Chapter 466

Otherwise, in Aoko Aozaki's opinion, since the Demon King who saved her didn't do anything particularly unpleasant, it wouldn't be a bad idea to just let her possess him and get used to it.

Alice calmly lowered her hand, maintaining a cold expression, and then let out a soft sigh on her face, which combined cuteness and indifference.

"... It would be troublesome if Erice saw me like that."

Chapter 485 I like almost all humans.

It's raining.

The torrential rain poured down, washing away everything abandoned by the New Era.

After the Great Holy Grail War, facing Ocean Planet that was not much different from the wasteland, the Holy Grail did its best to preserve a few cities in each continent and region when reorganizing the City. Beyond the major cities lay the wasteland that had not been submerged by the rising coastline.

"... It's time to go back, Robin."

Aoko Aozaki murmured to herself, holding a parasol in the rain.

This was not just ordinary rain; it was permeated with an undisguised Od that 'corrodes Flesh,' one of the consequences of the great war. However, the concentration was negligible, and Alice, who had been observing the sky with her Familiar in the wasteland for years, was already used to it.

The atmosphere was heavy, and the gray sea of clouds never disappeared from view.

The heavy breathing suggests that the environment is unsuitable for human survival.

"Yes, Miss Alice."

Robin flew down from the gray, rainy sky with a whoosh. "The Crowd worked really hard on today's observations... And honestly, didn't that brat Erice say yesterday that Miss Alice could rest, that there was no need to push herself so hard?"

PLOY, or fairy tale Monster for short, are the Crowd themed around Familiar tales. They are independent Magecraft systems Alice by Mainster from her mother, Mainster, and because they have a special rule called Inherited Defense, disasters from outside the wasteland cannot harm them.

"... I'm used to it."

Aoko Aozaki took a deep breath and then turned back to walk on the road to Akihabara. After being checked by the City's security system, the Witch walked through the bustling streets, ignoring the strange looks from the crowd of people in swimsuits or casual clothes.

Perhaps it was curiosity and confusion as to why she was dressed so 'inappropriately' in Akihabara.

Rain began to fall in the wasteland outside, and the temperature dropped below freezing. However, Akihabara, located on the sea, experienced no change in weather; in fact, it was perfect for swimming. But these things were of no concern to Alice.

Through the Western-Style Mansion's Great Gate, she saw Erice stretching out a hand and shouting something.

What are she and the Demon King doing?

A voice as clear Alice bronze sparrow struck Robin, who was perched on his shoulder. Robin exclaimed, "Ah, that's... that Erice be practicing some kind of ability! How dare she do this so openly while we're not around! Damn it, even if she's the granddaughter of that Manazuru Chitose, it's unforgivable! Oh, right, Miss Alice, Erice's Demon King is just like us, he has the aura of Inherited Defense."

Robin was referring to was probably Novia's role as Priest Faria during the Favia period, and the legendary Legendary Defense that seemed to be related to the Inherited Defense.

Since the two are indeed similar, they cannot be directly broken down; instead, their weaknesses must be found.

"Is that so? The aura of death..."

Aoko Aozaki Yuzu muttered to herself, "The Utsumi family's Magecraft?"

In the front yard of the Kuonji Western-Style Mansion, which is surrounded by a small Forest, Erice, with one hand on her other, is shouting with great force, "Demon King!"

The next second, an Alder Tree appeared behind the girl, but unlike before, the Alder Tree quickly merged into Erice's body, and then black 'blood' appeared on her hands, which quickly turned into dull black branches.

"Axe."

"Greatsword."

"Bow and Arrow."

As Erice, the black branches Maya into the shape of a weapon.

That's right, the Demon King that Erice called out to wasn't Novia, but rather the power that she awakened under Novia's 'oppression' during the Holy Grail Elimination Tournament, a power that could only be used by Evil Spirit.

The reason she practiced here, besides wanting to perfect the skill she had finally acquired, was primarily because—

"Net Throw!"

What appeared on Erice was a strong, resilient net woven from 'twigs', large enough to completely cover its prey.

In the Arena of Rome, there was a type of gladiator who used fishermen's Net Throw and Trident as weapons, and they were called 'Net Fighter'. When Erice told Lucius that Net Fighter were popular in the arena, he just found it funny and even laughed out loud. After all, fighting to the death with an opponent wearing a fish helmet was simply a comedy.

The reason Erice has changed her mind is simple: she wants to give the Demon King a good shock. After she left Aoko Aozaki's room yesterday, he really didn't say a word for a long time, which almost made her angry. She admires the Demon King; she cursed him for so long and he didn't react at all.

