The Last Place Hero’s Return - Chapter 272

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 272. Omens of Destruction (2)
A vast jungle stretched southward from the Hero Academy, sprawling across the landscape.
Connected to Gehenna City, the domain of the Demons, it was also known to the people of the Continent as the Demon Realm.
Within that Demon Realm.
“The Candidates are currently leaving the Academy grounds, sir.”
A hooded figure bowed respectfully toward the man standing at the forefront.
“Hmm. Just as the Cult Leader said.”
A dark-haired man with scars crisscrossing his face nodded with a grave expression.
His crimson eyes—the symbol of the Demons—gleamed as he turned to survey the subordinates arrayed behind him.
“Is everyone here?”
“Yes, Hectar sir.”
Dozens of hooded Demons bowed in unison.
“Our mission this time is to abduct the Candidates conducting outdoor training.”
Hectar, as he was called, continued in a low, measured voice.
“Divide into groups of three and abduct the Candidates.”
“Yes!”
“They’re mere novices, so be careful not to kill them. The abducted Candidates will serve as useful hostages in the coming ‘war.'”
“Hmm… We cannot kill even one?”
One Demon twisted his lips upward, licking them with undisguised hunger.
“I’m curious what the blood of uneducated Candidate novices tastes like….”
“You really are… sigh.”
Hectar shook his head as if he couldn’t bear it.
‘Come to think of it, with all the war preparations lately, I haven’t properly vented my impulses.’
The stigma of the Demon God compels its bearer to feel murderous urges.
Just as vampires wither and die without drinking blood, Demons who fail to regularly vent their killing impulses lose their sanity and go berserk.
It would be necessary to let off some steam soon.
“These are Amon’s orders. You must capture them alive.”
“Ugh….”
The Demons flinched at the mention of Amon’s name.
“Well, once the war breaks out soon, you’ll be able to kill as much as you want, so just wait a little longer.”
“Understood.”
The Demons bowed their heads, their eyes alight with anticipation for the coming war.
“Then let’s depart at….”
“Ah, Hectar sir. There was a message from Amon sir.”
“A message?”
“Yes.”
“What is it?”
“He said to be cautious of one particular Candidate.”
“…Be cautious of a Candidate?”
Ha.
Hectar let out a hollow laugh, his expression one of utter disbelief.
It was a well-known fact that occasionally, Candidates existed who surpassed even active Heroes in strength.
“Have you forgotten who we are?”
They were the Apostles of Ruin.
Beings who carried Amon’s ‘fire’ within their bodies—entities possessing power on an entirely different tier from ordinary Demons.
No matter how ferociously a pup might snap, why would a tiger ever feel fear?
“I… I’m not entirely certain why he issued such a warning, but Amon instructed us to be cautious of ‘the grey-haired Candidate.'”
“Hmm. Understood.”
At the mention of Amon’s caution, Hectar reluctantly nodded his head.
Of course, not a trace of tension flickered in his eyes, which gleamed with a crimson hue.
“Let’s move out.”
Whoosh.
Black flames rippled and danced across Hectar’s body as he took his first step forward.
* * *
Today’s Party training consisted of outdoor practical exercises.
While I’d experienced outdoor practical training a few times back in third year, the location this time was different.
Not near the Academy, but the Southern Jungle—known as the most dangerous place on the Continent.
In other words.
This training ground was none other than the Demon Realm itself.
“U-ugh… the Southern Jungle…?”
“W-wait, isn’t this the Demon Realm?”
“This is insane! How are we supposed to conduct practical training in a place like this?!”
The Candidates, who had only heard rumors of the Demon Realm, descended into panic upon actually setting foot within it.
The jungle, saturated with sticky humidity and shrouded in oppressive darkness, inspired dread merely by sight.
Of course.
“It’s been a while since I’ve visited the Demon Realm.”
“Have you been here before, Yuren?”
“Yeah. Though I didn’t venture in quite so deeply.”
“Saint, stay right beside me.”
“My, are you frightened, Camilla?”
“F-frightened? Nonsense! I’m simply here to protect you, Saint!”
That was merely the perspective of ordinary Candidates.
My Party members surveyed their surroundings with the serene composure of people out for a casual stroll (Camilla excluded).
“…Everyone seems rather relaxed, don’t they?”
“You don’t exactly look tense yourself, though?”
I glanced back at Morris, who walked slightly behind us.
Morris chuckled softly and shrugged his shoulders.
“I’ve visited the Demon Realm quite often.”
“…Quite often?”
“Yeah. During every break, I’d help Father with his work and complete commissions in the Demon Realm. The pay was pretty decent, actually—Demon Realm commissions have high rates.”
“You don’t even have a formal Hero License. How are you taking on commissions?”
“Ah, well… I may have pulled some strings with my father.”
Ahem.
Morris swallowed his cough and offered an awkward smile.
I narrowed my eyes as I regarded him.
‘There’s no way Kalid Han would carelessly assign a Demon Realm commission to his own son without a Hero License.’
Kalid Han must have judged that Morris possessed sufficient strength to survive even in the Demon Realm before entrusting him with such a commission.
