Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Predation - 4
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Idria admitted it in a bitter tone.
“If I had to put it into words, yeah. All this time he’s been helping me just to raise me up fat and juicy so he could absorb my power.”
“…….”
“Can you imagine how that felt when I found out? It’s like a livestock that’s trusted its owner, who’s always fed it the best feed, only to realize it was all to fatten it up for slaughter.”
Everyone swallowed hard.
But I refuted her words.
“I never really trusted or followed Bellosian anyway.”
“That’s just a figure of speech. Nitpicking like that—you’re pettier than I thought.”
“Anyway, I get the gist of the situation.”
Idria’s reason for wanting to kill Bellosian was perfectly valid.
If she didn’t kill him, she’d be the one dying.
My reason for having to kill Bellosian was crystal clear too.
Summoning countless Demon Kings into the world? That wasn’t something a hero could stop—even a hero’s grandpa couldn’t handle a catastrophe like that.
Once it happened, there’d be no fixing it.
We had to stop it before it started. Which meant killing Bellosian.
I said,
“He’s holed up in his special chamber. Pouring his power into Kaild.”
“I know. Giving a human like Kaild the power of a Demon King, no less. Probably interferes with the laws of nature somehow.”
“Yeah. But once he’s done powering up Kaild, he’ll take a break. Even for Bellosian, it’s no small task, apparently.”
“Who told you that?”
“…….”
“Impellium, huh. What exactly is your connection to him? Even Adin didn’t know that much.”
That was the part I wanted to ask about too.
Of course, even if she knew, Idria wasn’t the type to explain it nicely.
I changed the subject.
“Anyway, I understand what you’re saying. But it’s not enough.”
“Not enough? What do you mean?”
“If I take you down, sure, my fame would go up. But would it go up enough to let me kill Bellosian?”
“……?”
“Think about it. Defeating a Demon King is something past heroes have all done.”
Grade took down the Demon King of Destruction.
Lepia slew the Demon King of Greed.
Leon crushed the Demon King of Corruption.
Sovieus aside.
Anyway, if I beat Idria, it’d just be repeating one of those three historic feats from the past.
Idria asked,
“But haven’t you already surpassed the fame of all those past heroes by a mile? Comparing yourself to them seems pointless.”
“True, but the ‘enemy’ of this era is on a whole different level from back then. My gut tells me the fame from just beating you won’t be enough to take down Bellosian.”
“So what else do you want me to do here?”
“I’ve been thinking…….”
I whispered my idea softly.
In an instant, silence fell over the area.
Not just Idria—even my party members held their breath without a sound.
A long while later, Neril finally spoke.
“How the hell did you even come up with that?”
“What’s so surprising? I have to surpass the feats of past heroes. I need to do something they never attempted, walk a path they never trod.”
“No, even so. Ugh, whatever.”
She gave up thinking and rubbed her forehead.
That was when Idria spoke.
“That plan makes me look way too pathetic, though.”
“Don’t you need Bellosian dead? You’re not exactly in a position to complain.”
“…….”
“If we go with my plan, at least you won’t end up getting eaten by Bellosian. Of course, once everything’s wrapped up, you’ll fall to my sword.”
She burst out laughing, as if utterly incredulous.
“Shouldn’t you at least say you’ll spare me, even if it’s empty flattery?”
“I don’t feel like lying in front of the Demon King of Lies.”
“Then I’ve got no reason to help you.”
“Then go get quietly devoured by Bellosian.”
“If I do, he becomes a Demon God. That wouldn’t be good for you either.”
“I’d find another way. Like I always have.”
Surprisingly, Idria seemed convinced by my final words.
“Yeah. You would, wouldn’t you.”
“…….”
“So, how exactly are we doing this? Starting right here, right now?”
Her question was as good as accepting my proposal.
I reined in my twitching lips and answered.
“Nah. If we fight right now with no one around to see, the fame boost will take forever to kick in. I learned that the hard way from our last mud-wrestling match.”
