I Picked up the Demon King - Chapter 79

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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 79

 

Dragons. Dragons.

 

A mysterious life form that vanished from the world long ago, last seen when the First Hero defeated the Demon Lord in ancient times.

 

Their length from head to tail was longer than a hundred adults laid out in a row, their wingbeats stirred up storms, and their breath could destroy an entire city.

 

But they possessed wisdom to match their power, with legends saying they spread magic to humans and even taught the Hero.

 

Yes. There were legends.

 

Even in the First Hero’s era, dragons were beings passed down only in legends. Some questioned whether the Hero truly meeting a dragon was even fact.

 

No evidence existed anywhere that dragons had been real. Even the occasional excavated items known as Dragon Bones were all proven to belong to other creatures, which had become the recent trend.

 

The existence of dragons that once made Mages’ hearts race had now become a laughingstock. Though some revive extinct species and even create entirely new ones…

 

That could never display the majesty of legendary dragons.

 

Therefore, Telon’s research received no attention.

 

Research themed around dragons had long been identified as a favorite subject of fraudsters trying to suck money from investors.

 

If a creature that anyone could only call a dragon had been sitting on the shoulders of Telon as he presented with a trembling voice… the story might have been a little different.

 

In the end, receiving applause from only two or three people that felt completely insincere, Telon weakly descended from the platform.

 

It was then that Shtidy, who had somehow come down nearby, approached him.

 

“I listened well. It was quite interesting.”

“…You were listening?”

 

An awkward smile bloomed, but it still looked weaker than usual.

 

“When did you stop calling it useless research and berating it.”

“Still, I have to acknowledge what should be acknowledged. It was a new perspective different from existing research.”

 

Which was exactly why investors would turn away from it even more.

 

Shtidy swallowed the rest of his words.

 

“Aren’t you busy these days? How are you doing.”

“Don’t even mention it. No matter how much I think about it, I wonder if this is right. If it weren’t for the Tower Master, I would have quit long ago…”

“Wait.”

 

Shtidy stopped speaking at a voice that came from somewhere. Though not very loud, he could feel a power that couldn’t be ignored.

 

She was a beautiful woman.

 

Her red hair reminded one of blazing flames, and her calm eyes shone blue.

 

“Would it be okay if I interrupt? I was going to wait until your conversation ended, but it seems like it might go on for a while. There’s an interesting kid over there I should go see.”

 

Shtidy was momentarily speechless.

 

Perhaps taking the silence as agreement, the woman looked at Telon and spoke.

 

“It was interesting research. I can tell when I listen. Whether someone is just saying nice things, or if they really think there’s possibility. You seem to actually have the ability for it too. Though it needs a bit more refinement until completion.”

“You are…?”

“Me? You wouldn’t know even if I told you. Ah, maybe you’ll know if I say it like this.”

 

To the flustered Telon, the woman who had been thinking for a moment said with a mischievous smile.

 

“Ruin. The Second Hero who has now become a member of the Epeldor Imperial Family.”

“…!”

“‘s companion. I’m a Mage.”

 

Unlike Johnny, who was called the Third Hero and showed flashy behavior after choosing him as a companion, many of the Second Hero’s achievements who defeated the Demon Lord were shrouded in mystery.

 

So much so that most people didn’t even know a Hero had been born until they led the Allied Forces into the Demon Realm conquest.

 

“I got something interesting recently. I thought it was just some worthless imitation, but it had a seal on it that even I had trouble noticing. I’m having quite a hard time breaking it…”

 

Shtidy recalled.

 

The companion of the First Hero, called the father of magic, established Magic Towers and helped found the Empire among various achievements. He himself had also been chosen as a Hero’s companion for reasons he didn’t quite understand.

 

Then the Second Hero who recently defeated the Demon Lord must also… surely have had companions.

 

“I’ve gone on too long. To get to the point, would you like to complete it together? Your research.”

 

Of course, for now it was just words, as the woman presented nothing to prove her identity.

 

However, just as falsely claiming to be a Hero was a serious crime, claiming to be their companion was also a considerable offense.

 

“You don’t need to worry about having your achievements stolen. Even without that, I have more than enough achievements.”

 

Telon, who had been thinking with a dazed expression for a moment, nodded his head.

 

* * *

 

Two boring hours passed quickly.

 

The Magic Circle that Jude created received the highest score, and he was able to win in that category amid the Green Tower Master’s dignified cheers.

 

Although they had provided all sorts of artifacts, the Magic Duel victory went to the Red Magic Tower, but the smile never left the Green Tower Master’s face.

 

And for good reason, as the Green Magic Tower had won in two categories. One was Magic Circle Creation that Jude participated in, and the other was surprisingly Telon’s research presentation.

 

The Green Magic Tower, which achieved good results despite harsh conditions, seemed to have made a good impression on the noble investors.

 

Around the Tower Master, people were crowding, desperately trying to strike up conversations, and Jude was no exception.

 

Those dressed in fancy clothes surrounded the area. Jude, who was experiencing such a gathering for the first time, was breaking out in a cold sweat.

 

While it was true that he wasn’t particularly interested, the danger signals in his head wouldn’t stop due to two intense gazes he could feel from afar.

 

“Lord Jude.”

 

The one who saved Jude from this situation was a single man.

 

When a familiar voice that seemed to have been heard somewhere before rang out, the gathered nobles clicked their tongues and stepped back.

