Chapter 96
Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: The Calm Before the Storm on the Floating Island
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"....."
"?"
I shot a sharp glare at the maid who had come to fetch me, but she just tilted her head with a beaming smile.
Well, she wasn't lying, after all.
Beautiful person.
It's not a word reserved just for women, and yeah, that punk Kaiz is beautiful. Sure.
He looks pretty even to a guy's eyes, so no wonder women think so.
Fine, Kaiz. You can make me all expectant by looking beautiful to the maid.
But here's the thing.
Kaiz Hiro, you fucking asshole. Your dick shouldn't do that.
"Did you just...? Curse?"
"......"
The one grilling me with an uncomfortable look was the main heroine I'd seen before—the radiant beauty herself.
Not just in the setting, but in reality, the youngest cardinal, Marie.
What exactly was her role again?
Maybe check the setting guide.
The moment I tried to open the system window, Marie's interrogation hit me again.
"Did you just curse at the hero chosen by the Light God?"
"......"
I didn't answer and slowly moved to the seat next to Gold.
While doing so, I checked the setting guide... and found it.
⚔ STATUS ⚔ 👤 Name: Marie Malius 📖 Role: One of the main heroines ✨ Traits: Devout believer, youngest cardinal. Her divine power rivals that of past saints. Hates all things related to demons. Believes in, follows, and supports Kaiz more than anyone; fundamentally good-hearted. 💔 Family: Seems to have difficulties in family relations... Family relations, huh.
Useless info right now.
Fuck.
I needed a finishing move to shut down that bitch glaring at me, but no weaknesses...!
Just play it off naturally.
But as I slowly took my seat, Marie pressed again.
"Hey, Outsider Yedre. You just—"
She's persistent.
Best to play dumb in times like this.
"Must've misheard."
"...What?"
"?"
I put on a completely clueless face, and she looked like, What kind of shameless bastard is this? But whatever, what're you gonna do? Record me? Huh?
If you didn't record it, what can you even do?
"Brother."
"......"
Still, getting chewed out by Gold would sting.
Should I apologize?
"You were incredible today! I never knew my own pettiness and lack of imagination could be such a curse."
"Pardon?"
I braced for a scolding, but this guy's praising me?
He's talking about the exam today, huh. Heh... yeah, incredible.
.....
Oh shit.
The mood's cold, but I can't stop my lips from twitching up.
After Alfred, actual praise—I'm fucking thrilled.
That's when Marie jumped in again.
"Gold Hart, this isn't the time for chit-chat."
"Hm. Right. My apologies. But Cardinal Marie, you didn't see that spectacle."
Gold shrugged, back to his usual businesslike face.
Luckily, thanks to Gold's antics, my earlier remark seemed forgotten.
"So, I can assume Yedre cursed at the hero?"
"......"
Forgot my ass. She's fucking tenacious.
That handsome, talented fucker— one curse got you that pissed?
"Think what you want."
"Wh-what? You...!"
As Marie clenched her fist to retort, Kaiz grabbed her shoulder to stop her.
"Hahaha. Cardinal Marie, we're super close friends. It was just a joke."
What? What'd you say?
"You and I are close?"
"Aren't we?"
"......"
I glanced at Marie.
Thought she'd get even madder at my words, but for some reason, she gave Kaiz a puzzled look.
...Anyway, provoking her more here would be a hassle.
"Sure, let's say that."
"Thank you."
Marie grumbled uncomfortably but soon made the sign of the cross and muttered something prayer-like.
"So. Hero Kaiz Hiro. Can you finally tell us why you've come to the Hart Clan?"
"Yes. Of course."
They'd waited for me to arrive on purpose.
What grand announcement is this?
"As Yedre mentioned before, it's confirmed—Almiraz has infiltrated the Floating Island."
Pretty important stuff.
The system warned about him directly, after all.
"And? Did you catch him?"
"No. We've only found traces of him. We don't know where he's hiding or what his goal is."
Then why come here?
To brag about your incompetence?
"Almiraz isn't the issue. I just mentioned it in case you were curious."
"Don't bring up vague shit then."
"Hahahaha."
Kaiz laughed, while Marie shot daggers with her eyes.
Lucky you, having a fine girlfriend, you prick.
"Yes. Recently, an oracle came down."
"Oracle?"
"That's right."
Another suspicious word... but I can't say that.
I've met a god for real.
Though, there are plenty of gods, even if they call it that.
