Chapter 113
Chapter 113
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 113
Chapter Title: The Demon King's Pact
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Arthur arrived at the count's mansion with the Devil Squad, and Skevin quickly ran over.
“Young Master!”
“We'll talk inside.”
“Yes.”
Skevin led the way to the office, while the Devil Squad headed to the treatment room.
A short while later.
Arthur arrived at the office and sat down in a chair as he asked,
“How did it go?”
“The situation is unfolding urgently. I passed on your message to Marquis Valtre exactly as you instructed, and he replied that he understood and to prepare so he could come running anytime you called.”
“Just as expected. Summon all the commanders.”
“You're proceeding with the plan?”
“Valtre will move. Everything needs to be ready before that.”
“Understood.”
Skevin ordered the knight waiting outside the door to bring all the commanders.
Then he approached Arthur again and asked,
“Is it true that a Minotaur appeared?”
“So it seems.”
“Hmm...”
Skevin's face hardened.
While Arthur was away, he had searched through books related to the Minotaur.
Unlike other monsters, that thing was a creation of the Demon King.
In other words, it also meant that the Demon King's power had recovered enough to create it.
In the diary left by his grandfather, there were three omens that would appear before the Demon King revealed himself to the world.
The first was the appearance of the Demon King's familiars.
The second was the creation of a river of blood, and finally, there being more dead than living.
If these conditions were met, the Demon King would appear leading monsters and plunge the world into destruction.
If that content was true, then the first condition had been fulfilled.
They had to find and eliminate the Demon King before it could recover its power, no matter what.
“Young Master.”
Skevin wore a grave expression as he told Arthur everything he had learned about the Demon King.
Arthur's face hardened after hearing it all.
“So the first condition has been met.”
“Yes.”
“Does the second condition, the 'river of blood,' refer to the war with the emperor? If so, fulfilling the final condition won't be easy...”
“What do you...!”
Skevin tilted his head in confusion before his eyes suddenly widened as if something had dawned on him.
“You don't mean the entire five continents...”
“The Demon King won't just affect the Oscar Empire. So it makes sense to view those conditions across all five continents, right?”
“You mean...”
Skevin met Arthur's eyes and asked solemnly,
“You're anticipating an imperial war?”
“Doesn't it already seem to have started?”
“That's true, but the Namshar Empire won't move rashly.”
“The one to ignite the spark is someone else.”
Arthur gazed toward the window, thinking of someone.
“The person most anxious about the current situation.”
***
“I've reported it.”
As soon as Altros returned to the castle, he went to Ruan and reported on the Valtre matter.
Ruan, seated on the throne, wore a satisfied expression.
“I heard you blew up the Magic Tower.”
“I couldn't leave a place that had lost its way. I'm sorry for acting without first seeking Your Majesty's permission.”
Altros bowed his head politely.
“It's fine. You did it for the empire, so don't worry. We can rebuild the ruined Magic Tower, and replace the manpower shortage with the palace mages. There won't be any problems.”
“Thank you.”
“Did you convey my will to that fellow?”
Ruan's eyes sharpened.
“Of course. With the Magic Tower, which held significant weight in their forces, destroyed, he won't act recklessly. Besides, since we have his son, he'll make a wise judgment.”
“He'd better. For a bastard to overstep his bounds.”
Ruan frowned slightly before turning to Jangjarban.
“How was it when you went there?”
“Judging by the forces they showed openly, there wasn't much difference from before.”
“They've hidden them elsewhere.”
“I think so too.”
“What about the young punk?”
“We couldn't find him.”
“Marquis Valtre must be behind the Julius Count family. No matter how much he hides it, if we capture and torture that count family punk, it'll come to light. So no matter what, bring that punk back alive.”
“Understood.”
It was then, as Jangjarban bowed respectfully.
Knock knock.
A knight entered with the sound of knocking.
The gazes of Ruan, Altros, and Jangjarban turned to him.
“What is it?”
In response to Ruan's question, the knight answered in a hurried voice.
“Monsters have appeared at the eastern wall!”
“What?”
Ruan's eyes widened as he looked at Altros.
Altros asked the knight,
“What were the outposts doing while the monsters reached the wall?”
“We can't contact the outposts.”
“Can't contact them? Each outpost has defensive magic and emergency communication methods...!”
Suddenly, Altros's eyes flashed.
Jangjarban, who had been listening to the conversation, hardened his face.
“If they broke through the outposts and reached the wall...”
“...It's Minotaurs.”
“The Demon King's creation!”
Jangjarban's face twisted in rage.
Ruan also jumped to his feet upon hearing that Minotaurs had appeared.
“Is that true?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Dozens of Minotaurs are attacking the wall.”
“How could this happen!”
Ruan bellowed.
“I'll go handle it.”
“Go quickly and exterminate them.”
“Yes.”
Jangjarban swiftly left with the knight.
As Ruan stared blankly at the door they exited, Altros's face was filled with questions.
‘Already?’
“Why are the creations suddenly appearing?”
Ruan scowled arrogantly at Altros.
Then, after pondering for a moment, he spoke heavily.
“Someone has awakened the Spear of Skana.”
“What do you mean?”
Altros's eyes widened as he looked at him.
“According to the records left by our ancestors, the moment the Spear of Skana awakens, the Demon King's final seal is broken.”
“Was there such a thing? I had no idea.”
“It's information passed only to the imperial family, so others wouldn't know.”
“I see.”
Altros maintained a calm expression, but inside he was greatly flustered.
If what Ruan said was true, then he was the one who had broken the Demon King's seal.
