◈ Episode 117. Demon King’s Castle (3)
The Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Excluding the lowest seat, Rackid.
They did not enjoy fighting against large numbers.
No, they never even found themselves facing such situations.
After all, the Shadow Mercenary Corps commanded astronomical fees for even a single assassination contract.
However, that did not mean they were unskilled in battles against many.[Demon King’s Castle of Rhythm]
The 67th-ranked Demon King, Amdusias.
The moment they entered the Rift, his territory.
The demons came rushing in.
“My luck’s turned nasty in my old age. Don’t you think so, old man?”Wolf Sakarin, the 2nd seat, spoke to Alkari.
Clack—Of course, even as the demons charged, his hands did not rest.
He had equipped crossbows in both hands.
Alkari rummaged through his bag.
“Well, what can we do? It is the captain’s will, so there is no helping it.”
“What in the world did our captain see to be rendered so completely helpless like this?”
Pshuk—Clack—Pshuk—The crossbows repeatedly fired and reloaded.
A single bolt shot out and pierced clean through a dozen or so of the Demon King’s army.
The average level of the Demon King’s army was a staggering 500.
Considering their defense, it was a sight one could hardly believe even after seeing it.
However, Alkari replied without so much as blinking.
“Indeed. Since you do nothing but nap every day, perhaps you do not know how the situation is unfolding? I shall explain briefly. Even that Rackid lowered his tail.”
Now then, this should do.
The Demon King’s army charged in once more.
Alkari threw the potion bottle he had taken from his breast pocket.
Crash!
Immediately, a deadly poison spread out.
“Aaaaaaagh!!”
“S-save me. My lord!!”
“It hurts so muuuuuuch!!”
The terrible screams lasted only for a moment.
Because the Demon King’s army melted away cleanly without leaving a trace.
It was a power one ought to have been astonished by.
But the members of the Shadow Mercenary Corps were already well aware of one another’s skills.
So Wolf was surprised by something else.
Flinch.
“……
What? The Rackid acknowledged him? That Rackid?”
The lowest seat, Rackid.
Though his position was the lowest seat, there were circumstances behind it.
If they had not fallen into the world of adventurers and had remained on the Arcana Continent.
Wolf could guarantee that Rackid would have torn out the throat of someone ranked above him and taken that seat.……
Of course, that throat might have been mine.
“Wow. That’s a little shocking, but also kind of upsetting, isn’t it? I still haven’t been acknowledged by Rackid yet. What about you, sister? Did you know?”The 6th seat, Isabelmarle.
“…….”
She did not answer.
If there had been even a change in her expression, perhaps they could have guessed.
But because her bangs completely covered her eyes, nothing could be seen properly.
Alkari snorted.
“Did you expect an answer from her?”
“No. Well, it’s just been a while since I saw her face.”
“If you are that eager to converse, how about having a cup of this poison first?”
“No, old man. What kind of joke is that? It’s not even funny, just creepy.”
Isabelmarle.
As she appeared, she was a woman of few words.
To be precise, she did not exchange words with the living.
“Rise. It is time to serve your new master.”
Because she was a necromancer.
Creak—!
The corpses that Wolf and Alkari had felled came back to life and began to move.
The revived wraiths were not common skeletons.
Beginning with Bone Warriors.
All the way to Death Knights.
The number of summoned Death Knights alone exceeded the fingers of one hand.
Death is fair to everyone.
Clatter!
Clatter!
As if proving those words, the revived undead trampled over the demons with fierce speed. They rapidly increased their forces and created openings in the Demon King’s army.
On top of that, Wolf and Alkari’s efforts could not be left out.
“The path is open! All forces, charge! The Goddess is with us!”
Talim Ever.
The Paladin Order of the Goddess Church under his command also gained room to act.
Talim once again swallowed his admiration.‘They are strong.’He could not know their specific circumstances.
So Talim did not know that they were the Shadow Mercenary Corps.‘They are experts of considerable skill.’However, he could recognize their abilities at once.
The Demon King’s army, which he and the paladins could barely bring down by cooperating, was being swept away by just three people.‘Indeed, such people are under Sir’s command.’Of course, in all things, one only sees as much as one knows.
Talim failed to notice.
The fact that the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Were admiring them just as he was.
“Even though I didn’t see it myself, I can understand it, old man.”
Wolf said as he looked at the three men.
