I Picked up the Demon King - Chapter 81

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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 81

 

Quite some time had passed since I began my life at the Magic Tower.

 

The thesis I had been writing whenever I was bored was nearing completion, and many of the Senior Mages’ research projects were quite interesting.

 

Nobles from various places gathered, wanting to invest in my research.

 

I learned for the first time that the Magic Tower had a separate Reception Room. Most of them seemed to have investigated my background to some extent, so they didn’t try to invest very large amounts. Though occasionally, some would offer jaw-dropping sums of money.

 

Dahan, the Golden Star Trading Company Owner, was one of them.

 

“I’m offering this with the future in mind rather than immediate returns. Ah, you don’t need to feel too burdened. Investment always carries risks, after all.”

 

Thanks to him saying that in front of the other Nobles, there were no troublesome people bothering me.

 

Later, when I leave the Magic Tower, the Green Magic Tower’s reputation will probably plummet… But the sudden influx of money made me feel quite good. With this money, I could eat bread for years without it making a dent. I even spent time finding ways to store it safely so I wouldn’t lose it like last time.

 

The rumors about Johnny and Shtidy also died down sooner than expected. They hadn’t shown any clear activities since then, and their influence was inevitably lacking compared to the person who actually defeated the Demon Lord.

 

They were peaceful days. But that mysterious anxiety never returned. Perhaps the encounter with the Hero had been that shocking.

 

What filled that space instead was frustration.

 

Though it was peaceful and comfortable time, I still hadn’t achieved any of my purposes for entering the Magic Tower. And for the absurd reason that the Tower Master had disappeared.

 

“If I had known this would happen, I should have at least visited Senior Telon’s Research Room.”

 

I don’t know what presentation he gave, but he won one category at the exchange meeting. He might have really had Dragon remains. Though the reaction wasn’t very good during his presentation.

 

“That Red-haired Woman I saw then.”

 

She was supposedly the Hero’s companion.

 

I still don’t know why she was interested in Telon’s research and made him the winner. The meaning of her words that I would see her often remains unclear as well.

 

I might find out when Telon returns to the Magic Tower over time, but I can’t just keep waiting indefinitely.

 

Since I don’t want to get involved with the Hero or his Companions, it would be better to leave the Magic Tower.

 

I looked at the Wall stacked with luggage I hadn’t even fully unpacked yet. Most of it consisted of things Shtidy and Telon had bought for me in the Capital.

 

In the past, all I had was a Bag containing food supplies, but looking at this mountain of Various Items, it felt cumbersome yet strangely reassuring.

 

But I couldn’t take everything with me.

 

I selected only clothes, food, and simple items that might be helpful in emergencies and packed them in my Bag.

 

It’s not like I’d never be able to return, so leaving things behind shouldn’t be a big problem.

 

‘Going on a brief training journey.’

 

I placed my thesis on the Research Room desk and wrote that note. They’d probably think I went on a trip to complete my thesis.

 

After all, Mages are people who do anything when obsessed with research.

 

* * *

 

“Amazing.”

 

An exclamation mixed with awkward formal speech burst from Telon’s mouth.

 

Not far from the Imperial Capital. The Underground Laboratory was so well-prepared it was hard to believe it had been hastily arranged.

 

But the Red-haired Woman looking at it moved forward without any particular emotion. Perhaps for a companion of the Hero who saved the world, this level was nothing special.

 

Though Telon was captivated by the latest equipment that even the Magic Tower was considering introducing, he quickened his pace to not lose sight of the Woman.

 

After going through numerous Magical Security Procedures, they arrived at the deepest part of the Research Room.

 

Compared to the cutting-edge equipment they had passed, what was placed in the center could only be described as shabby.

 

A fist-sized stone and a large bone fragment from some unknown creature.

 

“What is this?”

“Dragon bone. And heart.”

“…?!”

 

Telon was shocked by her nonchalant voice.

 

It was an unbelievable story. How many items known as Dragon bones had appeared in the world? But among them, the closest thing to a Dragon was from its subspecies, the Drake.

 

Moreover, a heart.

 

The Dragon Heart was known to contain infinite mana. There was no way such a priceless treasure that couldn’t be exchanged for anything in the world would be such a stone.

 

Was this Woman mocking him? Telon seriously considered it for a moment.

 

Then he shook his head.

 

Though the Woman before him wasn’t particularly serious by nature, she had no reason to mock him now.

 

She was a Mage who had reached heights incomparably higher than his own. If she judged it so, there must be a reason for it.

 

“Then let’s start research immediately. As quickly as possible to revive the Dragon…”

“This alone… isn’t enough.”

 

But the red-haired Mage shook her head.

 

Even with the ultimate treasure right before his eyes, even with a chance to make history, he had such an attitude. Telon, who felt frustrated instead, rubbed his face with dry hands.

 

“It’s just bones and a heart. There’s no way to revive dead life, no way to replace a soul.”

“Such trivial matters shouldn’t be a problem.”

 

For the past few years. Telon had been immersed in research with the single thought of recreating a dragon.

