Deadline Is Raining in the Status Window - Chapter 171

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Why was everything falling into place so smoothly? Yet something felt off. I snapped the handcuffs onto Sera and turned my head toward Sunbird.”Tell me. What are the exact details of this time limit?”
“Let me ask you this. What are the details of this time limit?”
“I’ve heard that priests occasionally experience this. A notification appeared saying: fail to defeat the Serpent King, and you die.”
Kanna and Reina received the exact same death notification as I did—fail to conquer the Serpent King’s Tower, die. But Sunbird’s was slightly different. I had said “fail to conquer the Serpent King’s Tower,” while he said “fail to defeat the Serpent King.” Was there a distinction?
This bastard was hiding something. Either he had ulterior motives, or that time limit was likely a lie.
“What a coincidence. I’m carrying the same time limit myself.”
Then I had no reason to be forthright. I lied casually and began considering how to navigate this deadline.
“But fundamentally, what does ‘defeat’ even mean?”
That was exactly what I’d been wondering. We held an impromptu pastry party on the sofa while Gram worked in the background. Sera had thoroughly toured Ilam while escaping the Imperial Palace, returning with an enormous haul of sweets and breads from the Horse Racing Track. She’d somehow managed to procure “Silver Lindbergh’s Madeleine Cha Cha Cha”—a product flying off the shelves. The name was a clever pun: “Cha Cha Cha” referred both to Silver Lindbergh’s favorite dance and the “cha” (tea) from the Earl Grey tea baked into the madeleine.
“Deliberating among ourselves is pointless. It’s faster to ask directly.”
I’d actually wanted to inquire about the vague definition the moment I heard it. Since Leri and Hubert were at work, I suggested we follow one of them when they left. Sera’s hand shot up immediately.
“Evan, and my dear Sunbird, I have absolutely no idea what you two are talking about!”
Right—Sera didn’t know I was friends with the Serpent King. Sunbird had kept his mouth shut all this time since I’d asked him to keep it secret. A dependable friend indeed.
“Sera. As you toured Ilam and the Lord’s Territory administration, didn’t you notice anything?”
“Hmm! I did think there were quite a lot of beastkin!”
That was enough for her level of observation. Sera had done remarkably well for herself. Since we’d come this far, I decided to reveal the truth that all the residents of Ilam already knew.
“Listen carefully, Sera! I am!”
“Oh! You are!”
“Friends with the Serpent King, Gerth!”
“What did you just say?!”
“The person I introduced as my lover on the Horse Racing Track opening day is the Serpent King!”
“What?!”
I thought Sera, who’d been working herself up, might launch into talk of humanity’s greatest enemy. Instead, her concern was for me.
“So you received an order from Cecilia to subjugate your friend!”
“That’s essentially it.”
Sera’s shocked expression gave way to deep contemplation. Then she struck her chest decisively and made a solemn vow.
“Don’t worry, Evan! Once I become Emperor, I’ll rescind the directive that demons are the Empire’s greatest enemy!”
That was certainly something an Emperor could resolve. The late Emperor had invented that propaganda to unite the people since there were no more nations to fight. But it seemed Sera had genuinely resolved to become Emperor. Perhaps it was because evidence had emerged that Cecilia was her father’s killer.
“Moreover, I learned on the ground in Ilam that beastkin can register for residency in the Capital and conduct social activities, and their ruler, the Serpent King, actively refrains from harming people. The Serpent King has adhered solely to defensive warfare. The people will accept this without resistance.”
Sera was a member of the Royal Family with an open mind. But why had the original story have her rushing off to beat the Serpent King to death? Was it due to those around her? Come to think of it, the bear beastkin Menhil had a poor relationship with Gerth. He’d apparently requested protection at the Tower long ago and been refused. That must be why the Serpent King’s true nature was never explained.
“Sera. Of course I trust you, but I should still take some collateral.”
If Sunbird teleported away the moment we resolved the time limit, I’d have no way to catch him. I suggested that if they gave me either the national seal or the crown, I could send it to Cecilia and buy time. Sera and Sunbird huddled together whispering, then revealed where they’d hidden the crown.
Surprisingly, they’d buried the crown in a box beneath the gazebo in front of the Summer Rose Garden at the Crown Princess Palace. Was that the very spot where I’d handed Sera over to Sunbird? You could call it a case of the lamp being darkest beneath itself, but one thing became abundantly clear: these two were genuinely scheming to deceive Cecilia.
“Don’t tease us too much. Cecilia will only find this amusing the first time.”
As I laid out the facts, they exchanged more whispers. Finally, Sera spoke hesitantly on their behalf.
“Evan. The way you talk… it’s just like Cecilia’s subordinate.”
“Is that so?”
But wait, aren’t I Cecilia’s vassal right now? When I looked bewildered, Sera hugged me tightly and swore she’d save me no matter what. I’m not entirely sure what she means, but I’m grateful she’s willing to rescue me.
“Excuse me, but…”
While Sera and I were chattering away and eating sweets, Gram quietly interjected and ordered us out unless we were going to help with work. Since we had no intention of assisting Gram, we obediently left. But when we actually tried to leave, Gram started crying. I really need to find him some new hands to help.
As I exited the Office, I ran into Hubert hauling a cart absolutely laden with agricultural machinery that Makina had personally crafted. He was explaining how the white fox could use Return to reach the Tower in no time, when I noticed Sunbird looking startled at the sight of Hubert.
I wondered if it was because rumors were circulating that the Serpent King was a white fox, but… even so, Sera hadn’t seemed surprised, and Sunbird already knew that the Serpent King was actually Gerth, didn’t he? Various questions lingered, but I didn’t press the matter. I had a feeling that even if I pointed it out, I wouldn’t get a satisfactory answer.

