Chapter 39

Interlude 3: God's Curses on this Dark Crusader!

Proofreader: LordVTP

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"Men! Do not fall back! Do not let even one enemy pass us!"

Even with the mini-Destroyers inoperable, the Demons, under the suggestion of their master, continued to forge forward. Their empowered bodies brute-forced their way through our defences.

"Darkness! Let's retreat a bit! These guys just won't give up!"

"No! We can't give them even an ounce of advantage! This is the turning point of the battle!

"Grarrr…!"

Knives whizzed past my shoulder and pierced through the helmet of the Demon engaged in battle with me, only for another fighter to replace the fallen one. Chris let out a groan of frustration as she disengaged.

Our enemies seemed to be endless.

"Oi, Darkness! I don't wanna fight anymore! These guys are really scary!"

"Darkness-san, goddess Aqua has a point! Perhaps a tactical retreat is in order… After using my Cursed Sword Gram for so long, I'm starting to run out of mana!"

"A-As the leader of the Crimson Demon forces, I'd also like to report that we are all running low!"

I really don't think I'm fit for this kind of role, being a leader, I mean.

But right now, these people are looking to me for guidance.

"Scouts and those who are confident in their speed! Please return to the command post and see if you can retrieve more manatite crystals! If they don't have anymore, please go to a magic item store or any vendor in town and ask for all their manatite crystals! The Dustiness family will pay for the purchases!"

"Got it, Darkness!"

I nodded to Chris, who nodded back. She led her team of scouts and they dashed back into town.

"Mages who are low on mana… I hate to say this, but you're only holding us back for now! Please retreat! Martial types who don't rely on mana, please focus on defense! We must buy time until the damage dealers are ready!"

"Ehh…? But I've never had to use my cheat weapon while running low on mana before… I'm not very good at sword skills!"

"M-Me too! I've always had a beam spam attack, so I didn't really practise any weapon skills!"

These black haired and black eyed youth are Kazuma's fellow countrymen, yes? Are they all like this?!

W-Well, not like I can judge. I'm not good with sword skills either...

"It's fine! Just act like meat shields and I'll heal you! I've got plenty of juice left! Heal! Heal!"

"Ohhh! I feel energized!"

"If it's for my goddess-sama, I'll do anything! Cursed Sword Gram! ...Oh, no! I'm running out of mana!"

"You were just warned not to use your flashy attacks! Are you an idiot?!"

"F-Forgive me, Aqua-sama!"

"Geez… I'll forgive you just this once, so keep fighting hard for me!"

"Yes, goddess-sama! Men, you heard her! Let's keep it up!"

"Yoooshhh!"

Aqua often flip-flops from cowardice to bravery, but she still has a positive impact on the morale of the troops.

I wish I could have even a bit of her self-confidence.

While we waited for the scouts to hopefully come back with a resupply of manatite crystals, those remaining tried to keep the enemy forces at bay.

Kazuma's golems were falling one by one. We couldn't keep relying on them as convenient barricade any longer. We filled the gaps left open.

Aqua can heal the injured, but those who sustained too many injuries had to fall back. It pains me to use the adventurers of Axel as meatshields, but we can't give any ground to the enemy.

"The enemy's mages are out of mana! Archers and mages, prepare to attack!"

Maouko announced this command through her voice amplifying device.

I thought it was suspicious that we haven't received much long ranged attacks from the enemy. I had assumed that they lacked the means, but they were clearly waiting until our mages can't deploy magical defences.

"Shield bearers! Protect those who are lightly armored!"

"We can't! The frontline will run us over if we go back there and protect the backline!"

Damn! I fell for such an obvious trick!

I thought I was well prepared for these dirty tactics after consulting Kazuma…

"Go and protect the mages while they retreat! I'll try and hold the enemy for as long as I can! Decoy!"

The attention of the enemy frontline shifted to me. I prepared myself to receive their assault.

"You can't just keep doing that, you one trick pony! Countercharm!"

"...! Damn it!"

They resumed their attack on the frontline, who had already started to follow my orders. As their backs were turned, the enemy managed to inflict a great deal of damage before my frontline could return to their positions.

Maouko is easily countering my every move.

Kazuma's the one who's always had good ideas. I was content to follow him without thinking for myself.

I can't lead others, but I also can't fight on my own. In every fight, I recklessly charge in without thinking about the consequences, just so I can enjoy the pain of the enemy beating me up.

I always prioritize my shameful fetish instead of learning how to fight properly...

What a disgrace!

"Darkness! What do we do now?! We're getting overrun!"

The amount of injured fighters were increasing. Even Aqua can't keep up.

Why was I even made the commander of this army?

Why isn't Kazuma here?

Someone… Help me…

Eris-sama… Please!

"Darkness, what are you doing?"

Chris stood behind me. She and her scouts have arrived. They were distributing the manatite crystals they managed to find.

"You're just standing there and taking hits from the enemy. Don't tell me you're perving out again?"

In the midst of my despair, I didn't realize that I was just standing there, in the middle of the battle, letting the enemy hit me.

What is wrong with me…

"Huff… Huff…"

The Demon who was attacking me looked tired from hitting me so many times but not even eliciting a reaction. He groaned in frustration and turned his attention to another fighter.