“…….”
“Showing our fight live to the world is the way to reap maximum fame in one go. Better to deal with a monster like Bellosian as fast as possible, right?”
Idria said,
“That’s not wrong.”
“I’m always right.”
“……Fine. I’m in on the plan.”
“Good. You can come out now.”
I widened the spatial rift enough for her to pass through.
A moment later, she stepped out of the space and planted her feet on the ground.
My companions instinctively reached for their weapons, but Idria paid them no mind.
She looked up at the sky and asked,
“Time and place?”
“Haven’t decided either yet. Though for time, it has to be within the next three months while Bellosian’s stuck in his chamber.”
“Call me when you’re ready.”
“Will do. Neril, got any spare communication orbs?”
Neril sighed and reached into her bosom.
She flicked one over to Idria.
Idria said,
“How do I use this?”
“What? You don’t even know that?”
“Why would I?”
“Ugh. Never thought I’d be teaching a Demon King how to use a communication orb.”
Neril explained the basics simply.
Idria picked it up quickly and tucked it away.
I said,
“You sticking around until the next contact?”
“Nah. Thanks to you, my cave’s gone up in smoke. And I actually liked the place.”
“Not sorry at all.”
“Figure out your own lodging and get lost already.”
“Why not call all your minions here? Let them say hi before we go.”
I continued with a touch of cynicism.
“Thanks to your ‘warm consideration,’ every one of the Fingers of Deceit has ties to my party members. They came all this way—might as well exchange greetings.”
“Ha.”
“Speaking of which, I still don’t know the identity of the third finger. Which one of us is he connected to?”
“……Heh heh.”
Idria suddenly let out a low chuckle.
“That child has nothing to do with any of you.”
“Really? Coming from the Demon King of Lies, it’s kinda hard to buy.”
“Then find out yourself. With that fancy Eye of Omniscience.”
“Oh, right. Forgot about that—thanks for the reminder.”
A twisted smile crept onto her lips.
“Maide Mohan. You’re nothing like Bion. You really rub me the wrong way.”
“Thanks for the compliment.”
“……I’ll call my children after you’re gone. Now scram.”
“You’re still on guard after all this.”
Well, I’d probably do the same.
I gave Jenia a look.
She soon summoned Agril.
Before flying up into the sky, I said to Idria,
“Anything you want me to tell Bion?”
“There is, but he probably won’t want to hear it.”
“Then don’t.”
“Our battle’s reaching its finale soon. Tell him ‘take care until the end.’”
“Don’t.”
I said to Trail,
‘You got nothing to pass on?’
[If I did, I’d have said it myself. You’ve seen us talk soul-to-soul plenty of times.]
‘Hm.’
And so we left the Secret Forest…… or rather, what used to be the forest.
I glanced back at Idria, now just a dot, then turned away.
Trail spoke up.
[Anyway, wanna see it? The secret between Idria and Batole.]
‘Yeah. Might as well kill time on the way back.’
[Sure.]
*Tap.*
A screen appeared.
[Used Eye of Omniscience.]
[Current Eye of Omniscience level is 5. Can view up to S-rank secrets.]
[Selection condition: ‘Secret between Idria and Batole.’]
[This secret is D-rank. Proceed?]
Huh? D-rank?
Idria appeared on the screen.
Behind her stood Sovieus and Pirensha.
Surprisingly, they were strolling leisurely through some quiet village.
Like they were human or something.
Sovieus said,
“Lady Idria. Is it really okay to wander around like this?”
“Because of your face?”
“Oh, no. My face is hidden under the helmet…… and anyway, it doesn’t even look like my old Padania face anymore.”
“Then what’s the worry?”
Sovieus answered in an awkward tone.
“It’s not worry so much as…… is this really okay? Walking right through the middle of a human territory.”
“I’ve blended in among humans countless times. I’m the one who handed the jewel to the Martial King.”
