Editing Ultimate Antihero:Volume 2 Chapter 2 (section)

===Part 6===

“Wha-“

“Ma, Master!?”

This answer of Homura made not only Sumika, but also Chikori who was beside her raise a voice that sounded like a scream.

The girls didn’t even imagine this.

For that gentle Homura to oppose this proposition.

“Then Homura-san, are you saying that it’s fine for Elfiena-san to be captured and dissected!?”

Sumika pressed her question at Homura with a trembling voice that didn’t hide her agitation.

But in contrast to Sumika who was being that agitated, Homura returned his words with an expression that was completely calm.

“I ain’t saying that.”

Of course, Homura noticed Sumika’s motive that tried to return Elfiena back to the demon world safely.

To stand up desperately for the sake of a demon that was supposed to be her enemy, such thinking was really like this girl who was worried for him who was the <Evil God User> that was hated by the world, Homura even felt admiration.

But at the same time, Homura also understood that her thinking was just a pipe dream.

As for the reason,

“But Sumika, your idea just won’t go through. After all, Elfiena herself ain’t planning to draw back from this.”

“Eh…”

Getting that pointed out by Homura, Sumika once again turned her eyes to Elfiena… and noticed.

That Elfiena was glaring at her with a threatening gaze.

As if, right, it was as if,

―As if Elfiena was enraged saying, don’t say anything unnecessary, at Sumika with her gaze.

And then as if to prove that premonition,

“Sumika-san. My apologies but, I cannot accept Sumika-san’s proposition.”

Elfiena said out a decisive sentence.

“I am still not giving up on forming an alliance with the human race yet.”

“Tha, that’s-! Elfiena-san! Do you still not understand!? No matter how attractive your proposal is, there is no place in mankind’s mind that can accept demons…! Even if you persistently force yourself here, you will only die a dog’s death in the future!”

There was only ruin awaiting Elfiena at the end of her choice.

Sumika knew that so she tried to persuade her with all her might.

However―

“No. It’s not impossible.”

Elfiena declared so.

With a certain confidence― with an expression that made one feel some sort of determination.

Just from where in the world could she get that kind of confidence?

Elfiena added her words towards the confused Sumika.

“Because, I still have a resource left that can persuade all of you humans.”

“What d’you say?”

Tairon narrowed his eyes from these words of Elfiena.

Was this girl bluffing, Tairon was trying to ascertain that.

But, Elfiena’s expression and tone, there was no falsehood in them.

The girl really did have something like that.

A material that was even more beneficial for this negotiation.

“…In truth, I don’t want to do this kind of negotiation. This is a topic that I was thinking of dealing with together after the alliance is formed. But if the human’s animosity is deeply rooted until this much, then it can’t be helped.”

“What are you doing putting on airs? Talk quickly!”

Against that hurrying of Tairon, until the end Elfiena moved at her own pace.

And then after taking a deep breath… she took out her last ace for this negotiation.

“―I think I have talked about the current situation of the demon world before this.

That currently, the demon world is thrust into a warring states era due to the powerful clans.

However, this information is already a little obsolete.

The war situation has advanced, many powerful clans were eliminated and absorbed by the victor, such process was repeated many times until now, where there are four great forces moving the war situation into an extermination war.

These four great forces are each a robust army led by the best demon kings of the demon world, where the battle was in a stalemate for a long period. …However the other day, finally, one of the four great forces was dropping out from this struggle for hegemony.”

“That’s why, what’s that got to do with anything huh? It ain’t our problem whatever happened in the demon world.”

“Can you still say that, even after hearing that this strong army of the demon world that has dropped out from the war is now aiming for the human world just like Typhon and Jambure?”

“Wha… WHATT!?”

Being told so suddenly of that worst situation, shudders ran at the expression of all people present in that place except Homura.

“You are saying, that <Demon King class> is going to attack again!? Even though Jambure has just come here the other day!?”

The atmosphere became coldly tense.

Inside that tense atmosphere, Elfiena stroked her long ears and detached the gem that was attached on her earlobe’s piercing.

And then she put that gem on top of the table and filled it with magic power.

Thereupon, above the table… a three dimensional hologram was projected from the gem.

