Chapter 184
Chapter 184
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: The Way to Break the Nightmare
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High Priest Dedop of the White Shadow Church.
For him, who sought to aid the resurrection of the high demon "Embracing Nightmare Slahan" and claim its power, the current state of Mondales was nothing short of the perfect opportunity.
The successive deaths of the stars had thrown the city into chaos both inside and out—
and at the same time, high-quality prey had gathered in one place.
Dedop was convinced there could be no better venue for the ritual he had planned over long years.
In truth, when the ritual first began, Dedop had rejoiced that his judgment was spot on.
The moment the ritual commenced, the nightmares spread through the city.
The demon's power recovered through them.
The speed had far exceeded his expectations.
He knew that talented individuals had been flocking to Mondales lately, but—
'Who would have thought it was to this extent!'
It was a happy miscalculation, truly.
If the ritual proceeded as is, he would achieve his goal with ease.
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Dedop already held the cup of victory in his hands.
"What in the world is going on...!"
Yet, trouble arose from an unexpected quarter.
"The ritual... the ritual is faltering!!!"
Dedop had predicted that even if the entire city mobilized to find a way to counter the nightmares, it would take at least several nights.
For interference to come the instant the ritual began...
"How... how in the world—...!"
He needed to address the situation immediately.
And yet, Dedop merely stared blankly at the crystal orb.
At the unstable fluctuations of Demon Slahan's aura due to the ritual's disruption.
His mind couldn't comprehend the situation.
"For them to shake off the nightmares—the Lord's power—with their own strength! Impossible!"
At last.
The old man's gaze, tracing the cause, turned toward another man present with eyes full of suspicion.
"Unless they foresaw the assault and prevented it in advance...!"
The man's name was Kadin.
He too was a high priest of the White Shadow Church.
The two high priests did not greatly trust each other.
On the contrary, they failed to understand each other's differing approaches to serving the demon and even despised one another for it.
As was typical among the White Shadow Church's high priests.
Yet they were aligned now because their interests coincided.
Kadin, like Dedop, had business in Mondales.
With the heroes gathered there—
and the holy swords they possessed.
The ritual and the holy swords.
The plan they had coordinated in advance to efficiently achieve both objectives was as follows:
First, Dedop would perform the ritual to sow chaos in the city—
then Kadin would seize the opportunity amid the chaos to steal the holy swords, creating further disruption to hinder those trying to stop Dedop's ritual.
That was why Kadin waited at the ritual site.
He awaited the right moment, Dedop's signal.
The moment Mondales began to truly resist the nightmare ritual.
The moment chaos peaked.
That was when he would enact the holy sword theft.
But what was this?
As he waited silently, what returned was not the signal from his ally, but suspicious glares.
"Foresaw the assault and prevented it in advance, you say... Dedop. What are you trying to imply?"
"Heh heh—don't play innocent, Kadin. You know exactly what I'm getting at."
"Of course I do. I'm just asking your motive. Do you truly think I've betrayed you?"
"If not, then explain!!! How could they resist the nightmare ritual!"
"Are you asking me to explain your incompetence right now?"
"No. Explain the enemies' inexplicable competence."
"..."
"..."
The auras of the two superhuman high priests clashed silently.
They knew.
The moment their alliance broke here, their relationship would head straight to ruin—
and a battle to the death would begin, unrelenting until one fell.
All original plans and goals would naturally come to naught.
"Tch."
In the end, the one who yielded first was the one with more to lose.
The ritual already underway.
Dedop, who couldn't predict how many more years it would take if he missed this chance, clicked his tongue and softened his stance somewhat.
It meant he wanted to kill him right now but would hold back.
Kadin did the same, replying in kind.
"Think about it, Dedop. What reason would I have to betray you? What would I gain?"
"Isn't a convenient bait better than an ally one can't trust?"
"If I intended to use you as bait, I wouldn't do it now, at least. You know that too, don't you, Dedop? That this isn't the right time for betrayal."
"...Then what is it? How could they shake off the nightmares—the Lord's power?"
"You can't do anything until we figure it out?"
"..."
Gnash.
A grinding of teeth leaked from Dedop's parched lips.
