The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 40

Overnight, dozens of people vanished into thin air. To be precise, it would be more accurate to say their bodies were either incinerated by lightning or scattered in pieces all around.

For me, it was imperative to erase any trace of last night’s events, ensuring that only the moonlight bore witness.

‘…But how do I clean this up?’

The fragments were too numerous to simply gather and bury. If I were to pick up each piece of flesh, I might never leave this mansion, even after a fortnight.

Considering they lived in the shadows, erasing their names from the world might be quicker than disposing of their bodies.

As I pondered, Adelia approached with a suggestion.

“Let’s burn down the mansion.”

It was a radical, yet effective proposal.

“Are you sure that’s alright?”

“After coming this far, is there anything that isn’t?”

“Indeed… You’re right.”

“Everything that happened tonight will burn, along with the mansion.”

“What about the remaining servants?”

“Are there any witnesses among them?”

Bill approached, shaking his head in response to her question.

“The servants were arranged to leave as soon as the banquet turned sour.”

“So there are no witnesses?”

“At least, no one who saw directly. They might guess what happened here, though.”

Still, a problem remains.

If the mansion burns, the servants will have nowhere to go.

“They will come with me to the church.”

“To the Beth Church… Even if they don’t believe in Beth?”

“From now on, they’ll have to believe in me. That’s where we’ll start.”

It wasn’t a lie.

It’s akin to being saved by her mercy. Trusting Adelia is their only way to live. Otherwise, they would have been fuel for the mansion’s pyre.

And for me, that’s the correct answer.

This matter is far greater than the execution of the Baron of Grimhall.

Amon is evil.

Those within the church surely know this. The secrets shared last night must never come to light.

Adelia and I may appear as accomplices, but she could turn on me at any moment.

‘Well, of course, the chances of them revealing the secrets are low since they’ve sworn to Beth.’

Given their high positions in the church, their faith is absolute.

Once this is resolved, Adelia will want confirmation.

After I get what I want from Adelia, purging her might be an option. She’ll want to confirm my intentions or take action before that.

“Do you have no intention to judge or confront me?”

“The Beth Church is different from typical religions. It embraces everyone.”

“Even if it’s evil, or a demon?”

“Evil… demons, Beth desires to embrace them all.”

“…What?”

It’s a faith brimming with madness.

Adelia smiled.

“Love everything.”

“A peculiar religion indeed.”

“If I hadn’t come here with you, this incident would have been buried, or even if the truth had been revealed, I would have died here.”

Eyes clear as crystal.

“Beth sees everything.”

Having finished our preparations to leave, we waited in the mansion’s courtyard.

Whoosh…

Flames erupted from the firewood, swiftly engulfing the mansion in a conflagration, consuming every space within.

Whoosh…

Black smoke billowed into the sky.

“It burns well.”

“Indeed.”

A night shrouded in secrets.

* * *

As we journeyed towards Liudira, the discomfort was minimal. I pondered whether it was too careless to let them go like this, but in the long run, it was better to keep them alive.

‘After all, she’s a saint.’

Being pursued by the Beth Church for being associated with a demon seemed less severe than being hunted for the murder of a saint.

“How about we camp here for the night?”

“Let’s do that.”

Another reason the journey felt comfortable was the change in the holy knights’ demeanor. Before the incident at the mansion, they were dismissive, but now they were almost trembling in fear.

“We’ll prepare dinner.”

Nod.

They took the lead in setting up camp, lighting a fire, and serving dinner. As a token of gratitude, I asked Lucifer to serve them tea after the meal.

Sip…

“Ah… The fatigue of the day washes away.”

“You’ve said it all, haven’t you?”

“Isn’t that just my legs talking? Will you drive the carriage tomorrow?”

“I’ll pass.”

After finishing, I made sure to thank them and checked on Adelia’s sleeping arrangements before taking my turn at the night watch. Since we couldn’t leave the watch to one side, Bill and Mori took turns as well.

‘After all… I can’t fully trust them.’

Trusting those who aren’t mine to sleep is like walking around with my heart exposed, so caution was necessary.

On the first day of our journey to Liudira, they chatted noisily among themselves, perhaps due to the incident at the mansion. But after the saint smoothed things over, they treated us more amicably the next day.

There should be no problems until we reach Liudira.

‘If there’s a problem… it’ll be right after we arrive in Liudira.’

Upon arrival, we agreed to receive the highest-grade magic stones as compensation for this short yet long affair. At that moment, we’ll understand each other’s thoughts.

…As everyone fell asleep, I couldn’t, so I stepped out to the hearth.

Crackle…

Pop…

Bill was on watch. I could tell who was on duty just by how the fire was managed.

I wasn’t the first visitor to the hearth during the night.

“…Amon?”

“Can’t sleep, I see.”

The demon spoke as if in a distant dream.

“Maybe you can’t sleep because you slept so much during the day.”

“You’re not sleeping either, are you?”

“…True.”

“If you want to warm up, come closer.”

We sat opposite the hearth, lost in thought.

‘The dungeon… shouldn’t be a problem, right?’

If there were a problem, I would have felt it, even from afar.

‘Is this what it feels like to leave your heart at home and go out?’

I should have felt anxious, but I wasn’t overly concerned. Still, I felt the need to be cautious.

‘It’s good luck this time. There’s no guarantee it’ll go smoothly next time.’

It was a situation that could have led to a dilemma.

If I stayed holed up in the dungeon worrying about the occasional adventurers, I couldn’t grow. If I ventured outside to grow, the dungeon could be attacked at any time… such a dilemma.