 

Finally having some breathing room, Jude checked who it was and couldn’t help but be surprised.

 

“I felt you were extraordinary from back in the kingdom, but I had no idea you were hiding such remarkable abilities.”

“…Lord Dahan? How are you here?”

 

Dahan, the Golden Star Trading Company Owner. Should this be called a connection from the Balaih Kingdom?

 

Jude was flustered by the appearance of someone who might consider him an enemy if they knew the full circumstances.

 

“After that day, the trading company grew significantly with the kingdom’s support. Now we’re officially sponsoring the Hero at the company level.”

 

It couldn’t help but be bewildering.

 

While the Golden Star Trading Company had been growing fairly quickly, hadn’t it suffered major damage when buildings collapsed during the fight with the Holy Knights?

 

It had only been a few months since then.

 

It would have been perfectly normal if they were still busy recovering from the damage, let alone growing.

 

But to have grown this much already. While Dahan wasn’t an incompetent person, Jude remembered him as not being particularly outstanding either.

 

Suspicion bloomed in Jude’s mind.

 

He recalled how Dahan had somehow found him when he was leaving the capital and handed him a pouch of money. At the time, there was no context to be particularly suspicious, but…

 

Simone, the Demon Lord’s subordinate. A person he had naturally forgotten about after losing contact. What if he hadn’t been defeated by the Holy Knights?

 

Considering his identity as a mental parasite, the possibility that he had taken over Dahan’s body and was here couldn’t be ignored.

 

“My sister worked very hard. She said she wanted to succeed somehow and repay the debt to Lord Jude.”

“Miril?”

 

But the suspicion didn’t last long.

 

While there were indeed various suspicious things, if that were true, there would be no reason to approach while hiding his identity like this.

 

So difficult to approach that it was uncomfortable… Simone’s personality was also too different from the Dahan he was seeing now, which had a big influence.

 

Jude quickly erased from his mind the memory of Simone drooling while looking at paintings modeled after him.

 

“Yes. If I had known we’d meet here, it would have been good to bring her along. What a shame. If there’s a chance next time, would you visit our trading company?”

 

Jude nodded.

 

He was full of curiosity about what had happened in the meantime. And to think they were sponsoring the Hero.

 

Not only the connection with the Dawn Order, but he was also curious about why Shtidy had become the Hero’s companion.

 

“Ah, right. There’s someone I’d like to introduce you to.”

 

When Dahan gestured, a man approached hesitantly.

 

Jude froze solid upon confirming his face.

 

It was someone he had searched for extensively until recently, but had eventually given up on meeting. It was Johnny, whom the Dawn Order was supporting as the Hero.

 

He didn’t know how he should react.

 

“This is Johnny. He’s the new Hero. Though he is quite shy around strangers.”

 

As Dahan spoke, he looked around widely. The nobles who had been trying to approach flinched and stepped back at the mention of Hero.

 

“This is Lord Jude. He was a great help to our trading company when we were in difficulty.”

“…Jude?”

 

But surprisingly, Johnny didn’t seem to recognize Jude.

 

Come to think of it, while it had only been a few months ago, Jude’s appearance had changed significantly from that time.

 

His body had grown rapidly after passing through the First Trial. Even if there was a resemblance, it would be difficult to reasonably consider them the same person.

 

“By any chance, do you have a younger brother? …With the same name.”

“…No.”

“I see…”

 

An awkward silence flowed.

 

For Jude, who remembered Johnny’s cheerful appearance in Belive Territory, it was somewhat sad. But it wasn’t as if there was anything particular he could say.

 

Then the murmuring of people grew louder.

 

Was the Tower Master, having finished his conversation, approaching? Jude turned his head and soon realized that wasn’t the case.

 

Someone was indeed approaching.

 

A man with beautiful blonde hair and a doll-like emotionless face was walking straight toward where they were.

 

His eye level was a span higher than even Jude, who was quite tall, and his sturdy build created an inexplicable sense of intimidation even though he was merely walking.

 

Most importantly.

 

-Wait, hand over your body.

 

The Demon Lord reacted.

 

-I promise. I won’t cause any major problems.

 

More violently than ever before.

 

-Just for a moment. Just a very brief moment.

 

Jude had never once experienced the Demon Lord acting so urgently.

 

That’s why he could deduce the man’s identity.

 

A cold sweat trickled down Jude’s back. Perhaps attending this event provided by the Imperial Palace was the biggest mistake of his short life.

 

He had clearly been far away, but when Jude came to his senses, the man had already reached right in front of them.

 

Emotionless eyes whose thoughts were unreadable passed over Dahan and turned toward Johnny.

 

“You are…”

 

A cracked and dry voice flowed out, unsuited to his appearance, like someone who hadn’t spoken for a long time.

 

“The next generation’s Hero.”

 

Johnny didn’t answer.

 

There was no way he could answer. Even if he was suddenly being hailed as a Hero, his essence was merely that of a guard from a rural territory.

 

The life he had lived, the dignity he had accumulated, was different from the man before his eyes.

 

Rather, he deserved praise just for not wetting himself and fainting on the spot.

 

“Ru, Ruin Epeldor…!”

 

Someone’s belated cry confirmed that Jude’s thoughts were correct.

 

One who bore the surname of the Imperial Family that had continued for a thousand years.

 

Perhaps one who might have been created…

 

A Hero.

—————
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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