Bordeaux spoke calmly.
"Alright. It's time to return what was borrowed."
He vanished in an instant.
When he reappeared, he stood beside a quiet bush deep within the forest. From behind it, he reached out and grasped two motionless bodies.
Jinny and Jenny.
The legendary adventurer duo known as The Silver Wings.
Bordeaux floated cross-legged in midair, smiling widely as he returned their souls.
Light rippled faintly.
Both bodies stirred.
Jinny gasped sharply as her eyes flew open. "I'm… alive?"
Her voice trembled with disbelief.
She turned her head and froze.
Jenny was breathing. Alive. Just as stunned as she was.
"Sister!"
Jinny scrambled forward and wrapped her arms around her.
"Thank goodness… thank goodness you're alive!"
Jenny hugged her back tightly, still shaking.
Jinny had been the one who summoned Haru.
Jenny had been the one dying in her arms.
Slowly, both sisters turned toward him.
Bordeaux hovered casually in the air, legs crossed, wearing the widest grin imaginable.
"What a touching reunion," he said cheerfully.
Jenny looked between her sister and Haru.
"Sister… who is this?"
Jinny stared at him, realization crashing down on her.
"…It's you."
Her voice stiffened.
"You're that demon."
Bordeaux smiled.
"That's correct."
Jinny looked around frantically.
"Then how are we still alive?"
"I brought you back to life," Bordeaux replied lightly.
"Cool, right?"
The sisters exchanged stunned glances.
Jenny swallowed.
"Sister… what is happening?"
Jinny took a breath.
"This is the demon I summoned to take revenge on that demon for us. I offered both our souls as payment…"
She hesitated.
"…but it seems we're alive again."
Bordeaux nodded.
"Well, you were dead and I did take your souls."
He licked his lips slowly.
"And oh my god… they were delicious."
Jinny stiffened.
"Then why are we still alive?"
Bordeaux's grin widened.
"That's simple."
He tapped his chest lightly.
"Most beings who collect souls can't differentiate whose soul belongs to who once they have collected them."
He paused.
"Well, most except a certain slime, of course."
Jenny frowned.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well," Bordeaux continued casually,
"I possess a skill that grants me a certain level of dominion over souls."
He tilted his head.
"So I can perfectly identify them and return them."
Jenny blinked.
"…Pretty cool right?" Bordeaux asked.
"Very," Bordeaux agreed for himself again.
"Though your souls are weaker than before as I did consume part of them."
Jinny gave a weary smile.
"What an insane skill…"
"Let's put that aside for now," Bordeaux said.
"There's a reason I revived you."
Jenny tensed.
"And that is…?"
Bordeaux's gaze settled on Jinny.
"Jinny. When you summoned me, you asked me to take revenge against a certain demon correct?"
Jinny jumped to her feet.
"Yes! Did you do it?! Did you kill Orthos?!"
"Not yet," Bordeaux replied calmly.
Her hope faltered.
"But the reason I haven't killed him yet… is tied to why I revived you."
The sisters stared at him.
"How would you two feel," Bordeaux continued,
"about taking revenge yourselves?"
Their eyes widened.
Jinny clenched her fists, trembling.
"There's nothing I want more," she admitted.
"But we can't. Orthos is a named Archdemon, we do not have the strength to take him on."
Bordeaux chuckled softly.
"Of course. I know that."
Jenny looked confused.
"Then what are you saying?"
Bordeaux's smile turned sharp.
"You wouldn't be fighting him alone."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Have you ever heard of a woman named Shizue Izawa?"
Jinny and Jenny looked at each other.
Then back at Haru.
Slowly, both of them smiled.
---
Later that night.
The Knight Captain sat in a secluded chamber alongside several knights. The room was dimly lit, the air calm, too calm.
One of the knights broke the silence.
"Captain… that demon earlier today. Should we really have done nothing about him?"
The Knight Captain crossed his arms.
"Do not concern yourselves with that one. He was likely nothing more than a greater demon. No match for Orthos-sama."
Another knight nodded.
"Indeed. Our worries were unfounded. Still… I found it strange. He appeared to keep up with Shizue Izawa."
The Knight Captain scoffed.
"Shizue Izawa herself is no match for Orthos-sama alone."
A third knight spoke with reverence.
"Orthos-sama is truly powerful."
"Of course he is," the Knight Captain said confidently.
"He is a named Archdemon."
Just then a soft chuckle echoed through the room.
"My, my."
Every knight stiffened.
"You all seem to love your Orthos very much, don't you?"
The Knight Captain shot to his feet, sword drawn.
"Who's there?! Reveal yourself!"
"But I'm right next to you, Knight Captain."
A presence appeared at his side.
Bordeaux stood there casually.
The Knight Captain panicked and swung his sword—
Only for Bordeaux to catch the blade between two fingers as if it weighed nothing.
The Captain froze.
"…You."
Recognition flashed across his face.
"You're the demon from earlier."
Bordeaux smiled.
"You remembered me? I'm honored."
The Knight Captain pulled back, forcing confidence into his voice.
"You're quite bold to return here alone."
"Why wouldn't I be?" Bordeaux replied.
"That's a lot of mouth for a Greater Demon standing here by himself."
Bordeaux tilted his head.
"Is that so? I wouldn't underestimate a Greater Demon if I were you."
The Knight Captain smiled sharply.
"We have no shortage of Greater Demons in this country. I myself am one. The Minister is one. The advisor as well."
His smile widened.
"And our lord, Orthos-sama is a named Archdemon."
He laughed loudly.
"Do you see it now? Do you see how you have no chance of winning whatsoever?"
Bordeaux hummed thoughtfully.
"Mhh… that is awesome."
The Knight Captain's smile dropped instantly.
"…That's your reaction?"
He stared.
"I just told you that you're doomed and you say just say it's awesome?"
Bordeaux shrugged.
"Did I do something wrong? Was I supposed to cry? Beg for mercy?"
The Knight Captain snarled.
"I've had enough of you. Kill him. All of you, attack!"
The knights surged forward.
Haru's smile sharpened.
A moment passed.
Then silence.
Bodies lay scattered across the chamber, demonic forms already dissolving into ash. Not a single knight remained standing.
Bordeaux sat alone in a chair, legs crossed, chin resting on his hand.
"…That wasn't satisfying at all," he muttered.
He sighed.
"Indeed. I really do need to fight Ilfrit. My thirst for battle won't be sated otherwise."
The doors creaked open.
Jinny and Jenny stepped inside.
Jinny crossed her arms.
"Bordeaux-sama. Are you done?"
Bordeaux looked up and smiled.
"Indeed. I'm done."
He stood.
"Let's go after the main dish. I can't wait a second longer."
Jenny smiled, eyes burning with anticipation.
"Trust me. I'm the one who can't wait."
________________________________________
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