I Picked up the Demon King - Chapter 91

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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 91

 

“Let’s go quickly.”

 

I grabbed the puzzled Remal and hurriedly moved my steps.

 

Why were Shtidy and Johnny here? No, before that, why did I hide?

 

Thinking about it, there wasn’t really a reason I shouldn’t be caught by them…

 

‘…Actually, there is.’

 

The me that Shtidy knows is a mage of the Green Magic Tower.

 

If they asked what I was doing here instead of conducting research at the tower, I wouldn’t have a proper answer. Plus, considering Johnny’s reaction during the exchange meeting, I wanted to avoid encountering them if at all possible.

 

“Huh? Wait, you there!”

 

Perhaps my movement to escape caught their attention, as I heard a voice calling from behind. But the Elf’s gait shone even on this flat ground.

 

We escaped the village without being caught by anyone. Seeing them come out of the cathedral in the morning, were they also heading to the capital? Maybe they had already finished their business and were on their way back.

 

“Those people just now…?”

 

Remal asked with a puzzled expression, but it would be difficult to explain all the relationships I had with them one by one.

 

“They’re somewhat, troublesome people.”

 

After hearing my answer, Remal turned around with the same expressionless face.

 

Did she leave something behind in the village? Just in case, I grabbed her arm and asked.

 

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to eliminate them.”

“…What?”

 

When I blinked, not understanding the meaning of her words for a moment, Remal drew her thumb across her throat.

 

“Kill them? Why? I said they’re just troublesome!”

“If they die, we won’t encounter them again, and the troublesome problem will be solved.”

“…”

 

Is this the average for Elves?

 

Living for hundreds of years must make one’s problem-solving abilities extraordinary.

 

“Don’t do it…”

 

I dragged the unconvinced Remal again and headed toward the capital.

 

Our travel speed was much faster than before.

 

If Shtidy and Johnny’s group were indeed heading to the capital, I didn’t know when or how we might encounter them.

 

Though I had spoken to her, Remal was an uncontrollable person. If she clashed with them before I could stop her, the results would be very tragic.

 

Given what happened in Belive Territory, honestly I didn’t care whether Johnny lived or died. But seeing him suffer with his life properly twisted after I impersonated him made me feel somewhat sorry for him.

 

Rather than continuing to worry me by appearing before my eyes, I wished he would just go back to his territory.

 

Then suddenly.

 

“Why did they come to the Holy Nation?”

 

I deliberately asked the Demon Lord. The Demon Lord answered without much thought.

 

-Well. They probably wanted to gain new companions.

 

Somehow, I felt like I knew who would become their new companion. I hoped it was just my imagination.

 

* * *

 

Thanks to hurrying, we arrived at the capital within a few days.

 

There were quite a lot of people in the capital. Of course, it couldn’t compare to the Imperial Capital, but it was comparable to Andril, which had a large floating population as a border city.

 

‘I came all the way here without a plan…’

 

Setting aside why the Greater Demon’s Horn was in the Holy Nation, the problem was how to find it.

 

Eternal Ice, World Tree Branch, Dragon Heart.

 

I hadn’t struggled much to find these things so far. I’m not sure if the actions I took while supposedly searching for them were that meaningful. As if they were prepared, after setting out aimlessly and waiting, they somehow appeared before my eyes.

 

I couldn’t tell if this was because of the Hero’s destiny, or because of the mana dwelling in the treasures as the Demon Lord had said. Perhaps there was a completely different reason.

 

But in the Holy Nation, it would be difficult to stay for a long period like before. More accurately, it might be a place I didn’t want to stay long.

 

Anyway, the best course was to find the Greater Demon’s Horn as quickly as possible and leave the Holy Nation.

 

‘If there’s a place with the highest possibility…’

 

It would be the deepest part of the Holy Nation, the Papal Palace.

 

Not just any ordinary cathedral, but the Papal Palace. Even though my mana had disappeared, for me who still maintained my identity as a Dark Mage, it was too harsh a trial.

 

“The Papal Palace, is it.”

 

Did I unconsciously voice my thoughts? Remal approached and spoke.

 

“It’s not that there’s no way to get in.”

 

How many reckless actions had this elf tried to initiate on the way to the capital? Just as I was about to ignore her, expecting her to suggest we could just kill everyone and go in, she placed her hand on her chest and spoke.

 

“Having served as the King’s attendant for a long period, I can guess how the Holy Nation operates.”

 

The Elf King was essentially no different from a priest serving the World Tree.

 

No matter how different the gods they served, there would be common aspects. And it wouldn’t be strange at all if her knowledge accumulated over hundreds of years included the culture and customs of the Holy Nation.

 

“…Tell me. So, what’s this method?”

“A ritual.”

“Are you really insane.”

 

Did elves also have knowledge of dark magic?

 

While it was true that offering sacrifices could enable the use of powerful magic, there was no way it would be efficient with all the demons dead. There really were reasons why people kept their distance from elves.

 

Just as I was thinking this, Remal added:

 

“No, ‘worship service’ would be a more accurate expression.”

“Worship service?”

“All religions regularly hold rituals or worship services. If it’s the Holy Nation, where the entire country is essentially a massive religious group, it would inevitably become a state-level event. And…”

 

It was persuasive.

 

“No matter how small, the Holy Nation is a powerful country. Running a nation requires enormous amounts of money.”

 

That was strangely realistic for something told by a current fanatic.

 

“They couldn’t be satisfied with just donations gathered from across the continent. Even if this place is considered an important tourist destination and holy land, anyone who would come all the way here would either have deep faith, lots of money, or both.”

“So they’ll hold worship services targeting those people?”

