Chapter 246.1

The Demon King’s Hymn resounded from afar, and the song was soon drawing to an end.

With the playful melody behind me, I gazed out at an alley in Jiorhaze.

“Anos.” (Arcana)

A single lunar snowdrop gently descended, transforming into Arcana.

“Has Ahid appeared?” (Arcana)

“Yes. It seems he disguised himself as one of the choristers, but it was just a double created by magic. I tracked his magic power here.” (Anos)

I drew a magic circle in the alley in front of me and blew away the earth with .

I beckoned with my index finger, and the Pledge Jewel buried there came flying towards me.

“It seems he used this as a decoy to escape.” (Anos)

The jewel was infused with Ahid’s magic. It must have been supplying magic power to the fake body.

“He created a double with and cast on it to summon Vista the Dragon of Concealment. The first spell allowed him to create a replica of his own body with dirt and control it. Even if the jewel supplied it with magic power, the double can’t think on its own. The caster is the one controlling it.” (Anos)

“Which means he was connected to it with a magic line?” (Arcana)

“Yes. He severed it just as he fled.” (Anos)

Arcana clasped the jewel in both hands.

Her body glowing brightly with magical light.

“Once a pact is made, it can’t be severed easily. The bond persists, tracing back to its origin.” (Arcana)

As I focused my Magic Eyes, a single magic thread extended from the Pledge Jewel.

She must’ve used the power of Nutra Do Hiana, the Keeper of Restoration.

It regenerated the severed magic connection.

“Hmm. But it seems he’s taken precautions.” (Anos)

From the Pledge Jewel, four more magic threads branched out.

Their numbers multiplied rapidly until a total of thirty-three threads were connected.

I could sense Ahid’s magic at the end of each one.

“Out of these thirty-three threads, at least thirty-two are likely connected to the jewel. He’s infusing them with his own magic to obscure his true location.” (Anos)

“Then, could the remaining one lead to Ahide?”

Arcana narrowed her gaze, studying the multiple threads intently.

“It could also be that all of them are decoys, and he’s fleeing on foot without using magic. The song of the Divine Dragon echoing through Jiorhaze seems to have an effect similar to dragon song. Even my demonic eyes can’t fully scan the entire city.” (Anos)

Tracking all thirty-three magic threads one by one would be an easy task.

Thinking about it that way, it would make more sense to a.s.sume the threads themselves are a decoy, and Ahide is escaping without relying on magic.

Now then, how should I catch him, I wondered.

The singing voices of Ellen and the others echoed particularly loudly from the direction of the Divine Dragon’s sacred grounds.

This was the climax of the Demon King’s Hymn.

Soon, a chorus of “Ku-Ikku, Ku-Ikku” echoed through the skies of Jiorhaze.

The fervor in their voices seemed to be proof that their song had been accepted by the people of this Underground World.

Quite a joyous occasion.

“Ku-Ikku, Ku-Ikku, Ku-Ikku…?” (???)

Suddenly, a low voice hummed the song from a nearby alley.

“Ku-Ikku, Ku-Ikku, Ku-Ikkuuuuu…?” (???)

When I turned to look, I saw a large man clad in a crimson knight’s uniform and armor cheerfully humming the Demon King’s Hymn.

He had slightly long hair and a well-trimmed beard.

He looked to be around forty years old.

But his demeanor carried the weight of someone who had lived through countless ages.

“Ha! This is just too good,” the man laughed heartily, then shifted his gaze toward me.

“Hey. Songs from the surface sure are nice, aren’t they? How about coming to sing for us next time?” (Crimson knight)

Hmm, a strange man appeared.

“Be careful,” Arcana warned, her eyes narrowing with caution as she glared at the middle-aged man.

“This is one of the Selected Eight, the Sword Emperor who rules over Agatha, the Prophet Diedrich Kreizen Agatha.” (Arcana)

“Sure am. Since you know this much, this should be quick.” (Crimson knight → Diedrich)

Diedrich walked straight up to me and extended his hand.

“We’re both among the Selected Eight. We may end up clashing in the Holy War, but no hard feelings, alright, Demon King from the surface?” (Diedrich)

Quite a bold man.

“I’m Anos Voldigoad.” (Anos)

I shook hands with him.

Diedrich flashed a wide grin, showing his teeth.

“If you’ve come for the Selection Trial, your timing’s off. Unfortunately, I’m in the middle of hunting down a man. I don’t mind if you challenge me, but I don’t have time to play around.” (Anos)

“Oh, don’t worry. I didn’t come here to challenge you today. My business is with the Pope of Jiordal, and the man you’re after, Ahid.” (Diedrich)

“Oh? Speaking of Ahid, he brought out the Royal Dragon when he invaded Azesion. I heard it belonged to the Kingdom of Agatha.” (Anos)

“That’s right. The Royal Dragon is the guardian dragon of Agatha. Ahid and the Pope of Jiordal stole it, and they’ll have to answer for that.” (Diedrich)

“Then I guess I owe you an apology. One of my subordinates ended up destroying your guardian dragon.” (Anos)

“Gahaha! You’re an honest man, Demon King. But that’s not on you. It’s the fault of Jiordal’s Cardinal and the Pope who turned a blind eye to his plan.” (Diedrich)

Hmm. Fair enough.

“So? Did the king himself come all this way just to hold the Pope accountable for Ahid’s misdeeds?” (Anos)

“Even if I sent messengers, they’d be ignored. If I let it go, it would set a bad example for my people. Worse, they might start a conflict with Jiordal. That’s something I can’t afford.” (Diedrich)

They would probably take it as Jiordal spitting on Agatha’s teachings.

No king would want such an unwanted conflict.

“Then this is no time to be exchanging pleasantries with me. Don’t mind me and go meet with the Pope.” (Anos)

“I would if I could, but the Pope of Jiordal is completely absorbed in his prayers. He has no intention of meeting anyone. So greeting you was the best course of action for now.” (Diedrich)

“Hmm, I’m not following your logic.” (Anos)

It was then that a pure voice resonated from behind Diedrich.