I Picked up the Demon King - Chapter 142

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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 142

 

A commander stood with his arms crossed, observing the battle situation.

 

In truth, there wasn’t much of a battle situation to speak of.

 

After the charging soldiers had burned to death, their numbers were extremely few, and the Dark Mages who had exhausted their mana were also hesitating.

 

All that remained was Hero Johnny and his followers surrounding the Demon Lord.

 

“Why are we just standing here doing nothing?”

 

The adjutant asked.

 

It was a reasonable question if it could be called that. Hundreds of thousands of troops were just standing there waiting.

 

If they deployed their forces right now, the Black Tower would be swept away helplessly. Of course, they would suffer some casualties too, but considering the overall scale, it would be an infinitesimally small amount.

 

However, the commander shook his head.

 

“We’ve gathered every human we could from across the entire continent. Their training amounts to little more than gathering mana, and the supply situation is terrible.”

 

That was exactly right.

 

It’s not that there were no thoroughly trained soldiers. The kings and lords of various nations had committed all their forces to this war except for the bare minimum. There were also quite a few farmers and prisoner soldiers sent just to fill the numbers.

 

Their equipment was nothing special either. If the Golden Star Trading Company hadn’t provided massive military support, even that wouldn’t have been possible.

 

“These people don’t know how to fight. It’s best to have them quietly serve as mana tanks and then send them home.”

 

Just in case. It probably wouldn’t happen, but if by any chance all these people were wiped out, the continent would be finished.

 

There would be no one to farm, no one capable of working. Many would suffer from starvation, and it would easily take decades to recover from that impact.

 

That wouldn’t be a victory even if they won.

 

They could leave the fighting to professionals like knights and mages, while they focused on setting the mood and replenishing consumed mana.

 

“Then what about His Majesty the Emperor…?”

 

The adjutant asked, looking in the direction where the Emperor stood.

 

Emperor Ruin Epeldor.

 

The Second Hero and ruler of the continent. The hero who had slain the Fire Giant that invaded the Empire, who might even be stronger than the current Hero. If he joined the fight, he would certainly be of great help against the Demon Lord.

 

But he wasn’t moving. It was impossible not to feel unsettled.

 

“He’s waiting.”

 

The commander said with a smile.

 

His trust in the Emperor was unwavering. Having once participated as a soldier in the Demon Realm subjugation campaign, he believed that there was a reason behind every action of a Hero. Even if he was no longer a Hero, that hadn’t changed.

 

“What exactly is he…?”

 

The adjutant expressed his doubt. Just as the commander, who had been pondering for a moment, was about to answer.

 

The sky darkened.

 

The commander who looked up couldn’t understand the situation. Whatever had suddenly appeared was unrealistic. Someone was shouting from somewhere, and mages were layering defensive spells.

 

It was too late.

 

The already completed attack poured down like a bombardment.

 

Blood, screams, and flesh flew everywhere. The adjutant who had been expressing doubts right beside him just moments ago was dead, leaving only one arm behind.

 

The commander collapsed. He collapsed and tried to grasp the situation.

 

Thousands had died in an instant. It was as if an entire small territory had been wiped out. No matter how advantageous mages were when facing large numbers, this was absurd.

 

He raised his trembling hands to cover his face.

 

It hadn’t been like this even when subjugating the Demon Realm. Kaella Rowan’s magic and the Saint’s protective spells had given them power that wouldn’t retreat even against demons and monsters. But this…

 

“This is just a massacre…”

 

If he had been just a little closer, he would have died. While trembling at that fact, he was grateful that he hadn’t died.

 

“Ah, right… the Hero.”

 

The commander searched to survive. The most trustworthy existence. He looked for the former Hero, Ruin Epeldor. He would somehow manage even in this situation.

 

The moment he was searching for Ruin, almost crawling.

 

A beam of light came flying from somewhere.

 

A massive beam of light. Like a thick line, a single beam of light that could blind the eyes pierced through the battlefield.

 

He collapsed after losing half his body to the light beam. The last thing captured in his eyes, unable to detect it in time, was the figure of Ruin Epeldor whom he had been searching for so desperately.

 

With a faint smile on his previously indifferent lips.

 

* * *

 

“Dragon’s Breath.”

 

The furious breath of a dragon that could collapse castles with just the beating of its wings. It was a crude implementation that couldn’t match the original. However, beyond the horizon, dozens of kilometers had been erased in a straight line.

 

Void.

 

The soldiers were erased. If the duration had been extended a bit more and the direction controlled properly, it would have been possible to eliminate the entire force. But since this seems to be the first time using it, expecting that much would be unreasonable.

 

“Dragon’s breath, you say?”

 

Turning his head, the Hero who had been staring blankly at what happened behind muttered. Though he appeared quite defenseless, I didn’t attack at that moment.

 

A Hero’s fate wasn’t something that could be dealt with by such ambush tactics.

 

“Yes. Kaela Rowan, that insolent girl’s prepared trump card.”

 

Reproducing the Great Demon’s darkness to some extent was quite impressive, but if that was all, it would have been disappointing. Who would have thought she’d been hiding this until now.

 

“Laughing…?”

 

The Hero asked as if he’d lost his mind.

 

“You’re laughing? When so many people just died…!”

 

At a glance, casualties numbered in the tens of thousands. Of course, there were still far more soldiers remaining.

 

“Don’t be obsessed with numbers.”

 

I told the Hero.

