Chapter 67 – Demon Castle (1)

The sound of weapons clashing, the smell of roasting meat, screams of fury, and the metallic screeches of monsters. In the midst of the battlefield, Velloc raised his sword.

Beyond the visor of his helmet, four sinister gazes were looking down at him.

[What is he saying?]

[I don’t know. It is a strange tongue.]

The two heads whispered among themselves. Soon, one head muttered with its lips while its eyes flashed. It was to reuse the spell that had blown away the knights just moments ago.

“Ugh. Sir! You must not give him time! He is… a warrior and a mage at the same time!”

Before they knew it, Garan, who had regained consciousness, shouted as he supported the Duke. Despite the voice spitting blood, Velloc had an indifferent expression. Rather, he just walked slowly, slicing down the monsters that occasionally rushed at him. Did he not hear his words because of the noise of the battlefield? Where had he left his other companions and come alone? Garan grit his teeth and shouted again.

“Sir! Did you not hear me?! He uses magic! No matter how strong your power is, if the spell is activated, there is no chance of winning…”

“I heard it all. And that has nothing to do with me.”

“What does that…”

Velloc’s calm voice flustered Garan. The giant boss grinned, baring his fangs. The light coming from his pupils was also much stronger. He held out one hand.

[Farewell, swordsman.]

An invisible force burst forth. It was the shockwave that had blown away the relic-armed knights all at once. The Duke said hurriedly,

“Leave that idiot alone! We retreat for now!”

No answer came back. Garan’s shoulder, on which his arm rested, was frozen as if it had become a stone statue. The Duke said,

“Garan! What on earth are you… What!”

The Duke’s eyes widened at the sight that appeared before him. He was perfectly fine. The knight clad in black armor stood there calmly. Soon, he bent his upper body, lowering his stance, and shot forward like an arrow. The two-headed giant was equally flustered. One head, emitting a bizarre light from its eyes, shouted loudly.

[W-what! Why did the spell…]

[What are you doing! Do it properly!]

The remaining head swung its axe. Sparks flew as the blade screeched loudly. It was like an infant contesting strength against an adult. At that moment, the other head poured out a spell again. It was a lightning bolt magic that discharged electricity. The spell was discharged. A flash erupted from his hand, and the black armor emitted a strange light. The lightning disappeared. Four pupils dilated. Especially the head that used magic trembled near its eyes while looking at Velloc’s armor.

[It swallows spells?]

[What do you mean! Speak so I can understand!]

Leaving the bickering monster behind, Velloc twisted his blade. The sparks and the screeching of the blade grew louder. However, the giant’s axe slid away, and his upper body wobbled.

[Huh?]

The greatsword flashed. The blade carved through the giant’s bone and flesh. As the warrior who had lost his wrist screamed, a light flashed once more. This time, it was a portal spell. It was useless. The blue light only flickered for a moment, and the surrounding scenery remained the same. Velloc shook his sword once and said,

“For a mage, you are quite foolish. You shouldn’t have been chanting spells, but rather holding a weapon.”

If you had held the axe handle with both hands, you would have held out a little longer. Velloc chuckled, and the giant boss’s face stiffened like stone. Soon, he waddled backward, unbefitting of his huge build. Instead of the head wailing in pain, the intact head tried to open its mouth.

He intended to summon his subordinates to buy time. Knowing his obvious scheme, Velloc shook his head. He swung his sword, and both heads flew off. The monster that had almost driven the great lord of the north and his order of knights to annihilation died just like that.

The surviving knights watched the scene even as they rolled on the ground and spat blood. Everyone wanted to speak, but they could not. It was because the man who had easily slain the monster leader was moving again.

He began to stroll around, slicing down the monsters as if nothing had happened. He moved like a farmer ahead of a harvest, like an emotionless machine. Whenever he swung, one was invariably chopped into pieces. They could say nothing to that abnormal sight. They just watched blankly.

“A warrior who even blocks spells… and that swordsmanship… there is no one who can match him. Where on earth did such a man…”

Even as the Duke let out an astonished shout, the monster attack came to an end. It was a tide changed by a single person. The survivors cheered. They called out to God and made the sign of the cross, and hugged their comrades next to them, crying. The nobles and church factions who saw his performance for the first time gathered around Velloc with shining eyes. Soon, they began to wag their tongues.