Soon, suppressing his anger with effort, he sneered.
"Weren't you here precisely for contingencies like this? What, things not going your way changes your mind?"
"Do you see me as some doting mother cleaning up after you? I'm a gear that turns only after you've done your part. If I step in now, what would it be but sacrificing myself in your place?"
"You'd best watch your tongue, Kadin."
"Remember this is me yielding again and again, Dedop. Come up with a countermeasure now. Time's wasting pointlessly, and our goals are slipping away."
Damn it.
Dedop reluctantly began examining the crystal's state.
"A few have escaped the nightmares, but excluding him, everyone's still lost in them. No sign of others breaking free either."
"Then?"
"...I'll build a new ritual on this foundation. One that spreads their nightmares to those around them. That way, we can drag in the ordinary citizens and amplify the chaos."
Dedop looked displeased throughout his explanation.
The new method was far less efficient than the original.
He could see the demon's resurrection growing ever more distant.
'Who am I doing all this for...!'
Meanwhile, Kadin refused to accept even minor losses, unlike him.
Dedop's hidden resentment and distrust toward him continued to swell even now.
"A new ritual, you say. Is that viable? They're probably scouring for the culprits behind this with fire in their eyes."
"Have you forgotten where we are?"
Dedop stamped his foot irritably.
"This base and barrier I meticulously built for today! Even if they detect this space's existence, they won't reach us."
Dedop recalled the defenses guarding his secret location.
To reach this underground spot on the city's outskirts, one had to navigate complex back alleys—
alleys guarded by the demon "Deceptive Companion."
Unless a black mage, one couldn't even detect the demon, getting ensnared in its tricks and wandering the maze-like alleys endlessly.
That wasn't all.
Why had he deemed this time of successive star deaths ideal?
As a high priest of the White Shadow Church, Dedop had skills beyond black magic.
Astrology, manipulating star power, was one, and the barrier forming this space was built using it.
The spiritual realm of the stars.
The physical world.
Somewhere between them.
That was where Dedop now stood.
To pinpoint this place's exact location required reading the stars' traces with astrological power.
The process was akin to deciphering a grimoire, demanding advanced astrological knowledge.
"What sorcerer in this city would bother tracking star traces now! And even then, pinpoint my trail amid this chaotic starry sky!"
"..."
Hearing of the numerous devices protecting the location from Dedop, Kadin unwittingly clicked his tongue in admiration.
Magic, astrology, black magic, demons—
How many means had been employed?
It was paranoid caution at its finest.
Even he, seeing the open answer sheet, felt daunted; how much more for pursuers solving from scratch?
Kadin admitted it.
As Dedop said, no need to worry about the site being discovered.
"I'll prepare the ritual reconstruction now."
After Drey escaped the nightmare.
Phalag explained to Chender in detail why it had been possible.
"I can't make heads or tails of what you're saying."
That was Chender's response.
"A natural predator of demons, you say..."
Phalag had simplified Rishir's ability that way to help Chender understand.
Thinking, 'This should be digestible!'—
but his expectations were betrayed.
Chender's ordinary thought process, unacquainted with Rishir, rejected the very concept of a "demon predator."
"Where would transcendent beings have a predator? To begin with, if such a thing existed—..."
"Hm..."
Watching Chender, Phalag thought:
'This one's hopeless!'
Phalag understood Chender's inability to accept Rishir's ability within common sense, yet felt frustrated.
Perhaps from recently encountering Rishir's quick learners(?).
A grand mage found Chender stubborn for not accepting info on Rishir.
"Anyway, think of it that way."
"...Fine, got it. That's not the priority now."
Chender glanced at the still-sleeping companions before continuing.
"So that's it. The revealed way out of the nightmares is encountering Rishir in them. Right?"
"Yes."
Chender had no choice but to believe the absurd tale.
Soon after Drey awoke from his dream—
his secretary Meishi bolted up shouting "Rishir!"
Recalling that deepened Chender's anguish.
"Then... what of those who don't know Rishir?"
"Hm..."
Phalag pondered briefly before speaking.
"Rishir. Could you enter their dreams and help them?"
