Adopting the Male Protagonist Changed the Genre - Chapter 230

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 230

Chapter 20

A single black flying creature circled around the Barrier Forest where autumn had arrived.

Normally, it would not have been able to peer into the interior of the forest.

However, now that an anomaly had occurred in the forest, it was clearly visible even to the eyes of a mere flying creature.

The northern cold was spreading through the gentle air that had wandered the forest, and the leaves of trees that had been blessed with divinity and never withered for over 700 years were dying black.

Like a gradually festering wound, the forest’s decay was spreading slowly but relentlessly.

Though it was currently only about the size of a small pond, in a couple of months the entire forest would wither and die, and starving demons would pour into the continent.

Just then, a person stepping into the blackened dead forest caught the flying creature’s eye.

The flying creature landed on a completely dried-up tree without making a sound.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

Giuseppe’s head, who had been silently surveying the forest, turned.

At the boundary of the dead forest stood Ophelia and ‘that thing.’

Red pupils and jet-black whites.

Dark hard outer skin covering its dark red flesh like armor, and vicious horns protruding from its head like a crown.

In many ways, its appearance was closer to human than demon.

Noticing that Giuseppe’s gaze was directed at the demon, Ophelia asked with a voice tinged with slight pride.

“Giuseppe, what are your thoughts on facing the disaster created by fate?”

For a moment, Giuseppe couldn’t hide the sneer that escaped him.

A disaster created by fate, she said. What stood before his eyes was a disaster created by Ophelia.

As proof, that thing looked completely different from the Demon King of the future he had seen countless times.

It was only natural, if you thought about it.

The Demon King shown by the power of foresight was a being that had raised its rank by devouring demons over long years, while that thing had grown by using Ophelia’s ability and countless humans as prey.

For that purpose, Ophelia had consistently headed north until her identity was discovered.

To feed the young demon hidden in the Barrier Forest with northern knights and priests, and raise it into a Demon King.

Over the past five years, how many people had become prey for that thing?

Counting the number of priests who had gone north with Ophelia and never returned, Giuseppe answered.

“Disgusting.”

“Don’t say such harsh things. Luca is listening. Right, Luca?”

Ophelia hurriedly covered the Demon King’s ears and gently coaxed it like she was dealing with a child.

The Demon King opened and closed its mouth toward Ophelia with an emotionless face, but couldn’t utter a single word as if it had lost its voice.

“Hmm, is its intelligence lacking after all? Or do demons have a different oral structure from humans? Luca, just for a moment, can you open your mouth and say ‘ah’?”

When the Demon King obediently opened its mouth wide, Ophelia fearlessly went inside to examine it thoroughly.

“Ascetic, we discovered some northern knights in the eastern forest area. What should we do?”

A dark mage who suddenly emerged from the forest’s darkness reported.

Without even looking back at the other person, Ophelia waved her hand dismissively and answered as if annoyed.

“It’s probably a search party sent by Belinda who figured out my plan. Don’t worry and kill them the moment you encounter them.”

“Yes.”

Soon, confirming that Ophelia had satisfied her curiosity and was dusting off her hands, Giuseppe rarely spoke first.

“Is this also within your predictions?”

“Of course. Well, escaping from the Sahra Dungeon was earlier than expected, but I thought Belinda would figure out my plan.”

The Belinda she had observed was an exceptionally outstanding person who possessed adaptability, observational skills, and even creativity in equal measure.

Even after repeating so many cycles, Ophelia had never thought that the cache items might be stored somewhere, and therefore had never tried to guess the location of The First King’s Report.

She had only persistently thought about drawing the holy sword to find The First King’s Report.

Out of thirty-seven regressions, she had drawn the holy sword only once, but even then, she had died and regressed before even setting foot in the report.

“Really, she’s hard to predict in her actions. But since she’s returned from the dungeon, I should welcome her as promised.”

Contrary to the trouble in her voice, Ophelia seemed very pleased with that fact.

Smiling brightly without a care, she looked back at the flying creature that had been sitting on the long-dead tree branch and asked.

“Right, Belinda?”

Ophelia’s figure was clearly reflected in the red eyes of the ink-black raven.

When she flicked her finger, the Demon King that had been standing still like a doll stepped forward.

“I sincerely welcome you back, Belinda. Let’s have a welcome party soon.”

Then Ophelia’s index finger pointed at the Shadow Crow taking flight.

“Luca, you can eat that one.”

The next moment, the Demon King’s form shot forward like a bullet.

* * *

Like an electronic device losing power, my vision suddenly turned pitch black.

Clutching my throbbing head, I barely managed to utter a single phrase.