 

Of course, the death of many could be somewhat shocking, but that’s a human concern. It’s not something a Hero who has transcended humanity should dwell on. Though I intended it…

 

It’s a bit disappointing that the Hero falls short of expectations.

 

“Whether one dies or ten die. Human death is merely an inevitability that will come someday.”

 

Wouldn’t you be angry if one died? Death is equal. Just death. There’s no other meaning.

 

“What matters is what comes after. What can be gained through their deaths.”

 

I reached my hand backward.

 

“Look.”

 

The Dark Mages who had been crouched down were moving actively.

 

“Souls. Blood. Bone and flesh. The magical meaning of death itself. They’re trying to rise again, utilizing all of those things.”

 

Pulling corpses with magic, smearing blood on their bodies. There were also failures when attempting dark magic they only knew in theory.

 

It was a desperate sight.

 

“Isn’t it beautiful?”

 

It’s a struggle to survive somehow. Not petty righteousness, but a fight for survival. Atrocities committed to protect their lives, a value that cannot be exchanged for anything else.

 

Truly a beautiful thing. Such a joyful thing.

 

Based on fear and desire, they were growing even at this moment.

 

“Of course. I can’t allow everything.”

 

I extended my hand and drew a magic circle.

 

Countless chains erupted. The startled Hero tried to dodge, but the chains passed through him and extended backward.

 

The pierced souls gathered at one point. The density was so high that even those without Spirit Sight could faintly see their forms.

 

“What are you doing right now…!”

 

The Hero swung his sword. Though his stance wasn’t properly set, the power contained within was considerable. A significant number of souls would be meaninglessly destroyed.

 

I blocked it. The chains that had been passing through him gained substance and bound his body.

 

Meanwhile, the souls of the dead soldiers were absorbed and converted into nourishment. Though there were quite many, my soul, already tempered by absorbing the Great Demon’s soul, gathered all the souls without burden.

 

“Exquisite.”

 

The lost power returned by another level.

 

It’s true that it’s still insufficient. If I absorbed the souls of all the living soldiers, how much power could I truly recover? How many souls would be needed to return to a complete state?

 

It’s a tedious task. I’d probably need to devour the entire continent.

 

Therefore, I must wait.

 

The Hero moved. I thought I had bound him quite strongly, but he’d already grown stronger. This absurd growth made me chuckle.

 

“It’s nothing new, but truly amazing. A law that grinds up an entire world.”

 

“You. Are you absorbing the souls of the dead?”

 

“Is there a problem?”

 

“How can you call that…!”

 

The Hero closed his mouth and swung his sword.

 

Relentless consecutive attacks. Indeed, even if clumsy, a Hero is still a Hero. If I’m not careful, I might get hit.

 

However, it’s rather unfair.

 

“How is this different from the Goddess you love so much?”

 

“Nonsense.”

 

He won’t listen.

 

They probably think they won’t be deceived by the demon’s words. Then how about this.

 

“Am I wrong?”

 

I asked, looking at the priest who had approached behind the Hero.

 

He must have come to assist the Hero now that the real battle had begun. I wonder what he could possibly do with barely any Divine Power. Still, the way he ran over here is quite admirable.

 

The priest, Albeng, lowered his head and said nothing. Even the Hero, who had been frantically swinging his sword at me, sensed the priest’s state and his movements slowed.

 

“…Albeng?”

 

“…I’ll assist you.”

 

Divine Magic settled into the Hero’s body. Though it was weak, his sword strikes continued with much sharper precision than before.

 

“The Goddess promised you. That believers would spend eternity with the Goddess in the Heavenly Realm after death.”

 

I spoke while dodging.

 

“…Don’t listen. The demon is trying to deceive you.”

 

“I wasn’t planning to listen anyway.”

 

Despite his words, I could feel the Hero’s attention focused on my mouth. The priest’s complexion was growing increasingly pale.

 

Was he in a state of knowing but not being certain? This too was enjoyable. How would a human act upon learning the truth?

 

“That means the Goddess devours your souls.”

 

“Stop…!”

 

The priest cried out in anguish.

 

The Hero’s sword stopped. His gaze turned toward the screaming priest. I could see his eyes shaking as if he couldn’t believe it.

 

“What I’m doing now brings exactly the same result as what you’ll experience after death.”

 

Souls are the most Precious Treasure to those who possess Divinity. Though one alone might seem to bring no change, countless accumulated souls can even elevate one’s divine rank.

 

“If spending time in that abomination’s belly is also happiness, then I have nothing more to say.”

 

Then there would be no reason to be angry with me either.

 

The stopped sword trembled like his eyes.

 

“I bear no ill will toward you. Of course not. Why would I hate Tools?”

 

Both the Hero and priest were merely Tools. Tools to make Humans believe in gods and willingly offer their own souls. Or perhaps they were the most delicious meals.

 

I had no personal grudge. That’s why I was dealing with them like this.

 

The moment I said that, my body was cut.

 

My body, split in half, collapsed. The severed cross-section burst into flames. The Hero stared blankly at the sight.

 

“Are you listening to the demon’s words?”

 

The Emperor, who had appeared beside the Hero, muttered thus.

 

I clicked my tongue.

 

“It was quite an elaborate illusion.”

 

The collapsed, burning body disappeared like a mirage.

 

“Wait just a little longer. They haven’t all gathered yet.”

 

Just a little bit more time was needed.

 

Feeling the struggling half-soul, I said so.

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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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