I Shall Graciously Join You
I noticed it from the question. 'She still hasn't realized.'
The demon who called herself the great matriarch of the Si Muard family had been hunted down. The terminal curse and status ailments should have vanished by now. Yet Bellie seemed completely unaware.
Reality and the Arcana Continent. Two worlds that couldn't connect without a rift? Or perhaps, since the status effect had been so faint, the backlash from its release was minimal. Whatever the reason, it didn't matter.
The moment I mentioned Yula Si Muard—her name—she'd learn the full story, just like the Si Muard family servants. But was there any need for that?
Marcelo included. Even if they learned the truth now, nothing would change. Why hadn't they noticed sooner? It would only deepen their self-blame.
As a demon hunter, I knew demons exploited even human regrets. So the best course was to keep my mouth shut. But this damn pride wouldn't let it slide.
"It was no defeat. I returned after hunting millions of demons."
"……!"
Bellie flinched at my brazen boast. My purpose for entering the Arcana Continent had always been to find clues to lift the terminal curse, after all.
Bellie's green pupils widened in shock. "Millions……! Oh no! In my worry for Senior Marcelo, I overlooked it. The Arcana Continent is far from safe. Then that blood on your clothes must be yours, Senior Lee Hoyeol……!"
Bellie immediately drew up her mana.
"You must still have wounds. Thanks to the holy relic from the Goddess Church you gave me, I've been able to care for Marcelo until now. Please, let me repay that grace?"
A holy relic from the Goddess Church? Ah, she meant the [Ritual Robe Corrupted by Evil]. Once purified through the exorcism ritual, its true name and effects were revealed: [Silk Garb of the Goddess Church's High Priest]. Not only did it have a level 700 restriction, but it could only be worn by those with Healing-related skills.
An item I couldn't use anyway. I'd given it to her in case it might help—and it had. Good.
But.
"I accept your sentiment alone."
"Before the injury spreads, let me heal you……!"
"No. There is no injury."
Quite literally. For someone who'd died once, returning to reality in perfect health was remarkably unscathed.
Bellie still looked baffled. Well, of course. It was full of mysteries.
'Even by common sense, it's weird.'
Returning from the Arcana Continent after just two hours. Changing out of blood-soaked, shredded clothes. And yet, no injuries? What about the Si Muard family? Hunting millions of demons? His actions were bound to raise questions…… Especially since Marcelo had woken up unscathed.
"……Haha."
Was she laughing in disbelief? If so, laugh away, Senior Bellie. After that Round Table fiasco, returning in two hours? Whatever I'd done, it was laughable. I hereby grant permission for full laughter.
But soon, Bellie's hand rose to her eyes, wiping away tears.
"……No. It doesn't matter, Senior Lee Hoyeol. Thank you for returning safely. And above all, thank you for saving Marcelo. No, for saving Senior Marcelo."
Smooth—Bellie bowed politely.
……No need to come up with excuses after all.
Of course. What did the reason matter? The important thing was that Marcelo—our Mage Tower's true chief—was safe.
Composing herself, Bellie spoke. "Senior Marcelo is still resting in the annex."
I should visit him, even if late. Duty called for it. But heartlessly, I said:
"I'll check on Marcelo's condition at the meeting."
"……Meeting? Do you mean the Round Table Conference?"
"Indeed."
Yes. I'd witnessed it with my own eyes. The wretched state of the Arcana Continent.
Now, suppose—just suppose—no need to go as far as upper demon kings. If something like [Overlord of the Demon Realm's West, Laxioros], a demon of similar caliber, updated into a rift? Just like before. The world would freeze in shock once more.
'The demons' lull wasn't due to the demon kings' suppression.'
Time to set things straight. The demon king suppression was merely the trigger. Including Decarabia, I'd hunted four demon kings, creating vacancies in their seats. That sparked the [Demon King Struggle] among demons vying for those empty thrones.
—"Do so, and I shall grant you the honor of joining the Demon King Struggle alongside me, Laxioros, as an equal!"
Yes. The demons had gone quiet to claim those thrones, eyeing each other warily. I didn't know the exact mechanics of the struggle. But one thing I could assert:
'Millions, then tens of millions, hundreds of millions.'
The calm before the storm. Whether the struggle began or ended, the moment something happened, the demons' assault would dwarf anything before!
That was the purpose of the Round Table Conference. To prepare.
But I couldn't explain these intricacies to Bellie in detail. So I summed it up in one line.
"The time has come for the Mage Tower to move."
"……!"
Of course, I had to act swiftly too. As I'd said, this was beyond me or even the Mage Tower alone.
So, after so long, it was time to wield my authority…… No, my 'authority'.
*
His mind was clear. Yet Marcelo lay obediently in bed, covered by the blanket. Absolute rest, as Bellie had insisted.
From beyond the door came an unavoidable conversation.
"It's really, really fortunate. Sniff."
"……Senior Banggrit, isn't crying a bit much?"
"Bensy William, is that your place to speak?"
"Huh? What did I do?"
"Eavesdropping at the annex door and making a fuss……!"
……Were we, the chief and seniors, on such caring terms?
'Still feels unfamiliar.'
Marcelo smiled faintly. But the change wasn't incomprehensible. Dropped into the players' world, the Mage Tower had endured countless trials.
