The Banished Swordsman and the Easy-going Demon King ~Free people change the world~ - Chapter 7

“Well, it’s not like I continued living or anything.”

“That’s right, I definitely died. In the battle with the hero Grein from a hundred years ago.”

Within the cave, there was a faint glow, clearly the result of some magical effect. Gandalke walked confidently in this dim light, as if she had been here many times before. If she knew about this remote and treacherous cave guarded by those menacing rock giants and claimed to be the previous Demon Lord, her words held an odd persuasiveness.

In fact, the one walking behind her, Luct, believed her considerably.

“Wait, are you saying that you were reborn in this body the moment you died?”

“Yeah, that’s what happened.”

“You mean to say you didn’t do it yourself?”

“Who would do something so tacky? I only realized it after I died!”

Gandalke emphasized her tone, turning to Luct with a wry smile.

“Grein’s mighty strike beheaded me, and I thought, ‘Well, it’s all over now…’ I accepted my fate. The next moment, I woke up in this body, right in front of this cave. It’s a ridiculous story, isn’t it?”

“Well…”

Luct, unsure how to respond, looked around.

“Wait, so is there someone in here who engineered this rebirth of yours?”

“That’s right!”

She responded with a triumphant tone, and Gandalke continued forward with an even quicker pace.

“Quite kindly, there was a letter in my pocket. ‘I did this for you,’ it said. Of course, I tried to go and argue with them, but that damn rock sculpture you’re familiar with blocked me. It won’t attack for sure, but it won’t let you through either.”

“What’s the point of that? Some kind of revenge?”

“‘Please, witness the world after your death with your own eyes,’ it said.”

“Seems like unnecessary trouble.”

“Do you get it?!”

Gandalke turned to Luct with a face full of frustration, her trembling fingers pleading with him.

“The one who should have died in a magnificent battle with the strongest hero, that’s me. Do you have any idea how I’ve endured these hundred years?!”

“It looks like you enjoyed it a bit, didn’t you? Or is it just my imagination?”

“Oh, come on!”

With a face that screamed frustration, Gandalke glared at Luct, scratching her own hair. However, her gaze appeared more like that of a petulant child than anything else. Unable to help himself, Luct burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?!”

“Everything.”

“Speak up!”

As they continued to exchange words, they soon arrived in front of a large door made of stone.

“How do we open this?”

“Sorry, but I need to open it.”

“You can open it?”

“It’s just heavy.”

Saying this, Gandalke gazed at the door with a resentful look.

“In the old days, I could have easily opened it with one hand, but with this body, no matter how hard I try, it’s impossible. It’s up to you.”

“Well, okay.”

Luct, who answered, placed both hands on the stone door and exerted all his strength to push. Soon, the stone door began to open little by little, grinding sand as it did so. Luct managed to create an opening big enough to pass through. After verifying this, Gandalke quickly slipped her body through the door. Soon after, Luct followed her.

Gadoon!

As soon as he let go, the heavy stone door closed again.

They found themselves in a large chamber with a low ceiling, covered in sand.

“Amirias!”

As soon as the door closed, Gandalke’s loud voice echoed through the room.

“I know you’re here, Amirias! We’ve arrived!”

“Amirias?”

Muttered Luct as he saw something moving in the corner of his vision. He turned his eyes in that direction and saw the sand that had piled up slowly taking on the shape of a person.

Eventually, it took the form of a frail old woman. Her previously closed eyes opened wide, revealing green eyes that stared at Gandalke.

“Indeed, indeed.”

With a voice fitting her wrinkled appearance, the old woman spoke with delight.

“My, my, if it isn’t our Demon Lord, Gandalke. It’s been a hundred years, hasn’t it? You look well.”

Smack!

Her greeting was cut off with a slap as Gandalke’s hand landed hard on her cheek. What scattered was sand.

“Long time no see, Amirias.”

“You certainly came bearing a greeting.”

“This is what you expected, right?”

“Yes, of course.”

“You talk too much…”

Gandalke, sulking at this point, glared alternately at Luct and Amirias, stomping her feet.

A demon’s nest opened for the first time in a hundred years.

The air, which should have been heavy, had lightened imperceptibly.

“…But you’re quite audacious.”

Amirias uttered these words while gazing at Luct.

“Our Demon Lord reveals her name herself and brings us here to this suspicious place. Yet, you won’t draw your sword.”

“It’s a sign of trust. Right?”

“No, it’s not.”

“It’s not?.”

“Could you please just be quiet, Demon Lord.”

“Oh, come on…”

Ignoring Gandalke’s pout, Amirias stared intently at Luct. Her gaze held an unspoken question.

After a brief silence:

“Are you trying to say I should be more cautious?”

“Yes. Why aren’t you?”

“Is it necessary?”

“…”

“At least I don’t think there’s a need for me to be cautious. Right?”

“…You’re right. But why?”

“Do you need a reason?”

“Well, yes.”

“I don’t think Gandalke is capable of anything so elaborate. If anyone should be targeted, it would be Melifis, wouldn’t it? Actually…”

“Actually, what?”

“Why would anyone think this guy is capable of something so intricate?”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ugh! Why you…!”

The instant Gandalke opened her eyes wide, Amirias couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“What’s so funny?!”

“Everything.”

“Explain!”

While Gandalke continued to scowl and Luct looked on, Amirias laughed merrily.

“Well done, my Demon Lord. Even though we’ve only just met, you’ve already seen through to that extent. You found quite the prodigy.”

“Enough, already!”

Gandalke, who was by now sulking completely, alternately glared at Luct and Amirias while stomping her feet.

A demon’s lair opened for the first time in a century.

The atmosphere, which should have been heavy, had remarkably lightened.