Chapter 13
Chapter 13
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 13
Chapter Title: Descent Ritual #1
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"Brother Qlus. How pitiful. You've stuffed all sorts of things into your backpack."
"Oh. This?"
Right now, I was pretty much lugging around a full soldier's kit.
The Descent Ritual was about to end, and I'd drop straight into the Middle Realm with a thud. I couldn't just sit around waiting. And who knew where I'd land? It was supposedly heavy on randomness.
So, I'd packed everything I could grab.
Survival prep had to be thorough.
Thorough preparation was the only guarantee of survival. My backpack, nearly as big as a full kit, was stuffed with all kinds of tools and books, clothes, and simple rations.
This setup would let me film Law of the Jungle solo. If not, it'd be something like Tears of the Amazon. But in a real scenario, it'd probably turn into Qlus Gets Wrecked or Qlus's Tears.
At the very least, I hoped it'd end on an emotional high note like No Tears, Tonks.
No tears, Qlus.
"Heh heh heh. Proper prep raises your odds of survival, right? That's why I packed everything. It's heavy, but I'll tough it out."
"That's why I said you look pitiful."
"Why?"
"There's no way you can join the ritual lugging that around. All your careful prep will go to waste."
For a moment.
My legs felt like jelly.
"What did you say...?"
"No one among the Demon Realm nobles would approve of showing up with a huge backpack like that. They'd think it looks ugly. It'll probably get confiscated."
Kartiya sadly brushed her finger under her eye...!
"I-I can't take this?!"
Did that make any sense?!
"Yeah. It's obvious. It's a great ritual honoring the Great Demon King. Can't imagine anyone participating with that strapped on."
Suddenly, I recalled the military parades from my army days.
Soldiers in crisp uniforms moving in perfect unison. Yeah, it sucked. Uncomfortable. Hot. But you couldn't loosen your gear, ditch your helmet, drop your rifle, unbutton your vest, and throw on a cooling vest. Never.
Was this the same concept?!
"I can't believe I didn't think of something that basic...!"
"So I think Kartiya's right—you should hide only the essentials inside your coat. Nothing visible."
"Uwaaaagh!"
Nothing but frustrating bullshit!
"Argh!"
But what could I do? She had a point! I immediately shrugged off the backpack, picked out the key items, and stuffed them into my coat's inner pockets!
High chance of landing in a forest or jungle, so hand axe in... water flask! Some rope too!
"Gotta pack Kartiya's masterpieces too!"
Kartiya yelled that and tried shoving her book into my coat!
"No! Black magic tome instead!"
"But if not now, you'll never see it again!"
"No! I'll come back and read it for sure! I promise!"
"Hng... Really?"
Anyway, that made my coat weigh a ton. Couldn't pack much without it showing.
And so, I walked alongside Kartiya.
—...
—...
—...
Walking with her meant no one messed with me, as usual. If anything, the other high-blood palace demons bowed politely the moment they spotted her.
"Brother Qlus! They're all greeting you!"
"Huh? No? It's for you, isn't it?"
"Today's the day you join the Descent Ritual. They're showing respect for once."
"R-Really?"
So that's what it was.
I immediately waved back at the ones bowing to me.
"Heh heh heh. Yeah, take care, everyone. I'm off now."
When else would I get to strut like this?
"Brother Qlus? What are you doing?"
"Showing respect to me, apparently. So I'm returning the greeting. When else can I act all high and mighty?"
"Kuk...! H-Huhuhu. Yeah. Spot on. Good job!"
Getting praised by Kartiya felt great.
We kept going and reached the palace airfield.
"Huh?"
I thought we'd ride wyverns, but no.
—Grrr.
Something bizarre, like a flying beast of burden, waited on the field.
Its head resembled a mosquito's. A long proboscis stood out. But the upper body was muscular and human-like, the lower like some snake. Bat-like wings were attached to it.
Crucially, collars around their necks connected to a pitch-black carriage behind them.
Like Cinderella's pumpkin carriage?
If twisted into a nightmare, it'd look about like this.
"What the hell is that?"
"Servant beasts too. Let's ride."
—Creeeak.
As Kartiya approached, the carriage door opened automatically. Man... Demon Realm was Demon Realm. Full of weird shit. I sat right next to her.
—Whoosh!
The carriage soon lifted off.
