CPSMBD Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Battle between Demons

"Some great demon you are, trembling at such a weak opponent."

My words made Velasquez bristle.

[Trembling? I'm not afraid of that pathetic demon at all! But if they've truly contracted with a human, they're protected by demonic law. That means it takes an immense amount of power to force them back!]

"..."

How was I supposed to know something like that?

Honestly, I didn't have even a speck of interest in demon ecology. My only concern was escaping our current crisis.

[Of course, for a great demon like myself, reverse summoning would normally be simple. But thanks to my beloved master's restrictions on my movements in the human realm...]

Velasquez's eyes crinkled with a meaningful smile when pronouncing "beloved master."

[If my master would just lift my restrictions, dealing with that pathetic demon would be as easy as...]

Velasquez demonstrated by gently closing and opening their fist.

[Even easier than making a fist.]

I shook my head firmly.

"No. I absolutely cannot lift the restrictions."

The restrictions I placed on Velasquez were my minimum safety measure. Though unlikely, if Velasquez were to commit grave acts against humanity like the demon currently destroying the imperial palace, I needed to be able to minimize the damage.

[Hmm, then what should we do?]

Velasquez stalled while watching my reaction.

The barrier trembled violently, looking ready to shatter at any moment.

I clenched my fists to hide my growing anxiety.

"So? You're saying you can't do it? I guess I was wrong about you being a powerful demon."

[What do you take me for? I said it would be troublesome, not impossible. Even with restrictions, that worthless demon is no match for me.]

What an idiot.

Velasquez took the bait immediately when I provoked his pride.

[Watch carefully, Master. Let me show you what an overwhelming difference in power truly means.]

"Yes, please show me. That's exactly what I want."

One corner of Velasquez's mouth curled up into a smirk.

[Then I'll be right back.]

With those words, Velasquez shot up toward the demon hovering above the imperial palace.

'Thank goodness. My strategy of provoking Velasquez's pride worked.'

Otherwise, I might have had to break my principles and lift the restrictions to protect the palace.

That's when Aila, whom I'd completely forgotten about during Velasquez's appearance, finally spoke.

"You... you... could it be...?"

Aila stared at me with a shocked expression.

"Yes, I'm a summoner."

"H-how...?"

I had no intention of explaining my circumstances to Aila in detail.

However, considering the future, I needed to ensure their silence.

"Don't even think about spreading this anywhere else. Understand?"

Aila pressed their lips tightly together.

Honestly, even if Aila revealed my identity, there wasn't much I could do about it.

What's done is done.

'I had no other choice. I couldn't just let that demon devour the imperial palace.'

But could we really win?

I watched Velasquez face off against the massive demon with worried eyes.

Compared to the huge, intimidating demon, Velasquez looked relatively weak.

Moreover, the sheer number of familiars the demon had summoned was overwhelming just to look at.

'Should I have lifted the restrictions?'

I gazed at Velasquez with concerned eyes.

The attacks on the palace's barrier ceased immediately upon Velasquez's arrival.

That was fortunate.

Even if Velasquez lost, we'd at least bought some time.

The familiars turned their heads toward Velasquez in unison and swarmed like angry bees.

Velasquez looked vulnerable standing alone before countless enemies.

However, before the familiars could reach Velasquez, they bounced off as if hitting an invisible wall and fell to the ground in droves.

After the familiars dissipated, the demon noticed Velasquez and thundered in an enraged voice.

[Do not interfere! I am fulfilling a contract!]

[Hmm. But I too must keep my promise to my master.]

[What does interfering with me have to do with fulfilling your contract?]

[My master wishes for you to return to the demon realm.]

[I cannot return to the demon realm. Interfere and I will eliminate you.]

Velasquez let out a derisive snort at the demon's words, then abruptly stopped laughing.

Velasquez spoke in an ominous tone.

[You? Eliminate me? How dare you think you could eliminate one of the four great demon princes?]

[Four Princes...? You claim to be one of the four princes?]

[Indeed.]

[The title of the four princes is not something just anyone can claim. I've heard their demonic energy is so strong that merely approaching them causes suffocation. If you were truly one of the four dukes, I wouldn't even be able to defy your words.]

The demon narrowed its eyes at Velasquez before continuing.

[But you... Your demonic energy is barely a handful. You are absolutely not one of the four princes.]

[There's a reason for that! I am strong! In the demon realm, I could crush you with one hand!]

Velasquez shouted, bristling with anger.

'Velasquez, I'm sorry, but you look even less convincing now.'

They should probably stop bragging about being one of the four princes.

The current Velasquez resembled a male peacock puffing up its feathers in front of a tremendous enemy, trying to appear more intimidating out of fear.

The massive demon seemed to share my thoughts, sneering mockingly at Velasquez.

[Your mouth runs well.]

[True. Fight me and you'll realize you're no match for me.]

[Come.]

The two demons collided in the sky, leaving long trails behind them.

A blinding flash erupted.

They moved too fast for my eyes to follow.

When the two demons separated again, the massive demon was hunched over, clutching its chest.

In contrast, Velasquez appeared unchanged from before the collision.

Velasquez raised both hands skyward and made a motion as if tearing through the air.

A portal to the demon realm opened above the massive demon's body.

[Return, demon. To where you belong.]

The demon's body began to be slowly pulled toward the black hole.

The demon struggled with all its might, but it wasn't enough.

[You fool! Forcibly reverse-summoning a demon contracted with a human violates demon realm law. Do you think you'll be safe after reverse-summoning me?]

[Of course I'll be safe. I'm not so weak that reverse-summoning someone like you would cause me any trouble.]

The demon's body steadily drew closer to the portal entrance until it was nearly touching.

However, as if the demon realm itself was rejecting the massive demon, its body bounced away from the entrance.

[Huh? Why...]

Velasquez's confused voice rang out.

Velasquez tried several more times to open portals and send the demon back, but all attempts failed.

[You, why can't you be reverse-summoned to the demon realm?]

The massive demon also seemed confused by the situation, looking down at its body while moving its arms and legs about.

[No choice then. If reverse-summoning won't work, I'll have to eliminate you.]

Velasquez clapped their palms together.

Then slowly spread them apart.

Between Velasquez's palms, a sword materialized in a burst of bright light.

After the silvery blade fully appeared, Velasquez snatched it and swung it about with casual grace.

With red hair streaming in the wind, Velasquez floating high above the ground looked nothing like a demon. They appeared more like an angel.

Velasquez ran a palm along the blade's edge while fixing their gaze on the massive demon.

[It's been a while since I've had to use a sword. Here I come.]