◈ Episode 383. You Have Broken a Taboo (1)
History books, my ass.
Romance, my ass.
Isn’t this at the level of fiction?
Yusra Kingdom.
A solemn voice resonated in the office.
Haiel continued speaking.
“……When darkness declared the end, the Demon Realm reacted. Death itself. Even the Liches of the Demon Realm shall awaken from their tombs, wary of the darkness. Yet, it shall be meaningless.”
Darkness.
Endlessly deep darkness.
So I had never declared any end of days. Wasn’t it something Grandfell committed in the aftermath of [Blackening]? Well, Grandfell did say something similar.
But the nuance is way too different. ‘Even gilding would be too much.’ At this point, isn’t it closer to a holy scripture than a history book?
Seriously, it wouldn’t even be strange if each verse ended with “Amen.” Hearing such dreadful contents from Haiel’s mouth, my fingers curled and my mind began to twist. ‘Damn it.’
The legendary explorer who had burst from the belly of the ill-omened beast.
Lorentzku the Romantic.
I definitely saw that message on the Arcana Continent.
[The romantic explorer who had gone missing, Lorentzku, has returned to the Arcana Continent. The knowledge of the romantic explorer, who wishes to put an end to his reclusive life after a dramatic survival, enriches the Arcana Continent further. : The romantic explorer, Lorentzku, wanders the continent preaching his knowledge.]
From now on, Lorentzku would wander the continent sharing the knowledge he possessed. Thanks to Nam Tae-min and Hisagi, they must have been able to meet Lorentzku. ‘……In that sense, is it a relief?’
They say it’s better to be scolded early.
If they hadn’t discovered Lorentzku, he would have proudly gone around the continent spouting such nonsensical history books. No, black history books. My already abundant bubbles would have swelled as if whipped by a whisk. ‘Thank you both, really.’
I grew tense.
I’ll have to enter the Arcana Continent right away.
Since time on the Arcana Continent flows four times faster than reality, after all.
It’s impossible to know what kind of things Lorentzku might commit during that time.
Only after Haiel finished the recitation did I answer.
“They are indeed good tidings, Haiel.”
“It is an honor to have brought joy to my lord.”
Responding quite shamelessly, I sent a reply—not really a reply—to Haiel. I had heard the news of Lorentzku very well, and it was a request to keep Lorentzku well in hand until I returned to the continent. ‘Because he mustn’t be let go in many ways, Lorentzku.’
It wasn’t only because I feared him spreading black history books far and wide.
To change the battlefield of the Demon King Contest.
To keep the words I had spat out.
I was on the verge of entering the Demon Realm.
Lorentzku’s experience of having explored the Demon Realm was desperately needed.
Haiel bowed his head deeply.
“I shall prepare for my lord’s grand return.”
……
A grand return, he says.
Even by Arcana’s time, I’m returning after just a few days.
Of course, it seemed there was a reason Haiel spoke to such an extent.
“It seems things are steadily wrapping up.”
Perfect preparation.
Meaning, the preparation of the equipment I had entrusted them with must have reached its final stages. To the incorruptible Grandfell, items wouldn’t have mattered whether he had them or not.
‘But I’m not I Ho-yeol for nothing.’
[Hexagram Brooch 2/6]
[Map That Connects to All Things]
The location of the brooch I had identified as such.
I had already conveyed the locations of the remaining pieces to Diend.
If it was Diend, he should be able to find the brooch without difficulty.
‘A completed set item, huh.’
That wasn’t all.
The legacy of Yunaxus, Dragon Skin.
I had entrusted the refining of the Dragon Skin to Wolswail. Since that work was said to have reached its final stages as well, I should be able to check the new item effects at this reunion.
‘Magic growth and even external growth.’
Couldn’t I say that I had achieved meaningful growth in just a few days?
It just so happens that the talk of magic power came up, so I’m saying this…
The misunderstanding that wasn’t quite a misunderstanding with Mary was resolved well.
—“The Demon King of the Tenth Throne, to think you would even purify that authority……”
Purification.
If I were to put it grandly, it would be an appropriate expression. I had precisely carved out only the evil from the power of the Tenth Throne and stuck a straw in it. But even after learning the truth, Mary’s expression didn’t relax.
—“You make me revere you even more.”
Listening to Mary’s thoughts, she really seemed to have steeled her resolve.
Even if I had fallen as the Demon King of the Tenth Throne.
She had vowed to pursue even such a me.
