The Bait He Can't Resist
“There is something that guy would absolutely covet!”
“That guy? Like... Archisus's head?”
Carbanog marvels, remarking that it would indeed be highly popular.
“It is none other than... the Demon King's Staff!”
An item whose very name makes one's ears perk up!
Usually, the name of an item determined its performance.
Giant's Crude Ornament → Trash.
Sadiq's Burning Armor → Not completely unusable.
Archisus's Sword → Useful, but somehow makes you feel uneasy.
Demon King's Staff → An item with 'Demon King' in the name!
“What is that?” Intrigued, Tae-hyun immediately took the bait.
At his reaction, Pogalo hesitated for a moment.
Am I doing something too dangerous just to save my own skin?
Sure, Furneus is a demon, but the guy in front of me is the Avatar of Archisus.
Is it really okay to tell someone like him about this?
...Pogalo agonized over it for about three seconds before reaching a conclusion.
Whatever! I need to survive first!
A mindset even Carbanog would admire! There was a reason demons were always getting scammed by Archisus.
“The Staff of the Forgotten Demon King is an incredibly powerful artifact. Among the Demon Dukes, there are occasionally those who aren't satisfied with their own territory and seek to conquer the entire Demon Realm.”
The Demon Realm was also a place where people—well, demons—lived.
Just as kingdoms on the Central Continent fought to expand their territories, Demon Dukes occasionally clashed to expand their domains.
Among those Demon Dukes, the title given to those who went so far that others thought, 'Wait, is he actually going to unify the Demon Realm?' was none other than the Demon King.
Of course, no Demon Duke had ever succeeded.
Usually, if a Demon Duke became too successful, all the other demons would band together to screw him over.
Stomping on the one rising star was a time-honored tradition of the Demon Realm.
“Ah. Like Esla?”
Tae-hyun recalled the Archdemon Esla, who had been sealed in the Continental Labyrinth.
At that, Pogalo flared up in anger.
“I told you not to talk about that crazy demon!”
“Where do you think you're throwing a temper tantrum? Having trouble controlling your anger?”
“Ah. M-my apologies. It's just... Esla is a complete lunatic... so I'd appreciate it if we could leave him out of this... What if we talk about him and bring bad luck, and he somehow gets freed?”
Esla wasn't called the Madness Duke for nothing.
It was a name that made every demon shudder!
In truth, Esla was also a Demon Duke who had challenged the throne of the Demon King.
There was nothing surprising about that.
Demons naturally did that once they grew powerful enough.
But his method was the problem.
“'If I kill everyone else besides me, then I'll be the Demon King.'”
Total annihilation without asking questions!
Among the Dukes who challenged the Demon King, Esla was by far the most violent contender.
Huh. He seemed perfectly normal when I met him in the labyrinth.
In Tae-hyun's mind, Esla had a rather different image.
An Archdemon who felt like a benevolent grandfather!
It was only natural, since Esla was the only demon he had met with whom he maintained a friendly relationship.
Carbanog asks if being locked up in a labyrinth for over ten thousand years would naturally cure anyone's anger management issues.
True. Even if you're crazy, staying locked up for that long would probably bring you back to your senses. I wonder what Esla is up to these days...
It seemed Pogalo firmly believed Esla was still sealed away.
Sometimes, ignorance is bliss!
Tae-hyun asked again.
“Then is that staff Esla's staff?”
“No. It belongs to a Duke who challenged the Demon King much earlier. It happened so long ago that even in the Demon Realm, his name has been forgotten.”
“That's ancient history... Is it really that good?”
“Of course! It is on an entirely different level compared to other Demon King items. The moment you grasp it, it compels you to challenge the Demon King...”
Unlike other equipment known to belong to the Demon King, the Staff of the Forgotten Demon King boasted performance on a completely different dimension.
Rumors abounded that the power and authority of the former Demon King were perfectly infused within it.
Just holding it would allow one to rule the Demon Realm!
Occasionally, a lesser demon from the absolute bottom of the Demon Realm would appear holding that staff, unleashing a storm of blood.
Every time that happened, the legend grew even more exaggerated.
“So, what happened to the guys who held it?”
“They went missing.”
“Doesn't sound like an item with a very happy ending...”
Carbanog points out that nothing in this world gives power without a price. Except for Carbanog, of course!
Yeah, yeah. Thanks.
But Carbanog was absolutely right.
Regardless of how great the item was, it was highly unlikely that someone without the proper qualifications could hold onto it and survive for long.
Even if I get the item, I'll have to be careful about equipping it. I don't want to end up dying for nothing.
“Anyway, you're saying Furneus covets it? Are you sure? A Demon Duke might not even care about something like that.”
“Nonsense. Demon Dukes would covet it even more! The moment they hold it, they can crush all the other Dukes!”
“Fine. Let's say that's true... I get that he wants the staff, but what exactly do you plan to do with that information?”
At Tae-hyun's question, Pogalo fumbled around in his robes and pulled something out.
It was a staff.
“No way...?”
“This is a fake.”
“...Of course it is.”
I didn't expect anything else!
Carbanog remarks that you actually looked a little expectant.
“But it's a fake that I crafted with immense effort.”
“Why do you even have... Wait a minute.”
As they say, it takes a scammer to know a scammer. Tae-hyun realized it instantly.
This guy, Pogalo...!
He's been running around scamming people with this staff!
Pogalo cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem. Well, demons are quite interested in this staff... so it comes in handy from time to time...”
I see. I've learned something valuable.
Tae-hyun had picked up another trick.
If I ever need to scam a demon in the future, I just have to bring up the Staff of the Forgotten Demon King!
“This fake staff is so exquisitely made that no one can tell the difference at a glance. If we bring this, even Furneus will have no choice but to hesitate.”