◇ ◆ ◇

“Evan’s friends are always welcome.”
Gerth, indifferent to the complicated affairs of humans, understood only that Sera and Sunbird were my friends and welcomed them warmly. Then, since they’d come all this way, he suggested they peel garlic together and handed out knives.
“Gerth. What do you plan to do with all this garlic?”
“I’m thinking of applying a fermented condiment Mother once made, mixing it with garlic and vegetables.”
So Gerth was finally thinking of making kimchi. Since Gerth had already made radish water kimchi before, I suggested salted cabbage as a vegetable to mix together, then quietly peeled garlic without saying much more. I was worried that if I put too much of my own hand into it, the food might lose its flavor. It was best to let Gerth do as he pleased while I simply enjoyed eating the results.
“Gerth. I have something I’d like to ask.”
“Do we need to purchase new fermentation jars?”
“Move away from cooking. I have a question.”
Ah, that. Only after saying it a second time did Gerth finally understand, and he told me to ask away. His passion as a culinary researcher was clearly burning bright right now.
“What’s the exact criteria for ‘defeating’ someone?”
“It means rendering them unable to fight.”
“So I don’t have to kill my opponent—I just need to put them in a state where they can’t continue fighting?”
“Correct. Their declaration of surrender is also accepted.”
Well, that was a relief. So I just needed to render Gerth unable to fight without killing him, or make him declare surrender. When I brightened at this, Gerth tilted his head and objected.
“Evan. I will not surrender.”
“I figured as much.”
“Currently, there is no possibility of you rendering me unable to fight without killing me.”
“…”
That was quite problematic. But Gerth was overlooking something. This fight wouldn’t just involve me—Sunbird would participate too. If we both attacked together, couldn’t we end the fight without killing him? When I voiced this opinion, Gerth looked at Sunbird and tilted his head once more.
“How exactly would that human be of help?”
Huh? Isn’t Sunbird incredibly strong? My head drooped.
As I stood there confused, Gerth pointed at us one by one and assessed our combat strength.
“Evan. I feel a considerable threat from you.”
“Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Small human. You are quite strong for a human.”
“Thank you, King of Beasts! I’m well aware of it myself!”
“That man would lose even to White One.”
That couldn’t be right. When I voiced my disagreement, this time Sera tilted her head.
“Evan. And Sunbird… I’m sorry to say this, but I think Sunbird would lose if he fought White One.”
“Looking at it objectively, I don’t see any chance of victory.”
What are you doing, don’t be coy, you fraud. I was so exasperated that I literally dropped to my knees right in front of Sunbird. My knees buckled.
…
What the hell? Why are you on your knees, you bastard? You’re incredibly strong! What are you doing?!
I wanted to scream that this bastard was a fraud, but I couldn’t open my mouth, uncertain what kind of repercussions such words might trigger.
What if strength was real, but he was hiding it from others? Wouldn’t Sunbird try to silence me? If he truly was stronger than me, and he had the will to kill me, I would die with absolute certainty.
But what if Sunbird was genuinely weak, or simply unaware of his own strength? Then I’d become a madman claiming that bastard was a closet powerhouse.
Either way, my position would be precarious. I decided to deploy my trump card to escape this situation.
“Well! Let’s just say that’s true!”
Let it go. I’d just pretend I didn’t see anything and move on. Dwelling on it would only hurt me. It was better to satisfy my curiosity now than to argue myself into death or madness.
“Does the Selection apply to ordinary humans too?”
“It selects the King of the Demons. Of course, only the demon race is given the opportunity.”
Hmm, I see. I was squinting at Sunbird when he finally gave a plausible response. He made a shushing gesture toward Sera, pressing a finger to his lips as if begging her to keep it secret—which only deepened my confusion further.
So he doesn’t know he’s absurdly strong, but he acknowledges being a demon? I couldn’t make sense of any of this.

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