the true aim of the king.

“Have you understood? All the wars until now were conducted due to the king’s personal emotions.”

Unnoticed, under the terrace where Nox stood, countless people had gathered. Those who were initially scared and hiding in their homes now gathered to catch a glimpse of Nox as he revealed the truth.

One elderly person who appeared in the crowd as if being jostled by the crowd muttered,

“That hair… belongs to the former Crown Prince Consort.”

Nodding faintly upon hearing the voice, Nox continued,

“But I do not desire any more wars. I propose reestablishing a firm covenant of non-aggression.”

“Everyone, don’t be deceived.”

A voice with undiminished dignity even in old age.

That resounding voice caused the square to fall silent for a moment, and a solemn atmosphere filled the air. The hard sound of the staff hitting the ground echoed repeatedly, then stopped.

Stepping out of the castle, the king stood next to Nox, looking down at his people.

Nox raised his hand to restrain Ignatz and Arnold, who had instinctively raised their weapons.

“This is also the Demon King’s scheme. Don’t be deceived, watch calmly. The opponent is a demon race.”

“Have you see my eyes? Father”

The king’s crimson eyes squarely locked onto Nox.

“The color of the eyes is just a coincidence. It’s a tale told ad nauseam.”

“If that’s the case—”

Leon, who appeared silently, placed his hand on the king’s shoulder.

“I’ll testify too. I am not the hero, and the Demon King truly desires a ceasefire. Or do you think I, too, am conspiring with the Demon King to take over this world?”

“Leon, have you fallen for the demon race? Remember, you are human. Have you forgotten the gratitude for being raised?”

“Raised? It was brainwashing. I was repeatedly told I’m the hero. If I didn’t know the truth, I wonder what would have happened.”

A murmured remark about the hero.

In the widespread agitation, the king continued to insist.

“Even the hero has fallen into the hands of the Demon King… Don’t be deceived. We are humans; we cannot trust the words of the demon race.”

“It can’t be helped.”

“Viola.”

Ignoring Nox’s reproachful voice, Viola clasped her hands together towards Nox.

“How can I amplify my voice?”

“Well, do as you please.”

When Nox waved his hand, Viola’s throat felt slightly warm. Clearing her throat softly, Viola spoke.

“Nice to meet you, everyone. I am Viola. I am human.”

The hand that had been trembling at her side was held by Nox. Looking up slightly, she saw him make a subtle motion with his chin, and Viola pursed her lips.

But thanks to that, the tension dissipated.

“I am a healing mage, but due to certain circumstances, I was living in the Demon King’s castle. …Now, I will prove the blood relationship between Nox and His Majesty the King.”

“Nonsense.”

“As you all may know—”

Ignoring the king’s words, Viola continued.

“In the healing magic system, there is a method to heal wounds by transplanting someone else’s magical power. And the higher the compatibility of that magical power, the more efficient the healing. Magical power is inherited.

If, Your Majesty, you were to transplant magical power from yourself to Nox, the affinity would become immediately apparent.”

“However—”

In the king’s voice, a faint sense of urgency mixed in. The fingertips gripping the staff had turned completely white.

“Who will perform this? No one would believe the results produced by the Demon King’s accomplice, but might they believe the results produced by us humans?”

“That’s why let’s do it here and now. I will visualize the ritual for everyone to see.”

“You might show illusions.”

“In that case, let the recommended person by His Majesty cast the visualization spell. I’ll handle the healing, and you’ll handle the visualization. If we divide the roles, it will be fair, right?”

“However—”

“How unsightly.”

Quietly, Nox looked down at the king.

“Do you not understand that refusing will only deepen the suspicion?”

“No, that’s not it.”

“Then what is it?”

“N-nothing! Let’s proceed.”

It seemed that the magic users who had returned from the scene of the recent battle were gathering, staggering. Viola surveyed them and, upon finding a man standing, leaning on his staff, she tilted her head.

“Will you cooperate?”

“…Yes.”

“Your Majesty, is he acceptable?”

“…”

Although there was no answer from the king, the lack of denial was probably sufficient. Confirming the serious-faced mage who nodded, Viola shifted her gaze to Nox.

Nox, who nodded, raised his right arm high. His claws scratched his skin sharply, and a vivid red color seeped out.

With a soft sound as the dripping blood wet his wrist, Viola closed her eyes.

What we do remains the same. While chanting loudly so that the magic she was using could be understood, Viola applied the healing magic of magical power transplantation.

Beside her, the man’s chanting voice could be heard. It was slightly hoarse but had a definite tone. At the raised tone, Viola knew that her magic had been visualized.

Magical power flowed through her hands.

From the right hand to the left. Like a flowing river. Without large rocks, waterfalls, meanders, bifurcations. The sensation of smoothly flowing magical power made Viola bite her lip lightly.

If Nox’s words were lies, things would be dire.

However, now that the cruel truth had been confirmed like this, she couldn’t help but think, “I wish it weren’t true.”

It was a fleeting moment, just a brief passage of time.

Nox directed his gaze to his fully healed hand and casually waved it towards the people.

“As you can see.”

“Anyone with knowledge of magic should understand. The purity of this is impossible without a blood relation.”

“No, it can’t be!”

“Shall we continue?”

Nox sighed, muttering in annoyance.

“You’re persistent, Father—”

“No!,――”

At the name spoken afterward, everyone held their breath.

A name that didn’t belong to anyone present. Nox, who blinked in surprise at the uttered words, after a short pause, let out a small laugh.

“Well, that’s my name, I suppose.”

“N-no, this is—”

“Did you make a mistake in calling me? How trivial.”

“N-no, that’s not—”

Shaking his head, Nox let out a big sigh and slowly walked to the edge of the terrace.

Standing at the edge, Nox looked down at the people.

“This is the truth. The war is over—”

That was the moment.

Suddenly, a golden flash flew in, and Viola instinctively closed her eyes. A tremendous explosion occurred, resonating within her head. A powerful wind slammed against her entire body, causing Viola to stagger.

A strong hand supported her back.

“Viola.”

It was Nox.

With his left hand embracing Viola’s shoulder, he half-turned his body, and his right arm extended straight ahead. The sword gripped in that hand seemed to absorb sunlight, pure black in contrast.

About half of the terrace had been blown away, revealing a gruesome scene.

Standing there were Ignatz, Arnold, and Leon. Despite being exposed to an unexpected attack, they had somehow managed to protect themselves.

In front of Nox’s sword, a man descended.

“Whether I should say nice to meet you, Demon King.”

“Archbishop, your greeting is a bit too extreme.”

A small, elderly man clad in a white robe smiled on his wrinkled face.