Connection To The Enemy That Must Be Defeated

“…I wouldn’t do something like that. You’re not a demon—you’re human.”

“Wha…!?”

The words released by Jonah were enough to astonish Petra.

How had this boy seen through that she wasn’t a demon?

In this world to begin with, humans and demons cannot coexist.

So merely taking the side of demons is proof that one is not human.

Jonah saw through it easily, unbound by that world’s common sense.

Petra shuddered at the boy’s wisdom.

“H-how did you see through me…?”

“I set this magic, 【Gravitation】, to a weight that a human can barely bear.”

“Ah…”

Petra finally understood everything.

Both magic ability and physical ability were far superior in demons compared to humans.

If Jonah was right, then if Petra had been a demon she would indeed be restricted, but she wouldn’t be completely unable to move like she is now.

That said, Jonah himself couldn’t deny that it was half a gamble.

After all, the only demon Jonah knew was Zarichu of Hunger.

He had adjusted 【Gravitation】‘s effect taking into account that Zarichu was an executive, but if demons’ physical abilities weren’t that different from humans’, distinguishing demons from humans would be impossible.

Also, because the soldiers were restrained by Jonah’s ancient magic, they would be helpless if remnants of the Demon King’s army attacked.

As for the latter, it was true that Jonah had confidence it wouldn’t happen.

“Well then. So why is a human like you assisting the Demon King’s army?”

“……………………”

Petra faltered at Jonah’s question.

From her demeanor he considered that perhaps, like the Swart Elf, she couldn’t resist because of a contract with ‘Apostasy’ Taromati, but Jonah quickly reconsidered.

If that were the case, there was a contradiction in Petra’s attitude.

It was apparent the Swart Elf people had been forced to obey, but that wasn’t felt from Petra… No, rather, she seemed to be actively helping.

So either Petra was infatuated with the ‘Apostasy’ Taromati, or she was being controlled.

Given that even her tone had changed, it was likely the latter.

“If you want to stay silent that’s fine. But… can you tell me this one thing? Are you really Petra?”

“That’s a strange question. If I were Petra, are you saying you’re disappointed? Unfortunately for you, I am Petra without a doubt.”

“Thank you… Oh, and I defeated one of your companions, Zarichu of Hunger.”

“What!? What did you say!?”

Ignoring the surprised Petra, Jonah raised both hands to the sky as before.

“O source of light that dances in the heavens, manifest before me and become an axe that destroys causality; sever the threads of malice that bind those whose loyalty has been mercilessly manipulated.”

When Jonah rapidly drew with his right index finger toward the sky, a magic circle of light the same size as 【Gravitation】’s floated up into the night sky.

“【Zerstruen】”¹

The benevolent light emitted from the magic circle bathed the city of Gratz in warmth.

To those whose minds were stolen, freedom; to those who stole minds, judgment.

With that, the curse of whoever had been controlling Petra was lifted.

“Ah… uh…”

“Petra!”

Jonah rushed to Petra, who had lost consciousness as if a string had been cut, shook her and called out to her.

“Ah… Sir Jo-Jonah…”

She slowly opened her eyes and looked at Jonah.

The murkiness that had been in Petra’s eyes moments before was gone, replaced by the kindness she had shown in Daniel’s room.

“What!? Wh-what is happening to me!? More importantly, why can’t I move…!?”

“Calm down. The truth is, Petra was being controlled by demons.”

Since he couldn’t yet confirm whether Petra had returned to herself or was truly Petra, Jonah did not release 【Gravitation】 and proceeded to explain what had happened.

“What… so the Young Lady (…) has gone to hunt down the remnants of the Demon King’s army…?”

“Yes. She departed just an hour ago.”

Having confirmed that she had called Duke Ramberg’s daughter ‘Young Lady’, Jonah finally released 【Gravitation】.

Her body, which had felt so heavy, suddenly grew light; Petra sat up forcefully and opened her eyes wide.

“So, Petra, I’d like to ask: before you were likely controlled, did you come into contact with anyone recently, or did anything out of the ordinary happen?”

When Jonah asked, Petra put her hand to her mouth and thought.

And then.

“…Now that you mention it, this evening the head butler spoke to me. I remember he had an air that was somehow different from usual.”

“The head butler…”

“You may know him too, Sir Jonah. He’s the elderly man who greeted us when the Young Lady arrived at this mansion.”

“Ah…”

At Petra’s words, Jonah realized and nodded.

He thought of the elderly man who had stared wide-eyed at Jonah as he jumped from the carriage and at Duke Lanberg who had hurriedly disembarked in concern.

“Petra, let’s find that head butler! I’m sure he—no, a demon disguised as the head butler—is connected to the ‘Apostasy’ Taromati!”

“Y-yes!”

Jonah and Petra hurried back into the mansion to search for the head butler.