Chapter 196 : Chapter 196
Chapter 196 : The Demon King (1)
“Lord Tayon, Lord Tayon!”
I called Tayon, who was shaking in anxiety. Tayon, who was babbling incoherently, stopped speaking.
‘Radiance.’
I summoned Holy Power. A gentle glow of Holy Power filled the temporary tent and enveloped Tayon.
Did the God of Peace drive away the fear gnawing at Tayon?
Tayon’s trembling body stopped.
“You truly suffered a lot. It seems it would be impossible for you to stay in Myeolji any longer. I will find a way for you to rest comfortably as soon as possible.”
It is true that the Expedition came to Myeolji prepared for death, but I had no intention of forcibly dragging those who could no longer fight into battle.
If there were many injured, we decided to gather them and move them out of Myeolji.
At this time, those who were not injured would accompany them to ensure they could safely exit Myeolji.
Although it is true that this structure inevitably weakens the Expedition's combat power, we chose this method because not all Expedition members need to die in Myeolji.
Since there were quite a few casualties in this battle with the Fallen Ones, the Expedition must be planning to lead the injured out of Myeolji.
‘I should help transport Lord Tayon as well so he can rest properly then…….’
Since I fainted right after saving Tayon, I didn't know the situation or atmosphere of the Expedition.
However, apart from Tayon’s current condition, I could easily guess that the Expedition members would be greatly rejoiced just by the fact that Tayon survived.
As I was about to slowly get up to check on the Expedition, Tayon spoke quietly.
“I am sorry. I showed an unsightly appearance.”
“Not at all. Just the fact that Lord Tayon is alive will make all Expedition members greatly rejoice.”
“I can still fight. I will join the Crows.”
“……But Lord Tayon, it seems neither your body nor mind is sound right now.”
“Right. I am not sound. So I won't say I will stand against the Demon King. But if I am there, I will be help to the combat power. Not saying I will lead the Crows again, but allow me to wear a mask as just one crow and fight in Myeolji.”
A fire of desire ignited gently in Tayon’s eyes.
His words were not wrong.
If Tayon is there, he will be a great combat power to the Expedition.
Especially the Crows will welcome their leader’s return more than anyone.
‘If he doesn’t stand against the Demon King……. Will it be okay.’
“Trust me. I won't hold you back.”
Knowing that I was contemplating, Tayon spoke once again with emphasis.
There would be no need to dampen his will unnecessarily.
“If that is Lord Tayon’s will……. Yes, I understand. Please be with the Crows. Just in case, I will reassign the Paladin Order to move together with the Crows.”
“Thank you. And the Demon King…….”
Tayon looked strained again just by mentioning the Demon King, but he gathered his mind himself and continued speaking.
“Do you…… intend to face the Demon King yourself?”
“That is the plan. Unless something happens to me before I get to the Demon King’s Castle.”
“Must it be you?”
“I can push away Demonic Energy like Lord Adjak. Others might be able to fight the Demon King, but I will fight the best.”
Tayon looked at me with worried eyes.
“……But why are you acting like this?”
Is the fear of the Demon King seated so largely in him that he opposes even me fighting?
But the story Tayon told next was much more shocking than that.
“At the Demon King’s Castle, I saw Lord Adjak and the previous Demon King. To be exact, I should say I saw their corpses.”
“…….”
Engulfed in shock, I was at a loss for words.
“It was known that Lord Adjak cut the Demon King’s throat, but no one knew how he died. But now I know. They were perfectly intact without decaying a bit even after 300 years passed.”
“How did Lord Adjak die?”
It was something I didn't know either.
Even I, who played with all my heart regarding Adjak as my favorite character, didn't know about Adjak's death.
Because Season 1 ended as soon as he killed the Demon King.
“Contrary to what is known, Lord Adjak’s sword was embedded in the Demon King’s heart. But it looked clear that the throat was cut. Because the trace of being torn by a sword remained intact on the previous Demon King’s neck.”
“Then…… are you saying the new Demon King reattached the fallen previous Demon King’s head and stabbed Adjak’s sword into the Demon King’s heart?”
Does the new Demon King have bad taste or something.
Adjak definitely couldn't move anymore after cutting the Demon King’s throat.
That must have been the case, but the fact that Adjak’s sword is stuck in the Demon King’s heart might mean the new Demon King played a prank with their corpses after both the Demon King and Adjak died.
“I cannot be certain, but it looked like that. And in Lord Adjak’s body…… the Demon King’s Demonic Energy was still remaining and flowing. Not the new Demon King’s, but the previous Demon King’s Demonic Energy.”
Only then did I understand the situation.
Adjak succeeded in killing the previous Demon King, but it seemed he couldn't overcome the Demonic Energy flowing out from the body after killing him and died being encroached.
“That means……. Polarin, even if you succeed in cutting the Demon King’s throat, it is the same as saying you might not be able to return alive.”
Come to think of it, I almost suffocated even from the Demon King’s Origin Demonic Energy that escaped from Tayon’s body who had become a Fallen One.
If I cut the Demon King’s main body, it was obvious as fire that the Demonic Energy he harbored would erupt explosively.
I fully understood that there is a danger of suffocating to death by that Demonic Energy. Since Adjak’s condition wasn't good back then either.
But I nodded.
“If so, all the more reason I will fight against the Demon King and cut his throat.”
“…….”
