Chapter 186 - Demon King 1 (2/2)
“You always misrepresent my words.”
Silpennon grumbled as he turned his gaze away.After Artpe used his Reinforcement ability, the Steel Horse had become its best possible version of itself.It was no longer a normal existence.It travelled at a mind boggling speed as it traveled above the Demon realm.
Of course, monsters could see them, so there were cases when the monsters tried to chase after them.However, they were rarely attacked by Demons.It seemed most of the Demons had been mobilized into the human realm.
Maybe, they’ll arrive at the Demon King’s castle…the ruins of the Demon King’s castle without being bothered by anyone.As anticipated, they were quickly closing the distance.
At this rate, it might take them couple hours to arrive at their destination.The Reinforcement had been used on top of the Dwarven technology, so the impossible was made possible.Silpennon laughed at the thought.
“The Demon King’s castle······.”
“······aren’t you afraid, Mr Silpennon?”
It was Aria’s question.The rest of the women were all busy tormenting Artpe.She was the only one that continued to observe Silpennon.
After regaining the memories from his past life, she had been the most sensitive to his change.Everyone realized that Silpennon had changed dramatically.Unlike everyone else, she was a bit afraid that Silpennon had changed at a fundamental level.
Since she possessed the Innate ability called Assimilation, she might be much more empathetic compared to the others.Silpennon absentmindedly thought about her abilities as he tilted his head.
“I’m not sure.It feels as if the fight is inevitable.I’m afraid, but that doesn’t matter.There is no benefit in trying to avoid this foe.”
It didn’t matter if their foe was the current Demon King or the past Demon King.Demon Kings were inherently at the extreme end of the power scale.In the end, it was an either/or situation.Either the human race or the Demon race prevailed at the end.
It wasn’t something that can be avoided, so he was resigned to it.Aria wasn’t able to do that.
“I······ I am afraid.Of course, I am afraid of my own death….However, I am afraid of Mr. Silpennon dying.”
“······.”
Silpennon became silent.This was basically a confession of love!She was completely devoted to him!
If it was the previous Silpennon, he wouldn’t have known this.However, he possessed the memories from his previous life.He had experienced his own anxious love towards Maetel.Silpennon could see it all in Aria’s gesture and words.He could feel her deep love towards him.
If anything, he became annoyed towards his previous self.How could he not notice something so obvious?
“You······.”
“I want to help the two heroes, but in truth, I didn't’ want to join this party.I wanted to stay in the human realm with Mr Silpennon….If Mr. Silpennon dies, I…..”
When Silpennon heard her words, he didn’t look at Aria.He turned towards the others.It seem everyone was still focused on Artpe.There seemed to be a wall of women around Artpe.It seemed they hadn’t heard Aria’s voice.He let out a sigh as he turned his penetrating gaze towards Aria.
“Aria.”
“I...if I don’t tell you this, I don’t think I’ll have another opportunity!”
Aria’s cheeks turned red.At the very least, she knew what her words implied.
“It is as Artpe-nim said before.The hero’s story always ends with a sacrifice.Aside from the hero, it is very rare for comrades of the hero to come out unscathed in the end…….”
“If the hero doesn’t have his comrades, he won’t be able to kill the Demon King by himself.”
“However, there is no need for Mr. Silpennon to be the comrade that’ll be sacrificed.”
“You will jinx me if you keep saying that.”
It seemed Artpe’s story had scared Aria instead of Elrick.
Silpennon let out a sigh as he lightly grabbed her hand.Aria let out little moan, and her already red cheeks turned redder.
“It is as Artpe had said.If one acts stronger before the final battle, one always dies at the final battle.That is why I won’t act strong.I won’t make any promise about the future, and I won’t reminisce about some random past memories.”
“S...so what should we do?”
“What do you mean what should we do?We are already holding hands, and we’ll continue to hold hands until we arrive at the Demon King’s castle.”
“······what is that?”
Strength exited Aria’s shoulders.It seemed the tension within her dissipated.Silpennon was able to elicit the desired effect.
Silpennon let out a light sigh as he sent a low amount of power towards her.It allowed the two of them to share each other’s body temperature.
Maybe, his feeling had been conveyed to her.He was sure it was conveyed to her when she added her power into her hand.There was a small smile on his face as he turned his head slightly away her.He was too embarrassed to meet her eyes right now.
“Damn it.”
“Ah.What is it again?”
It always happened when a pleasant and affectionate moment arose between the two of them.It was quickly destroyed.It was always destroyed by Artpe.
“I want to never come across a new variable like this again.I want to throw it in the trash”
“I really want to throw you off the Steel Horse right now.”
He had made a promise with Aria, so he hadn’t let go of Aria’s hand.He just hid their entwined hands from Artpe as he complained.It was unknown as to whether Artpe knew what Silpennon was feeling.Artpe just let out a dejected smile as he pointed outside of the Steel Horse.
“Do you see that Dungeon over there?”
“······Dungeon?”
“Why is there another Dungeon here right now?!”
Maetel screamed out loud, and everyone agreed with her sentiment.Artpe felt the same way as her, but he couldn’t just drive past it.He couldn’t ignore the Dungeon.
The Dungeon was placed on the road to the Demon King’s castle, so it was obvious that the Dungeon had been created not too long ago.There was something carved atop the entrance, and the letters were made using powerful Demonic energy.Artpe was the only one that could see it with his Read All Creation ability.
‘Final Recipe.’
“Shit.That bastard heard me talk behind his back.”
Artpe cursed in a very low voice.
It was a Dungeon made by the current Demon King.