Now I'm being ignored by the enemy…

"Sigh… Darkness, just come here a moment. We need to have a talk."

"B-But we're in the middle of a battle!"

"It's not like you're in the right state of mind to fight. Just come with me."

She grabbed my hand and pulled me from the frontlines. I absentmindedly let her drag me along.

"This place is a bit hectic, so let's go somewhere a bit more quiet."

"Eh?"

She pulled out a scroll.

"Teleport!"

…

…

We ended up in a familiar church.

"Do you recognize this place?"

"Yes, I do…"

It was the Eris church I always used to pray in.

Before I became an adventurer, I was really lonely and prayed to Eris-sama everyday to give me a friend.

Then one day, Chris showed up.

She was my first friend, and the one who encouraged me to pursue my dream of being an adventurer.

Chris sat on one of the pews at the back. She patted the seat beside her.

"Sit down, Darkness."

I sat down next to her.

We were both sweaty, and I was still wearing my adamantite armor.

I usually wear my best dresses when I'm visiting a church of Eris-sama. I feel kind of awkward sitting here with my armor on, all sweaty and bloody.

"So, what seems to be the problem, Darkness?"

Whenever I talk to Chris, it always feels like she already knows what's on my mind. It should be a disconcerting feeling, having someone read you like an open book, but for some reason it just makes me feel even more at ease.

This is how I feel when I'm with Chris, but when an enemy like Maouko is reading my every move, it only makes me feel horrible about myself.

I told Chris about my insecurities. My regrets. I told her about how much I loathed having every move I make countered by Maouko, simply because I'm too predictable.

"Predictable? That's not a word I'd ever use to describe Darkness."

Chris said, seemingly surprised by my choice of words.

"But it's true! Every move I made, Maouko always had a counter to it! I can't lead an army, what am I thinking? I'm not like Kazuma…"

"I'd be concerned if you were like Kazuma-kun…"

"W-Well, I just mean the way he fights."

"Is that what you've been doing this whole time? No wonder you're failing."

"F-Failing…"

I know it's true, but it still hurts to have your best friend say that to your face.

"Listen. Darkness wasn't made the leader of this army because anybody believes that you're some master tactician or great leader."

"T-Then why?! Am I just being pranked?!"

"That's too elaborate of a prank to pull… No, you were made a leader because, well, you've got something about you that inspires other people, yanno?"

Chris said, tilting her head to the side as she thought about what to say. She scratched the scar on her cheek.

She does that when she's nervous or feeling awkward.

"Sigh… Chris doesn't have to lie."

"No, I'm serious. Haven't you noticed? It happened in this battle, just recently! The mini-Destroyers were about to detonate and everyone was retreating. Even I was about to make an escape myself. That's what a normal person would do. Even Kazuma-san would run away as his first instinct. But Darkness stayed. You're the only one who stayed. And you rallied everyone to stick with you. Even sen… Aqua-san stayed even though she wanted to run away."

"T-That's… But I'm only just doing my job and…"

"Yeah, don't you see? That's your job. We don't rely on you to be the brains of the operation. We don't expect you to make the right calls as a commander. We just want to see you stubbornly defying all odds. We just want to see that weird girl who will willingly stand in front of a field of live bombs without even a hint of fear in her eyes."

Chris placed her hand on my shoulder,

"Just be you, Darkness. Don't try to be like Kazuma or anybody else. Trust me, if you go full Darkness on these guys, even Maouko won't be able to predict your moves."

"Chris…"

She patted me on the shoulder, then took her hand back and scratched her cheek again.

"Hehe. Well, you all better now? We have one more Scroll of Teleportation left, so let's go back!"

"Yeah, thanks, Chris. Let me just make a quick prayer to Eris-sama…"

"I-I'm pretty sure Eris-sama has already heard your intentions loud and clear! And she's watching from above anyway, right? So she would have already heard our conversation! Not that I'm implying that Eris-sama likes to eavesdrop on people's conversations or anything! Let's not waste anymore time and go back to the others, OK?"

"Just a quick prayer. We're already here, anyway."

"Sigh… It's kind of a waste of time since I already… Er, well go on ahead."

I walked down the altar and knelt before the statue of Eris-sama. Chris followed as well.

For some reason, Chris always looks like she feels awkward whenever she kneels in front of the statue of Eris-sama.

"Ugh… The way they clearly put all their efforts depicting the breasts is… Er, well go on with your prayer, Darkness. And let's keep it short. We have a battle to return to!"

"...I need all the guidance from Eris-sama that I can get. I need to make a full prayer."

"Hah?! The whole thing?! Oi, I'm telling you now that the others really need you!"

"Don't get me wrong. I took Chris's words to heart. I'll try my best from now on. But right now, I feel like I can do even more good by praying to Eris-sama. If she hears my prayer, maybe she'll even help us in this war…!"

"I'm already helping…! Ugh, I mean, I'm sure Eris-sama has already heard everyone's prayers! Now, come on, Darkness…!"

"I understand Chris's concern, but I really need to talk to Eris-sama right now."

"Oh, for the love of…"

Chris sighed and took a step back, letting me concentrate on my prayer.

