Demon King's Castle (3)

Shadow Mercenary. Excluding the lowly Rackid at the very bottom, they didn't enjoy battles against large numbers.

No, they never even faced such situations.

After all, the Shadow Mercenary charged astronomical fees even for assassinating a single target.

But that didn't mean they were unskilled against hordes.

The moment they entered the domain of Andras, the 67th-ranked demon king of Rhythm of the Demon King's Castle.

Demons swarmed them.

"What a rough fate in our old age, eh, old timer?"

Number 2, Wolf Sakarin, called out to Alkari.

Clank—

Of course, even as demons charged, his hands never stopped.

He wielded crossbows in both hands.

Alkari rummaged through his bag.

"Well, what can we do? It's the captain's orders."

"What on earth did our captain see to leave us stuck like this?"

Whoosh—clank—whoosh—

The crossbows fired and reloaded repeatedly.

A single bolt pierced straight through a dozen demon king soldiers.

The average level of the demon king army was a whopping Lv.500. Considering their defense, it was a sight too unbelievable to witness.

Yet Alkari didn't even blink as he replied.

"Who knows. Always napping all day—probably doesn't even know how the world's turning. Short version: even Rackid tucked tail."

Let's see, this should do.

More demon king soldiers charging in.

Alkari hurled a potion bottle from his bosom.

Crash!

Fierce poison spread instantly.

"Gaaahhh!!"

"M-mercy, my lord!!"

"It huuuurts!!"

The horrific screams lasted only a moment.

The demon soldiers melted away without a trace.

One might expect awe at such power.

But the Shadow Mercenary knew each other's skills all too well.

So Wolf was surprised by something else.

He flinched.

"...What? The great Rackid? Admitted defeat?"

Bottom seat, Rackid.

His position was the lowest, but there were reasons.

If they hadn't fallen into the adventurers' world and stayed on the Arcana Continent.

Rackid would surely have claimed a higher seat than his own.

...Of course, that neck might've ended up under his blade.

"Whoa. That's a bit shocking and kinda hurtful. I haven't gotten Rackid's approval yet. How'd you sisters know?"

Number 6, Isabelmal.

"......"

She didn't reply.

No change in expression to read anyway—her bangs completely covered her eyes.

Alkari snorted.

"Expecting an answer from her?"

"Nah, just been a while since I saw her face."

"If you wanna chat, how about a drink of this poison first?"

"No, old timer. Why's your joke ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠so unfunny and creepy?"

Isabelmal.

She was as taciturn as she looked.

To be precise, she didn't mingle words with the living.

"Rise. Time to serve a new master."

She was a necromancer, after all.

Creeeak—!

The corpses Wolf and Alkari had felled ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠began to stir back to life.

These revived spirits weren't common skeletons.

From bone warriors on up.

To death knights.

Just the death knights summoned numbered over five.

Death is impartial to all.

Clack-clack!

Proving it, the risen undead trampled demons with ferocious speed.

They swelled their ranks rapidly, carving gaps in the demon king army.

Wolf and Alkari's exploits couldn't be overlooked either.

"The path is open! Full charge! The goddess is with us!"

Tarim Eber.

His Goddess Church holy knights now had room to shine.

Tarim swallowed another gasp of admiration.

They're strong.

He didn't know their full circumstances.

Not even that they were the Shadow Mercenary.

Remarkable warriors.

But their skill was plain to see.

They swept aside demon soldiers that he and his holy knights barely felled in groups of three.

Truly, such are under His Excellency's command.

Of course, knowledge reveals more.

Tarim hadn't noticed.

The Shadow Mercenary.

Were equally awed by him.

"Even if I didn't see it myself, I get it now, old timer."

Wolf eyed three men as he spoke.

Senior mages of the Mage Tower.

"The chief must be stronger than those guys, right?"

The one who sensed Wolf's gaze.

Flame magic senior, Bensy William.

