I Picked up the Demon King - Chapter 113

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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 113

 

Forcing the endless souls into my body was torturous, but there was an even bigger problem.

 

The absorption speed couldn’t keep up. Naturally, unabsorbed souls accumulated in my body, and I had to writhe in agony from the bloating sensation that felt like my body would burst. Since my physical body didn’t actually change, what was about to burst was my soul. It would have been better if my body had burst instead.

 

On top of that, every time I absorbed a soul, I would briefly see their thoughts and memories.

 

I felt like I was going insane.

 

When I was trapped in the Eternal Ice, even my thoughts had stopped. This time, too many people’s memories and egos poured in, making it hard to even distinguish who I was.

 

Curled up in a ball, I desperately tried to ignore them.

 

I tried my best not to pay attention to the agonizing screams the souls cried out, or the scenes that surfaced.

 

It would get better with time. Believing this, I turned away as much as possible. Whether it had some effect or not, I was able to endure it. I endured it. I held on by constantly repeating my name.

 

I was enduring it.

 

If my name and face hadn’t surfaced among them, I surely would have.

 

I surrendered my body to the storm.

 

* * *

 

-Daughter? Wake up. Open your eyes… Please…!

 

Someone sobbed while shaking the girl who had grown cold.

 

-I love you. I really do. You’re all I have.

 

I whispered while looking into eyes that seemed to contain the whole world.

 

-I wonder if it will rain…

 

Sitting by the window, I waited for a letter that never came.

 

-Look at that star. It’s so pretty!

 

-That one? Two silver coins. If you don’t have enough money, get lost.

 

I laughed while holding a small hand, and pondered while looking at a sparkling ring.

 

-Did you hear? A Hero has appeared!

 

-Why can’t I become a Knight? I tried so hard…!

 

-Goddess, ah…! Goddess…!

 

I was happy. I was sad. I despaired, and I felt ecstasy. I loved someone desperately, and I hated.

 

I got annoyed at tasteless dinners, and I stole to fill my empty stomach.

 

Every moment felt like I became a different person. Every moment I lived a different life. I passed through the lives of countless people and found the voice I was searching for.

 

-Jude.

 

“Jude. That’s your name.”

 

An Elder in a White Robe said.

 

I could only look at that sight with envious eyes.

 

It wasn’t the name I envied. Being called by a number or being called by a name was pretty much the same thing anyway.

 

However, those who received names all received special treatment without exception.

 

They were excluded from painful experiments, ate meals with meat, and got Private Rooms. Though they were transferred to other facilities before long, they would surely live comfortably there too.

 

“You’ll be transferred in a few days. It won’t take long.”

 

Most of all, the attitude of those Researchers had changed.

 

No matter how much we called out, no matter what questions we asked. Even when we cried and struggled, they didn’t care – but now they had become so kind. Even the others besides me could understand what that meant.

 

Receiving a name meant having one’s value recognized.

 

“Let’s see. We’ll dye your hair red. Since you’ll be the main character who defeats the Demon Lord alongside the Hero, something striking would be good.”

 

The Elder spoke in an excited voice, restless with anticipation. He looked proud too. He seemed like he wanted to boast about his achievement as soon as possible.

 

But the Boy didn’t react.

 

It wasn’t strange. Rather, I would have been more surprised if he had been happy about liking the name.

 

Though young, he was the one who had been in this Research Laboratory longer than anyone. I had never seen him react strongly to anything said during that time. He couldn’t remain sane. His bleached white hair proved that. There weren’t just one or two like him, and I was slowly getting white hair too.

 

“Congratulations.”

 

I said casually as we moved to the Room. The Boy walking ahead, Jude, turned his head to look at me.

 

I definitely thought he would ignore it. My steps stopped at the unexpected reaction.

 

Was he trying to say something? Or perhaps he was going to mock me.

 

“Move quickly!”

 

The Administrator swung the rod he was holding and shouted. Jude said nothing and soon resumed walking.

 

“No, you go this way. Starting today, you get a private room.”

 

When we arrived in front of the room, the Manager took Jude away. I entered the room with the others.

 

In front of the hard bed, I suddenly stopped moving.

 

That was me.

 

With a face devoid of any emotion, and though a bit smaller, it was definitely me.

 

Then, who am I that’s thinking these thoughts right now?

 

Despite my questions, my body slowly entered between the gaps of the second bunk bed on the right side of the room.

 

I laid my head on the pillow and tossed and turned for a long time. Then I got up and walked to the window. As always, beyond the window was blocked. And.

 

In the glass window, the face of the Great Demon I had killed was reflected. Except for the white hair that had begun to appear here and there, the appearance hadn’t changed much.

 

“….”

 

I sighed and returned to the bed. I couldn’t sleep properly due to all the tossing and turning.

 

For several days after that. I lived as the Great Demon. No, perhaps I was watching the Great Demon’s memories. It was hard to distinguish. I almost thought I was Amelia and had just been having a long dream. All the emotions and thoughts I felt were as natural as if they were my own.

 

But after that, ‘Jude’ rarely came into my sight. He no longer participated in experiments and used a private room.

 

“….”

 

Then, Jude was transferred.

 

I was curious. Why ‘I’ was here.

