Chapter 107: Defensive Killing Intent
Inside the swaying carriage, Pierre stared at the pitch-black silhouette of Schlacht's back.
He tried to imagine what kind of expression might be hidden beneath that mask—
and, within those exquisite spells of his, what sort of future awaited an old man like himself.
"Clairvoyance… a spell capable of seeing a thousand years ahead,
of simulating countless possible futures within the mind."
"It can even converse, through another person's memories, with someone in the future who will one day witness those same memories."
"Schlacht—it was precisely because of your existence that I resolved to defect to the Demon King's army."
"You overestimate me," Schlacht replied coldly.
"In your eyes, my magic may seem as though it predicts the future without cause."
"But such magic does not exist."
"To foresee the future, one must first understand the past."
"And yet… there are certain ancient beings that even I cannot see through—
cannot comprehend."
"—You mean him, don't you?"
Pierre's words carried a pointed implication.
Schlacht answered with a brief silence—confirmation enough.
"In truth, that lord's existence is little more than a blur in my own imagination."
"The few fragments I know come only from the Demon King's passing remarks."
"This time, his sudden entry into the game instantly shattered the future paths I had foreseen."
"Grausam's plan failed… and he even lost his life."
"And as for you, Pierre—"
"I never expected you to still be alive."
"…Indeed."
Pierre recalled, with lingering dread, the moment he first laid eyes on Elias.
The panic he'd felt then was impossible to conceal—
so intense that it had even given rise to defensive killing intent.
Yet, misfortune turned into a strange kind of blessing—
Pierre had successfully made Elias sense just how small he was.
Looking back now…
"The Demon King's memories were correct," he said quietly.
"That one truly is pursuing humanity."
"I must have stirred his pity—that's the only reason I barely escaped with my life."
"So that's precisely what I can't understand," Pierre continued.
"A great demon who has already obtained absolute power…
why would he spend a thousand years chasing something as fragile as humanity?"
Schlacht tried once more to outline Elias's future—
and failed again.
"But I really am curious," he admitted,
"about what Lord Elias has been thinking about for all these centuries."
"Indeed," Pierre agreed with a faint smile.
"Compared to that, someone like me—who simply wants to abandon humanity, become a demon, and gain power and longevity—really is dreadfully dull."
At that moment, Schlacht felt an eager gaze behind him.
"Schlacht," Pierre asked, unable to restrain himself,
"does the Demon King truly have a way to turn me into a demon?"
"—Pierre, I have never doubted the Demon King's power or resolve."
"Then have you seen it?" Pierre pressed.
"My future—becoming a powerful demon and living for a thousand years?"
Schlacht slowly lifted his head.
A strangely colored glimmer flashed through his mind.
"Of course, Pierre," he said calmly.
"You will live a long life."
"But before that…"
Pierre failed to notice the faint crimson flicker in Schlacht's eyes.
"Once we reach the southern continent," Schlacht continued,
"there is still one very important task waiting for you."
---
Northern Continent · Oiseth
After Flamme eliminated Grausam, the Northern Jewel Merchants' Union was sealed off.
Everyone in the estate was taken away by the stationed Allied Forces for further interrogation.
At the same time—
On a rooftop across from the estate, Solitär climbed the stairs, approaching a small figure with long violet hair.
"I didn't expect to see you here," she said softly.
"Aura."
"Oh, it's you," Aura replied, turning around.
Her deep purple dress swayed gently with the motion.
"I was just passing by—thought I'd stop and admire Grausam's delightful ending."
Solitär smiled.
"So you really disliked him."
"I, on the other hand, rather liked Grausam's magic," she said.
"And his plan to make humans slaughter one another."
"If only I could record what humans feel while inside the Paradise—wouldn't that be fascinating~?"
"Tch."
Aura's face filled with disdain.
"So-called mental magic…"
"That kind of plan is boring."
"Hiding in the shadows, trying to control humans with a cheap gemstone, and then losing to that woman—completely predictable."
"That idiot Grausam never understood," Aura sneered,
"that to control humans, you need pure power—
power so overwhelming they kneel at your feet."
"In that case…" Solitär asked thoughtfully,
"would it be possible to converse with the controlled humans?
To learn about their state of mind?"
"Heh heh heh."
Aura let out a cold laugh.
"Solitär, I'm not like you."
"I have zero interest in what humans think."
"What I want is the humans themselves—
their bodies, to be used as vessels."
"I see."
Solitär turned away.
"But something like that…"
"I find it boring too."
Aura watched her leave, the two parting on poor terms.
"Whatever," Aura muttered.
"There's nothing worth discussing with idiots who want to understand humans."
"Once I reach the southern continent," she said coldly,
"I'll make everyone understand—"
"—what pure power really is."
---
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!"
Frieren's horrified scream echoed through three floors of the house.
"What do you mean—from today on—I have to live with a pervert?!"
Elias looked at the white-haired elf coldly.
"Frieren, don't alter my words at will."
"And he is not a pervert. His name is Robin Green."
"—Wait!"
Robin suddenly raised his hand.
"It's the 99th Robin Green!"
"Just one more generation and we hit a hundred!"
Elias took a deep breath.
"Adding that kind of information to your name wastes everyone's time."
"…Alright," Robin nodded quickly.
"Just call me Robin."
"WHO CARES WHAT YOUR NAME IS?!"
Frieren turned on him again.
"Why does he get to stay in our house?!"
Elias blinked calmly.
"Because the village has too many commissions and too much manual labor. We need help."
"And more importantly, Frieren—
you've been getting a bit too comfortable lately."
"…What?!"
"Elias!"
"You're not keeping him around just to mess with me, are you?!"
"I never said that," Elias replied innocently.
"Robin is your companion—and your rival."
"He'll motivate you to improve."
Frieren lowered her head in silence.
Her fists clenched at her sides, trembling uncontrollably.
For a fleeting moment, she almost missed that dream—
the one where everyone admired her, praised her, and everything felt effortless.
"Frieren?"
Elias smiled and pressed on.
"You're not scared he'll steal your spotlight… are you?"
"DON'T BE RIDICULOUS!"
Frieren snapped her head up, fire blazing in her eyes.
"I'll work harder!"
"No matter what—
I refuse to lose to a pervert!"