“Thi, this is……-!”

“This is the image that I filmed at the dimensional boundary before coming to the human world.”

What was projected in the filmed image was a wasteland where there was not even a single grass growing.

There an army of demons was lining up in a size to the degree that they completely covered the horizon.

In the scene, not to mention <Soldier class> and <Knight class>, <General class> demons starting from baphomet were taking position with three giant humanoids as the center.

“What is, this number…-“

Chikori spoke tremblingly with a pale face.

But it was only natural.

Even the army that Jambure previously led was a threat that was enough to make mankind fall into despair.

Yet despite so, what was projected right now was an army on the scale that could possibly be several thousand more than that.

They understood just from a glance.

The force of the enemy far surpassed mankind’s ability to deal with it.

But―the threat of this army was not in this army,

“They are one of the four great forces, the <Giant Army>. These remnants numbering one million in total are led by three <Demon Kings> that are <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon>, a large army of the demon world’s best.”

“Th, three demon kings you said…-!?”

Correct. standing in the center of the army, there were three bodies of humanoid devil with robust physiques so big that their heads pierced the clouds. That was exactly the true threat.

Each of them had a size that rivaled Typhon and Jambure…

No, that was because they were <Demon King class> demons that possessed power far exceeding even the previous two.

“Is, is it really true that these guys are trying to come to the human world!?”

“Yes. The place that they are currently deploying their troops at is a place that is called the <Field of Interstice> in the demon world, it’s a place that is like the entrance to the human world. By using dimensional teleportation sorcery in that place, we demons are able to come to the human world. Saying it in reverse, there is no reason for them to come to that place other than to come to the human world. ―Most of all, because the <Giant Army> is a large household, it will take time for them to invoke the teleportation sorcery though. But it’s really only a matter of time, there is no change to the reality that they are going to appear in the human world. Calculating it in this side’s measuring… after seventy two hours of earth time, I guess they will manifest all at once on the Australian continent of earth.”

Elfiena indifferently answered the question of Joseph who was asking with a pale face only with fact.

The sight in front of their eyes was a reality.

They would appear on earth in a few days.

And then―

“And then, if the <Giant Army> manifest on earth, surely the human race will perish for sure this time.”

It was the only fact.

“You really said it huh. So even I cannot win against them then.”

Elfiena nodded without any hesitation towards Homura’s question.

“Yes. I am informed that <Evil God User>-sama is possessing an overwhelming power even against Typhon and Jambure, but even so you cannot win. They who were nothing more than the head of a small force even though they were the same <Demon King>, compared to the strength of <Gyges> <Kottos> <Aegaeon>―they the <Hecatoncheires> who is one of the full-fledged four great forces that divided the demon world into four, the dimension of their strength is different.”

“Well, I can understand that even just from seeing this projection.”

“Besides, most of all… they are possessing an extremely peculiar body structure.”

“Peculiar structure?”

“I expressed that vaguely but, please think of it as them possessing an extremely powerful [immortality]. They, the demon kings of three bodies, no matter what kind of attack they receive, they are able to immediately recover their damage. As long as they are not attacked using a certain method, they cannot be damaged at all.”

“―Something like that is certainly troublesome. Honestly, the small fries under their feet ain’t a big threat no matter how many billion there are, but for something this gigantic to have immortality on top of that, it might be too much for me to take them on even with <Evil God>.”

Joseph snarled as if screaming at Homura who was murmuring those words with a small voice.

“Wh, what are you doing saying something weak like that! Against something like those, yo, you are not troubled at all aren’t you!”

But in contrast with Joseph who was in panic, with a cool expression Homura was,

“Well, just calm down. What I just said is only in the case that I got no information about these three demon kings at all. If I just understand about that certain particular method, I’ll kill them surely. …And then, the one that broached this story in this place is ―Elfiena. You know it right. These three demon kings… <Hecatoncheires>’ weakness.”

Homura calmed down Joseph while directing the question at Elfiena.

Correct. Elfiena had said that.

That she had a material that could persuade the human race.

And that led to this talk. ―Then, the material that the fairy race’s side was going to present was,

There was only one that could be thought of.

