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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: Wjin
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The long night of the first day of the selection exam.
Clouds drifted across the moonlit sky. And below, a strong wind blew through the reed field.
-Rustle
—swoosh.
The sound of the wind brushing against the reeds resembled the crashing of waves. It carried an eerie feeling, as if foreshadowing a major event.
Amidst this, the red-haired man, Kaelan Heath, deactivated the magic tool in his hand and muttered,
“So, you’re not going to show your true form after all.”
He had only glimpsed Marcosias’s true form once, when he first activated the magic tool.
The communication that followed was merely a display of the seal’s power and an intimidation tactic, meant to convey that it carried the Great Demon’s command.
The being Kaelan actually communicated with was one of Marcosias’s subordinates.
“Well, I’ve said all I needed to say.”
At least he’d been able to convey his own demands, which would have been awkward to address directly to the Great Demon.
The self-proclaimed strategist, who insisted on formalities with every word, had been rather amusing.
Kaelan looked around. It was peaceful. But…
‘Tomorrow, this place will become a living hell.’
Release the monsters in Area 2 to divert the creatures’ attention. Leave immediately and carry out the instructions.
“Interesting.”
As he suspected, he was the only aspiring hero in this batch.
Entering his tent, he kicked hard at the support post of Abelline and Melissa’s tent.
-Thud.
-Clatter!
“Wake up.”
His words, colder than the dawn air, roused Melissa and Abelline.
“Wh-What is it?! Oh, it’s your turn, Miss Melissa. I definitely went right before you.”
“Hmm…? Already my turn…? Ah! Coming!”
She scrambled up, checking her clothes.
“Wait, sorry Kaelan. Let me just…”
“Tsk, who’s going to see…?”
“…Huh?”
“Forget it. Just hurry up.”
“Okay.”
Observing her flustered state, Kaelan thought,
‘Easy women are boring. I need… them.’
Yeriel Artina and Aria Bluebell. The two women who only had eyes for that Lev Denec.
‘But Lev Denec, you took what was mine, didn’t you?’
If he could have those two women, what kind of despair would he see on the faces of Lev Denec and Edwin Gwynne?
“So, you’re saying I shouldn’t be sad?”
“Huh? Kaelan? Did you call me?”
“…Sigh.”
“S-Sorry…”
Hoping the pristine white cloth remained untouched by his hands, he thought,
‘The Curse of Obedience… if I can just manipulate that Marcosias…’
Kaelan imagined the amusing future that awaited.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
“That creature knows nothing of the world! For the next situation, we must instill more manners!”
“That madman is out of control! This goes beyond disrespecting the demon race; it’s mocking Pandemonium itself!”
Marcosias’s subordinates found it difficult to accept Kaelan Heath’s casual tone, considering their standing.
“Silence. Enough.”
-!!
Marcosias quelled their outrage with a look and a sharp gesture.
“You fools. The manner in which a mere pawn speaks is irrelevant. A discarded piece, whether made of wood or stone, only needs to bear a useful inscription.”
… His words silenced them.
Marcosias himself, before his fall, was a Virtue Angel, albeit of the lowest order.
Among the Great Demons, he wasn’t particularly concerned with the traditions of Pandemonium. He only had the bigger picture in mind.
Mystic Island’s location was on the fringes of the Empire. Once established as a demonic stronghold, it would become a crucial strategic point in the future.
However, the Hero krun had partially purified Mystic Island, placing it effectively in human hands. Just being on the island weakened demons, more so than fighting in Pandemonium.
Therefore, reactivating the magic tower to restore it as a demonic territory and opening the dimensional gate was their destiny.
So far, things had unfolded rather interestingly. A traitor had emerged from among the creatures. Regillus, the appointed knight commander, had formed a guild called Crow Fey and begun cooperating with them.
To gain Marcosias’s trust, they proposed two things:
Assist in diverting Clarice’s attention from the current situation.
Put forward a suitable candidate, Kaelan Heath, to actively attempt the reactivation of the Hell Magic Tower.
Unlike the pure-blooded demon Yellody Latasia, Kaelan Heath was a half-demon. He possessed an unnecessarily large capacity, comparable to krun, making him the ideal candidate to withstand the tower’s power.
“Great One, do you intend to grant Kaelan Heath’s request?”
“Hmm.”
The half-demon, aware of his own value, had responded arrogantly and even made a request of his own:
There’s a group in the cadet party, Group 11, Edwin Gwynne and Lev Denec. These two took everything I had. I intend to take my revenge. If I cause them significant trouble… would you, Lord Marcosias, personally back me up?
“Lev Denec… was it?”
The human archer Darian mentioned, the one who wielded the same power as her. This was no coincidence. There was something about that seemingly unremarkable human.
Just then, a demon stepped forward.
“Great One, I have completed the investigation into Lev Denec’s associates.”
“Speak.”
The Great Demon wouldn’t normally concern himself with a few mere humans.
However, Lev Denec had taken Darian, Marcosias’s subordinate, and as he’d just heard, also what belonged to Kaelan. Death would be too merciful a punishment.
“He has two daughters of the revered war hero, one creature who purified the Fallen Angel Tobiel, and a priestess with holy powers as his close associates.”
“How cute. Does he dream of becoming a hero with that group?”
“Indeed.”
