Chapter 138
Chapter 138
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 138
Chapter Title: Cedric's True Intentions
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Kubare, the spy from the Demon King's Army, was in a complete daze.
Corrupting Cedric with the Seed of Evil had gone well. So well, in fact, that it was unsettling.
In the end, that unease took a definite shape. The newly reborn Cedric, contrary to expectations, had retained his sanity.
“I don’t know the details… but it seems you’re the one responsible for making me this way.”
A chilling voice, uttered the moment he opened his eyes.
At that moment, Kubare couldn't help but sense his impending death.
A being made stronger, now half-human and half-demon.
If Cedric were the only one after him, he might have been able to escape somehow, but the location was terrible.
The academy was teeming with powerful individuals. The Hero candidates were a problem, but if the Student Council President found him, he was as good as dead.
If Cedric attacked, it would cause a huge commotion.
Everyone would gather, a situation that would lead directly to Kubare’s death.
But.
The newly born half-human, half-demon chose an unexpected option.
“I’ll let you live for now. First, confess your entire plan.”
Kubare swallowed hard. A chance to survive had miraculously appeared. It was only a stay of execution, but it was better than nothing.
Kubare revealed everything, from beginning to end. He didn't mix in a single lie. This was no time for foolish tricks.
Aside from it being the worst-case scenario, he had still achieved his goal. He had corrupted a Hero candidate who would have become a major threat in the future; now, he had to slip away as carefully as possible.
A fact came to him belatedly. Cedric’s situation was no different from his own.
Anyone could see he had become half-human, half-demon, leaving him with no choice. For now, the best option was to cooperate and quietly make their escape…
“I see. So you were the one who went after Jace.”
“…”
“Things didn’t go as planned, so you chose me.”
His demeanor was unfazed.
There was even a hint of relief at knowing the truth, but his eyes were blazing.
Jace had overcome Kubare’s scheme. Not only that, he had become the Hero of his generation.
And yet, he himself had been pathetically taken down. The difference seemed unbearably wretched.
“Your plan was to make me a traitor to humanity?”
“…That was the original plan.”
“I see. That sounds interesting as well…”
He hadn’t gone mad.
Well, he seemed a little unhinged, but he had a firm grasp on his irreversible reality.
His titles as the heir of a great family and a Hero candidate were gone. As a half-human, half-demon, his only path was to join the Demon King’s Army.
Kubare let out a sigh of relief. It was fortunate that Cedric had gone mad so calmly…
“I’ll commit an act of terror here.”
“???”
Was he really insane?
Why would he do such a thing when they should be trying to escape quietly? Cedric shot a cold sneer at Kubare, who wore a look of disbelief.
“For a demon, you know less about demonic nature than I do. If we sneak out like rats, who will acknowledge us? We need to blow something up to get even a small welcome.”
“…”
Kubare felt wronged.
Who wouldn't know that? He simply hadn't considered it because the risk was too great.
“Is that a problem? Then how should I vent this rage? Are you going to take it all on yourself?”
His words silenced Kubare. He might be lacking in other areas, but his nerve was commendable. Then again, he wasn't a Hero candidate for nothing. His way of thinking was bound to be different.
A man who had lost everything but his power.
As if to prove he had nothing left to lose, Cedric went and caused trouble.
Terror, combat, escape, engagement…
There were many dangerous moments, but they somehow managed to survive. Only after entering the Demon King's domain could Kubare think calmly.
‘Something’s strange…’
This incident hadn't been planned. And yet, their allies had provided support at just the right time.
He had sent a signal, albeit late, but even considering the Demon King’s Army was usually well-disciplined, something felt off.
The Demon King’s Army and the Imperial Army had mobilized their legions over just two fugitives and four pursuers…
It was truly an unprecedented situation. It was clear someone had intervened. A legion commander, one of the Four Heavenly Kings… perhaps even the Demon King himself had a hand in it.
“Now, what’s your plan?”
Originally, he had intended to deliver Cedric straight to the Demon King.
What the Demon King did with him—roast him, boil him—was his business. In other words, the spy's mission was effectively over.
“I will arrange a meeting with the Demon King. His Majesty will recognize your potential.”
Kubare spoke formally for several reasons.