This assumption of Homura, was correct.

“It helps me that you quickly understand. It’s exactly as you said.”

Elfiena strongly nodded and then she gazed at the three people of the <United World Government> lining in front of her, and said.

“We of the [Fairy race] are thinking to put this information on the table of the negotiation for an alliance. Based on that term, I wish to ask all of you one more time to consider your acceptance of the [Fairy race].”

Indeed, certainly, this information had a really great value for mankind.

No, it was something that they had to obtain no matter what.

There was nothing more valuable than this as a negotiation term.

―But, simultaneously with that,

“You bastard… are you planning to use the lives of us humans as a shield to advance the negotiation-!”

Exactly as what Joseph was being indignant about, Elfiena was aggressively negotiating by taking hostage the life of the other party.

Naturally, the atmosphere of the place turned dangerous drastically.

But even sensing that atmosphere,

“I don’t mind if you perceive it like that.”

Elfiena didn’t draw back.

That fact distorted Sumika’s expression.

She understood.

(There is, no taking it back anymore…)

Right now in this moment, Elfiena had already stepped over a line that she mustn’t cross.

As expected―

“DON’T SHIT WITH ME YOU BITCHHHHH!!!!”

Tairon threw away the table put between the two parties in rage.

“Three days… in just three days you said-! You’re full of shit! It ain’t the time for this kind of farce anymore! We are tying this woman right now and make her spit out the information! Don’t tell me that there are anymore idiots thats gonna protest this, now that it has reached this point, aaaah!?”

In regard to this, even Kinugasa who supported Sumika’s proposition before this also nodded.

“…I guess. Certainly, after listening to this kind of story… my apologies, but there is no way we can let you go back to the demon world anymore.

The card that you put out right now is too excessive.

If you just didn’t do that, we could make this encounter today to have never happened.

Yet, your unnecessary words cut off your own escape route.

We, mankind cannot let you go back to the demon world safely anymore.

Whether what you are saying is true or just a bluff for negotiation, it makes us have to take away that information by all possible means. No matter what kind of inhumane method that we have to use.”

Correct. This method of defeating the demon king might just be a bluff of Elfiena.

But, it couldn’t be overlooked just because of that.

The three people here were not in a position that could do that.

They had to obtain that information no matter what even if they had to use inhumane methods.

They, the <United World Government> were shouldering a responsibility towards the sake of mankind.

Therefore, Kinugasa’s words were like a death sentence for Elfiena.

But, even now after hearing those words―

“I don’t mind. Because I too, don’t have any intention of returning back to the demon world.”

The girl’s dignified stance didn’t crumble, she stared straight into the eyes of the three people in front of her.

Sumika and Chikori could only be perplexed towards that truly imposing behavior.

“Tha, that’s no good, something like that-! If that’s happens then El-san will…!”

“Elfiena-san, why…”

She should have understood already.

That mankind wouldn’t respond to a negotiation with the demons.

That even profitable negotiation terms were useless, that just by showing it made her fall into danger.

If the negotiation table was kicked flying and she was threatened by violence, Elfiena who was just alone couldn’t do anything.

She could only get trampled down at someone’s mercy.

Even though all of that were something understandable if one just thought about it a little, yet why―

“Just why are you being this reckless…“

…Towards Sumika and Chikori who were in such a confusion… Elfiena suddenly turned her gaze to them.

And then, she showed a bright― a smiling face so bright that it looked out of place with the current situation.

“―Sumika-san, Chikori-san. Thank you very much.

To worry about I who is your enemy, a demon, until that much.

I feel really happy from your kind feeling.

But― I’m sorry.

Just like these gentlemen here, who shoulder the responsibility towards the human race, I too have the responsibility towards all two million of the fairy race’s― no, even towards more in the future, the life of those who will be born from now on too.

Even now, in this moment, my comrades, in their fear where they don’t even know when they will be eaten in the demon world that has been turned into hell, they are waiting for me believing that I will return after ensuring a new place to belong to for us in this world.

Failure cannot be forgiven.

For that reason, I must use this card.

I understand, that if I use this card all of you will come to capture me.

I don’t think of that as cruel. After all, in their position I would also do the same thing.

