Chapter 143: Both are the Real Deal

「Mina, we got terrible news.」

Ciel reported their findings as soon as they arrived back in the mansion.

However…

「A bad news also just arrived from my intel source, Ciel-sama. We’re about to enter a state of emergency!」

Mina interrupted Ciel in a hurry.

This puzzled everyone. Just what kind of bad news would make Mina like that.

「A letter from my informant just arrived a while ago. According to the letter, an army of Erebor tribesmen is heading toward this village.」

「… WHAT!?」

Ciel shouted with a shocked expression.

A tense air spread within Aria’s group.

「And that’s only one part of the news. The second part of the letter also mentions that behind this army is an existence that’s most likely the one you referred to as the Demon King Belphegor.」

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This convinced everyone that Belphegor was the mastermind behind the Erebor tribe’s movement.

Finally, they got the confirmation they wanted to hear.

After that, Aria and co. told Mina the result of their investigation, about the traces of two powers in the ruined village.

「The Demon King just arrived from another world, yet she revived the thunder spirit, Bolt, huh…」

Mina repeated the important point in Aria and co’s report.

Suddenly, a question popped up in Aria’s mind.

「For what reason is Belphegor leading the Erebor tribe’s army toward this village?」

「No way…」

Hearing Aria’s question, Ciel let out an exasperated voice. She realized Belphegor’s goal the moment she heard that question.

「If Belphegor is looking for something in this village, that something should be… the summoning gate.」

Then…

（I see… so that’s her aim!）

Tama thought it might be possible.

The summoning gate was the altar used to summon a hero from another world.

Belphegor might’ve heard about that altar from the Erebor tribe. She wanted to take over the summoning gate to summon the other demon kings and the daemon tribe from their home world.

In short, she wanted to summon the Demon Kings from her home world and change this world, Arc, into a world dominated by them, the Demon Kings.

Seeing Ciel’s expression, Tama concluded that she had arrived at the same conclusion as him.

Ciel proceeded to explain to everyone about the summoning gate and her guess about Belphegor’s goal.

「We must not let that happen! Let’s depart and subjugate Belphegor immediately!」

Aria stood up as soon as she heard Ciel’s guess, ready to depart.

However, Cedric signaled her to stop.

「Aria-san, Belphegor isn’t our only opponent. More than a thousand enemies are also waiting for us.」

「Yeah. And even if we break through their army, Belphegor might’ve become stronger with the power of the thunder spirit, Bolt. If we charge recklessly…」

Ciel agreed with Cedric as she explained the real situation with a composed expression. However, she couldn’t bring herself to finish her sentence.

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The Demon King who specialized in leading an army hadn’t just acquired an army; she had even received the power of thunder spirit.

Ciel never expected them to get cornered this far

「Mina, how much time do we have left until Belphegor arrives?」

「By my estimation, they should arrive tomorrow, if they’re moving by normal means.」n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

「In short, you guessed that they used the thunder spirit’s power to reinvigorate their army, right?」

Ciel and Mina conversed. Mina’s expression was really gloomy right now.

Keeping aside the matter of evacuating the villagers, she was torn with two choices. She could prepare to ambush the enemy before they arrived or just abandon the village. In case she chose the latter, what awaited them was the worst possible end.

At that moment―

「No, we might have a way out of this situation…」

Ciel muttered those words with a serene expression.

She then looked at Aria and Tama, who was stowed inside Aria’s cleavage.

「「……?」」

Aria and Tama tilting their heads, confused at Ciel’s enigmatic gaze toward them.

Ciel asked them a question.

「Aria, you’re gifted with the holy element. And Tama-chan, you can use fire, water, wind, and earth elements, right?」

Hearing Ciel’s question, Mina muttered, 「Don’t tell me…」

「You’re thinking right, Mina… I’m planning to let Aria and Tama undergo the 〝Trial’s Small Shrine? to confront Demon King Belphegor.」

Trial’s Small Shrine―

Hearing those three mysterious words, both Aria and Tama looked even more puzzled.

「That’s too reckless, Ciel-sama! Making such young children undergo Trial’s Small Shrine is―」

「We are left with no other choice!」

Mina had spoken with an even darker expression, but Ciel cut her short in a strangely calm voice.

「Aria, Tama-chan, I’ll guide you to the place of Trial’s Small Shrine after this. You have to form a contract with the five spirits in there.」

「Contract… with spirits?」

「Yes, you guys are already powerful enough. That’s why there shouldn’t be any problem if you guys form a contract with the spirits of this world. Only then we might have a chance to beat Belphegor. But―」

Ciel stopped talking midway.

Aria signaled Ciel to finish her sentence.

「But… you might lose your life in the process.」

Ciel told the two about the risk involved in the trial.

「… Still, if we clear the trial, we might stand a chance to defeat Belphegor, right?」

「Nya~~~n!」

Contrary to the gloomy, self-deprecating look on Ciel’s face, both Aria and Tama welcomed the suggestion with daring expressions.

「You two…」

Ciel couldn’t hide her surprise. After all, contrary to her expectations, the two of them were smiling instead of showing hesitation.

She was convinced.

Aria and Tama, both were the 〝Real Deal?.

「Well then, please show us the way to the Trial’s Small Shrine.」

「Nyan(I’m gonna pass that trial and form a contract with the spirits)!」

Aria and Tama.

Having made their decisions, both looked right into Ciel’s eyes.