Bensy glanced at Isabelmal's rampage.

"An ally necromancer of that caliber, huh."

His impression was plain.

Natural, for Mage Tower seniors.

"Well, still a ways off."

No senior necromancy mage in the Mage Tower.

Simple implication.

No matter the necromancy level.

It fell short of his pursued magic.

Besides, demons lay before them—a demon king, no less.

The foe who deceived the Mage Tower and took senior mage Senios's life.

Seniors tasked with "demon king suppression" by Chief Lee Hoyeol.

"The chief desires certain victory."

Black magic senior Matis eyed the Demon King's Castle.

As if sensing the ominous gaze.

Demon legion commanders of distinct appearance emerged.

No issue.

Matis continued.

"Trample the vermin, my mages."

Thanks to Shadow Mercenary and holy knights.

No interference with spellcasting.

No holding back.

With permitted magic tools amid lacking manpower.

A small device floated in Bensy's grasp.

Illusion magic senior Nasrow used a magic tool too.

Black mana surged from Matis's body.

Black Gaze incinerated demons, legion commanders, even demon king Andras indiscriminately.

Demons lost in horrific illusions stabbed and mutilated each other.

Yet unaware.

Matis's black magic stole all senses until their last breath.

Thus, Rhythm of the Demon King's Castle crumbled.

Alkari chuckled dryly.

"Heh. Knew it, but..."

Mage Tower mages weren't human.

Superhumans transcending humanity.

Wolf felt the same.

Stowing his crossbows, he murmured low.

"Now I get why the Mage Tower stayed quiet on the continent."

Like a massive beast, the Mage Tower.

The rest? Ants at best, soldier ants generously.

Would that beast notice ants brawling?

Even discern their differences?

The gap skewed their view, naturally.

"Smart folks, after all."

Could the beast mediate ant squabbles?

One misstep, hundreds crushed.

Wolf shook his head, then paused.

The man who moved that Mage Tower. Lee Hoyeol.

He shrugged.

"What eyes see that far ahead."

Moved the Mage Tower?

He smacked his lips.

"Curious ants gotta hitch a ride quietly, huh?"

Now he vaguely understood Captain Kichi's judgment.

Collapsing rift.

Pouring light.

Like the Crack in Shattered Dimensions clear.

Senior mages including Matis showed no panic.

Anyway, Bensy, gauging moods, spoke up.

"...How do we support the next rift?"

Seemed too quick even to him.

Bensy was slightly hyped too.

First free casting in ages.

Craved more of his top-grade magic tool.

Of course.

"No rash moves, Senior Bensy William."

"Ah, yes sir."

Bensy shut his mouth with a gasp at Matis's words.

But Matis continued sternly.

"Tower exit goal achieved. Breaching procedure is intolerable."

"O-of course! I didn't mean—!"

How's my luck this bad!

Bensy cursed his fortune inwardly while excusing.

Twenty seniors, yet always paired with Matis.

"Just worried. What if they need help..."

Matis cut him off, unconcerned with inner thoughts.

"Such notions insult the others."

"...You're right. My oversight."

...I'll just shut up.

Bensy zipped it.

Matis thought.

It'll breed doubt in Chief Lee Hoyeol too.

He planned this.

Matis trusted.

Thus, worry-free return to Mage Tower.

His faith held true.

Kaboom—!!

Merciless magic barrage on the Demon King's Castle.

Rackid clicked his tongue.

Crunch!

He crushed the demon soldier skulls in both hands.

Venting frustration.

"Unfair. Totally unfair."

Body in action after ages.

Vowed top merits.

Blasting magic like that? Cheating.

Still, Rackid wasn't down.

"Fine. Your fancy mana runs dry eventually!"

Unlike my body.

Might catch up.

Madness veiled Rackid's eyes again.

He charged the Demon King's Castle solo.

"That idiot ain't a hassle?"

9th, Dreshev.

Didn't even draw weapon.

