Chapter 80: I Dream of Something Grabbing Me by the Scruff of My Neck

The Demon King, who was called the Golden Beast, was originally known as the Golden Demon King or the Guide of Trembling.

There were dozens of expressions used to refer to him, and people recited the most impressive ones according to their own discretion.

Though he was defeated and died… surprisingly many people rose up under the pretext and justification of carrying on his will.

This was not a story exclusive to the Demon Race.

Within the Empire, everything had been settled within five years after the Demon King’s death, but in the regions outside the Empire, the aftermath and influence still remained intact.

Among them, naturally, there were those who incited discord and agitation, claiming that the days of the invasion were better.

And those who secretly supported such people went as far as establishing a new Demon King’s Army, under the guise of inheriting the will and resolve of the previous Demon King’s Army.

“But I heard that the scale of it wasn’t actually that large?”

Luirin offered a dissenting view to verify Deike’s explanation.

Luirin recalled hearing about it through the grapevine.

A full-scale civil war that ignored distinctions of race, ethnicity, and region, started under the pretext of: The Hero is the one to fear, not the likes of you!

They say various conflicts and disturbances overflowed under this guise.

But even that was a thing of the past.

Luirin guessed it happened around the time she was born, or when she was still babbling, wrapped in a swaddle or cloth in some unknown place.

“Perhaps because they tasted bitterness after acting too openly, they finally started thinking for themselves around that time, after suffering losses close to total annihilation.”

For example, they began to operate secretly and gloomily rather than openly.

In fact, it was somewhat predictable the moment they weren’t rooted out completely.

Therefore, various nations continued to cooperate actively regarding this matter to this day.

The Empire, which achieved stability first in this regard, began to achieve rapid growth thanks to that.

And when this instability ignited into conflict, an alliance of non-Imperial nations once stirred to oppose the Empire.

Because of that, it almost escalated into a large-scale war.

Here too, the Empire showed overwhelming power, but fearing that both sides would suffer extreme damage even in victory, the Empire also desperately began searching for a compromise.

If that Hero Emperor had been more ambitious, or if he had set his sights on a campaign of conquest…

The situation would have taken a completely different turn.

“This is also why the name Bloodline of Radiance became famous externally.”

The Prince.

Or, in place of Princess Elhermina Berg Enzul, the only son of Lueld—one of the Nine Heroes and the Chief of Nine Heroes among the Heroes—who is publicly called the Great Hero, was chosen as a hostage, and the situation took another turn.

That is how it was publicly; however, rumors circulated that he had actually volunteered for the role himself.

“Even if something happened to the Princess, it would be a justification to trigger a continental war, and Lueld’s offspring is no exception to that. Rather, the fact that a reason for Lueld to intentionally participate in the war would be created was a direction no country wanted.”

A power that transcended common sense, capable of easily handling several national military forces single-handedly.

Furthermore, neutralizing an entire legion without killing a single person is an extremely rare example even in history.

For such a man to have the justification and will to intentionally commit a massacre… what difference would that make from recreating a nightmare beyond mere fear?

Accordingly, Lueld’s offspring, who came as a hostage following diplomatic procedures, received utmost protection from the strict guards and elites of the visiting nations rather than the Empire.

To the point that the foreign nations, which had formed an alliance rather than acting as a single state, composed teams of such elites to protect him.

It was true he was a hostage, but both the Empire and the non-Imperial nations…

A tedious stalemate continued, where neither side could act rashly toward the other.

“And as he is Lueld’s son, the one who defeated the Golden Beast, the Remnants of the Demon King’s Army couldn’t just stand by and watch.”

A being who, though they knew it was a trap, could split the continent in half and turn it to ash if they succeeded.

Also, one of the few golden opportunities for the Demon King’s Army, now mere remnants, to establish a new focal point.

However, if they revealed their traces openly, extreme retaliation of a different sort was foretold.