They were senior mages of the Magic Tower.
“If he’s the Chief, that means he’s stronger than those people.”
The one who noticed Wolf’s gaze.
Was Bensch William, the senior of Fire Magic.
Bensch glanced at Isabelmarle’s performance.
“So we had a necromancer of that level among our allies.”
That was the extent of his plain assessment.
It was only natural.
Because they were senior mages of the Magic Tower.
“Well, she still has a long way to go.”
There was no senior mage of Necromancy in the Magic Tower.
The meaning of those words was simple.
No matter what level of necromancy it might be.
It was inferior to the magic he pursued.
Moreover, before their eyes were demons, and not just demons, but a Demon King.
Before them was the principal enemy that had deceived the Magic Tower and even taken the life of the elder mage, Senios.
Furthermore, they were senior mages who had heard from Chief Lee Hoyeol that the purpose of their sortie was the “crushing of Demon Kings.”
“Chief Lee desires a certain victory.”
Matisse, the senior of Black Magic, looked toward the Demon King’s Castle.
As if they sensed something unusual in that gaze.
Demon legion commanders, different from the rest even in appearance, emerged.
However, they were not a problem.
Matisse continued.
“Trample the vermin, gentlemen.”
The efforts of the Shadow Mercenary Corps and the paladins of the Goddess Church.
Thanks to them, there was nothing to interfere with the manifestation of magic.
Thus, there would be no restraint.
At this moment, when not only their full power but even the use of magic tools had been permitted.
A small mechanical sphere rose from Bensch’s grasp.[Small Mana Sun].
Nasrow, the senior of Illusion Magic, also used a magic tool.[Golden Statue of Illusion].
An alien mana surged from Matisse’s body.
Hellfire burned without distinction, consuming demons, demon legion commanders, and even Demon King Amdusias himself.
The demons, trapped in horrific illusions, stabbed and hacked at one another’s bodies.
Yet they did not even realize that fact.
Because Matisse’s black magic had stolen all of their senses.
Until their breath was cut off.
That was right.[Demon King’s Castle of Rhythm]
Collapsed with that.
Alkari let out a hollow laugh.
“Klk. I knew it, but still…….”
As expected, the mages of the Magic Tower were not human.
They were superhumans who transcended humanity.
Wolf’s impression was not particularly different.
Putting away his crossbows, he spoke quietly.
“I understand now why the Magic Tower remained quiet on the continent.”
To make a comparison, the Magic Tower was a giant beast.
Compared to such a Magic Tower, the rest were mere worker ants, or at best, soldier ants.
Would those beasts even be able to properly see ants fighting among themselves? Before that, would they even know that the ants looked different from one another?
It was only natural that the difference in scale made their perspective different.
“Now that I see it, they were wise people.”
Could a beast ever mediate disputes between ants? If it carelessly set down one footprint in the wrong place, hundreds of ants might be trampled beneath that single step.
Shake, shake.
Suddenly, Wolf stopped shaking his head.‘That means he moved that Magic Tower. That man named Lee Hoyeol.’Soon, he shrugged.
“Just how far ahead is he looking with those eyes?”
For him to move the Magic Tower?
Then he smacked his lips.
“This curious ant had better stay quietly on his back, huh?”
Only now did he feel he could understand, even if only a little, Captain Kichi’s judgment.
The collapsing Rift.
The pouring light.It was a Rift clear they had also experienced during the [Broken Dimensional Gap] Rift.
The senior mages, including Matisse, were not shaken.
In the meantime, Bensch, who had been gauging the mood, opened his mouth.
“……
Are we going to support the next Rift?”
Even to his own thinking, they had trampled the Demon King’s Castle early.
Moreover, Bensch was slightly excited.
It was probably because he had manifested magic freely for the first time in a very long while.
On top of that, he wanted to savor the power of the top-grade magic tool in his hand a little longer.
Of course.
“Do not act rashly, Senior Bensch William.”
“Ah, yes, sir.”
At Matisse’s words, Bensch shut his mouth with a gasp.
Matisse continued in a stern voice.
“The purpose of our sortie has already been achieved. Violating procedure cannot be tolerated.”
“O-of course. That wasn’t what I meant……!”
How could he be so unlucky!
Even while making excuses, Bensch cursed his own luck.
It was not as if there were only one or two senior mages; there were twenty.
So why did he so often end up stuck with Senior Matisse?
