Reborn as an Yandere : Yandere X Yandere

A burnt, acrid smell thickened in the air.

The barrier, seemingly fragile and thin, reacted violently the moment the Great Demon touched it. As if undergoing a chemical reaction, his hand began to burn.

Yet, despite his own flesh being seared away, the Great Demon remained utterly expressionless. As though he had merely been conducting an experiment, he slowly withdrew his hand and let it regenerate.

“So this is how you wield spiritual energy? An interesting approach. To think it could even wound the Lord’s body... Hm. This is not a power meant for humans. You won’t be able to sustain it for long—it will collapse on its own.”

Was a mere touch enough for him to analyze it fully? The Great Demon observed the Shield of a Hundred Ghosts with an air of detached curiosity, leisurely recovering from his injuries.

“You sure are coming up with a long-winded excuse for failing to break through.”

Cain, standing within arm’s reach of the Great Demon, sneered at him.

“Well, of course, I won’t force my way through,” the Great Demon replied coolly. “Pointlessly trying to breach it would only wound this body. I already lost an arm—I would be remiss to suffer another injury before the Lord.”

“......”

“But don’t worry. The moment this barrier collapses, I will rip that blasphemous head from your shoulders.”

A chilling, yet oddly calm threat.

Cain scoffed.

“Quite the pathetic intimidation, Ninshubur. I expected better from someone once called a god.”

“...Ah. So it was Mordred who revealed my name to that dangerous hero.”

“To defeat your enemy, you must first understand them.”

In truth, Mordred had spent years dispatching forces to the Western Continent.

They had hired countless archaeologists, explorers, and alchemists to uncover lost histories.

In doing so, they had rediscovered ancient knowledge and relics that even the Westerners themselves had forgotten, gaining countless advantages.

Most notably, they had derived new gunpowder formulas, obtained the knowledge that led to the Flame Cannons, and ultimately developed Mordred’s prized Phantom Steel Armor, Ghost Horses, and Shield of a Hundred Ghosts.

They had spent centuries preparing to slay a powerful enemy.

In a way, their approach resembled Tristan’s—the organization that had scoured the continent, gathering deadly poisons, hunting methods, and medical techniques.

“All of it was for the sake of killing you,” Cain continued. “Not Inanna—that wretched thing is secondary. You, the ‘Betrayer of Warriors,’ are the true target.”

“...You speak too freely.”

“What, do you regret your past now, traitor?”

Boom!!!

In that instant, Ninshubur lost control, slamming his fist against the barrier.

Of course—

Sssszzzzzzzt!

His hand burned once more. But this time, the force of his attack sent tremors through the fortress, deepening the fractures in its walls.

The entire structure was now teetering on the brink of collapse.

“Do not provoke me too much,” Ninshubur growled. “I am merely proceeding carefully for my Lord’s sake. This barrier is not something to fear.”

“Good. That means my provocation is working.”

“...!!”

A twitch of the eye.

Having someone dig into his origin was far more unsettling than Ninshubur had anticipated.

“Ugh...!”

Noticing the demon’s agitation, Cain pressed on.

The key to controlling spirits was simple—

“Ninshubur, once a servant of the Great Demon Inanna, tasked with overseeing War and Prosperity,” Cain recited smoothly. “But War is what defines you. You were once a warrior under the Sky Lord, ruler of the southern gods. Yet, you betrayed him. You sided with Inanna and earned the wrath of the Sky Lord—your life was cut short at fifteen. A tragic life, some might say. But even in death, you did not rest. You became Inanna’s tool, slaughtering thousands upon her command, never hesitating, never questioning. You are no god of war. You are a fiend, a twisted remnant of what was once human. A demonic butcher!”

“Silence!!”

Kwaaang!!

[Truth.]

Cain had struck at his very core.

This was what I was aiming for.

Even after suffering a crushing defeat at the hands of Santa Rihan, Ninshubur had remained composed.

But now, for the first time—he had lost his temper.

Cain clenched his fist.

It worked!

It was a life-risking gamble, but it had paid off.

Even if they call him a god, he is still a spirit.

One of the most critical aspects ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) of exorcism was uncovering a spirit’s true name.

Lesser spirits could be subdued simply by hearing their mortal name. Even stronger spirits were weakened if their true name was known.

And if one even knew details of their past—

It’s not quite checkmate, but it’s at least ‘Check.’

This was my greatest [Verbal Blade].

For a spiritualist, words were a weapon.

They called it Verbal Blade.

But in order to wield it, one needed to understand the enemy’s true origins. If their information was incorrect, the backlash could be severe, even fatal.

And the stronger the spirit, the greater the risk.

This had been an extreme gamble.

But—

Three centuries of effort did not go to waste!

The labor of past generations, the relentless pursuit of knowledge to oppose this demon, was no mere gamble.

It had been a carefully sharpened blade.

“...Hoo.”

Cain nearly felt the urge to weep.

But he held back.

