Chapter 181
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: Demon King Battle
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The church had sent a considerable force, but it was purely for defense.
Of course, they weren't fools—they'd brought artifacts like the 'Mirror of Resentment,' 'Explosive Gauntlets,' 'Scabbard of Ages,' and 'Jar Containing Time' from the last Demon King Battle, among others. But even with those, it was still dubious for offensive use.
The combo of those artifacts was a one-shot kill that consumed massive amounts of holy power, but it wouldn't be enough to take down the Demon King.
Sure, if things went south, they'd use them without hesitation... but if it got that bad, it might be better to die once and regress.
So, to smash the Demon King's plans with minimal casualties right now, they needed a preemptive strike they wouldn't expect—one that kept them from even setting foot in the duke's castle.
...I had to count it as a blessing that the two Demon Kings treated humans like toys and were fixated only on me.
If those bitches had taken humans seriously and aimed to destroy the duke's castle for real... it might already be over by now.
"Hoo... Where's Lady Weller?"
As I entered the family head's office with Ferdio Hadim, the vassals in the midst of heated discussion all turned their gazes toward us.
"She's overseeing the installation of the Mana Frequency Blocker."
"Ah, I see? We must've just missed each other."
"And separately from that, it seems she has business with you. I'll let her know to meet up."
"Lady Weller has business with me? Hmm... Well, perfect timing anyway. I was going to move with her."
The decisive weapon against Demon King Annus we'd acquired this time, the 'Grimoire of Blasphemy,' was—as its name and appearance suggested—a mage-exclusive artifact.
With no other reliable, capable mage I could trust, her role would be crucial this time.
I seated Hadim in an empty spot and locked eyes with Urtega.
"I'll be checking my forces in my room. Most preparations are done, so the moment the Mana Frequency Blocker is installed, we'll strike."
"What about the duke's castle forces?"
"Defense and buying time. Just handle those two well. Honestly, minimizing casualties is basically our victory, so don't push too hard. Oh, and separate the two Demon Kings. If you can manage that, I'd be grateful. Father and Greenjack together should suffice."
"...Can you lot really kill a Demon King?"
"We can. And we'll make it possible."
"......"
Urtega said nothing, but his eyes burned with clear dissatisfaction.
It was a subtle yet intensely fierce fighting spirit and competitive drive that drew an involuntary chuckle from me.
"Father. You want to fight the Demon King again?"
"......"
"Looks like that defeat still stings. Don't worry. You'll probably get to fight your fill."
"Is that so."
I shook my head as I watched him polish his sword and hone his killing intent.
I'd grown stronger in my own way, but I took no pride in my strength and had little competitive fire.
Probably the difference between strength earned through effort and strength gained easily.
"Then, let's meet again alive."
"......"
I left the office, leaving behind Urtega's heavy nod.
While I was in my room, enveloping the entire Terabaon with my divine authority to steel my resolve, Weller arrived.
But she wasn't alone.
She'd brought mages in deep hoods, who were levitating something with magic—a human silhouette wrapped tightly in cloth etched with dense magic circles.
"Sis. Is the Mana Frequency Blocker installed?"
"Yeah. No issues. More importantly, Kang Han-gil. Come here a sec."
"Sis. What's that?"
"Cambello's clone... or rather, the artificial body meant to be one."
"...What?"
As I tilted my head, she gestured, and the mages unraveled the cloth.
"...Huh."
A serpentine face with a single spiraling horn, bat-like wings, lizard tail, green eyes, and green hair—a high demon.
It was a corpse identical to the Cambello I'd faced before.
"This?"
"Found it in Cambello's temporary workshop. Don't you remember?"
"...Oh, right. You told me the coordinates before. Slipped my mind."
"Haa, honestly, you..."
She glared at me with half-lidded eyes and sighed, then shrugged it off and channeled mana.
"......"
The corpse's eyes opened with awkward movements, and it slowly rose.
Even though it moved, the utter lack of life in its form and motions created a profound sense of unease.
"If Cambello hadn't died to Father's sword heart, his fleeing soul would've possessed this, huh."
"Probably. Anyway, stand in front of it and meet its gaze."
"What for?"
"To make bait. More bait is always better, right? Easier to sow confusion too."
"...?"
As I stared blankly, not getting it, she sighed deeply.
"Just do it. Feed it some blood."
"Blood? Feed it blood?"
"Yeah."
"Hmm... Alright. You must have a plan."
Dubious but trusting her fundamentally, I extended my hand obediently.
Puk!
I formed short claws with my divine authority, clenched my fist, and punched my palm, boring a decent hole.
"Wha...! Not that much! You idiot! I said a bit of blood, not a bucket!?"
"Huh? Isn't this fine? It stings a little, but with my regen..."
"That's not the point! You moron!"
Weller yelled, grabbed my arm urgently, and turned to Sisili.
"Saintess!"
"Y-Yes!"