 

-You know this too. The memories you can see through Soul Absorption are only a very small part.

 

I wanted to examine my memories a little more.

 

-But, yes. This time I’ll help you a little.

 

At some point, I had escaped from the Great Demon’s body. I gradually drifted away from the memory. Even trying to hold onto it was useless.

 

And once again I stood in the middle of the soul storm.

 

Perhaps it was because I had absorbed many souls while examining the Great Demon’s memories. Compared to before, it was somewhat more bearable. Since the situation had improved, I tried again to find memories about myself.

 

-Not that way.

 

Something pulled me.

 

Standing in the middle of the storm, I frantically sank downward. Through something comparable to the Great Demon’s darkness, perhaps even darker than that…

 

“In the Holy Nation, you say?”

 

When I regained consciousness again, I was wearing a dark green robe.

 

It was a robe indicating membership in the Green Magic Tower.

 

* * *

 

“It would be quite a good opportunity. The Holy Nation has money. It’s one of the wealthiest countries on the continent.”

 

The elder said.

 

Though he was at an age where it wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed right now, he was actually one of the continent’s greatest mages. An extraordinary person I would normally have almost no chance of meeting. One shouldn’t be deceived by his outward appearance.

 

What I heard from meeting such an Archmage was quite an unexpected story.

 

“The most frightening thing about the Holy Nation is that they don’t spare their wealth for their goals. In that respect, they’re no different from us mages.”

 

A proposal for joint research with the Holy Nation.

 

It was because of the thesis I had published a few months ago. While there had been little reaction at the academic conference I had targeted, interest came from a completely unexpected place.

 

“If they saw potential in your research, they certainly won’t hesitate to provide you with support.”

 

“…But.”

 

Despite such advantages, there were reasons why mages were reluctant to collaborate with the Holy Nation.

 

Constantly picking fights over doctrinal issues during the research process was the least of it. In severe cases, they would designate all research leaders and related personnel as heretics and punish them.

 

“You won’t need to worry about that. It’s been a long time since they made a direct request to a Magic Tower. If they cause problems over trivial matters, not only our Green Magic Tower but the entire Academy will take your side.”

 

It was just empty talk. The danger was far too great. I should have refused and left.

 

“The Holy Nation is different from the Magic Tower. They are not mages.”

 

However, the elder’s additional words stopped me in my tracks.

 

“No one in the Holy Nation will envy you. The better you perform, the more desperately they’ll want your abilities. Eventually, they might even become your backing.”

 

That was quite a sweet proposition.

 

How annoying it had been when those without any skill would pick fights out of jealousy. And most of them were children of Noble Houses, so I couldn’t properly put them in their place.

 

If the Holy Nation had my back, such incidents wouldn’t happen anymore. The obstacles to my magic research would disappear. That was one of the things I had desperately wished for more than anything else.

 

“And this would be a great help to your career later on. Don’t you want to do it?”

 

My contemplation deepened. When I couldn’t bring myself to answer, the elder added:

 

“Actually, there are plenty of people who want to take on large-scale projects like this. The reason we’re entrusting it to you is not only because you’re the original author of the thesis… but also because we pity your circumstances.”

 

“My circumstances, you say?”

 

I looked up at the elder’s wrinkled face.

 

Did he know about the unreasonable treatment I had endured while staying at the Magic Tower? I could have guessed as much from our previous conversations, but hearing it directly was a different matter.

 

Resentment began to slowly well up inside me.

 

“You send money to your family every year, don’t you?”

 

But what came from the elder’s mouth was a completely different story.

 

“You knew about that?”

 

“Of course. There are many who enter the Tower with family support, but few who try to repay it.”

 

Well, that was true.

 

Becoming a mage requires talent. Only then can one barely enter the world of magic. Moreover, the Magic Tower is where only the most exceptional among such mages gather. Except for a very few, it wasn’t a place one could enter with talent alone.

 

“You know what? Actually, I’ve never been to the Academy either.”

 

“Really?”

 

“As a student, that is. I did give a few lectures there when I was young.”

 

A mischievous smile appeared on the elder’s face as he briefly recalled old memories.

 

I waited quietly until the Elder emerged from his contemplation. Before long, the Elder cleared his throat.

 

“It means I know well what kind of situation you’re going through. That’s why I hope you’ll seize this opportunity.”

 

The Elder looked into my eyes. I wondered what expression I was wearing right now. I was curious, but my face wasn’t reflected in those clouded pupils.

 

“Do you know? Just as I did, you might end up sitting in this seat someday.”

 

He laughed while patting the chair he was sitting in.

 

It was a light gesture, but I found myself swallowing unconsciously. That seat right there was exactly what I had been secretly aiming for.

 

“For that, you’ll need power. Apart from skill, you’ll need forces that will support you.”

 

“….”

 

“Ah, of course you’ll need time to think it over. I can’t wait too long though. I also need to send a reply….”

 

Before the Elder could finish speaking, my mouth opened urgently.

 

It happened without me realizing it.

 

“Is that so?”

 

The Elder pulled out documents he had prepared as if he had expected this.

 

“Then, sign here.”

 

Sevian.

 

I picked up the pen and wrote my name.

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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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