– Sir. My daughter turns thirteen this year. It can be considered a prime marriageable age. Once this matter is over, even just to see her face once…

– Sir. By any chance, do you have any intention of becoming the Great Warrior of the temple? Even if you lack holy power, with your devotion, it would be more than enough…

Adel and Cara pushed past those people and shoved them aside. Isabel was also following behind the two. At that moment, a strange light flickered in her eyes. It was because of the object left behind by the dwarf who had been turned into mush. After glancing around once, she casually picked up the blood-stained bowgun. Soon, she followed behind the group as if nothing had happened.

#

“I cannot hold out any longer… If I stay like this, even ten lives wouldn’t be enough.”

A noble squeezed his eyes shut. When he gestured, a mage under his command cast a spell. Light flashed, and dozens of people vanished. Soon, similar occurrences took place here and there. Accusations of being cowards and deserters were heard all around, but Velloc said nothing. He simply stared at the cluster of light once and finished chewing the bread he was eating.

They had done more than enough for them. Thanks to that, they were able to kill the monsters quite easily. Since the success rate of the portal spell was said to be eighty percent, it would be higher than the chance of surviving against the monsters they would face in the future. Cara took a sip of water with a face that had become even grubbier. Soon, she mumbled,

“Half is left once again. Is it about three thousand people?”

“Still, there are many left. With this many, wouldn’t they be able to trample the Archdemon to death?”

Isabel said, grooming the arrows she had pulled out from the corpses.

“That’s an optimistic way to put it. I’d like to think so too… but if the castle is that size, it must be teeming with monsters.”

“Even after killing so many, they keep appearing… What will come out next?”

Cara stroked her chin for a moment. Soon, she looked at the bizarrely soaring castle and spoke.

“Though there were a few human-shaped ones here and there, most of what we’ve met so far have been monsters. We haven’t even seen the faces of the King’s elite soldiers and the royal guard.”

Isabel’s face stiffened slightly as she was grooming her arrows.

“If so…”

“From giants, membrane-winged monsters, to man-eating spiders. It is certain that the monsters beyond human limits are terrible. But what she means is that the soldiers or knights who sold their souls to the demons will be just as dangerous.”

Adel, who had been listening quietly, chuckled. She then looked at Velloc and said,

“It brings back memories.”

“What memories?”

When Velloc asked, Adel pulled her knees up and sat askew. Her eyes recalled the distant past.

“Isn’t Roben the starting point of all this? Somehow, it feels like something warped starting from that time. Goat heads, snakes, specters, dark elves, and even that girl who handles corpses. Bizarre monsters appeared in abundance. To think the source of those bastards is inside there…”

Adel stopped talking for a moment. Soon, she shook her head and muttered,

“It’s a strange feeling.”

Velloc did not answer right away. He, too, fell into deep thought. In the beginning, it was clearly a journey for survival. The goal was to grow stronger and survive the threats to his life. But now, he had invaded the Archdemon’s front yard and was preparing to slit his throat.

Relying solely on the goddess’s revelation that he could return home if he killed that guy. Fuck. He cursed internally. Thinking about it now, this was a business deal that didn’t break even. It was unfair enough to be dragged into the monitor out of nowhere, and yet they made him suffer like this. Wasn’t this a tyranny that could slap a loan shark in the face?

Velloc turned his head. The palace where the Archdemon resided came into view. If he killed the guy as the goddess said, what would she say next? Would she send him straight home just like when he entered this place? Or would she tell him to kill other guys? What if he left? What would happen to his remaining companions?

He turned his head briefly. Cara was groaning and tapping her waist with her staff, and Isabel was chewing on some herb again. Adel sat with her face resting in both hands, glancing at him now and then. If he left… could he really abandon them?

At that moment, someone approached. The group turned their heads. It was Duke Georg. Perhaps because of the heavy blow from losing so many knights, his face looked ten years older. Cara said,

“I thought you had left?”

He shook his head.

“The throne is right before us. Why would I leave?”

The old noble’s ambition did not seem to be extinguished. In the end, he had put even his and his subordinates’ lives on the line as stakes. Velloc said,

“Why did you come?”

