Chapter 385
Chapter 385
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 385
Chapter Title: Demons (3)
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Tarac, located in the northern part of the Tuluk Kingdom.
"Phew~ Haa— The air in this neighborhood is truly top-notch. No matter how much I breathe it in, it never gets old."
A black-haired, ordinary young man strolling through the streets took a deep breath and smiled contentedly.
A demon disguised in the appearance of his human days, Miyamoto Ken.
He slowly moved his feet, savoring the bustling city with a joyful mood.
'I knew coming here was the right call. I already hate the thought of going back.'
The Demon Realm, overflowing with negative energy, had been pure torment for him back when he was human—and an Earthling at that.
Of course, his current body as a demon actually benefited from such conditions...
'Still, I prefer this place over that musty air back there.'
He'd thought he'd grown quite accustomed to the Demon Realm after living there so long, but stepping out like this made his dulled senses come flooding back all at once.
'Has it really been over twenty years since I fell into the Demon Realm?'
And that meant it'd been nearly thirty years since he'd been sent to this wretched world.
Then, suddenly.
Ken halted in his tracks, his face twisting into a frown.
A sudden thought made his mind itch uncomfortably.
If he'd just managed to return properly, he'd be living a life without envy back on Earth by now.
He'd had the talent for it.
But somehow, things had ended up like this...
"...Whatever. I've already found a guy with some useful abilities anyway."
But the rising thoughts snuffed out in an instant, like dousing embers with a bucket of water before they could catch.
His expression now calm, Ken recalled yesterday's encounter.
While dispatched to this continent on a certain mission and investigating information, he'd uncovered something shocking.
Earth-made goods, which he never thought he'd see in outerica, were openly circulating.
They were still traded only among the upper echelons, but even that was remarkable.
'And there weren't just one or two of them.'
This wasn't some scattered belongings from a few transmigrators.
It was large-scale distribution handled directly by a massive merchant guild.
And the items they acquired in the process were no joke either.
Click— hiss!
Slipping into a deserted back alley, Ken pulled a metal lighter from his pocket, flicked it open, and lit it.
A faint oil scent accompanied the small flickering flame.
It was one of the "Earth-made products" distributed by an Awakener named Hubert.
"...Who'd have thought they could even bring something like this. Abilities sure come in all shapes and sizes."
An everyday item back on Earth, but here it was practically an otherworldly novelty.
And to think he could summon them endlessly like that.
Ken smacked his lips, remembering how the man had whipped up a feast of freshly made Earth foods right in front of him.
"...Can't just leave a talent like that alone."
The reason he'd handed over the info the man wanted yesterday and backed off quietly wasn't mere goodwill.
He'd simply wanted to put the man at ease while his own preparations weren't complete yet.
'That kind of ability has to be a unique skill.'
His own unique skill, which he'd lost after becoming a demon.
It wasn't the type you could steal.
The best option was capturing him and forcing him to serve as a slave, but that risked the man using 'Return' to flee to Earth.
And he couldn't babysit him forever either.
'In cases like this, mental manipulation is the way to go.'
If he could make the man utterly devoted, unable to even think of escaping, there'd be no further worries.
Sure, Hubert would eventually settle here and lose that useful ability, but he'd only been in outerica for under ten years, so plenty of time remained.
'Problem is, I'm no good at that stuff...'
That's why he'd needed time.
But that issue had just been resolved.
"You're here."
Ken's voice echoed through the alley.
"Tch, calling me out like this in the middle of something important."
In response, a frail elderly voice drifted from deeper in the alley.
Footsteps followed, and an old gentleman emerged.
Dressed in a pure white suit, holding a smoothly carved wooden cane, he tipped his white homburg hat slightly with a gloved hand and shot Ken a glance.
"Even for you, nothing comes free. You know the price, right?"
"Isn't that already settled? I'll pay up as agreed, so let's get going."
"Tsk tsk tsk."
Ken wasn't the only demon dispatched from the Demon Realm to this land.
Among them was one skilled in mental arts, and he had a way to request cooperation.
'Course, I'll have to help this guy out in return. But that's a fair trade.'
After thirty years, tasting MSG-laden Earth food had him seeing stars.
He had zero intention of cooperating with Hubert for supplies.