Complacency was dangerous. While they were currently as weak as insects, if left unchecked, they would grow into a nuisance and eventually become a threat. Marcosias made a swift decision.
“This is the perfect opportunity. I will manifest on Mystic Island myself. Until then, any actions beyond my direct orders are forbidden.”
“As you command.”
He would seize Mystic Island and eliminate those budding sprouts. Marcosias smirked and continued,
“And inform Yellody Latasia. Concentrate the monsters and prevent even a single one from entering the depths of the island.”
“As you command.”
All preparations were complete. He would strike when Clarice’s foolish humans gathered in one place.
‘I wonder how the daughters of the war hero will taste…’
He, Marcosias, would personally carry out the slaughter, selecting promising individuals as his eternal servants.
‘They had better endure longer than Darian. Hahaha…!’
Marcosias’s laughter echoed longer than usual.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Trickle, trickle.
By the time I returned to our party’s base after gathering information on Marcosias, Yeriel, a snow-white maiden who shone even in the darkness, sat by the campfire.
“You’re finally back…!”
She seemed drowsy but brightened up when she saw me, offering a complex smile.
-Snore!
-!
After briefly exchanging glances with Yeriel at Edwin’s snoring, I quietly sat beside her and asked,
“Were you waiting for me?”
“…No. It’s not Lev’s turn anyway.”
She stared into the fire for a while before turning to me.
“…Aren’t you tired? Shouldn’t you get some more sleep?”
“I’m fine. But… you’re not asking where I’ve been.”
“It’s okay. Lev kept my secret, so I’ll keep yours.”
“…!”
“I know, you know? Something happened to me, right? Like that demon appearing in the Seraphi Dormitory as Lord Umberto on the day of Lev’s ranking match.”
She looked back at the fire and confessed,
“Before Lev arrived, that demon said something. He said there’s an interesting curse on me. Something demons covet… and desire.”
I silently took her hand. There was no particular reason. If I had to give one, it was because I felt like she might disappear.
“And it’s related to Lev.”
“…”
“I remember that night now, too. Lev distanced himself from Aria to protect my secret, didn’t he?”
I recalled Yeriel’s character profile, which I hadn’t paid much attention to.
Insight and empathy. And devotion. I had acted aggressively towards Aria to cover up the fact that she sensed dark magic from Yeriel, but… I didn’t want to be comforted like this.
This wasn’t something that could be glossed over with positive interpretations. It was I who had been using their feelings. I spoke softly, trying to keep my emotions in check.
“Yeriel, I’m not a good person. I’ve wronged Aria in a way that might be unforgivable…”
“Lev. Stop.”
“…?”
“I’ve never thought of you as a bad person, you know? You’ve always saved me whenever I was in danger… If you keep saying that, it makes me really sad.”
She took both my hands and turned to face me fully.
“And… it’s not just Lev’s fault about Aria either.”
“That’s…!”
“Actually, I’m really bad too, you know? When Aria confessed to Lev, I was so relieved when she said she didn’t expect an answer… So please don’t be sad alone…”
“…Yeriel.”
“Also, the fact that Lev kissed Aria… it’s kind of…”
“!”
“Because of me… Uh… oh…?”
-……
A brief silence fell. My heart sank as I asked,
“You… saw?”
“Yes, I’m sorry…”
“No, I’m the one who should be sorry…”
If she saw that, then she must have also heard… my awful words.
“That’s right. Lev was more forward than me.”
“…!”
I was startled by Yeriel’s agreement and stared into her eyes. She giggled playfully.
“Just kidding.”
“…Yeriel…”
“Come on…! Lev always teases me.”
“I apologize.”
When Yeriel puffed out her cheeks adorably, I immediately apologized.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
-Crackle, crackle.
Silence returned, and the campfire felt warmer than before.
“Lev.”
Yeriel called my name softly.
“Yes?”
“Do you like me?”
“…Yes.”
“What about Aria?”
“I like her.”
“Wow, Lev is really greedy…”
“Sorry.”
“Then tell me you like me.”
“Huh? Now…?”
“Yes. It’s a punishment for being a playboy.”
What kind of punishment was this? I didn’t understand the logic, but… I had no choice.
“I like you, Yeriel.”
“Hmm. So this is what it feels like…”
She nodded, looking at the campfire, then added another instruction.
“Is there anything else…?”
Perhaps it was the warmth of the fire, or the sight of Yeriel’s flushed cheeks and her beautiful profile, but I found myself saying, as if in a trance,
“Let’s date, Yeriel.”
“…”
Yeriel seemed to ponder my words, as if dissatisfied, then replied,
“I refuse.”
“…?!”
“Get Aria’s forgiveness first.”
“…”
“And properly answer her confession…! Then I’ll think about it…!”
“…Wait, does that mean…”
-Rustle.
We couldn’t continue the conversation.
Kiss.
Yeriel kissed my cheek, then shyly took my lips.
-Trickle, trickle.
Moonlight still shimmered on the stream… The night was too short to learn everything about her.
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Big chapter just to see how the goblins will dream and fail
Is it just me or did we skip what happened to darian? I recall the last scene was after she hit mc on the neck and the next scene was him returning with a bandage on his neck
It was just assumed that she ran away to who-knows-where after that confrontation. She didn’t go to the Demon king (I don’t remember that guy’s name) because she knew she was already dead to him, as she failed to capture Lev.