Chapter 45
TL/N: Changing Rustica to Lusctica
Chapter 45 - Third Try
Anyway, I've found out everything I wanted to know about time-space regression.
I immediately revealed my plan to kill Eldritch to get the Demon King's help.
"Hero. Have you already been consumed by evil?"
That answer came immediately with a disgusted expression.
My twitching hand immediately went toward the Demon King's cheek.
"Ah, no sorry! I apologize! Thinking about it again, it seems like a reasonable and sound plan!"
"Right? I think so too."
"... Tch..."
The Demon King started muttering to herself. Keep doing that all you want. Nothing will change.
As long as you're in a 1+1 package deal with me, if I say we do it, we're doing it. No exceptions.
'So this is why those in power abuse it.'
It was so annoying when I was on the receiving end. Honestly, it feels incredibly satisfying.
As I nodded to myself, suddenly the Demon King turned her gaze toward me and blurted out.
"But hey, Hero."
"Yeah, what?"
"If I ask Eldritch about his Lifeforce Vessel's location and find out. What are you going to do with that information?"
"Break it and kill him?"
No backup, no future, yes manly man.
I answered truthfully without hesitation. The Demon King frowned deeply.
After letting out a sigh in that state for a moment, she soon raised her eyebrow and beckoned me with her finger. A gesture to come closer.
When I obediently brought my face closer, she raised her voice slightly.
"Look here. Then there would be nothing beneficial for me! Eldritch is one of my most loyal and powerful vassals!"
"You got me instead. Since you're reborn, let's cut ties with the old corrupt forces and hop on the Hero coin."
"Ugh! If you weren't my protector, I'd—! Argh, seriously!" The Demon King beat her chest as if frustrated.
Since I'm currently the superior one in terms of power, she seems frustrated that she can't resist her situation.
She raised both eyebrows and confronted me point by point.
"Aren't you a Hero! Unlike Eldritch, won't you become an obstacle when I try to conquer this Paradise continent someday!"
"I won't."
I answered immediately this time too. There was not a moment of hesitation.
The Demon King's eyebrows danced with a twitch.
"...What?"
"If you just help me now, I'll be on your side for life."
At my sudden declaration, the Demon King gaped with a dumbfounded expression.
I raised a thumbs up reassuringly and said to the Immortal Demon King. My tone was somewhat serious.
"The order I received from the higher-ups was to manage you, not to subjugate you."
"Hmm... And?"
"Do whatever you want. Whether you consume this continent or split my old Earth in two. I couldn't care less."
As promised with Minerva, I am the Demon King's observer. I need to watch over the Demon King from now on. I'll actually do it.
But they said to observe, does that mean I have to stop the Demon King from conquering the world?
No. Too troublesome.
Why should I do work I wasn't ordered to do?
If they're upset, they should have given proper orders.
'This is why verbal contracts are problematic.'
Even if the other party misinterprets the contract terms as they please, there's no evidence.
Minerva and you other gods. You really underestimated me too much.
"When you take over the world later, save a spot for me too. I'll work like a dog for you."
"Huh. I felt this from the beginning but... you're quite different from the Heroes I knew?"
"Who cares how other guys live."
I sneered defiantly, then muttered.
"Among 163,417,413 Heroes, there should be at least one guy like me."
When I boldly presented my sophistry, the Demon King looked dumbfounded.
After letting out a hollow laugh, the Demon King soon flashed an alluring gaze.
"Huhuhu, fine. I'll believe you. But still, it's not enough compared to Eldritch's worth. Make a bigger offer."
"If you don't help me find out Eldritch's Vessel location. Guardian or whatever, I'll kill you right now and commit suicide too."
Is this what they call carrot and stick? If earlier was persuasion, this is now a threat.
You need to know it's not your time to throw your weight around, Immortal Demon King.
"...Ugh!"
The Demon King swallowed her breath at my third consecutive immediate answer.
Wide red eyes stare at me intently. Thinking I was just bluffing, composure soon returned to her expression.
"Go ahead and try if you can. You should know better than anyone that death is not so simple...."
"Seven Sword Pierce."
Crackle!
Seven swords immediately shot out from the Bestak I was holding.