No need.

From glances, higher seats agreed.

"Fire Drake. Dragon-worthy power."

"Different dimension."

"Jealous. Jealous. Jealous."

"Heh! Breaking my spirit!"

Shadow Mercenary intel gatherer.

Dreshev scanned the field.

Just four mages.

Mage Tower.

Rumors aplenty.

This exceeded.

Beyond mortal measure.

Each a monster.

Power inexpressible.

Green-haired mage Bellie caught eyes.

Her magic shields allies from other spells.

Rackid and Lion Heart Knights entering castle.

Bellie's healing protected them.

From friendly castle-shattering magic.

Dreshev eyed writhing Rackid sourly.

"That moron thinks it's his skill..."

Unlike Dreshev's thought, Rackid couldn't just rejoice.

Faced Harcon.

Harcon, battlefield after long hiatus like Rackid.

Slash—!

Suppressed sword aura unleashed.

Demon soldiers fell like autumn leaves.

Destructive might.

Enough to make Rackid smack lips.

"...Fun!"

Harcon ignored Rackid rivalry.

Knew this battle's weight.

Harcon recalled talk with Hoyeol.

—"Demon king suppression..."

Slaying Arcana demons natural.

But must suppress.

First time Hoyeol insisted.

Harcon curious why.

—"Reason we must, Your Excellency?"

—"Necessary."

—"Necessary? For what?"

Reason he, demon-slay focused, never considered.

Hoyeol's casual voice lingered.

—"Warning and declaration of war."

Yes.

Suppressing demon king.

No greater warning or declaration.

To fear incarnate demons.

Instill fear in turn.

Thoughts only His Excellency could have.

Harcon surveyed field.

Battle ended.

Harcon smiled faintly.

"And as seen, he has ample ability to realize it."

Shadow Mercenary not enough—mobilized Mage Tower too.

Harcon knew repercussions.

Hoyeol's presence transcending worlds.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Revealed to demons too.

His existence becomes peace itself.

Meaning.

If Hoyeol wavers.

Peace he upholds wavers.

Harcon knew that weight.

Watched one bear it beside him.

Your Majesty...

The empire's emperor.

Emperor suffered under it.

Thus, Harcon sought forgiveness.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty."

Couldn't imagine.

Hoyeol tormented by weight.

Never seen it.

In adventurers' world, Hoyeol's treatment.

"He already bears heavy enough burden."

Empire forbids casual emperor talk.

Treason.

Not adventurers' world.

Hoyeol tales everywhere.

Harcon shrugged.

"No matter how I think, only him."

Able to shoulder such weight.

Thus, no worry for Harcon.

Even now.

Hoyeol with just two.

Entering Demon King's Castle rift.

Flauros.

Living up to rank.

Info alone: toughest of three.

Legion commander Lv.800 matching demon king Andras.

Soldier average gap near 150 levels.

Quality over quantity.

Thus, guessed.

Dwarf airship blocked by Flauros.

Found his Hunt Demon King's Castle.

Of course.

Eye for eye.

Tooth for tooth.

Elites there? Elites here.

Two by my side.

"Best end it swiftly."

Mage Tower chief, Marcelo.

"Jeez, my fate."

Shadow Mercenary captain, Kichi.

One volunteered, one dragged...

Knowing their power, none sturdier.

Watchers' feelings differ.

Think us mad.

Three rifts.

Just three into riskiest.

But said it: not hunt, suppress.

Three for this rift? True suppression.

Then, as told Harcon.

Warning and war declaration to demons.

Arcana demons.

Reality-possessed too.

No half-measures.

Borrowed magic tools, items galore.

No hesitation for me.

"Begin."

Flutter—

Wings gleaming hundred colors.

I entered the rift, cloak billowing.

...As expected.

Massive flying craft in sky.

Dwarf airship in sight.

"!"

Message blinked simultaneously.

Quest arose.

Quests, precisely.