He was a count-level demon of the Demon Realm, after all.
Could he really grovel to some human merchant for scraps?
'Who knows when the guy might return to Earth anyway.'
Building up that merchant guild, he'd no doubt amassed a fortune in karma.
With his solid physical abilities and spamming unique skills without delay, he'd invested heavily in points—but surely enough saved to return anytime.
"I'll take the lead."
"Very well."
With yesterday's friendly visit putting the target off guard, now was the perfect moment.
And so, after a short time...
Two demons burst into Hubert's office.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The site of yesterday's peaceful meeting, where they'd shared a meal and exchanged information.
"...What the hell is this?"
A stiff voice emerged from the cluttered space, papers strewn across the floor.
Hubert shot up from his office chair, grinding his teeth as he glared at the unwelcome guests who'd returned.
"What it looks like."
Ken shrugged with a cheeky grin.
His expression cheerful, but radiating killing intent that promised to sever necks at the slightest escape attempt.
The assault had been instantaneous.
He'd already snuck into the office undetected before.
They'd apparently tightened security after he left, making it a bit trickier than yesterday, but to him, it was still child's play.
"Ho ho, what's this? Fascinating."
Behind him, the white-suited old gentleman eyed the fainted girl on the floor, stroking his goatee.
Diana, the guild master's secretary handling minor tasks downstairs.
Her sharp sense of smell was why she was here now.
Unlike yesterday when she'd missed the intruder's scent, she'd reacted instantly to the familiar smell, noticed the anomaly, rushed to warn Hubert—and gotten caught alongside him.
"Why? Something special about the kid?"
"...Ah, yes. Exceptional talent for a human child. Train her well as a disciple, and she'd make a fine asset. Heh heh heh."
"Tch, handle that later. Let's wrap this up first."
The old man shrugged casually, lying through his teeth.
No way he'd share info on such a treasure, even with an ally.
'Heavens, to stumble on a child bearing a fragment of divinity in a place I came to reluctantly. Thanks to this fool, I've hit the jackpot unexpectedly.'
Unlike Ken, a martial type with mere decades of life, he'd studied mysteries for over a millennium.
Lacking in raw power and still only a viscount demon, but his discernment was unmatched.
Suppressing his excitement with age-earned poise, he approached the office's frozen owner, feigning calm.
'Perfect. I'll saddle that insolent fool with a debt and claim the divine fragment...'
Dark desire bubbled deep within, curling the old man's lips.
His fondness for the guild master suddenly surged.
Wasn't this all thanks to him?
'Not that I'll go easy. But at least it won't hurt.'
That was the extent of his mercy.
Standing before the stunned Hubert, the old man tipped his homburg hat.
And as a purple gleam flashed in his eyes...
"Kgh, what is this...!"
"Heh heh heh, it'll be over soon. Don't resist. You'll just make it harder on yourself."
Skills like Clear Mirror Still Water crumbled helplessly, mental barriers shattering one by one.
Hubert staggered and collapsed limply onto the office chair behind him.
The insidious energy burrowed into his mind, pulverizing obstacles and delving deep within.
'Impressive. Mental fortitude better than most grand archmages. If he'd trained seriously, he might've reached transcendence.'
Exceptional willpower for someone without combat prowess.
If he weren't a spirit mage, it would've rebounded, damaging his own mind against that wall.
Truly extraordinary, no wonder he'd built such an empire.
'Pfh— such a pity. Without me, Frances, and with time, he could've been a hero. What a tragedy.'
Yet his face bore a sly smile, delighting in the ruin.
For he too was a demon who reveled in others' downfall, despite the feigned decorum.
'Alright, time to begin the work...'
But the smile didn't last.
Reaching the inner world after crushing resistance, he beheld a sight beyond anything in his long life.
"...What is that...?"
A fortress.
Or just a wall?
He couldn't comprehend it even seeing it.
The barrier stretched endlessly left and right, soaring sky-high.
Like a dimensional divide.
'How could something like that exist?'
Frances realized instantly upon gazing at it.
It wasn't just massive.
He'd shatter before scratching it, no matter how many assaults.
An impregnable fortress without a single gap.
Even in the intangible spirit world, it transcended imagination.
No way this was some mere merchant's inner realm...