Tayon couldn't continue his words.
A situation where he, whose heart was already broken, cannot stand against the Demon King.
Even so, Tayon was not a ruthless enough person to push others in instead of me.
‘I didn't come here to die either.’
If I die, can I return to Earth?
Unknown.
For now, I don't even know if I want to return to Earth.
It's been quite a while since memories of Earth became faint.
Life in this world was much denser even compared to the time spent on Earth.
I met many good people, and made endless efforts to survive.
And rather than fighting until now to return to Earth, I have fought until now to fulfill Adjak’s wish.
In the current situation where we almost arrived at the destination, I cannot withdraw the Expedition just because death is fearful.
I, who gathered the Expedition members, knew better than anyone the fact that now is the optimal opportunity where the best troops gathered regardless of race and faction.
‘If sacrificing for the world, maybe I, a stranger, am better.’
I had thought up to there, but looking at Tayon’s eyes, I changed my mind.
Although I saw one person’s eyes, many faces flashed by momentarily.
I made up my mind firmly.
“I will never die. Because there are many things I want to do even after cutting the Demon King’s throat and returning.”
“What kind of things do you want to do?”
“Going back to Gullok and working as a swordsmanship instructor, traveling around the world a bit…… I will be busy.”
“I pray you can definitely do so.”
Tayon grabbed my hand and said.
His hand was trembling once again.
But now it didn't seem like he was trembling just because he feared the Demon King.
Is it because he thinks I am walking into a place of death on my own feet.
“Yes, I will kill the Demon King, and no matter how terrible Demonic Energy flows out from his body, I will endure. I am Lord Adjak’s descendant, but a different person from him.”
“Right. If it is you……. If it is you, you will be able to do it.”
I held Tayon’s trembling hand tightly and continued speaking.
“And Lord Tayon, please keep Lord Adjak’s cause of death a secret for the time being.”
“Are you saying you will know it alone?”
“Yes, because there is no need to lower morale uselessly before even fighting.”
“……I understand.”
“Then shall we go out of the tent now? Others must be waiting.”
Tayon nodded and stood up. I smiled at him and went out of the tent together.
Whether it is the Demon King, or the wave of Demonic Energy that will rush in after he dies.
I will overcome it.
***
Coming out of the tent, I saw Hike’s exhausted face.
It seemed she was tired from using powerful Dragon Speech continuously.
“Is your body okay.”
“Yes, I apologize for causing you worry. And…… thank you. For driving away the Demonic Energy, Lady Hike.”
“No. What I did was just chase out the Demonic Energy. You would have been able to endure it anyway, but I just helped make it a little easier. More than that, your subordinates suffered a lot.”
I looked at Derix, Bitelleanus, and other Remnants.
They also looked tired, but when they made eye contact with me, they smiled brightly.
“In the meantime, Baden sent news of the situation on the other side of Myeolji. He said Gallajio, Lizards, and Black Veil succeeded in entering inside Myeolji together. He says Baden is also advancing together with them.”
“That is something to be grateful for. Thanks to that, it became much easier for us. By the way…… Lady Hike also looks tired.”
“It is nothing.”
That cannot be true.
Hike was someone who could create the World of Recurrence or change the weather to make it rain, but she used tremendous Dragon Speech continuously.
Stopping Tayon’s sword energy encroached by Demonic Energy and Tayon simultaneously, and stripping off the thickly cast Demon King’s Demonic Energy must definitely not have been easy.
Suddenly, the thought occurred that if it is Hike, she would be able to help me after the fight with the Demon King.
I cannot do everything alone.
If I came here alone, let alone coming this far, I would have run away out of Myeolji several times in the middle.
The reason I formed the Expedition was also to receive help from many people.
“Even if I succeed in killing the Demon King, tremendous Demonic Energy might spew out from his body. At that time, could I possibly receive Lady Hike’s help?”
“I will do so.”
Hike answered without contemplating for even a single moment. I thought she wouldn't refuse, but I didn't know she would answer this readily.
“I will protect you from the Demon King even if I have to use everything I can do.”
“……Lady Hike.”
“I could not protect Adjak. Even when fighting the Demon King, I assisted in combat, but practically most of the combat was done by Adjak alone.”
Hike’s voice sank low.
“Seeing you often reminds me of Adjak. I want to protect you at least.”
Hike’s sincerity was conveyed intact. I looked at Hike for a long time and answered.
“……Lord Adjak must have been happy that Lady Hike was his comrade too.”
“He must have been.”
Hike smirked. That confident appearance looked good.
“However, in order to clear away the Demon King’s Demonic Energy, I also need to reserve strength. It would not be easy if I am in a state like now.”
“Yes, then I hope Lady Hike reserves strength from now on. How about you rest outside Myeolji and come instead?”
Hike contemplated for a moment and nodded.
“I heard those injured in this battle will move out of Myeolji. I will lead them and go out of Myeolji.”
“Will you do so?”
“I will. The battle with the Demon King will never be easy. Even if you leave the things that will happen after the battle to me, you will have to take responsibility for the battle at least. Can you do it?”
“I can.”
“……Please take care of yourself.”
“Yes, I hope Lady Hike also recovers well.”
Hike nodded and shouted to the Expedition members.
“I will lead the injured and go out of Myeolji. Fight well so that there are no more injured people.”
“Yes!”
Hike’s back was still reliable.