In the midst of my prayer…

I felt a gust of wind.

Then a gentle hand fell on my shoulder.

"Darkness…"

"...!"

When I opened my eyes, standing before me is Eris-sama.

"Eris-sama…?! L-Long time no see!"

"Fufu. Indeed. It's been a while since we chatted in my realm…"

My heart started beating. I'm meeting Eris-sama again!

"Hey, Chris, it's Eris-sama! Eh… Chris?"

When I turned around, Chris was gone.

"Your friend got impatient and went outside the church to wait for you…"

"I'll get her, Eris-sama! Please wait right here!"

"E-Eh?! No, it's fine! I'll talk to her later! Right now, I want to talk to you, Darkness…!"

Eris-sama sighed to herself as she scratched her cheek.

Hm…?

I didn't notice it before, but there's something on Eris-sama's cheek…

Is that… A scar?

It was hiding under a strand of hair, but I saw a peek of it as she scratched her cheek.

Come to think of it, that habit of scratching the scar…

I-It can't be…

"So, Darkness, it appears that you have many doubts, but I assure you that… Eh? Darkness? Why are you looking at me like that…?"

Eris-sama said, as I started examining her body.

Silver hair, blue eyes…

Even the voice is the same…!

B-But the chest area is different, so…

As I was staring at her chest, I saw something around Eris-sama's neck.

It was a wooden game piece tied around a string. It hung from her neck like a necklace.

Isn't that… What Aqua gave Chris as a going away present?

"Oi, Chris, I don't know how you did it, but disguising yourself as Eris-sama… Even if it's a prank, I can't forgive it!"

"E-Eh…?!"

"To think that I fell for this one… Eris-sama is much too busy to be wasting time down here in the mortal realm!"

"Gack! Well… Er, Darkness, please calm down!"

"No! This is blaspheme! And padding your breasts just so you could copy Eris-sama's big breasts… Even if you're my friend, this is too much!"

To prove a point, I grabbed a handful of Chris's padded breasts. And for good measure, I pulled on her wig.

"Owwww!"

"...Eh?"

Both the breasts and the wig… They were real?

C-Could it be that I made a terrible misunderstanding here…?

"D-Darkness, you really did it this time…"

Here I am, in the church of Eris-sama.

Right in front of her statue, I was fondling the breasts of Eris-sama and pulling on her hair.

There was a tingling sensation in my body. I looked down and shadows started creeping up my armor.

"W-What's happening Eris-sama? Why are these shadows…?!"

"C-Calm down, Darkness! Um… Well, I don't know how to say this… But for assaulting a goddess, there is a punishment. And as you are a Crusader who serves Eris and you've technically assaulted the goddess you serve…"

The shadows have now fully engulfed my armor.

"Y-You've become an Oathbreaker. A Dark Crusader…"

"E-Eh?"

…

…

An Oathbreaker… Those who have defiled the deity they serve either by treachery or doing something to harm or oppose them.

I've read of such Oathbreakers and scoffed at their foolish actions.

How could those who claim to be holy warriors betray the deity they serve, and even intentionally cause harm upon them?

Said I, who has intentionally molested and pulled the hair of Eris-sama.

Compared to the evil deeds of those Oathbreakers, aren't my actions the worse among them?

Using an artifact of one's deity to gain immense power… Stealing treasure from a deity's temple…

C-Compared to molesting a goddess in her own church and aggressively yanking at her hair, trying to pull her 'wig' off… Those deeds are child's play!

"W-What have I done?!"

I looked down at the shadows that have enveloped my armor, which has now turned completely black. I drew my great sword just to make sure, and sure enough, the blade was completely covered in black.

"Darkness! D-Don't draw your weapon in front of me! You'll just make the misunderstanding worse...!"

"Ah, shit! I mean, crap! Ah, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to curse at you, Eris-sama!"

I hurriedly swung my sword to bring it back to its sheath.

But in the process of doing so…

The tip of the blade just managed to slice through Eris-sama's nun habit.

Ripping it at the front. Her bare breasts popped out.

"..." x 2.

We both stared at each other in disbelief.

To our right, I heard the sound of glass shattering.

Several priests were carrying what looked like a glass display with several artifacts of worship inside. They were staring at the sight of Eris-sama's bare breasts.

"K-Kyaaaaa!"

Eris-sama turned beet red and immediately covered herself.

WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST DOOOO?!

"D-Don't look at me!"

The blushing Eris-sama hid herself as best as she could.

"...Eris-sama's breasts."

"We saw Eris-sama's breasts…"

"I want to fondle them…"

"Eeeeek…?! W-What are you doing?!"

At the sight of their beloved goddess's breasts, something within these priests, who have long practised abstinence, snapped.

"This must be a reward for all my years of diligent service! Thanks for the meal!"

"I don't have to content myself with watching altar boys bathe anymore! Come to papa!"

"We have proof that she doesn't pad her breasts! Suck it, Axis cult!"

"Nooo!"

The priests have gone mad!

The shadow that had gathered around my armor started spilling from my feet. Then it headed straight to the priests.

"...Gack!" x 4.

The shadow connected with them and crawled up their robes.