'...Retreating.'
Not fully grasping the situation, Frances acted on instinct without hesitation.
An unprecedented crisis screamed that something was wrong.
But.
"Heh heh, leaving already?"
He'd delved too deep to escape quickly.
A "something" blocked his path before he could withdraw far.
Facing it head-on, Frances's soul shook violently.
'Kgh! What is—!'
This world judged solely by mental strength, where spirits were most vulnerable.
Meeting those ruby-glowing red eyes, the demon Frances's core essence twisted and reassembled.
'N-No...!'
He resisted desperately, but in this timeless space, his struggles scattered futilely.
Thus passed an eternity in an instant.
"Why not chat a bit, since you've come this far?"
To the sweet voice of the blocker.
"...With pleasure."
The dazed old man replied in an ecstatic, uplifted tone.
"I shall obey your command..."
As if entranced.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...Frances?"
Ken's eye twitched.
He called cautiously to his comrade again.
"What's wrong? Problem? How'd the manipulation go?"
More irritation than worry, but the trembling Frances showed no response even to the prodding.
No, there was a change.
Stagger— stagger—
Now swaying like he was drunk, the white-suited old man tottered in place.
His wooden cane rolled on the floor, his homburg hat precariously clinging to his limp, shaking head.
"...Damn it."
At that point, even Ken had to admit something was off.
Mental abilities packed immense power but came with heavy backlash.
Inconceivable, but the old man had apparently failed the manipulation.
Against some powerless merchant peon.
'Gotta kill him.'
Ken's gaze shifted to Hubert, still head bowed.
Regrettable, but no choice.
With manipulation failed, he couldn't leave such an uncertain threat.
Just as he hesitated in regret and raised his hand...
The staggering Frances froze abruptly.
Like hitting pause, rigid in place.
"Phew— my apologies."
The next instant, he moved fluidly like melting ice, sighing as he straightened up.
He picked up his fallen cane, fixed his crooked hat, and smoothed his disheveled suit.
"...Frances? You really okay?"
"Ah, no worries. I'm better than ever."
"The manipulation? Did it work?"
"Heh heh heh, I'm Frances. No issues."
Ken stared at the old man responding leisurely as usual.
No anomalies detectable.
As if the staggering had been an illusion.
"What happened then? Why'd you act like that?"
Which made him unable not to ask.
What issue arose in the process?
What could've made a demon wielding such dangerous power react like that?
"Oh, nothing much."
Thus.
Ken couldn't help but frown at the reply.
"I just paid a visit to my master."
"...What?"
"Ah— jealous, are you? Heh heh heh, no need to worry. He's master to us all, so you'll behold his visage soon enough."
Utterly nonsensical deflection.
Sensing chill from the absurd babble, Ken scrutinized Frances anew.
White homburg, white suit, white gloves, white shoes, glossy wooden cane.
The same prim old gentleman as always.
But one thing had changed.
That alien element pierced his eyes clearly.
'His expression...'
Not the usual inscrutable schemer's mask.
Gently curved eyes, slightly upturned lips.
His flushed face overflowed with uncontainable joy and ecstasy, as if meeting a god.
"...Fuck."
A curse slipped from Ken's mouth.
No matter how he looked, it wasn't fine.
He'd gone mad— utterly mad.
And the cause was surely the guild master, Hubert, on whom he'd just attempted manipulation.
'Kill him now!'
Turning back toward the office chair.
"Ha?"
In that instant, he gasped at the transformed world.
The guild office until moments ago.
Now an eerily familiar landscape.
Purple-tinged sky, blackened earth, barren wasteland without a single tree, dry wind brushing skin.
And the negative energy saturating the air.
"...The Demon Realm?"
It evoked the most desolate forsaken lands there.
And—
"How is it? My World of Demonic Heavens."
With a soul-shaking seductive voice, the figure appearing in the center.
Fitting this world all too perfectly.
"Welcome. To my world."
When it shouldn't.
Infinitely beautiful, nobly transcendent, a peerless beauty one yearned to rip out their heart for.
Like a lone flower blooming in the desert.
Solitary and dignified— the king of the world smiled.
"Now then..."
With words rougher than her lovely voice.
"Kneel while I'm asking nicely. Unless you wanna die."