Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: The Nightmare Theater
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The beings who rule the Demon Realm are originally divided into four types.
The first, the Demon King, leader of the demons and monsters.
This fellow never emerges, holed up in his own Demon King's Castle.
He would declare war on distant continents and send out all sorts of troops, yet his actions were completely contradictory.
I heard in the past he truly turned half a continent into a sea of fire, or even exterminated entire races, wiping out whole clans.
Why, only now, has he changed his methods to be so passive?
"The Demon King fellow is like that, and the Four Heavenly Kings are like that too... they're hiding in places hard to find..."
I let out a sigh as I looked around. For a moment, I could forget this was the Demon Realm because of the sweet jazz music flowing from all around.
The second beings who rule the Demon Realm are the Four Heavenly Kings, directly appointed by the Demon King.
The memory-eating slime, Memoria.
The undefeated knight, Death Knight Dullahán.
The wolf that devours time, Romulus.
And finally, the one called the Endless Dream, the Succubus Queen, Bellamora Lictis.
It is said the territories ruled by the Four Heavenly Kings take on forms matching their characteristics.
For example, my enemy Dullahán, within his territory, becomes a state where one absolutely cannot die, fighting until one side completely vanishes or is beaten to a bloody pulp.
Likewise, the territory ruled by Succubus Queen Bellamora possessed a distinctive feature that set it apart from others.
"Welcome! Our Nightmare Theater welcomes all who carry a story, regardless of race, age, gender, or anything else! Cast aside the gloom of reality and enjoy happy dreams—!"
That was precisely the fact that it appeared so bright and joyful, reminiscent of a paradise on earth.
Whether they had run a long distance to get here, the expressions of the countless people lining up were tinged with delight and joy.
"We finally made it! Now we can be happy too!"
A human couple who seemed to have brought their child hugged each other tightly, even shedding tears of joy.
"Mommy... I'm tired... And it hurts everywhere from getting scratched and cut..."
The child sandwiched between them rubbed their eyes and let out a big yawn.
Normally, for a commoner to break through the Demon Realm teeming with monsters and demons would be close to suicide, so why on earth would they bring their child along on such a dangerous journey?
"Hahahaha! I told you! We dwarves don't need to be holed up in the mountains hammering anymore! Ice-cold beer and delicious, greasy chicken are waiting for us!"
Right before my eyes, even a dwarf from the northern Kardaron Mountains was letting out a loud laugh to his companions.
Originally, they are a race known for making fine ornaments and weapons, considering creating what are called masterpieces their life's work.
"I heard your illness can surely be cured here... We're finally here... Just hold on a little longer."
Furthermore, there was an elven man carrying an elven woman on his back, her entire body white and withered.
"Yes, everyone! Thank you for waiting! Now, I will assist with today's admissions! I am the monster in charge of checking your tickets, Habaya!"
A monster whose whole body was covered in white fur, smiling brightly and stretching out an arm towards such a crowd. To anyone, it looked like a yeti living in snowy mountains, guarding its domain.
"And I am the demon who will assist if you have difficulty entering or cannot dream, Hameln."
A pale-skinned demon man sending a languid smile towards me and my companions; judging by the tail, horns, and wings, he seemed like a low-level incubus.
"Thank you!"
"Can someone like me really enter...?"
"I sold all my property to come here! All I have is this body!"
As these neatly dressed demons and monsters, like guides, appeared, people began rushing forward without hesitation, asking curious questions.
"Yes, of course! The currency of the Demon Realm is blood, dreams, and lifespan! If circumstances are difficult, in this territory, you can also sell your memories!"
Watching the yeti and incubus speak with smiles brighter than anyone's, I felt a nauseating emotion rise, a taste of bile starting in my mouth.
Because those smiles felt like sharp blades wrapped in goodwill, thoroughly concealing malice.
"Wooaaah!!"
People cheering, waving their arms, hugging each other in joy at their words. I couldn't understand their actions.
"......"
How on earth is this territory run, that races who originally couldn't wait to kill each other are showing such eager, expectant faces?
"...It's a truly unpleasant place. It must be the territory ruled by the Succubus Queen, yet the sight of monsters, demons, humans, and other races all mingled together, waiting to enter in such harmony."
Victoria clicked her tongue while looking at the monster covered in fur, stamping tickets one by one for the people ahead of us.
"I should have smashed that succubus's skull with my hammer when we met last time...."
Victoria's inner voice was grinding her teeth, regretting the previous situation.
Originally, before killing the Demon King, we were wandering the Demon Realm to first subjugate the Four Heavenly Kings, when we happened to encounter Bellamora.
Bellamora, upon seeing us, immediately plunged us into her Illusionary Dream, and then, without doing anything else, calmly vanished without a trace.
"Well, thanks to that bitch, I got to formally date Astal, so I guess I should be grateful now."
