Chapter 42
Chapter 42 - I, Descend
We retreated as planned.
Of course, at first it was really awkward.
Though it turned into an irredeemably cold atmosphere right after I gave the withdrawal order.
But did they think I would make such an explosive statement without any thought? With all my time regression experience.
I had prepared an excuse in advance for this moment.
"The enemy's security is stricter than expected. Their numbers are also much higher than I anticipated. Let's be satisfied with observing the terrain and enemy behavior today, and return tomorrow with a better strategy."
"No, but Sir Jeong-yong. Yesterday too, suddenly ordering a withdrawal..."
"This is a battle that stakes my life and Halcenberg's fate. We must minimize any uncertainties and maximize our chances of victory. Today is not the day."
"... Well. If you say so. Understood."
Fortunately, people soon complied with my words and prepared to withdraw.
More precisely, once the Border Duke accepted it, Leila followed as if it was natural. Seolbaek quietly followed along, perhaps because she was originally my party member.
Later when we arrived at the castle and were alone, the Border Duke quietly said to me.
"But still, this withdrawal order was somewhat sudden. It felt too unnatural."
"... I apologize, Lord Margrave."
I couldn't give any response to those words.
I could only bow my head in apology.
But the Border Duke too, seeing me like this, didn't probe any deeper.
"I just want to ask this one thing. Will this withdrawal help at all in killing Eldritch?"
"Yes. Definitely."
I nodded with conviction.
I've died and come back to life 22 times. There's probably no one in the world who hates dying more than me.
This hint that I gave while risking my life - it has to be helpful.
'The me who met Eldritch... must have caught something crucial.'
I was thinking that I would only leave a will in the Box of the Dead in such cases anyway.
My past life must have done the same.
'So today and tomorrow must be different.'
An unhatched demon king egg, and a hatched demon king.
There must be a crucial difference between the two that I don't know about.
"Hmm. I understand."
The Border Duke, who had been quietly observing my attitude, eventually nodded heavily.
"I won't go back on my word. I'll trust you."
"... Thank you, Lord Margrave."
"Go rest now. If you want to have meals together, feel free to come with that Seolbaek girl anytime."
"Yes. Thank you for your consideration."
While bowing my head, I found myself newly impressed by the Border Duke's magnanimous personality.
If it were me, I would have probably cursed first and asked if this was some kind of joke. As expected of a great person.
Tsk. I clicked my tongue without realizing.
'Good guys getting screwed over is the same in this world or the other.'
Even in another world, life really isn't worth living.
That thought suddenly came to me as I looked at Halcenberg's crumbling, groaning castle walls.
Well, regardless of the Border Duke's unfortunate fate. The urgent matter now is getting the egg to hatch.
There's nothing particularly for me to do, just wait in the room.
So as soon as I returned to the room, I took out the egg from my backpack.
"Let's see..."
Woong, woowoong.
The egg pulsating constantly while emitting an ink-black light. It had grown so large now it barely fit in the backpack.
No joke at all. It was almost as big as my upper body.
What's scarier is that I can feel it getting slightly heavier and bigger with each pulse.
That means it's growing in real time.
"At this rate, I'd believe it even if a dinosaur was born from this."
The immortal demon king's body is this size from the start? Is this “Attack on Demon King”?
Just as I was exclaiming in amazement while examining the egg from various angles.
"But um... why are you fiddling with that egg specifically in this room...?"
Seolbaek, who had been sitting demurely on the bed, finally spoke up.
I turned my head to her who was sitting next to me on the bed. Seolbaek was hesitating with her head lowered.
What's with this suddenly shy reaction?
Of course it might be an issue that I unexpectedly came to Seolbaek's room instead of my own, but why act like this now between us. We're comrades after all.
I responded casually.
"It's lonely being alone. Just killing time while waiting."
"Waiting? For what?"
"There's something."
"Ah... I see..."
Seolbaek's voice noticeably dropped.
What's with that disappointed reaction? What exactly was she expecting to be disappointed about?
Actually, I still don't really understand her way of thinking. Maybe it's because she's a girl from the martial arts world.
Can we become good comrades? Things were looking a bit bleak.
"But what exactly is this egg? What kind of egg is it?"
