Chapter 176 - Phoenixs Daughter 3 (1/2)
Chapter 176 - Phoenix's Daughter (3)
[We are getting closer.I’m sure she is alive.I can detect her moving a little bit.]
“Hoo-ooh.”
“As expected, she’s still alive.”
As they got closer to Glacia, the words spoke by the party members decreased.Ironically, the level of tension was higher than the time they attacked the Demon King’s castle.
“Are you guys getting nervous at the thought of fighting the former Demon King’s forces?You don’t have to worry too much about them.We won’t be pushed unless the previous Demon King makes his appearance.I don’t think the former Demon King is directly involved in this.If he is personally here, there’s no way Etna would be able to run away like she is doing right now.”
“Ooh ooh.The thought of that woman joining our party makes me very nervous······!”
“Is that really the problem you guys are worried about!?”
Maetel’s words sounded like a joke, but at the same time, it didn’t sound like a joke.At her words, everyone just nodded their heads.It seemed they weren’t worried about the upcoming fight at all.Artpe wondered if there had been a flaw in their training program.He seriously mulled over that question, but of course, there was no answer forthcoming.
“As expected, I should have killed her as soon as I met her.”
“You should consider yourself fortunate that she didn’t kill you, you dork.”
He wondered what Etna was thinking right now as she resided in Glacia?Artpe thought about it.Did the loyalty she had towards the current Demon King make her decline the former Demon King’s offer?He didn’t think that was the case.She probably didn’t want to fight, so she was on the run.. Still, it wasn’t entirely positive news for Artpe.
‘She doesn’t want to fight for the Demon King’s army.However, does she want to fight on the side of humanity?That is an entirely different question.’
She didn’t like a fight where blood was shed.Despite knowing this about her, could he really ask her to fight the Demon race?She was born into the Demon race, so maybe, the idea of fighting other Demons might sound worse to her.What if she becomes hostile towards him, because he asked her to fight?What if she joined the previous Demon King’s faction as a result?If something so idiotic happened…..
“There is no way she would have ill feelings towards Artpe, so you are being worried for nothing.”
“The probability of that woman becoming hostile towards you is lower than Artpe being the Demon King.”
“How the hell do you guys know what I’m thinking?”
Artpe glanced at Petra, who was still looking into his Artifact.Artpe had no idea what Petra was feeling, but he continued to maintain a calm visage through all of this.
“That is my party’s opinion.”
[Etna is a Demon.She will fulfill her duty and obligation.]
“Then why is she on the run?If she wants to full her duty and obligation to theDemon race, she would have joined up with the former Demon King’s faction.”
[That······ It is because she is loyal to the current Demon King.]
It was the most original bullshit Artpe had heard up until now. It seemed Petra also didn’t believe in what he was saying.He pivoted to another argument.
[We’ll find out once we ask for her opinion.That is the reason why I made a contract with you]
“The answer is already available to you.”
Artpe had no idea what Petra expected from Etna, but in the end, Petra will never have what he desired.Artpe let out a bitter laughter.Petra snorted.
Soon, the Steel horse containing the party arrived at the ice continent of Glacia.It still looked like an endless snow-cover field, but when Artpe looked at it through his Read All Creation ability, he realized Glacia wasn’t the same at all.Artpe instinctually realized what was happening to the ice continent, so he mumbled to himself.
“It’s ruined.”
“Is that woman dead?”
“No.In my opinion, this continent is dying.”
Regina spoke instead of Artpe.
“The north is normally cold.The reason being the Winter Queen slept in the north.Her presence made the north colder.”
“However, she handed her Record over to you.”
“The continent is reverting to its original state.This might be the reason why Etna remains alive.”
If the coldness from the Winter Queen had been maintained, Etna would have a hard time surviving within Glacia.However, the Winter Queen’s Record was given to Regina.Fortunately, Etna was able to hold out thanks to the loss of the Winter Queen’s presence.
Everything would turn out fine unless the entire continent melted away.
Artpe nodded his head as he activated his Read All Creation ability to its fullest extent.It wasn’t just about Etna’s location.The force of the previous Demon King was also here.He planned on killing them after searching them out.
“Artpe, are you done communicating with Silpennon?”
“Yes, I’m about done with that.”
“I don’t like it.”
Maetel always seemed to have anger burning in her heart towards Silpennon.Artpe stared at her as he suddenly asked her a question.
“Do you have something you want to ask me?”
“You said you will tell me about it when the time is right.I’ll wait for that time.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
‘In truth, aren’t you like Silpennon?Do you already know about everything?’
He wanted to throw those questions towards her, but he didn’t have the courage to follow through.It might be childish, but he wanted to continue enjoying her endless kindness.
“What about me, Artpe-nim?”
“This doesn’t involve you.”
“You are too much!?”
In his past life, Artpe had no history with Vadinet.This was why he felt untroubled when he looked at her.This was the same reason why he felt comfortable around Sienna.It was also why he sometimes played favorites with Sienna, and Maetel might have a vague idea he was doing this.
[We don’t have the time to be idling like this.The Artifact is starting to react more fiercely.]
Vadinet was miffed, so she was starting to hop around in place.Artpe had been soothing her when Petra clicked his tongue.He spoke towards Artpe.As a response, Artpe increased the speed of the Steel Horse, and he replied towards Petra.
“Didn’t we already anticipate most of this?We possess massive amount of magical energy, and we are all moving in the same group.Of course, the other side will detect us.”
[That is why we should hurry up.At the very least, we have to hear her answer before she dies.]
“······hmmm.”
It was as if Petra was fixated on something.By observing his actions, he wondered if Petra was acting this way based solely on a sense of responsibility towards the Demon race.Or was it comradeship?Was it based on his love towards Etna?Maybe, it was an insight he discerned long time ago.
However, Petra’s face remained impassive.Artpe couldn’t read anything from his face, so he shrugged his shoulder.
“It isn’t enough to get an answer from her.We have to save her.”
[Her life force is so faint.She is as weak as she could be.She is a Demon, so I wonder what method you will use to save her.I look forward to seeing it.]