Chapter 82. Baram and Mimung
Baram did not answer.
"Are these the ones?"
He spoke to someone.
"Are these the ones Master warned me about?"
The knights muttered amongst themselves, wondering if that dead man had finally lost his mind.
But Binaeril knew he was having a conversation with Page.
"But these fellows aren't so strong that His Lordship would need to worry about them…."
"Kuaaack! No. I am not doubting you! I am sorry…."
Watching Baram put on a one-man spectacle by himself, Binaeril felt a peculiar sensation.
'Is that what I look like when I talk to Veritas?'
"It's not these ones? You'll speak to them directly? Yes, understood."
Baram plunged the red sword he was holding into the ground.
At that, the demonic sword's voice resonated in the heads of Binaeril and his group.
-Who are you.
It was an eerie voice identical to Baram's.
The duke and the knights flinched in surprise at the voice that suddenly rang in their heads.
Instead of the flustered duke, Binaeril stepped forward and addressed the demonic sword.
"Are you the culprit behind the incident of killing people and raising the undead?"
-Hehehe.
The demonic sword let out a low laugh.
-I merely delivered punishment for the sins of the past committed by humans.
It was an admission that he was the one responsible.
"Who are you to judge humanity? That was already over a century ago."
-The souls of the dead awakened me. I, who bear their hatred, am the rightful claimant to vengeance. Did you ask who I am? I am the Demonic Sword Mimung!
Shock and commotion spread among the duke and knights at the name Mimung.
"Weren't those just idle rumors?"
"It doesn't seem so. In any case, isn't the sword speaking right before our eyes?"
"Then the souls of the Toin who were really massacred… does that even make sense?"
The duke let out a low grunt.
"It is not uncommon for things to happen in this world that our minds cannot comprehend. Just look at a mage like Sir Binaeril; is he not beyond our common sense?"
The duke, having regained his composure, stepped forward and responded to the demonic sword.
"Look here, I do not know if this will console you, but I shall apologize on behalf of all for what happened in the past. However, the humans of that era have all returned to the embrace of the gods. The residents who remain here are merely ordinary people unrelated to those sins."
Mimung looked into the soul of the duke who had stepped forward and was surprised.
-A warrior with a strong soul. And that young boy over there appears to be a mage.
"Indeed. I am Duke Torben Dux. Cease this meaningless vengeance. This is my final warning as the ruler of this land."
-A warning? …Hehehehe.
Even at the duke's words, Mimung did not stop sneering.
-Delicious. They will be delicious. The vitality of a mage and an outstanding warrior. My mouth waters.
The red magical energy emanating from him grew even denser.
Binaeril pulled the duke back and gave a warning.
"Your Grace. Dialogue will not work. His purpose is no longer something as petty as revenge. What remains is nothing but a gluttonous demon hungering for human lives."
"So it comes to this, after all."
Mimung's laughter gradually drew itself out.
The sight of the intruders drawing their weapons or raising their mana to prepare for resistance seemed quite amusing to him.
Mimung shouted toward the people.
-The sight of you, who will crumble into a handful of ash, trying to resist is laughable. Do you know who I am? Do you know how much vitality I have absorbed and how much power I have cultivated until now?
At the explosive presence that burst forth, the knights' morale plummeted in an instant.
His magical energy possessed such overwhelming pressure.
-Why?
'We know the true nature of the demonic sword, so why does it seem like they don't know about you?'
Just as Veritas had made a fuss upon discovering the demonic sword, if the demonic sword had also recognized Veritas, there should have been some mention of it.
But that was not the case. Mimung was clearly looking down on Binaeril and the duke's group.
-Didn't I tell you? There's a high chance its ego is twisted.
Indeed, Mimung seemed like a screw was loose somewhere, suffering from an endless craving that sought only life.
-It must be barely holding onto the thread of reason, which is why it hasn't noticed me. That also means this body's abilities are that much more covert.
'Our chances of winning… we have some, right?'
Even at a glance, Mimung's power seemed far greater than Baram's.
-It depends on you. Exhaust his strength and then grab the sword. I'll take care of the rest.
A space of about 20 meters, and beyond that was a cliff.
The only retreat route was the passage in the rear, but even that was precariously situated between cliffs.
'It will be hard to get the others out of the battle.'
Needless to say about the knights, Duke Dux also did not show it but was quite exhausted from the battle with the gargoyles.
Binaeril saw the duke's thick hand gripping the flail trembling slightly. Age could not be hidden.
The enemies were two. The demonic sword called Mimung was probably stronger than Baram the lich.
If so, Binaeril had to take on at least that one.
'No. If things go well, I might be able to handle both at once.'
Binaeril, too, had something he believed in.
To draw its attention, he provoked Mimung.
"You stinking demonic sword there. If you're going to go mad, do it with some dignity. Why are you killing unrelated people while yapping about revenge?"
The blade twisted horizontally and turned toward Binaeril.
