[Arc5] - 73. Of Course, I'm Human!
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Derieri, acting like a rebellious girl, swung her black beastly claws, destroying the surrounding trees with reckless strikes. Her chaotic attacks made her seem like a tantrum-throwing child, but Monspeet, who followed her like a guardian, knew she was merely killing time.
"There are no goddesses, barely any fairies or giants, and humans aren't even a threat. How boring."
"I thought you weren't a battle maniac, Derieri."
Monspeet casually stroked his little mustache while leisurely summoning demons. Contemplating how to conquer the continent of Britannia was an interesting question. As long as all the races submitted, the goal would be achieved. It seemed enough to have the demons suppress the humans, forcing their surrender to bring the entire world under demon rule.
"Of course, I know you just want to get rid of Meliodas, don't you?"
"That traitor! Because of his betrayal, countless innocent demons were slaughtered." Derieri clenched her fists tightly, her menacing aura making Monspeet shrug helplessly.
"I understand you, but our top priority is conquering Britannia. Yes, many demons have perished..." Monspeet unfurled his distorted black wings and rose into the sky. In this world, there should not be many beings capable of standing against a Gray Demon.
"A massive source of magic power... no, multiple sources merging? And one of them seems to be... Meliodas!"
"Hmph! Perfect timing to find him." Derieri took to the sky, her ferocious gaze showing she wasn't joking.
"Derieri, don't forget we only have one heart left. We don't even have the luxury to fight recklessly anymore."
"Tch, if you're scared…" Derieri snapped her head around, glaring at Monspeet. She had half a mind to punch him, but the serene gaze he had maintained for three thousand years defused her anger. "Fine, I'll go alone."
"Derieri, you know I've never feared death. High-ranking demons have seven hearts, and we've already sacrificed six of them."
Derieri impatiently turned away. Monspeet's voice was calm but tinged with helplessness. His thoughts, like his magical ability [Trick Star], were always elusive. Derieri, being direct, could never fully understand him, and this always frustrated her.
The [Commandments] also affected themselves, and Monspeet's commandment was [Reticence], forever preventing him from voicing his true thoughts.
"Ever since I met you, you've been spouting incomprehensible nonsense, even when Meliodas betrayed us."
To betray one's race for the sake of a loved one's wish—it was a complete disregard for the Demon Clan's honor. While Derieri seethed with anger, Monspeet's expression became oddly relaxed.
[That doesn't sound too bad. Maybe we should try it too.]
What nonsense.
"Monspeet, I will never betray the Demon Clan. Even with only one heart left, I'll fight! You… don't have to follow me." Derieri gritted her teeth, spreading her wings as she charged toward the massive source of magic.
"Ah… I wasn't planning to stay behind." Monspeet scratched his neck, helplessly chasing after Derieri.
This had almost become instinct. Since they met, he had always been behind her. It felt like without him, she would struggle, and he would be uneasy. So, following her seemed best, even if the path ahead led to hell.
"Wait, Derieri. Let me greet them first with [Gokuencho.]"
Only when the hellfire burned in his hands did Monspeet feel at ease watching Derieri. He often felt like he indulged her, but that was fine—after all, his last heart was reserved for her.
"[Gokuencho]!"
A pitch-black flaming bird roared as it left Monspeet's hand. It grew larger in the wind, eventually resembling a flying beast.
"Monspeet, your magic is always so noisy." Derieri clicked her tongue, flapping her wings to catch up to the bird.
"Too noisy? I think so too. Noisy and chaotic, not making much sense." Monspeet shrugged and floated after her lightly.
Until he could say what he truly wanted to, his magic would always be this noisy.
"That's quite the fiery greeting." Cyd hoisted the [Reforged Pandora], glancing at Meliodas. "You or me?"
"It's probably Monspeet and Derieri. Unfortunately, one of them doesn't mesh well with me right now."
"Physical attacks, right? Looks like I'd be a better match." [Full Counter], which reflected magical attacks, was indeed powerful, but it made Meliodas vulnerable to physical blows, especially against someone with troublesome magic.
"[Combo Star], huh? Each successive hit increases the damage. We just need to prevent her from landing consecutive strikes."
Cyd thought for a moment, setting down [Reforged Pandora]. Against a close-combat fighter, the weapon could become a liability and even be used as a tool for [Combo Star].
"Meliodas, take care of that bird first—here it comes!"
A figure streaked through the wind like a black line, moving faster than the [Gokuencho]!
"50!"
At the moment Derieri's beastly fist struck, Cyd instinctively raised his right hand to meet it. He could hear the vibration in the air and the sound of the ground beneath him cracking. In less than a second, the [Boar Hat] would likely be blown away.
This battle couldn't continue here.
Cyd relaxed his leg muscles, allowing the overwhelming force to hurl him off Hawk Mama's back.
"Cyd!" Meliodas gripped [Lostvayne], ready to assist, but only he could hold off the other opponent.
As the [Gokuencho] approached, Meliodas raised [Lostvayne] and slashed downward.
"[Full Counter!]"
The phenomenon was unbelievable. The bird made out of fire, capable of melting mountains, reversed upon touching the slim blade, transforming into an even fiercer black flame pillar that engulfed the leisurely Monspeet.
"Come to think of it, my compatibility with this guy isn't great either." Meliodas grimaced, watching Monspeet emerge unscathed from the black flames, gathering them effortlessly into his hand.
"You're an expert with hellfire. Few in the demon world understand it better than you."
"This is just a small trick. To some demons, hellfire is only for show—like the fiercest demon in annihilation form, Meliodas." Monspeet played with the hellfire, his earlier aggressive attack lacking any real intent to fight.
"Three thousand years, Meliodas. But shouldn't you be worried about your companion? Derieri's already landed fifty hits by now."
"Same to you—shouldn't you worry about Derieri?" Meliodas's grin widened. "After all, we've got two of the best at handling these kinds of situations in the restaurant during meal times."
"Huh?"
"51!"
Boom!
Before Monspeet could process Meliodas's words, Derieri's roar echoed below, the ensuing shockwave flattening the forest and even shifting the massive Hawk Mama a few steps.
"Unbelievable!" Monspeet's calm tone finally broke with surprise. Stopping Derieri was one thing—but the one who did it wasn't Meliodas.
"Who the hell are you?" Derieri's wide eyes stared at the white-haired human who caught her punch with his bare hand. His strength seemed to exceed her [Combo Star]'s fifty hits.
"You ancient races always seem to ask the same thing." Cyd shrugged, flashing a relaxed smile.
"Of course, I'm human—just one specifically trained to handle situations like this."