My dear witch, please turn evil according to the script!

Chapter 277 The Birth of Kamen Rider (Not Really)

With the black giant tragically cut in half, this combined prototype, which seemed to have a great chance of being saved, was simply declared destroyed.

Meanwhile, the prototype aircraft, which was locked in combat with Russell, also smoothly chose to escape.

The speed was so fast that even Roland couldn't react in time. The spell counterspells and spell interferences he hastily threw out failed to stop the enemy from escaping again.

However, it's still good news to some extent.

Although I don't know why those prototypes were chosen to be sent out this time, instead of launching all seven at once to catch them off guard, whatever.

You can't stop your opponent from giving you free kills, can you?
Surely these guys aren't intentionally trying to throw a match, are they?
If that were the case, these prototypes wouldn't have been out hunting and collecting large amounts of ore recently.

But strange things soon happened.

As if to confirm Roland's inner complaints, a large storage device was slashed out from the chest cavity of the combined machine that had been cut in half.

It was a small alloy box, about the size of a palm.

However, the amount of items that can be held in a storage device of this size is almost five to ten times that of a regular storage ring.

Roland picked up the box and opened it. Sure enough, inside were countless alloy materials.

Keep in mind that even the alchemical materials stored in the two rings that Isfar sent were enough for Roland and Russell to experiment with for a month, and even enough for Russell to get some kickbacks.

Such a huge box of materials... Damn, could these guys really be deliverymen?
But...why?

The Blood Demon Lord can be considered a teammate for now, and Roland is somewhat understandable.

Firstly, Roland discovered this Blood Demon Lord, who inevitably possessed some of the arrogance inherent in demons who looked down on humans, as well as the majesty of a superior.

But in reality, Roland sensed that this seemingly proper ruler of the royal court actually shared similar characteristics with her younger sister, Lady Remilia—a comedic and quirky quality emanating from her entire being.

Of course, perhaps because of different experiences, the Blood Demon Lord is still very good at hiding his true nature.

Roland sensed this man's unusual nature only through intuition.

Another reason is the existence of the Demon King, and the fact that his stance is the same as Roland's.

They didn't want this war to actually break out.

Humanity has proven through thousands of years of resistance who the true master of this continent is.

Even if humanity is divided into four or five parts, and internal strife continues.

However, when faced with a truly devastating external enemy, even humans, weakened by internal strife, can still rely on the ability to generate a few overpowered individuals to destroy the terrifying army of the demon race.

This was three hundred years ago, before humanity had developed magic technology on a large scale.

At that time, ordinary people had no fighting ability.

But now, all it takes is to give civilians a gun and some ammunition, and they can also be lethal.

Even if you can't use magic cannons or other weapons, being able to carry and load ammunition is still a contribution to the war.

Not to mention the war weapons secretly deployed by the Empire, and the secret inventions of the Academy.

As the Blood Demon Lord, Danso was well aware that humanity's current war potential could not be altered by a single runestone.

Now that the demon race has lost the Demon King's Castle, a strategic weapon, they are utterly powerless to fight back. If they rashly start a war, they will only suffer a crushing defeat.

In Roland's view, even if humanity is destined to win in the end, war should be avoided if possible.

After all, once war breaks out, human lives are really just a string of numbers.

For these two reasons, Roland did not doubt the Blood Demon Lord's position in any way; self-interest is always the most reliable way to bind allies.

Secondly, it comes down to personal relationships and so-called bonds.

But... what about these prototypes?

If their purpose is to kill themselves or eliminate the Demon King, this anomalous entity, then why not send all seven prototypes out together?
In this way, a modified prototype could hold off Russell, the only top-tier combat force that could be relied upon.

One combined machine is enough to give Roland a tough fight; if two come, they will definitely defeat Roland.

Not to mention that this is far from the limit of their manpower.

The only variable might be Kalia.

This heavyweight witch, who was already beginning to destroy the world at this point in the original timeline, undoubtedly possesses strength that cannot be measured by rank.

The only things that limit her power are humanity and reason.

However, this information should not have been known to the prototype, especially since the current Kalia is no longer the out-of-control version from the original timeline.

She has undoubtedly mastered the power equivalent to half of an evil god, but given her current rank, she cannot unleash it without restraint.

But if they weren't there to kill them, why did the prototype launch a sneak attack right from the start?

And he even destroyed his own house?

Why fight with yourself?
Why would someone carry a box filled with a lot of materials with them?

This isn't some battle royale or raid game where you can get rich and good equipment by sneaking around in dark corners like a rat.

Forget it, don’t think about it if you can’t figure it out.

We'll check this box of materials later, and if there are no problems...

Roland turned his gaze to the two pieces of armor.

Although it was broken in two, and the upper thigh and waist area were completely gone, the remaining materials could still be enough to forge a set of equipment. At worst…

Roland looked at the silent gauntlet-wielding spirit.