Georg chuckled. He no longer thought of this young knight as insolent. He had more than enough ability to justify it. He said,

“Isn’t it only human decency to express gratitude to the savior who saved my life?”

He said so and bowed his head. Look at him. Empty-handed? Just as Velloc was thinking that, Garan, who was standing behind Georg, stepped forward. Soon, he politely laid down what he held in his hand. It was a whip studded with thorns, bearing strange patterns. What on earth was this? The Duke said,

“It is hard to handle, but it is quite a decent relic. It is also an ownerless item. It isn’t much, but I would like to give it to you.”

He could have given something more versatile, like a shield, a sword, or boots. A whip? Velloc shrugged his shoulders.

“Is your life worth only that much?”

“Sir. Your words are too…”

The Duke stopped Garan, who was about to step forward. He also spoke jokingly,

“Of course not. However, we are currently in a state of war, and we need even one more enchanted relic. I swear. Once this matter is settled, I will surely reward you properly. Be it money, territory, relics, or anything.”

The Duke’s eyes gleamed coldly. Velloc knew what that man was going to say next. And he also knew the reason why he came here, even presenting this strange-looking whip. He said,

“Even if you don’t probe us like that, we have no interest in the throne. We will leave once we kill the Archdemon, so do not worry too much.”

“…I cannot outmatch you. I understand. I will believe your words.”

The Duke laughed helplessly, turned around, and left. Velloc watched the back of the old fox and gripped the whip. He could definitely feel a strange energy. It didn’t seem cheap. He said,

“Who wants it?”

“I’m good.”

Cara, the mage, shook her head. Isabel also waved her hand.

“I’m fine too. I already got one.”

You got one? What do you mean?

“Really? In that case…”

Velloc’s gaze turned toward Adel.

“Adel. Do you want to try it?”

Adel nodded immediately.

“If it is given by Lord Velloc, I will gladly accept it.”

Perhaps she also secretly wanted it, as her eyes were shining. Velloc handed over the whip. As if her body was itching for action, Adel stood up immediately. Then, she swung the whip, cracking it against the floor. Her eyes took on a strange fever. Soon, she slowly caressed the whip and said,

“Lord Velloc, this! I like it very much. It wraps around my hand perfectly…”

“Mhm… okay. Since you like it, I’m glad too.”

Velloc could not bring himself to speak the words that came to mind. Instead, Cara muttered,

“It does suit her. In a slightly bad way…”

#

Those full of ambition, those lacking ability, those driven mad by battle, and those who wanted to go home. Having completed their reorganization, they moved once again. They passed through the eternally burning village. Since the owner had vanished, there was nothing left to block their path. Though sweat bubbled in their pores and dry coughs came from the smoke, they endured. Soon, they began to walk along the winding, narrow path.

A few loose stones caught underfoot tumbled down into the abyss. A soldier gulped. The darkness, looking pitch black as if bottomless, caught his eye. The sound of the wind blowing from below sounded like a monster howling. The soldier shook his head and moved his feet. Soon, the expedition party was able to arrive at the castle where the Demon King resided.

Rumble

As if welcoming them, the doors opened on their own. With Velloc’s group at the vanguard, the expedition party entered the castle one by one. Nothing could be seen. The soft texture brushing against their toes only made them think that a carpet of some sort had been laid down. Just as Cara was about to chant a spell, a ray of light arose from the darkness.

Someone was standing beneath the faintly shining beam of light. It was a knight wearing armor and carrying a sword. He took a step forward, red light flashing from his eyes. Then, flames surged and began to light up one after another like dominoes. Beneath the flickering shadows, the surroundings instantly lit up. It was a huge hall that could accommodate tens of thousands of people. The knight spoke,

[I am His blade and blind shield. I am a single spear. My King commanded me to welcome the cowardly usurpers.]

[He commanded me to welcome the usurpers. With this sword in my hand.]

[He commanded me to sever their necks and offer them.]

The voice was not single. It began to echo from all directions like a reverberation. Soon, clanking metallic sounds were also heard. The expedition party turned their heads. Thousands of armed soldiers were drawing their weapons toward them.