Arcana (2)
Time was short, but the preparations were thorough regardless. If only to avoid dying as a guest on the Arcana Continent, crushed by pride.
One of those preparations was coordinating with the dwarves.
"We understand your grand will."
Tuning the timing was, as expected, the shameless—no, reliable High El.
Who'd he learn that from? His handling of affairs is so decisive.
There were no breaches of procedure.
Still, I hadn't anticipated a message like this.
You have entered the Arcana Continent, heading toward destruction.
Below the entry alert, messages popped up one after another.
Conditions have been met.
Reward will be distributed.
Just from the first two lines, it was clear.
……Quest-related messages. Including the class quest.
I had several quests in progress, but only one with a reward payout came to mind.
[Demon King, Plauros vs. Dwarves]. That war quest where I'd racked up a million contribution points. Right?
The 'Pact' with the relevant faction remains valid.
Your relationship level with the relevant faction is already at maximum.
Your influence in the relevant faction is already at maximum.
Sure enough, correct.
No time to gloat as I scanned the messages.
The relevant faction was, naturally, the dwarves. The pact was the one between Akshan and the dwarves.
I'd expected messages up to this point. So what reward would they give instead?
I'd even secretly gulped down some kimchi soup in anticipation.
But then.
You have acquired command authority over the Flying Mechanical Castle, Iron Castle Ho.
……This surpassed my wildly inflated expectations.
I'd acquired command rights a few times before, so no wonder I was making a fuss.
'I can command the dwarves' ultimate weapon?'
Even I, Lee Hoyeol, have a conscience. No matter that I'm the last demon hunter.
I'm not so thick-skinned as to milk an Akshan pact I knew nothing about.
I'd only hoped for a dwarven weapon or piece of armor at most. That was my expectation for the reward.
But handing me this shakes my conscience……!
Who are the dwarves? A race with technology rivaling the Mage Tower, though in a different direction.
The pinnacle of that technology, 'Iron Castle'. A flying ship becoming my backup.
'Come at me, all of you.'
Demons, monsters—Natural Enemy relationship or not.
Unless it's terrible weather, nothing could stop Iron Castle Ho, right?
Even now, it was worth a hundred men, from ground to sky. Flying leisurely over the demon-infested Arcana Continent.
But I know this tiresome personality. This damn integrity.
'Can't use it in ways that violate pride.'
This upright-to-the-point-of-stiff personality.
I couldn't use Iron Castle Ho for anything unrelated to the 'Pact'.
But right now, in this moment, it's fine.
'The goal is demon hunting, after all.'
This was an extension of the Holy War.
"We've arrived."
As I racked my brain busily, we reached the mansion entrance.
The scale was impressive, as expected. So close to the empire's capital, such a grand estate.
Marcelo, you were from a ridiculously wealthy family, huh? Unlike our penniless Grandfell.
"The garden is impeccably maintained."
"Haha. An honor that you notice our efforts. For the Simuard family, we servants, led by myself, Seo, do our utmost."
I, Lee Hoyeol, suffered daily under Grandfell's pride, scrubbing the place spotless.
I'd worried about getting housewife's eczema, but I realized something.
'Proper housework isn't easy.'
Even tidying my one-room office was a chore.
Managing a mansion like this? I couldn't just gloss over the servants' hard work.
"I acknowledge your pride."
"Such excessive praise."
Did my words please him? Seo's gaze turned to the lakeside.
"The view of Nania Lake is as beautiful as the garden. If the guest permits, I shall guide you to a guest room with a fine lake view."
A beautiful lake view, huh. Meaning that lake reflecting demons' pupils blinking from the sky?
If I knew nothing, I'd have flinched. Wondering if we were seeing the same thing.
'Abnormal status: Hallucination.'
But I knew the reason. And that the culprit was a demon.
I knew it wasn't Seo's fault.
"I see."
A suitable response slipped from my lips.
At the same time, Seo placed his hand on the mansion door.
"Then welcome to the Simuard family."
Kkiiik—!
As the door opened, demonic energy wafted out. Even a non-demon hunter would hesitate.
The interior was pitch black, after all. Hard to find a single light. Impeding movement.