Because of the look in Cedric's eyes, as if he might devour him.
Because there was a high chance Cedric would become his superior in the future.
And, to add one more thing, Cedric had saved him from his pursuers.
Of course, he wasn't grateful for that. They could have just slipped away quietly in the first place.
“The Demon King… I look forward to it.”
“…”
The half-human, half-demon with a chilling smile on his lips.
His form had changed, but his essence was still human.
Could he be planning to assassinate the Demon King? Well, such a suspicion wasn't even worth considering.
The Demon King’s power was absolute.
A great being who had overcome every challenge from Heroes over long ages.
Viewed coldly, Cedric was just a weak human who couldn't even become a Hero and had been consumed by the Seed of Evil.
Of course, the comparison was too extreme.
Cedric had the ability to secure a position for himself anywhere.
A moment later, the Demon King’s personal mage division appeared before them.
“By order of the Demon King. We will take you to the Demon King’s castle immediately.”
They were exceptional mages, all S-rank. They were skilled enough to use teleportation magic with ease.
Cedric unknowingly clenched his fists. Though it had been breached by Heroes a few times, the Demon King's castle was fundamentally a sanctuary forbidden to humanity.
He felt no fear. In the past, all sorts of worries would have plagued him, but now, he felt that nothing mattered.
What if he defeated the Demon King and took his place? What if he became the new Demon King and conquered humanity?
Cedric quickly shook his head. It was an interesting idea, but it lacked realism.
‘Well, whatever…’
His goal was singular. To eliminate the Hero… to eliminate Jace.
The hatred and anger remained, but it had long surpassed that level. Now, it felt like a destiny where one of them had to die.
In any case.
To defeat Jace, he would need more power than he had now.
The Hero was a being of constant growth.
To stand against him, he would need to become at least as strong as one of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Suddenly, his characteristic greed surged within him.
He pictured himself becoming a core member of the Demon King’s Army, defeating Jace, and then going on to conquer the Empire, becoming its governor-general and ruling over it.
A desire to possess everything.
There was nothing holding him back now. He could now attempt what he had only ever dreamed of in his imagination.
To utterly crush the Crodain Family.
To absorb its remnants and raise the Venice Family to prominence.
‘And finally…’
He would possess Chloe.
After the Hero's defeat and humanity's fall, she would likely be an empty shell from the shock, but what did it matter?
That was even better.
He could turn her into a doll that looked only at him.
Like this…
Cedric’s mind was already broken beyond repair.
* * *
[Death Variable Detected. Risk Level: Caution]
A system message popped up for the first time in a while.
I could only stare blankly at its contents.
“…”
Ah, I feel dizzy…
I haven't even done anything, have I? So why!
I had a hunch, but I never expected it to manifest so concretely.
In truth, it wasn't something to worry about. The risk levels were Caution, Warning, and Danger, and this was just the lowest one.
As long as I didn’t make any major mistakes, I should be able to get through it just fine. Still, the unease that had settled in refused to go away.
My cutie.
Your master is feeling down. How about you wag your tail a little?
Unfortunately, she wasn't by my side.
She was far off, showing off her artifact to Gale and Skadi.
“You want it, don't you? Right? Want to touch it?”
“…”
The Wand of Great Nature.
An unparalleled item that any mage would covet.
She brandished it proudly, getting on her friends' nerves.
Gale showed no reaction, as if knowing it was a waste of time to engage, while Skadi ignored the artifact completely and gently stroked the fox beastkin’s head.
“Huh? Why are you suddenly stroking my head?”
“You said to touch it.”
“I didn’t mean this.”
“This is what I want.”
“—??”
Aruru looked flustered, not knowing what to do.
She had picked the wrong person to tease this time. As expected of a mage. Far from falling for Aruru's prank, she knew how to have her own fun.
Meanwhile, a sparring match was taking place elsewhere. Baken and Crow were taking on the princess, who wielded the Holy Sword.
Esterize was truly strong. She handled two S-ranks at once with an air of margin.
A fight like this wouldn't have been possible before, but she was already skillfully wielding the Holy Sword and her artifact.
A natural talent. Truly fitting for a Hero.
She was a blessing who could cover for me even if I messed up a bit.
