The Broken Possessors of the Infinite Regression Academy - Chapter 171



Chapter 171 – Masin – 2

“How can a human be… … I… … I am destined to become the Demon King… … .”

“That’s nonsense.”

The eternity passed by, cutting off the b*stard’s neck. The headless body fell limply. Blood gushed out from the severed area, forming a red puddle the same size as the body.

I checked my surroundings. There were corpses everywhere. At least, there were no survivors among the demons who had come in this direction. If it were normal, they would have slowly made their way out when they were half dead.

“How are things over there, Elisier?”

“I can’t say it’s good even with empty words.”

A muffled voice came from the necklace.

“I have known since ancient times that the scum covet the Demon King’s seat, but I never knew that their greed would be this great. They are not at the level of not caring about their lives, but are pushing themselves in as if they are ready to die.”

“It’s the same here. They kept attacking until the very last one. It didn’t seem to be a normal taste. Is everyone okay? Are there any injuries?”

“Have you forgotten who we are? Except for Rosaria, no one will be harmed by such a monster. Everyone is safe and sound, not even a single fingertip was hurt, so don’t worry. Are you okay?”

“Have you forgotten who I am?”

“I know. I was just saying.”

I briefly exchanged greetings with the other three and took off my necklace. Everyone was holding up quite well, except for Rosaria, who had suddenly become humanity’s last hope.

Rosaria was upset, wondering why such incidents only happened when she played the role of a saint.

“I’m back, master.”

Nika landed with perfect timing. The wings that had been fluttering near her waist folded, and her chest, larger than her head, shook violently from the impact of the landing.

“How was it?”

“We’re fine. We’re a race that instinctively follows the Queen’s orders, so as long as I obey my master, I won’t covet the Demon King position. The other Demons don’t seem to be doing so well, though. I sent out a reconnaissance mission, and they all seem to be anxious to kill at least one more human. They’re even coming from the edge of the Demon Realm.”

It was a result that made me sigh. In some ways, it was even worse than when the undead swarmed because of the Elder Lich. Unlike that time, I had to help out myself.

Above all, the fact that the swordsmanship was out of power was too big.

After hearing that the Demon King was declared dead, he didn’t even show any signs of madness and just lay quietly, completely refraining from eating or drinking. If only he had the Sword Saint, things would have been much easier than they are now.

In place of the swordsman, Karna and the Royal Guard are running around like crazy, but even if you add up the Royal Guard including Karna, they are far less powerful than the swordsman alone.

‘This can’t go on.’

As time goes by, it will only end up being disadvantageous for us. We had to find a way to overcome the current situation.

Meeting the owner of the voice that echoed in the heads of the demons. At least for now, that was the only way.

“Nika. Just in case, go back to your territory. Try to kill some monsters without provoking them too much. If you feel like you can’t hold out any longer, ask for help. I’ll go.”

“Yes. Be careful, master.”

Nika, who had been given her energy to the limit in preparation for an unexpected situation, caressed the obedience imprint on her lower abdomen and disappeared. After confirming that the figure had completely disappeared, she looked up into space.

“Since you’re nearby, just come out quietly. I won’t tell you twice.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a black silhouette rippled in front of him. The rippling silhouette soon transformed into a human figure.

It is the form of a demon’s clone, with the robe pulled all the way over his head, his face covered in unnatural shadows, and his body shape difficult to recognize due to the loose robe.

“How did you know? I thought I hid it really well.”

I didn’t know. I didn’t even know it was there until it showed up, like the last time it first appeared. I just threw it because I thought there was no way this guy wouldn’t be watching me.

It’s not an entirely unfounded guess, but it’s not a solid argument either.

“I thought there was no way you would not be watching me after doing something like this.”

“Oh, I see. You know me so well. I guess we have a lot in common. Don’t you think so?”

“What are you doing now?”

“what?”

I ignored the nonsense that they seemed to have a lot in common and shot back. The guy still responded with a sly voice.

“You shouldn’t pretend not to know. You don’t know what I’m talking about? You’re a drunkard?”

“Hehehe, that’s true.”

A giggle was heard from the shadows covering the face.

“I asked what you were doing, so I’ll tell you. I’m helping you decide. You’ve waited long enough, right? I said it was a valid offer until you or the warriors cut off my main body, but just waiting around doesn’t suit my personality. This is taking too long. I want to hear your answer soon.”

“Help me decide? Like this?”

“Of course. Of course, if you become the Demon King, all the problems will be solved.”

The guy’s two arms were spread wide to the sides.

“Don’t you know why all the demons are crazy? It’s because they want to become the Demon King. Since the Demon King is dead, he said that he would give the Demon Sword to the strongest demon, as he always has. But the way to prove it is not by fighting each other, but by killing a human. Do you think it can end in a haphazard way when the Demon King position is at stake? Not at all. It’s a fight that will end only when one of the two, either a human or a demon, dies.”

