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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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There were two ways for a demon to descend.
The first was through an altar, offering mana directly. It required finding an altar, but it didn’t require a Carrier.
The second was through a Carrier becoming a Demon Lord, massacring humans and using their souls as fuel for the descent.
Both methods had a clear cause, a direct transfer of energy.
And there were always signs.
Lemegeton’s activity, a Demon Lord’s rampage…
But this time, there were no signs.
Odelia looked shocked. Serena continued.
“You know Vivian and I were investigating Lemegeton.”
“Yeah.”
“We heard about the demon’s descent. Lemegeton was confused. They said there should have been someone in charge of the altar, but there was no record of any activity.”
“Maybe they missed something. A Demon Lord appeared in some remote area, and the news hasn’t reached us yet.”
It was a reasonable question.
Serena shook her head.
“No. I investigated thoroughly. It definitely came through an altar, but… there was no external interference. It just… appeared.”
I thought about Barbatos, the demon in my forest. She was gathering spirit herbs, preparing for her descent.
Perhaps this new demon was similar. But unlike Barbatos, it hadn’t been discovered before its descent.
“So, who is this new demon? They usually introduce themselves.”
“That’s the thing…”
They continued their discussion.
Who was this new demon? Where had it appeared? What were its abilities? What was the extent of the damage?
Serena seemed well-informed.
Vivian just picked at her food.
I suddenly felt… out of place.
‘Why are they discussing this in front of me?’
This was sensitive information.
Why were they sharing it with me? Did they assume it would spread quickly anyway? Or were they just too busy to have a private meeting?
Odelia spoke.
“So, we need to assemble a force… what about you? Want to join us?”
A recruitment offer.
I clapped my hands silently.
‘Aha.’
The rescinded decree, the Empress’s friendliness, this meeting…
‘They want to recruit me.’
They wanted me to join the Empire’s forces. It made sense. I was a valuable asset.
It would silence the dissenting nobles, and bolster their forces.
“We’ll treat you well, of course. You’ll be rewarded for your service.”
I considered her offer. I hadn’t cared about demons before, but now… they were important.
If killing demons could cure my Berserk episodes…
It was a long shot, and there was no guarantee it would work, but I had to try. I couldn’t endure the Berserk episodes forever.
And I wouldn’t mind the extra help. Demons were powerful.
But…
“I’ll pass.”
I declined.
I wasn’t ready to join the Knights. We weren’t exactly on good terms.
And I still resented the Empire. Ten years of persecution wasn’t easy to forget.
And the atmosphere within the Knights… I couldn’t handle it.
I continued.
“I’ll hunt the demon on my own. And if I encounter your Knights, I’ll assist them.”
“Really…? Hmm, alright.”
Odelia seemed disappointed, but she didn’t argue.
She understood.
But I wasn’t done.
“And I need some… supplies.”
“…What?”
“I’m participating in your operation, aren’t I? You get paid, don’t you? You’re not sending me in empty-handed, are you?”
“No… fine.”
Serena glared at me.
“Knights serve the Empire and its people out of a sense of duty, not for monetary gain.”
“Huh?”
“We don’t do this for money. If we did, we’d be adventurers.”
She seemed offended by my comment about getting paid. She was proud to be a Knight.
I replied sarcastically.
“My apologies. Carriers aren’t exactly known for their sense of duty.”
I wanted to point out that they’d been defeated by a single Carrier, but I decided against it. It would only start a fight.
Serena sighed.
“What do you need?”
“Just some basic supplies, and some holy water.”
“Hmm…”
She seemed surprised by my request for holy water.
But she nodded.
I cheered inwardly. My next Berserk episode was approaching. I hadn’t expected to get more holy water so easily.
‘Lucky.’
I smiled, grabbed the holy water, and left.
It had been an… interesting day.
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“Seriously? That back-alley thug defeated Reilly?”
“He’s… handsome…”
“Calm down, Serena. He’s impressive. He wasn’t intimidated at all, even with three Knight Commanders present… he must have nerves of steel.”
The Knight Commanders discussed Yor after he left. It was a meeting, but also an assessment. They hadn’t seen him fight, so they could only judge his character. And he wasn’t ordinary.
Most people were intimidated by Knight Commanders.
Their rank, their aura…
Even the strong-willed Shin Han-byeol had been silent.
But Yor… he’d been hunted for years. He wasn’t easily intimidated. He’d even calmly negotiated for supplies.
“He’s only acting tough because you’re so timid, Vivian. You’re always cowering!”
“S-sorry…”
They had different opinions, but they all respected his courage. He wouldn’t run from a fight, even against a demon.
And the Empire needed every able-bodied fighter. They were facing a shortage of manpower. They had to accept Carriers, even if it caused dissent.
‘We can’t let him join another faction.’
They looked at the door where Yor had left.
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Another week passed.
I’d survived another Berserk A episode, thanks to the holy water. I was preparing for another journey.
To hunt Andras, the Sixty-Third Demon.
I wasn’t wearing a hood this time. I had my shiny new identification tag.
I could leave the forest without hiding my face. I smiled.
My companions, as always, were Chae-rin and Ha-neul. I didn’t know the way, and I’d grown accustomed to relying on their information gathering skills.
“Another demon… where did you hear about this?”
“We just heard recently.”
“It’s… a long story.”
Our destination was the Severed Plains, in the southwest. That’s where the demon had first appeared, and it was still there, rampaging.
I wasn’t particularly worried. I was more curious about this new demon.
“We need to find a caravan.”
“Yeah. I wonder if there are any heading that way.”
“…Don’t we usually just hire a coachman?”
Chae-rin explained.
“The southwest is too far. It’s cheaper to join a caravan and act as their escort.”
“How far is it?”
“At least two weeks, maybe more.”
“…That far?”
I was surprised. This would be a long journey.
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[Your Text Here]
Damn these chapters
^broke boi
stfu