That had awakened the Demon King's creations.
The unexpected emergence of this wildcard meant he had to rework all his plans.
Above all, if the seal was broken, there must have been some oracle.
This was no time to be sitting around.
“I'll go check the situation as well.”
“Do that.”
Ruan gestured for him to leave quickly.
As Altros exited, Ruan leaned back deeply into his chair and pressed his forehead.
“The Demon King's seal is broken... Now all his minions will awaken too.”
He frowned and gazed at the ornate scabbard hanging beside the throne, etched with intricate patterns.
It was the sword that the gold dragon Lumacas had gifted to Golden Barotas, the founding emperor of the empire.
One of the five divine weapons known as the 'Weapons of the Gods'—Rumakas's Sword.
It emanated an extraordinary aura, as if proclaiming its role as proof of the Oscar Empire's emperor and its power to weaken the Demon King's authority.
Soon-to-be Grand Sword Master Jangjarban and the Central Guardian Knight Order, known as the strongest force in history.
Along with Altros and his mages.
Even the forces of the dukes and marquises.
The Oscar Empire could be called the strongest in history.
Above all, he could feel his own power growing day by day.
At this rate, surpassing Golden Barotas, the strongest of the Barotas family, was only a matter of time.
“A war with the Demon King...”
As he reached toward the scabbard, golden aura threaded out from his fingertips like yarn, wrapping around it.
The sword then drew itself.
Ching-.
With a bright, clear sound, a blindingly transparent light poured forth.
That light seemed to draw out latent power, surging with infinite strength.
Golden aura bloomed from Ruan.
At the same time, immense power erupted, and his body slowly rose into the air.
“I welcome it anytime.”
He curled his lips into a sneer.
***
“Have you come?”
A group in black robes approached Altros and bowed at the waist.
Altros moved toward the barrier-etched area as he asked,
“There must have been some special change?”
“We were just about to report it.”
One of the group stepped forward and pointed to the barrier's pillar as he continued,
“Starting two days ago, the energy has become more than twice as intense at night.”
“Hmm.”
Altros's eyes deepened as he looked at the pillar.
Knowing the Demon King's seal had been broken allowed him to respond calmly.
Upon arriving before the barrier, immense power flowed from the pitch-black pillar, pressing down on him.
“How dare you!”
He tried to resist with all his might, chanting runes, but mana wouldn't gather.
“W-what?”
As Altros grew extremely flustered,
A chilling voice that sent shivers down his spine echoed in his mind.
-You were the one who broke the seal.
“W-who are you?”
-The being you so desperately desired.
“...!”
Altros's eyes widened.
‘The Demon King?’
No, it couldn't be. There was no reason for the Demon King to reveal itself so easily.
It must be one of the familiars impersonating him.
Altros shouted sharply.
“Ridiculous. Prove you're him!”
-Foolish humans always need a show of power to believe.
With a sneer in the voice, pain like his heart being torn out surged through him.
“Argh!”
Altros clutched his heart and collapsed.
“Lord!”
His subordinates, who had been watching from behind, were startled and tried to approach, but they couldn't move as if bound by someone.
“What!”
“What is this?”
Bewilderment spread across their faces, and Altros writhed on the ground in agony.
“Aaaah!”
-To think a pathetic human dares test me.
“S-sorry... p-please...”
-Using my power yet not recognizing your master?
“P-please... spare... kugh!”
His face turned blue, foam bubbling from his mouth as he convulsed.
Everyone was shocked by the sight, yet also puzzled.
He kept mumbling incoherently like a madman who had lost his mind.
“Why is he...”
“He can't gather mana, so there's nothing we can do!”
As anxiety soared with no idea what to do,
Altros's violent thrashing stopped.
Everyone held their breath, watching him.
-I'll spare you.
Suddenly, the mysterious voice spoke, and all pain vanished as if washed away.
“Ah...”
Relief at still being alive washed over him, but then the chilling voice returned.
-In exchange, offer everything you have.
“...!”
-Answer me!
A head-splitting, eerie roar thundered through his mind.
“Aaack!”
Altros clutched his head with both hands and desperately replied.
“I will!”
-Good. From now on, you will be my slave. Do you agree?
“I agree!”
As soon as he spoke, a spiral like a black hole formed on his left chest, turning pitch black before vanishing.
“T-this is...!”
Altros's eyes bulged.
Suddenly, unidentified power surged from his heart, spreading through his body.
-What you so desired.
“...!”
Altros quickly knelt before the light pillar and bowed his head.
“Thank you.”
-The Oath of Ruin is sealed. Use that power to make the Spear of Skana yours.
“I will.”
As he answered, the power rampaged, forcing him to stand.
“This is...”
Altros spread his arms wide, and black aura flowed from his body, sparking intensely.
Changes occurred simultaneously.
His white hair turned golden, regaining youth.
His wrinkled face became porcelain-smooth, and his frail body gained muscle, growing robust.
His pitch-black eyes elongated like a snake's before flashing and returning to normal.
“Finally, the power of immortality...”
Overcome with emotion, he unleashed the domineering aura he had hidden, laughing maniacally.
“Uhahaha!
Everyone stared at the mystical phenomenon in stunned silence.
‘Lord...’
Altros thrust his arms forward with full force.
Aura orbs the size of fists shot out sharply.
Boom!
A large hole was punched through the wall.
“Gasp!”
Everyone's mouths gaped open.
Altros, highly satisfied with the power meeting his expectations, turned around.
“...!”
His subordinates recoiled in shock at his changed appearance.
As Altros passed them, he flashed a confident smile.
“You're mine now.”