After Work, I Brought Home a Devilish Beauty - Chapter 59

Fireworks continued to bloom across the night sky.

One brilliant burst after another erupted overhead, illuminating the darkness before fading away. Finally, a trail of sparkling light fell like a shooting star toward the earth.

It was a breathtaking sight.

Yet…

No one remained to watch it.

The terrified crowd had already scattered in every direction.

At the same time…

The magical power radiating from Chiba and Lucifer began increasing at an astonishing rate.

That was the unique ability of demons.

By feeding on human fear, they could rapidly replenish their magic.

It was something Alice and Jebecald had completely overlooked.

Believing Alice’s surprise attack had succeeded, Jebecald leaped down from the rooftop, intending to finish Lucifer off with a final strike.

However…

Lucifer casually caught the descending blade with his bare hand.

“How…?!”

Jebecald’s eyes widened in disbelief.

After a brief moment of hesitation, he quickly retreated to Alice’s side.

“Be careful.”

“Something’s wrong with him.”

Alice’s expression immediately became serious.

Lucifer slowly rose to his feet.

With a light push, he launched himself into the air.

As overwhelming demonic power surged through his body, his muscles rapidly expanded, tearing apart his clothing.

Looking down at the two heroes beneath him, he declared,

“So…”

“Everyone’s finally here.”

“Good.”

“Let’s settle all our old grudges today.”

Chiba’s transformation wasn’t nearly as dramatic.

Her clothes remained mostly intact.

Instead…

A pair of black wings unfurled behind her.

A slender tail emerged from beneath her kimono.

She had entered her true demon form.

Naturally…

She had no intention of letting the heroes’ ambush go unanswered.

But before fighting…

There was something she needed to do first.

Closing her eyes…

Chiba released an enormous wave of magic.

A gigantic barrier instantly enveloped the surrounding area.

This was a unique demonic ability…

Sealing.

In an instant…

Everything inside the barrier froze.

The fleeing civilians…

The burning fireworks…

Even the flow of time itself seemed to stop.

Originally…

This barrier had been created as a weapon for slaughtering humans.

Now…

Chiba was using it to protect them instead.

Alice couldn’t understand.

“…Why?”

Chiba answered impatiently.

“…Because they’re too noisy.”

Alice frowned.

“But maintaining a barrier like this drains your magic.”

“Is protecting them really worth weakening yourself?”

After all…

This battle would determine life or death.

Yet Chiba showed no concern.

“…That’s none of your business.”

She never believed she would lose.

Besides…

Judging from the battlefield…

The advantage clearly belonged to the demons.

“Alice.”

“Stay focused.”

“Prepare yourself.”

“…Mm.”

Hearing Jebecald’s warning, Alice shook her head and forced the distracting thoughts from her mind.

The battle resumed.

Jebecald charged at Lucifer with his greatsword.

Alice rushed toward Chiba with her holy sword.

The fight naturally split into two separate duels.

One against one.

Ordinarily…

This favored the heroes.

Although Chiba possessed overwhelming magical talent…

She wasn’t physically strong.

If Alice managed to force her into close combat…

Victory would come quickly.

Lucifer understood that perfectly.

Rather than wasting time fighting Jebecald…

After exchanging only a few dozen blows, he abruptly disengaged.

He flew straight toward Chiba.

At that point…

Chiba’s kimono had already been torn in several places.

Several wounds marked her body.

Alice wasn’t much better.

Half of one sleeve had been reduced to ashes by Chiba’s lightning magic, and injuries covered her body as well.

Had Yuichi witnessed the battle…

He probably would’ve panicked for an entirely different reason.

Even so…

Lucifer’s arrival completely changed the balance.

Jebecald, who had already struggled against Lucifer alone…

Now found himself completely overwhelmed.

Meanwhile…

Lucifer fought as though he still had strength to spare.

His restored demonic power far exceeded theirs.

Without Jebecald’s support…

Alice quickly fell into a desperate situation.

As she dodged another barrage of Chiba’s magic…

Lucifer suddenly appeared beside her.

His fist shot forward like lightning.

She couldn’t avoid it.

Boom!

The punch slammed directly into her.

Alice crashed violently into the ground.

Both heroes lay defeated.

Neither possessed the strength to stand again.

Alice quietly closed her eyes.

She had already accepted death.

Lucifer looked down at her coldly.

“Hero Alice…”

“We’ve spared you countless times.”

“Whether or not we were responsible for your parents’ deaths…”

“We’ve already forgiven you more than enough to repay any old debts.”

“And yet…”

“You continue to chase us.”

“You simply refuse to let go.”

Alice offered no reply.

She didn’t even bother defending herself.

She merely closed her eyes in silence.

Seeing that…

Lucifer sighed.

“…Enough.”

“Die.”

He bent down, picked up the fallen holy sword, and raised it over Alice’s chest.

“Wait.”

A familiar voice suddenly stopped him.

Lucifer turned around.

It was Chiba.

“My Lord?”

“What is it?”

“…Let her go.”

“What?”

Even Alice’s eyes flew open in shock.

Chiba calmly continued,

“Last time…”

“She saved our lives.”

“This time…”

“We’re even.”

“So don’t come after us anymore.”

Lucifer stared at her for a moment.

Then quietly nodded.

“…If that’s your decision, my Lord…”

“I have no objections.”

Without another word…

He tossed the holy sword onto the ground.

Then turned and walked away beside Chiba.

Watching the two demons disappear into the distance…

Alice remained frozen where she lay.

“…Why?”

“Why would you do that…?”

She whispered to herself.

It was unbelievable.

No…

Everything Chiba had done since arriving in this world had shattered Alice’s understanding of demons.

Could it be…

“…Was I wrong all along?”