Chapter 69 – Demon Castle (3)

Edward was a man respected by everyone. Though born to a noble status, he mingled with his subordinates without hesitation. He reigned, but did not try to dominate. He possessed valor like a lion’s heart, unyielding strong convictions, and a mercy like a saint’s touch. Some called him Edward, while others called him His Majesty. His followers and subjects who revered him also respectfully called him the Lion King.

“Hmm.”

He, the ruler of the Adria Kingdom. Edward sat heavily on the throne, resting his chin on his arm. The transparent crystal ball placed in front of him shone continuously. Some sounds were also heard. They were screams, shrieks, and shouts of fury. It was a battlefield. In the world inside the glass ball, a war between monsters and humans was in full swing.

Someone looking at this would think it was horrific and be terrified, while someone else would chew on snacks and enjoy watching it. Whichever it was, it was clearly an eye-catching scene. However, he had no interest. Although his black eyes were directed toward the crystal ball, he was currently recalling the distant past.

In his youth, he had gone on a wandering journey. It was a time when the kingdom had not yet stabilized, and all kinds of monsters were teeming. He had shone there, as he displayed his prowess without regret. From the monster lion of Mount Ern, the manticore of Loin Forest, to the ogre of Kurne Mine—all the monsters that had dominated their respective regions had their necks severed by his blade.

– Thank you. Thank you, Your Majesty!

– We only bow our heads to Your Majesty’s mercy. Ah, my King.

“It is my duty to help the subjects in need. Do not worry about it. Did I say that?”

In the quiet hall, Edward’s voice rang low. Soon, he began to shrug his shoulders and laugh. The King retraced his memories once more. When he returned from the expedition, there were people who threw flowers and cheered, a man who waved his hand from atop a spire, and a child who fiddled with tiny hands and bowed to him.

Ah… yes. They were my precious subjects. The scene of the brilliant capital changed. This time, it was a castle. A triumphal ceremony was held, and loyal soldiers blew trumpets. Holding the gleaming spear tips in a straight line, they vigorously walked on the flagstones covered with red carpet. Then he sat on the throne, and he became King once more.

“Hehehe…”

Edward’s laughter began to change. It was degrading into a scratching sound, as if thick phlegm were stuck in his throat. Those were peaceful days. The castle walls were high, and the soldiers guarding him were brave and strong. Even if it was a political marriage, he had a companion with whom he could soothe his loneliness and share his bed. He was satisfied. He was happy. Even if there was someone starving to death on the street for lack of a piece of bread, it had nothing to do with him.

Because he was the King. Because he was the most influential wielder of power on this continent. However… happiness did not last long. Decades passed. It flew by like flipping through a boring book. He grew weaker and weaker. His heart, which had never retreated even against monsters, shriveled like a balloon, and his body decayed. Although he still governed the country as a wise ruler with a benevolent smile, anxiety began to take root in a corner of his heart.

What will really happen to me when I die? Will my soul be able to reach that high heavenly palace? If I go there, what will I do? What about my power? My crown? He could be sure of none of it, because there was no one in this world who had experienced death and returned completely.

Faced with the fear of annihilation, the old lion gradually went mad. The scene in his mind changed. This time, the guillotine fell, and the heads of innocent subjects were chopped off. Instead of sweet talk, the necks of ministers who uttered loyal advice were also snapped off. Inside the blood-stained great hall, the King practiced tyranny. Corpses piled up like mountains, and blood fell like a waterfall. Finally, when he offered even the last soldiers who followed him to her…

“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”

He was able to transcend death.

“You seem to be in a good mood, Edward. Can’t you see the warriors coming to kill you?”

Leaving his wild laughter behind, a voice spoke, and the King turned his head. She was leaning askew next to the throne, opening her bright red lips. A monster that would have been thought of as just a beautiful woman, if not for the horns rising from her head and the spider legs on her back. The Archdemon who had manifested in this land by borrowing his wife’s body. He said,

“Astaroth. Are you worrying about Us?”

“Of course. I hope our relationship lasts longer.”