“You’ve gotten stronger since becoming the Hero.”
“Just a month ago, I thought I stood a chance…”
The two men slumped to the ground, exhausted. They were breathing heavily, having given it their all.
In contrast, the princess hadn't broken a sweat. She turned and struck a victory pose for me.
A display of girlish vivacity. For a moment, she seemed as cute as Aruru.
Right, with her around, what was there to worry about? I could probably just ignore someone like Cedric. If he showed up, we’d just gang up on him in the name of justice.
On the final day before our adventure.
The party members each focused on their training.
Correction.
Two girls with unique constitutions kept hovering around me.
Luciel grew stronger just by praying to the goddess, and my cutie had a constitution that let her get stronger just by breathing.
“Ah, it’s time for my walk…”
“If you’re bored, would you like to pray with me?”
“Sorry, but I don’t like boring things.”
“You have to believe in the goddess to go to heaven.”
“Hmm. I don’t think it matters for me.”
“Because you’re cute and nice?”
“Yep!”
“True, I don’t think they’d send beastkin to hell.”
I nodded absently.
The small, cute, and fluffy form of a beastkin would surely ruin the atmosphere of hell.
If hell actually existed, they would probably shake their heads and turn her away.
“Besides, this is heaven right here.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Hmm, because the dependable Hero is by my side?”
“That is a very sound argument.”
“…”
The girls smiled, looking at me at the same time.
Seriously, aren't they embarrassed? Why am I the one feeling secondhand embarrassment?
Actually, it didn't bother me at all. I had reached a point where I could just let things like this slide.
I shrugged and looked straight ahead.
Unlike them, Ceria and the elf girl were clashing fiercely.
“Not bad. To be honest, I was underestimating you…”
“I was about to say the same thing.”
“—??”
“I thought I could overwhelm you with swordsmanship alone.”
A spar between a top-tier A-rank and a low-tier S-rank.
There didn't seem to be a huge gap, but an insurmountable wall still existed.
Thus, the elf girl had sealed her spirits for the match.
It was a sort of handicap, and both were confident of their own superiority.
*Sheesh, there’s no way I’d lose to an A-rank, right?*
*That ditz is nothing special without her spirits!*
Was that the gist of it? Well, both sides had a point.
In terms of pure swordsmanship, Ceria definitely had the upper hand, but the difference was slight. No matter how much everyone looked down on Ilensia, one had to acknowledge the experience she had accumulated over the years.
She may have suffered bitter defeats against the Hero candidates, but that was all experience. Also, as an S-rank, her mana reserves were vast, more than enough to make up for her lack of technique.
Therefore, as long as she didn't do anything foolish, she was unlikely to suffer a pathetic defeat.
“It won’t do for you to take me lightly too…”
“Then prove it. Of course, it won’t be easy.”
“Ugh…”
The girls’ fierce war of nerves.
*Stop hitting on my man! It’s bothering me!*
*Hey, why not! These things can happen in life, you know?*
There was a hint of that in the air… but it was probably just my imagination.
Anyway, their relationship was quite interesting. It made me look forward to the future. The moment Ceria had an awakening and became S-rank, the elf girl would be eaten alive.
It might be unfortunate for some, but from my perspective, it seemed very entertaining.
My little ditz.
Go on and become the stepping stone for Ceria’s growth. If you do, I won’t scold you even if you do something reckless!
“Ah…”
“Oh dear… you let your guard down.”
“This doesn’t count! Again…”
“No. Let’s stop for today. I’m feeling rather tired.”
“—!!”
Somehow, she had already recorded a loss. She had only dropped her sword, but there was no room for excuses.
The girl turned elegantly the moment she secured her victory. It showed a certain cheapness—no, wisdom—in knowing when to strike and retreat.
Right, that was the way. When facing a stronger opponent, you had to take what you could get.
Anyway, everyone was trying their best to get stronger in their own way. I should ride this momentum and head for the dungeon.
The first dungeon to conquer had already been decided. A dungeon with a bug that duplicated certain consumables.
I would check that first. Whether it worked or not would drastically change my future plans. If it did, the probability of seeing a happy ending would be about 99.9%.
Please, may the grace of the system window be with me!
Filled with hope, the Hero’s party finally set off on their adventure.