Chapter 155
Chapter 155
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 155
Chapter Title: Paradise for You (1)
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Duncan hesitated for a moment but ultimately pointed in the same direction as before.
"Yes, probably over there... I think it's over there, milord."
"...".
His words hit the mark. Pushing through the dense underbrush, a lesser demon with eight spider-like legs appeared.
- Krheeeek!!
Patter-patter-crack, smash!
- Hek, keheee...
Despite having so many legs, the demon failed to escape. Its head exploded from the thunderbolt-like axe blade, killing it instantly.
Whoosh – hum, whoosh – hum, whoosh, thunk!
Kadim retrieved his returning axe and wiped off the blood soaking it. He glanced sideways at the stunned, hiccupping Duncan, then nodded toward the fallen demon's corpse.
"It's a pureblood. Pierce its throat and collect the blood. Don't take the blood from its skull; it's full of impurities and will spoil quickly."
"...Hic, yes? Ah, y-yes! Understood, milord!"
Even as he jabbed into the demon's windpipe, Duncan couldn't shake his dazed expression. Kadim casually crossed his arms.
It was as expected. Duncan had gained the ability to sense 'demonic energy.' And he'd tracked and found a lesser demon about a kilometer away on his own, which wasn't bad at all.
Of course, it wasn't on Kadim's level. He could now sense demonic energy over a wide area like a game's minimap, marking intensity and position in his mind if he wanted.
Still, it was welcome news. If his companion could sense demonic energy, the risk of ambushes decreased, and he could even have Duncan hunt demons instead. He hadn't expected sharing his blood to grant such a useful ability repeatedly.
Kadim resolved to eventually let Duncan roam like auto-hunt and collect demon blood.
"Milord, here it is! I only got one bottle for now, but if you need more..."
"No, that's enough. I'll get other blood soon. Let's clean up the remains and go."
Duncan handed over the iron flask with a vague unease.
The Great Forest was still far off. After incinerating the demon's corpse cleanly, they returned to the path. The guide, as always, spread out the map and chattered idly: going west from here leads to Molden where they met the Demon Baron, wondering if the baron's wife and people are doing well...
Then they spotted something odd. Duncan widened his eyes.
"M-Milord? That you just drank... wasn't demon blood?"
Kadim swallowed the liquid in his mouth and closed the flask. His eyes glowed a subtle crimson like lantern flames.
"...Yeah, it was."
"Why, why did you drink it? A-Are there more demons or monsters around...?"
"No. The one we just killed was the last."
"Then why on earth..."
The merchant's question was valid. Until now, Kadim only drank demon blood when he needed power against enemies.
This time was different.
He drank it to sate an impulse and craving, not for power.
It wasn't advisable. It might kill the immediate urge, but it'd worsen the mania in the long run. Like pissing in the wind. But to prevent accumulated impulses from exploding at once, he had to preemptively relieve it somehow.
Fortunately or unfortunately, low-grade blood barely stirred him now. Kadim eyed him stoically, as usual. He could see Duncan's mix of worry and fear.
Until now, he'd thought Duncan would leave soon, so he hadn't explained. But things had changed. Kadim took a breath and began.
"As you know, I gain temporary great power from demon blood. But the price is gradually losing my sanity. What you call my 'chronic illness' is precisely the 'berserk mania' brought by demonic blood vitality."
"...Yes?"
Ignoring the dumbstruck reply, he continued. The more demon blood, the worse the mania and craving; divine arts could suppress it temporarily, but no full cure...
Duncan stammered in confusion.
"Th-Then shouldn't you stop drinking demon blood, milord?"
"...What did you think I just said? The impulses have built up; I can't. And if I hadn't drunk it, count how many times you and I would've died on this journey."
"Th-Then how did you get such an ability? Is it... another power bestowed on Atala's chosen great warrior?"
"...".
No, it's my inherent trait.
He held back the honest answer. But reflecting, it was puzzling.
'Blood Berserker' was too alien for Atala's blessing. Atala had epithets like 'Undefeated Lord of Ten Thousand Ills,' but not 'One Who Drinks Blood and Goes Mad.' And Cyril, the wilderness shaman, wouldn't have missed it if it were related...
'...Then why does this body have such a trait?'
