Chapter 76 - Underwater 6 (1/2)

Chapter 76 - Underwater (6)

In his past life, the hero never went into the ocean.By the look of it, it didn’t seem Maetel was scared of water, and she didn’t seem particularly averse to the ocean.

However, the magician joined up with the hero’s party after the war with the Demon race began.The hero’s party wouldn’t have been able to enter the ocean until the magician joined the party.Moreover, they didn’t have the time to leisurely explore the ocean after the magician joined the party.This was the most rational explanation.

‘Also, the Demon King’s army hadn’t paid attention to this place either…..’

He never expected an ancient temple to exist within the ocean.When everyone became easygoing and inattentive after the death of the Demon King, this place would have suddenly been discovered, and it would have probably driven the world into fear once again.This place was set up like a hidden boss!

[Nyaa-ah, Nyaa-ah-ah-ah.Nyaa-ooh-ooh.]

“It isn’t as strong as I’m making it out to be?All right.I’ll trust in your words.”

After he received Roa’s opinion on this matter, Artpe immediately turned to look at this party.He gave them instructions.

“I want the two of you to go ahead of me, and I want you to stall them.I’ll follow behind you soon with Roa.”

[Nyaa!? Nyaa nyaa!Nyaa-nyaa-nyaa-nyaa-ah!]

“I’ll be there soon, so hold tight.”

“Yes, I understand!”

“You have to come as soon as possible, oppa!”

Matel and Sienna unhesitatingly nodded their heads, and they immediately ran forward.He didn’t need to tell them where to go.After the seal was broken, the ancient temple was letting out a terrifying amount of energy.It was as if it was inviting outsiders to search it out.

[Master, are you going to help us!?]

[You should gather all the merfolk, and you guys should stay back.You guys don’t have the power to block what is to come.]

[Master······ I understand.]

Sherryl’s expression was a 50/50 mixture of thankfulness and indignation.She nodded her head as she retreated towards the back.It was a good sign. She was able to assess and accept her own shortcomings.It was something truly difficult for one to do.If she could do this consistently,she would be worthy of ruling over the merfolk.

[Nyaa-ahhhhhh······.]

“Just be a little bit more patient, Roa.This won’t take long.”

The reason why Artpe hadn’t left with his party members was quite simple.He still had someone he had to attend to.

“Hey. Get up.”

“Koohk!?Koo-ooooooh-ahk!”

The Demon had fainted after taking a thorough beating from Sienna.Artpe violently woke her up.The Demon named Teana tried to attack Artpe as soon as she woke up.However, he had readied several dozen Mana Strings.She was immediately thrown to the ground.

“Ggoohk, ggoo-roo-roohk!”

“If you tell me what I want, I’ll spare you.This is a promise.”

“Koo-ooh-hahk!Ggoooooooohk!”

She couldn't move her body no matter how much she struggled.In the end, she realized the only body part she could move freely was her mouth.She glared at him with cursed-filled eyes. She opened her mouth.

“Koohk.You are being magnanimous, because you are a hero?Ridiculous!”

“I’m just saying we should make a deal.For the price of guaranteeing your life, you should feel motivated to talk to me.”

“What······?”

She never expected such words to come out from a hero, so she had a dumbfounded expression on her face.Artpe didn’t give her the opportunity to think too much on it.He immediately asked her a question.

“Who’s giving you orders?”

“Why would you ask such a useless question?The answer is obvious.He is the Demon King, who possesses peerless nobility and magical energy…...”

“Stop lying to me.”

He brushed aside Teana’s words.A truly crafty light flashed within his purple eyes.

There was nothing that could stay hidden in this world when faced with his eyes.

“You don’t have a collar around your neck.”

“Koohk!?”

When she heard his words, the Demon’s eyes widened.This was one of the two reasons why he had spared the Demon.She was a Demon that wasn’t under the fetters of the Absolute Control.It was as if time paused for a brief moment.Artpe continued to speak.

“The Demon King does not trust the Demons under his command, so he uses his Absolute Control no matter what.You are a Demon dispatched to the human world, yet he didn’t put his fetters over you?You should come up with a more believable lie. Who is it?Who is ordering the Demons away from the eyes of the Demon King?”

“T...that….H...how did…..”

Teana stiffened at his words. She faced his unwavering eyes, and her body escaped from the control of her will.Her body started to shake.Blood was flowing from the Mana Strings threaded through her body, yet she was barely cognizant of the pain.

“H...Ho….How….? You...you!Are you a Demon?You are a Demon!You have to be!”

“I’m the one that is asking the questions.….are you going to give me an answer?”

Artpe’s words were soft, but his attitude wasn’t tranquil at all.Teana had thought Artpe was merely a hero that was very outstanding compared to his age.Currently, he felt like a god-like existence, who could see right through her.She was having a hard time breathing.

“N...no.I can’t….I can’t tell you anything.I’m following the orders of his majesty, the Demon King.Yes!Hero, you are merely a human boy!What would you know about any of this!”

“You should think hard on it, Teana.”

Artpe raised one hand. A massive amount of magical energy was put into the Mana Strings, and they were packed tightly to form a transparent dagger.

“You aren’t fettered by the Absolute Control, so you are able to talk.Isn’t that right?You are free.You can choose between life or death.It is up to you.”

“N...nope….I won’t.I’m afraid.I can’t talk.I can’t talk.You don’t know, hero.You know nothing.”

Since he didn’t know, he wanted to learn through her.

She said she won’t say anything, and he had no way of forcing it out of her.

However, he did figure out one thing.This woman was about to face death right now, yet she was much more worried about ‘someone else’s wrath’ if she opened her mouth.

“All right.I have no choice, since you won’t talk.In truth, it isn’t as if anything would have changed if I found out his name.”

“What······?”

Artpe gave up on interrogating her.He let go of the sharp Mana Strings he had brought out.Teana was puzzled by his action, but her puzzlement soon turned into fear.She watched as a black cat stepped forward instead of Artpe.

[Nyaa-ah-ah.]

“Ah, no.”

When faced with Roa, Teana finally realized what kind of power was hidden within the cat.In a flash, her fear spread through her body like a wildfire.It dominated her entire body.

“Roa, this is an experiment.It is a very important experiment.You know what to do?”

[Nyaa-ah.]

“No.I’m not doing this, because I like Etna.I don’t want to fight when it is unnecessary.”

[Nyaa-ah, nyaa-nyaa-ah?Nyaa-ooh-ah!]

“You are being noisy.It isn’t like that.Do you want me to get beaten to death by Maetel?”

Even as she heard the affectionate dialogue between the master and servant, Teana’s body started to shake from fear.She used all her strength to move her body, but there was no way she would be able to escape this.Artpe’s smile became twisted when he saw what she was trying to do.