It’s a part I’ve been pretending not to know all this time.
It’s something I’ve been contemplating since I saw the system message saying, ‘You have successfully completed the game’s prologue.’
However, I avoided delving deeper because thinking about it made my head ache.
‘This life…’
The sudden appearance of a system message to me, the quests emerging, and guiding me towards the most suitable direction for the ‘Ruined Ending.’
Combining all of this, the conclusion was clear.
‘There are two systems.’
Ring!
[SYSTEM]
Correct!
Noisy. Go away.
[SYSTEM]
If you successfully clear the game, I’ll leave!
Phew…
I twisted my stiff neck and made a grimace.
The game I’m playing right now was created ‘for the sake of the game’s Ruined Ending.’
But what about the hero, Dehan? Losing his hometown when the sacrificial me disappears. Then, he decides to enter the temple and repel the demons. Just like the original game, ‘Raising a Warrior.’
This implied that there is a ‘certain existence’ opposing the system attached to me and moving this world.
‘What are you thinking?’
I asked, staring into the void.
[SYSTEM]
I can’t tell you that right now! Besides, can’t you focus a bit? The Demon Lord is watching you!
Oops.
I quickly snapped back to attention and looked at Lucart. He was looking down at me with his fist clenched.
“Are homunculus supposed to have such a wide range of expressions?”
It seems like she couldn’t manage her expression because she was swearing at the system. She sighed and lowered my head.
“No, it’s just me.”
Lucart stared at her with a mysterious gaze. Ignoring that look, she grabbed his sleeve.
“Where is the cave? I want to handle the fangs before we go.”
Instead of answering, Lucart turned his foot. She followed him reluctantly.
“What is being read from the artifact?”
He said as he walked.
Well, nothing.
Nothing specific is being read. It just has the power of the Demon Lord, that’s all.
Although it could be assumed that if you dig deep enough, you might find a place where the Demon Lord’s power is sealed, she didn’t see the need to do so.
“I don’t really know. Rather than something being read, it’s more like… guiding me in a direction.”
Lucart stopped walking abruptly, slowly turned his head, and looked at her.
“Do you know where my power is?”
Of course, I know.
Because I’ve seen the ending of ‘Raising a Warrior.’
But I can’t say it now.
Why?
Because if the Demon Lord breaks the seal now, I’ll die.
I need to keep my mouth shut until I can grow stronger and escape. Besides, for the time being, Dehan hasn’t grown powerful enough to be a threat to the Demon Lord.
“Vaguely. When all the artifacts are gathered, you’ll know for sure.”
“Phew.”
A sigh escaped from Lucart.
It must be frustrating.
Suddenly, his power got sealed, he got kicked out of the Demon Realm, and now he’s living in this harsh human world, carrying the burden of thousands of demons. From the perspective of the Demon Lord dealing with all this, every situation must be frustrating and irritating.
But now, I was curious.
– Ignorant people blame demons when disasters occur. They do not think about reflecting on their mistakes and are busy looking for someone to express their anger on.
– What we did wasn’t the cause.
Naturally, I thought demons, the Demon Lord, were the evil in this world. So when I heard about Dehan’s village being wiped out, I assumed it was the work of demons. But as I listened, it turned out to be untrue.
Moreover, recalling the demons I’ve spent time with…
‘Even though they really hate humans, they don’t seem to do evil things.’
Is it because their powers have weakened? Were they originally really wicked?
‘If that’s not the case…’
Does this world want to annihilate demons?
Is that why the game progresses with ‘Raising a Warrior’?
Thinking like this, it made some sense.
For some reason, demons were on the decline under someone’s will.
‘Hmm.’
Despite that, I’ve formed friendships with some demons.
Arthur, Martin, Lyat, Sebastian, demons from the First Legion.
The thought that they might be doomed and die under the will of someone unknown made me feel uneasy.
‘I need to grow stronger quickly and lift the seal.’
With such thoughts, I followed Lucart.
He stopped at the entrance of the cave.
***
Lucart didn’t personally discover this cave.
This location was coincidentally found by Calvin Mordara, the leader of the Fourth Legion, who was pouring power into intelligence operations.
– This cave is artificially created.
As it was deliberately made, it had intricate pathways. However, Calvin, specialized in navigation, had no trouble finding his way. After exploring the cave for several days, he discovered a particular ‘room.’
Inside this ‘room,’ there was an altar made of stone, and on top of the altar, a tiara was casually placed.
Calvin promptly reported to Lucart. While dealing with demons, Lucart came to this location following the coordinates. He acquired the tiara, recognizing it as an artifact.
However, that was all. Apart from the tiara, there was nothing else in this place. Even though Calvin thoroughly searched, nothing came out. So, Lucart went back without any issues.
However,
– Is there nothing else in that cave besides this? There’s got to be something. Something that the Demon Lord missed.
– Didn’t you want to find another Demon Lord treasure*?
A small homunculus raised an objection.
How does this tiny homunculus know about the Demon Lord’s treasure*? Is it also the power of the artifact?
(TLN : *Noble Phantasm of Demon Lord)
‘… No.’
There must be something hidden.
Simply knowing all this because of the artifact’s power didn’t seem reasonable.
Lucart, the reigning being of the demon realm, was the Demon Lord, while this small being was nothing more than a humble homunculus.
A being this insignificant should not dare to hide something from him.
Thinking that he should keep an eye on it, Lucart observed the bustling homunculus with impatience.
“Uuuum.”
Shekina was deliberately wandering around the cave.
In truth, she knew everything about the location, including traps.
With memories of playing the game and having memorized the entire strategy guide obtained as a quest reward, she was well aware of everything.
‘But if I find it all at once, it might raise suspicions.’
Look at it now.
Is he not staring at me as if he wants to kill me, filled with suspicion?
‘So, I need to pretend to be lost to some extent.’
As Shekina felt along the cave wall, she soon pressed a protruding rock.
Kwagwang!
Dozens of thick arrows sprang out from the opposite wall.
Shekina crouched down as soon as she pressed the rock, avoiding the arrows easily, but what about Lucart?
‘No need to worry.’
At the spot where the arrows were flying, Lucart was suddenly standing in front of it. He had used warp magic to move instantly upon sensing something strange.
But really, it’s absurd.
If you’re going to warp, why not take me along? Are you going to leave me hanging here alone?
Extremely.
“My bad. Pressed the wrong thing.”
Lucart remained silent, clenching his fist. His sharp gaze fixed on Shekina, as if to say, ‘Try it again.’
‘It’s so disgusting, really.’
Shekina grumbled and felt along the wall again.
“Here, if you touch here, something might happen…”
She then inserted her finger into a very fine crack in the cave wall.
Kugugung!
The entire cave shook immediately.
“Ta-da!”
The floor opened up suddenly.
In the opened floor, there were marble stairs, as if inviting them to descend.
Lucart was a bit surprised. Hidden places are this elaborate? Lucart lightly flicked his finger, thinking that he should go back and thank Calvin. Suddenly, a small orb emitting bright light appeared.
“Shall you go in first?”
Shekina asked Lucart, who was stepping onto the stairs.
“Sending someone who can’t use magic down won’t be useful.”
“……..”
Talk about attitude, really.
Originally, he would have taken the lead and disabled the dungeon traps.
But acting so defiantly? Being so shameless?
Is there really a need for me to disarm the trap?
Shekina grinned.
“Yep, then I will go now!”
Just give it a try.
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