But, I think that’s fine.

The reason for that is because I will never speak of this information by any means even if I am to receive any kind of humiliation or pain.

If I do that, with each day that passed the situation will became even more beneficial for the [Fairy race(us)] in this negotiation.

It’s a matter of course. The time remaining for the humans is not much.

Because just as I expressed before this, the demon army will appear in this world without fail in three more days.

…Before long you will have no choice but to fold.

You will become unable to not answer my wish.

Then, to be captured is not that bad of a choice for us. Isn’t that right?”

―That was Elfiena’s thinking.

The girl was not challenging the humans with this reckless negotiation thoughtlessly.

From the start, even before she had arrived in the human world, she had already seen through this development.

For that reason, she didn’t even bring a single escort with her.

From the beginning, she was planning to be captured.

She made mankind to stand in a dilemma, because she understood that if she didn’t corner them until barely the limit, then there was no way a negotiation between demon and human could be established.

“It’s not our wish to let this negotiation breakdown peacefully.

If we are sent away with a gentle smile, then we will remain in the seat of negotiation even if we have to cling at it. I have such a responsibility. The responsibility of all the lives of the fairy race that is entrusted to me.

Do you now understand?

Before this you said that I cut my own escape with my unnecessary words, but that is mistaken.

I, in this negotiation, didn’t prepare any escape since the beginning.

I have no intention at all to go back home to the demon world with empty hands.

 

―I came crossing over to this human world with the intent to die.”

 

“ “ “…―――–” ” ”

Those words that could even be taken as Elfiena’s demonstration of determination made most of the people present in that place swallow their breath.

Even the hard-faced Tairon.

They were overpowered by the feeling that this girl wagered on this negotiation.

And then at the same time Sumika also understood.

She had misread this demon girl.

“…I, understand. It seems that I have willfully underestimated your existence as the <Fairy race’s Queen>, seeing you as nothing more than a girl of my age based from your appearance. Forgive me for my impertinent behavior. If Elfiena-san has resolved yourself until that far then… there is nothing more that I can say.”

This was not something where she who didn’t have any resolve could say anything.

If Elfiena had said that she had resolved herself even for death, then her wanting to bring back the girl without harm to the demon world was nothing more than meddlesomeness.

Sumika withdrew herself after understanding that.

“Thank you.”

Elfiena expressed her thanks toward Sumika who respected her will.

“We, the [Fairy race] are also an oppressed race. We know very well about fear and hatred towards the oppressor. Therefore, I also understand just how hard a decision it is that all of you human are being pressed with. That’s why, I don’t think that I can receive the answer for this alliance that simply. By all means, until all of you of the human race can understand, please make use of all means at your disposal. I’ll cooperate with all of that.”

Declaring that, Elfiena offered both her hands in front of Tairon.

A gesture that was asking for a handcuff. A message that she wouldn’t resist.

Towards this,

“…Uu, guh…!”

Tairon’s face sweated and warped in a way that was never seen before.

(This girl, is no good…!)

Tairon who was a pro in violence understood.

These strong green eyes, staring at him straightforwardly, without the least bit of hesitation in it.

The strength of will that resided in it.

A person with this kind of eye, wouldn’t break under violence.

It was not the eye of a person that would yield from fear and pain.

No matter how much severe torture she would be put under, this girl would never give out the information that they needed.

Even if she had to exhaust her life to the end.

No matter what kind of act was done towards this girl, it would only end as wasted effort.

Tairon was convinced of that. ―But,

“Br, bring it on! Let’s make sure whether your face can still look that prim when I drag out your intestine-!”

But the current them couldn’t acquiesce to a demon’s demand just because of that.

Since they couldn’t do that, even while knowing that it was Elfiena’s tactic, they couldn’t do anything except taking such action knowing that it was meaningless.

While grinding his teeth from indignation and frustration, Tairon grasped Elfiena’s arm…

“―Wait a sec.”

But at that moment, just when Tairon’s thick arm was going to catch Elfiena’s slender arm.

The <Evil God User> Kamishiro Homura who until now didn’t say anything unless being asked from him, actively let out his voice for the first time in this place.