It's spreading?!

"Hehe… This power… So we have become Dark Priests…"

"That Crusader over there with the black armor… She must be our master."

"Us Dark Priests now serve you, master!"

"I-I'm not your master! Don't call me that!"

H-How could this happen to me?!

Seriously, how in the world did this happen!

I'm convinced that I have the worst luck in the world!

I collapsed on my knees.

"I'm done for. The only thing I can do now is apologize for my wrongdoings by taking my life."

I drew the sword again.

Eris-sama stood up in a panic, doing her best to cover herself as the Dark Priests ogled her body.

"I-It's OK, Darkness! We'll fix this, I promise! I just need to go up to Heaven and convince them that it was all a misunderstanding! An accident!"

"Eris-sama…"

What a kind goddess.

Going so far to help me even after all I've done…!

"For now, Darkness should go back to the battle. I hate to say it, but your transformation might be able to help us. And you can bring the Dark Priests, too."

"E-Eris-sama says that, but I can't fight in this unholy form!"

"There's just no time, Darkness! I-If you really want to apologize then stop wasting any more time and help the others! I'll try to clear your name, so try to accomplish some great deeds in battle to make my job easier!"

T-That's true. If I do something good while fighting for the sake of good, it will be easier to convince the higher powers in heaven!

At this point I was so desperate, my mind so muddled, that I'd believe anything.

"Here's my last Scroll of Teleportation. Go back to the battle with the Dark Priests and try to swing the battle into our favor!"

"Understood, Eris-sama! Wait, this Scroll of Teleportation… You are Chris, aren't you?!"

"Let's save the talk for another time, OK?! We'll grab a couple of beers and talk about it! Just move it!"

That's another thing to worry about, but like Eris-sama… Or Chris (?) said, we don't have much time.

I commanded the Dark Priests to gather in a circle with me as I opened the scroll and activated the sigil inside.

We appeared right where Chris and I teleported from. The enemy frontlines were much closer than before. The enemy gained a lot of ground.

I feel terrible about what I did, and what I've become.

But right now, I can't think about that.

I have to remember what my goddess Eris-sama… No, what my friend Chris told me.

I can't try to be someone else and hope to succeed.

I have to stay true to myself.

And that means…

"I-I'm a fallen Crusader with a tainted body… And I will charge in to a pack of wild Demons who will surely ravish my body should they capture me… Kuhhh!"

As I let my lust out, I felt the shadows around me growing stronger.

The shadows are responding to the darkness deep in my heart.

I drew my sword and charged straight at the enemy...!

The Dark Priests followed behind, hovering after me. I don't really know what to feel about them, but I guess I can make use of them.

As I charged through, I drew the attention of my peers.

"Hey, isn't that Darkness? She disappeared for a while, didn't she? Hey, did you ditch us just to get that cool new armor?!"

"Darkness said that cool speech about defending our home, but she's the one who ran away!"

"I didn't run away! You're mistaken!"

I corrected the accusations made against me as I rejoined the frontlines.

"Ew! Darkness, you stink! What's wrong with you?!"

Aqua said after taking a sniff at me.

"I-I'll explain later! For now, let's focus on the enemy!"

"Well, what's the plan?"

"Let the enemy beat me up and torture me endlessly! While they're focusing on me, please finish them off! J-Just thinking about the torment I'll face… Here I come!"

"Darkness?! Oi, wait, don't just charge in!"

Too late.

"Kyaaaa~!"

I jumped into the sea of Demon warriors.

If I have indeed become corrupted, then so be it.

I might as well enjoy it.

"Why is this lady leaping into us?! Scary!"

"Let's back up a bit!"

The frontlines retreated. The two armies are at a stalemate again.

"Good job, Darkness! You helped us regain a lot of ground!"

"This was all a part of your plan, right?!"

O-Oh, yeah, I'm supposed to be fighting.

I wiped the drool from my lips and drew my now black greatsword.

"Wait a second… That form, don't tell me you've become an Oathbreaker, Darkness?!"

Aqua finally figured it out.

"I-It's a long story…"

"Now that I think about it, didn't you disappear with my kouhai? Oi, what did you do to her? If you've become like this, you must have done something!"

I just noticed, but Aqua always calls Chris 'kouhai'.

And Chris calls her 'senpai', too.

If Chris is Eris, then…

"Nevermind that, Aqua! We need to focus on the enemy!"

"...Before that, I need to cleanse you, Darkness."

"Eh… Why is Aqua looking at me like... thaaaat?! Owww!"

Aqua touched me and released a lot of holy magic.

"Tch! These shadows are too strong! And the smell is getting worse! It's time for a bath, Darkness! Sacred Create Water!"

"Wait, Aqua?! Gack!"

Aqua suddenly summoned a flood. This is the same power she used during the dullahan fight.

Since the flood was aimed my way, and I had been running at the enemy, the surge of water flowed to the enemy side.

At least she learned her lesson from last time and aimed away from the town walls.

I don't know how to feel about Aqua dousing me with water, but at least the flood had the effect of clearing away the enemy.

"Glub, glub, glub! Why is there so much water?!"

"Retreat! We need to retreat!"

