The Light! #1
So, I decided to investigate.
"I've come this far; it'd be a shame to turn back now."
My instincts are screaming at me right now. There’s something about that light. If I ignore this feeling, I’m certain I’ll end up regretting it, with the stench of total failure wafting all over me later.
With the human invasion looming! If there’s something this suspicious, I have to check it out first!
That’s the only way to prepare for it!
"Everyone! Roll call, assemble!"
I called for an assembly the moment I woke up!
"Keruk!"
"Kkeureuk!"
We’re currently on an expedition, but roll call is mandatory.
"Listen up! Unfortunately, today isn't about heading home—it's a reconnaissance mission!"
"Keruk! My King! What’s going on!"
"Good question! Your Demon King felt something... very! Ominous yesterday!"
"Keruk?!"
—*Murmur, murmur.*
At those words, my subordinates began to buzz with activity.
"Gyu-sat-sat. Are we going to check out the ominous thing?"
"Exactly, Gyul. If there’s something dangerous, we have to verify it. So, steel yourselves! Everyone!"
"Keruk!"
"Kkeureuk...!"
"Let’s eat and get moving!"
With the roll call finished, the kids started preparing for the daily routine.
"My King. Is it because you couldn't sleep last night?"
"Yeah. But the reason I couldn't sleep isn't anything ordinary. It’s a very serious matter."
"If My King feels that way, then it must be true."
"As expected of Sharan! You’ve been trained very well!"
"Shaa!"
Sharan, who agrees with everything I say.
How could she not be adorable?
Leaving my subordinates to prepare the meal, I headed toward the Lizardman tribe with Sharan.
"Shwaaak. Strong existence. You have come."
"Yeah. Hey. Jurassic. Do you know the geography around here well?"
"I know this area well. Shwaak."
"Then send two guys to act as guides."
"Shurarak? Guides?"
"I need to explore the surroundings."
"Shwaak. I will go."
"You?"
"The other tribesmen. They are still afraid. Shwaak."
"Will you be okay? Even if you aren't here?"
"It is fine."
Jurassic nodded with confidence. Well, let’s take him then.
"Get ready and come."
"Shurarak. Understood."
The guy flicked his tongue and nodded.
After finishing the morning tasks, we immediately began our march. We advanced deeper into the forest, following Jurassic’s guidance.
"Are you going because of that pillar of light?"
As we were walking, Serineu came up and asked. Ah, come to think of it, the Pixies knew about the light pillar incident too. She had mentioned that the forest races were anxious because of it.
"Yeah. Since we’re here, I’m going to investigate."
"It’s a bit ominous..."
Serineu rubbed her shoulders, looking as if she felt the ill omen.
"That’s exactly why I have to check it out. I need to know what it is to respond to it."
"That’s true. Well... since it’s something you’re doing, I’m sure it’ll be fine. Got it."
"Tell the other Pixies to stay alert."
I really am curious about what’s going on.
"Right. Jurassic. Do you know anything about the light pillar?"
"Shwaak. That is ominous. But are you really going that way now?"
"Yeah."
"Shurararararang!"
At my words, Jurassic shrieked in surprise.
"You bastard. Why?"
"It is an ominous place! Shwaak!"
"Yeah. I’m going. Just guide me."
"Shwaaaak!"
Jurassic was terrified, saying it was ominous, but he didn't disobey my orders. In that manner, we continued our march.
"Hmm."
Is it because we moved to a different region? I felt like the appearance of the plants was changing the further we went.
And also.
"..."
My heart started pounding. It felt like the ominous sensation I’d felt during my nightmares was being amplified.
"There really seems to be something there."
What on earth could it be?
"A pillar of light... I’ve heard the rumors, but no one knows exactly what it is."
"Y-yes. We heard the news too, but exactly what it is..."
Vanessa and Irene muttered. Actually, this was information that even the humans had witnessed.
"Sharan. If something happens, you have to protect me."
"Shaa-shaa. Sharan will protect My King!"
"Thanks. Same goes for you, Lumika."
"Got it. Leave it to me."
With Sharan and Lumika on both sides, I have nothing to worry about. The moment I thought that, Reika, who had approached at some point, muttered as if spitting out the words.
"Pathetic. Getting escorted by a bunch of wenches. Shouldn't it be the other way around?"
"Oh, Sister Reika. What are you talking about? I’m in a position to be protected."
"You crazy bastard, acting like a total maniac..."
—*Swish.*
Even as she said that, Reika walked right beside me. She was clearly ready to protect me if anything happened.
"Hehe, knowing that Sister Reika is protecting me makes me feel secure."
"Shut up."
"My, my."
Well, that’s fine.
"Buril! Do you see anything suspicious!"
"Keruk! I don't see anything!"
"What about you, Im-monkey!"
"I don't see anything, My King!"
"Right!"
I’ll fix the Im-monkey’s speech pattern later.
"Jurassic. This direction is correct, right?"
"O-of course. Shwaaaak. I do not lie."
"Good. I’ll trust you."
"Shwaak... it is truly ominous..."
Actually, I’m the more ominous existence here.
As we were marching along.
"Shaa? My King. Just a moment."
"Huh? Why?"