‘Just what the hell is that pride of hers.’
Anyway, it’s a relief the misunderstanding was cleared up.
Since I had also learned the effect of the new stat, [Charm].
Let’s make sure this kind of incident doesn’t happen next time.
‘A demon hunter is the Demon King, what the hell.’
My seniors had completely set aside their suspicions now, but I couldn’t save face myself. No, to be precise, my loose tongue didn’t find it pleasant.
“Mere thrones like this.”
That’s right.
To the Grandfell of all under heaven, whether it’s a throne or the Tenth Throne, it would be nothing but a tiny vessel. Since he is the one and only under heaven. An ordinary position would merely be a constraint.
Click.
I tilted the green tea and performed the unavoidable procedures of reality.
Of course, among them was the class quest.
Physical training couldn’t be omitted either.
—Strengthen your weakened body. (Repeat)
▲
●100km running (In progress)
●5,000 push-ups (In progress)
●3,000 pull-ups (In progress)
●2,000 burpee test (In progress)
‘When did the targets increase like this…….’
One, two…….
Sighing is only for a moment.
I bent my arms and thought.
No matter how much I think about it, a Demon King, seriously.
Even if it was a misunderstanding born from the atmosphere, it’s unfair.
Where in the world is there such a diligent and sincere Demon King!
*Magic Tower.
The Tower Master’s office.
Marcello processed the piled-up documents.
He newly felt it.
The weight of the Magic Tower that the Chief, Ho-yeol, had been bearing.
Marcello muttered.
“How have you endured it, my lord.”
Rustle.
He finished by signing “Failed” on Senior Bency William’s application to leave the tower.
Finally, the duties Ho-yeol had been in charge of were finished.
“I wonder if you’re sleeping properly like this.”
Click.
Marcello put down the teacup and recalled the efficacy of teabag green tea.
Hadn’t he heard that the component called caffeine provided a waking effect?
Marcello nodded deeply.
“So there was another reason you enjoyed green tea.”
It was simply a matter of taste, and yet…….
Marcello, who had arbitrarily drawn his own conclusion, rose from his seat.
His whole body ached from sitting for so long.
“From portals to the next regular academic conference.”
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say the Tower Master is one body and one mind with the Magic Tower.
It meant there wasn’t just one or two things to worry about.
Marcello muttered softly.
“However, I am not my lord.”
I suppose I need a moment to catch my breath.
Even so, Marcello had not forgotten Ho-yeol’s teachings.
The study of the arcane utilizing break time.
Marcello took out his smartphone and skillfully manipulated it.
“Guaranteed dawn delivery. Will a day like this come to the Continent too?”
Teabag green tea rocket delivery order complete.
“Reversal magic never gets old no matter when I watch it.”
Watching NetTube videos.
And finally, connecting to the internet.
It was the moment Marcello checked the news.
“……?”
His eyebrows twitched.
Because letters he had never imagined were floating there.
It was none other than an article about Ho-yeol.
Marcello’s eyes sank heavily.
[AAU Senior Official: “I Ho-yeol is the Demon King of the Tenth Throne!”]
To advance toward the arcane.
The Magic Tower and AAU.
Crystal Hall, where the two forces had gathered.
“To think they would repay favor like this.”
The meeting held at Crystal Hall.
Its contents had leaked to the outside.
It was no different from a deception and challenge toward the Magic Tower.
“I express my deep regrets in advance.”
*AAU Republic of Korea Branch.
Seong Hyeon-jun asks with a worried face.
“They just added that on, right?”
It was the reaction of the majority—that what was bound to come had come.
At the general meeting, all AAU members from each branch attend.
Even in the AAU, considering that internal information leaking was a common occurrence……. Ho-yeol’s bombshell declaration was something that wouldn’t be strange no matter when it became known to the world.
However, the problem was the postscript of the article.
“A senior official? This nonsensical bullshit actually looks plausible, doesn’t it? Most of all, the intention is clear! Chief Coordinator I Ho-yeol explained all the reasons why he had to do it……!”
I am the Demon King of the Tenth Throne.
Ho-yeol answered all the questions that had poured out regarding the declaration. From the circumstances of how he defeated the Demon King of the Tenth Throne and took the throne. To how he would utilize the throne he had seized in the Demon King Contest.
Yun Su-gyeom clicked his tongue at the vileness.
“It’s not even a pseudo-media outlet, but an article dropped by a prominent Post. They must have a solid source. Knowing we can’t make this meeting’s minutes public to the masses, they’re using it maliciously. An insider is definitely involved.”
