Chapter 98

Asmodeus, having his leg bitten by Entia, was thrown forcefully to the ground.

He was then slammed into the rubble of the arena's corner where he had been standing just moments ago.

Dust rose from the impact.

"...I let my guard down."

Asmodeus muttered this while buried in the rubble.

It seemed that physical attacks were effective against Asmodeus.

(...The ability to transform his body like miasma is only possible when he possesses a human, right...)

Asmodeus had been using Valka's body as a host.

However, sensing that Valka's body had reached its limit, he left it.

If the host were to die while he was possessing them, he might be dragged down with them.

That's why, even though he lost most of his power, he chose to abandon Valka.

"Have you learned the power of the Divine Wolf, demon?!"

"Stop dawdling and get ready for battle, you ball of fluff!"

Choro scolded Entia as she landed.

Instantly, Asmodeus was surrounded by the group.

"Are you okay? Mako."

Leire came to my side and supported me.

Asmodeus, surrounded, slowly got up and looked around.

"It's time to pay the piper."

Iksa pointed his sword at Asmodeus.

Asmodeus let out a small sigh.

"...There's no other way."

He raised his head, his pitch-black eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings.

"Listen."

His voice, which had been calm, now had a deep, threatening tone.

"The control over the slaves in this city is still mine."

"Are you going to use them to attack us?"

Iksa responded, readying his magical sword.

The collapsed arena was now surrounded by slaves, some of whom had even entered the area.

However, we, who were surrounding the source of the brainwashing, Asmodeus, were in a more advantageous position.

"I just need to defeat you before you can control the slaves."

"No."

However, Asmodeus said something even more cruel to Iksa.

"Let me go. Otherwise, at this very moment, I will control all the slaves and make them kill themselves."

"!"

Everyone tensed at Asmodeus's words.

Surveying the scene, Asmodeus chuckled with satisfaction.

"Hehe, can you abandon innocent people?"

...Stalemate.

The scene froze, and only the sound of the wind could be heard.

"I won't let you."

In the midst of this, I said.

Everyone's gaze turned to me.

"I won't let you do that."

"...That's a grand statement, but what can you do in this situation?"

"Unfortunately, I can't do anything."

It was true.

I was in a terrible state.

There was nothing I could do on my own.

...But.

"But I have reliable friends."

--Suddenly, Asmodeus's body was enveloped in a dazzling curtain of light.

"! Wha..."

Taken aback, Asmodeus stared in shock.

Instantly, his body knelt to the ground.

"Saintess!"

Several women in nun's attire appeared on the scene.

They were the priests who had helped us save the Berserker village in the past.

The priests were casting spells while in a praying stance, targeting Asmodeus.

"This... "

Asmodeus, who seemed to have lost control of his body, knelt and muttered.

"We are restraining this evil demon with our 'Sanctuary.'"

'Sanctuary'—this seemed to be the name of the light barrier magic.

The leader of the priests, the one I had spoken to the most recently, explained as she approached me.

"Originally a defensive barrier, it also has the power to neutralize evil beings by trapping them inside."

I see.

With the weakened Asmodeus being targeted by multiple priests using 'Sanctuary,' he was completely neutralized.

"You all..."

Iksa was also surprised by the appearance of the priests.

"Perfect timing. Thank you for coming."

"We had been informed by the Saintess beforehand."

"Is that so? I didn't know."

Right, I hadn't told Iksa and the others.

Before coming to the central district, I had asked for their assistance through the Adventurer's Guild.

The original reason was to be cautious about the curse due to Silas's presence.

After witnessing the wall's collapse, they had come to support us, believing the time had come.

"To have read the situation this well, you truly are impressive, Mako."

Iksa said, almost in admiration.

No, it was mostly a coincidence.

"Hehe, this is a problem."

Asmodeus, maintaining his nonchalant attitude, muttered with a clear sense of urgency.

The priests gradually reduced the size of the 'Sanctuary' surrounding Asmodeus.

Then, in unison, the light of the 'Sanctuary' turned into a single rope, binding Asmodeus tightly.

"Right now, we are using our combined power to seal this evil demon."

The leader of the priests sighed and said.

"This one... seems to be a very high-ranking demon. Even in his weakened state, his power is on par with ours."

"If we can keep him alive, that would be best."

I said, looking at Asmodeus.

