Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Into the Demon Realm
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“...No way, all of this?”
I was at a loss for words at the sight before me.
And for good reason—the herbs the elves had just harvested were piled up like a mountain.
They’d brought them out when I said we were leaving this place, telling me to take them.
“You’ve done so much for Alvheim. Honestly, even this doesn’t begin to express our gratitude.”
“...I get what you’re saying.”
Ervheim was right.
The purification of Alvheim, restoring lost crafting techniques, and recovering forgotten secret arts.
I’d certainly helped Alvheim a great deal.
If this had been a commission, no amount of herbs could cover the cost.
But even so...
“This is way too much.”
Seriously, it was too much.
Even if all four of us strapped huge bags to our fronts and backs, we couldn’t carry it all.
If we tried hauling this to the Demon Realm, we’d die of exhaustion before we got there.
An idea struck me, so I suggested an alternative.
“How about potions instead? Those are at least easier to carry.”
I knew full well how valuable herbs grown directly in Alvheim were.
But as I’d said, there were just too many, and they weren’t practical to use on the spot.
You couldn’t just whip up a potion mid-battle.
That’s why taking potions instead of raw herbs seemed like the better option.
I explained as much, and Ervheim nodded as if convinced.
“Hmm, you’re right—it would be a hassle. I wasn’t thinking carefully.”
She immediately instructed another elf to fetch the potions.
It wasn’t long before that elf returned with an enormous quantity.
My jaw dropped just like when I’d first seen the herbs.
“...You’ve already made this many?”
“Nothing to be surprised about. Half the elves in Alvheim are brewing potions right now. And we’ve always excelled at this sort of thing.”
“I know, but still... impressive.”
The production speed was even faster than I’d expected.
At this rate, the elves would reclaim their former glory in no time.
‘With land brimming with vitality, they’ll never run out of materials.’
Maybe soon I’d hear news of the elves thriving on potions...
Anyway.
“This is a bit much to take all at once, so I’ll take a look first.”
I examined the potions stacked on the cart one by one.
Since I’d only recently shared the crafting methods, most were temporary buffs.
No stat-boosting elixirs or sensory enhancers like the one I’d taken before.
But that was fine.
Those temporary-effect potions were exactly what we needed most right now.
‘I should prioritize recovery ones as much as possible.’
With not a single healer in our group, recovery potions came first.
‘And for the rest... stuff that’ll help in combat.’
I carefully inspected them and set aside a suitable selection.
“I’ll take these.”
“Are you sure this is enough? It seems too few.”
“It’s plenty. If we run short, we can always make more on the spot.”
“...Make more? Aren’t you headed to the Demon Realm?”
“There are herbs in the Demon Realm too.”
Through Rahila, I’d handled more Demon Realm herbs than anything else.
So for now, grabbing just the essentials was sufficient.
“Hm, Demon Realm herbs... intriguing. Be sure to tell me about them sometime.”
“If the chance comes up.”
Ervheim nodded and waved her hand.
“Then take care.”
“Yep, see you.”
I exchanged farewells with her, then left Alvheim with the others.
A loud voice rang out from behind.
“Call on us anytime you need help! The elves will stand with you forever!”
Was there an elf with a voice that booming?
I turned back with that thought.
Towering trees filled my view, bringing a sense of peace.
“...We got some good rest.”
“Yeah. It was nice. Alvheim was great.”
We’d spent nearly a week there resting to our hearts’ content.
Peaceful days of eating and sleeping.
“Breathing air that pure after so long... When I get older, I’ll spend my remaining years in a place like that.”
“You’d probably live two hundred years if you stayed there.”
Everyone chuckled at Kayla’s joke.
But the light mood didn’t last.
The four of us quickly turned serious.
I spoke first.
“Shall we get going?”
It was finally time to head to the Demon Realm.
***
[Death Knight... dead?]
“Yes, his energy has completely vanished.”
[Hah.]
Andras let out a hollow laugh at the sudden report.
More exasperation than shock.
[...Obviously. That pathetic magic of his again, no doubt.]
The Death Knight he’d created this time shouldn’t have been easy to kill.
Its physical strength was formidable—on par with his own.
Yet the fool, a mage in his past life, kept relying on magic even as a Death Knight.