In the past, they should have had a heated exchange, neither giving an inch... Ha, interesting. Not saying a word? Who cares?

That's what she said, but Erice was really getting angrier the more she thought about it, so she did this on purpose today after thinking about it all night.

"Scissors."

She then wrapped the 'branch' around her left and right feet, and then extended the front end to become a broad-bladed knife, just like Scissors in the literal sense.

"See? Demon King."

With her hands on her hips Erice tried to keep her gaze as cold as possible as she observed the surrounding situation. "I already have a way to deal with you. Next time you possess me, if you make me unhappy, I'll have that Demon King use this technique on you and see if you dare to talk to me like that again. You should be prepared to be subservient to me, and I should be the one in control. Hmph."

However, the sunlight was bright, the trees in the desolate front yard remained unmoved, only the occasional breeze rustled, and even the girl's hair did not change in the slightest, nor did any sound reach her ears.

The Demon King's shamelessness caused Erice to slump her shoulders in disappointment.

She really hoped that the Demon King would say something. He had just answered her question with a dismissive tone, but now he was silent... It was infuriating! Did he like to use the Violence?

"Oh."

Erice a cold laugh.

"If you're so capable, then stay silent. The next time you speak, I'll definitely find a chance to kill you!"

At the same time, Alice returned to the Western-Style Mansion without disturbing Erice, who was engrossed in her magic. She sat on the Sofa and focused on reading a book about Magecraft.

According to Robin, the Demon King also possesses Inherited Defense... Goethe's "The Demon King," as a ballad, is indeed a fairy tale to some extent. Could I create a PLOY to transform the Demon King? This would prevent him from possessing other beings at will.

Aoko Aozaki was deep in thought while reading, though she didn't understand why she was thinking this way, since it clearly had little to do with her.

Slightly annoyed, she would then look up as if suddenly remembering something.

She's calling you.

Since signing the contract with this Demon King that day, Alice has been able to detect his exact location at any time, even though she doesn't want to.

"Erice excitedly called me to go see it early this morning. Although her tone was harsh, I could tell she was really looking forward to my reaction."

"Erice is really capable, even though it's her day off."

Alice said quietly, "So, did you tell her that you're actually not here right now?"

"You can tell from her reaction that I didn't."

Upon hearing this, a subtle hostility flashed in the Witch's eyes. "... You abandoned her?"

As for Aoko Aozaki Yuzu, she has now decided that although she has no right to deal with the 'Demon King' that belongs to Erice, if he abandons Erice for the sake of the contract and chooses her so quickly, then she will definitely tell Erice about it and bring the Servant back to the throne in a way that does not conform to the rules of the City.

After all, she finds it hard to accept 'betrayal,' as it is an extremely serious insult to her bloodline, especially since it was betrayal caused by herself.

"Such strong hostility and killing intent, but let me say this first, it's not about abandoning them or anything like that."

Knowing that Aoko Aozaki lineage, she ignored Novia's previous request and possessed Alice's body after hearing her calm voice. Then, the silver- Alice stretched and looked directly at Erice, who could be seen through the glass, with her now clear blue eyes.

"Yesterday, Erice studied Norse Magecraft and learned the Cursecraft Gandr. So now, just like I hoped she would use the Demon King during the Holy Grail Elimination Tournament, I also hope she will use Gandr to merge with the Evil Spirit within her. After all, this is an ability unique to her."

I wasn't lying.

Despite her dissatisfaction with the Demon King possessing her, Alice had indeed figured this out.

"That's strange. Then why leave Erice alone?"

"Erice's negative emotions tend to explode if she doesn't suppress them. As the biological parents of the Evil Spirit that erupt from her Spirit Barrier, she can't abandon these emotions; she can only use them, nothing more... But she's better now than when I first met her, when she was cursing in her mind 24/7."

Alice thought about it and realized that the silver-haired Erice was indeed very similar in appearance to Manazuru Chitose. Judging from the Demon King's words and her memories, one was a cold and aloof woman in the Taisho era, while the other was a grumpy child in the New Era.

Then, as if lost in thought, she said, "Why not say these things in Erice?"

"Erice's personality, it's better to say nothing than to say anything."

"I see, is that so... troublesome..."

Alice subconsciously thought of Kundry from before, and she had to admit that women in love were indeed troublesome. "In that case, you've had a tough time."

"It's not hard at all. I like most humans, and Erice is prone to self-harm. Seeing her like that, most people would want to help her, right? Although she sees helping others as just satisfying their desires, so deep down she rejects it. But luckily, I'm her Servant. You know, in the New Era, aren't Servant and Master supposed to help each other?"

The silver hair with Alice ended there.