She was also the person who became the catalyst for Victoria and me being in a contract relationship like we are now. To counter the Illusionary Dream, we had to exploit the disconnect from reality.
"I think so too. I just don't understand what's inside this territory that makes people rush in like they're all insane..."
It's said that sweet, delicious fruit naturally attracts flies and bugs, but this seemed excessive in both number and degree.
This was true even though Bellamora's territory, known by the epithet 'Endless Dream,' was a place rife only with rumors.
Some said it was a place like heaven where you could do everything you couldn't achieve in reality, while others said it was a place like hell from which you could never escape.
"Astal, the Perception Hindrance Magic is working properly, right?"
Anima asked me a question to confirm, uneasy.
"Yeah, but Bellamora will figure out our identities. She's a mage on the same level as me, after all."
I spoke while recalling the image of Bellamora I saw last time.
A black-haired woman who hid her race's characteristic tail and wings as if denying she was a succubus.
"Oh my, how nice to see you. Your name was... Astal Caisaros, right?"
That was the first time my Perception Hindrance Magic was seen through.
In the past, Bellamora showed me an Illusionary Dream where Victoria confessed to me, and upon seeing it, I immediately used magic to blow off my own head and committed suicide.
"You're the first man to break free from my Illusionary Dream so quickly. This must be fate. Why don't we take some time to get to know each other?"
Looking at me like that, Bellamora covered her mouth with her hand and smiled as if surprised.
"If you attack me now, your comrades will never wake from their slumber, you know?"
I was ready to blast her with magic upon seeing that, but she looked around leisurely, even humming a tune.
Because my other comrades couldn't break free from the dream as quickly as I did.
"Think carefully. Genius Mage of Mavilos Village."
I don't know what method Bellamora used, but she mentioned my hometown village, which has now vanished even from maps.
Seeing her, I ground my teeth and showed my anger.
"Hmm, coercive methods really aren't my style, are they? Sorry, Astal. Then, I'll give you this ticket. Will you come to see me someday?"
Then, as if sensing something was wrong, the Succubus Queen bowed her head politely.
What I received then was the rectangular ticket mixed with black and red now inside my robe.
I looked at the object inscribed with [VVIP - We've prepared a fantasy dream just for you.] and pondered whether to use it now.
'If I use this, Bellamora will notice we've entered her territory...'
I crossed my arms and racked my brain.
Originally, Bellamora's ticket would be so expensive we couldn't buy it even by selling all our blood or lifespan.
"Anima, can your spirits create a counterfeit of this ticket?"
"Impossible. This ticket is made from dream fragments by Bellamora herself. If they find out we're the Hero's party now, we might have to fight everyone here."
Anima, who used an earth spirit to check what the ticket was made of, shook her head as she spoke, her bear ears perking up alertly, scanning the surroundings.
"There are too many civilians here. I could probably evacuate some using wind spirits, but..."
"...Then, minimizing possible casualties would be best."
I stepped forward and stood before the yeti checking tickets. Since Bellamora gave me this ticket herself, entering with it would be the safest method.
Even if it's a trap, only I would be exposed as an enemy. That should buy time to evacuate all the people around here.
"Astal, let's find another way. If Taryon, Anima, and I offer blood, we could probably afford the cheapest ticket."
"Right, I think I can help this time too..."
"...No, the amount of blood needed would definitely kill at least one person. To meet the quota, you'd eventually have to offer dreams, lifespan, or memories."
I spoke to Kyle with my eyes tightly shut.
"Kyle, you need to return safely to your childhood friend back home. You said you wanted to open a small flower shop after defeating the Demon King, right? We can't sacrifice dreams or memories like that."
The people standing here holding tickets have all given up something to come this deep into the Demon Realm.
I didn't want to become like them.
"Welcome! Please show me the ticket you have!"
"...Here."
"Th-this is? VVIP...?!"
I immediately pulled out the ticket Bellamora gave me from my pocket, and I could see the yeti and incubus's pupils shaking and widening dramatically.
At the very moment I suspected it might truly be a trap.
"A distinguished guest is entering!! Please welcome them with enthusiastic applause and cheers—!"
Pop, fwoosh-bang—!
Along with the sound of something small exploding, a spectacle of fireworks embroidering the night sky came into my view.
"Are the people behind you also part of your group? Our Nightmare Theater has been eagerly awaiting the visit of a distinguished guest!"
"Is this not a ticket for just one person?"
"Yes! That's right! This is a ticket given only to individuals marked by Lady Bellamora! There is no limit on the number of people!"
The yeti and incubus swung wide the iron gate that had been firmly shut just moments ago, not only for me and my comrades behind me, but...
"We hope everyone has happy dreams today as well!"
They were even gesturing for all the people wandering outside without tickets to come in.