The ritual was not yet complete.

And now, with Ninshubur’s composure shattered, this was the moment to press the attack—

Shlkk!

“Guh...!!”

“Lord!!!”

His lieutenant’s scream rang out.

Blood poured from Cain’s chest—he had been impaled.

[Hmph. You may not have inherited your father’s talent, but your spiritualist abilities... your wit... they’re impressive. Ah, and your luck is remarkable! I had aimed for your heart, but it seems you dodged.]

“...For someone who calls himself a god, you sure are a coward.”

Shhk!

Cain swung his sword at the entity that had pierced him.

His swordplay was swift and precise.

And his blade found its mark—

“...Huh?”

“...How strange. I don’t recall ever raising a lieutenant.”

“L-Lord...?”

“Don’t spout nonsense, monster. My comrade would never be the one to drive a blade through my chest.”

Slaaash!

The so-called lieutenant’s head fell to the ground.

His corpse dissolved instantly.

“...A doppelgаnger.”

A creature that mimicked human form, capable of twisting perception and even influencing its own mind.

Doppelgаngers were truly revolting creatures—

They slaughtered humans with ease, yet genuinely mourned their victims, believing themselves to be real.

That was why this thing had screamed as it died.

“...Pathetic.”

Even knowing it was a doppelgаnger, Cain felt a bitter self-loathing for having been deceived.

But his enemy only smirked.

[It would have been better if you had just died.]

There was no pretense of mercy in his voice.

Only unfiltered malice.

***

It was an utterly grotesque sight.

[Truly, my servant is such a handful.]

“I apologize, my Lord.”

[It is fine. I am merciful.]

“...Ah.”

As Inanna’s and Ninshubur’s voices intertwined in a dreadful cacophony, Cain could see it.

At first glance, the Great Demon appeared to be gently embracing its servant.

But in truth, its true form—the real form of Inanna—seemed as though it might devour Ninshubur at any moment.

What... in the name of all hell... is that?

It had six beautiful wings, yet they looked like mere ornaments attached to a grotesque mass of flesh riddled with dozens of eyes and mouths.

Its shape was an aberration.

Cain even doubted whether it could be considered a living thing.

He was grateful—grateful that his soldiers could not see it.

Their morale would have shattered instantly.

Only those with spiritual sight could perceive the true form of the Great Demon. Those without it were spared from witnessing this horror.

It was, in every sense, a mercy.

If that thing... if it were to fully revive with a complete physical body... what would happen?

Even its spiritual form was enough to make his skin crawl, to drive an instinctive urge to gouge out his own eyes.

It gnawed at the most primal fears, whispering temptations to slice open his own wrists.

His head pounded, his mind teetering on the edge of madness.

It felt as though simply looking at it was corrupting his soul.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

And you call that... a god?

No.

That thing—

“...is a demon.”

The words left his lips without thought, an undeniable truth spilling forth.

[Such disrespectful words. You should feel honored to witness my beautiful true form. And yet you dare to call it something so vulgar?]

“......”

[Still, I will acknowledge this much—you are a rare case. It is not often that someone remains sane after seeing my true form. Most lose their minds and go insane. The blood of Mordred truly is exceptional. It makes me all the more eager... to see what kind of vessel your daughter will become.]

“YOU FILTHY ABOMINATION! DO NOT DARE SPEAK OF MY DAUGHTER!!”

[Not an abomination—a god, I told you.]

Hwaaaaak!

The six wings spread wide.

At that moment, something changed among the monsters.

BOOM!

Dozens of monster heads exploded instantly.

To the ordinary eye, it would have seemed as if they had simply burst without cause.

But those with spiritual sight could see it.

They were not simply exploding.

It was the light emanating from Inanna’s wings—spreading like pollen—that caused them to rupture.

Was it doing this just to slaughter the monsters?

No.

Skrrrrk!

Like maggots feasting on corpses, things began to emerge, crawling over the fallen monsters and devouring them.

The dust scattered by the Great Demon was consuming the flesh, blood, and even the bones of the monsters—feeding upon them at an unnatural speed.

It was an abomination that defied all biological laws.

Hwaaaaaak!

The maggots evolved.

A swarm of grotesque insects—creatures that seemed like a fusion between ants and wolves—had been born.

[Now there are six hundred thousand of them. Truly, when there is an ample food source, growth is so very quick.]

“......”

[And they will keep multiplying. I have imbued them with my power. Give it an hour or two, and there will be ten million of them. Their lifespans may be short, but they will be more than enough to eradicate you.]

“......”

[I wonder... what will you do once your little barrier collapses? How desperately will you struggle?]

“...Hah.”

Cain let out a dry chuckle.

He had thought they had thinned the enemy’s numbers.

But now, the monsters had tripled, reaching a force of six hundred thousand.

It was almost too absurd to despair.

Wuuuuung...

The Shield of a Hundred Ghosts—Mordred’s ultimate technique—was flickering.

Its limits were near.