‘A master-recognized talent.’
I found myself curious about the true extent of Morris’s power.
‘If things go well, I might see it this time.’
As I was surveying the Demon Realm with such thoughts.
“Well then, is everyone ready to enter the Demon Realm?”
Lucas Kane turned to the frightened Candidates and asked.
“W-we’re really going into the Demon Realm?”
“Did you think we came all this way just to sightsee and leave?”
“B-but…!”
“This is the Demon Realm! Even active Heroes rarely venture here because it’s so dangerous!”
“Hoh.”
Lucas Kane stifled a chuckle.
“So you don’t want to enter because it’s dangerous. How very heroic of you.”
“….”
“Remember this, all of you. Fear stems from the unknown. If you avoid something merely because it’s frightening and perilous, you will never set foot in the Demon Realm again.”
“Then…?”
“So just never come to the Demon Realm for the rest of your lives?”
Tsk.
“Do you know what lies beyond this Jungle?”
“…The Demons’ city.”
“Correct. Gehenna City exists there.”
Lucas Kane nodded and continued.
“Place your hand on your heart and imagine it. Heroes who claim that title, yet cannot even set foot in the Demon Realm, much less eradicate the Demons’ stronghold beyond it.”
“….”
“Do you truly believe such people deserve to be called ‘Heroes’?”
A burning heat rose across the faces of the frightened Candidates.
Just as Lucas Kane had said.
Who would ever call a Hero worthy of the name if they couldn’t even step into the Demon Realm out of fear?
“Ah, I understand.”
“Let’s just go in and see what happens!”
“Huff, huff. We can do this, we can do this!”
The Candidates gazed at the Demon Realm with expressions of determination.
Lucas Kane observed them and quietly stifled a chuckle to himself.
‘In truth, this place can’t really be called the Demon Realm proper.’
The location I’d brought the Candidates to was merely the outer threshold of the Demon Realm.
More specifically, the outermost perimeter of it.
Venture deeper inward, and the danger of encountering formidable Demon Beasts or Demons would escalate dramatically, but here at the entrance, it differed little from the Mountain near the Academy.
‘Still, it should help them overcome their fear of the Demon Realm to some degree.’
Fear springs from the unknown, after all.
Since this was technically the Demon Realm, experiencing it once would significantly diminish their terror when they inevitably returned here later.
“You have six hours for exploration. Whether you hunt Demon Beasts, search for Ruins, or simply take a stroll—each Party is free to act as you see fit.”
However.
“Do not venture beyond the designated boundary under any circumstances.”
“Um… how will we know where that boundary is?”
“When your Hero Watch emits a warning signal, that marks the danger zone. Return immediately.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Additionally, Parties that successfully hunt Demon Beasts during this training will receive bonus points, so those of you who need to improve your grades should focus on hunting.”
“Ooh!”
What Candidate didn’t need better grades?
Their eyes gleamed at the mention of bonus points as they headed into the Demon Realm.
Parties scattered one by one.
“Shall we get going too?”
“Yeah.”
“Let’s go, Dale.”
My Party ventured into the Demon Realm as well.
“Morris, you said you’re a mage, right?”
“Yeah. Plant magic is my specialty, so I should be pretty useful in a jungle like this.”
“Then Yuren and I will take the front line.”
“I’ll support the rear.”
“Thanks.”
Given our Party’s current level, we didn’t really need to organize formations so meticulously.
‘But experience is experience, I suppose.’
We began our earnest exploration of the Demon Realm with our formation set.
‘I’d like to gauge Morris’s true abilities on this expedition.’
The problem was that the outer threshold of the Demon Realm lacked Demon Beasts strong enough to properly test him.
‘I’d need at least an Eight-Rank Demon Beast or higher.’
To find creatures of that caliber, we’d have to venture into the danger zone.
Beep, beep!
“Ah, it seems we’ve reached the danger zone.”
“Should we head back?”
As we pushed deeper into the Demon Realm, the Hero Watch’s warning signal soon blared.
‘Going any further risks disciplinary action, let alone bonus points.’
I was considering postponing my assessment of Morris’s true strength when—
“Hm?”
Beyond the Danger Zone, I sensed the presence of demonic energy.
‘At this level… at least Rank 10 or higher?’
Three of them.
The perfect number to gauge my true strength.
“Everyone, wait here for a moment.”
“Dale?”
Leaving my Party members behind, I ventured precariously to the edge of the Danger Zone.
And then.
Schwick!
Drawing my blade, I severed my left arm clean off from the elbow.
Blood erupted from the severed stump like a fountain.
‘Demonic beasts react acutely to human blood.’
As expected.
The demonic presence I’d sensed from afar rapidly drew closer.
‘Good.’
Turning my head toward the approaching presence, I continued to bleed profusely.
For roughly ten seconds.
What emerged from the dense undergrowth was—
“There you are.”
“Hah. Such sweet blood…! Hey, Hectar. Surely we can kill one person without issue?”
“Huh? Now that I look closer… that one has gray hair?”
Three hooded figures in black cloaks.
‘What is this?’
Why did Demons appear instead of demonic beasts?

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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