From his experience of conversing with Veritas, Binaeril knew that it was looking at him.
"You don't want revenge. Be honest. You're nothing but a blood-crazed murderer. Should I call you a murderous sword?"
-…….
"The humans of the past who massacred the demihumans were vicious too, but what is even worse is the disgusting behavior of wrapping up one's own atrocities in words like revenge and justice, and believing oneself to be righteous. Take a good look at yourself."
At Binaeril's scathing criticism, no one could open their mouths.
The knights, Duke Dux, Baram, and even Mimung listened to Binaeril's words in silence.
Mimung no longer let out even a low laugh. Paying no heed to his opponent's reaction, Binaeril drove the nail into his words.
"A ghost of the past is most suited to being buried in this damp, rotten graveyard. Rather than repeating disgusting acts while shouting about unwanted vengeance."
It was Baram who reacted instead of Mimung.
Baram unleashed black magical energy and attacked Binaeril.
"How dare you speak such insolence to His Lordship!"
"Hahahaha!"
It was Duke Dux who burst into loud laughter.
"Well said! Sir Binaeril! I feel completely refreshed!"
"Sir Binaeril has quite the sharp tongue, more than one would think."
Duke Dux and the knights leaped in front of Binaeril and blocked Baram's black magical energy.
Binaeril, who had been preparing to counterattack, hastily corrected his stance, feeling awkward.
This wasn't part of the plan….
His plan had been to summon Eden and defeat Baram in one fell swoop, then press on to Mimung.
Unaware of this, the duke shouted to him.
"Sir Binaeril! We'll handle this side. You take care of that one!"
Defeating Baram and then dealing with Mimung. Dealing with Mimung and then defeating Baram.
Only the order differed; the plan did not change much in the end.
While facing the demonic sword, Binaeril prayed that the duke and the knights would remain safe.
Not a single thought of losing entered his head.
He called the spirit's name.
A ray of the spirit's light burst forth from the ring and flew up beside Binaeril's cheek.
"We need to defeat him."
[Leave it to me, Binaeril!]
Eden possessed the ability to repel unholy things.
Having scattered Baram's magical energy, it would undoubtedly work on Mimung, the source of that power.
"Let's go, fire!"
Binaeril chanted the activation word for his magic bullet and aimed at the red demonic sword plunged into the ground.
Until then, Mimung had shown no particular reaction.
The moment Binaeril's magic bullet and Eden flew side by side, rushing toward the demonic sword.
Red magical energy burst out explosively, and Mimung's blade slowly rose.
And,
[Kyak!]
Under the explosive red magical energy, the magic bullet and Eden were sent flying back at once.
The repelled Eden struggled desperately in midair to push back Mimung's magical energy, but it was not enough.
-You should grow your skills to match your mouth, brat.
As if to cleave something, Mimung, having risen horizontally, slowly swung through the air.
With that, the balance of power completely collapsed.
In Binaeril's vision, he saw Eden fold at the waist.
It was the moment Binaeril's belief was miserably shattered.
The duke and the knights were confronting Baram.
The duke was at the forefront, with the knights lined up behind him.
Duke Dux conveyed a brief remark to Baram.
"Are you glad?"
The knights trembled at the bleak, hollow voice.
"Honestly, that is not a face that looks glad. Though that's assuming you still have a face."
Duke Dux continued the conversation while assessing the knights' condition.
Unlike the other side, the duke and the knights had just finished a battle.
It was obvious which side would be at an advantage if they clashed like this.
He decided to buy a little more time.
Duke Dux gazed into Baram's empty pupils.
He couldn't be sure if the creature was even meeting his eyes.
"Are you human? Or a monster?"
"Human? …There was a time I was. Since His Lordship granted me eternal life, such distinctions are no longer useful."
"If you were once human, why do you act as the demonic sword's hound? Why do you kill humans to offer power to the demonic sword?"
"You call that a question? His Lordship gave me power. He gave me eternal life. He gave me a body that does not rot. Is that not reason enough?"
Duke Dux shook his head.
"It is not enough. Were you not a human with convictions once? Are you satisfied gaining power by licking the demonic sword's feet? What kind of human were you?"
The duke's words shook Baram.
'What kind of human was I?'
Truthfully, deep in his heart, Baram did not follow Mimung.
His right to live or die was tied to that sword, and as long as he followed it, the demonic sword gave him power.
The power to wield magic and harm people.
But was that enough?
'I can't remember.'
He tried his hardest to recall what kind of human he had been.
While Baram racked his brain, the standoff grew longer.
He couldn't remember anything.
It had been Mimung's decision to awaken Baram's dead soul and make him a minion.
Everything the awakened Baram had done was also by Mimung's command.
Baram had power, but no freedom.
Just as a small doubt began to bloom in Baram, a thunderous command struck his head once more.
-Baram! What are you doing!
Baram jumped in surprise and raised his head.
His master was glaring at him.
"I am sorry, Master!"
-Kill the humans. That is the only thing you must do!