"There are many things we need to ask him."

"To ensure a safe and secure seal, we will request support from the Holy Mother through the Church. Until then, we will keep watch over him. Saintess, please leave the rest to us."

"Okay... but, I'm not officially the Saintess yet."

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Afterward, Asmodeus was restrained and escorted by the priests, who continuously applied the 'Seal.'

His custody would temporarily be under the Church, but since this was a matter of national security, they would coordinate with the royal family and other institutions to decide on future actions, the priest told Iksa.

Additionally...

"Sir Lunato, may we see your face?"

The priests approached Lunato.

"...Huh? Me?"

Surprised, Lunato was confused.

"To break the demon's curse by cutting your own face... "

"What a brave person."

"But, as a woman, you shouldn't so easily damage your face."

The priests had heard about how Lunato had overcome Asmodeus's mark by peeling off her own skin.

They were concerned and decided to heal her face.

"...Thank you."

Lunato bowed timidly to the priests.

"...If it's not too much trouble, I have a request..."

"We understand. About her?"

Lunato and the priests looked at Valka, who was lying on the ground.

Having been hit by Lunato's attacks and losing the demon's power, she was also in a terrible state.

As an important witness to the incident, she needed to be protected.

"It seems to be over."

"Gurai!"

Gurai, Moguro, and the Berserkers who had been forced to fight in the arena arrived.

"Are you all right?"

"Yes, the people who were being controlled have all fainted now that the marks are gone. It seems you dealt with the root of the evil."

Gurai looked at the restrained Asmodeus and the healing Valka.

"Phew, I'm quite tired... However, this concludes the incident, doesn't it?"

"Yes, thank you, Moguro."

As he said, the incident was now resolved.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

Thus, the incident in the tourist city of Vizer, which began with the expulsion of the Berserkers, came to an end, revealing its full scope.

To summarize the aftermath...

"...I am truly sorry."

First, Prince Sting.

In conclusion, Prince Sting was a complete puppet under Valka's control.

However, he had some awareness even while being controlled, feeling as if he were drunk or having a bad dream.

This was likely due to the brainwashing power of the fused Asmodeus and Valka.

Regaining his senses, Prince Sting expressed his desire to apologize to the Berserkers and work on rebuilding the city.

The central district's wall was completely removed, and gambling facilities and other suspicious businesses were temporarily shut down for review and regeneration.

"Boo! Everyone!"

"You guys! Are you all right?!"

The slaves, including the beastmen, were freed from the arena.

The Berserkers, reunited after a long time, embraced each other joyfully.

They were allowed to return to the city if they wished, but for now, they would live in the Second Abatos village and decide on their future.

"...I am truly sorry for the trouble I caused."

Regarding Lunato.

Her face, healed by the priests, had returned to its original beauty.

Her thick eyebrows, reminiscent of Moe, her well-defined features, and her toned body made her very beautiful.

She visited the Second Abatos village, heard the entire story, and seemed to understand.

"...Even though I was brainwashed, I have hurt many people."

She seemed to regret this the most.

She was very reserved and serious.

"That's because you were brainwashed, so it's not your fault."

"Once the truth is revealed, there will be room for leniency. There's no need to worry excessively."

I and Iksa encouraged her.

"...I can't thank you all enough. Thanks to you, I was able to reunite with my brother."

Lunato smiled, meeting Moe's gaze.

"...Uga."

"Hm?"

Facing Uga, she bowed.

"...Thank you for protecting Moe back then."

When Moe was about to be crushed by the rubble, Uga had covered him to protect him.

Uga is a handsome guy.

"Sure, it was no problem."

"Uga is amazing! He taught us everything about growing vegetables in this village."

Uga and Moe, both enthusiastic, answered.

Uga had also been injured by the rubble, but he didn't show it and said to Lunato.

"You've had a tough time living like a slave. The vegetables in this village are very nutritious! Eat them and get strong!"

He patted Lunato's shoulder.

"...Y-Yes."

Lunato's cheeks were slightly red at Uga's straightforward and sincere words.

Valka was later taken away by the knights sent from the capital under Iksa and the inspector's orders.

"She is an important witness to this incident. But first, we need to stabilize her and help her recover."

The questioning would come later, Iksa said.

...Well.

The remaining issue is that demon.

Asmodeus and the Church.