In the end, they had to frame the situation so that it appeared those who took him hostage had killed him.

The beginning of a gloomy and muddy secret struggle.

In other words.

It was also the perfect opportunity to pluck out the poisonous thorns—the traitors secretly embedded in each nation.

“Because of this, Lueld’s son began to be called a genius, beyond just a prodigy.”

That child saw through the target’s psychology and way of thinking with chilling clarity.

He laid pieces, set traps, used himself as bait, and even acted dead or severely injured.

Ultimately, he played a decisive role in plucking out the poisonous thorns of several countries.

“That Wolf Prince of Dabas was active alongside him back then and secured his right of succession. Even though his succession rank was as low as 11th.”

However, the current King of Dabas has a strong antipathy toward the Empire, so he by no means regarded this as a favor.

But.

…At least, if the Prince wished to strengthen relations with the Empire in the future, the King agreed to a certain extent to drop some of the hostile responses toward the Empire, judging with cold logic that it would be beneficial.

In a way, the hostile relationship had begun because the Empire swallowed land that was once Dabas territory but had become a neutral zone for various reasons since the invasion of the Demon King’s Army.

“Conversely, the general consensus is that it was a kind of respect and agreement toward Lueld, and toward the son who would firmly hold that position in another sense after Lueld.”

“…This is information you can’t easily hear anywhere, right? How do you know so much? More importantly, weren’t we talking about the Demon King?”

Her head didn’t particularly hurt, but it felt so abrupt that she couldn’t help but ask.

“That’s that bastard’s worst habit.”

Luciri pecked at Deike in a lecturing tone, asking if he thought women would fall for him just by pretending to be smart.

“I’m doing this because it’s all necessary! It’s a long story if I explain everything, but you need to know this first for the next part to be easier. To summarize the situation regarding that son…”

Anyway, after Lueld’s son experienced a great ordeal in the land of the Ear-people, rumors circulated that he had become a wreck, or that he had died, or whatever.

“At some point, news spread across the continent that he was staying safely in the Empire. However, the general consensus is that the brilliance and genius he once possessed have disappeared.”

“Is that so?”

“And there was someone who gained fame through this incident.”

The self-proclaimed Stupid Legion Commander.

“Rumors secretly circulated that someone claiming to be a Commander of the Demon King’s Army, which is already dead, almost succeeded in killing him in the sanctuary of the Elves. Because of that, I believe that great Knight of Radiance personally arrived.”

“Deike Oppa. You’re not an ordinary person, are you?”

An incident of that magnitude would have spread as a rumor long ago.

No, beyond just spreading, it would have been classified as a major event.

So why were there no rumors? Was it just nonsense? A simple hypothesis cooked up in his head? A novel? A false story?

“I am a Prophet Chaser.”

At those words, Luirin reflexively questioned.

“…Azure Prophets?”

“You’re not ordinary either, pointing that out immediately.”

The northwest of the continent.

An island, an archipelago, and a chain of islands described as both small and vast.

The expression used to refer to the ruling clan that once dominated that area.

However, hundreds of years ago, they, the indigenous people, were instead expelled by those who crossed over from the continent.

The reason it stopped at expulsion was that it allowed for a smoother integration with the existing natives.

It was also because such an agreement had been made.

Afterward, those people, the Island Tribe Called Cyan Prophet, wandered the continent without stepping foot on their homeland.

Some settled in one place, while others formed gypsy, nomadic, or wandering clans, moving from place to place in groups periodically.

Though few in number, they possessed special abilities and Arcane Secrets and spread throughout the continent, and their astrology became renowned within the continent.

Even a few centuries ago, it is famously recorded in church history books that most kings and Great Nobles kept them by their side for advice.

And when someone asked who they were, they would introduce themselves like this.

As Prophet Chasers.

“I heard it from someone I know. They told me to be careful because eight out of ten people who say that are scammers.”

At this, Deike’s expression soured as if he had chewed on an unripe fruit.