“Yes. And the location will be…”

 

Remal drew out her words while looking toward one place. The tallest and most splendid building in the Holy Nation. It was the Papal Palace. Even at a glance, it was definitely larger than Balaih Royal Castle and seemed comparable to the Imperial Palace.

 

Upon checking, we found that a worship service would be held at the Papal Palace in two days. It was just as Remal had said.

 

The capital had quite a lot of accommodation facilities due to the many tourists, but the overall price range was considerable. Even a rough calculation showed it was at least five times more expensive on average than inns in Balaih Kingdom. Perhaps because of this, the staff were quite friendly, but the food taste was just so-so.

 

We had specifically come to the inn that Andy had recommended. Had we been deceived? Or was this place actually decent by the standards of the Holy Nation’s capital?

 

As I grumbled while leaving the inn, the Demon Lord said:

 

-Tourist destinations are always like that. Since people won’t come back anyway, they don’t care about quality. And customers easily open their wallets.

‘You’re talking like a merchant would.’

-Demons understand human nature better than anyone. How could I call myself their king if I didn’t know at least this much?

 

But hadn’t Simone’s performance in Balaih Kingdom been too pathetic for a demon? It might have been different if she had been leading the continent’s top trading company like a proper demon.

 

-Well, let’s stop talking about that. That’s not the real problem.

 

The Demon Lord said casually.

 

-Even if you find out where the Archdemon’s horn is, how do you plan to take it?

“Well… I’ll figure something out.”

 

The mana mixed with divinity still wouldn’t move as I wished, but my body had recovered considerably during the journey.

 

I’d even say it felt stronger than before. I felt like I could defeat an ordinary knight through hand-to-hand combat alone.

 

Of course, I should avoid such situations if possible. When combat occurred in the Holy Nation, there would never be just one opponent.

 

Still, with Remal, who could be considered elite among elves, accompanying me, perhaps I could avoid the worst-case scenario.

 

While chatting like this and touring the recommended tourist attractions,

 

I suddenly felt a warm energy seeping into my body. It was holy power. Upon realizing the identity of the force, my body reflexively flinched slightly.

 

“Huh?”

 

Naturally, I felt no pain. Since I currently had no magic power. But that wasn’t why I felt puzzled.

 

Holy power was quite an important commodity in the Religious Order. They wouldn’t use it on just anyone without receiving massive donations or before discovering someone was a dark mage. This was true even if someone was dying right before their eyes.

 

I remembered only one person who would use holy power first and ask questions later like this. Of course, since this was the Holy Nation, it wouldn’t be strange if there were other peculiar people, but…

 

“You look good today. Did something pleasant happen? I was worried because you always looked so stern.”

 

When I looked toward where the voice came from, Albeng was standing there.

 

“Albeng?”

 

Why was Albeng in the Holy Nation? Well, it had been several months since the incident in the Empire. There would be dozens of reasons for him to come to the Holy Nation after completing his training.

 

He approached with a good-natured smile, waving his hand.

 

“I saw you passing by and came to greet you. I was worried when you suddenly disappeared, but you seem to be doing well.”

“Ah, that was…”

 

I was at a loss for words. From Albeng’s perspective, I would be remembered as the person who abandoned him after he was stabbed and left.

 

“Um, who is this person?”

 

A voice from behind reminded me of someone I had forgotten. Remal, with her robe pulled down low, was asking about Albeng.

 

An awkward person… if I said that, it would be terrible.

 

She might immediately take action, claiming to eliminate him. I didn’t want to be caught as a criminal who attempted to assassinate a descendant of the First Saint in the heart of the Holy Nation.

 

“You must be a new companion.”

 

Only then did Albeng look at Remal and bow his head slightly.

 

“My name is Alben Mahir. I owe my life to Lord Jude.”

“Your life?”

 

Since I had left him behind, was this a hint at revenge?

 

Cold sweat ran down my back.

 

Albeng was a good person. Though he occasionally caused pain by unleashing divine power, there was no malice in his actions. Excluding that, the journey with him remained as quite pleasant memories.

 

I had no desire to fight him.

 

“Yes. When I was attacked and dying, he carried me to safety. He’s like a benefactor to me. Thanks to him, I was able to complete my priest training safely.”

 

For some reason, as soon as the word benefactor came out, Remal immediately dropped her guard.

 

But I had no choice but to raise my guard even higher than before.

 

‘Was he conscious even while collapsed from the attack? How much of that conversation did he hear?’

 

If he had overheard the conversation with the Dawn Order Assassin, it would be dangerous. He might know that I’m a Dark Mage. Even though I don’t possess mana, the Religious Order’s Inquisitor wouldn’t care about such things.

 

-Don’t worry. He only regained consciousness briefly while you were moving him.

‘…You knew?’

-Watching you panic was quite entertaining.

 

I tried to grab the Demon Lord’s soul, but as expected, there was no response. If I could freely manipulate divinity, the story might be a little different.

 

Just as my desire for recovering power was being rekindled once again, Albeng spoke.

 

“By the way, you’ve visited at quite a good time.”

“A good time?”

“Yes. The grand worship service the day after tomorrow will include an important schedule. If you attend… you’ll be able to leave with at least one impressive memory.”

 

Then someone in pure white priest robes approached and stood beside Albeng.

 

A brief whisper followed. I couldn’t hear the content. I had no intention of eavesdropping, and the surroundings were quite noisy.

 

Albeng let out a small sigh and said to me.

 

“It was nice meeting you. Well then, I’m busy with event preparations, so I’ll be going.”

 

Watching his departing figure, I was convinced once again.

 

Meeting Johnny and Shtidy as soon as I arrived in the Holy Nation, and meeting Albeng here. None of it was coincidence.

 

His usual smile, for some reason, felt a bit artificial.

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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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