Published: March 21, 2026
A blinding light suddenly appeared before me, and instinctively I—more precisely, Shadow Magic—closed my eyes.
Closing your eyes during a fight is fatal.
A spell Mahiro fired with his foot pierced my stomach.
How many times will I get pierced in one day?
《Confirming master's damage. Exceeding allowable range.》
Allowable range my foot — you’re the one moving on your own, I wanted to say, but swallowed the words.
I have no power now to break this situation, and no way to stop Shadow Magic.
It seems Shadow Magic saved my life, so for now I’ll just let it use my body.
《Mode: “Healing.”》
Soon the hole Mahiro’s magic made was sealed.
It’s strange, relying on magic to help you like this.
“You’ve been weird for a while now, haven’t you? That sword, the magic wrapped around that body, that tone of voice… Are you possessed by something?”
Surprisingly, that was correct.
If my body had been moving I would’ve instinctively applauded.
《I cannot answer that question.》
I thought it wouldn’t reply at all, but Shadow Magic answered dutifully.
Strength flowed into my body.
Of course I wasn’t the one applying it.
Mahiro, whose limbs had become free without him noticing, put his hands together.
Even after casting such large magic circles repeatedly, his magical power still hasn’t run out.
Still, the magical power radiating from Mahiro and lingering in the air was thinning.
“Fine. I’ll grab you and make you answer even if I have to force it out of you. I originally planned to bring the princess back alone, but I’ve changed my mind. I’m interested in you, too.”
I’m not the least bit pleased to be the object of some man’s interest.
Rather, it gives me goosebumps.
“‘God’s Hand.’”
A gigantic hand, shining behind Mahiro, came into being.
The hand closed in to grab me.
Even when it reached before my eyes, Shadow Magic didn’t move.
《…If the light grows stronger, the shadow grows even denser and stronger. I will grant my master's wish.》
Shadow Magic murmured, not addressing anyone in particular.
But it was surely speaking to me.
I hadn’t suspected anything, but it seems my Shadow Magic does have a will of its own.
《If you die, the magic placed on Amelia Rose Quartz will probably be lifted.》
Shadow Magic raised a hand before the God’s Hand.
《Devour.》
That was all it said.
With just those words, the overwhelmingly imposing God’s Hand vanished.
No — it was consumed.
Even Mahiro was at a loss for words.
《Know the difference in rank. You are no match for me.》
Mahiro stood dumbfounded by those words, his mouth hanging open.
Then a chilling smile spread across his face.
“Heh…”
At the edge of my vision I saw the others step back, pressured.
If my body had been moving I would’ve stepped back too.
As expected of the Demon Clan’s second in command.
“You talk big. …Lowborn scum.”
For the first time, Mahiro’s smile dropped.
It was never a warm smile to begin with — merely the hollow shape of one — but its sudden disappearance was frightening.
“You Humans can never defeat the Demon Clan. That is inevitable, fate.”
I hate being decided for, more than anything.
But here and now, what Mahiro said also has some truth to it.
I might be a bug, but the other Humans, even with their numbers — which should be their only strength — probably can’t beat the Demon Clan.
Despite all that fighting, there was no sign Mahiro’s magic would run out.
Aurum had landed a pretty good attack this time, but it’s unlikely things will go so smoothly next time.
《Do not make assumptions on your own accord.》
Shadow Magic, however, seemed to disagree.
《Effort does not always yield results. This world is not that kind. But to give up without even trying is wrong.》
At Shadow Magic’s words, Mahiro’s temple throbbed — presumably angry.
“You Humans really don’t learn. Look at history: Humans have never once beaten the Demon Clan.”
He added, “Save your talk for someone who’s a hero.”
From his tone it sounded like Humans have actually produced heroes before.