“…Whoever that is, they must know us very well.”

Not nine out of ten, but specifically eight.

“The topic has strayed a lot, hasn’t it? It’s partly because I asked… but I’m more curious now, so please tell me quickly.”

“By the way. Do you know the intention behind me readily telling these things to a little lady? Are you asking so persistently while knowing that?”

“Deike?”

Leo and Luciri’s glares were piercing, but Deike just rubbed his beard.

The one who responded calmly was Luirin, who was precocious for her age.

“It’s a request for cooperation, isn’t it? There might be an attempt to satisfy a desire for display or vanity. That expression of friendliness—actually, you’re probably acting hard because you’re not used to it. Ah, the fact that I’m risking being disliked by saying this is for the purpose of showing off my competence. Naturally, if you want to use me, you’ll have to pay. Please send the request through the Edenlevan Regiment branch. That way, neither of us will get stabbed in the back, and it’ll be better, right?”

“Hey, Leo. Every time I see you, I feel like you have great luck with people. Me aside, that witch girl too. Why do such precious people gather around you?”

“Is it my luck? You and Leo are the ones clinging to me. Let’s get the words right.”

Luciri argued with a dissatisfied face.

“Fine. Then, assuming we’re allies, I’ll provide a service. While investigating based on a divination, I came across a story the day before yesterday: that a girl with pale hair, close to silver, and eyes that look as if silver was melted into them, is accompanying the Great Hero’s child.”

“……Eh? Is that… by any chance talking about me?”

Luirin’s eyes widened.

“Stop talking among yourselves and speak clearly since our ears aren’t blocked, okay?”

Luciri glared at both Deike and Luirin with an expression that went beyond absurdity into sheer annoyance.

“Um, Deike Oppa? I think I just heard something very important.”

“What is it?”

“…The Great Hero’s child? Could that be talking about my teacher?”

“Is the companion only the teacher? If you’re talking about a dark-haired boy or young man… probably? I haven’t seen him personally, so I can’t be certain.”

Luirin crossed her arms, pretending to think.

In truth, the only evidence was what he had blabbed.

…In that sense, what if this bearded man is one of those great scammers in the eight out of ten?

Either way, there are only two conclusions.

True or false.

And assuming it is true.

“What. Was he really a Great Noble, My Lord?”

Deike questioned.

“Did you not know?”

“I was just acting as a guide after receiving a request. I was only told vaguely that he was a noble young master training as a knight.”

“Is that so? I thought the divination was strange, and there was a reason. There were silver and gold coins together among the meteorites… then what is the gold coin?”

Deike suddenly unfurled a rolled-up piece of leather parchment on the table.

He dropped pebbles of different colors and wood fragments resembling shards onto it and began to observe them carefully for a while.

“He’s starting that again.”

“…I’m already struggling just to digest what I’ve heard.”

When the food finally arrived, there was a brief moment to breathe.

Deike emptied his glass in one gulp and shouted for a refill, and Luirin, without hesitation, emptied her bowl in an instant and ordered more.

How can they be so nonchalant?

Is being shameless just the nature of people who eat well and live well?

At Luciri’s sigh, Leo also scratched his brow, looking troubled.

That aside.

“If we have to hear it from Deike, it’ll take until dawn and more, so Leo Oppa, who is good at explaining, please tell me. So, did you come to find the Demon King? But what exactly do you mean by ‘that Demon King’?”

“…Right. It would be more refreshing if I spoke.”

Unlike usual, Leo’s expression was quite stiff.

“We are looking for the Demon King. Not the Demon King who came from the Demon Realm, but a Demon King who emerged in the Middle Realm. There are exactly two. And I believe one of them is the enemy who destroyed my village. That’s why I’m searching.”

Two of them? And in the Middle Realm?

“For what reason do you call them a Demon King?”

“I’ll explain that.”

Luciri suddenly cut in.