She licked her lips. Then, turning her gaze back to the crystal ball, she said,

“I want more and more flesh, souls, and blood. And you also crave even more powerful demonic energy from the underworld. But a knight who blocks spells… our plans might be ruined by those fellows.”

The Demon King grinned, distorting his skeletal face. She was talking nonsense. A monster that had toyed with even the kingdom’s prominent mages, knights, and clergymen, dragging them into the abyss of evil. A thousands-of-years-old demon fearing three humans and an elf?

“…”

It was just as he thought. There was no sign of tension on her face as she looked at the crystal ball. It was a gaze as if she had discovered a fun toy. The madman who had offered his own subjects with his own hands and had now become the vanguard of evil decided to play along a little.

“We still have many loyal soldiers left. Even if they arrive here…”

He looked at his sword driven into the floor. It was a horse-slaying saber similar in size to the one carried by the knight in the crystal ball. The very one he had used to chop off the necks of monsters in the past… now a demonic sword that had become even more powerful after receiving demonic energy.

The King’s hollow pupils curved. His hands itched, and he felt as if hot blood, which no longer existed, was flowing through his body. The Demon King sank deep into the throne. Then, watching the crystal ball, his skeletal jaw clattered.

“Their necks will fall by Our hand.”

#

Beyond the dim darkness that captured the eyes, orange lights were visible. That weakly flickering movement looked like a certain signpost. The group continued to run along those flames like lost children. This was because a clanking sound along with a screech was heard from behind.

“Will the expedition party be safe?”

“There is no other way right now. We can only hope they hold out…”

Cara took over Isabel’s words. She also looked uncomfortable, as if the decision she had made weighed on her mind. There was also the option of joining forces to defeat all of the King’s soldiers and climb the castle together. However, it was uncertain.

They did not know how many soldiers were left. In the process, what if Velloc got tired? Or died? Who would face the Archdemon then? She thought that the only person among the expedition members who could kill that monster was the man in front of her.

‘Choosing the option with even a slightly higher probability. That is my role.’

Such were the thoughts of Cara, the mage and advisor of this party.

“It is a race against time. If we cannot defeat them quickly, we will be surrounded from both sides.”

Velloc said. As he said, it did not look easy. The group continued to run. Clad in heavy armor, carrying bags and gear, they crossed a stone passage and passed through a wide cavern connected to it. Sweat poured down like rain, soaking their clothes, and hot breaths were constantly exhaled.

Due to the aftermath of the previous battle, the three people, except for Velloc, were growing increasingly exhausted. In the end, they went up the stairs, but something was strange. When Velloc’s intuition screamed, Adel said,

“It seems too long… We should have reached the top floor by now.”

It was just as she said. No matter how large the castle was, judging by the group’s running pace, they should have arrived at their target by now. Cara touched her mouth as if thinking of something and said,

“Just like the outside where we entered, the space here is also…”

Before she could even finish her words, the floor Cara stepped on suddenly collapsed. Feeling a sense of floating, Cara’s eyes widened.

“Eh?”

Velloc firmly grabbed her slender wrist. Cara grit her teeth at the feeling that her arm was about to pull out. At that moment, a screech was heard, and her gaze turned downward.

[Kkk-eeeeeek!]

Something slithered up from inside the pitch-black pit. Dozens of glowing purple arms were stretching their fingers toward her. They were the hands of the dead who had not found rest and were wandering. Crazy. Just as Cara cursed, Velloc pulled her up with all his might. In an instant, her vision inverted.

“Huff, huff.”

She exhaled rough breaths, held in Velloc’s arms. A trap activated without any particular forewarning. While cold sweat trickled down the back of her neck, Adel approached. Adel looked at Velloc and Cara once, then at the dug-up pit, and asked with concern,

“Are you alright?”

Isabel also approached and opened her mouth.

“Are you alright? When I checked, there didn’t seem to be anything unusual… What on earth is this…”

Cara looked at the cold metallic texture felt through her robe and the black eyes that, though seemingly indifferent, contained worry, and sighed. She said, pushing Velloc’s chest slightly,

“Thank you… I almost died.”