“True, but still.”
Pirensha chimed in.
“Lord Sovieus is such a worrywart. I notice it every time.”
“Ahem. Don’t act so chummy—we haven’t known each other that long.”
“You’re fun to tease, though.”
“…….”
“To think the Padania you admired back when you were human turned out to be such a timid guy. I never would’ve known if not for Lady Idria.”
She still wasn’t calling her “Mother” or “Mom,” so yeah, this must be from way back.
Pirensha’s personality hasn’t changed much, though.
Idria said,
“This is to celebrate the first phase of your adjustments being done, Pirensha. Gotta have days like this once in a while.”
“Th-thank you. ……Huh? First phase?”
“You’ll need a few more tweaks to handle the authority I granted you smoothly. Your time to shine is coming soon.”
“Ugh. That hurt pretty bad.”
Sovieus said,
“As your senior by about two centuries, my condolences. But once it’s over, it’s just a memory.”
“Sovieus, you need another adjustment too.”
“……Pardon?”
“My wish is almost here, so I want to be fully prepared.”
I’d bet my fortune his face was twisting under that helmet, even if I couldn’t see it.
Seeing Pirensha smirk, Sovieus whipped his head away.
Idria continued lightly.
“Plus, a Demon King strolling openly among humans is a deception in itself. Small-scale, sure, but it still gives me power.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Then next, let’s head that way…… Hm?”
That was when it happened.
A commotion suddenly broke out at a nearby bakery.
“This bastard’s at it again! Hey, get lost!”
There was some young man wolfing down the displayed bread.
The owner grabbed a club right away, like this wasn’t his first rodeo.
Without a second’s hesitation, he swung down at the young man’s shoulder.
*Thwack.*
“Nom nom. Gulp.”
“I said scram. Don’t you feel pain or what?”
“It’s…… so good. Heh heh. So good.”
“Yeah, figures you wouldn’t. You’re just a retard who can’t do anything but stuff food in his gut.”
“More bread…….”
“Hey, you lot just gonna watch? Help me throw this punk out.”
At the owner’s call, folks from nearby shops started gathering.
They’d clearly suffered plenty too, and together they dragged the young man out.
But somehow finding the strength, he clung to the display and kept scarfing bread.
“Goddamn it! I’ve had enough bullshit lately as it is.”
The owner reared back with the club.
He brought it down on the young man’s head.
*Thwack.*
“……Huh?”
He probably hadn’t meant to kill him.
But the young man toppled forward.
Blood streamed from his head.
“Hey! Snap out of it!”
“Shit. Did we kill him?”
“Th-this is just an accident! An accident!”
“Someone heal him…… No, report it first.”
“Don’t report it. Let’s cover it up. How much has this bastard cost us all? Guy’s got no family or friends anyway, right?”
Idria watched the whole scene intently.
Pirensha asked,
“Lady Idria. What’s wrong?”
“Dunno.”
“Dunno……?”
“Something about him’s nagging at me.”
Idria crossed her arms, tilting her head repeatedly as if puzzled by her own feelings.
A moment later, she said,
“Guess it’s fine to make an impulsive call once in a while.”
“Pardon?”
Instead of answering, Idria snapped her fingers.
The crowd buzzing around the corpse all collapsed one after another.
*Crackle.*
Idria smoothly opened a spatial rift and said,
“Walk’s over. I’m taking him with us.”
“Ah, yes.”
Sovieus and Pirensha both looked like they had questions, but they kept quiet.
These days they’d probably pry, but back then, they weren’t that close yet.
They vanished into the rift with the young man’s body.
*Drop.*
The screen vanished.
Trail spoke in a bored tone.
[What was that. Nothing special. Though yeah, it was just a D-rank secret to begin with.]
‘…….’
[Why so quiet?]
‘Hm. Nah, it’s nothing.’
Trail was right. Nothing big.
So why?
Why did the back of my neck keep prickling like this?