“I found them.”

Despite it being a very quiet voice, the heated conference atmosphere froze like ice.

The gazes of everyone gathered in the grand conference room focused on me.

It was a gathering that included not only Cheri and his aide Penandel, Chaser and the three elders of the Magic Tower, but also Cardinal Lionel and nearby marquesses and their retainers.

To add conviction to my opinion, I spoke with a more resolute expression than ever.

“There was Ophelia and what appeared to be her companion, a dark mage, and a demon that looked close to human form. Rather than a complete adult, it looked like a boy of about ten years old. Also…”

It wasn’t intentional, but my gaze inevitably turned toward Cardinal Lionel.

She was clenching her jaw like a criminal awaiting judgment. Hiding my rising despair, I concluded.

“It was confirmed that Grand Archbishop Giuseppe was with them too.”

Now that the situation had reached this point, Cardinal Lionel no longer argued against my words.

Unlike the silent Cardinal Lionel, the conference room became chaotic as if a bomb had dropped.

“We must request reinforcements from the Royal Capital.”

“Shouldn’t mobilizing northern forces be the priority?”

“But does something called a Demon King really exist?”

“Theoretically it’s possible, but without seeing it with our own eyes, it’s hard to believe…”

“Ha, Count. Haven’t you been away from your sword for too long? Can’t you even sense the killing intent and pressure emanating from the Barrier Forest?”

“How does that prove a Demon King exists? It could be because the forest is withering!”

Everyone was raising their voices to assert their opinions, creating complete chaos.

I couldn’t say I didn’t understand their confusion.

Summoned from the early morning breeze, rushing over without even properly dressing, only to be told that a Demon King capable of destroying the continent had appeared.

Even I would have suspected whether the Duke was confusing nightmares with reality.

‘But there’s nothing good about meaningless meetings dragging on like this.’

I wanted to shut them up one by one like during Blanche Estate’s monthly meetings, but everyone here was a stubborn veteran and knight. It was beyond my power to silence them.

How much time passed meaninglessly like that?

When the voices of those who had been chattering tirelessly calmed down just slightly, a low voice cut across the heated conference room.

“Are you all done talking?”

Just those words.

But the marquesses and retainers who had been getting worked up shut their mouths as if by agreement.

As if the sudden silence was natural, Cheri, who sat at the head seat, continued speaking.

“Then let’s have a productive conversation from now on.”

It was language that treated the previous meeting as useless garbage, but no one could object.

‘This is… a new side of him.’

Occupying one seat at the massive table, I observed Cheri displaying truly ducal presence with sparkling eyes.

“There is only one clear fact: the forest has withered. And our duty is to protect the forest so that demons can never set foot in human territory. So what you need to do is decided.”

Tap. When Cheri lightly knocked on the table, several retainers glanced at each other and hesitantly opened their mouths.

“Should we gather troops then?”

“Is there anything else to do besides that?”

“N-no, sir. For now, yes. We’ll establish defensive lines focusing on the withered forest areas.”

“However, I’m concerned that the area where the Forest is withering continues to expand.”

“Then I’ll monitor the Forest’s condition in real-time and calculate the necessary troop numbers.”

“Assuming the Demon King’s existence is true, how many demonic beasts do you think will swarm?”

“Well, perhaps we should seek the assistance of those mages over there to confirm that.”

Surprisingly, with just a few words from Cheri, the meeting’s atmosphere was instantly organized, and everyone began constructive discussion with one heart and mind.

During this, an issue that couldn’t be ignored came up as an agenda item.

“But don’t we all lack sufficient provisions and supplies to prepare for war? We’ve barely gotten through spring, so where will we procure all those supplies?”

Another silence fell. I gave Cheri a meaningful look, and with unimaginable alertness for someone usually so oblivious, he nodded.

Having received Cheri’s permission, I quietly raised my hand.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

Everyone’s attention turned to me again. I cleared my throat a few times and spoke.

“The supplies you desire will probably arrive the day after tomorrow.”

“What? How long have you been preparing for supplies to arrive so quickly?”

“Ahem, I’m just an ignorant woman when it comes to war, so please don’t take my words too harshly. War supplies don’t cost just a penny or two. It’s absurd for a single family to handle alone.”

“That’s true.”

I nodded as if agreeing with those words.

But the very next moment, I looked straight into the eyes of the elder who had lectured me and smiled brightly.

Ha, I hope this doesn’t sound too much like showing off…

“But the Blanche Family has gold rotting away from abundance, so we can sufficiently handle war supplies.”

What can I do when it’s the truth?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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