Once the water cleared away, there was more grounds for us to occupy.

"Master is attacking. Let's assist her!"

Surprisingly, the Dark Priests hovering behind me came to my assistance as I charged at the enemy.

Shadowy tendrils emerged from their bodies. The shadows ensnared the enemy.

I've been training with Wiz-san these last few days. Due to my training, if it's a stationary enemy, my chance of hitting them is now a coin flip chance…!

...For a normal person, having a stationary target leads to a certain strike, but let's ignore that for now.

"Hiyahhh!"

I raised my greatsword and slashed at one of the Demons my Dark Priest followers had captured.

"Accck! ...Guh."

The Demon went limp as the shadows released its body.

I… I hit it!

Satisfaction and pride flowed through me. Actually landing my attacks is a new feeling for me. I can get addicted to this…

The bloodlust only increased the potency of the shadows enveloping me.

"Darkness… That icky shadow stuff is getting worse! We should just get it off you! Purification!"

"Oww! Aqua?! What are you doing?!"

Just as I was starting to feel good about myself, Aqua started casting holy magic on me.

W-Well, the pain from the holy magic is good, too...

"I don't want Darkness to steal my spotlight… Um, I mean, that evil stuff is going to corrupt you, so let's get it off…"

"I clearly heard what you said! Aqua just wants to be the MVP of this fight!"

I was hesitant to fight with this unholy power, but now that I'm producing results, I refuse to let it go!

Aqua chased me as I advanced deeper into enemy lines.

The Dark Priests commanded their shadows to immobilize the enemy, while I cut them down.

I felt a rush when my strikes connected.

Is this what it feels like to be useful?!

"Darkness! Don't you dare steal the spotlight from me! Holy Smite!"

"Owww… Kuuuhhh!"

Aqua isn't even hiding her true intention anymore. She kept firing holy magic at me in order to get the shadows off.

I'm surrounded by an army of Demons and could be captured at any time.

At the same moment, my friend is striking me with holy magic.

I was once a proud warrior of Eris-sama, but now I've been reduced to a fallen Crusader who needs to be exorcised…

W-What a delightful scenario…!

"Take your bath, you dirty, dirty girl! Sacred Create Water!"

"Noooo~!"

Aqua released another flood.

We were far away enough from the town to avoid causing damage. Instead, the enemy suffered as they were flushed away by the torrent of holy water.

Aqua isn't really intending to do this, but her actions are actually doing a great deal of harm to the Demon army.

Well, I'm the one who's receiving the brunt of the damage, but that's fine!

Please, keep it coming!

"This can't be… To think you'd take my forces down so easily!"

Finally, the enemy commander showed up.

With a flap of her black wings, she descended, hovering above us.

Her red hair was cut shorter than before, when we last fought her, and she was no longer equipped in the crimson armor.

She was wearing a red dress now that showed off her cleavage.

I-I see that demonic entities are quite bold when it comes to showing off their figure.

Walking around like that with your bare chest exposed… I wonder how that must feel like.

Ah, isn't that what happened to Eris-sama…?!

"Ah, if it isn't the Crusader in that bastard's party. Oh? You seem a bit different this time around."

Maouko suddenly regarded me while appraising my black armor and weapon.

"Let's just say that in order to defeat a great evil, I myself have stared into the abyss…"

"So you did something stupid and ended up accidentally getting cursed. Something like that, right?"

"Kuh! T-That's not what happened!"

Even now she's easily figuring me out!

But thanks to Eris-sama, now I know that there's no point in engaging in a battle of wits with someone like Maouko.

I should rely on my own strengths…!

"Dark Priests! Capture the enemy!"

"Yes, master! Let's kill the ho!"

"I didn't say it like that!"

The Dark Priest released their shadowy tendrils again, which attempted to grab Maouko's limbs.

With a smirk, she merely flapped her wings and flew beyond the shadow's range.

As we had begun engaging the enemy leader, the rest of the army caught up to us.

"Cursed Sword Gram! Hahh!"

The cursed sword user, Mitsurugi, launched a wave of energy at the flying Maouko.

"Lightning!" x 4.

Yunyun and her friends also came to assist.

"Tsk! You annoying flies!"

Maouko was forced to land. But as soon as she did so…

"Gotcha, biiiitch!"

"...! Damn!"

One of my Dark Priests managed to ensnare her ankle, letting the other ones bind other parts of her body.

Maouko is tied up, bondage style, with dark shadowy tentacles… What an enviable position!

"Everyone, let's back up Darkness-san! Use our magic to seal the enemy off!"

"Yosh!"

The other mages, including Wiz-san, Rain-san and Lynn-san, used their combined magic to form a barricade between the captured Maouko and the Demon army.

We have a chance to take down the commander…!

"Maouko-sama! I'll save you!"

Another winged entity came swooping in. This one had angel-like wings, but they were black like Maouko's.

"Intern-kun! You've come to save me!"

"M-My name is Duke! Please remember that! Chain Lightning!"

He seems to be a magic user.

I was resistant to the damage, but the fragile mages behind me were briefly stunned.

Even Mitsurugi-san and his group faced some damage even if they were wearing high-quality gear.

This opponent is strong!