The Witch did not answer, as if she had fallen into silence.

That's natural, she couldn't refute it. To her, the idea that 'Master and Servant are a pair who help each other' was as illogical as 'Does love need a reason?'... However, Alice remembered that Kundry had said she didn't understand what love was. Legend had it that the Heathen Kundry would never lie.

In other words, it's the truth.

Since a teacup had already been prepared for Alice on the table, the Alice Arisu poured the Black Tea from the kettle into the cup and then reopened the book Alice had brought.

During this time, Alice remained silent, spending the time in quiet contemplation with the Demon King possessing her.

"Alright, the Evil Spirit Erice have reached their limit. It looks like it's time to leave."

"She said, 'I'll kill you if you speak again,' and you still went?"

Alice asked, seemingly calmly.

"It was just something said in anger. Erice has said it countless times."

After Novia finished speaking, Alice regained control of her body. She quietly picked up her Black Tea and looked out the window at Erice, seemingly unaffected by what had just happened... at least that's how it appeared.

But the Witch's cup of Black Tea, which she was about to drink, remained suspended in mid-air.

Although theoretically it doesn't matter, she always felt that doing so was not a good idea.

Because the Demon King just seemed to have drunk this tea with his own body... he should be male, right?

Earlier, Erice, who was practicing with the Evil Spirit, became increasingly annoyed as she changed the 'branch'.

Damn it! I'm really getting angry if you don't say something!

Just as she had thought, Erice swung her raised wrist downwards. The black, branched 'branch' transformed into a strong, long whip and twisted. The 'branch,' which swung out in a figure-eight shape, instantly extended several times its original length, and the speed of its tip exceeded the speed of sound.

She imagined that if the Demon King were here, she would definitely give him a good beating for daring to treat her like this.

Although she hates to admit it, for Erice, the Demon King is the only one. Just his silence makes her feel like she's back in those lonely days, and she hates that. She hates the Demon King like this too. It's the most agonizing and unbearable thing to be unable to see the person you want to see...

As she wielded the whip that transformed into branches, striking the large tree, Erice suddenly thought of a story— The Magic Bullet Shooter.

The Magic Bullet Shooter is a Germany folktale. In order to marry his lover, the Hunters sold his soul to Demon and obtained Magic Bullet that could hit and destroy the prey he was aiming at. However, only the seventh Magic Bullet would hit the target the Demon wanted, which was the one that could make the contractor despair.

The reason Erice thought of this story was probably because she, like the Demon King, was from Germany. She wouldn't mention that she had read many Germany poems and stories for the Demon King; she simply planned to surprise him by answering fluently when Demon King mentioned such a topic...

Although we haven't received it yet.

However, unlike the final blow in the story that would bring her to despair, Erice now wishes that her first blow would hit the Demon King who is nowhere to be found or who doesn't speak to her.

Erice took a few steps forward with a sullen face, the Cursecraft Gandr appeared in her hand, and bullets that formed Ether body at the same time were contained within Gandr. She gritted her teeth and accommodated them in the Magic Circuits, driving the Od to gradually fill the seven bullets.

The burden caused by the rapid acceleration and sudden stop of Od, coupled with the pressure of Magic Circuits being invaded by Magecraft, meant that Erice suffered triple damage.

However, this was actually the second ability she discovered in Fr, using the Evil Spirit; the first was naturally the Demon King.

Without her noticing, Erice gave a thumbs-up forward, tapping it slowly as if pulling a trigger.

Instantly.

Visible waves of air surged up, tearing large trees in two. Waves of air, one after another, ripped through the weeds in the front yard. A terrifying Od pressure swept through the forest as far as the eye could see. But then, the air waves reversed, flowing backwards towards where Erice was standing.

Seeing this, Erice smiled instead, because it meant that the Demon King had always been by her side.

As she expected, her hair turned silver, and she simultaneously caught the wave of energy and gently crushed it.

"That's the Magic Bullet Shooter? I remember—"

"Ha, that's the story of Max demanding Magic Bullet from Demon in order to marry Agathe, isn't it?"

"Wow, I didn't expect you to know about Erice."

"Of course, it's just a story."

Erice smiled smugly, "I didn't expect to know the power of the first shot. It seems even the Magic Bullet Shooter is much stronger than you, Demon King-- "

"But I'm a little curious."

As if deliberately ignoring her, Novia drawled, "Rise, who was your seventh shot going to hit again? It wasn't..."

The seventh shot will hit the person most important to the user.

"Shut up! It can't be you anyway!"

Erice's face was incredibly grim. "Besides, I won't fire a seventh shot; the first six are enough..."