Chapter 933 Esoteric Discussion
Since the defeat of Aructh and Mazel happened at daybreak, it was bright right now.
Rex and the others made their way to their destination.
But along the way Ryze was surprised to find that Aructh and Mazel came across them, the two previous, monstrous Demon Lords who were now reduced to a human-like shape were following them from behind like obedient dogs.
It worries him, but Rex and Adhara don't seem to give them any mind.
Knowing that they were already turned into a Half-Werewolf, they pose zero threat right now.
Not that they were too weak, but they were incapable of doing anything.
Having endured the traumatic event that left their minds completely shattered, coupled with their newfound allegiance to the Silverstar Pack means that they were fully subjugated, incapable of causing harm to anyone unless expressly ordered by Rex.
Due to those reasons, Adhara wasn't worried about Aructh and Mazel at all.
"Why did the Rastrikan Demons have this den? For what purpose?" Adhara asked curiously.
She understands that a huge army would need to have a camp for them to rest and recover, but the Rastrikan Demons don't need any of that, thus having a temporary den seemed odd to her.
Upon hearing this, Rex cast a glance over his shoulder, "Why don't you explain it to her?"
Realizing that it was directed at him, Aructh's body stiffens.
Even though he watches the process from the start to the very end, it is still surreal for Ryze to see that Aructh, the more aggressive out of the two becomes this weak and docile almost as if he had turned into a different person mentally.
Heeding the command, Aructh then explains, albeit with his voice trembling.
"We are an assault section of the Demons, an effective one at that," He started, despite feeling uncomfortable stating this in his condition. "We mostly spend our time outside of hell attacking other small encampments or strategic places, and thus bestowed Caraptaros, a unique Demon that has numerous handful abilities that would make us better as an assault legion by the Origin"
"It serves as a portal connecting to the kingdom that could be used as an escape route or a swift path to reinforce the kingdom if it's attacked, generate demonic energy to help the legion recover faster, and also similar to the D--- Huh?"
Aructh stopped when he found himself unable to utter the word he wanted to say.
"This is weird" He mused in confusion. "It's also similar to the D----?!"
Despite trying to repeat his sentence for the second time, he failed to say it again.
It was almost as if his tongue was twisted before he could say it.
Rex and the others looked at Aructh in confusion, not expecting something like this. He had no trouble talking earlier but it seemed he couldn't say a specific word or term. Something stopped him from saying it as if his own tongue wasn't willing to utter it.
<nulli>System, what's wrong with him?
<nulli>At times of confusion like this, he relies on the System to explain this situation.
<...>
<Aructh is possibly being bound by a powerful race suppression, rendering him unable to say confidential information to others. It's ingrained into his very essence and couldn't be overpowered as the suppression gets stronger with time>
<nulli>Huh... So there are things like that.
<nulli>Well, considering that he was captured like this, it makes sense.
Having someone, especially such a high-caliber Demon like Aructh be captured, it's crucial for the entire Demon Race to keep their secrets hidden as there are many spells or abilities that could force someone to talk.
There were probably more in the ancient times.
So having a suppression like this should not be that surprising.
<nulli>Knowing that he wouldn't be able to say it no matter how much he tried, Rex waved his hand.
"Skip that and tell us its effect instead" He instructed.
Upon hearing this, Aructh nodded his head before he continued, "Essentially, similar to this 'thing', the Rastrikan Demons that fall in battle would also be rebirthed inside Caraptaros which would allow us to constantly attack without pause"
Aside from the weird pause earlier, Adhara nodded in understanding.
Most of this Caraptaros Demon abilities are similar to a regular military encampment with a few special effects that made it way better, and designed to really compliment the Rastrikan Demons' nature of conquering.
It's overall an effective den.
But she wasn't expecting that this den was also a Demon.
Putting the pieces together, she then turned to look at Rex, realizing his plan. "Does that mean you are expecting the last Demon Lord, Demon Lord Kirgil to come back here if he gets into trouble he couldn't handle?"
"Yes. I know about the den from them, and the plan just hits me" Rex replied leisurely.
Despite knowing that Flunra and the reinforcements were there to defend the Dwarven Kingdom, Adhara still couldn't help but think that Rex was jumping to conclusions and underestimating Demon Lord Kirgil.
Surely, something unexpected is bound to happen.
It would be better if they also rushed back to the Dwarven Kingdom to help.
Even though she followed Rex here, fully trusting in his decision, she didn't expect that Rex would be this confident in the situation. Almost as if he knew exactly what was going on in the battle right now.
"Aren't you rushing things? What if Demon Lord Kirgil doesn't meet that kind of problem?"
"Don't worry, he would"
Upon hearing Rex's quick and confident answer, Adhara frowned.
She couldn't help but blurted out her own thoughts, "Why are you so confident? You even gave Huvuki your words earlier. I don't know if you have forgotten your own words, but you should avoid making important decisions based solely on your emotions. Your trust in Flunra's abilities might have blinded you to other potential risks"
Rex stopped and glanced at her with a smile.
Despite he was technically being questioned right now, he felt elated instead.