The only one who made it out without much damage is Wiz-san, being a Lich and a high-level mage type herself.

The newcomer looked at me, recognition filling his eyes.

"Oho… I sense that we are alike. Those shadows on your body… Could you be an Oathbreaker like myself? I am the fallen angel, Duke! The newest Devil King general! Come, let us battle, Dark Knight! Glacial Blast!"

The Fallen Angel known as Duke started targeting me…!

He fired a blast of ice that instantly formed on my armor, trapping me, restricting my movements.

"Darkness, don't let this suspicious new guy beat you that easily! Power-up! Power-up!"

I've never received strength buffs from Aqua before.

Mostly because I never needed it.

But now, my already high strength stat has been multiplied…!

"Hahhh!"

I broke out of the ice with sheer strength.

"Impossible…! Glacial Blast! Glacial Blast!"

I was buffeted by blasts of pure cold, but I broke through every single time.

"Why won't this brute go down?!"

"Stop bullying Darkness-san! Cursed Crystal Prison!"

Wiz stepped in front of me and used her own ice magic.

"Ahh! My wings! Damn you, Wiz!"

Duke was slowly being enveloped by Wiz's magic, making him crash down to the ground.

Now Maouko is cornered. We have blocked her off from her army and she has been captured by my Dark Priests.

"Tsk… This is quite the problematic situation I've found myself in. I guess I have to give you your credit. But don't think you'll win that easily!"

Even when she's cornered like this, she's still very confident in herself.

Maybe she has some kind of plan?!

She looked at the Dark Priests, who were concentrating on binding her.

"Release me."

I felt a shudder as she spoke.

There was power in her words.

The Dark Priests sagged their shoulders, as if in defeat.

"Yes…"

Just as Maouko commanded, they released their shadows, unleashing her.

"W-What was that…?"

I turned to Wiz-san, hoping that she, as a former Devil King army general, would know about this ability.

Wiz seemed very nervous as she said,

"I-I believe that was the 'Tongue of Satan'... !"

Maouko giggled as she saw the fright on Wiz's face.

"That's right. I paid my father a quick visit at his retirement home in Hell and he gave me this."

She stuck her tongue out, which was now pure black.

"This is a powerful artifact, but I must say that it's a bit weird swapping tongues with your own father… Wait, that sounds weird if I say it like that…! I-Ignore what I just said!"

I ignored the embarrassed Maouko as I looked to Wiz-san again for further explanation.

"The Arch-Dukes of Hell and the Devil Kings are given a gift by the boss of Hell in the form of body parts… The artifacts of Satan. These artifacts hold incredible and mysterious abilities. For example, Vanir-san has the 'all-seeing eyes', which lets him read minds and see the numerous possibilities of future timelines…"

I see. I thought that the power to read the future and minds of others were inherent to all devils like Vanir-san.

It seems like Vanir-san is a unique case.

Wiz-san continued,

"I don't know much about these parts… But I hear that the tongue of Satan gives power to one's words, letting one bend reality itself just with the spoken word. For a Bard to possess this ability… Perhaps that is how she was able to empower an entire army…"

Maouko winked at Wiz as she finished her explanation.

"You've always been pretty smart, Wiz! Now, I'll show you what else I can do with my tongue…! Ugh, I keep saying things that can be misconstrued! Ignore that, OK?!"

"Stop her before she does anything else!"

I rushed Maouko, swinging my blade…!

"Stop."

"Nghk…!"

I paused mid-swing. I didn't feel the presence of an external force stopping my movements. My body stopped on its own.

Moreover, it felt like I was the one in charge of this action. It didn't feel unnatural at all.

"Words of Power are only given reality if one does not have the will to oppose it. That means that you truly wanted to stop, didn't you? Deep in your heart, you know you cannot defeat me. Kekeke…!"

She arrogantly stepped around me, not even worried about retaliation.

Is it true…?

Despite what Chris… What Eris-sama told me…

"It seems that you were made commander of this army? Where is Satou Kazuma? He is the one I want to face. I don't have time to waste with the likes of you."

She's passing me.

Even though I consider myself the wall of this town, the guardian who protects the people.

Is this all my resolve amounts to…?!

"Hah? Darkness, why are you just standing there? Sacred Break Spell!"

"...!"

All at once, my body resumed its motion.

My sword continued its trajectory, as if it hadn't been halted at all.

"...!"

Maouko flew away, startled at the sound of air being cut and the ground shattering as my sword crashed down on it.

"Listen, Maouko. You're making a mistake here. Darkness didn't stop because she's a coward. Your power just affected her because she's a bit of a dummy and doesn't have any resistance against your weird mind-altering powers, OK?"

Aqua said, as she calmly walked over to us, arms crossed as if she were a mother disciplining her children.

Maouko glared maliciously at Aqua,

"You've been causing me problems all day. I should just take out the healer while you're out in the open. Die."

With a single word…

Aqua fell to the ground.

The life was taken from her and she collapsed.

First on her knees, landing on her face.

"A-Aqua…?"

...That Aqua?

Y-You've gotta be joking.

Out of all people, that Aqua who is always fooling around, that lazy Aqua is…?!