—*Trot, trot, trot.*
Sharan ran off, as if she had discovered something. I halted the march for a moment and followed her with my escort.
"My King. Look at this."
"This is?"
Sharan, who was squatting down, pointed at some grass.
"What is it? Is it some kind of special plant?"
"Shaa. If you pull this, it screams."
"W-what?!"
"It’s very rare. It’s dangerous, so don't pull it if you see one. You’ll collapse if you hear the scream."
"What did you say?!"
There’s something like that?!
"What happens if you collapse?!"
"Wouldn't you die? If you collapse in the forest, you get eaten, you know."
"Ah."
No.
But is this like a Mandragora?
"A plant that screams... I’ve heard of it. Though I’ve never seen one in person."
"Vanessa? You know about it?"
"I heard it’s a plant that alchemists love."
I guess even humans know about it.
"Anyway, it’s a scary plant."
"Ugh, shit. Why are you acting scared of a plant, you bastard?"
"Sister Reika. Doesn't it look like something to be scared of? It screams if you pull it!"
"Cowardly bastard."
"Anyway. Everyone! Come over here! If you see a plant that looks like this, never pull it!"
I immediately warned my subordinates to be careful. It’s literally a landmine. If you pull it by mistake, you’re fucked.
"Sharan. Thanks for letting me know."
"Shaa-shaa. It’s nothing. Please be careful from now on, My King."
"Hehe, right... Hm? Ah. Wait, Sharan."
"Shaa?"
"Can't we pick this without pulling it?"
"It screams if you pull it!"
"No. Can't we just dig it up with the surrounding soil and take it?"
"Shaa... shall we try? I’m fine, so it’s okay."
"Oh! Then let’s do it!"
If something like this exists, it wouldn't be bad to harvest it. A murderous plant that screams. If I put it in a pot and grow it, I could throw it like a grenade when the situation calls for it.
If a scream-bomb goes off, everyone gets stunned... isn't this an incredible weapon?
As we cleared the spot, Sharan scooped up the Mandragora into a small container to use as a pot. Carefully, so the roots wouldn't be exposed.
"My King! I harvested it!"
"Oh! Well done!"
Great!
"Let’s keep that well-stored! It’ll come in handy later!"
"Yes! My King!"
As Sharan went to organize the luggage, Vanessa said,
"You. What do you intend to do with that dangerous thing?"
"It’s simple. I plan to throw the whole pot when the time is right."
"Throw it? Then..."
"Yes. The moment the pot breaks, everyone is stunned. Mainly our enemies."
"Haa! S-such a usage! What a wicked idea that is!!!"
At my words, Vanessa clutched her head and looked disgusted.
"As expected of the Demon King...! Such a wicked thought!"
Irene had a similar reaction. It’s true that using a Mandragora like a grenade is wicked.
But Reika, who heard the story, said something very harsh.
"Aren't you just planning to use it to shove your dick into women's cunts and fuck them? Huh? You're planning to throw it at women just to rape them, aren't you?"
"No, Sister Reika, why would you interpret it like that?"
Wait a minute.
That seems possible too, doesn't it?
"So it’s not?"
"Well, if the opportunity arises, I might..."
"Tsk. You crazy bastard."
If I neutralize a strong woman with a Mandragora, then quickly imprint an evil mark and carve pleasure into her, everything will be fine.
"There’s really nothing in that head of yours but sex. You crazy pervert."
Indisputable.
"No, really, Sister Reika, don't say such harsh things... Sharan! Every time you see one, harvest it and store it like that!"
"Yes, My King!"
I’m all smiles as long as I have Sharan!
We continued our march in that pleasant atmosphere. We set up camp. We hunted. We scouted the surrounding races.
I saw that various races were being observed in large numbers. Not just Goblins, but Barghests. And even Satyrs. As we moved regions, guys I hadn't seen at all around my home started appearing.
I wanted to mess with all of them, but I decided to do that next time.
As we continued the exploration.
"Huh? What’s this?"
Suddenly, the terrain changed.
It was a strange place. In the middle of a jungle dense with plants. There was some kind of crater-like terrain there.
"Did a meteorite hit here or something?"
A scene as if a small meteorite had fallen. It felt like the ground around the center of that meteorite had been gouged out... but it seemed like some time had passed, as small weeds were growing inside the crater.
"Wait, this is suspicious."
"Stop."
Lumika and Reika stepped in front of me, and Vanessa drew her sword.
But I could see it.
"That is."
The middle of the crater.
At the center.
Something was 'stuck' there.
"..."
Is it really a meteorite?
—*Goooo.*
Above all... it’s very ominous right now.
My instincts are pounding and trembling.
"My King?"
"Ah."
I decided.
This is an exploration.
"Everyone. Watch the surroundings. Vanessa. Reika. Sharan. Follow me."
"Shaa! Yes! My King!"
"That is?"
I led my sexy, curvy elite guards and headed toward the center of the crater.
As we got close.
"Wow."
What I thought was a meteorite wasn't a meteorite, but some kind of crystal. To give a concrete analogy, yes.
Something like a transparent crystal the size of a human.
But there was something inside that crystal.
"Shaa! My King! There’s a female inside!"
"Uh, uh? What is this girl!"
"What on earth is going on here!"