Chapter 131
Chapter 131
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 131
Chapter Title: Speed War - 3
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Kaild's expression turned speechless.
Firensha smiled brightly again, as if it had never happened.
"Come on, shall we go? Let's meet the lord first."
Whoa, she's terrifying.
Kaild nodded stiffly, like a wooden doll.
They approached the castle gate.
The gate lowered, and cheers that set their hearts ablaze rang out.
I stared blankly at the sight for a moment.
Thud.
Then Neril tapped my back.
"What are you doing? We need to hurry and catch up."
"Huh?"
"We have to respond to every one of their cheers. We need to leave a deeper impression than Kaild."
"You're right. Worrying can wait."
Adwin tilted his head and chimed in.
"What worry?"
"I'm wondering how Idria will play her next move."
"Hmm. Even if she's the Demon King, she probably doesn't have many options. You can always see through her plans, Brother, and we have Agril, which can cross the continent in no time."
That's the logical way to think about it. Normally.
But that Demon King always found a way.
Just like how I always found solutions, no matter how much of a dead end it seemed.
The Demon King and I were natural enemies, but we shared one goal.
'Both of us are preparing for a happy retirement.'
For that goal, the Demon King would fight desperately.
Just like me.
Firensha returned to Idria the next day.
She judged that she'd left enough of an impression on the lord and the territory's people.
Kaild looked disappointed, as if to say 'Already?', but she ignored him.
Dragging him back almost by the collar, Firensha said to Idria.
"I'm back."
"Welcome back. I'm glad you're safe."
Idria greeted Firensha with a bright smile.
Kaild wondered how her expression could differ so much between dealing with the fingers of deceit and dealing with him.
Firensha opened her mouth with a deeply apologetic look.
"I have no face to show you. It wasn't the result you wanted, Lady Idria."
"It's fine. I'm just happy you met Maide and came back alive."
"I'm truly sorry."
"I said it's fine. More importantly..."
Tap tap.
Idria tapped her index finger in the air as she spoke.
"How did that guy know and come find us?"
"I have some thoughts on that."
"Let's hear them."
"What if Maide has the same power as you, Lady Idria? Ah."
Firensha hurriedly corrected herself.
"I'm sorry. Not a power, but a bizarre and filthy ability is more like it..."
"Hehe. It's fine. It's quite an intriguing theory anyway."
Idria smiled softly, but the smile vanished as quickly as it came.
"It seems you've hit the nail on the head."
"You mean?"
"Looking back, Bion always showed up exactly where I resurrected, like clockwork."
Until now, she'd thought it was just divine providence from the heavenly gods.
Bion Kunze, created solely to kill Idria.
So she'd assumed he could pinpoint her location perfectly.
'But what if it's not just simple detection...'
What if it's something more specific?
Like uncovering 'secrets.'
For a moment, she felt a chill run down her spine.
"This is troubling. If Bion really has the ability to uncover secrets, it means he can counter any plan I come up with."
"Lady Idria."
"Even this conversation we're having might be overheard by Bion."
"Don't overthink it. It might just be my wild guess."
"No. Putting Bion aside, Maide has outmaneuvered me several times already. There's no doubt he was reading my secrets."
She grew a little anxious.
At this rate, Kaild and Maide's overwhelming fame would eventually close the gap.
It might even be overtaken.
What should she do? How could she...
It was then.
"Are you okay, child?"
A new voice echoed through the cave.
Firensha looked in shock toward the source.
A slender face like a scholar's.
A blond man stood there, a soft smile on his lips.
"Who are you!"
"Have you not even introduced your father to your child, Idria?"
"Lady Idria? What does this mean?"
Idria calmed Firensha.
"Relax. He's just a madman."
"Your rebellious phase must be hitting hard."
"Why have you come here again?"
"I said I'd come if you seemed to be struggling. You look like you are now."
"Get lost."
"The speed war strategy itself was brilliant. But it didn't work on Maide, I suppose."