"Sigh… You people really underestimate what an artifact of Satan can do. Now, if you know what's good for you, you'll tell your mages to drop the barricade and…"

"Ow… What was that? It felt like I was hit by a bad hangover all at once."

As Maouko walked past her, Aqua stood up on her feet, rubbing her head.

S-She's alive…?!

"You…?! How are you…?!"

Aqua didn't seem concerned at all as she dusted her clothes off.

"I'm used to passing out all the time. Every day, I get piss drunk and wake up in the morning with a really bad headache. Over time, you get a resistance to it, so don't think that your silly little ability will have an effect on someone like me."

"Don't compare the power of an artifact of Satan to one of your bad hangovers! It's not the same thing!"

Maouko said in a mix of rage and utter confusion.

"Oh, maybe it's my Hagaromo, too? It gives me resistance on every kind of negative status effects. Except hangovers. So yeah, by that logic, hangovers will actually harm me more than that tongue of yours."

"That doesn't make any sense! Who the hell are you?!"

I'm really starting to wonder myself!

"Huh? Don't I say it enough times? I'm a g-o-d-d-e-s-s! Goddess! I'm the goddess of water, Aqua! Praise me!"

She took out her performing fans and twirled it around.

Wiz-san and the others were frozen in shock as this is going on, not sure what to do.

We're all confused by the situation, and Aqua isn't making things any easier to understand!

But I just found out that my friend Chris is actually the goddess Eris.

Could it be that Aqua is actually…?

Well, is she really that Aqua…?!

"That's not possible! A goddess can't interfere with the affairs of mortals without losing their divinity! You're just a delusional wacko! Die! Die! Die!"

The air actually seemed to shift and distort, as if Maouko is enforcing her will upon reality…!

But this time, Aqua didn't even seem to notice. And in response, her hagoromo glowed a bright blue.

"Well, I'm not in full goddess form, yanno? I don't even have most of my powers. But I do have my lovely hagoromo~! This is a Grade A artifact of heaven, yanno? I think someone mentioned that it's a Noble… Noble something? Ends with '-asm'? Was it Noble Orgasm?"

"What are you talking about?! You're insane? Die… Die… Diiieeeee…!"

"Ah, careful, you're not looking so good…"

As Maouko kept using the Words of Power…

It seemed like it took its toll on her.

She slowly withered, until her skin sunk in and became an unhealthy pale color.

"Impossible… There's no way…"

She fell on her knees, looking like her confidence and ego has been shattered.

"Poor girl… You look like you need some cheering up! Nature's Beauty!"

Aqua performed with her fans, water somehow spraying out of them.

"Are you kidding me?! I don't get it! How can someone as stupid as you actually be a goddess?!"

"You're so mean! How could you say such a thing! Oi, Darkness, let's beat some manners into this girl!"

While we were occupied by Maouko's newly revealed powers, it seems like the enemy army has broken through the temporary barricade.

They rushed out and moved to defend their master.

"Tch… I'll have to retreat for now."

Maouko muttered, as she limply flew back to the safety of her troops.

"Ahh! She's getting away! Darkness, what do we do now? ...Wait, why are you already charging at the enemy?!"

I looked back at Aqua as I charged to meet the opposing forces without any hesitation. I said,

"I don't have any plans, so just keep attacking!"

"Hah?! I don't wanna do something reckless like that!"

"Well, too bad! Everyone, just keep attacking!"

"You heard her, men! Attack!"

"Yoooshhh!"

Rallied by my reckless charge, the troops gathered behind me and followed.

Maouko wasn't prepared for us to keep charging through.

"Are you insane?! Are you just gonna keep charging and attacking the whole time?!"

"I'll chase you to the ends of the world, you evil being!"

"Says you! Look at that darkness around you! You're just as corrupt as me!"

"S-Silence!"

I ignored Maouko's truthful words as I lifted my greatsword and lashed out at the Demons before me.

The Dark Priests seemed to read my intention as they reactively summoned their shadows in anticipation of my attack, ensnaring the heavily armored Demon I was aiming to cut down.

"Acck!"

It raised its steel shield to try and block my attack, but my sword clashed against his shield with great force. He blocked in time, but his shield arm was pulverized by my powerful swing.

I wound my greatsword for a second attack.

"Hiyahh!"

"...! Ughk…"

The second strike found flesh, and he soon crumpled to the ground.

"Stationary targets are nothing to me now!"

"What kind of swordswoman boasts about cutting down stationary targets?! Focus on the Crusader! Bring her down!"

As I was easily penetrating through the frontlines, Maouko ordered her troops to focus on me.

Now that their attention is on me, I've done my job.

The others broke through the opening I created for them.

Wiz-san kept the fallen angel busy as she and Duke engaged in a duel between magic users. They exchanged arcane blasts from all elements, ice, fire and lightning erupting from their duel.

Yunyun and the other Crimson Demons had recovered their mana reserves earlier and were displaying the full firepower and destructive potential of their clan.

At the same time, the general troops were spreading out and thinning out the Demon forces.

Now that we have established ourselves within the enemy's frontline, their defences are starting to disintegrate.

I trusted the others and focused on my own task.