"Even we, bound by rivalry, were united. That's what it did."
"The chief is right."
"……Oh, Senior Matis? I didn't notice you."
Indeed, the senior black mage for a reason. In the annex's shadowed corner, Matis replied to Marcelo's musing.
Marcelo cautiously sat up. "Shouldn't you avoid straining yourself, Chief Marcelo?"
"No strain."
Marcelo smiled awkwardly. "I'm so fine it's embarrassing to just lie here."
"Then that's a relief."
"Where's Senior Bellie, by the way?"
"She said she had somewhere to go and stepped out briefly."
"Ah, I see."
The terminal curse was gone? Marcelo couldn't even imagine. He'd collapsed like a snapped film reel, after all.
"Seems I caused everyone a lot of trouble……."
All he could guess was that Bellie had poured her efforts into his treatment.
Matis fell silent. Then recalled the conversation with Bellie just before Marcelo woke.
—"……You've already grasped some clue!"
—"The curse mark is fading."
—"……Unbelievable."
It had all happened before sunset. Matis's mind swirled with questions.
What clue had Senior Lee Hoyeol seized on the Arcana Continent? How much had he known to decide to enter?
But Matis kept silent. Whatever it was, it wasn't his news to share.
"Oh, right—did Senior Lee Hoyeol enter the Arcana Continent as planned? Wait, before that, Senior Matis. How long was I out?"
……Such a pure, clueless expression. How to answer?
Less than half a day. Be honest?
"Given no fatigue remains…… At least five days unconscious, just sleeping. Ah, no time to lie here……!"
Backlogged work to handle…….
Watching Marcelo mutter, Matis rubbed his forehead. Less than a day— what backlog?
"Um, Chief Marcelo. That work……."
Of course, Matis's dilemma didn't last. Clank—Bellie returned to the annex.
"Senior Lee Hoyeol has returned."
With unexpected news.
"……Re-returned?!"
From the slightly open door, Bensy's fidgeting lips were visible amid the uproar.
Voices thick with doubt followed.
"What? Senior Lee already back?!"
"She said to believe it. I did, but…… This soon?"
"So Senior Lee is in the tower now?"
Even Matis, who'd usually cringe at Bensy's fuss, stayed silent. News of Senior Lee Hoyeol came first.
Only one reacted differently.
"……Already returned?"
Marcelo, whose sense of time had blurred.
Bellie exhaled. What happened on the Arcana Continent? Senior Lee Hoyeol, the party involved, would explain at the Round Table…….
"Senior Lee Hoyeol said this."
All Bellie could relay was one line.
"I returned after hunting millions of demons."
"……W-wait! What, what did you say?"
"Mil-millions?! My ears playing tricks? Right, Senior Bellie?!"
Crash—senior mages now burst in, door flung open.
Bellie declared firmly before them all.
"No mistake. You heard right. Senior Lee Hoyeol hunted millions of demons on the Arcana Continent in just over two hours and returned to the Mage Tower safely."
"!!!"
Did that make sense—logically, magically? Shock etched the faces of the Mage Tower's top forces: its chief and senior mages.
*
Yusra Kingdom, Frost, holy city Muon. No need to specify regions.
With demon monsters quiet now, players swarmed everywhere.
"Told ya. Without those demon bastards, it's doable."
"Seriously, I mutter 'Homen, Homen' before sleep."
"Oh yeah, what about Skal?"
Even back from appropriate-level rifts, players had energy for chit-chat.
The hot topic kept the buzz going.
"Just speculation since no word from them. But move against Lee Hoyeol? You'd need to bow and scrape just to speak."
"Right? Didn't even call him by name—Dragon Hunter!"
"But Skal's stubborn as hell. Me? I'd apologize for the slip-up last time, ask for a proper talk. I'd back off a step."
Not petty pride, but tied to his class, [Dragon Knight]. Skal, sure to appear publicly, made it baffling.
"When you should beg forgiveness? Beats me."
"Weird, right?"
"What?"
"Skal's total attention whore. How'd he stay quiet this long?"
"Ugh, now reading faces? Study mob faces instead. Earlier agro pulled on me……."
Players cared more for EXP and loot than gossip. So they focused instantly.
Ding—hourly bell tolled.
Toot—trumpets blared simultaneously. In Yusra Kingdom, Frost, Muon.
Players exchanged glances. Bells fine, but trumpets……? Rare. Post-cataclysm, never once.
Instinct screamed.
"……Guys, something big."
"Hyungs. Feels like something's dropping."
"Damn, what, what."
Gulp. Toot—trumpets prolonged, anticipation swelled.
Didn't someone always say? Great expectations, great disappointments.
"……!!!"
Not this time. The payoff shattered expectations.
Most intuitively: messages before players' eyes.
Quest: The Unending Holy War
"……Insane, what quest is this?!"
Clearly no ordinary quest.
……
Yusra Kingdom. The Golden Round Table.
I gazed at those seated.
Yusra's king, Hakuna. Frost's acting lord, Harcon Kingsguard. Muon's holy knight captain, Tarim Eber.
"Finally, it begins."
"The holy war. I've awaited this day."
"May the goddess's grace be with us."
Their solemn gazes fixed on me.
Hundreds of millions of demons, I said…….
Shouldn't we match numbers before starting?