“It’s a relief you’re safe. By the way, what on earth is going on? My realization was a step too late…”

Velloc murmured, frowning slightly. He had been concentrating his five senses since he felt something was strange in the castle. It was to prepare for monsters or traps like the one just now. However, he didn’t even hear the sound of the ground giving way. He also didn’t feel that the space where their steps fell was empty.

He had just reflexively stretched out his arm when Cara’s head suddenly vanished. A trap that fooled the senses of an elf and a warrior. That was not good. While he was racking his brains, Cara provided the answer. As if she had calmed down a bit now, she lightly stroked her hair and said,

“As expected of the Archdemon’s dwelling, this castle itself seems filled with all kinds of spells and mysteries. What we see cannot be believed. The castle itself is already warped. Just like earlier, the floor might give way, or a monster might suddenly pop out.”

The group gulped. Although they were warriors who did not retreat even against thousands of monsters, a danger different from brawling with demons was befalling them. That insidious touch felt like a dagger at their backs.

“Then what should we do?”

When Adel asked, Cara frowned. Soon, she looked around once and grit her teeth.

“I’m sorry, but there is no way for now. The space itself is distorted. It is impossible for me to correct this. Just…”

“Do we have to pull through with our bodies?”

When Velloc spoke, Cara nodded.

“Right. We will have to hope the Goddess of Luck waves her hand at us. Or make the master of this castle remove the traps himself.”

For a mage to say that they had to rely on luck. While Cara felt self-hatred, Velloc cursed internally.

Even a stray dog gets half its points at home, and since it was the Archdemon, his level was indeed different. Fuck. Another reason to crack their heads when they met was added. To prepare for any situation, the group walked again with Velloc at the center.

Just as Cara said, all kinds of traps awaited them. Suddenly, spears surged from the floor. Velloc deflected a few, but Isabel suffered a cut on her shoulder. When they crossed the stairs and entered a room, the ceiling studded with thorns fell in its entirety. This time too, they barely escaped, holding out with Velloc’s greatsword serving as a support.

Rumble

The trap that failed to find a victim slammed into the innocent floor, and the group took a breath.

“How relentless…”

Isabel, who was squatting, stood up. Soon, she popped open a potion from her bag and poured it over her shoulder, letting out a groan. When the crimson liquid touched her white skin, steam sizzled up. The torn wound healed in an instant.

Oh. Velloc was slightly impressed. Since it was said to be made by refining troll’s blood, the effect was indeed good. It was truly a potion of mystery. With just a few bottles of that, one wouldn’t envy any decent doctor.

“Agreed. If it weren’t for Velloc, one or two of us would have died here.”

“Thanks to you, I survived, Lord Velloc.”

Cara and Adel also applied or drank the potion on their wounded areas, recovering their depleted stamina.

No problem. If it weren’t for me, you guys might not have had to suffer this. Fuck. This damn hell difficulty. Velloc smiled bitterly, hiding his true feelings. Having completed their maintenance, the group moved their feet once more.

How long did they walk up the stairs? A massive iron door came into Velloc’s view. Beyond the sleek gloss unique to steel, a bull-headed monster was engraved in relief. Two round rings were attached to its nose. Is it hiding behind this? Isabel put her face to the door, perking up her ears.

“I’m not sure. It feels like something is there, but…”

“I don’t know either.”

When even the warrior with superhuman senses shook his head, Cara clicked her tongue.

“Either way, we don’t know what might fly out or pop up. I’ll chant a spell.”

Cara softly chanted a spell, and Adel also recited a prayer, drawing up holy power. Since he had the armor, spells could definitely be blocked. Is the problem projectiles, after all? Isabel and Velloc also drew their swords. Velloc stepped forward. He said,

“I will open it.”

Instead of politely pushing the door, he violently swung his steel boot. When the door opened with a bang, the group could see nothing. In front of their eyes was only darkness. No, is something strange? Just as Velloc thought so, a roaring sound was heard. Soon, the pitch-black color swirled. From the rising bubbles, the choking breath, to the coldness touching their necks.

The group was swept away by a flood of water.