I Picked up the Demon King - Chapter 99

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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 99

 

The Demon Lord’s whispers continued to circle in my head.

 

-I am the same as you.

 

I was confused. Had that bastard who failed to steal my body been trying to turn me into another Demon Lord?

 

Of course, just because our soul natures became similar didn’t mean I would become the Demon Lord.

 

Even if my soul and that bastard’s soul converged infinitely toward a single point, the most important part… the difference between our original souls would still exist.

 

I didn’t have that bastard’s knowledge, experience, or power.

 

However, if it was that bastard who was more versed in dark magic than anyone, there would be more than enough ways to exploit that somehow.

 

‘Just like how it controlled my mana even before I used necromantic arts.’

 

Even when I learned that the Demon Lord had escaped the influence of the soul contract, I hadn’t been this anxious. As the Demon Lord said, I thought it was just trapped inside me.

 

But now I could no longer trust anything. I had no idea what that bastard might do at any moment.

 

“….”

 

More than anything, the moment I realized I was gradually becoming the same as that bastard, I found myself so disgusting I couldn’t bear it.

 

I put my hand into the campfire and pulled out a burning piece of firewood. No matter how strengthened my body was, if this pierced my brain, I would surely die.

 

Just as I was about to stab the end of the firewood into my eye, my arm wouldn’t move. Even when I applied force, there wasn’t the slightest movement. It wasn’t the Demon Lord.

 

Remal, who had approached and grabbed my wrist, was staring at me intently. The campfire reflected in her reddened eyes, but I couldn’t read the emotions contained within them.

 

“Let go.”

 

Considering Remal’s attitude so far, she would surely apologize and let go. But for some reason, Remal used her other hand to open mine, taking away the firewood without caring that her palm was burning.

 

“I said let go!”

 

A cracked voice burst out. It was a voice so unfamiliar that even I was startled.

 

“I cannot do that.”

 

Remal’s answer was short and firm.

 

“Don’t mind me and get lost!”

 

Anger surged up.

 

I knew it. This was nothing more than venting my anger. Whatever the past, Remal had done nothing wrong now. Rather, she was only acting to protect my life.

 

The more this happened, the deeper my self-loathing became. Even knowing this, I couldn’t stop.

 

I struggled to break free from Remal.

 

“….”

 

And I couldn’t break free.

 

-Weak bastard. Tsk.

 

Despite having physical abilities that would make even decent knights look foolish, and mixing in the mana that had come somewhat under my control, she didn’t budge. Instead, it only resulted in my entire body being restrained, not just my wrist.

 

Just how strong is this elf?

 

“Have you calmed down a little?”

 

After a while, Remal spoke.

 

I didn’t answer but nodded my head. Remal examined my face for a moment, then let go of my wrist and stepped back.

 

“Hah….”

 

A sigh escaped. Even if I tried the same thing again, I would just be subdued again. The cold wind cooled my head somewhat.

 

It was disgraceful. Right after hearing shocking news from the Demon Lord, my emotions had become a bit intense.

 

“Sorry.”

“It’s nothing.”

 

Even if it hadn’t been Remal, I probably couldn’t have died. That cunning bastard, the Demon Lord, wouldn’t have just watched that happen. Rather, it might have tried to steal my body while giggling as it watched me suffer terrible pain.

 

“What on earth should I do?”

 

It wasn’t something I said expecting an answer. She didn’t even know what situation I was in, so there was no way she could give a proper answer.

 

“I am a disaster.”

 

Wherever I go, incidents occur. Big incidents happen, and many people die.

 

My existence was a disaster. To other people, and to myself.

 

I could neither be at peace nor be happy. Even if I tried to run away from everything and hide somewhere, this damned Demon Lord wouldn’t leave me alone.

 

The moment I grasped a small happiness, it would smile and destroy it.

 

That was what I feared.

 

Even in this moment of listening to the sound of burning firewood, I had to tremble with anxiety about not knowing what might happen.

 

“I…”

 

How many minutes had passed?

 

Suddenly, Remal opened her mouth.

 

“I don’t think so.”

“What?”

 

For a moment I couldn’t understand what she was talking about, but soon I realized it was her answer.

 

“You are not a calamity.”

“What do you know…!”

 

If someone who harbors the Demon Lord in their body and is gradually becoming like the Demon Lord isn’t a calamity, then what is? My emotions were about to burst out again, but I stopped speaking at the sight of Remal hesitating.

 

She certainly has fanatical tendencies, but that’s precisely why Remal never hesitates in her words and actions. She must be trying to comfort me in her own way.

 

“Hah…”

 

How long has it been since I thought it was pointless venting? I’m getting sick of my own patheticness.

 

“I don’t know what troubles you’re having. But Lord Jude is not a calamity.”

“Enough. Stop talking.”

“Listen. Despite being so young.”

 

Remal, who had been contemplating continuously, spoke again in a firm tone.

 

“Certainly, the damage the Great Forest suffered could be called a calamity. The achievements our entire clan had devoted thousands of years to accomplish disappeared.”

“…”

“But that was our sin. You not only corrected us who were walking the wrong path, but also showed the mercy of making the World Tree grow again. That is salvation that no Hero has ever achieved, and that’s why I call you my benefactor.”

 

A small branch sprouted next to Remal and swayed gently.

 

“You did nothing wrong. In other places too, it must have been the same.”