One by one, I cut down the demons and I felt the unholy power grow stronger, as if the deaths of the Demons were feeding my sword.

T-This is pretty bad, isn't it?

I'm steadily succumbing to this dark power…

But at the same time, it feels so good.

For once in my life… I'm finding release.

All my life I have been bound by something.

Whether it be by my noble upbringing or my sacred obligation as a holy Crusader.

With these shackles freed…

"Ehe… Ahahaha!"

I let out a fit of laughter as I hacked and slashed my way through these Demons.

This feels good. It feels right.

After a while, I noticed that the Dark Priests had lagged behind.

I was too fast for them to keep up.

That means that I had been hitting targets on my own. Even moving targets.

As a Holy Crusader, I couldn't even access the potential of my class due to my limitations.

But why is it that as an Oathbreaker, I'm responding quite well to my new, unholy powers?!

Does that mean that I'm actually…!

In my trance, I failed to notice that I advanced very deep into the enemy's ranks.

I have strayed from my own allies while on a mindless rampage.

Right now I am alone within a swarm of demons.

This… This…!

"Fufu... It seems that I have been surrounded…"

The Demons looked at me in confusion as I planted my greatsword on the ground.

Right now, I feel liberated.

I feel like I can honestly embrace the darkness within me and let it all out.

I unclasped the chest piece of my adamantite armor. It fell to the ground with a clang.

Only my skin tight bodysuit underneath was exposed.

From the chest, I ripped the bodysuit apart, revealing my black lingerie bra underneath.

"E-Ehhh?!"

The Demons gasped as they watched me strip.

"O-Oi, lady… What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Is this some sort of mind game? You slaughtered half of our army and you're suddenly stripping…?!"

Kuuuh~~!

These Demons are staring at my exposed flesh…!

Before, I would be stricken with guilt as I indulged in my desires.

But now, I feel no shame or regret.

I unclasped the armor plate protecting my pelvic area.

Then I ripped out the bodysuit material down there as well…!

In fact, I ripped out as much of the body suit as I could.

"Ladyyyy?!"

Ah… This is what Kazuma once described as 'bikini armor', isn't it?

Although I've stripped most of my armor off, Kazuma assured me that my defences will increase if I wear a 'bikini armor'.

I don't know if he's telling the truth, but I welcomed the open air.

It feels so hot and stuffy in my full armor. Now I can relax…

"I don't know why, but she's made herself vulnerable! Attack…!"

It was almost like the world slowed down for me.

The enemy advanced from all sides, but I could see their movements clearly.

This kind of clarity, I could only see after breaking out of my shell.

I dislodged my blade from the ground and struck out at the nearest Demon.

I carried that momentum to strike the Demons beside him as well.

The semi-circle slash took down three Demons at once.

Not even once thinking about defence, or protecting those behind me, I went on a full offensive.

All my practice with the blade, all the lessons I had been through, it all started to make sense in this moment.

It all started to connect.

I guess it's just a matter of mentality.

I'm the kind of person who can only focus on one thing.

I'm not good at thinking about a lot of things at once.

I can either protect my comrades like a shield.

Or cut down my enemies like a sword.

For me, there is no inbetween.

My movements became faster, more fluid.

Reflexes and instincts I didn't know I had started taking control.

As I cut the enemy down, I took a step forward.

Maouko is in sight and she is trembling at my advance.

"Stay… Stay away from me!"

I could tell that she was trying to utter a Word of Power, but she exhausted herself trying to take down Aqua.

That's right, I don't need to protect my comrades all the time.

They don't need a shield. They can protect themselves just fine.

There are no more Demons in sight. They have either been cut down by my black blade or had abandoned their posts.

They are a mercenary army, after all.

And with Maouko powerless to control them, there is no reason for them to stay anymore.

I pointed the tip of my blade at the weakened Maouko.

"...By the power vested in me by my birthright as Dustiness Ford Lalatina, and by the authority I wield as leader of the Axel militia, I give you two options! Yield, and face the full extent of your punishments as dictated by the laws of Belzerg and her people, or forfeit your life to my blade!"

Maouko fell to her knees.

The smugness and confidence has left her.

"I… I submit."

For the first time, I've seen true defeat on her face.

Equal parts disbelief and self-resentment.

I withdrew my blade.

I turned to the battlefield. The fighting has ceased.

The fighting forces of Axel had gathered around me.

I raised my fist.

"W-We won guys…!"

"Oi, Darkness was so cool earlier but you're still going to stutter in the end? What's up with that?"

Aqua ran to me in smiles, same with the others.

"Hail to Dustiness Ford Lalatina!"

"We couldn't have done it without you, leader!"

"S-Stahp it! You're all just teasing me!"

In the end, I still got teased.

...

...

A/N: Just to clarify in case some of you are wondering, Regina and Serena have chosen to withdraw from the battle after the events of last chapter. Regina has received her old aspect as well as a new one to replace her 'vengeance' aspect. As they are unsure how Serena's powers will react to these changes, especially the damage reflect ability, they've chosen to err on the side of caution and withdraw from the fighting. I couldn't find an appropriate time to explain their absence in this chapter, or wedge such a scene in without disrupting the flow. I hope this clarification will suffice.