"Which god?"
"How irreverent!"
"?"
Why's this cardinal flipping out again?
And this was her angriest tone yet.
I stared in disbelief, and her face turned beet red with rage.
"Brother, these are devotees of the Holy Kingdom of Narnia. To them—and most of the world—there's only one god: the God of Light, the supreme deity Nanar. That was definitely rude of you."
"Sorry."
If fair Gold says so, then it is.
I apologized without argument, and Marie seemed appeased, taking her seat.
But God of Light is the supreme god?
No God of Fire, huh?
"There are only five officially recognized gods, including the supreme god. I'd appreciate if you didn't make such assumptions."
"Five...?"
Five?
I saw over a dozen just in the merit awards before.
And judging by the system messages, there were over a thousand total.
But five?
Maybe only the strongest ones are known to the world?
They skipped explaining, treating it as common knowledge.
I wish they'd remember I'm a clueless Outsider...
Better ask Gold later when they're gone.
"The oracle states that a disaster will befall the Floating Island. That's why I left the Holy Kingdom to come here."
Kaiz continued, and Gold asked,
"That's too vague. What specific disaster?"
"I can't say for sure, but... the visions Cardinal Marie and I saw differ slightly. Combining them—"
Kaiz and Marie both got the oracle?
Kaiz paused briefly.
Then looked at me.
What, fucker? Not curious. This ain't some music show dragging out the winner reveal with a one-minute ad. Stop milking it.
Gonna punch you in the philtrum.
Finally, Gold asked first.
"Combining them?"
"...The Demon King. I believe."
The room's air turned icy.
There it is.
Demon King.
Thinking about it, no direct contact, but indirect experiences aplenty.
First, human-form slime Yuna, a direct subordinate of the Demon King. And probably—though not certain—my skill I've never used, and won't since I avenged against Yulis: 'Vengeful Heart'.
This is probably... a skill from the demon side.
Just a hunch, but my hunches are spot on.
The energy it emanates is different from other skills too.
Not Prynar. Not mana. Not even the vaguest 'ki' so far.
From what I've heard: Prynar is the 'power that can become anything,' making up all matter in this world.
Mana is the power dissolved in the atmosphere, enabling body enhancement or magic.
Ki is a different kind of power that dwells naturally in those who train their bodies, helping them 'grow' beyond human limits.
I've heard of other energies, but the one from Vengeful Heart was unlike any described.
Given how deep that energy felt, it's gotta be from the Demon King.
"The true Demon King?"
The moment I asked without thinking,
Gold groaned 'Hm...', Marie's face went sheet-white.
The maid behind gasped, and Kaiz... what the hell's with this idiot's face?
Fuck off, bitch. Step outside.
I half-stood to actually draw my sword when Marie shrieked.
"Not even as a joke should you utter such evil words!"
"...?"
Couldn't even snap 'Why're you flipping out?'—her voice was genuinely terrified.
"Brother hasn't been in this country long. He might not know the taboos—"
"Other Outsiders at least know what the true Demon King is and the continent's current state before coming, no? Ignorance from laziness isn't excusable! And this guy who claims to know nothing singles out the taboo true Demon King? Highly suspicious."
.....
Loveheart, you fucking bitch, how much did you neglect your duties?
If other Outsiders know, their patron gods briefed them properly, right?
Ah, wanna curse.
Loveheart, you dogshit bitch...
She's a god, so probably reading my thoughts anyway?
Gonna curse nonstop in my head.
"Sorry. Could you explain?"
"Does Yedre think the hero has time? Such taboos should be—"
No, I messed up, but she's nagging like hell.
Pissed off, I shot back snidely.
"Isn't that why you came all the way here?"
Marie gaped in disbelief, then said,
"No, you—"
"What."
"Th-this attitude! We're here on sacred duty—!"
"What."
"...!"
My responses grew shorter, her face erupted like a volcano, and she stood to yell.
And then.
"Marie."
Kaiz quietly called her name, and she shut her mouth.
Though her eyes still glared daggers at me.
Another beauty hates me now. Not even surprising anymore.
I noticed at the academy when Kaiz and I were alone—this confirms beauties = bitches collection.
"I'll explain, brother."
"Would you?"
"Of course. The true Demon King you mentioned ties to our Ten Great Clans anyway."
Oh right, the Ten Heroes—ancestors of the Ten Great Clans—fought the true Demon King.
And so Gold's explanation began.