Summarizing the article’s content was simple.
“The cause of the Demon King Contest may have stemmed from I Ho-yeol’s actions. No matter how much it is I Ho-yeol, there is no guarantee he won’t become enthralled by the Demon King’s authority……. This crazy bastard. Why not blame the Chief Coordinator for the rifts too?”
Branch Chief Bak Min-jae spoke coldly.
In the face of a crisis for humanity that had risen up to the chin.
To think they would concoct such slander merely because of vested interests.
I had sensed signs from before, but they were truly something.
“Yeah, if it were the old days, I would have just burst inside.”
However, Bak Min-jae had vowed.
From now on, Ho-yeol was someone busy just moving forward.
Himself not even a player.
He couldn’t do something about all the forces holding Ho-yeol back.
But at least he would clean up the inside of the AAU thoroughly.
He was Bak Min-jae, once called the mad dog of Cosmo.
Because muddy fights were familiar to him.
Bak Min-jae immediately made a call.
He asked as soon as the other party answered.
Without a hint of laughter.
“Was it you?”
U.S. Western Branch Chief, Jim Joshua.
“No. Even you, to me? Mr. Bak?”
Joshua was already suffering from a barrage of calls.
California, Nevada, Oregon…….
Starting from the governors of the western US states, they were pestering him.
“The governors are like that too, I don’t know how they see me. Mr. Bak, I repented before the Bible. You know what it means to mention the Bible in a Christian country?”
Bak Min-jae’s sneer was heard.
—“I don’t believe in gods. It’s my favorite line.”
“……Who said that?”
—“It’s a saying left by Chief Coordinator I Ho-yeol.”
“Ah, no! I said it’s not me!”
He might not have known until now, but this time it really wasn’t him.
Because he had faced him directly, hadn’t he?
The Chief Coordinator of Yusra, Ho-yeol.
“From the first time we met, I had a hunch. My debauched life was all over. Mr. Bak, who would harbor vain thoughts while facing the Chief Coordinator of Yusra in person?”
His position being what it was.
Thanks to that, Joshua had faced numerous ranker players.
However, Ho-yeol was on a different dimension.
Someone he unknowingly found himself looking up to…….
“Above all, I was moved by the Chief Coordinator’s decision. To become a Demon King in order to hunt Demon Kings. Doesn’t that completely match Nietzsche’s famous saying? Why, when you gaze into the abyss…….”
A voice like a knife was heard.
—“Then why did the article come out in the Washington Post, Branch Chief Joshua? If it wasn’t you, there is only one choice left.”
Anyway, Mr. Bak.
He didn’t have a speck of literary sophistication.
To not even listen to Nietzsche’s quote to the end.
Joshua swallowed a sigh and opened his mouth.
“I know what you’re trying to say. You’re talking about the East, right? But it won’t be them. I’m going to look into it my way starting now. It’s probably just the Post blowing things up on their own. Didn’t I tell you? How could anyone think of backstabbing after facing the Chief Coordinator of Yusra in person…….”
Suddenly, Joshua trailed off.
—“……Branch Chief Joshua?”
He couldn’t answer even when Bak Min-jae called his name.
Because a memory was flashing through his mind like a running lantern.
Joshua opened his mouth.
“……I didn’t face him in person.”
His first meeting with Ho-yeol.
At that time, the US Eastern Branch Chief had not entered the conference room where Ho-yeol was. Because he stopped by the restroom and was late for the appointment, so he couldn’t enter.
It was the same at this general meeting of the Magic Tower and AAU.
—“Is that so? If it’s a family matter, it can’t be helped.”
“……Mr. Bak.”
Joshua’s expression changed drastically.
“It seems the enemy was very close, after all.”
……
Wriggle, wriggle.
Small fingers fidget.
She scans the letters floating on the TV over and over.
Now a proper kindergartener.
Reading aloud wasn’t hard.
“Mmmm.”
But she couldn’t possibly know the meaning.
“Mommy.”
“A-rang, what is it?”
“Here. What do the letters behind Uncle’s name mean?”
“What is it? Mommy is doing the dishes, so can A-rang read it to me?”
Clearly and precisely.
Seo A-rang reads it aloud sonorously, as if making an announcement.
“I.
Ho.
Yeol. He.
is. Re.
al.
ly. Ten.
Throne.
’s. Demon.
King.
Is.
It?”