New chapter of Let’s Create a Dungeon is out! (4/5 chapters)
Temporary Truce
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(POV switch – Volt)
The proposal was accepted. Naturally, since it was the same answer. I sheathed my sword, and the Demon King relaxed and attached his arm. However, this didn’t mean we were truly at peace. It was just a verbal agreement. On the surface, we’d rest, but if we truly did, we’d be at each other’s throats.
The Demon King, understanding this, walked over to the door with caution. His pace was very slow, perhaps wary.
Is he trying to lure me in? He looks vulnerable, but if I strike, my sword will certainly break.
I pretended to inspect my sword for cracks while secretly stowing two knives. I made it obvious that I was sheathing my sword, intending to catch him off guard if he let his guard down, but he probably wouldn’t fall for such a simple trick. Of course, I needed to prepare other strategies as well.
Haha, how long has it been since I fought with my wits instead of my sword?
In my old age, facing my greatest adversary, I found myself smiling naturally.
—
(POV switch – Nobunaga)
I escaped into the kitchen, releasing a deep sigh of relief.
That was close. Had we continued to stare each other down, I might have been killed due to running out of mana.
I move with heavy legs, burdened by returning from Defensive Combat Mode (Tungsten Body) to my initial form.
A temporary truce, proposed by both sides, but I didn’t trust it. I wanted to eat some fruit to recover mana, but I didn’t understand why Volt would propose it. He didn’t seem to have a limit to how long he can fight, or at least he didn’t look like he had one.
So why? I suspect he’s preparing for something. Given that his previous blow didn’t cut deeply, he might be concentrating his energy, gathering his spirit, and intending to increase his power like a master. There’s also the possibility he might strike when I let my guard down. I had to be cautious.
Because of this, I made my way to the kitchen with my cumbersome Defensive Combat Mode (Tungsten Body).
Since my legs were heavy due to this, I quickly barricaded the door before opening the fridge. Naturally, I was aiming for the fruit to recover mana. I took a bite, the crisp sound echoing in my mouth as the cold juice soothed my throat.
Ah, it’s good. If I used the book’s storage, I could retrieve it anytime, but it wouldn’t be cold. To keep it chilled, I have to use the fridge, and besides, this fruit tastes better cold. While I could eat and recover my mana, doing so would fill my stomach too quickly, and I’d reach my limit on mana recovery soon. However, I have already overcome that issue.
What I need is a blender! I remove the stem and toss it in, then hit the switch ON! Over the past few weeks, I’ve learned one thing about this fruit. It seems that blending it into juice recovers more magic than eating it raw. Moreover, the juice delays the feeling of fullness, allowing me to recover more magic than usual.
So, with one sip, it smoothly glided down my tongue, filling my body with strength and magic. I used mana to heal the arm I had only superficially repaired.
…Hmm, since I’m in my initial form, it seems I can recover without consuming much mana.
I tried swinging the attached arm or moving just my fingers to check for any discomfort, but there was no particular issue. With this, I should be able to avoid getting cut easily.
Well, if I get cut dozens of times, it would be impossible, but at least my lifespan had extended. Now, ideally, I would like to hide out here forever, but that’s not possible. If I take my eyes off him for too long, that old man might do something unpredictable.
What if he starts cutting down his subordinates?
I gathered as much fruit as I could and returned to the throne room. Naturally, I did so in Defensive Combat Mode (Tungsten Body). With heavy steps, I sat on the throne. Volt stared intently at the basket of fruit, but no, this was my lifeline.
I took a bite of the fruit to see if I could recover magic in this form. It seemed fine.
For now, I can breathe a sigh of relief, but I need to come up with some strategy. If this continues, I’ll run out of fruit and be cut down, or I’ll be struck by Volt’s fully prepared attack. I need to think of something.
—
(POV switch – Volt)
What should I do? It’s been about ten minutes since the truce began, but nothing has changed. No, it may even be worsening.
The Demon King has a basket full of fruit that he must have brought from somewhere. It’s the same kind that was presented to me when I was in the village. This means that the Demon King is currently using the truce as an opportunity to recover his mana. He probably has fully healed his arm by now. If we fight again, the Demon King will be back in top shape.
In contrast, my main weapon, the sword, is cracked, and while I have knives hidden, they won’t cut well against the current form of the Demon King. I’ve only regained a little stamina, and the truce has brought me no benefits. Even when I try to think of a strategy, it’s been years since I’ve used my wits, and no good ideas come to mind.
I may have to seriously consider retreat. I’m closer to the door, and I understand the route somewhat, but there are certainly problems. The Demon King in front of me. What if he pursues me?
I don’t think I can reach high speeds in my current form. The issue is if he transforms back into my form, pursuing me will be a real challenge. After all, he would know my thoughts and would come after me. To shake him off would be quite the stretch. But that’s not the only fear. I barely saw the initial form, and I have no idea what abilities it possesses. That ominous technique that sent a chill down my spine. If I get caught in that, I feel like I wouldn’t be able to escape.
Should I just cut him after all? But I can’t cut him, or I wouldn’t be thinking about this. No matter which way I go, it’s a tough situation.
Pondering wouldn’t yield answers, and just as I was about to give in to despair and consider throwing a full-force attack and breaking my sword to make an escape, I remembered the strike the Demon King made when he transformed into my form. It was from the Jigen style, a school I had never heard of, but it was a good strike. It didn’t suit me, but I felt some of my disciples might be better suited to that style.
…Wait? That’s strange, this Demon King should just have been born.
“Hey, Maou. Can you retain the skills or memories of anyone you’ve transformed into?” (Volt)
“Ah, if I could do that, how wonderful it would be. A Doppelgänger gains the abilities of the one they transform into. If I could keep them, I would be the strongest, right?” (Nobunaga)
That’s certainly true. In my memory, it works that way. Then…
“So, where did you learn the Jigen style? Is it a style of the demon race?” (Volt)
That could be possible. I certainly wouldn’t know demon styles.
But the Demon King shook his head.
“Nope, I doubt demons even have a style. The Jigen—” (Nobunaga)
*Bang! *
A loud sound of the door opening abruptly cut him off.
Before I could turn around to wonder who it was.
“Shishou! Maou!” (Alice)
I immediately recognized the voice.
It was my foolish disciple.
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