I was thinking, should I upgrade this guy to a combat stance?
Even a mighty demon king needs to do something useful.

Even if all else fails, you can hide inside the armor and become your own spirit.

Anyway, during the battle between Rieskan and Cassius, the Demon King and himself had already demonstrated the effect of combining their armor.

Although it's a buff that breaks easily, it's still pretty good based on the short-term experience.

Okay, let's do it this way. I hope my good teacher is also somewhat knowledgeable in material alchemy, in addition to bio-alchemy.

Judging from those boxing gloves, Russell shouldn't be completely ignorant about this area.

At worst, we can just let the Demon King control it remotely.

Oh, right!
Speaking of the Demon King... there should still be remnants of the Demon King's soul in these prototype machines, right?

Thinking this, Roland turned to the Demon King, who seemed to be floating behind him, and asked, "Is your soul in here? Aren't you going to merge with it?"

The gauntlet spirit sighed: "I am just a remnant soul. I will die if I leave this gauntlet."

"If I actively merge into this wreckage, my mind will likely return to chaos once more."

"So... I'll have to trouble you~~~"

Perhaps because Kalia wasn't nearby, this guy's tone started to relax.

In a daze, Roland seemed to have returned to the nightmare purgatory of Isfar.

The gauntlet-wielding demon in front of him seemed to have transformed back into the tall, black-haired, big-breasted, horned demon king who was a head taller than him.

Strange memories are piling up.

As Roland thought this, he silently placed his hand on the helmet of the armor wreckage. Inevitably, the remnant soul of the Demon King contained within was activated, and Roland's body flashed with green light once again.

Just like when Roland first met the demon king beside him.

However, he can now determine where this situation comes from.

The remnant soul within the armor attempted to possess him → the World Tree rune triggered basic protection → the power of the World Tree purified the impurities in the soul, calming the frenzied remnant soul that was left with only instinct → Roland used his mental power to extract it from the remains and stuff it into the gauntlet.

Roland repeated the process, and then the Demon King uttered words he hadn't spoken in a long time: "If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be sleeping for a very long time this time to integrate my memories."

"Don't worry, it won't be more than seven days. Don't miss me~~~"

Before Roland could retort, the pale blue magical light on the gauntlet dimmed, and it fell straight to the ground.

If Roland hadn't been quick-witted, this thing would have really fallen into the snow.

Roland: "..."

For some reason, Roland felt a mix of emotions, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.

After hanging the gauntlets in true hibernation mode on his waist, Roland used his telekinesis to pick up the armor wreckage scattered on the ground, and then walked towards the laboratory halfway up the mountain.

Send a message to Kalia to let her know that she can bring the villagers back, and that she can also consider repairing the cabin, otherwise the two of them will have nowhere to sleep tonight.

……

While Roland and Russell were discussing how to make use of waste and, incidentally, formulating a physical training plan.

Kalia, who was inspecting the damage to the cabin, was having a headache.

Because the house wasn't completely destroyed, only half of it collapsed, it became more difficult to deal with.

After storing the small, sentimental pieces of furniture she had crafted, along with the even more sentimental large bed and bedding, into the shadow space, Kalia, after some thought, still commanded the shadow beasts to flatten the wooden house with mixed feelings.

Then, a large single-level building was built on the original site.

Just as Kalia was humming a song and controlling her shadow beast to build a house like building blocks, a villager jogged towards her.

"Ms. Kalia! There are strangers here! They say they're looking for Mr. Roland! What do you think..."

Kalia tilted her head, frowning warily. "Outsiders? Where are they? Did they attack you?"

"No, not really. Rather... his condition is a bit off, and he almost fainted. He also has some demonic features... He's currently near the cowshed at the east end of the village. I've already gathered everyone in the village in the houses on the west side. If anything happens, we'll move him directly to the shelter through the basement."

Kalia nodded, then smiled and said, "Thank you for your help. Just to be on the safe side, take enough food and go to safety now. I'll come back to you once the crisis is over."

After saying this, Kalia relayed the information to Roland and then carefully headed towards the east of the village.

Using Shadow Cloak, Kalia observed the "outsider" from a distance.

Hmm, that's good. Not someone I know well.

Moreover, their strength was within his capabilities, and the fact that they didn't attack the villagers suggests either that they were too badly injured or that they had a friendly stance.

With this thought in mind, Kalia emerged from the shadows, successfully startling the mysterious man who was already half-dead.

"Who are you, and what do you want with Roland?"

"Cough, cough cough... I am Prince Andrep's shadow guard... Please quickly report to His Excellency the Grand Duke... The Lord of the Flame Demon Royal Court and his elite squad are rushing towards this place!"

"Please leave this place immediately!"

(End of this chapter)