Chapter 66
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Demon Priest Revealed
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In an instant, the situation descended into chaos.
The giant targeted the high priest, and the warriors charged at the giant. The giant brushed off the oncoming warriors and focused solely on the priest, who spat blood from the blows yet maintained his dignified bearing.
"Y-You warriors! Stop this wicked monster! How dare it defile the sacred—urk! Block that monster!"
"Yes, sir!"
A hail of arrows bounced harmlessly off the rocky body without penetrating, and thrusting spear tips shattered upon impact with the stone flesh.
An impregnable defense against any attack. Yet the warriors didn't retreat. How could they, when the tribe's spiritual pillar—the high priest—was under assault!
"This old man's not the priority! Drive off that monster!"
"Normal attacks aren't working! Use your full strength!"
The priest continued barking orders even as he vomited blood from stone fists pounding into him. At the old man's bellowed cries that tore at his throat, the warriors surged forward like moths to a flame. But one man alone didn't join the fray—Volgrom.
He simply stared blankly at the giant and Murrunda. Altann approached and shook him.
"Great Chieftain! Pull yourself together! We must save the High Priest! The other warriors will only listen if you give the order!"
"......"
"Great Chieftain!"
"Altann."
"Yes!"
"You've known the elder as long as I have."
"That's true! But we can't just stand here..."
"Did you ever know the elder to have a body that sturdy?"
"No, but why bring that up now in this situation! This isn't the time! Give the order ri—"
"Did you know him to be someone who could take punches like that from that giant and still be perfectly fine?"
"......Pardon?"
Altann froze for a moment. He blinked, watching Murrunda scream at the top of his lungs, and soon doubt crept into his eyes.
"N-Now that you mention it... He looks surprisingly unscathed."
"Altann. Do you think you could take punches like that and come out fine?"
"......Uh, no. I couldn't."
"I see. Same for me. I have no confidence I'd survive unscathed from a single one of those punches."
Altann nodded. Any human with properly functioning eyes would think the same.
Could a human body even withstand an attack like that?
One that shook the earth with each step and pulverized massive boulders with a single fist?
"Even we warriors, trained our whole lives, couldn't endure it. So how is a frail, powerless elder standing there totally fine? Doesn't something seem off?"
"Uh, w-well, maybe Karak has lent him his strength?"
Volgrom didn't reply and simply gazed at Murrunda. The old man's booming voice rang out powerfully as he shouted.
'Did he always have lungs like that?'
Volgrom shook his head. Absolutely not.
Of course, the elder was remarkably hale for his age, but comparing him to a sturdy warrior was absurd.
"Great Chieftain! What are you doing?! Command the forces at once!"
The old man's voice pierced through. But Volgrom didn't react. He muttered absently.
"Something's strange."
Volgrom narrowed his eyes. A powerful sense of unease flooded his mind.
His instincts as the Great Chieftain atop tens of thousands of warriors and the tribe's finest fighter were stirring his doubts.
[Frost Fang Tribe Great High Priest Murrunda reveals his true identity!]
[Demon Sirmeth has descended!]
"Gah! Stop the monster! We must stop this thing that dares defile the sacred!"
-But now, that mouth of yours won't spout nonsense anymore.
The giant's words sounded like an ultimatum. Right then, as the giant's body shot forward with unbelievable speed, Volgrom witnessed an unbelievable sight.
The old man's body tore open. With ripping sounds, he began shedding his skin like molting.
Emerging from the gruesome process was a pitch-black, muscular body. Crimson eyes and horns sprouting from his head.
"E-Elder...?"
"You bastard! You've ruined my plans... Graaaah!"
Volgrom just blinked. Not just him—all the other warriors did too.
The archers firing from behind, the spearmen charging forward—they all gaped at the scene.
Was that really their high priest?
No, was that even human?
Sirmeth ground his teeth. He couldn't believe it. Why had things turned out like this?
When his planted subordinate in the Empire, Vespera, had died?
It was shocking, but manageable. The plan had shifted slightly, advancing the invasion by a few years, but the big picture remained intact.
But this? This wasn't in his plans. No, the entire plan had collapsed.
"You scum! I'll burn you in the fires of hell!"
-Useless. Ddol Ddoli strong against fire. Hellfire kinda curious though.
Shedding the human flesh and returning to his true demonic form brought immense power. Ultimate freedom too. But it didn't bring much joy.
How could it, when a decade of planning had gone awry?
Rather than joy, rage surged.
Sirmeth unleashed that fury fully.
"I'll kill you!"
The sturdy, pitch-black demonic body moved at astonishing speed, leaving afterimages.
Ddol Ddoli couldn't keep up with that speed. Or rather, didn't bother.
No need. Ddol Ddoli knew its strengths well.
'Ddol Ddoli slow. Can't win speed anyway.'
Slow. Sluggish.
But tough and strong. That's rock.
Rocks don't need to sway in the wind.
Just stand firm, unmoving.
The enemy's attacks poured in. Demonic energy slashed at Ddol Ddoli's body like a barrage. Ddol Ddoli endured them all, slowly observing Sirmeth.
A combat style prioritizing speed over power. Hit-and-run over close quarters.
Exhausting style overall, but no issue. The demon's attacks lacked real punch.
That's why Ddol Ddoli was puzzled.
Why no power? Clearly strong attacks.
If it were the old Ddol Ddoli, they'd have been a real threat.
Comparing, similar to the black dragon's magic barrages.
Very powerful. Back then, Ddol Ddoli truly felt its life at risk. These matched that level.
Yet, strangely easy.
Really easy.
Why?
'Ddol Ddoli got stronger.'