 

Life and soul. Certainly important issues, but the method to fill them was simple. Convert that into information, then have it conceived through another living being. Not an easy task, but not impossible either.

 

There were quite a few successful cases already. Though they were immediately disposed of, there were stories of even reviving orcs, demons that had been extinct long ago.

 

“If we fail, the materials will be gone. You know that, right?”

“That’s…”

“And even if we succeed, who knows how long it will take to hatch.”

 

It was an obvious point. No matter how careful they were, there would only be one or two chances at most. The rarity was different from orc bones that were still occasionally excavated from ruins.

 

Success would also be a problem.

 

In legends, dragons lay eggs. However, there were no records of how long it took for them to hatch. Being creatures with near-eternal life, it wouldn’t be strange if they didn’t hatch for hundreds of years.

 

“It’s just speculation.”

 

But was she telling him to give up with that right before his eyes?

 

When Telon glared at the woman, she smiled and shook her head.

 

“Well, if that was all it took, there would have been no reason to bring you here. There are specialists in that field.”

 

That was something Telon had to acknowledge. But then it was even stranger.

 

Why had she brought him here?

 

Even if he researched dragon resurrection, honestly, it was hard to say he had achieved any remarkable results. However, Telon’s contemplation couldn’t continue deeply.

 

“That thing is sealed.”

“…Sealed?”

“Yes. A solid seal that even I cannot break. I wonder who cast it. If only I could find out, I’d want to capture them and torture them for answers.”

 

Her shrugging gesture felt quite annoying. Naturally, nothing good would come from Telon’s mouth seeing that.

 

“So, what do you want me to do?”

 

But even at his sharp voice, the woman just smiled and changed the subject.

 

“You like that girl, don’t you?”

“…?”

“Shtidy, was it? The one who became the new Hero’s companion.”

 

At the sudden, far too sudden topic, Telon, who had been frowning, showed a flustered expression.

 

“I don’t know if that’s really a Hero. Anyway, that girl will be leaving far away now. Trials are not easy things.”

“I know that…”

“Really? I’m not just talking about physical distance.”

 

The woman’s voice was now coming from behind Telon.

 

Spatial Movement.

 

A scene where the highest-level magic, known to be theoretically possible but practically near impossible, was activated without even chanting a spell. But more than the miracle before his eyes, the content of her words was more concerning.

 

“She’ll wander the entire Continent from now on, building great Achievements. Perhaps she’ll become an existence comparable to the great Archmage who built the Magic Tower a thousand years ago. She’ll become a legend and myth in herself. Like me.”

 

Legend and myth.

 

Indeed, who else could be called that if not a being who performed such miracles?

 

“Well, even so, she can’t compare to a Hero.”

 

The woman who muttered quietly placed her hand on Telon’s shoulder.

 

Though he got goosebumps from the chillingly cold sensation, Telon couldn’t move.

 

“What will you be doing then? In the crumbling Green Magic Tower, or in this dark underground. You’ll be clinging to research that no one acknowledges, right? Holding onto a dragon egg that might never hatch, worrying about someone stealing it or something going wrong.”

 

The future was vividly drawn as the woman described. Even that would only be possible if she generously gave him this research room and the dragon remains.

 

Telon knew himself well.

 

Though he was clinging to this research now, after a few more years of fruitless days, he would probably give up and do other research. The boring, profitable research that he so despised.

 

What would Shtidy think seeing such a version of himself?

 

“Will that girl even remember you? She might recall occasionally. ‘There was a pitiful senior who did useless research, claiming he would resurrect dragons.'”

 

No, would she even look?

 

Would an Archmage who saved the world have time to care about such a failure? How many people superior to him would gather around her? Wouldn’t she find someone she liked among the companions who entrusted their lives to each other?

 

Such sordid, servile… thoughts he wanted to turn away from, the woman forcibly dragged out.

 

Then she whispered in his ear.

 

“To avoid that fate, shouldn’t you show something? That you’re not just some dreamer, that your research is a great Achievement that will shake the world.”

 

That you too can become such a being.

 

If she becomes a legend and myth… wouldn’t it be fine if you also became such an existence?

 

“The lacking life and soul. They’re right here.”

“…?”

 

Telon awakened from the sweet fantasy.

 

“A seal that can only be broken by a soul, and one that’s offered voluntarily at that.”

 

The woman, who had somehow crossed her legs while sitting, muttered while gazing at the dragon bone and heart with enchanting eyes.

 

“What does that mean…?”

“Don’t worry. What’s before your eyes is someone comparable to the First Archmage.”

 

As if her interest had waned, she no longer even glanced at Telon. But that small voice echoed louder than anything else in Telon’s ears.

 

“Even if I can’t break the seal, I can prevent you from being devoured by it.”

 

It wasn’t confidence.

 

It was simply a natural attitude, as if stating something obvious.

 

“Rather, yes. The opposite—you’ll devour it instead. You can do it. If it’s me.”

But within that voice, it felt as though it was filled with undeniable greed and impatience.

 

“Shall we resurrect the dragon together?”

 

Telon nodded his head.

 

Just like before. Without properly understanding the meaning.

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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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