‘I’ll consider it luck and take precautions in the future.’

As the dungeon grows, so will the ease of its defense, and my movements will become freer.

A vicious cycle turning into a virtuous one.

‘It’s all because the magic stone harvest this time was enormous.’

I almost let out a chuckle.

“What are you thinking about that makes flowers seem to bloom around you?”

I didn’t laugh, but it seems my thoughts of a hopeful future were noticed. Amon teased me metaphorically.

“…This and that.”

“I’m tired, I want to go back.”

To the absent-minded Amon, I asked a question I had forgotten.

“Have you ever seen Phenex’s master?”

“Hm? Ah… Yes, I have. But why do you ask?”

“Is there anything else to talk about in the hearth?”

“Ahaha… True, that guy was hot too. …Phenex, he must have said something to you.”

Grandfather is a great demon, don’t believe him!
The great demon said he sealed life force.
Phenex’s words had left an impression, lingering in my mind. Perhaps that’s why I casually brought it up.

“Well, yes.”

“What did he say? To be wary of me?”

“Not really, just a bit of conversation. I’d like to hear your story.”

“Phenex’s stepfather… I mean, his master’s story, I see.”

Even if you speak gibberish, you understand perfectly. Are you truly a great demon?

“Do you know about the world where demons live?”

“Hell. Isn’t it? I understand it’s not a very pleasant environment.”

“Half right. Hell, yes, but it’s not such a bad place to live, considering it’s inhabited by demons who can create flames from their eyes and split the earth.”

“So?”

“Hell is a living world. It torments demons and also allows them to grow in its harsh environment.”

This was new to me.

The game didn’t reveal much about hell.

“Hell… The stronger he gets, the stronger we all become. But… excessive whipping will only break us all.”

“Why bring this up all of a sudden?”

“It’s about Phenex’s master.”

“…Is he related to hell?”

“Yes. Right now, he’s almost dead, fending off the frost of extinction alone, but once he was one of the most dangerous beings in hell.”

“Why? Aren’t the powers of ordinary demons no match for you great demons?”

“…You misunderstand. Being a great demon is like a crown you’re born with. It’s a name passed down from the original evil. It’s not absolute power.”

Great demons aren’t stronger than all other demons?

‘This is quite interesting…’

Amon continued.

“Hell’s environment creates many miracles and absurdities. It’s not limited to great demons. He was one such problem.”

“What exactly was the problem?”

“One day, he came to us.”

Not that the great demons sought him out, but he sought them…

“He asked us to seal his life force. Certainly, that’s something only great demons could do.”

“Why did he ask for his life force to be sealed?”

“His life… it expanded endlessly.”

“…What?”

“Without stopping, endlessly. If left alone, it could have shaken the very existence of hell. Whether a great war broke out to obtain that life force, or his immense life force changed hell’s environment.”

“How is that possible?”

“Well… it’s hell?”

Now I understand.

It’s absurd to say the great demons sealed his life force.

‘He sealed it himself. To prevent the collapse of hell.’

That must have been his decision, alone against the frost of extinction.

“Anyway, has your curiosity been satisfied?”

“Mostly.”

“Then it’s settled.”

* * *

Days later, we arrived at Liudira, or more precisely, a small plain surrounded by hills near Liudira.

Two suspicious carriages stood there, likely messengers from the Beth Church. I wasn’t the only one who noticed, as everyone sneakily glanced my way.

‘I need to be on my guard.’

The moment of the transaction was upon us.

If I zoned out now, I’d be ripe for a backstabbing.

‘If they’re planning a trick, now’s the time.’

Casting a glance towards Adelia, she silently advanced towards the carriage.

“It’s a relief to see you safe, Holy Lady.”

“It’s thanks to everyone’s concern.”

“That’s absurd! We should have escorted you…”

“Let’s skip the small talk… Are you ready?”

The guards of the carriage murmured as they all looked my way.

“…Of course.”

“Then…”

Swoosh…

Amidst the tension, chests were brought out from the carriage. Four in total.

“Would you like to inspect them yourself?”

“…Yes, let’s.”

Creak…

Chests filled with magic stones.

All emitting the blue glow of top-grade magic stones.

Creak…

This one too.

Creak…

And this one as well.

After checking all four chests, I spoke to Adelia.

“You’ve kept your promise.”

“It’s a promise, after all.”

“…Indeed.”

“How about it? Have I earned a bit of your trust?”

“There’s no need for you to earn my trust.”

“We’re not just passing acquaintances, are we?”

“…What?”

She smiled slyly.

“We share a secret, don’t we?”

“Are you planning to use me?”

“Didn’t we just make a trade? Perhaps that’s the nature of our relationship going forward.”

“A trade…”

12,000 top-grade magic stones.

A 40-year cycle.

Yes, it’s a 40-year cycle.

…What else matters?

“If there’s a matter, send someone in all white to Liudira.”

“Whom should I look for?”

“No need to look. I’ll find them.”

“Alright. Then…”

“Yes.”

“See you again.”

[The reward for the espionage activity has been finalized.]

[The reward is 12,000 top-grade magic stones.]

[Contact was made with the Beth Church during the espionage activity.]

[Interactions with the faction will influence future espionage activities.]

Adelia and her party departed.

“Lord Faust.”

“Load the magic stones onto the carriage.”

“Yes. And then…”

I told my subordinates.

“We return to the dungeon.”

12,000 magic stones!

Time for a gacha?