“Have you ever heard of the Legacy of the Great Demon King?”

“……”

It felt too absurd to just let slide.

“There are seven in total. And because of the demons who betrayed the Demon King during the invasion of the Demon King’s Army, three fell into the hands of the Human Alliance. But where are the other four? Their locations are still unknown.”

It was a scary story.

…No, was it actually scary?

Honestly, she couldn’t get a feel for it.

“The one who possesses it could be a remnant of the Demon King’s Army, or it could be an ordinary human or a member of another race. But the important thing is whether that person inherited the Legacy of the Great Demon King. Whether they awakened it. We use that as the criterion to tentatively call that existence a Demon King.”

Well, this was also information she heard from Deike.

“We speculate that Leo’s village was destroyed by one of them… My sister and brother-in-law were in that village. That’s also why Leo and I have been traveling together until now.”

“……”

Leo, with a stiff expression, was breaking into a cold sweat, as if the scene from back then was still vivid.

“That must have… been hard.”

Luirin offered words of comfort.

Though she sent a pitiful look while managing her expression reasonably well.

Inside, she wondered why it mattered.

Tragedies are scattered everywhere.

As if I’ve only seen brothers, sisters, and siblings become cold corpses overnight and be gnawed on by rats once or twice?

So, honestly, shedding tears just because a tragedy happened was merely tedious.

The world was already sufficiently weary and difficult to be grieving.

…More importantly, why were those rats so scared that they were scurrying around in broad daylight?

Actually, it had been bothering her, but since there was a wealth of content more concerning than that, she hadn’t had the leisure to care.

“So Leo is looking for the Demon King, and I heard while you were talking that some Elder told him to ask the sword here about the location, so he came here to seek an answer from that sword stuck up there. Did I understand correctly?”

“Yes. That’s correct.”

Leo nodded with a weak smile.

“But if it’s a Demon King, their power or ability must be immense… how do you plan to handle that?”

“……”

It wasn’t that he hadn’t thought about it.

However, that wasn’t a reason to give up the search.

Such will and spirit were conveyed through Leo’s expression.

“That’s why we’re looking for the Hero.”

Luciri added a further explanation.

“Unless the rest of the party brings one… we have to manage somehow. Though finding them is a problem in itself.”

“Hey. No, friends? The divination is unusual. Why did it suddenly change like this?”

“There he goes again! Are you going to keep being ominous?!”

“No! Really! I’m telling you, the stars have all been swallowed!”

“…How do you know the stars were swallowed just by looking at some stones and pieces of wood?”

“Why is it my fault that you’re blind?”

Crash!

“Ack! Bone! My bone!”

Deike looked like he was dying under the table.

“By the way, did you say the child of the Great Hero? That person, you’re talking about Riel-nim, right?”

“…Probably?”

As Luirin nodded while looking at Deike, Luciri reached out and grabbed Deike’s earlobe.

“Agh! Hey! Let go!”

“Stop rambling in such a complicated way! Something that could be finished in a few minutes, why do you drag it out all day?”

“It’s all because it’s necessary— Agh!”

“Don’t make excuses, you man! Even the illiterate Leo explains better than you, so why can’t a learned guy like you get the point? Are you seriously a graduate of the Truga Duchy Public Academy?”

“But Luciri. You just praised me, right? And I learned all the letters because of you, so isn’t it too much to call me illiterate still?”

They were a noisy bunch in many ways.

Even so, he could feel a steadfast trust between them, to the point where there seemed to be no barriers at all.

“…….”

Perhaps.

A realm that neither he nor his master could ever hope to reach.

The thought occurred to Luirin instinctively.

And he became certain of it.

If he had to put a name to it.

Resignation.

Or perhaps, surrender.

Being friends might be possible, but being comrades who trust each other with their backs was another matter entirely.

There was nothing that could be done about it.

‘Because we are broken.’

To the point where, even if he wanted to trust, he couldn’t.

The world had broken them.