Idria twisted her lips.
"Yeah. He seems to have the ability to read my secrets. More precisely, it's Bion's power attached to him."
"Hmm."
"If you're really here to help, how about it? Can you block that power?"
"Sorry, but even I can't touch that."
"Then you're useless. I said get lost."
Despite her harsh tone, Bellosian only smiled more deeply.
As if the defiance of a stubborn daughter was endearing.
"If your secrets are bound to be exposed, look to something else instead."
"Something else?"
"Make it so that even if Maide figures out your next move, he can't do anything about it. Weren't you trying a speed war from the start?"
"Hah. That guy has Agril, the divine beast. A monster that can cross the continent from one end to the other in ten days."
She continued in a dissatisfied voice.
"My monsters need five days to take form. And Maide will be waiting in the center of the continent now."
"..."
"Don't you get it? No matter where I open a portal on the continent to send in my monsters, he'll chase right after. What's the point of a speed war in this situation?"
"In the end, Agril is the problem."
Bellosian nodded slowly.
After pondering for a moment, he spoke.
"Then try again in about a week."
"What? Did you even hear what I said?"
"Trust me and test it once in a week."
"Hah. Why should I trust you? Besides, even this conversation might be leaked to Maide."
Bellosian said calmly.
"That won't happen."
"On what basis..."
"It won't. At least for secrets involving me, you don't have to worry about leaks."
For a moment, Idria felt her mind ease as if by magic.
But she couldn't admit it, so she just clamped her mouth shut.
Bellosian coaxed her.
"Anyway, do as I say. What's the worst that can happen? You'll break even."
"..."
"If Maide comes rushing in again like this time, just repel the monsters. Kaild will share the fame with Maide on good terms, splitting it half and half."
In other words, the gap wouldn't widen further, but it wouldn't narrow either.
That was the meaning of breaking even.
Idria thought for a moment and nodded.
"Fine. We'll do that."
"Good girl."
"Don't keep testing my patience. If you treat me like a child any longer..."
"I know, I know. Don't get mad."
Bellosian shrugged.
"I should get going."
"Finally leaving?"
"Call me if you need anything again."
"You weren't called this time either."
"Haha."
Bellosian let out a genuine laugh and vanished.
Firensha finally exhaled the breath she'd been holding.
To think someone would spout such insolence before the absolute Demon King of Lies.
She wanted to rage, but Idria just stared silently at where Bellosian had disappeared.
For some reason, it made her feel a surge of emotion.
"Lady Idria. Who the hell is that guy? He's so obnoxious!"
"I didn't know you could speak so harshly."
*He was incredibly rude to me,* Kaild swallowed the words back down his throat.
Idria continued.
"Firensha."
"Y-Yes."
"Would you ever consider calling me Mother?"
"P-Pardon?"
"I'm not forcing you."
It was just a sudden sentimental whim because Bellosian kept asking her to call him Father.
Idria tried to retract her words.
But before she could, Firensha cried out.
Her eyes sparkling like they held the Milky Way.
"Mother!"
"......!"
"Mom... might be a bit much?"
"I-If you want, it's fine."
"Mom."
Firensha fidgeted with her fingers.
"Could I maybe... hug you?"
"It's okay."
Firensha approached Idria step by cautious step.
Idria hesitated, then spread her arms.
Poof.
It felt less like a hug and more like gently leaning in as Firensha nestled against her.
Idria's chest swelled with emotion.
She stroked Firensha's back.
"I should have done this sooner."
"Mom. Thank you."
"No, I'm the thankful one."
"Please do this with the other fingers too. They'll be over the moon."
"Hehe. I will."
Kaild's face twisted as he watched.
The Demon King spreading lies across the continent, instilling real-time terror in all humans, and her lackey putting on such a heartwarming scene?
What a deception.
Truly living up to her title.
*Disgusting.*
Revolting.
So utterly revolting.
But Kaild didn't know.
He wasn't actually feeling revulsion.
