Demon King Daimaou: Volume 12 by Shoutarou Mizuki & Souichi Itou & Adam Lensenmayer & Christopher Foxx

Author:Shoutarou Mizuki & Souichi Itou & Adam Lensenmayer & Christopher Foxx
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: J-Novel Club
Published: 2019-08-03T16:00:00+00:00

4 - A Wonderful World

He knew it was a setup. But Akuto had come anyway, simply because he wanted to fight.

Marine also knew it was a setup. But he’d come because he needed to remain true to the things he believed in.

The bait was the Jeweled Branch. The One had gone ahead and left it there. A golden branch, shining on top of an ordinary rock on top of the tallest mountain in the Empire, as if it had grown there naturally. Akuto and Marine were on either side of it, facing off. Both were close enough that they could grab it if they wanted.

“So I was right,” Akuto said with a sigh.

“I certainly didn’t expect him to just drop the Jeweled Branch here, and then just run.”

Marine’s voice was a low sigh, as well.

“He even made sure we’d get here at the same time.”

“But... what shall we do, then? I plan on using this to stop the asteroid,” Marine said, softly but in a voice filled with resolve.

“Me too,” Akuto answered.

“Then our immediate objectives are the same. I don’t suppose you can just let me handle this, then?”

“I’m afraid I have to say the same thing to you. You’re not planning on handing it over when you’re done with it, are you?”

Akuto grinned. Marine smiled back.

“Of course not. This treasure is important to my people. I can’t give it to anyone.”

“Then that leaves us one option, doesn’t it?”

“...But I’d like to avoid that as much as possible.”

“Why?”

“Because what we’re doing is a war in its own right. You can see all those cameras, can’t you?”

Marine gestured around them. He was right. The sky was filled with automata machines.

“So depending on the result of our battle, the war could get worse, huh? True. That’s not what I want,” Akuto, despite his words, wasn’t agreeing with Marine. “But I’d still like to resolve this myself.”

“Is that because you lost someone you care about? I sympathize. But I don’t think taking that out on me is an appropriate answer.”

Despite everything, Marine refused to fight. Akuto shook his head.

“That’s not it. It’s the same as the way you carry your people’s burdens.”

“I see. You’re right. I’m only being stubborn for the sake of my people. In the end, I could never be anything greater than that.” Marine laughed self-derisively.

Then his smile vanished from his face, and he took a step toward the Jeweled Branch. Akuto followed after.

“...Hah!” Marine let out a sharp breath.

“...Ha!” Akuto howled.

They both threw a punch at the same time. There was a violent sound of clashing flesh.

Marine’s left hand deflected Akuto’s right fist, and Akuto’s left elbow knocked away Marine’s own punch.

“Tch...” Akuto dropped a step back and put a hand up to his elbow. Marine must’ve taken some damage too, because he dropped back and wrapped his left fingers around his right hand. For now, they seemed evenly matched.

“Have you ever actually wondered what the Faceless Power is?” Akuto suddenly asked.

Marine frowned.

“You’re asking this now, after everything that’s happened?”

Akuto’s face was contorted with guilt.

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