Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Growth Verification (2)
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49th Cohort captures the Demon King.
That was something that hadn't even crossed Yuri's calculations.
An event with zero possibility.
But thanks to Yulia's abilities and the 49th Cohort's momentum, the equation in Yuri's head had shifted.
Originally, it had been...
Throw the 49th Cohort as sacrifices to the Demon King.
⇨ Slip away with Theresia when the time is right and complete the quest.
⇨ Enjoy happy times with the crystallization of power that's truly mine.
...That was the formula.
But now it had changed to:
49th Cohort captures the Demon King.
⇨ Quest ends.
⇨ Crystallization of power given to 49th Cohort as reward.
⇨ My crystallization of power gets stolen.
...Something like that.
'This is pretty problematic.'
At this rate, the original plan of passing through the starting point with Theresia to end the quest would be useless.
Even if Yuri and Theresia made it through the starting point, it would only end their own quest.
The others would keep going until the time limit, and if the Demon King got caught in the meantime, they'd have to hand over the crystallization of power too.
'After all that hard work, I can't just go back empty-handed with nothing to show for it.'
Reflecting on how she'd underestimated the 49th Cohort, Yuri racked her brain.
Searching for a way to untangle this mess of a situation.
'This stalemate can continue because Yulia Sing has struck the perfect balance of power.'
But that balance of power was on a knife's edge.
If anything, it was about 48 versus 52.
Of course, the 49th Cohort held the 52.
The 49th Cohort had a razor-thin advantage.
Which wasn't ideal for Yuri at all.
'The best outcome would be if the 49th Cohort exhausts all the Demon King's power and barely loses...'
The problem was, judging by the flow, this balance seemed like it would hold steady.
So Yuri decided to tip the scales.
'Demon King at 55, 49th Cohort at 45 should do it.'
Yuri quickly scanned her surroundings, looking for a sacrifice.
She needed one that could overturn this balance.
Not exceptionally strong, but not weak either.
Someone versatile in utility but easily replaceable if removed.
Soon, having found the perfect sacrifice, Yuri began moving stealthily amid the chaos.
Sneaking along.
Like a feline predator stalking its prey.
"Jerry! Fall back! Rexon, get in there!"
The battle with the Demon King raged on fiercely and rapidly.
At Yulia's signal, countless people swapped positions.
Jerry was no exception.
Having fulfilled his role up to that point, he retreated at Yulia's cue.
Jerry's face was slightly flushed.
'This... we might actually pull it off?'
The embarrassment of Yuri having misread the Demon King as a red herring faded quickly.
As they gained the upper hand against the real Demon King, hope swelled within him.
And it was right then.
Grab-.
Something seized the back of his neck, and Jerry's body soared through the air.
By the time he snapped to, his body was already flying through the sky.
'...Huh? What the hell?'
At first, it felt like a dream.
It didn't seem real at all.
Tilting his head down slightly, he spotted the culprit amid the slowly drifting scenery below—the one who'd thrown him.
'That bastard?!'
He couldn't believe it, but it was him after all.
Yuri, grinning wickedly.
The one who'd grabbed and hurled Jerry crooked his index and middle fingers, pointing alternately at his own eyes and Jerry.
A gesture saying he was watching.
At the same time, Yuri's lips moved.
Jerry read the clear lip movements instantly.
'Ca... ught... you... red... han... ded?'
At Yuri's mocking jab, Jerry finally remembered what he'd done.
The memory of flipping out, roaring madly as he chased after Yuri.
Regret hit him hard.
'Ah, damn it... Why'd I do that? I knew that psycho's temper.'
Must've been possessed for a moment.
Carrying that regret, Jerry shouted.
"Hey, you bastard! Even for you, this is too much!"
A single scream pierced the air.
Just as Jerry was hurtling through the sky toward the Demon King.
A savior appeared.
Grab-.
A shadow suddenly interposed.
Appearing as naturally as if it'd been there all along, the shadow caught Jerry mid-flight.
And the shadow's owner, Yulia, bellowed in a resounding voice.
"Everyone, fall back five steps!"
The entire 49th Cohort retreated five steps accordingly.
Yulia, still gripping Jerry by the scruff, did the same.
Yuri was the only one left standing there dumbfounded.
"Huh?"
The ever-confident Yuri let out a stupefied sound.
No wonder—the chaotic melee had cleared up in an instant, leaving just him and the Demon King facing off directly.
The 49th Cohort encircled them in a ring, with Yuri and the Demon King at the center.
Yuri felt a chill run down his spine.
'Huh? Did she... read my move?'
Just moments ago, Yulia had appeared exactly on the trajectory where he'd thrown Jerry, catching him as if she'd anticipated it.
She'd even immediately ordered a five-step retreat, creating this situation.
'If just falling back five steps turned the tables like this...'
It meant she'd positioned her forces from the start, accounting for his interference.
All while fighting the Demon King.
Yuri turned his gaze to see Yulia there, wearing a faint smile.
She clenched her fist.
'Got him!'
While maneuvering the 49th Cohort with her magic, what Yulia had focused on most wasn't the Demon King—it was Yuri.
The one who'd burst out of nowhere, ruining everything.
And not content with that, he'd dragged the Demon King here, using them as shields.
Yulia had instinctively realized Yuri was the most unpredictable element in this situation.
She'd wanted to exclude him...
'But that's not something to take lightly. If I recklessly sideline Yuri, who knows how the Demon King might react.'
Yuri had lured the Demon King here, but paradoxically, he was also the one keeping it pinned down.