Seolbaek, perhaps wanting to break the awkward atmosphere, tried to engage me in conversation with an intentionally bright voice.
I shook my head with a slight smile.
"I'll tell you when we get closer. It's something troublesome to know about."
When I flatly refused, Seolbaek's expression clouded.
Instead of curiosity, disappointment filled her face.
"But, but why specifically here... making me needlessly curious..."
"That's true. Should I just leave?"
"No! That's, that's not what I meant. Don't go..."
Well, I continued chatting with Seolbaek like that for quite a while.
When we ran out of things to talk about, I would briefly rest against the bed. Or drink some water.
Soon Seolbaek, perhaps relieved of the tension from heading out this morning, fell asleep like a sick chicken.
Time continued to flow aimlessly like that.
The sun was setting dimly. When it was time for dinner, I woke up Seolbaek and ate together with her.
Thin soup and bread obtained from Leila. And a little vegetables and fruits.
'... It's soon.'
Night has fallen. The surroundings are getting dark.
Time is imminent. I fixed my gaze on the egg.
[Time remaining until hatching: 49 minutes]
The time had just passed 6 o'clock.
About an hour left until exactly three days have passed since the countdown began.
In one hour, it's the next checkpoint.
And as the panel said, that checkpoint will be the hatching point of the egg.
"......"
I quietly watched the egg while holding my breath. And slowly brought my hand to Bestak at my waist.
'If it seems even slightly threatening....'
I'll kill it in one strike.
Although I have a contract with Ashin Minerva. No matter what anyone says, my life comes first.
If whatever comes out of that egg is a ridiculous monster like Border Duke said, it's better to cut it down with my own hands before it gets strong and becomes troublesome.
Seolbaek, who was talking and watching together beside me, opened her eyes wide as if she had discovered something and said.
"Oh, it seems bigger than before we ate?"
"You're probably right. It's still growing."
"Wow... if, if it gets any bigger here... we might be able to fit inside."
"You can say that again."
As Seolbaek admired and gently stroked the egg, a dark energy flowed out with a 'woong' sound, and she backed away in fright.
I chuckled and continued watching the egg.
'It really has grown incredibly.'
Seolbaek's words weren't a joke.
It had already exceeded two-thirds of my height. Currently, it wouldn't be strange if one adult was crouching inside.
Seolbaek, who had been lost in thought while touching her chin, tilted her head and said.
"I wonder what will be born. I'm curious...."
"You can say that again. I'm dying to know too."
"Huh? You don't know either, Jeong-yong nim?"
"I know what it is. But I don't know what it looks like either."
"Ah... I see."
Seolbaek nodded as if understanding. Then she sat quietly beside me and stared intently at the egg.
... And so we spent a while just sitting there staring at the egg.
"... When do you think it will hatch?"
"Soon."
"How soon is soon?"
"Let's see... in 23 minutes."
"What? How do you know so precisely?"
"... Just a feeling."
"Hmm?"
Seolbaek giggled with an expression that said 'This person is talking nonsense.'
I can see right through you, Seolbaek. Learn to manage your expressions.
Anyway, whenever it felt too quiet, I played with Seolbaek, and time passed surprisingly well.
It was definitely the right answer to wait for the egg to hatch in Seolbaek's room. As I was having such idle thoughts.
Suddenly, there was a cracking sound.
"Oh."
"... Just now?"
Seolbaek and I simultaneously opened our eyes wide and fixed our gaze on the egg.
It cracked. The egg was developing cracks. Moreover, it was writhing vigorously. Black light was scattering in all directions from inside the cracked egg.
Seolbaek, who had her mouth wide open, grabbed my shoulder and shook it.
"It's, it's hatching! The egg is breaking, Jeong-yong nim!"
"Yes, I know. I have eyes. Stop shaking me. I feel like I'm going to throw up!"
The egg's writhing became increasingly violent, and the cracks spread like spider webs across its surface.
They instantly covered the entire surface. Just when the leaking pitch-black energy seemed to reach its peak.
Crack!
The egg shattered into pieces.
Simultaneously, a figure that had been curled inside stood up abruptly, proudly revealing itself before us.
"Ah, it’s a baby!"
That was the first words uttered by the immortal Demon King who had just hatched from the egg.