Tougher. Stronger.
The body fused with dragon scales boasted ultimate magic resistance. So the demon's mana bullets didn't even itch.
Ddol Ddoli clenched its fist. Strange excitement coursed through it.
An opponent once tough now felt manageable—this thrill was indescribable.
'Now, could probably beat that dragon too.'
Though that dragon was dead anyway.
Ahh, wanna fight other dragons too.
-Ddol Ddoli, stop taking hits.
"What?"
-Ddol Ddoli attacks now.
Ddol Ddoli closed its eyes. Ambient mana gathered on its rocky surface.
[Shockwave Emission]
Mana radiates outward in a circular blast!
Boom!
The gathered mana exploded outward in a sphere. The sudden shock disrupted Sirmeth's charge.
But demons have keen balance. Despite the explosive wave, Sirmeth only lost footing for about two seconds.
But two seconds can decide victory.
-Got you.
Ddol Ddoli's eyes gleamed. It rocketed forward like a bullet and snatched at the air. Sirmeth was caught.
"Wh-what?!"
-Fly caught. Time to get hit.
Ddol Ddoli slammed its fist down. The massive stone knuckles smashed into the demon's face.
"Guhk!"
Blood erupted from Sirmeth's mouth. Shattered teeth flew out.
-Take some hits.
"W-wait."
Splat!
"Guhk!"
Now it was beating time. Ddol Ddoli pummeled Sirmeth thoroughly. Mid-beatdown, a voice echoed in its mind.
-Ddol Ddoli. Can you hear me?
-Yeah! Master!
Ddol Ddoli nearly blurted aloud in joy but paused. It hadn't spoken, yet the words transmitted.
Just thinking, and it reached? What?
-It's Master! Master! Ddol Ddoli fighting demon!
-Yeah, I know. How's the situation?
-Ddol Ddoli beating demon! Demon tough, won't die easy!
-Oh, really?
Ian fell silent briefly.
-Demons don't die easily. To finish for sure, hit vitals.
-Vitals?
-Yeah. Crush the head or heart. Both best.
-Got it. Understood.
Ddol Ddoli nodded. So that's it. No wonder it wouldn't die.
-Now kill demon.
-Oh, and there's something you need to do?
-Something for Ddol Ddoli?
-Yeah. Might be tough for you, think you can?
-If Master says, Ddol Ddoli does all!
Ian gave Ddol Ddoli a few instructions via telepathy, and it nodded.
-Ddol Ddoli fully understands.
-Really?
-Yes.
-Doubt it. Seems like you don't...
-No worry. Ddol Ddoli obeys Master well.
Ian was a bit worried but decided to trust Ddol Ddoli.
The solution to this mess lay with it anyway.
Besides, he couldn't just show up—an Imperial suddenly intervening would ruin the dramatic tension. Better for Ian to stay hidden.
Anyway, after ending the chat with its master, Ddol Ddoli gripped tighter. Sensing the mana surge, Sirmeth urgently spoke.
"W-wait! Hold on! I have something to say!"
-Something to say?
"Y-yes! S-spare me!"
-No.
"If you spare me, I'll grant you immense wealth!"
-Ddol Ddoli doesn't know wealth.
"Th-then, immense power!"
Ddol Ddoli paused. Its left hand still gripped the throat tight.
"Don't you want to grow even stronger?"
-Ddol Ddoli wants strong.
"Spare me, and I'll give you great power."
-Funny. You're weaker than Ddol Ddoli. How give power?
"My master, the great lord Beelzebub, will bestow power upon you!"
Ddol Ddoli tilted its head. Who's that?
"Kuhuhu. Surprised? Of course. He's incredible."
"......"
"Join me. Serve my master, and you'll grow far stronger. Human realms beneath your feet!"
Ddol Ddoli hesitated. Sirmeth was confident of success.
Of course. Who wouldn't be tempted by Beelzebub's name?
'Heh, it's do—'
-Don't know Beelzebub or whatever. Ddol Ddoli doesn't care.
Ddol Ddoli raised its fist.
-Die quietly.
"Hek! W-wai—!"
Ddol Ddoli smashed down with full force. Sirmeth's heart exploded, and his body went limp instantly.
[Ddol Ddoli has defeated Demon Sirmeth!]
"......"
Silence fell. Not a single northern warrior could speak.
The high priest was dead.
Or... was that the high priest?
Fundamental doubt bloomed in their hearts.
-Humans. Look at this.
Ddol Ddoli addressed them, scanning the human warriors. It put on a solemn expression and mentally repeated Ian's instructions lest it forget. Tough request—convincing humans with hard words.
-This not priest. Not human. Bad guy. Demon.
Ddol Ddoli hoisted Sirmeth's corpse and flung it toward the humans. They flinched back. Anyone would be shocked by the pitch-black demonic body.
-You tricked. Uh, so... so...
Ddol Ddoli panicked. Forgot the words.
'Ddol Ddoli forgot Master's words.'
Forgot clean. Master told exactly what to say.
What now?
Knew what to do, but not how to say it.
One thing stuck: stop marching on Empire, go home.
But that's last—build-up first.
Master said something about buildup...
What was it?
'Uh, so. Demon bad, Rock God, Karak?'
"Ooh, Karak!"
It was Volgrom. He prostrated. One by one, warriors followed.
"Karak! Forgive our doubts!"
"We doubted without knowing truth!"
"We believe now! Please forgive us!"
"Ahh, great Rock God!"
All humans bowed. Ddol Ddoli scratched its head watching.
Botched Master's task. But worked out anyway.
'Kinda worked. Even though Ddol Ddoli forgot Master's words.'