Chapter 102: Elias's Kindness
Grausam—who had guided countless souls into his so-called Paradise—had never imagined that one day, he himself would be trapped inside another's world.
He recalled a woman from years past, a stunning beauty named Elizabeth.
Her magic had never even had the chance to activate before he dragged her into Paradise, where she withered away in blissful oblivion.
A so-called prodigy of human mental magic—
nothing more than another defeated opponent.
But this time was different.
That old monster named Elias had cast aside the outward shell of a demon, yet chose to retain—no, to surpass—the innate cruelty of demonkind itself.
Luring an enemy into a mental realm and locking them in place with some bizarre, unfathomable magic…
It was practically identical to his own Paradise.
"Are you… imitating my methods?"
"Elias," Grausam murmured softly.
"You truly are… an eye-opening existence."
The moment those words fell, Elias lifted his gaze.
"Using your own tactics against you—that was precisely the effect I wanted," he said calmly.
"Grausam, if your consciousness collapses here, then the body you left behind in will become nothing more than an empty shell."
Then Elias paused, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"But I'm curious."
"You've always preferred to operate from the shadows. Did you ever imagine a day like this would come?"
Grausam lowered his head into silence.
All that could be heard was the roar of the ocean—
waves crashing violently against jagged rock.
Then, suddenly—
His body began to twist.
A strange tremor rippled through him, followed by a low, spine-chilling chuckle.
"That's unfortunate…"
"I never imagined such a thing."
"Because it simply wouldn't happen~"
There was no panic in him at all.
On the contrary, Grausam strolled leisurely along the beach, as if out for a casual walk.
"Many people misunderstand mental mages," he said lightly.
"They believe the mind itself is the most important thing."
"After all, we must drift between bodies, manipulating countless puppets."
"And if the mind is destroyed, that is equivalent to true death."
His smile widened.
"But that assumption…"
"…is flawed."
Grausam suddenly came to a halt.
He turned toward Elias with a smug grin.
"You know, Elias… the reason I can appear before humans countless times—and vanish just as often—"
"—is not without cause."
Judging by his expression, Elias thought for only a few seconds before the answer surfaced.
"It must be a spell that synchronizes, copies, preserves, and restores the mind."
"Even if the consciousness wandering outside is destroyed, as long as the body remains intact, you can be reborn."
"…Am I right?"
"—As expected of you."
Grausam bowed lightly, smiling.
"With just a few words, you've probably already reconstructed such a spell in your head."
Elias nodded slowly.
"Indeed. It's an exquisite piece of magic—complex even to imagine."
"You're not even a thousand years old, are you? To achieve something like that is impressive."
"I understand now why that boy appointed you as one of the Seven Sages of Destruction."
At that, Grausam's brows lifted higher, his pride all but overflowing.
"So then, Lord Elias…"
"Are you and that powerful girl still planning to fight me here to the death?"
"No need."
Elias replied flatly.
"I don't do meaningless things."
The golden sigils sealing sea and sky dissolved at his gesture.
Grausam bowed once more, turned, and walked toward the shore.
As the small boat beneath his feet began to fade into a phantom—
He sneered.
Tch…
Some 'great demon of the Mythic Age.'
Some 'mental regeneration magic.'
Just a lie I made up on the spot—and that fool swallowed it whole.
Even helped me flesh it out.
What an idiot.
Has he lived among humans for so long that he's forgotten how demons lie?
Pathetic.
As the boat vanished into the sea, Robin stepped quietly to Elias's side.
"Elias… that so-called mental regeneration spell—"
"You made it up, didn't you?"
"Heh. You noticed?"
Elias smiled openly.
"It's theoretically imaginable, yes—but it's never been realized."
"I merely gave that arrogant brat an excuse to leave."
"—Why?"
Robin pressed on.
"Isn't he pure evil? Why not destroy him outright?"
"If you erased his mind here, his body would be useless anyway."
"Because it wasn't my place to strike."
Elias gazed calmly at the ocean.
The sea itself seemed to settle under his eyes.
"Robin… just like the night you burned that village."
"At this very moment, someone else is waiting—"
"—waiting to avenge a blood-soaked hatred with their own hands."
"So I chose to become part of the plan."
"To buy them time."
"I see."
Robin smiled softly.
"Elias… two thousand years have passed, and you're still just as kind as ever."
---
Northern Continent · Oiseth
Northern Jewel Merchants' Union
"—Gah!"
Grausam jolted awake in bed.
The instant he sat up, he saw frost already creeping across the windowpanes.
The outside world was blurred, indistinct.
That Elias…
What a detestable existence.
Even if I barely escaped with my life through lies,
there's no way I'll abandon a plan that's come this far.
Over these past days of trade, the gems have already spread among the common people of the Holy City.
All that remains is the auction.
Once that begins, the military high command and nobility will fall under my control.
Send them all to Paradise—
Leave behind a pile of empty shells slaughtering one another…
What a magnificent sight that will be.
"No…"
"I need a new vessel."
"I must survive until that day—"
"—long enough to witness the destruction of the Holy City and the Allied Army with my own eyes!"
"That won't be happening."
A calm voice cut in.
A tall, slender figure pushed open the door.
Grausam's eyes went wide.
In the next instant—
He recognized the flowing hair, and the face colder than any demon's.
"…Archmage Flamme?!"
"What are you doing here?!"
"Revenge, of course."
Flamme leaned casually against the wall, her gaze already brimming with killing intent.
"One of my comrades died to your Guide to Paradise Magic."
"For something like that?"
Grausam scoffed.
"The humans I've killed are beyond counting. I don't even remember your friend's name."
"You remember only because of that thing humans call bonds, don't you?"
"Hahahahaha—!"
"How amusing. Humans becoming fragile over such trivialities."
"Even a battlefield valkyrie, foolish enough to walk straight into her own death!"
"Flamme—don't forget."
"This entire estate is my territory!"
"And?"
Flamme's expression didn't change.
"Heh…"
"Isn't dying on your own turf supposed to be… comforting?"
"Then why do you look so agitated?"
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