Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Immortal Demon King's Territory
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Unlike ordinary lord-type demon kings who achieved self-realization through dominating and ruling over humans, the Immortal Demon King had no interest in governance whatsoever.
He forbade all passage to and from the outside world—that was the only restriction he imposed—and otherwise left his territory to its own devices.
As a result, Kamu Territory had become completely isolated from the rest of the world.
"That's why Kamu Territory is such an unusual case among the lands seized by demon kings. The residents of other seized territories can at least have some contact with the outside."
"Mostly for trade or diplomacy, though."
"That's still something. Better than being completely cut off from all news, right?"
"The Immortal Demon King is definitely an odd one."
That's when Rennel chimed in.
"And we're heading off to deal with that odd demon king."
"I told you, we're not dealing with him. We're just going to find someone."
"You think the Immortal Demon King is going to cheer us on and say 'go ahead and look'? This is the guy who's cut himself and his territory off for 300 years. We'll drop dead the moment we reach the entrance."
"Don't worry about that. We've got Arwen."
After my regression, I'd roughly planned out my future moves.
The basic premise was to gather all my party members again.
One key caveat: visiting Kamu Territory had to happen after the Saintess joined.
I shifted my position and turned to Arwen.
"Mind giving us the Prayer of Blessing?"
"Knew it was coming. Ever since you boldly announced we were heading straight to Kamu Territory."
"You up for it?"
"Of course. It's not like the Prayer of Blessing is some huge ordeal."
Rennel's eyes went wide.
"Not a huge ordeal? I've heard other Saintesses in history spent a full month bedridden after just one prayer."
"I'm the greatest Saintess in history."
"......"
"Don't give me that look."
That's when Chris cautiously asked.
"The Prayer of Blessing..."
"Oh. You know what a blessing is, right?"
"I do know that much. Why assume I wouldn't?"
"Uh..."
"It's invoking God's grace through the Saintess to temporarily nullify all demon kings' authorities. A miracle."
"Exactly."
"But I thought the best you could do was cast it on one person at a time."
"That one's covered by my earlier answer. Greatest Saintess in history."
Arwen continued playfully.
"I already cast it on all of you once before, remember?"
"When...?"
"During the Disease Demon King incident. You were investigating the territory, so I slipped in the blessing during evening dinner prayer."
"I told you, that's not something you just tack onto mealtime prayers!"
"If the Saintess says she can do it, what's the problem?"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
For starters, that golden rainbow barrier I'd seen before—the so-called Fence of God—was a miracle no ordinary Saintess could perform.
From what I recalled of history, it had only been deployed twice, and both times, the Saintess of the era died as a result.
The Papal Court covered it up, so it never made the records. That's why Rennel and Chris didn't know what it was.
Before my regression, Arwen had told me about it herself.
And she'd added a cynical remark.
—This is why the Papal Court is...
Anyway, it was common knowledge that Arwen was the strongest Saintess ever.
'Not that all our party members aren't exceptional in their own ways.'
I gazed out the window as I spoke.
"See? With Arwen here, we don't need to worry that much. Besides, like I said, we won't even have to face the Immortal Demon King directly."
"......Got it."
"Good. Anyway, let's get off here. Can't take the carriage any farther."
The road to Kamu Territory was completely overgrown.
No surprise, after 300 years of neglect.
We grabbed our essentials and weapons, then dismounted.
Rennel cast a light protective spell on the carriage.
Chris patted the horses' manes.
"We'll meet again. Alive."
"Neigh."
Arwen hoisted her pack with a grunt.
I said,
"That's gotta be heavy. Hand it over."
"No way. I've always wanted to do this."
"......"
"Anyway, once we crest this hill, we'll be in the Immortal Demon King's domain. So I'll cast the blessing now."
Arwen removed her gloves as she spoke.
The Saintess's mark was obscured by the quad wrangle, as usual.
Pretending not to notice, I asked,
"How long will it last?"
"Against a regular demon king, about a month. But for an Arch Demon King, you'll need a refresh once a day."
"You sure? We might be here for days."
"No issue. To make sure you don't forget, I'll do it once at lunch every day."
She talked about divine blessings like they were pills with a "take once daily after meals" label.
Arwen began the prayer calmly.
"O great being in the heavens above, your servant beseeches your grace..."
During the long, tedious prayer, I let my mind wander irreverently once more.
'That kid's from Kamu Territory.'
Before regression, they'd been the last to join the party. This time, I was bumping up the schedule.
But all they'd revealed was their origin—no specifics on where in Kamu Territory or what they did there.
Truth be told, they were the second quietest in the party after me. A real kid who barely spoke.
Not to friendly Rennel, kind Arwen,
nor to Chris or the others who somehow put people at ease.
Whenever they did speak, it was always directed at me.
"That's it. Prayer over!"
"I don't feel a thing."
"Divine power's a different concept from mana. You're just not faithful enough to sense it, Dai-il."
You don't exactly scream devotion yourself.
