Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Demon Realm # 10
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After returning, I reviewed everything Kartiya had taught me, just as planned. Reviewed it all, then put it straight into practice.
"Krgh...!"
Demonic Power operation!
It wasn't working perfectly, but that elusive sensation of nearly grasping it was definitely there! Yeah! I'm a demon too! I've lived nearly ten years born and bred as one! Sure, others start at three years old, and I'm just getting going now, but I've got the experience under my belt—I can nail this in no time!
If kids can do it, why the hell can't I?
Me, who learned the Demon Realm language by slamming my head into the dirt—what in the world can't I handle?
"Nothing! Fuck that! I can do it all!"
Me, who pathetically clung to Kartiya and whined like a baby—think I can't pull this off?!
I spent the time practicing Demonic Power operation with positive thoughts running through my head. After repeating it steadily for a set period, I opened the Demonic Power beginner's manual again.
—Inhuman studying.
"Huu."
Theory's a real pain, as expected.
I read through it steadily and committed it to memory, then switched to strength training. When my head started throbbing like crazy, it was time to move around a bit. That tuckered me out, so I headed straight for a wash-up.
"Ah. This bed's the shit."
After showering, I toweled off just enough and flopped onto the bed... I could live here forever. This thing's plush as hell. Total different league from the South Fortress barracks.
Musing on that, I started flipping through the books Kartiya had given me, one by one.
She seemed so innocent, like the type who loves reading fairy tales and chatting about them. In that case, I had to play along, obviously. Looked like there weren't any other blood kin in the palace who shared her love of books. Guess it was up to me.
"Let's see here. Demon Realm fairy tales and Demon Realm novels. These all masterpieces or what?"
I love fairy tales and novels myself. Wonder what kind of stories demons go for? Earth had its share of grim fairy tales, and I figured demons would be at least as brutal, if not more.
But with Kartiya, it had to be heartwarming stuff.
"So the titles... Huh?"
Huh.
"Huh? Holy Butcher? Goddess Wrapped in Guts? Wait, Massacre Colony of Angels?! What the fuck is this? These are the 'must-read masterpieces before you die'?"
Hooked by the titles, I immediately snatched up Massacre Colony of Angels.
Time to read.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "...And that part was the absolute highlight. They were all grinning like they'd finally found happiness, marching right in together—and bam, angel mass slaughter site! Yeah! That's exactly it! The Great Heaven angels were pretending to rescue the demon slaves, all while dragging them off to their slaughter colony!"
Despair!
"And there she was—the old escaped leader! The one who fled first for freedom! That brave leader, left with just her head and spine, mocking us kyaahahahahaha!"
"Kyaahahahaha!"
I couldn't handle the shock and let out a scream, and Kartiya screamed right along with me. But her eyes were laughing, and she was propping up her cheeks with both hands like she was having the time of her life.
"Huu... What a thrilling fairy tale. No doubt about it—a masterpiece is a masterpiece."
"Right? Right right? Kartiya told you! 'Must-read before you die!' See, Qlus bro really knows his stuff!"
"Heh heh heh. Nah, it was just your great taste. Anyone would love it with recommendations like yours."
"Kartiya's taste...! Yeah! Love it!"
How can she be this cute?
"Kartiya especially loves that reunion scene with the leader at the end. They kept flashing back to her shining brighter than anyone in the early parts, all to set up that dramatic meeting, right?"
No.
But why does she love such brutal vibes? That ending shocked the hell out of me.
"I liked it more that the angels kept their smiles plastered on even when the door opened..."
"That part's great too!"
"But Kartiya. You like horror fairy tales like this?"
Not the kind of novel for someone younger than me.
Pretending to give hope, then butchering them all.
If this was the vibe, I couldn't even imagine how Goddess Wrapped in Guts played out.
Demons just wired for cruel tastes, huh? Sure, Kartiya seemed kind and pure, but born a demon—she had to have that side.
"Yeah! Love 'em! They're scary, so I keep imagining it all. Kartiya loves imagining stuff."
"Classic bookworm girl!"
Girls have their dreams and fantasies!
"So, Qlus bro talked books with Kartiya, time to start lessons again? How'd yesterday's practice go?"
"Obviously worked my butt off!"
I still couldn't do it properly, but yesterday I went at it hard. Planning to keep at it.
I quickly counted the days left until the Descent Festival... Would be great to nail it by then.
"But it's still not clicking. Can I make progress like this?"
"It's fine. Kartiya's here. Today's Black Magic lesson—with my help, anyone can practice!"
"Awesome! I'll grind hard!"
With that, Kartiya had the library's servant familiars fetch the Black Magic tome.
"This is the most basic Black Magic book. Made specially for our bloodline, of course. Covers basic Black Magic, necromancy... and most importantly for Qlus bro, Monster Domination."
I've been waiting for this forever!
Tears welling up!
