Chapter 151 - To Reach the Final Boss

"Father? You don't mean...!"

Tamagushi’s eyes changed instantly—filmed over with a freezing tension and a pale, visceral disgust.

"Are you talking about that man? The father of us all, King Imashinunda I of Niosebuk...!?"

"Of course. There’s no need to confirm it at this late hour. When we speak of our father, there is no one else it could be."

Tamagushi and Shinseniza are both princesses of Niosebuk. For them, a father could only be the King.

The King of Niosebuk.

But King Imashununda was supposed to have been recorded in the books of the deceased for quite some time now.

"Why bring up Father now?! That man is dead! A dead man has no business interfering in the world of the living!!"

"What if it were a deathbed directive? He spoke to me once, long ago. He told me what was to be done in the event that something... happened to him."

"And you mean to tell me you followed it faithfully, Sister? Don't be absurd! What possible obligation could you have to honor that man’s words after his death?"

Tamagushi’s words were incredibly biting. To hear such vitriol from his own daughter made it clear just how much the King of Niosebuk had been loathed even while he was alive.

"I agree with Tamagushi completely, personally speaking," Shinseniza replied coolly. "But you see, I was born a Princess of Niosebuk. My mother was a purebred Niosebuk aristocrat. Unlike you, who carry blood brought in from outside, I have a mission to obey the ruler of this country until the very end."

"I didn't choose to inherit the blood of Niosebuk!!" Tamagushi snapped.

Fierce words were exchanged regarding their respective lineages, but putting that aside...

In short, the reason Shinseniza had unleashed the secret Sixth Prince was related to the will of the late King? Pitting him against me to draw out his latent potential... raising his "Possession Level" to 100% of 100%... that wasn't Shinseniza's plan, but the will of the King who commanded her.

But why on earth would he do such a thing?

"Is it not obvious? Teracoas’s 'Divine Calling' is one that deals heavily with the dead. And our 'beloved' piece of trash... where is he now?"

"He’s... he’s already long gone... wait...!?"

Dead... right?

"When Teracoas’s 'Divine Calling' was first identified, Father rejoiced. Because he realized he had found his countermeasure for the day he died."

"No... the King of Niosebuk is...!?"

『Precisely.』

"Wh—!?" That voice!

A low, vibrating voice that seemed to rumble from the very depths of the earth. No one currently alive here could produce such a heavy, middle-aged rasp.

Where did it come from? From the collapsed Sixth Prince, Teracoas...!?

『Well done, Shinseniza. You have polished Teracoas perfectly, just as I instructed. He is now a worthy vessel for my soul.』

It was a voice far too deep to be coming from that innocent boy.

Not only that, but the young prince’s body began to change again. His limbs lengthened, his musculature filled out, turning into the body of an adult...!?

『Teracoas, being a [Medium], possessed the quality to be a vessel for souls. As such, he makes for a peerless spare. A new body for me, should I ever suffer a sudden, untimely death...!』

"No... Father...!?"

Tamagushi trembled, her teeth chattering. Her body was paralyzed with fear.

The Demon King who once ruled this vicious nation, invading surrounding countries one after another and plunging them into the depths of terror—he was supposed to be a relic of the past. Yet here he was, achieving a resurrection that absolutely no one had asked for.

『However, merely possessing Teracoas’s body is not a true resurrection. I studied this boy’s 'Divine Calling' extensively. With a low Possession-Fusion level, the possession remains imperfect—a mere copying of abilities. To fully possess even the personality, a Fusion Level of 100 percent or higher is required.』

"And so...!?"

『Furthermore, by thoroughly erasing Teracoas’s own personality, taking over the body becomes a simple matter! My plans have all been realized! A young, new body! From here, the new legend of the King of Niosebuk begins!!』

The dead King, having hijacked his son's body, stood up with a fearless smirk. It was the smile of a man certain of his victory.