I swallowed the quip and turned.
"Alright then. To Kamu Territory."
We entered Kamu Territory.
Thanks to the blessing, nothing happened to our group.
Rennel let out a sigh of relief.
"Phew. Didn't die of a heart explosion the second we stepped in."
She wasn't exaggerating or speaking metaphorically.
The Immortal Demon King's authority.
It allowed him to control human bodies at will.
The hearts of those under its influence could race until they burst or stop entirely.
He could force hyperventilation or suffocation.
Every internal organ tied to bodily functions fell under his dominion.
Arwen said,
"That's how he grants eternal life. The Immortal Demon King."
"......"
"Keeps the heart beating forever, the brain in constant control of the body. Even cell division continues indefinitely to halt aging."
"What's a cell?"
"Chris. After these past few weeks together, I've realized... Never mind."
Honestly, I didn't know what cells were either, but I'd play dumb for now.
Rennel picked up,
"Everyone who set foot in Kamu Territory died of burst hearts, right?"
"Yes. So the Empire gave up on subjugating it, and Kamu became seized territory."
"That was then. Things are different now. We've got a Saintess who can bless multiple people daily."
Arwen gave a wry smile.
"Actually, I've suggested it to the Pope a few times. With my current power, the Immortal Demon King's authority is no problem. We should send a subjugation force to Kamu."
"And?"
"The Pope... well, not just him—the Emperor too. The Empire's higher-ups have already written off Kamu Territory. It was prosperous 300 years ago. Now it's just a backwater that's been left behind for centuries. No profit in it."
Rennel crossed her arms with a bored look.
"So it's all about the money in the end. Told you I wasn't wrong."
"How'd you jump to that conclusion... Huh?"
That's when I spotted something and stopped.
A group of figures in the distance.
Their clothes and farming tools marked them as peasants heading to the fields.
Rennel cried out in surprise.
"People!"
"Of course they're people. Why so shocked?"
"Why aren't you shocked?"
"Other lord-type demon kings' territories have people living in them too. They don't slaughter their humans. They get off on ruling and governing them."
Rennel didn't argue, but she muttered defensively,
"Still, after 300 years of isolation, anything could've happened inside."
"Fair enough. Anyway, let's talk to them."
We approached cautiously.
Chris stepped forward.
"Excuse me. Could I ask you something?"
"......"
"......"
But they showed no reaction, just kept walking.
As if they hadn't heard Chris's voice.
Or as if we weren't even visible.
We exchanged glances, then nodded in unison as if on cue.
And slowly followed the villagers.
Soon, vast rice paddies came into view.
They set down their tools and began plowing slowly.
"They're working."
"So they are."
"But they look so lifeless. Not a sound from any of them."
"Farming's grueling work, yet no groans or complaints. Weird."
We stood watching for a bit.
Beyond the group we'd met, plenty more were laboring in the fields.
But none paid us any mind.
"......"
After observing a while longer, we realized we'd get no info here and turned away.
For the next half day, we wandered Kamu Territory.
For a place cut off 300 years, daily life was surprisingly intact.
Clothes were a bit outdated, architecture not modern, but roads and street trees were well-kept.
The market had merchants and shoppers; tool shops, herbalists, and smithies all functioned.
Overall, no different from the outside continent.
Except for one thing.
"Nobody talks."
They made no sounds.
Showed no interest in their surroundings.
Their eyes were vacant, like soulless bodies moving on autopilot.
Rennel muttered,
"Living creatures with bodily functions but no consciousness. Academics call them zombies."
We entered an inn.
Clear outsiders, yet the innkeeper didn't bat an eye.
We even paid with Empire coinage changed hands multiple times—useless here.
Still, he took the coins and handed over a key.
Arwen, watching, said,
"You should give change."
Couldn't tell if change was even needed with the currency mismatch.
Arwen wasn't after the money; she wanted some reaction.
But the innkeeper grabbed a handful from the till and shoved it at us.
Without counting if it matched, he turned away the moment Arwen took it in surprise.
"Well, this is something."
We grabbed an empty table on the first floor. Chris spoke up.
"Honestly, it's a bit creepy. They show no emotions or desires."
"Mm."
"Like living corpses. No will to live, no purpose."
That's when it happened.
"No wonder. They're basically dead already."
A voice suddenly came from behind us.
I couldn't help but smile.
Yeah. Even before regression, you greeted us just like this—from behind.
The others jumped and turned.
I followed suit, slowly turning around.
There stood a black-haired kid.
Messy, unkempt hair brushing her shoulders.
Eyes as dark as her locks, with tiny tear-shaped moles at the corners.
Expressionless, indifferent, oblivious.
A perfect match for the adventurer ID photo I'd made her before regression.
But most importantly...
No quad wrangle.
You're not the Absence Demon King either, huh.
I'd pegged you as a strong suspect.
Rennel spoke up then.
"Finally, someone in this territory we can talk to. Who are you?"
The girl glanced at us briefly before answering.
"Atrisha Limea."