Chapter 36: Fierce Battle

The one to speak first was the ArchBishop.

“You’ve not only protected yourself but also the young lady over there. Truly befitting of a Demon King.”

“It’s an honor to finally meet you in person,” Nox replied.

The ArchBishop grinned at Nox’s words.

“I see, you’ve noticed.”

“I didn’t expect you to hide with that. Surprising.”

The ArchBishop’s cheek twitched. Nox maintained his smile, but his seriousness was evident. The tip of his sword remained steady, directly aimed at the ArchBishop’s heart.

Being this close, it was clear. While Nox wore a relaxed smile, there was an unprecedented seriousness about him.

“Now, let’s have a serious one-on-one duel.”

“Wait.”

“What? It’ll kill the excitement.”

At Viola’s voice, the ArchBishop turned his gaze towards her as if realizing her presence for the first time. Viola met his gaze from within the wrinkles around her eyes and asked,

“What are you fighting for? Killing Nox now won’t accomplish anything.”

“Of course, I understand that. However,” the ArchBishop wore an ecstatic smile.

“Facing demons, do you need a noble cause to do what is right?”

“You’re insane.”

“That’s fine. The young lady still doesn’t understand.”

“Viola, are you satisfied?”

At Nox’s words, Viola nodded. He wasn’t a reasonable person. He wasn’t someone she could reason with or hold back.

“In that case, let’s settle this as you wish,” the ArchBishop declared.

Simultaneously with Nox’s words, a ball of light, far surpassing the previous flash, rushed straight at Nox.

Nox cut it with his sword in a moment, and as the next flash expanded before him, a small chant from Nox was followed by an explosion of light. At the same time, Nox swung his sword to cut down a light ball approaching from behind.

“Constantly on the defensive, huh?”

“I don’t want to give you any information.”

Though Nox said so, Viola understood. It was because of Viola. As long as Viola was here, Nox couldn’t leave.

However, judging from the battles so far, Nox was clearly a close-range combatant. He wielded a sword with high magical conductivity, referred to by humans as a magic sword, enchanting it with magic. While he might be proficient at long-range attacks, facing the ArchBishop, who seemed to specialize in long-range attacks, with long-range magic seemed futile.

The ArchBishop seemed to be aware of this too. He continued unleashing light balls from all directions without letting up. If the two were evenly matched, Nox would likely tire out faster because he had two people to protect.

Viola quickly surveyed her surroundings. Ignatz and Arnold met her eyes, both gritting their teeth and shaking their heads. Ignatz’s face twisted in anger, and blood dripped from his tightly clenched fist, but he stood there without doing anything.

If she intervened, she would obstruct Nox. They all understood that.

“Well, how long can you hold out?”

“Your magical energy will run out sooner, I bet.”

“At least my mouth is still going strong.”

Viola glanced up at Nox. His hair was disheveled, and his crimson eyes stared intensely at the ArchBishop. Seeing sweat trickle down his pale cheeks, Viola bit her lip.

She could do nothing. All she could do was be protected.

At this rate, they would both fall. If she stopped Nox from protecting her, he would undoubtedly win.

Then, the rational choice would be…

“Rejected.”

“Nox!”

“I said I would protect.”

The words that were about to come out vanished in the thunderous sound of Nox cutting three light balls at once. Talking would be a hindrance. Viola understood that. But…

“Don’t worry. I won’t let a finger touch you.”

In a voice audible only to Viola, Nox murmured. At that moment, Nox suddenly turned to look behind him. His eyes caught a figure standing on a distant spire.

Following his gaze, Viola also noticed the man. Clad in a familiar white robe with a red emblem spreading at the hem. One of the Flame Knights, standing on a distant spire.

Nox let out a small click of his tongue. While cutting off the ArchBishop’s attacks with his right hand, he extended his left hand towards the figure.

Two beams intersected in the air.

The black light released from Nox’s hand accurately seized the man’s chest without any deviation, causing him to recoil from the spire and fall. Simultaneously, the red light released by the Flame Knight was equally precise.

Viola saw the light coming straight at her. The power was unmistakable, and she felt the sensation of her cheeks burning and the stifling fear. Unable to bear it, she closed her eyes in what felt like an eternal moment.

However, the anticipated impact never came.

“—uh, ku.”

Slowly opening her eyes, Viola saw black hair.

The man who had shielded Viola and endured an attack without holding back continued to cut through the unrelenting assault with his right hand. Blood flowed from the corner of his lips, creating crimson streaks.

“Nox!”

“What’s all this noise?”

Looking down at Viola, Nox let his disheveled hair flutter and displayed a fierce smile.

Touching Nox’s back as he turned towards the  ArchBishop, Viola, in her moistened vision, cast healing magic.

However, she understood. The spells Viola had learned so far were specialized in human body adjuncts, focusing on human treatment. It was clearly less effective on Nox, who had half-demon blood.

It might not be in time.

Dismissing the worst expectations, Viola continued to muster healing power with a strained effort.

Not enough magical energy. Not enough skill. Everything was lacking.

“Don’t cry. It would be the most troublesome if you cried.”

“Because…”

“I’m counting on you for the comfort after I get back from this injury.”

The mouth at the side of the face, seen in the blurry vision, formed a gentle arc at that moment.

A loud explosion.

To Viola, protected by Nox, everything became clear.

The black light emanating from Nox, blowing out like a snake and attacking the ArchBishop, and the enormous magical power that had been continuously gathering while protecting Viola, suddenly burst forth. The moment that black light touched the ArchBishop, the figure of the small old man was blown away.

The body flew with full force, crashing into the stone spire of the castle, sliding down the wall. Thrown into the center of the terrace, the ArchBishop looked up at Nox while in a crawling position.

“I see, you gathered your strength in that situation.”

The ArchBishop clapped his trembling hands.

“Bravo, splendid. It’s my defeat. I could enjoy a thrilling match in my final moments. This body, this country, do as you please.”

The ArchBishop’s entire body relaxed.

Just before his consciousness flew away, the ArchBishop smiled.

Viola gasped at the sudden shock that ran through her arms. A sharp pain shot from her shoulders to her back, and she let out a gasping sound. With a sudden sense of weightlessness, her neck jerked, and by the time Viola comprehended everything, it was already too late.

A man smiling, twisting Viola’s arms behind her. In an instant, he broke through Nox’s barrier, pulling Viola towards him. Feeling the cold blade against her neck, Viola shivered with uncomfortable sweat trickling down her spine. The ArchBishop’s voice, filled with delight, reached her ears.

“One-on-one? Did I lose? Haha! Well, I’m counting on you, Aquamancer.”

The surrounding air chilled instantly. Red eyes, harboring burning anger, stared at Viola and the Aquamancer, who pressed a slender sword against her neck. No words came out, as if her voice were caught in her throat.

Ignoring Nox’s gaze, the Aquamancer spoke as if singing.

“Drop your weapons. You understand, Demon King?”

Silence, as if the stillness would last forever, was broken by a small metallic sound.

The discarded black sword bounced a few times on the stone, gently sliding down the terrace, shattering the seemingly endless silence.