Before Weller could say more, Sisili invoked holy magic, enveloping me in soft light, and the wound healed rapidly.
"Hoo... A guy about to fight the Demon King does what...? Idiot."
"Was it really that bad...? Aren't you overreacting a bit, Sis?"
"Who's overreacting!?"
She stepped half to the side, elbow tucked, and slammed her full weight into my ribs.
A heavy, drum-like thud echoed.
The controlled motion was like she'd trained in boxing—surprisingly polished.
"Urk...!?"
It didn't really hurt, but for courtesy's sake, I hunched over in feigned pain. She snorted and lifted her eyes haughtily.
"Don't play possum. My fist hurts more right now. Tsk..."
She shook out her hand, then swept it through the air. The pooled blood on the floor floated up and into the clone's mouth.
"Good. Now..."
Woooong!!
She rapidly drew a magic circle, infused it with mana, and directed it into the clone.
Crack! Crunch!
The change was immediate.
With creepy bone snaps, the clone's body crumpled, then collapsed faster—only to reform even quicker into a new shape.
Crunch! Creak! Grind!
"...Ooh?"
And that new shape was very familiar.
It was none other than me.
"Sis. This is?"
"Another piece of bait. If the Demon Kings are after you, this'll cause some chaos."
"...Not a bad idea. Planning to pair it with Father?"
"Exactly."
"Do you have to control it manually?"
"No, it can act autonomously to a degree. I can preset behavior patterns too."
"More useful than I thought... What about its combat power?"
"Don't expect much. As a high demon clone, it's durable, but that's it."
"Hmm... So just bait, nothing more."
I nodded and looked at Weller.
"Fair enough. That should suffice. Anyway, Sis, your role in this Demon King Battle is huge."
"...Huh? Me?"
"Yeah. Honestly, without you, it feels a bit hopeless... Murel."
"Yes."
I held out my hand, and Murel swiftly produced the 'Grimoire of Blasphemy' as if prepared.
"This?"
She took it, flipped through, and soon stiffened.
"Hey. What the hell is this? This is like forbidden..."
"Shh. Sis. Not another word."
My room held only trusted people, but 'immortality' wasn't a keyword to toss around lightly.
"...What am I supposed to do with this?"
"Use it on Death Demon King Annus. You're the only one in our party who can wield it properly."
"On the Demon King? Why? Won't it backfire?"
"It's the fastest, easiest way to kill Annus. Trust me?"
"...Hoo, fine. I'll do as you say. Feels a bit iffy, but... Thing is, can't use it like this, right?"
"Correct. Needs a piece of the target's body. The more vital the part, the stronger it gets. Don't worry. I'll make it happen."
"...Got it."
I grinned at her assent, then turned to the group.
"Alright... Battle's almost here. Everyone ready?"
"Yes. No issues."
"Condition's peak. Ready to go wild anytime."
"I'll do my best. Han-gil."
They each gave sturdy replies, but then someone tugged my sleeve.
"...Vivian. What's up?"
"Oppa... Can I come too?"
"No. Too dangerous. You know that, Vivian."
"B-But..."
I stroked her hesitant head.
"And you're not staying alone. I'll leave Pashtra too. Honestly, not much help anyway."
"Ugh..."
Pashtra, who'd been gauging reactions, drooped at my bluntly honest words.
"Sorry, Han-gil. I'm too weak..."
"It's fine. Get stronger later. You're not weak, Pashtra. Empire knights would blow a fuse if they heard you say that."
Though Pashtra was stuck at peak aura, her combat power—boosted by 'Permanent Flesh' and 'World Tree Fruit'—rivaled a master's.
The upcoming battle was just on another level.
"So stay here quietly with Vivian. Got it?"
"...Yes."
"Vivian too."
"...Okay, Oppa."
The mood sank with their weak replies. Kachiolla, watching from the side, piped up softly.
"...But Master. I'm a bit tense. Mind helping me relax?"
"Suddenly?"
"Yeah. A deep kiss from you would melt it away... That okay? Just that much."
"Uh..."
I rolled my eyes in slight fluster. My women perked up at Kachiolla's words.
"Good idea."
"Yes, that'd boost morale for sure."
"Ahem! Hm...!"
I stared blankly at their predatory eyes closing in, then shrugged in half-resignation.
"...No reason not to."
"Knew you'd say that, Master!"
As I grinned and spread my arms, Kachiolla charged in for a lip lock.
"Haa... Damn it all. Damn."
We took turns passionately kissing, which must've grated on Weller—she scowled and spat thick curses.
After our deep kisses, as we did final gear checks and light stretches in wait, word came from Rubias.
─Kang Han-gil. Annus and Otilib are on the move. They're splitting up—couldn't agree. Now's the perfect time for a surprise attack.
"...Okay. Everyone, battle ready. Heading for Annus now. Sis, contact Father. It's starting."
"Got it."
Leaving Weller with the communication artifact, I exited first and turned toward the ominous demonic energy already palpable in the distance.