Chapter 761: Demon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 761: Demon
"Deal!"
The resounding declaration echoed through the quiet botanical garden, marking the moment someone’s "unyielding character" once again buckled under the weight of cold, hard cash.
But there was no shame in it. In this world, there were likely very few people who could resist the magnetic pull of a nine-figure sum.
"What... what are you looking at!"
Ariel turned her head away, sounding a bit piqued. "I’m only doing this to prepare for my breakthrough to the Fifth-Tier. It’s not that I’m greedy, but I require far more resources to advance than an ordinary person does. What choice do I have?"
"...Is that so?"
"Do you really think there’s any other reason? Let me tell you, Muen Campbell—my sparing you is only temporary. Accepting your employment doesn't mean I’ve let you off the hook. Once this business is finished and I have my commission, I’ll still find a way to hack you to death!"
"...Right, okay."
Seeing Ariel brandishing the Heavenly Fire Greatsword and shouting as if she would recklessly strike him down if he uttered another word, Muen wisely chose to keep his mouth shut.
Regardless, he had achieved his goal. Although a hundred million was no small amount for him given his current tight circumstances, it was a bargain if it meant Ariel would stop sulking and lend her strength.
Having a Destined Protagonist’s help always brought a certain peace of mind.
Come to think of it, this tactic was truly tried and true. He had solved many difficulties using this exact method. The only minor drawback... was that it was a bit hard on his old man’s estates.
But forget it. At a time like this, he couldn't afford to worry about property. He believed that even his father would understand the painstaking efforts of his devoted son.
Then again... for Ariel, this "employment" was less about the temptation of money and more about giving her a justification to save people.
This stubborn girl, who loved to deceive herself, needed a reason that could convince her own conscience before she could temporarily set aside her grievances and act with a clear mind.
Wait. Since when did he understand her so well?
"No, no, that’s not important. Now isn't the time to think about that."
Muen shook his head vigorously, tossing all unnecessary thoughts out of his mind.
What mattered most right now was...
Muen looked at the chain on his wrist. The branch of the Eternal Cycle remained quietly wrapped there. Unless he actively triggered its functions, it looked like an ordinary bracelet and showed no reaction.
Yet, up until now, every solution seemed to be linked to this tiny chain.
"You followed that thing to get here, didn't you?"
Ariel had also noticed the chain and asked directly.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
"A branch of an Ancient Artifact called the Eternal Cycle. An left it to me when I was teleported away."
"The core of the tower Miss An mentioned before?" Ariel’s eyes flickered.
Her previous goal in helping An reach the top of the tower had been that so-called core. However, because the chain looked so different from the strange sphere she had seen before, she hadn't recognized it.
"The core? Probably. From the current situation, this Ancient Artifact, the Eternal Cycle, indeed hides an incredible secret concerning the entire Demon race."
"The entire Demon race?"
"Exactly."
Muen raised his hand, allowing Ariel to get a closer look at the thin chain that appeared utterly unremarkable on the surface.
"If I’m not mistaken, the souls of the entire Demon race are being bound by this Eternal Cycle. I’m not yet clear on the method or the purpose, but for now, the only Demon whose soul isn't connected to the chains of the Eternal Cycle is... the Grand Duke of Divine Will."
And An.
But Muen only spoke one name.
He didn't want Ariel to know An’s true identity yet, nor was he sure how she would react if she found out.
Of course, most importantly... he did not accept that so-called "true identity."
An was Muen Campbell’s personal maid. Her home was the Duke’s Estate, and that was that. As for being a Demon or a Demon King... those were merely things that bastard Divine Will had forced upon her.
That was why he would definitely go back... and take back the girl who belonged to him.
"Oh? So you're saying this 'Eternal Cycle' isn't just the core of Gutons Fortress, but more likely the core of the entire Demon race, and also..."
Ariel looked up, gazing at the massive, brilliant magic stone—the likes of which even she had never seen:
"The core of this Inverted Tower."
"I’m not sure if it’s the core, but it should be able to lead us to the most important place here."
In any case, all the tangled threads currently converged on the Ancient Artifact on his wrist.
But for Muen, the strangeness of this artifact didn't end there.
The branch of the Eternal Cycle had been handed to him by An, but during his several uses of it, Muen had faintly sensed the will of someone else.
For instance, that strange dream that had appeared twice with nearly identical content.
Muen didn't believe such a dream was a coincidence, and he certainly wasn't some reincarnated Demon.
It felt as though, besides An, there was another existence in the shadows that wanted him to come here.
Please... save them.
Inexplicably, Muen recalled the words spoken by the dying girl in his dream.
"Is it asking me to save the Demons?"
Muen murmured under his breath, "But so far, the Demons are the aggressors, aren't they?"
Starting wars.
Colluding with the Kingdom.
Murdering innocent girls.