Refusing to give up even as his power faded.
That was probably what got him killed.
[Pathetic.]
Muttering under his breath, Andras stroked his chin, curiosity piqued.
[But who could’ve made a Death Knight like that?]
Even a dimwitted one wasn’t easy prey.
It had to be someone with comparable strength.
And that, in itself, intrigued Andras.
After all...
[I heard it crossed over to the human world.]
The Death Knight’s last known location was the human realm.
His subordinate nodded at the question.
“Yes, his energy was last detected in the human world.”
[Oh ho?]
Andras’s interest surged.
[Someone in the human world capable of taking him down?]
Few in the human world could handle a Death Knight.
And those few usually lived in the heart of major cities.
No way a [Death Knight] would head there.
Which meant a powerhouse on par with it was wandering outside the cities.
A rare occurrence.
[...Might be my imagination.]
Of course, possibilities abounded.
Maybe not human—dwarf, elf, spirit, etc.
Plenty of races roamed the human world.
Any of them wouldn’t be strange.
But Andras didn’t care about that.
As long as it amused him.
[Find whoever killed it. Now.]
“Yes, Lord Andras.”
After issuing the order, Andras murmured lowly.
[Ideally, a human.]
He might even get to make a new Death Knight.
***
“...This is the Demon Realm?”
Kayla looked around in awe.
Not the good kind.
“Disgustingly awful. Seriously.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Blood-red sky, black earth of unknown composition.
Unpleasant demonic energy in the air, blood stench vibrating from all directions.
‘Seeing it in person is on another level.’
The atmosphere was worlds apart from monitor screens.
Oppressive, even standing still.
I suppressed the rising fear and addressed the group.
“Don’t let your guard down just because it looks empty. Especially watch for ambushes from underground—accidents happen most then. Keep eyes on the ground. Stay back from anything suspicious.”
No room for carelessness in the Demon Realm.
Demons could burst out anywhere, anytime.
My warning must’ve sounded off.
“No.1, you been here before?”
Thompson eyed me curiously.
In hindsight, yeah, it did sound weird.
“Of course not. Just obsessed with demons, so I picked up a bunch of info.”
“Hmm, fair enough. You know your stuff in detail. No worries with you around, No.1. Heh heh!”
Thompson laughed heartily, letting it slide.
Then—
Rumble rumble rumble!
The ground suddenly shook violently.
“Huh?”
“W-What?!”
The others panicked, scrambling to steady themselves.
I’d anticipated it and calmly scanned around.
‘No one coming.’
Good—no charging demons.
Rumble...
The shaking stopped soon after, and I explained.
“The Demon Realm has frequent natural disasters. Earthquakes, volcanoes, lightning strikes... Anything can hit anytime.”
“...Demons live in a place like this?”
“Might be why they’re stronger than humans.”
All demons endured this environment.
Forcing them to grow stronger just to survive.
If we’d come here weak, we’d be dead 100%.
Like—
Boom!
Crackle crackle!
“Wha—?!”
Thompson yelped and flopped down.
Lightning had struck right in front of him, scorching the ground black.
“...That scared me. Thanks, No.1.”
“No big deal. You probably would’ve handled it anyway.”
I’d deflected the sudden bolt with electric magic, twisting its path.
But Thompson had been channeling mana too.
If I hadn’t, he’d have encased himself in hard stone.
Impressive.
‘...Erebos was right.’
Our party was fully prepared for the Demon Realm, just as he’d said.
Handling random lightning proved it.
Though this was barely the start of the dangers.
No sooner had I thought that than we all turned to one spot.
Thud thud thud!
“...They’ve sensed our mana.”
Three wolves charging toward us at high speed.
[Red-Maned Werewolves].
They drooled like they’d spotted prey.
Their bulging muscles stood out with every bound.
‘Upper-grade demons right off the bat.’
Unlike regular werewolves, [Red-Maned Werewolves] were upper-grade demons.
Mid-to-upper, technically.
They hunted in packs like that, earning the upper-grade label.
Not ideal luck, but...
‘Perfect.’
I recalled its community nickname and assumed a stance.
“Come on. Combat gauge.”
The ideal test of what we could handle in the Demon Realm.