Pogalo's plan was simple.
Approach Furneus holding the Demon King's Staff → Furneus, intrigued, tells him to come closer → Strike him when his guard is down!
“As the Avatar of Archisus, surely you possess a devastating attack?”
It seemed Pogalo was also deeply misunderstanding the Avatar of Archisus.
He hadn't even fully resurrected yet!
Of course, Tae-hyun wasn't foolish enough to say, 'Huh? No, I don't.'
“Of course.”
“Then that's all we need!”
Carbanog questions whether this will actually work.
Would a thoroughly pissed-off Furneus really control his anger upon seeing that staff and say, 'Hmm, approach me'?
What if he just throws an ice spear first?
Don't worry, Carbanog.
Carbanog asks if you have a plan.
No. Pogalo is the one doing it anyway.
Ah...
“Alright then, Pogalo. Let's go.”
“Huh?” “You're the one presenting it.”
“Wait, I don't have any means of attack...”
“Don't worry. I'll be hiding nearby in stealth. Just trick him enough to lower his guard.”
“...”
Talk about trying to shake off a burden only to get saddled with a heavier one!
Pogalo was horrified at the realization that he had to personally carry the staff and deceive Furneus.
Wait. Can't I just run away or betray him on the way? He won't be able to chase me in front of Furneus...
Clank—
“?”
“Ah. This is nothing. Just a gift I give to demons I'm close with.”
[Archisus's Shackles]!
It was this year's trendiest accessory, frequently worn by demons on the Central Continent.
“...”
“Now, Pogalo. You can do it, right?”
“I... I can do it...!”
[Castle modification is over 50% complete.]
[The propulsion thrusters are currently fully completed.]
[The balance stabilizers are currently...]
[...]
The goblins smiled warmly as they watched the castle slowly take shape.
Beautiful! It would be even more beautiful once it soared into the sky, wouldn't it?
“Last time it was the Emperor, this time a Demon Duke... Next time, let's modify a god's castle and make a run for it!”
“That's a brilliant idea!”
With those words, the goblins immersed themselves in their work alongside Archisus's chimeras.
They also frequently had to stop the heroes of the Church from interfering.
“Haha... Let me help. Do I just tighten this screw? Oh? It broke. Isn't this a bit too flimsy?”
“Human! Please, just stay still! I beg of you!!”
In modifying the castle to make it float, the most crucial parts were the basement, the lower floors, and the outer walls.
The upper floors weren't particularly important.
In fact, the goblins hadn't even set foot up there.
The upper floors of the castle were the residence of the Ice Duke, Furneus! Although he was currently away, setting foot there might trigger an alarm and ruin everything.
Curious, one of the goblins asked a captured Cold Spirit.
“By the way, what's up on the top floors? Are there any bombs or engineering items?”
“There's nothing like that... Furneus is a master of magic, so there are only magic-related items.”
“Tsk. How boring.”
If other players, especially mages, had heard this, their eyes would have rolled back in shock!
Magic-related items belonging to a Demon Duke!
If it were a mage specializing in ice magic, they would have risked their lives to climb up.
Snagging even a single Arcane ice magic spell would be a massive jackpot!
But to the goblins, magic was merely a parlor trick for poor souls incapable of engineering.
When the goblins dismissed magic, the Cold Spirits felt slighted and began to explain defensively.
“Magic isn't boring...”
“It is boring. I'd rather make a bomb in that time.”
“Do you know how many golems we could build with the money it takes to make a spellbook?”
“We even have a truly powerful magic item like the [Fragment of True Snow]!”
“Sure, sure. We also have a truly powerful castle. Ah, is it a [Sky Castle] now?”
The Cold Spirits shut their mouths.
Just hearing the name was terrifying!
“Come out! You vermin!”
“Don't breathe! Hold your breath!”
“*Gasp!*”
The rankers were scattered among the blue crystals, holding their breath.
After roaming around and slaughtering any party that caught his eye, Furneus had begun to turn his attention to the remaining rankers.
“I sense the presence of mortals. Do you think you can hide forever?”
[Ice Duke Furneus casts Curse of Cold!]
[The temperature is dropping!]
Gasp.
Crazy...
Snow began to fall furiously all around them, and the temperature plummeted.
It was an area-of-effect spell of the same lineage as the curse Furneus had placed on his domain!
If they didn't move and run, they would freeze to death on the spot. But if they moved, they would be detected by Furneus...
Whoosh!
“H-Heuk-heuk...!”
“Only Heuk-heuk can save us!”
The one who saved them was Heuk-heuk.
Wearing the Shadow Elf Cloak, Heuk-heuk was darting here and there, setting the rankers on fire to keep them warm!
“Ah, hot! It's hot!”
Even though it was hot and painful...
Meanwhile, someone appeared on the path winding through the jagged, towering crystals.
It was the shivering demon, Pogalo.
“?”
There was no way Furneus would miss him.
He halted his Ice Dragon in midair and looked down.
“Adad has brought all sorts of strange characters. Very well. Let's see...”
“I am not a demon sent by Adad!” Pogalo hastily cried out.
“You are not?”
“Indeed! I have come to offer you a deal, Furneus!”
“How dare an insignificant demon like you offer me a deal? Have you lost your mind?”
Furneus snorted and raised a hand.
At his gesture, a spear of ice materialized.
Gulp.
Though he was terrified that he might die at any second, Pogalo summoned his courage.
Behind him stood the Avatar of Archisus!
And if he had to choose who was scarier...
Archisus was definitely a bit more terrifying!
“Furneus! If you strike me, this [Staff of the Forgotten Demon King] will be reduced to ashes!”
“!!”