Maybe it takes quite a long time for her or the others to get it, but she's starting to rely more on her logic in crucial matters while still retaining herself when it's not an important matter, like her teases earlier.
"Logical, but let's just say that my eyes can see what's going on directly" Rex replied.
As he said that, his eyes glowed with a white hue.
Having spent the most time with Rex out of the others, she was familiar with some of his abilities that could change the color of his eyes. However, this was the first time she had seen his eyes gleam white.
But then, she was reminded of the moment when he had sat meditating on a boulder.
After the fight against Demon Lord Ranath, he meditated.
Since she was not paying attention closely, Adhara wasn't aware back then.
Now that she tries to remember that time some more, his eyes at that time despite being closed should also emit the same white hue which indicates a new power that she wasn't aware of, or maybe he got this power a while back but he never used it.
"Is that so? Then it's my fault for being too worried" Adhara resigned with a light smile.
Rex shook his head and rubbed her head, "No, I'm happy that you asked"
Upon traversing for another hour through the woods with the help of Aructh who showed the way, the landscape around them started to gradually shift from dry to moist until they finally entered a mystical swamp.
A sudden change that they realized when the ground in front of them was filled with water.
But the three at the front didn't really mind about the water.
Stepping into the liquid crystal shimmering with a soothing light, Rex activated his red force and determined that it was shallow water before proceeding. Adhara followed suit, using her violet fire to create a barrier, ensuring no water touched her. Ryze did the same, his natural heat forming a dry path with each step.
On the other hand, Aructh and Mazel have nothing of the sort.
Coursing through the mystical swamp, they looked around the swamp in appreciation.
An enchanting greenish glow that was intensified by the sunlight pervades every corner, casting an ethereal radiance upon the While walking, Rex gestured for Ryze to come walk beside him.
landscape. Its foliage was painted in vibrant shades of emerald and jade, a crystallization of nature's wonder and enchanting magic.
While walking, Rex gestured for Ryze to come walk beside him.
Upon seeing this, Ryze quickly picked up his pace and looked at Rex with raised eyebrows.
"Do you have something to tell me?" He asked curiously.
Rex nodded his head and kept his gaze forward, alert to any danger unseen as they should be nearing the temporary den, "When you are inside Ratmawati City, tell me what is the situation there. What changed?"
Not expecting a heavy question, Ryze remained silent and pondered for a moment.
"I guess, if you're talking about the situation, it was very tense, uncertain, and chaotic" Ryze replied, remembering the look on the people's faces. "At the center, near sector 1 is the Executor's castle. The area around it has become a forbidden place and is guarded by Awakened and military personnel tightly"
"For the changes itself, there was none. The Executor doesn't care about the people"
A devious smile crept onto Rex's face when he heard this.
<nulli>Like an open book. One should not judge a book by the cover, they say... But for the Executor, he wears his personality on his skin. He acted exactly as I, or anyone else, thought he would. Predictable.
Pausing for a second, he then thought of another question.
Although he wanted to ask about the people around the Executor, he doubted that Ryze would have any information on the matter. If Ryze ended up here, then he was definitely not with the Executor or even near the castle at all.
<nulli>Considering that he's pompous in his supremacy, it makes sense that he neglected Ryze.
Rex could only sigh at himself.
Despite he also felt that he was stronger than others, or might not need others' help, he would always use the resources around him effectively. Neglecting a Heavenly Dragonman, an obvious asset that could help is just plain arrogance.
But then again, this is something that would benefit Rex, so he's not complaining.
"What about Edward...?" Rex asked blatantly.
Even though it's better to think that Ryze remembered all the things he had done inherently, he knows that it's simply not true. In order for Ryze to come to this realization, something must've happened between him and Edward.
Only when he was all alone that he remember Rex.
"I assumed he took care of you there, so what happened?" Rex added, squinting his eyes.
Looking down at the crystal clear watery ground, Ryze arranged his thoughts while fidgeting with his hands before he eventually replied, "Me and Edward, we got told by President Sebrof to learn from Awakened folks from the neighboring major city. I was going fine for a bit, but things got weird when the Executor woke up. He got even grumpy cause there was no news from Lady Giana"
"Hmmm...? Is that so?" Rex muttered silently, pondering about the matter.
Seems like Edward has made a secret deal with Lady Giana, yet she didn't come back.
How could she when she's turned into a Werewolf?
<nulli>If it's a clandestine agreement with Giana, I can deduce that she intended for him to remain within human territory as a hidden asset, possibly to act as a deterrent in case I ever considered attacking humans. She wanted him to be a shield against me. But if that's the case, then that means Edward's demand is...
Upon coming to a realization, Rex looked over his shoulder with a peculiar smile.
<nulli>So that's it. Guess the act you did earlier was also a test.
Rex shook his head as he now needed time to contemplate this, thus he decided to pick up his pace, "Let's move quicker, we need preparations for Demon Lord Kirgil too. I want this to be over as soon as possible"
With that, Adhara and Ryze also picked up their paces.
On the other hand, Aructh and Mazel felt a chill when they heard the word 'preparation' from Rex's mouth remembering what had happened to them. But the two of them too quickly followed from behind.
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