“I was simply worried. In case they might need help…….”
But as if he had no intention of understanding those inner thoughts.
Matisse cut off Bensch’s words.
“Even that thought is an insult to the others.”
“……
You are right. It was my oversight.”……
I should just shut up.
Bensch obediently closed his mouth.
Matisse thought.‘At the same time, it would be doubting Chief Lee Hoyeol.’After all, it was Chief Lee who had planned this matter.
Matisse had faith.
That was why he could return to the Magic Tower without worry or lingering regret.
Of course, that faith was not betrayed in the slightest....[Demon King’s Castle of Debauchery][Recommended Level: Lv.800][Rift Collapse Rate: 20.1%][Boss Monster: Demon King, Kimaris]▶ Lv.820[Named Monsters: Demon Legion Commander, Salut, and 19 others]▶ Lv.670[Monsters: Approximately 50,000 under the demon legion commanders]▶ Lv.530[List of Entrants][Magic Tower: Senior of Healing, Velliere Yusia / Senior of Pure Mana, Bangrit Tom / Senior of Earth Magic, Maia Dayan / Senior of Spirit Studies, Feiyan Lot][Shadow Mercenary Corps: 3rd Seat, Henderson / 4th Seat, Fimby / 5th Seat, Herkiora / 8th Seat, Nadibo / 9th Seat, Deschev / 10th Seat, Rackid][Lionheart Knights: Knight Commander Harkon and approximately 100 subordinates]
Kukwakakakakwang—!!
A merciless magical bombardment rained down upon the Demon King’s Castle.
Rackid clicked his tongue.
Crack!
He crushed the heads of the Demon King’s army soldiers he held in both hands.
It was a kind of venting.
“Unfair. This is extremely unfair.”
It had been a while since he had used his body.
He had resolved to achieve the greatest merit on the battlefield.
But firing magic like that was cheating, was it not?
Of course, Rackid did not fall into despair.
“Fine. That vaunted mana of theirs will run out someday!”
In contrast, my body never tires.
Perhaps he might be able to close the gap.
Madness once again fell over Rackid’s eyes.
He charged alone toward the Demon King’s Castle.
“Does that idiot never get tired of being a nuisance?”Deschev, the 9th seat, had not even drawn his weapon.
Because it did not seem like there was any need for him to step forward.
Judging roughly from the atmosphere.
The thoughts of those seated above him seemed no different from his own.
“Fire Drake. Indeed, its power is worthy of being compared to a dragon.”
“At this rate, it’s on a different dimension. A different dimension.”
“I’m jealous. Jealous. Jealous.”
“Heh-heh! It really kills one’s motivation!”
The intelligence gatherer of the Shadow Mercenary Corps.
Deschev turned his head and surveyed the battle.‘Only four mages.’The Magic Tower.
There had been so many stories about them that he knew them well.
But this was beyond rumor.
They were not beings who could be measured by the standards of the world.‘Each and every one is a monster.’The combat power of each and every one of those mages was beyond words.
Among them, the one who drew his gaze was that green-haired mage, Velliere.‘That woman’s magic is defending against the other magic.’Rackid and the Lionheart Knights had entered the Demon King’s Castle.
Velliere’s healing magic protected them.
So that their allies would not be caught up in the magic destroying the Demon King’s Castle.
Deschev looked at the rampaging Rackid with displeasure.
“That bastard probably thinks it’s because he’s so great…….”
Contrary to Deschev’s thoughts, Rackid could not simply rejoice.
Because he had come face-to-face with Harkon.
Like Rackid, Harkon had also stepped onto the battlefield for the first time in a long while.
Slash—!
The release of sword aura that had been suppressed.
The Demon King’s army fell like autumn leaves in the wind.
Its might was truly destructive.
Enough to make Rockid smack his lips.
“……
This is fun!”
Of course, Harkon had no interest in any competition with Rockid.
Harkon knew well the weight of this battle. Harkon recalled his conversation with Hoyeol.
-“Crush the Demon King utterly……”
Eliminating the demons running rampant across the Arcana Continent was only natural.
But to say he had to crush him utterly. It was the first time Hoyeol had gone so far.
Harkon could not help but wonder why.
-“Is there some reason it must be done, Sir?”
-“Because it is necessary.”
-“……
Necessary? What is?”
It was a reason that he, who had been preoccupied with defeating demons, had never even considered.
