Chapter 390 Expelling the Darkness
I was expecting us to be in Verniculos the moment we stepped out of the Portal. I was wrong. We are still in the accursed region called Abhorred Alluvium. Ilschevar explains before I ask him anything that it is too dangerous to create a Portal straight to Verniculos because the remnants of ancient Mana in the air may interfere with the Portal. In other words, we may end up in the void and get obliterated.
A huge part of the Demon Realm is still unexplored. I initially thought it was an irrational fear on our part. I was half right. Abhorred Alluvium, the name of the unexplored region, is dangerous enough to make people like Ilschevar wary. I can't sense much from the surroundings, but the foreboding feeling I get just from being here is unmistakable. I am sure a great war had occurred here.
"Do you think I can explore this place?" I ask off-handedly.
"Well, you can," Ilschevar answers while shooting me a mildly surprised look. "We have Warriors tasked to explore Abhorred Alluvium. We only have around a hundred and the number remains the same because the recruits barely cover the number of dead members."
"High risk high return, they say. I am hooked."
"I will accompany you," Valeria chimes in.
"You can choose a better place to have a date, you know," Ilschevar comments humorously.
Ignoring Ilschevar, I ask Valeria, "Have you ever explored Abhorred Alluvium?"
"It will be my first time."
The fact that the unshakeable Valeria abstains from exploring the region for years despite the treasures hiding in it warns me to never attempt what I am planning. However, I have a strong feeling that I will find something great once I explore Abhorred Alluvium. I turn my head to the west. The gigantic tree that is thousands of miles away from us attracts my attention the most. It is calling me.
"Don't stare at that tree too much," Ilschevar says seriously, tearing my attention off the tree. "A lot of your predecessors heeded its call but never returned. Some of them returned but turned into the embodiment of chaos. I am also curious about what it does to us, but I am not eager to find out." He turns to me and looks at me stoically. "If you still want to go there, just know that I might have to kill you."
"Noted."
The tree might be a deceiving organism that turns Demons crazy. That is the most logical conclusion to take from past precedents. Despite that, there is something inside me encouraging me to look for myself. It greatly conflicts with my logical side which is frustrating.
I decide that, at least, for the time being, until I am strong enough to contend against Valeria, I have to abstain from visiting the tree. In other words, I will still explore Abhorred Alluvium with Valeria. I can explore the region by myself or with the squad that Ilschevar sends to explore it, but I won't refuse Valeria's company. Moreover, her presence also gives me extra assurance.
It takes us four hours to get out of Abhorred Alluvium and reach the outskirts of civilization. Ilschevar opens another Portal which brings us to Verniculos. The moment we step out of the Portal, we are greeted by the seven Demon King's Generals. All of them are in healthy condition, already recovered from the injuries I inflicted on them.
Their appearance is nothing sort of strange, but the way they react to my appearance makes me quirk an eyebrow. They never ridicule me but also never regard me with such respect. I wonder if beating them up makes them behave that way. It feels especially out of place to see the boisterous Garou, Velucan, look at me with such reverence.
"We welcome our Liege, his successor, and Lady Valeria," the Generals say in unison.
I turn to Ilschevar and shoot him a look, asking with my eyes if they smoked something weird. Ilschevar blinks his eyes before smiling wryly.
"You are going to be the next Demon King whom they will serve. It is nothing out of the ordinary for them to treat you this way," Ilschevar explains.
"What about the other Candidates? They will not remain silent, will they?"
Ilschevar smiles awkwardly before saying, "There are no other Candidates. It was a hassle to look for more than one Candidate. I only told you that you had competitions because I didn't want you to feel complacent. Also, don't you think it was more fun that way?"
My unamused gaze should be enough to tell Ilschevar that I don't share the same sentiment. For the last year, I have been living in a constant state of paranoia. I didn't only watch what was before me but also what lurked behind me. I suspected everyone and prevented myself from forming a genuine friendship with them. I was ready to kill them.
'This motherfucker…'
I softly sigh to calm myself. As annoying as it is, Ilschevar did me a favor. I am used to being alert thanks to him. I doubt that I would feel complacent had I known I was the only Demon King Candidate, but I am not sure if I would be as strong as I am if that had been the case. The urgency I felt was a strong drive for me, after all.
"The fight in the Arena was just a publicity stunt, then? You just wanted to show everyone what I, the next Demon King, is capable of."
"Well, yes, Layland. It is also an official announcement that a new Demon King Candidate has been chosen."
"Was Millonia in on it?"
"Of course. I prevented her from telling you that you are the only Demon King Candidate, just like she was."
It is no wonder Millonia seemed dodgy when I asked her about how many of her rivals she had killed in the past. I thought she looked awkward because she was not that proud of what she did. It turns out, it is because she didn't kill any. I would have felt awkward too if I were her.
Ilschevar tells the Generals to resume doing their task before dismissing them. Velucan and Lemius shoot me a smile before disappearing into the Teleportation Gate to Antares. I can't wait to return to Antares after months of not being there, but I can't join them immediately. Ilschevar takes me to the throne chamber as he wants to hear what happened in Consio.
Every eye turns to us as we walk into the castle. I hear some murmurs about me which I am already used to as I have been having this treatment ever since I reign over Antares. The murmurs and curious gazes stop once we are in the castle's hallway. We soon reach the throne chamber, prompting me to give my report of what happened in Consio as soon as Ilschevar sat down.
Ilschevar doesn't comment on a single thing, but judging from his constant wry smile, I can conclude that he doesn't agree with some of the things I did. I can understand him, but I don't regret what I did. I gave tens of thousands of Rusceus' people quick death. His subordinate gave Winerva prolonged pain and even used her as an experiment bunny. It is a fair trade.
"This is blackmail material, I tell you," Ilschevar remarks. "I might have to agree with whatever cooperation nonsense Rusceus might offer in the future."
"What can he do if you refuse?" I ask curiously.
"Cooperate with others and gang up on me."
"Hasn't that always been the case?"
"…touché." Ilschevar caresses his chin before sighing. "We have too much to lose now, Layland. We are not yet ready to face them head-on."
"With my Origin, we can double our strength in a few days. One Ilschevar is enough to keep the other Demon Kings at bay. Imagine if there were two."
A smile creeps us Ilschevar's face. "Not a bad idea." He laughs before waving his hand. "Anyway, I've been wanting to give you this." He holds out two wings accessory and hands it to me. "A reward for the good job that you have done. I am looking forward to what Cresundia will turn out to be."
"Eleventh Wing. Does this mean I am on equal ground with Valeria?" I wonder aloud.
"Yes, you are."
I deem my promotion pointless but still merge the newly acquired wings with my Rank Necklace. The nine wings hanging on my necklace now turn to eleven wings, making me the second person to have the ability to mobilize the entire Demon King's Army like a Demon King. I am trying to feel elated, but I can't. I have never after ranks, so the promotion feels mundane.
"Am I allowed to leave now?"
"Eager, aren't you?" Ilschevar says with a smile, prompting me to shrug. "Well, you may leave with Valeria. Given the development, I won't need Valeria's help as much as I did, so I will give her the freedom to choose what she wants to do."
"I will help Layland," Valeria chimes in, a bit too eagerly.
"I know."
Valeria removes herself from Ilschevar's side and stands beside me. Ilschevar smiles in amusement but says nothing. I bid him goodbye and then walk out of the room with Valeria on my side. I no longer have any urgent matters to attend to, but I want to check up on Winerva. We are leaving for Antares.
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