"Ooh..."
Felt like my first plane ride. That floating sensation. Then Kartiya spoke up beside me.
"Brother Qlus, you'll prepare for the ritual now."
"Prepare, huh."
I'd heard a bit. There were several steps before the ritual. Some blessing, prayers to the Demon God. Whatever. I'd just go with the flow.
"Once you're fully prepped, you'll head to the ritual hall where the Descent Ritual happens. Then it's over. Straight drop to the Middle Realm. With demon kin from other families."
Other demons.
"Are those guys all losers like me?"
"Probably? Some families use the Descent Festival for training. They send their most useless kid to the ritual. Makes the rest train desperately."
Demon bastards were fucking ruthless.
"It's devolved into that, but it's still a traditional rite, so most Demon Realm nobles attend. Mother Duchess will probably observe too."
"Whoa."
One last face-to-face?
I wasn't eager.
"Don't wanna see her..."
"Huh? Why? How come?"
"Obviously. Why would I want to? After she straight-up said she's ditching me."
"Hng... Weird. Normally, you'd be thrilled if Mother Duchess ordered it. If you're blood kin."
"Personal preference. Personal. Everyone's got their own."
"Is that so?"
Anyway, the sky carriage flew like it gave zero fucks about my feelings.
Hit the brakes a bit, you bastard!
* * * We finally arrived at the ritual site.
A colosseum-like building topped with a circular dome. Around it stood buildings with jagged roofs. This was Ozvalka family territory, apparently.
"Ozvalka? Isn't that the Great Demon King's name?"
"His descendants. Not as strong as the Great Demon King. They manage the ritual grounds."
"Hmm... Do Demon Realm dukes get along? Sharing rituals like this makes it seem that way."
Kartiya nodded slightly at my words.
"Well, our main enemies are the angels. Demons ally often. Of course."
She raised her index finger.
"We fight plenty too. But no fighting during the Descent Festival. If something disrupts it and it's canceled forever... You know? No more peaceful gatherings of demon bigwigs."
Political reasons too.
"Even if we fight, we need spots like this to talk."
"Exactly."
Better to have a dialogue venue.
"Really, the Descent Festival is basically a chat forum for Demon Realm dukes and nobles. Us sacrifices might just be an excuse to meet."
"Treat it like the main event! At least pretend it's important!"
Shoving me into some side bullshit! These fuckers really! Treating us sacrifices like crap! Evil bastards!
Our lives as mere excuses to meet!
"Grr...! Anyway, Kartiya. Did they really all die? The demons who went to the Middle Realm? Every last one?"
"Who knows? Maybe not all. Could be some scraping by."
"Right?"
"But none built any real power. We'd have heard if they did."
Kartiya looked at me with her usual pitiful gaze.
"So Kartiya thinks... If you're lucky, Brother Qlus hides like a beast and survives. If not, you die. So sad."
Negative to the end. No, realistic, cold, clear judgment. That's why she pities me... But yeah. I'm an adult. Whatever she says, I'll stay composed to the end.
Like always.
"Don't be sad, Kartiya."
Time was almost up.
I smiled.
"We made a promise. I'd come read books. I'll return for sure... and read all the ones you recommended. So wait for me."
Grabbing her shoulders.
Speaking confidently.
That I'd definitely return.
"Promises you can't keep are bad!"
But Kartiya yelled that!
"No! I was just saying something nice! I'm leaving now!"
"Kartiya doesn't just say nice things. Kartiya's always cold and realistic."
"Fuuuuck!"
I was clawing my head when—
—Thud thud.
—Thud thud.
Footsteps from behind.
I turned.
"Ah."
Demons approached, heads draped in sackcloth-like hoods with holes only for horns and eyes. Creepy as hell. And not just that—their bodies were clad in neat suits.
"Time's up, Brother Qlus."
"Ah."
"Go now."
Kartiya's face had no playfulness.
Like an adult's.
"I'll treasure your book report."
"..."
"Talking books with you was so fun. Yeah. Kartiya won't forget Brother Qlus."
But she smiled at the end.
"Me too."
Yeah.
I saw Kartiya's smile one last time.
That was enough.
"Let's go, sirs."
I stepped toward the demons who came for me. They naturally flanked me.
Time to go.
Handle the prep or whatever yourselves.