Four were aimed around the Demon King's neck. And the remaining three were precisely aimed at my neck.
"Well, men should act rather than talk."
"......"
"Big deal, I've died twenty-two times, what's twenty-three more."
I pointedly aimed Bestak straight at my neck.
Perhaps reading the sincerity in my sunken eyes, the Demon King let out a low gasp. Then reluctantly nodded.
A faint smile hung on her face as if she was fed up.
"Fine then. You Hero, you must definitely prove your worth for my betrayal."
"That's more like it."
I quickly extended my hand and grasped it with the Demon King.
After shaking hands briefly, I immediately let out a sigh of relief internally.
'...Phew. I survived.'
The bluff worked.
Not being scared? That's bull. The reason I'm pulling this crazy show in the first place is to die even one less time.
Are you crazy? To commit suicide together here amicably?
'I died twenty-two times so twenty-three isn't scary?'
That's nonsense. Because I've died twenty-two times, the twenty-third time is getting more and more scary.
The fear of death is still growing exponentially every time I die.
'Well. Anyway.'
With this, truly all the actors have gathered. Now this could really become the final play.
I hope you washed your neck well, Eldritch whom I don't even know the face of.
* * *
"Everyone. Today I have someone to introduce to you."
That morning.
I boldly brought out the Demon King to the breakfast gathering where everyone was present.
The Demon King wore a modest white dress borrowed (stolen) from Leila, with a short shawl over it to hide her wings, and a black circlet to cover her horns.
At least in appearance, she looked like a very pitiful young girl. But that's only in appearance.
"... Wow."
"Oho. What a beautiful lady."
Of course, everyone except Seolbaek opened their eyes wide looking at the new person.
No, come to think of it, even Seolbaek had her eyes wide open. Perhaps her drastically changed appearance in just a dress was unfamiliar to her.
I explained to everyone.
"Um, let me introduce. This is Lucy, an old acquaintance of mine."
"... Pleased to meet you, fellows. I am Lusi... no, Lucy."
Yesterday's 5-hour long 'lecture for your own good' was perfectly effective.
As proof, right now, Demon King Lucy was obediently bowing her head in greeting. Though her face was trembling with humiliation.
'Still, compared to her initial arrogant attitude, this is huge progress.'
By the way, the name Lucy is just a rough shortening of Lustica.
Can't use her real name. We're not going to advertise that the Immortal Demon King has been resurrected.
I quietly observed the audience's reactions.
"Hmm... This is, quite sudden. Yesterday and today have been full of sudden events, Sir Jeong-yong."
"Indeed. Could you explain a bit more, junior?"
"Ahaha...."
The Margrave stroking his chin while letting out a sigh, Leila sending questioning looks, and Seolbaek awkwardly laughing while nibbling on food.
Looking at their reactions, while they're showing suspicious glances aplenty, they don't seem to have noticed that this woman is the Immortal Demon King.
Seolbaek directly witnessed her birth yesterday, but she probably doesn't understand the gravity of the title 'Immortal Demon King'.
So to her, Demon King Lucy's image is just 'some mysterious Park Hyeokgeose girl hatched by a party member'. [1]
'... Phew. At least we've passed the most crucial hurdle.'
Though we've hidden all noticeable features with clothing, it would be useless if someone knew her face.
But fortunately, Lord Margrave doesn't seem able to identify the Immortal Demon King's face.
'Well, this woman... died and was resurrected 30 years ago, wasn't she?'
In this region where average life expectancy is low due to frequent wars with the demon army, someone from 30 years ago is already a legendary figure. It's normal that few people would know her face properly.
In this case, being brazen is actually the better strategy.
I put Lucy front and center and said.
"She is our secret weapon for this operation."
"... Secret weapon?"
"Yes. With her, we should be able to locate Eldritch's vessel."
At those words, not only the Margrave but also Leila looked at the Demon King with faces full of shock.
"... What. What are you all staring at."
A heavy silence fell around the Demon King, who looked quite uncomfortable.
Footnotes:
1] Park Hyeokgeose is a legendary founder of the Silla Kingdom in Korean history, who according to myth was born from an egg.