"Hee hee hee. That look of thirst for knowledge—adorable. Kartiya'll help you get the feel for casting the magic, so let's dive right in?"
"Yes!"
Kartiya flipped open the book and launched into the explanation.
"Monster Domination. First off, all monsters in the Middle Realm are Demon Realm natives. Ancient demon beasts that crossed over ages ago. Modern monsters are all their degenerated descendants. That's why we can dominate them."
Oh.
So that's why it works.
"And above all, we're the blood of Mother Duchess. Learn it right and train properly, and dominating hordes of monsters is totally doable."
"Ooh! That's basically invincible! No one could stand against a monster army!"
I know what monsters are—Demon Realm has demon beasts too. Dominate those bastards, turn 'em into an army? Unbeatable for sure!
"Hmm, maybe? Other Middle Realm races tame monsters too. No magic involved—just domestication."
"Hm?"
Ah. Yeah, that's obvious.
Anyone can domesticate livestock.
Is this like that? Demons dominating livestock with Demonic Power, humans with tech? Worlds are different, so cultures and lifestyles vary—makes sense.
"Anyway, monsters can be resources. Ready to start there, Qlus bro?"
"Yes!"
And so the practice session with Kartiya began.
First, she summoned a servant familiar as our test subject. Once she released the domination spell—flap flap!—the thing went berserk, thrashing wildly.
Flap flap flap!
"Whoaaa! This little shit's feral!"
"It's free from domination now."
But Kartiya deployed her telekinesis, and it froze on the spot.
"Qlus bro."
"Yeah."
I placed my finger on the familiar's forehead, just like she said. She checked, then came around behind me and pressed her hand to my back.
"Kartiya's casting it for you, so just focus on the sensation, Qlus bro. Got it? Here we go."
I concentrated my mind.
Whoosh!
Felt the sensation flooding into my body.
"...!"
Straight away...! Demonic Power seeped in from my back, snaking down my arm. The sensation. Remember this sensation. This Black Magic formula and feel...! The surging energy soon poured out through my fingertip.
Pzzt!
The domination spell took root in the familiar.
"Success."
"Oh..."
The familiar went docile again.
"That's how it's done. Burn that sensation into your memory."
"Oh, ooh...!"
Hope's alive.
"Of course, you're slave-level right now, Qlus bro. Even if you master it, you'll only handle one or two weak monsters at most."
"Don't sweat it. I'm not some person—I'm a growing demon. A book-loving one at that? Means I'm built to improve."
"Spot on! Kartiya agrees!"
And with that, we kept the lessons rolling with Kartiya.
If there was a real Teacher's Day, I'd visit her every year with flowers and gifts. If I actually become the true Demon King someday? I'd institute Teacher's Day across the Demon Realm, you bastards.
I'll survive no matter what!
"Oh yeah, Qlus bro. You don't know much about the Middle Realm either, right?"
"Yeah. Barely anything."
"Hee hee hee. Then Kartiya's gotta teach you."
Kartiya really seemed to love teaching. Born teacher material.
"Lecture time!"
"Yes!"
"The Middle Realm's dominated by four races right now! Humans, elves, dwarves, and dragons!"
Oh.
"Humans are the weakest, then elves and dwarves. Dragons are the strongest!"
"Where do demons rank?"
"Stronger than humans. Elf or dwarf level, probably."
The demons I'd seen so far were definitely tougher than humans anyway. Superior physiques, plus Demonic Power.
"So humans are the easiest targets?"
"Nope. Humans have the biggest forces. And Middle Realm folk use this thing called mana. Kinda like demon Demonic Power."
Hmm.
They can wield an energy source like Demonic Power. Meaning Middle Realm humans could pull off superhuman feats and cast magic too.
Difficulty's sky-high...!
How the hell am I supposed to survive in a world like that!
"Worried?"
"Honestly? Pretty damn worried."
"Hm... But that's not the only thing to worry about right now, Qlus bro."
"What?"
"You said it took you forever to learn Demon Realm language, right?"
"Yeah."
Took forever.
"Middle Realm's got tons of languages like that. Human tongue, elf tongue, you name it. They split by nation even within races, and while there's a common tongue, hardly anyone uses it."
"Huh?"
"Books on Middle Realm languages are super old, so no clue if they'll still work... but I'll grab some for you anyway."
"W-Wait! It's like that? Middle Realm humans don't use Demon Realm language?"
"Huh? Isn't that obvious?"
Kartiya tilted her head like I'd asked the dumbest question...!
"F-Fuck!"
Does that mean I gotta study their languages too?! No! Wait, no—I'm a demon! No reason to talk to those bastards... Scratch that.
If I'm buddying up to gather intel on-site.
Learning their language is a must!
I'm gonna hurl!
"Poor Qlus bro... No time left, and so much to learn."
"I'm seriously losing it!"
"But you still gotta read all the books Kartiya recommended!"
"Don't worry about that!"
I'll devour every last one!