It seemed almost as though it was physically reflecting their despair.

Their guns, cannons, and ammunition had long been exhausted.

The soldiers were drained to their limits.

The knights were still locked in a bitter struggle against the chimeras.

...And a lone warrior still fought his solitary battle.

“......”

They had reached the end of their rope.

[I told you. Submit.]

The Great Demon smiled.

It was the smile of a being making an offer that could not be refused.

[Bow your heads. Press your foreheads against the ground until they are soaked in your own blood. Say the words, ‘I will be your slave for eternity, even in death.’ If you do, I will spare your lives. Do not worry about being slaves. I am merciful. Ten thousand years of servitude... and then I shall grant you freedom. Is that not generous?]

Its dozens of mouths cackled.

Its grotesque flesh quivered in amusement.

[Ahahahahahaha!!]

As if moved by its own generosity.

“......”

Cain looked momentarily dazed.

A blade was still lodged in his chest. His strength was at its absolute limit.

He had exhausted every last strategy.

No one would blame him for despairing.

In fact, they might even console him.

And yet—

Crack.

Schling.

Cain rose.

Even as blood poured in torrents from his wounds, he stood once more.

And he raised his sword.

“Even if I die, I will die as a human.”

[...How foolish.]

“It is not foolishness. We—”

Even as they faced overwhelming numbers, the warriors of Mordred took up their swords and spears.

Cain’s sons rose to their feet, their eyes gleaming with resolve.

None of them knew the meaning of surrender.

Even in the face of certain defeat—of inevitable death—

“We fight to protect our [pride].”

To be worthy of their own admiration.

To uphold the belief restored to them by a brave knight.

Fwoooosh!

“COME, YOU DAMNED DEMON! EVEN IF I DIE, EVEN IF I BECOME A GHOST, I SWEAR I WILL KILL YOU—!!”

Cain roared, and in answer, Mordred’s forces roared as well.

It was an honorable, courageous sight.

And in response—

[...Disgusting.]

The Great Demon curled its lips in distaste.

It despised these wretched, insignificant creatures who rejected its mercy and raised their blades against it.

[Ninshubur, break that barrier.]

“But, my Lord, your sacred body will be damaged—”

[It is fine. This body has served me for thousands of years. I will destroy them and simply find a new vessel.]

“...Understood.”

At the Great Demon’s command, Ninshubur struck the Shield of a Hundred Ghosts.

BOOM! BOOOOOM!

The barrier trembled.

Ninshubur’s own flesh burned, but he did not care.

Now that his god had given the order, he would continue hammering it until the barrier collapsed.

And the horde of monsters surged forward in unison.

Thudthudthudthudthud!

“They will not last ten seconds.”

The barrier was already weak.

With Ninshubur’s continued onslaught and the charging army, there was no way it would hold.

“We could not even last an hour....”

Cain let out a bitter smile.

He had promised to hold out for an hour.

And yet, he had failed.

He had failed his family. His people. His oath.

How utterly pathetic—

“—No, Cain Mordred. You have done excellently.”

KWA-AAAAAAAAANG!

In that instant—

The monsters were swept away.

“......?”

Cain tilted his head.

For a brief moment, he could not comprehend what had just happened.

But then—

Thud.

“It has been a long time, Cain. Have you been well?”

“Nearly twenty years, I believe.”

“Where is Sir Garnok? I expected at least a warm welcome from my comrade, and yet here we are.”

“...!!”

Cain’s face paled in shock.

The figures who had just arrived—placing a light pat on his shoulder—were faces he could never forget, no matter how many decades passed.

And just as they appeared, he heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching from behind the fortress.

Turning his head, he saw five banners rising high into the sky.

One bore the image of a dragon intertwined with a white lion.

Another displayed a black lion clad in dark armor.

The third depicted a lake with a fae floating above it.

The fourth showed a crimson eagle gripping an arrow.

The last was the simplest of all—a lone, iron sword standing solitary.

These were unmistakable...

“One hundred fifty White Silver Lions, eighty Black Iron Lions, sixty Cyan One-Horned Beasts, fifty Red Blood Eagles, and one hundred from Offen.”

The voice listed them off casually.

“How is that? Does this seem sufficient as reinforcements?”

“......”

Cain could not answer.

Not because he doubted them, but because—

How the hell... did you summon something like this?

“More importantly,” the speaker continued, “you have not aged a bit. What, have you been enjoying a five-year vacation?”

“...Hah. You have grown far more fond of jokes since we last met, Princess.”

“I am not a princess anymore. You will call me Crown Princess now!”

“...Hah.”

Cain let out a quiet laugh.

Not out of disbelief, nor out of frustration—

But because the reinforcements standing before him were so overwhelmingly powerful that he was simply left speechless.

Yet the one responsible for summoning them—

“...Auntie, why are you so damn late?”

Ihan grumbled, clearly dissatisfied.

His only complaint—

was about the tardiness of the reinforcements.