If innate like Gale or Melissa, fine, but it felt off. No trait has as malicious a price as berserk mania. There must be a specific cause...
One guess surfaced.
'...!'
The unidentified crimson entity buried in his body.
Come to think, he first saw 'that entity' right after overusing demon blood in Soltana. The Nightcrow bishop and Agon's shaman called him disaster's source because of it. Even the high demon sealed in the Magic Tower saw it in his first playthrough body.
If drinking demon blood had been stimulating 'that entity' somehow...
Lost in grim thought, a voice full of misplaced confidence interrupted.
"M-Milord, don't worry! As I said, if you lose control, I'll sacrifice this body to stop you! And we're heading to meet the great mage who founded the Magic Tower, right? She might know a cure for the mania, so don't worry too much..."
"...".
A total flip from his earlier worry that the mage might be insane. Kadim chuckled inwardly.
First playthrough Melissa never found a mania cure. After he vanished, she focused on other research. Unlikely she holds the key now.
But he didn't point it out to discourage the well-meaning merchant.
"...Yeah, I hope so."
The warrior's lips twisted bitterly as he gazed south.
*
The journey to the Great Forest proceeded relatively smoothly.
Meaning, they encountered demons and monsters frequently but butchered them mercilessly.
As expected. The Great Forest was nominally Free City Alliance territory but practically abandoned. Travelers were only elf-fantasy drifters or rumor-chasers.
No patrols here. The area was lawless, almost a minor demon realm.
Pewk!
- Kwek!
Helped Kadim kill a demon, battled a charmed orc, ambushed a lurking shadow lizard pack and massacred them. Duncan panted, wiping blood from his transparent blade.
"Hek, hek... All dead, milord... No monsters left in the area..."
"Good work. Let's head out again."
"Y-Yes!? R-Right now?"
Hellish days for Duncan.
Battling constant foes plus nonstop marching without rest. No villages, not even hamlets; couldn't relax. Regretted tagging along dozens of times a day.
For Kadim, decent days.
Monsters no threat, perfect for gaining experience. Sparse people meant no time-wasters. Only regret: no strong demons for good blood.
Then, welcome news: his belt talisman glowed faintly. Nearby 'relic' left by Cyril.
Kadim scanned the direction. Open hills, easy access. To the crawling merchant:
"Duncan, rest here. I'll check that way and return."
"Huff, huff, y-yes... Understood, milord... Be careful..."
Duncan collapsed spread-eagled. With demon sense and Shadow Mantle, safe alone. Kadim headed off worry-free.
No need to ponder blood type. Decided: blood of high demon 'Aculanos' sealed in Magic Tower.
Not as potent as 'Pebillatus,' but powerful. Summons giant monster 'Insatiable Devourer' to swallow mysteries and miracles. One-time, but erases demon arts, mage spells, even paladin divine arts area-wide.
Opened flask, sniffed. Foul stench pierced skull; fresh enough. Impulse to sip; quickly capped.
Light pointed to hilltop. Followed to ancient rune stone slab.
Almost touched, hesitated—remembered previous shaman.
'...Hope no other crazy shaman.'
Better safe. Even sane one means trial.
Drew Judgment of Atala. Gripped humming handle, placed other hand on slab.
Scraaaape...
World's skin peeled.
Verdant landscape frayed, ebony corridor appeared. Stale air filled lungs, eyes adapted to abyss.
After scouting moment.
Gripped axe tighter.
Seemed like past relics: smooth floor/walls, converging darkness. But one difference.
No torches lit, despite waiting.
"...".
Not inconvenient. Eyes pierced dark; hellfire dagger if needed. But anomaly unsettling. Heightened senses, proceeded.
After ~5 min.
Walls/ceiling covered in bizarre runes and ancient text. Second shaman Kethura said clues to trial.
Kadim illiterate in ancient script. Familiar fragments meaningless. Regretted not telling Cyril; passed.
At stone door end, still no torches or echoing voice. Instead, familiar ominous aura. Not belonging here.
Obvious now.
Behind door: no ordinary 'trial.'
Kadim narrowed eyes, smashed door with axe poll.
―――― Kwaang! Rumble...
Through shattering debris and dust.
A huddled group sending gloomy stares revealed.