I Don’t Want to Be a Heroic Spirit [351]

A force of overwhelming destruction.

An inferno as intense as the death of a star.

A pillar of black aurora swallowed the light, its searing heat roaring like a dragon unleashed.

The underling of the demon army had only just pushed open the castle gate when they saw something unimaginable—a breach in the city's protective barrier that had stood unbroken for centuries.

Before they could even react, the roaring aurora descended.

The earth turned to scorched wasteland, and the gate melted away in an instant.

Through the gap in the barrier strode Nero, taking in the apocalyptic scene that greeted her.

Shielding her eyes with her hand, Nero squinted and glanced around.

"Umu… How strange. I could have sworn I heard the voices of a horde of monsters just now… But where are they? I don't see a single one!"

Of course not. All their bodies were vaporized. No way you'd find anything.

As she stepped onto the blackened, crimson-tinged ground, the suffocating heat made Nero frown slightly.

"Although this consumed a fair amount of energy, the power… Oh, it was magnificent! Umu, as a salute to announce my arrival, this level of spectacle is just perfect! Yes, indeed!"

Nero nodded to herself, the corners of her mouth curving into a dazzling smile.

"Oh, oh, oh! What an imposing castle…"

Standing before the obliterated gate, she rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But since the gate's already gone, I suppose I don't need to bother knocking, do I? Don't accuse me of being rude now."

"Pardon my intrusion."

With that, she stepped forward, truly entering the Demon King's castle.

At that very moment, a bolt of lightning struck from the heavens.

A golden streak of electricity, like a wrathful dragon, pierced Nero's chest, exploding behind her in a burst of blinding light.

But the figure of "Nero" shattered like an illusion, and in the distance, another Nero appeared, unscathed.

Her skill in [Territory Creation] remained peerless.

Looking upward, Nero spotted her assailant.

In short, they were entirely dressed in white.

A white mask, white robes, even a white staff.

Behind them extended pristine white wings.

"This is where it ends! You, adventurer who seeks to defeat the Demon King and claim the glory of a hero! I am—"

Before the figure could finish their grand proclamation, Nero vanished from their sight, and an overwhelming killing intent surged from behind.

Boom!

The clash was deafening.

The blade's edge sparked, but Nero's strike failed to reach her target, colliding instead with a translucent, membrane-like barrier around them.

Though thin, the barrier exuded a solidity surpassing the strength of seven layers of castle walls combined.

It was identical to the barrier protecting the Demon King's castle.

Gravity pulled Nero back to the ground, her emerald eyes narrowing slightly in surprise.

That kind of barrier… It can even form an external layer?

The angelic officer floating above momentarily froze, but their expression quickly twisted into anger.

"Launching an attack during an introduction! Aren't you worried about tarnishing your heroic reputation?"

At this, Nero raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed.

"You dare speak of honor? You attacked first, hurling lightning magic at me the moment I walked in! Truly, you have no sense of propriety, do you?"

The angel blinked, seemingly taken aback.

"Uh… You're right. That was my fault. My apologies. I was too furious after you massacred my subordinates outside and lashed out before thinking…"

With genuine sincerity, the angel bowed to Nero in apology.

The atmosphere turned strangely awkward.

Nero rubbed her chin.

"Umu! I accept your apology. So… are you planning to let me pass?"

"Ah, no, that's not possible. My duty is to maintain the barrier and protect the Demon King's castle. Even though the barrier has been damaged, I can't simply turn a blind eye and let you through—though, truth be told, I don't particularly like the old Demon King either… Still, duty is duty."

Well, looks like a fight is unavoidable.

Clearing their throat, the angel continued,

"Just so you know… you may have already heard this, but I can draw power from Hell itself. With endless reserves of demonic energy bolstering me, I am the strongest officer of the demon army. Even the Demon King is no match for me."

"If you decide to back down now, I'll allow you to leave unharmed."

Hearing this, Nero's eyes widened into little circles.

"Umu… Are you sure about that? I think I've already killed quite a few of your subordinates."

"Yes, it's not ideal… But since I attacked you first, I feel a bit guilty about it. Letting you go would ease my conscience a bit."

Nero stared at the angel for a while before breaking into a breezy smile.

"Thank you for the offer, but… I've made up my mind. I'm taking down the Demon King today."

"I see… Then forget I said anything."

Realizing Nero's resolve, the angel stopped trying to persuade her.

Vast amounts of magic surged, and the elements themselves responded to his call.

"Then… try to overcome me, adventurer!"

"I'll stake my title as the strongest—I won't let you pass!"

The angel's spirited proclamation amused Nero, who couldn't help but feel he'd been waiting ages to deliver such lines to someone. Today was clearly his lucky day.

"Just as you said, with Hell's endless magic, you truly deserve the title of 'strongest.' But if that's the case, this situation feels a bit unfair to me."

Planting her sword into the ground, Nero's jade-green eyes began to burn with an icy, spectral blue flame.

Her voice deepened, growing more authoritative.

Though Nero often treated her [Imperial Privilege] as a cheat, now she faced someone with their own cheat-like power.

So, she decided to strip it away.

Gong… Gong…

Suddenly, the sound of a bell echoed through the vast hall.

The unexpected noise briefly distracted the angelic officer.

And in that brief moment, he failed to notice Nero, already behind him with her sword raised high.

The tolling bell heralded death's approach.

This was a death foretold by fate.

"Racing forth from the abyssal depths, borne of shadow and death."

"My sword shall become the raptor that plucks out your eyes; my shroud, the night that banishes Hell's blessings."

"By fate's decree, I shall take your wings."

"Death's Angel, sever his head—[Azrael]."

Darker than pitch, stiller than death.

A skeletal mask materialized, its hollow eyes burning with two azure flames.

And then, a flash of white light.

Pure white feathers drifted downward like twilight descending. The tolling of the bell reverberated in the air, vast and solemn.

The angel's body froze.

Behind his mask, his eyes were filled with shock and terror.

Because he suddenly realized… his connection to Hell had been severed.

"No… not severed."

Plunging her sword into the ground, half-shrouded in darkness, Nero stood as the very embodiment of death itself.

"It was slain. By me."

---

T/N: woah she used old man hassan again... but NP THIS TIME? WHAAAAAAT

me back btw teehee no more vacay

...

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– Syr ✨