『Nay, it is more than a mere resurrection...! By utilizing Teracoas’s power as a [Medium], I can wield not only my own skills but those of others at will! All the supreme skills that the Niosebuk Royal Family has boasted throughout history!!』

"No matter how much of a [Medium] he is, he cannot possess any spirit without limit," Shinseniza explained. "He can only possess those with whom he has a deep connection... for example, deceased blood relatives. For Teracoas, a Prince of Niosebuk, that means the spirits of the Niosebuk royalty that have continued for generations, including you, Father..."

If Shinseniza’s explanation was correct, then the spirits that had been possessing the Sixth Prince earlier were also past Niosebuk royalty. It made sense why the ability of the recently deceased Gangastra would appear, and it provided the reason for the King of Niosebuk to manifest here.

"That’s... so you only favored Teracoas because you wanted him as a spare body for yourself!? And for that, you intended to erase his very personality... what kind of horrible things do you have to do to erase the soul of a person!?"

『You’ve grown quite bold to lecture me, Tamagushi...』

"Hii—!?"

With a single glare from the King, Tamagushi fell silent. A primal terror had been etched into the princesses at an instinctual level.

『A parent may treat their child however they wish. Teracoas shall serve as my great new body. Is it not an honor? I’m sure the boy is delighted! And furthermore...!』

The sinister eyes of the dead King turned toward me.

『So you are the one who broke my old body... To think you were my own son. I’ve impregnated so many dozens of female warrior captives that I cannot recall them all, but it seems one of them performed her duty properly.』

"Huh?"

『Do not misunderstand. I am quite satisfied with your work. In fact, this new body is far more powerful than my previous one; it feels excellent. I can use the powerful skills of past generations of Niosebuk royalty, and above all, it is young! My legend shall continue for another fifty years!』

The King—or rather, the spirit of the King possessing the Sixth Prince—spread his arms in high spirits.

『It is all thanks to you breaking my old form and training this new body to its absolute limit! Plus, you killed Gangastra for me, didn't you? That boy was a fool and of no use, but his skill alone was powerful. That skill is now mine! Everything is working out perfectly!』

"The death of your own son is 'perfect' to you?"

『A son who is of no use to me has no value in living. On that note, you have been incredibly useful. I shall grant you my praise, my son. From now on, you shall work diligently as my pawn. As my son, that is your mission.』

"............"

『We shall invade the Reniosegra Kingdom immediately! You shall lead the vanguard! Slaughter all those spineless pigs of Reniosegra and... gubgeh-borogh!?』

I couldn't stand the talk anymore and punched him square in the face.

Why should I have to sit here and listen to a dead man’s nonsense? Even listening to a living person’s drivel is a waste of time.

『Wh-what are you doing?! You dare defy your father?! This father who gave that body the mighty bloodline of Niosebuk!!』

"You’re a piece of trash. The world finally got rid of a nuisance when you died, so don't come back now and cause even more trouble."

No one wants you back. In this world, there are people whose deaths are mourned and people whose deaths are celebrated. Realize that you are overwhelmingly in the latter category.

『Foolish boy...! Had you obeyed, you could have basked in the honor of being my pawn...! Very well! I have no need for a pawn that defies its master! Garbage shall be incinerat—guegh!!』

I hit him again. I rained down a second and third blow, bypassing his defense with ease.

『Goboohh!? Why?! I have obtained Teracoas’s young body and monopolized the strongest skills of the Niosebuk royalty! Why am I being beaten so unilaterally?!』

"Just because they're Niosebuk royal skills doesn't mean they're actually good."

『What?』

"Maybe you're the only one who thinks they're premium? It just means the Niosebuk royalty is a garbage bloodline that produces nothing but garbage skills."

『DON’T YOU DARE MOCK ME!!』

Oho, the provocation worked like a charm. Getting this enraged over something so small... you really are a coddled brat with too much pride and zero life experience.

『If you're going to go that far, I’ll send you to the next world with the strongest skill of Niosebuk! Gangastra’s [Molecular Decay]!! I shall test this ultimate destruction skill—far too good for that simpleton—on your very body!!』

The King roared as he threw a punch. In response, I met the fist head-on.

『ANGYAAAAAAAAAHHH!?』

Instead, it was the King’s fist that shattered. I’ve already proven that, protected by the Earth Spirit, I won't be harmed by a mere human skill. I proved it in my fight against the original holder of that skill, Gangastra. Fools never learn—not from experience, and not from history.