If he was being asked to save the Demons, what was the point of saving a race so fierce and cruel?
He didn't understand.
He didn't agree.
But regardless...
"Let’s follow the guidance of this Eternal Cycle branch and explore this place thoroughly."
Muen stood up straight.
Thinking too much was useless. Because so much time had passed—a thousand years was enough to bury many things—the so-called truth could only be discovered and confirmed by his own hands.
Besides, he didn't have the luxury of saving anyone right now. Just rescuing his little maid from a top-tier powerhouse like Divine Will was already going to be difficult enough; it would require everything he had.
"Moving out already?"
Ariel crossed her arms. At some point, she had stopped her self-pitying posture of hugging her knees.
"How is your body? You’d better not drop dead before you pay me."
"Yeah, don't worry. Your medicine is very effective."
Muen stretched his limbs. Under the influence of the potent medicine, the weakness in his body had mostly vanished.
In terms of pure efficacy, the potions Ariel refined were much more effective than his own blood.
He could only say she lived up to her status as a classic "Soaring Phoenix" protagonist. With her control over the Divine Flame Blessing, her alchemy skills were top-tier.
As for his mental state... that wasn't something medicine could fix. It could only be restored through total rest. Although he hadn't recovered much, after that sleep, the sensation of his mind tearing apart was at least no longer so pronounced.
"And you?"
"Hmph. Do you think I’d refine medicine and not take it myself? That foul blood of yours isn't worth much."
Ariel raised her fair chin proudly.
"I’ve recovered at least seventy or eighty percent. I could still hack you to death with one hand. As long as I have ingredients and a bit of strength, my recovery speed is second to none!"
"I’d expect nothing less."
Muen smiled, not at all surprised by this result. While her raw power might not be the highest yet, in terms of survivability, few in this world could compete with Ariel.
The fact that she had almost met her end this time was likely because he had dragged her down.
Wait? Does that mean I’m actually Ariel’s jinx? Muen couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
"Hey, what are you dazing off for?"
"Ahem, nothing."
Muen gave a dry cough.
"In that case, let’s not waste time. Let’s keep going."
"Where to first?"
"I’ve already done a rough search in that direction."
Muen pointed back the way he had come.
Earlier, in his frantic search for something to treat Ariel, he had been thorough. He shouldn't have missed anything.
And...
"Let’s just check this way for now. The Eternal Cycle branch seems to be reacting more strongly to this side."
Muen looked in the opposite direction.
On the other side of the botanical garden—which was far from barren and remained lush and green—a weathered metal gate was visible through the verdant vines.
Judging by the layout of this entire crystal container, that gate likely led to the central area.
"Fine then. Go open the door," Ariel commanded, tilting her head.
"Right, right."
Who’s the employer here again?
Muen grumbled inwardly but obediently walked to the door.
Just as he was about to repeat his old trick and use Elizabeth to cut through the gate...
"Hey."
Ariel suddenly called out from behind him.
"How much longer are you going to keep that appearance?"
"What?"
"That look of Miss Muse!" Ariel said through gritted teeth.
It had once been her favorite appearance, but now, just looking at it caused her pain.
Pain.
Too much pain.
A heart-wrenching agony.
Compared to that, she would rather look at the face she despised so much.
"Ah, right."
Muen finally realized, looking down at his slender, feminine hands.
True.
Since Ariel already knew his true identity, there was no need to maintain this disguise.
He had actually grown somewhat accustomed to this form; if Ariel hadn't reminded him, he might have forgotten he was still like this.
How terrifying.
Thinking of this, Muen quickly pulled out his Senior’s antidote. Just as he was about to tilt his head back and drain it...
Screeeech—!
The sound of sharp metal tearing and the Death Premonition in Muen’s mind rang out almost simultaneously!
A spear flashing with a cold glint pierced through the thick metal door. Its momentum didn't slow in the slightest as it lunged straight for Muen’s heart!
"This is..."
Muen’s pupils shrank. He was in the middle of drinking the antidote and was almost completely defenseless against this strike. Though he forced his body to twist away from his vitals, the spear was still heading straight for his chest...
"Miss Muse... No, Muen Campbell! Get out of the way!"
Fortunately, he wasn't alone.
Ariel, who hadn't been far away, reached him in an instant. Her crimson-gold greatsword, wreathed in flames, carved a brilliant arc through the air, violently parrying the spear back.
A sharp clang.
Then, silence.
As Ariel and Muen both stared grimly at the hole in the metal door, a crisp beep sounded. The vine-covered, time-worn gate slowly began to open on its own.
Clank.
Heavy armor shifted and ground together.
"Yo."
A tall figure stood in the shadows behind the door, watching the two of them with blood-red eyes peering through the slits of a visor.
Like a demon peering into the mortal realm from the depths of hell.
"We finally meet again, you two little human rats. You really made me... work quite hard to track you down."