"You've worked hard. Miss Emma."
"Ah, Head Butler. And the gentleman beside you...?"
"A guest. Prepare one more seat at dinner."
But the servants, including Seo, seemed oblivious. Not surprising for an abnormal status.
Inside a demon's belly. Confirming the scene firsthand stirred some concern.
'At least high-grade demon.'
It had swallowed a whole magic family. Considering Bellie and even Marcelo were under abnormal status...
High-grade? Probably demon king level.
If not for the [Last Adventurer] effect, I wouldn't have dared.
But realization or not, my confident demeanor didn't waver.
I calmly opened my mouth.
"My thanks for the hospitality."
"Not at all. The family head will descend soon, so..."
Seo gestured invitingly.
"If it pleases you, be seated first?"
Following his invitation, I sat at the table.
Utensils neatly arranged. Servants moving without flaw even in darkness.
Walking into a demon's maw of my own accord—odd to say, but...
I felt deeply satisfied. More than that, at ease.
The one born heir to a great house, tasting the heights of luxury...
Yeah, that damn backstory! That's why this medieval mansion felt like my own bedroom, cozy as can be.
Not a clink when setting down utensils. My nitpicking mouth stayed shut, so...
The Simuard servants were truly flawless.
Of course.
Natural Enemy Relationship
Except that one.
The presence from upstairs. The one that devoured the Simuard family. Devourer of the time-limited curse.
The demon approached.
Its voice rang out.
"Have you introduced the guest to the mansion, Seo?"
"I shall after dinner."
"Very well. As you prefer."
It knew of my presence. From sending Seo to greet me, it had sensed my approach.
But it couldn't imagine I was a demon hunter. Not until I activated the Exorcism Ritual.
Soon, a shadow neared the table.
Countess Simuard. The demon greeted me.
"My introduction is late. I am Yula Simuard. Unwillingly taking the role of family head for the Simuard house. But... such unfamiliar attire."
Unfamiliar attire meant my suit, inseparable from me.
Yeah, it drew odd looks even in reality. Let alone on the Arcana Continent.
But I didn't respond.
Why? Simple. I don't converse unnecessarily with prey.
"...?"
Silence—the sudden quiet even the servants noticed. Hands filling glasses paused.
But noblesse oblige. I must thank the servants' efforts.
"My thanks."
I greeted politely, as if silence were nothing.
"...N-no, not at all."
Ignoring the lady's question but thanking her—it flustered the servant, but once my mouth opened, it wouldn't stop.
Clink—I raised my glass, swirling it in the air.
Glug glug. Wine emitting a subtle red glow.
I'd barely touched wine in my life, yet I brazenly declared,
"A rich aroma without cloying stickiness."
I wouldn't know grape juice from this.
"Aging neither lacking nor excessive."
Obviously clueless on years aged.
"Perfect for the feast."
……Sommelier, what? Even I doubted my words.
I'd wax poetic over cheap 500-won green tea bags.
Setting down the glass, I continued,
"I know it's excellent even untasted."
"...Th-thank you."
Not just the servant—even Head Butler Seo seemed flustered.
I'd chattered on, ignoring the important words.
To me came Yula Simuard's—no, the demon's—next question.
"...Quite knowledgeable on wine. From the south, perhaps?"
But again, no reply.
Told you? Noblesse oblige.
Just upholding 'procedure' for Marcelo's loyal Simuard servants.
So don't cross the line, inferior being.
Chilly silence flowed again—I spoke only after food arrived before me.
"A preparation worthy of fine ingredients."
Incidentally, no alcohol, but meals were necessary.
'Why, even a ghost that eats and dies has good complexion...'
No, soften it. Before/after intense activity, protein intake is essential, not optional.
.
.
.
Simuard family. Grand Matriarch, Yula Simuard.
No one knew exactly when she began claiming motherhood over the Simuards. Not even family members.
But none doubted Yula.
The abnormal status etched generation after generation in the Simuard line.
That was the 'Demon's Curse'.
Gazing through the window at the night sky reflected in the lake, Yula murmured,
"A rapturous sight."