That exchange of love was what he'd longed for since his ordinary human days.
Did he have to feel it even after attaching himself to the Demon King?
Why couldn't he be loved by humans or the Demon King?
In short, Kaild's true emotion right now was this.
-Envy.
A week had passed since leaving Peck territory.
We were staying in Tetra territory.
The place where we'd stopped the massive earthquake and first brought Kaild down.
More importantly, it was in the center of the continent.
From here, we could reach anywhere Idria opened a portal within five days.
I asked Trail for the map.
A screen soon popped up.
[Maide Mohan Cumulative Fame: 328,900]
[Kaild Wake Cumulative Fame: 400,830]
Kaild's fame had taken a big hit from the Gabril territory incident.
He'd partially recovered by sharing fame with me in Peck territory afterward.
Even so, his current fame was lower than when the oracle first came down.
'I was dizzy at first not knowing what to do. Now I can see some hope.'
[The gap is still huge.]
'But it's manageable. Let's think positive.'
I turned to Jenia.
"Is Agril recovered now?"
"From what I checked this afternoon, he's full of energy. He's rested a whole week already."
"Good. You worked hard too."
"Oh, it's nothing. Serein did way more."
Since Idria might pull the same stunt as in Peck territory anytime, Agril had to stay at full readiness.
So while staying in Tetra, Jenia and Serein infused holy power into him every day.
Serein flopped face-down on the table.
"No more packed lunches for me."
"I don't get it. Packed lunches are great."
"I don't get you, Jenia."
"You can feel how much Agril likes Serein lately, right? Sometimes I get jealous."
"That's not comforting."
I chuckled.
It was then.
Snap.
A screen window appeared.
It was red.
I was about to ask Adwin for a soul-link talk, but it turned green without need.
'That's fast.'
[It seems he just checked where you're staying.]
'Yeah, that would be enough. I'll wait a few minutes and use the Eye of Omniscience.'
[Okay.]
And about ten minutes later.
I requested to see the secrets of Idria and Kaild.
But.
[Used Eye of Omniscience.]
[Current Eye of Omniscience level is 4. Viewable secret rank is A-rank.]
[Selection condition: 'Secrets between Idria and Kaild Wake.']
[No related secrets found. Viewing impossible.]
Huh?
Why no secrets?
'Ah!'
[What? What is it?]
'Idria might have figured out we can see secrets.'
[......!]
'She probably sent the monsters "without anyone knowing." She'll inform Kaild and her fingers only after the monster horde takes form in five days.'
The Eye of Omniscience needs both parties' names for secrets.
Meaning there has to be a connection between them.
They don't even need to share it knowingly.
Even when the Martial King was draining the territory folk's vitality, they didn't know the truth, but I could see the secret.
'But back then, the territory folk were involved in the act of having their vitality drained.'
[So you're saying at this point, Kaild has no connection to the next monster invasion?]
'At least that's how the Eye sees it. If Kaild visits the territory in five days, a connection will form then. We'll see the secret, but it'll be too late.'
[Sigh. Idria's monster invasions are obviously for Kaild. Why is this ability so inflexible?]
'It's your ability.'
Anyway, Idria had used her head well.
From her perspective, the Eye of Omniscience would seem alien and cheat-like.
Whether she knew and targeted it or just played it safe, nailing the weakness so precisely was impressive.
Trail was so shocked he went silent.
But I was surprised, though not shocked.
I'd expected it eventually.
Idria had seen my 'bind and slice' technique exactly three times.
And in three tries, she figured out it stopped time and even tried to steal it with the Jewel of Greed.
'It's only natural she'd catch on to the Eye after this.'
[Can you really stay so calm? We won't know which territory she's sending the monsters to.]
'You think I'd just sit on my hands knowing my ability might be exposed? Remember what I asked Offense last time.'
[Ah!]
Trail let out an exclamation.
I said to Offense.
"Offense. Is what I asked you last time possible?"