Long ago.
The true Demon King started a war for reasons unknown.
The peaceful continent began drowning in blood, plague, and demonic beasts.
Everywhere was a battlefield; no safe haven.
Humans, elves, dwarves, beastkin, fairies... and dragons.
All races except demons united against the demonic horde in a grueling war.
The ones who ended it: the Ten Heroes, ancestors of the Ten Great Clans.
Blessed by the singular existence 'Prynar,' they fought the true Demon King.
And miraculously sealed him, restoring peace...
Having heard the old myth, I asked,
"Why not kill the true Demon King?"
"Records say it was impossible. They barely managed to seal him."
Hoo. Immortal god?
Anyway, even sealed, the true Demon King didn't go quietly.
I will return someday.
His death cry split the continent into factions, dividing one nation into dozens.
Storms and whirlpools ravaged skies and seas.
Some areas became too perilous for humans, and crucially, his power spread worldwide, embedding in his kin.
The true Demon King had 666 authorities.
Thus, 666 demon kings infused with his power.
Each became a Demon King, now called the 666 Demon Kings in modern times.
.....
What a tiny planet packed with so many kings.
How many demons are there that they need that many kings? Territorial fights must be insane.
"That's a ton."
Gold tilted his head at my words.
"...? Really? Isn't it weird that among races with demon-level numbers, only one king rules?"
"?"
Our conversation's not meshing?
I shelved my doubt as the explanation continued.
There are 666 Demon Kings, but obviously not all equal.
Like people, hierarchy by power, authority, influence.
Pyramid top: the true Demon King, said to return someday.
Below him, twelve called Great Demon Kings—including the four Ma Jae (Demon Calamities)—who practically rule demonkind.
Below, ranked by 100s, 200s, 300s as Purgatory levels.
The twelve are True Purgatory.
100 is 1st Purgatory, 200 is 2nd... etc. There's another elite group, but too complex—I let it slide.
The remaining 65 unranked Demon Kings constantly battle the 300 in 3rd Purgatory for spots.
"And the Demon King descending on the Floating Island is a 2nd Purgatory king."
"....."
"A true disaster."
Kaiz's grave voice.
Uh... really?
One of 200 sounds like cannon fodder...
Kaiz added,
"Even the unranked 65 could solo several national knight orders. Power beyond a newborn dragon."
"Hmm..."
"A 2nd-tier Demon King is at least a national crisis."
Isn't that overkill...? If true, this world should've been demon-ruled ages ago.
"Uh... does that make sense?"
"What?"
"At that level, humanity should've fallen long ago, right?"
2nd-tier a national crisis? Then with 1st Purgatory and Ma Jae, over 300 Demon Kings are national threats?
Over 300 world-shaking monsters—how's the world at peace?
Maybe my area's chill, but outside's hellish?
"...? What're you saying? Humans outnumber them vastly, don't they?"
Marie said, incredulous.
"Uh, yeah?"
"Over 550 nations big and small, other races vigilant against demons too. Demons are savage, infighting constantly—think the world falls easy? Especially human elites..."
"Wait, hold up."
I cut Marie off, thought a bit, and asked.
"This planet... radius around 7,000 km, right?"
Earth's 6,400 km exactly, but close enough.
"Huh? What?"
"......"
Fantasy world, no planetary knowledge, huh... I thought, when
"Missing a zero, brother?"
"......?"
"Planet's roughly 50,000 km, I hear..."
"......"
...What? For real?
Fucking huge?
I'd assumed Earth-sized, so stunned. Then Kaiz suddenly said,
"Yedre."
"Yeah?"
"Answer here."
"What?"
Snapped out of shock curtly, Kaiz leaned in annoyingly.
Fucking hate it.
"Your power in today's exam was impressive."
".....?"
"So, swallowing my pride, as a hero, I formally request: help us eliminate the descending Demon King and his summoning forces within a month or two."
"......"
"Will you join our operation?"
"No."
"......"
"......"
Silence filled the room.
Marie was the funniest—frozen blank-faced.
Then, the door opened; another maid entered.
"Um... Gold, sir?"
"What is it?"
"Lady Asita and Love Yarte's successor are here."
"What? Asita and Mayal?"
"Yes. They wish to see you and Yedre..."
I jumped up excitedly.
"Oh, yeah?"
Hurried out.
Heard Marie's wail behind, but whatever.
Obviously those two over Kaiz, duh.