"Hey, why are you hurting yourself?"

『Guohhhhhh!? Angyoeeeeeeeee!!』

"That’s not your body, it’s Teracoas’s body. You’re a poorly disciplined old man, damaging things you've borrowed!!"

『Hidebugh!?』

I punched him again. I suppose it’s a bit hypocritical to punch him into a pulp right after getting angry about him damaging the body, but I’m pulling my punches just enough.

"Come on, what’s wrong, 'King'? You're pretty weeeeak, aren't you, 'King'?"

『Gubogebo!? Why?! Gubogh!? Why am I being beaten so one-sidedly...!? Gubogebogh!?』

To be honest, even with the same body, the fight against Teracoas himself earlier was far more difficult.

This ghost king was acting all high and mighty because he had a young body and a monopoly on royal skills, but you can't just wield someone else's skills so easily. Teracoas was a hollow vessel whose personality had been erased, so he let the possessing spirits handle not just the power, but the application of it, which is why it worked so well.

However, this ghost king had moved his own personality into Teracoas and was trying to use the other spirits' skills however he pleased. Because he couldn't operate them efficiently, it was effectively the same as having no skills at all.

"He was much stronger when you weren't possessing him. Thanks for making the invincible Teracoas weak, you hack king."

『You call me a hack?! I will not tolerate such mockery! I am the King of Niosebuk... guburegh!?』

I landed a lethal flick to the forehead, and the ghost king flew back about ten meters in the boy's body. Fragile.

But no matter how much I punched him, I felt like I wasn't getting any closer to a solution. If you could exorcise ghosts just by hitting them, we wouldn't need priests.

Hmm... none of my [Pole Master] skills deal with spirits.

As I was wondering what to do...

"Good work, Sir Sao. You’ve weakened Father splendidly. You really are helpful, doing everything for me so automatically."

It was Princess Shinseniza. She had been naked since our sex session, but she was currently rummaging through the dress she had discarded. I wondered what she was looking for until she pulled out...

"A lamp?"

"To think that 'Divine Calling' skills are the only means to achieve an end is the mark of a narrow-minded fool, Father. You let your guard down because I didn't have a 'Divine Calling' related to spirits, didn't you?"

It was a rugged-looking lamp, unlit. It was made of iron the color of heavy lead... a design that looked like a birdcage.

『Wh-what is that?』

"My, Father, your lack of knowledge is showing. This is a magical tool called the 'Prison Candle. It’s used by exorcists to seal away evil spirits."

『What? Na...!?』

"Even you should understand now, Father. You no longer have a body. If you intend to continue your wickedness even as a spirit, then it is truly time for this sealing tool to do its work."

『W-wait! I am the King! And I am your father! Do you not think it sinful for a child to defy her father?! A human must show filial piety...!』

"One should only say such things after acting like a parent for once."

When Shinseniza held out the lamp, an eerie light began to flicker, even though no flame was lit. In contrast, a violent change occurred in the body of Teracoas—the vessel for the King of Niosebuk.

『GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!』

A pale blue flame rose from the body, and then that flame was yanked entirely out of Teracoas like a stubborn weed!

『HYOKOKEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!?』

A scream echoed from the blue flame itself. That was the soul of the ghost king. It was drawn in—like water down a drain, or dust into a vacuum—into that mysterious lamp. The suction power was impressive.

The dark lamp was now lit with a pale blue glow. The blue flame inside shrieked noisily.

『WHAT IS THIS?! LET ME OUT! DO YOU NOT REALIZE THE SACRILEGE OF IMPRISONING THE KING OF NIOSEBUK IN SUCH A CRAMPED PLACE?!』

"You’re noisy, Father. Besides, you are no longer the King of Niosebuk. The title of King cannot be held by the dead."

The soul of the King of Niosebuk, trapped inside the lamp, could do nothing but shriek. The naked Shinseniza simply looked down at his frantic state with a bewitching expression.

So... the Fourth Princess had betrayed her father? What exactly was her plan?

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