“Hah…”

“Stop considering yourself a calamity. That would be insulting to those like us who owe you a debt of gratitude.”

 

A hollow laugh escaped me.

 

For a long while, I laughed weakly.

 

I raised my head.

 

I was embarrassed. If only it would rain.

 

* * *

 

The Papal Palace had collapsed.

 

Since it happened during the weekly regular grand worship service, the casualties were devastating. Many believers and priests who had visited the Holy Nation, and even the Pope, died.

 

The survivors all testified that it was the work of demons.

 

The Demon Lord, king of all demons, appeared in person and summoned demons to the Holy Nation. To prevent this, the Goddess sent down a revelation, but the incompetent and corrupt Pope ignored it and died.

 

The Goddess protected those with deep faith. The survivors all said so with one voice.

 

The survivors of the grand worship service. The nobles and merchants from various nations spared no support for the reconstruction of the Holy Nation. The families of the deceased were not much different. If they stayed still, they would be branded as families of apostates, so they had no choice but to prove their innocence with massive donations.

 

The Saint became the next Pope.

 

Originally, major matters like papal selection are decided after considerable long-term review. Moreover, the Saint was in a body that could no longer handle holy power.

 

However, the achievement of subjugating the Demon Lord together with the Second Hero, and the fact that her inability to handle holy power was an aftereffect of the Goddess borrowing her body for descent, were valid points. The symbolism of being the Goddess’s vessel was great enough to ignore minor details.

 

These were all major events that would shake the continent, but even amid the chaos, there was something that wasn’t forgotten.

 

The Hero.

 

The symbol of salvation, recognized by the Goddess and the Holy Sword and who opposed demons. And the story of his companions.

 

“How is it? How does it feel to become a real Hero?”

“…I’m not sure.”

 

To Shtidy’s question, Johnny answered with a dark expression.

 

The weight of the Holy Sword at his waist felt particularly heavy. Considering the greatly enhanced physical abilities from the moment he received the Goddess’s recognition, feeling a mere sword as heavy was absurd. It was just that his heart felt heavy.

 

“I couldn’t do anything. Not that day, not now.”

 

He could see the darkness that had gradually expanded its territory over the past few months, eventually completely swallowing the Holy Nation Capital.

 

There had been several subjugation attempts during this time, but none had ever succeeded. Countless mages and priests had rushed in, but it was impossible even to figure out how to attack it.

 

This was a trial.

 

Not as a guard of Belive Territory or a fake Hero. The first trial he faced as a real Hero.

 

Johnny suppressed his anxiously wavering heart.

 

The longer it took to overcome the trial, the greater the damage to the continent would become. There was no telling how far the darkness before his eyes would spread, and reports said monsters were appearing again in various places.

 

There were also stories of different races escaping from experiments in the Magic Tower.

 

“I am an insignificant person.”

 

He knew better than anyone that he wasn’t Hero material. He didn’t even know why the Goddess had chosen him.

 

“But I will overcome this.”

 

Johnny looked to the side. In front of the tent, Shtidy, who had been sipping the coffee cup in his hand, exclaimed in admiration.

 

“Oh, that statement just now was quite Hero-like.”

“It’s not Hero-like, I am the Hero.”

 

Just then, Albeng, who was passing by leading the priests, scolded Shtidy.

 

It wasn’t only Johnny who had grown stronger by receiving the Holy Sword’s recognition. Albeng and Shtidy had also gained incomparable power to before. Though they were people who could easily stay up for several nights, their eyes were still dark with fatigue.

 

It was because they had been researching that thing for several days without sleeping a wink.

 

“Yes, yes. Teacher.”

“…Sigh. How did you end up like this? You weren’t this kind of person when you were at the Academy. Life at the Magic Tower must have been tough, huh?”

“Are you looking down on the Green Magic Tower, you priest bastard!”

 

Shtidy shouted angrily. Even in the midst of that, not a single drop of coffee spilled from his cup, as if he had already emptied it all.

 

“It’s because he can’t sleep. Just ignore it.”

 

When Johnny hurriedly mediated, Albeng sighed again and pushed Shtidy into the tent. They could hear him shouting from inside that he didn’t want to sleep, but soon snoring sounds began to flow out.

 

Albeng came out dusting off his hands and muttered while looking back at the tent.

 

“I wonder what expression our other peers would make if they saw him like this.”

“Why?”

“He used to be quite popular back then. There were quite a few guys who would try to strike up conversations with him, calling him by different names.”

“That’s… pretty childish.”

“Well, I suppose it is.”

 

Albeng scratched his face and left with an awkward smile. The priests were busy too, so it couldn’t be helped… Johnny watched Albeng’s retreating figure with strange eyes before shaking his head.

 

Now wasn’t the time to worry about such things.

 

Though he had been recognized by the Goddess and could now use the Holy Sword, he couldn’t fully draw out its power. The strike when the Second Hero cut down the dragon. He couldn’t even follow half of half of that. He had to commune with the Holy Sword whenever he had time.

 

Johnny looked at the tent where Shtidy was sleeping and continued his unfinished answer.

 

“It’s something that must be done.”

 

The Goddess had said it. That the Deceiver had obtained a body again. About the meaning of that, he had pondered hundreds of times over the past few months.

 

And he had reached his own answer.

 

It was his turn to save the youngest, who had saved his sinful self.

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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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