A magical sword appeared in his right hand. It had the exact same appearance as the one Elisier was holding.

“You don’t like that, do you? I can’t let the demons kill humans, but if I kill the demons in return, the damage will be too great. It’s a situation where I can’t do anything. But, look. If you grab this, you can become the new demon lord. As the new demon lord, you can give the order to all the demons to stop invading the human world.”

The magic sword glowed red.

“Then that’s the end of it. No more deaths, no more killing of demons. The two worlds will be at peace again. How about that? That’s a good idea, isn’t it?”

“I told you I wasn’t interested in the Demon King’s seat. And, you say this is a good idea? Something like that? Are you seriously saying this?”

“Of course. It’s not like you have a choice anyway. What can you do when even the goddess is dead?”

The guy’s shadow-covered face seemed to be giggling. For a moment, I felt my head turn white. How does that guy know what happened in heaven? Surely his divine powers must have returned?

“You look like you know how? Okay. I’ll tell you since there’s nothing I can’t do. Because I like you. Think about it. I’m a demon and he’s a goddess. How could we not know about each other?”

‘There’s no way we wouldn’t know about each other?’

How much of that can I believe?

If he really knew, he would have known that the goddess was covered in blood and chained up, and that the one acting outside was a clone of himself.

‘… … clone?’

Suddenly, another possibility occurred to me. Didn’t the woman in front of me introduce herself as the incarnation of the demon?

In that case, Masin may also be in a similar situation to the goddess.

The reason why the goddess’s avatar was emotional was because it had to take on all the emotions in order to make rational judgments for the main body. And the avatar in front of me was also too emotional for a demon.

‘It might not be such a far-fetched story.’

“Here, here. Hand.”

Whether he knew what I was thinking or not, the guy innocently reached out his other hand, which was holding the magic sword. I looked at the hand, wondering what it was. As if he read the doubt in his expression, the clone added an explanation.

“It means we’re on the same side, so you don’t have to make such a suspicious expression. I told you. I won’t do anything to you. You just have to hold the demon sword, become the demon lord, and send the demons back. That’s the end of it! From now on, you’re free to do whatever you want. Other humans will never notice whether you’re the demon lord or not. Even if you’re a warrior. I can guarantee it.”

“… … .”

“The longer you delay, the greater the sacrifices will be. In the end, it’s your loss, right? Come on, take my hand. Then, as the new Demon King, you’ll say, “Voila,” and settle the situation with one word.”

I stared blankly at the outstretched hand, then reached out.

-Crunch!

The severed arm flew through the air. Before I knew it, I was holding eternity in my outstretched hand.

The clone, who was looking back and forth between the arm lying on the floor and the spot where it had been severed, opened his mouth in a slightly subdued voice.

“What the hell is this? This is too extreme to be a joke. If I wasn’t a clone, I would be rolling around on the floor in pain right now.”

“What confidence do you have? What makes you think I’ll accept that offer?”

To begin with, it is an unbelievable suggestion that he will only become the Demon King and not do anything to me.

How can we trust him when it’s entirely up to him whether he’ll really do nothing, or whether it’s a blatant lie, or whether he’ll change his mind along the way?

“… … Heh heh. That’s your answer. Got it.”

The guy took his hand away. A new arm grew in the place where it had been cut off. The one that had been lying on the floor scattered like dust and disappeared.

“It’s okay. I think it’s possible. This is what a man who has his eyes on me should be like. If I had accepted, I would have been extremely disappointed. Well, at least I would have handed over the demon sword.”

A snickering laugh escaped from the shadows covering his face. He was truly an unbelievable man, thinking that he would have been disappointed if he had made the offer and accepted it.

“Okay. I’ll step down this time too. But, since I’m the one who feels sorry, you can tell me whenever you change your mind. But next time, you’ll have to come and choose, not me.”

Something fell out of his hand.

“You want me to write that down and go find it?”

“That’s why I say that quick-witted people are good. That’s right. I’ll be waiting in my territory. You’re always welcome, so come feel free. I don’t mind if you come to kill my main body instead of accepting my offer. If possible.”

“You are so confident.”

“I know I can’t do it anyway, right?”

“It’s suspicious that you’ve come all the way here. Maybe you’ve set a trap or something?”

“Hehe, I wouldn’t do something so petty. If you don’t believe me, come and see me. Then you’ll know right away.”

The guy turned around. He asked a question to the silhouette that was about to disappear from his spot.

“If you want to convince me, you should at least show your sincerity by coming to the main body. Instead of just making excuses like you’re holding back because you’re afraid the surroundings will be destroyed. Or, what, is the main body locked up somewhere?”

“… … .”

At those words, the silhouette that had been slowly dispersing became dark again. Its head creaked and turned toward me. A sound completely different from before, as if squeezed from the depths of the abyss, flowed out from its mouth.

“What did you just… say?”

Passsssss, the surrounding ground began to turn black.