"Me? Understood. What should I do?"
"No idea. Thought you might, so I asked."
"Well... sorry I can't meet expectations...?"
Chender's expression watching this exchange was a sight to behold.
'That old coot... talking to him like that...?'
He struggled to equate the cantankerous mage in memory with the doting fool before him.
It wasn't easy, confusion abounded, but one fact was clear amid it.
'If that old coot treats him that way...!'
In this situation, the only one to rely on was a man named Rishir.
"Lord Rishir! Any guesses on waking the others? Even uncertain ones—please share! I'll assist with all my heart!"
"...One sure method comes to mind."
"Oh...! What is it!?"
"Find and deal with whoever caused this."
"Ugh...!"
Chender was startled.
He expected some outlandish idea, but it was textbook advice.
'Maybe he's not as extraordinary as the old coot claims...?'
His abilities might be exceptional—
but his thinking matched his unassuming looks: ordinary.
Chender could now converse more comfortably.
"Spot on. But... in this situation, that doesn't help much. How do we find and destroy the nightmare's source?"
Demon.
Chender shuddered, recalling the name again.
How mysterious and mighty was that power dominating people—
even the divine power that vanquished evils and healed multitudes meant nothing before it.
Just in case, Chender looked to Phalag.
Who shook his head.
No leads from magic either.
"How to track this inscrutable demonic power...!"
"...Since it's demonic power, wouldn't another demon know best?"
Textbook again.
But Chender was growing frustrated.
What changed by spouting obvious advice anyone could give!
Demonic power, so another demon would know.
He could say that himself.
Not just him—any passerby could.
To say it now—
one needed a sure way to harness demonic power.
Of course, absurd.
Humans borrowing demon power.
Those transcendent beings viewed humans—
as humans viewed insects.
The reason Chender felt frustrated with Rishir—
"Then Rishir, how about seeking help from your demons?"
"Was just about to."
Creeeak.
Chender's mind reeled once more.
After "demon predator," another indigestible phrase: "your demons."
Afterward.
Rishir seemed to summon an ashen spirit, conversing briefly.
-Hm...! Indeed, traces of another demon in this city! Master! I'll guide you!
Then they headed to the back alleys on the city outskirts—
subduing a lesser demon guarding the alleys there.
-Master! According to that worm, they're cunningly hidden between the stars!!! No ordinary eyes will spot them, but lend me power and I'll guide you!
"...No need, I think."
-You distrust it! Wise choice!
"Not that. I took a quick look and think I know where."
They followed the cleverly hidden star trail to an underground space beneath a ruined building.
-Master!!! A barrier of black magic!
"Where?"
-Ah! It vanished from contact with you, Master!
Passing a seemingly shabby but heavily guarded door—
they confronted two high priests mid-ritual.
"?"
"?"
The high priests blinked upon spotting them.
Chender beside them reacted similarly.
'Why are they here?'
As the high priests thought—
'Why am I here?'
So did Chender.
Momentary confusion passed—
High Priest Dedop.
He racked his brain to understand the situation.
Considering how pursuers breached so many defenses in this short time.
At last—
Dedop's face twisted into a demonic rage.
He bellowed furiously.
"Kadin!!! You damned wretch!!! So you betrayed me after all!!!"
"Ugh...!"
Thick killing intent.
Vast mana rising with it.
Overwhelmed by Dedop's fury, Rishir unwittingly stepped back.
'What are these guys...!'
Rishir instantly gauged their power.
The unique aura of superhuman elites emanated from them too.
With Phalag as clear comparison nearby, he was certain.
'Two powerhouses on par with Duke Phalag? This is insane.'
Indeed, fighting those two here.
Could he and his group return unscathed?
As Rishir contemplated the worst—
"Hm...?"
He sensed something off.
One enemy was wary not just of the intruders, but his own ally too.
"Kadin!!! Speak up! Keep talking!!! You brought them here with some scheme, didn't you!!!"
"...!"
Rishir had a flash of insight.
"Mr. Kadin! What now?!"
-Kadin! Good work! Leave the rest to us!
"W-wait...!"
What are these guys saying!?
Clear bewilderment crossed the high priest's face.