Who knew Arcana Continent held scenery she'd only seen in the Demon Realm.
Worth rotting decades in a pathetic human shell.
"From now on, leisurely like this."
Yula had no intention of recklessly stepping forward.
Unlike foolish demon kings or wretched sins like Greed, tossed into hell.
Unlike those idiots, she knew how to grow power without exposing herself.
"You're almost there too, Marcelo."
Humans are fools. Even the cleverest, so-called mages.
A deal awakening talent at the cost of lifespan?
"Not a god. As if that's possible?"
It was a deception. The abnormal status made them believe the deal real and effective.
Trading baseless confidence for lifespan—Yula chuckled.
"Weak humans. Well, thanks to it, I've grown."
Yula knew. Quality mattered as much as quantity in sacrifices.
In that sense, Simuard blood was top-grade fodder.
And among them, Marcelo Simuard was ecstatic prey.
'Claim his lifespan, and I...!'
Finally seize power to upend demon king ranks.
Done wearing human skin too.
Compared to years past, mere moments remained.
"Luck brings playthings rolling in."
Why play family head greeting guests? Simple amusement, as said.
Gazing at terror-stricken humans was always fun.
So she mobilized her pathetic minions. To greet the guest.
And now.
'...What is this?'
Yula was wrapped in unease.
The silver-haired man's reaction was utterly alien.
Any normal human would show fear—or at least unease—before she appeared.
A mansion buried in darkness. Minions oblivious to the incongruity.
Overwhelmed by the atmosphere—that's human nature.
Yet acting so naturally here?
'Unfamiliar garb.'
Yula pondered. The Arcana Continent was twisted by Demon Realm tectonic shifts.
Washed ashore from afar by aftershocks? Too disoriented to grasp the situation?
To probe, Yula spoke.
"...Such unfamiliar attire."
……No reply.
Didn't hear? No.
"!"
Ignored.
"A rich aroma without cloying stickiness."
"Aging neither lacking nor excessive."
"Perfect for the feast."
The bastard shook his glass, spouting arrogantly ramrod straight. Not once, but repeatedly.
Chatting fine with lowly minions. Brazenly ignoring her.
As if refusing even words with her.
'A mere human dares ignore me.'
Anger surged, but Yula suppressed it.
'All the better.'
Breaking such a human had been ages. Intriguing, even.
Imagining that arrogant face crumpling.
"Clear my seat, Emma."
Yula set down utensils, staring at the man.
This time, she blatantly exuded malice. Beyond what normal humans could endure.
Yet he polished off his plate clean.
"Seo, can you tell the chef it was splendid?"
Even thanking properly.
'...What?'
Unease grew.
Yula couldn't hide her discomfort forever.
Noticing? "We shall step away briefly."
Minions withdrew. No more acting needed.
As Yula opened her mouth.
"The act is over."
A cold voice cut in.
Simultaneously, the silver-haired man looked up at her.
Her malice paling.
"...!"
Not a flicker in his eyes.
"To a fitting place, inferior being."
……Inferior being?
Before comprehending, Yula's view shifted.
"!!!"
Being in a magic family, she recognized it. Magic—portal.
So she was shocked.
'Not off-guard for a moment...?!'
When did he cast the portal?
Yula regained senses, looking around.
Familiar spot, thankfully—above Nania Lake near the mansion.
But...
The rapturous view had changed.
The lake surface that should reflect night sky's demonic eyes.
Only the silver-haired man floated above.
"...The demonic eyes vanished?"
No, impossible. Even closed, the lake shouldn't reflect just one man.
Was she hallucinating...?
"Could it be?"
Simultaneously, Yula realized. Instinct. Prey before predator, long-forgotten.
"...Demon hunter!!"
But the response was neither affirmation nor denial—a question.
"Done talking, foul demon?"
The cold voice continued.
"From this moment, the only words worthy from your mouth are apologies to the Simuards."
"...!!"
Mana surged from the man.
Then Yula truly grasped.
……It's him! That one who sent one sin and four demon kings to hell. Akshan's survivor.
.
.
.
The First World Tree has noticed your presence.
The First World Tree blesses you.
Vitality and mana regeneration greatly increase.