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Chapter 188: Fate

「Eh, Bride!? Are you serious? He looks like a different person though…」

「I’ve done the appraisal, so there’s no doubt about it. Even so… You’re going to go this far huh, Fernando…」

Bride should have been imprisoned in the dungeon. Considering his charges, he should have been confined in an area that he couldn’t easily get out of. I had also heard from Ruzark that he was shackled with magic to block his skills and magic. …In that case, it would be impossible for him to escape from prison on his own.

However, considering the encounter with the “Bloody Joseph” mentioned in the information from Nelfie, it is easy to imagine that Fernando was the one who freed Bride. Moreover, Bride’s equipment… according to the [Appraisal], all of them are cursed equipment.

Not only is a black mist visibly rising from his entire body, but his right arm is fused with a magic sword, similar to when the magic sword Flam was stuck in Drake. Also, parts of the armor had fused into the Bride’s body, and in particular, the thorns growing from his boots were entwined with his thighs, with blood dripping down.

This equipment was probably prepared by Fernando. Now that Fernando has occupied the royal castle, there is no need for him to rummage through the treasury. The cursed equipment must have been kept in such a way that they could be distinguished from the others. I guess he brought them out and forcefully equipped it on Bride.

「His stat are kind of amazing…」

「What is it like? I’m really curious.」

「Although his level is lower than mine, most of his stat values are about 1.5 times mine.」

「Wha, are you serious…」

It’s probably because of the cursed equipment. Even with my appraisal skill, I couldn’t discern the effects or drawbacks of that curse, but compared to some of the stats I was able to appraise during the ranking battle, the current stats have increased considerably. Therefore, the drawbacks must also be great. However, it’s not just the stats that are strange.

【Skill】

・Demon Tranformation: 繧繧繧繝繧繧繧繝??繧繧繧縺?80??い繝??縺bell’幄.

I don’t understand what this means anymore. Even though I can appraise it, I can’t understand its meaning at all.

Is this what happens when the demon transformation skill itself is appraised, or is it because of the combination with the curse…

Thinking back to the time during the Ranking Battle, Bride’s body underwent a major transformation. He even had wings growing from his back that were large enough to fly. Furthermore, considering that his stats has improved significantly, it must be a special strengthening skill.

「Ugaaaa!! Aau…..Aunnnnnn!!」

「Bro, it seems like he really hates you…」

「Yeah, that means I’m his target.」

Taking a closer look at Bride, I noticed that the eyes peeking out from inside the full-face helm were rolled up, and I could tell even without an appraisal that he was no longer able to maintain his sense of self and had gone insane. Even the information from the appraisal shows that he is affected by a number of abnormal conditions.

From his movements and gestures, I get the feeling that he’s acting mostly out of emotion.

Or rather, aren’t monsters more rational than the state this guy is in right now? But that’s why I can’t ignore him. Besides, I feel like I want to settle my past relationship with Bride right now and gere.

「Drake. Since I’ve been openly challenged, it would be uncool if I don’t accept, right?」

「Haha, that’s right! Rather, I can tell from your voice that you’re getting excited.」

「I’ve had a relationship with him since we were kids. Sorry, but let me deal with him one-on-one.」

「Of course! Then I’ll be heading to the royal castle!」

「Yeah! Contact me via telepathy if something happens.」

「Aight!…Ah! One more thing. If you’re going to deal with cursed equipment, you’ll probably need this. I’ll lend it to you temporarily, bro!」

After saying that, Drake took out the “Red Ogre’s Iron Rod” from his magic bag and handed it to me.

It was my main weapon when I had just evolved into a demon until I gave it to Drake. I haven’t held it in a few months, but it still fits in my hand. Certainly, facing an enemy equipped with cursed weapons, I would have a considerable advantage with this weapon.

It’s been a while since I’ve used it, so let’s appraise it again.

≪Red Ogre’s Iron Rod: Attack 15. Weapon/Armor destruction effect.≫

I was really surprised and dumbfounded when I appraised it for the first time. It’s really nostalgic thinking about it now.

This is a really good weapon. Of course it has a high attack, but its ability to destroy weapons and armor is unique among all the weapons I’ve tested so far.

「Thanks. Are you sure you’ll be okay without a weapon?」

「No problem! But please give it back to me after this battle is over!」

「Yeah, of course!」

「Then I’ll be leaving now!」

Drake said jokingly, and I naturally responded with a smile.

When I handed this weapon to Drake at Miralda’s inn, I said, “Learn to use this weapon better than me,” and now it has become a synonymous weapon for the [Emperor of Destruction].

Still smiling, Drake shifted his gaze towards the royal castle and started running along the roof. I guess he doesn’t even imagine a future where I could lose.

I put the Red Ogre’s Iron Rod in my magic bag and took a deep breath to calm down a little.

Just as I promised Nelfie, my role is to stand out. The more I stand out, the easier it will be for Nelfie and the others to move undetected.

Besides, my opponent this time is no joke. Judging by his status, it would be difficult to injure him with half-hearted attacks, so I have no intention of going easy on him.

It is out of the question to let his escape like the demon Brakylls whom I fought in Ibrudia. In order to sever the old ties, I will make sure to finish him off right here.

「Well then, let’s put on a flashy show!!」