She'd already confirmed the Demon King's attention was solely on Yuri.
If Yuri vanished, predicting the Demon King's response would be impossible.
So she had to use Yuri as bait to keep the Demon King locked in place as long as possible.
Even beyond that, she doubted he'd fall for any attempt to exclude him so easily.
'You can't underestimate Yuri Holland.'
Analyzing the 50th Cohort's quest logs, Yuri was sharp in brains, skill, and even intuition.
What made him scarier was that this brilliant, capable, perceptive guy didn't hesitate to use any means for his goals.
Would such a Yuri just fall for her ploy to sideline him?
And just laugh off nearly getting screwed over?
If she left him be, would he really stay quiet?
Yulia shook her head firmly at her own questions.
'Absolutely not.'
Her conclusion: leave Yuri Holland alone, and who knew where he'd bolt to.
So she'd prepared meticulously.
Set the stage.
Lured the observing Yuri naturally onto it.
While she stepped back one pace to watch.
Carefully swapping their positions without Yuri noticing.
And keeping a constant eye on him for any sudden moves.
Her efforts had paid off perfectly.
"Tch."
With no escape in sight and squarely facing the Demon King, Yuri clicked his tongue.
"...I've been thoroughly played."
Had he ever been this completely exposed since entering the cradle?
Not only had his plan been read, but he'd been maneuvered into a position where the opponent could exploit it.
Step-.
"Finally, I get to see your ugly mug."
Yuri sighed as the Demon King approached, radiating even more killing intent than when facing the 49th Cohort.
If he fought the Demon King here like this, Yulia watching from behind would be lying in wait, ready to pounce at any moment.
Just like he had.
'Hmm, what to do...'
Yuri pondered briefly.
Then he nodded shortly.
'Guess... this is the only way left?'
Having found a way out, Yuri suddenly turned his back on the Demon King approaching him.
And bellowed at those encircling him.
"Hey, you lot! Dare to harm His Majesty the Demon King? Have no fear of heavenly retribution?"
"......"
"Your Majesty, join forces with me! I'll lend my strength to help you smite these vile heroes!"
The cornered princess sought to become the Demon King's vanguard.
'Better to team up with the Demon King and sweep the 49th Cohort than get used like this!'
As Yuri shouted fervently to side with the Demon King, the 49th Cohort shot him incredulous looks.
"...What the hell is that guy?"
"...So, seriously, what's his deal?"
"Demon King's army?"
"He's saying he wants to join the Demon King's army now?"
Still unaware Yuri was the princess, they shook their heads in disbelief.
"Teresa, didn't you come with him? Don't you know anything?"
Under her cohort-mates' stares, Theresia turned away in embarrassment.
And a few in the 49th Cohort actually worried he might really team up with the Demon King.
'The Demon King alone is tough enough...'
'If Yuri Holland joins in too, we have no chance.'
Unsure of Yuri's exact strength, if he aided the Demon King, the slightly tilted balance favoring the 49th Cohort would swing decisively toward the Demon King.
But their worries were unfounded.
"Don't turn your back to me."
A chilling voice reached Yuri's ear.
"If you dare show me your back again to pull any more tricks... I'll cut you down without mercy."
A prickling killing intent washed over the back of his head, hardening Yuri's expression.
Awkwardly turning around, he asked.
"Your Majesty? Things seem a bit complicated... How about we team up for now and settle our issues later?"
"The first issue I must address is disposing of you. They come after."
"If... if it's about that, I'll return it to the Demon King's castle right now!"
Yuri said this while patting the crystallization of power in his pocket.
Of course, he had no intention of actually doing so, but it was a lie he could tell to defuse the situation.
But even that didn't work on the Demon King.
"Too late."
"Huh?"
"I already gave you a chance, and you kicked it away with your own feet. You'll bear the consequences."
"......"
Yuri let out a deep sigh at the inflexible tone.
'...No dice, huh.'
Honestly, he'd sensed from their encounter in the Demon King's castle that this guy was a stickler for the straight and narrow.
But he hadn't expected such rigid adherence, without even a sliver of compromise.
"Hmm......"
Yuri gave a wry smile.
No matter how he turned it over in his mind, no other solutions came.
It had been ages since he'd felt the limits of his cunning.
So Yuri cleared his head instead.
"No helping it......"
Drawing his sword as he faced the Demon King.
Shing-.
'If all paths of the mind are blocked, I'll have to carve through with my body.'
Of course, this wouldn't be easy either.
If it were, he wouldn't have run from the Demon King in the first place.
It was a fight with slim odds of victory, no doubt.
'But if this is the only way... I'll clash head-on.'
As Yuri steeled himself for the uphill battle.
From the encirclement around Yuri and the Demon King, amid those merely watching, one person stepped out.
"Huh? Where you going?"
"Teresa?"
Though her comrades called out in confusion, Theresia approached Yuri's side with a blank face.
But as she took position to his left, her blank expression twisted.
"You're really... haa......"
Yuri brightened at Theresia sighing deeply.
"Oh? Come to help me?"
"Yeah, we agreed on this from the start. And......"
Theresia nodded slightly and twirled her spear lightly, letting the tip drop diagonally.
Clack-.
"...who else is gonna protect our princess if not me."
Staring straight at the Demon King, she replied matter-of-factly.
Yuri grinned widely.
"Got my back, hero!"
Clack-.
He dropped his sword tip to the right diagonal, turning his gaze to the Demon King just like her.
And so, shoulder to shoulder, the hero and princess faced the Demon King.
Twitch-.
The slim chance of victory stretched out hugely, bulking up.