Hoyeol’s voice, speaking those words as if they were nothing, was still clear in his ears.
-“A warning, and a declaration of war.”
That was right.
Crushing the Demon King utterly.
There could be no greater warning, no greater declaration of war.
To the demons who were objects of terror.
It meant instilling terror in them instead. ‘Truly, that is a thought only Sir Hoyeol could have.’ Harkon looked around the battlefield.
Before he knew it, the battle was over.
Harkon said with a faint smile.
“And as you can see, Sir, you have more than enough ability to make it reality.”
To think he had moved not only the Shadow Mercenary Corps, but even the Magic Tower.
However, Harkon knew.
What kind of ripple effect this would bring.
Because this was no different from Hoyeol’s presence being revealed not only to the world.
But to the demons as well. ‘Sir, your very existence will become peace itself.’ In other words.
If Hoyeol were ever to waver.
The peace maintained thanks to Hoyeol would also waver.
Harkon knew that weight well.
Because he had watched someone who bore that same weight at his side. ‘Your Majesty…….’ It was none other than the Emperor of the Empire.
The Emperor had suffered, unable to endure that weight.
And so Harkon had no choice but to ask forgiveness.
“I am sorry, Your Majesty.”
No matter how hard he imagined it, he could not bring himself to picture it.
Hoyeol suffering because he could not endure that weight, that is.
After all, had Harkon not seen it all this time?
How Hoyeol was treated here, in the world of adventurers.
“You already carry a sufficiently heavy burden, Sir.”
In the Empire, one could not speak lightly of the Emperor.
Because it could become a crime of treason against the Emperor.
But in the world of adventurers, that was not the case.
The proof was that wherever one went, talk of Hoyeol never ceased.
Harkon shrugged.
“No matter how I think about it, it really can only be you, Sir.”
The one capable of bearing such weight, that is.
In that sense, Harkon had no worries.
Even if, just as now.
Hoyeol had entered the Demon King’s Castle rift.
With only two people at his side....[Demon King’s Castle of the Hunt][Recommended Level: Lv.850][Rift Collapse Rate: 22.1%][Boss Monster: Demon King, Flauros]▶ Lv.850[Named Monster: Demon Legion Commander, Etio]▶ Lv.800[Monster: Approximately 10,000 under the Demon Legion Commander]▶ Lv.650Flauros.
So he truly lived up to his ranking.
Just from the details alone, he was the most troublesome Demon King of the three.
The Demon Legion Commander’s level was a staggering 800, matching Demon King Amdusias. The average level difference of the Demon King’s troops also approached 150 levels. ‘Quality over quantity, I suppose.’ That was why I could guess.
That the Demon King who had blocked the dwarves’ airship was Flauros.
So I found the [Demon King’s Castle of the Hunt] rift where he was.
Of course.
An eye for an eye.
A tooth for a tooth.
If the other side was coming out with elites, then this side should face them with elites as well.
At my side were two people.
“We should end this swiftly.”
The Chief of the Magic Tower, Marcelo.
“Seriouslyyy. What rotten luck I have.”
The leader of the Shadow Mercenary Corps, Kichi.
One had stepped forward, while the other had practically been dragged here……
In any case, as someone who knew their combat strength, I couldn’t ask for anything more reassuring.
Of course, the feelings of those watching would be a little different. ‘They might think I’m insane.’ There were three Demon King’s Castle rifts.
And among them, I was entering the most dangerous rift with only three people.
But hadn’t I said it?
The goal was not hunting, but utter crushing.
Only if the three of us dealt with a rift of this level could it be called crushing them utterly.
That way, just as I had told Harkon.
It could become both a warning and a declaration of war against the demons.
Not only to the demons of the Arcana Continent.
But also to the demons possessing humans in reality.
That was why I could not do this halfheartedly.
That was why I had borrowed so many magic tools and items like this.[Token of the Whirlwind][Masterpiece
-Lightning-Struck Branch Wand][Masterpiece
-Outer Wings of Hundred Colors (百色)]
I had no hesitation.
“Begin.”
Flutter—The Outer Wings of Hundred Colors shone in a hundred hues.
I entered the rift, my cloak billowing....
As expected.
A massive craft flying through the sky.
The dwarves’ airship came into view.
“!”
At the same time, a message flickered.
A quest appeared.
To be precise, quests.