The Strongest in Our Neighborhood - Chapter 44

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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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Our Neighborhood’s Strongest (44)
‘Goodness, what intense Demonic Energy!’
Jang Gaain, who had been practicing Qi Circulation after drinking the Potion that Layla gave him, suddenly stopped and gasped at the thick Demonic Energy he felt from far away.
He steadied his breath and opened his eyes to see black clouds gathering behind the Inner Castle, blotting out the sun.
An utterly unnatural, supernatural phenomenon.
“The Demonic Energy coming from the direction those clouds are gathering toward feels far from ordinary.”
Layla’s expression had already grown grave—she’d sensed it too.
“According to what we know, black clouds gathering in the sky and blotting out the sun occurs when the Demon Race opens a Gate. It seems the Demon who fled earlier has opened a Gate over there.”
“A Gate? What is it that makes it pour out such thick Demonic Energy?”
“A Gate is a passage that connects two specific spaces.”
“Connecting two spaces? Magic can do such a thing?”
“You know of spatial displacement magic, don’t you?”
“I don’t know magic, but I’ve seen Demons move between shadows without the constraints of space.”
“You’ve seen Dark Blink. That’s also a form of spatial displacement, but a Gate is when you place a specific Geas on a spatial displacement Magic Circle’s coordinates, causing two spaces to remain connected for a long time.”
“Magic can accomplish remarkably wondrous things.”
“It is magic, but in fact, among human mages, there is no one known to be capable of placing such a Geas. At best, they pour Mana directly into a Magic Circle to perform single-use spatial displacement. Because of this, only beings like the Demon Race or Dragons are known to be capable of opening Gates.”
“Opening a Gate is incredibly difficult, then. But the Demonic Energy from over there seems to be growing denser by the moment. Surely we can’t simply leave it as is?”
“If the Demon Race opened a Gate, they certainly connected the Demon Realm to that space. As time passes, Demons and Demonic Beasts from the Demon Realm will pour through the Gate.”
“Then we ought to go at once, kill that Demon from before, and destroy the Gate.”
As Jang Gaain moved toward where the Demonic Energy was emanating from, Layla stepped into his path.
“Even if your martial prowess is Master Class, once the Gate is open, you cannot manage alone. My master said he would come here, so once he arrives, it would be best to combine forces with the Count’s knights to destroy the Gate.”
“Hmm. How long until your master arrives?”
“He said he was leaving earlier, so he should arrive by tomorrow.”
Jang Gaain’s expression turned incredulous.
“Tomorrow? So you’re telling me we simply watch as Demons and Demonic Beasts pour through the Gate until then?”
“Even if a Gate is open, creatures don’t pour out immediately from the start. It depends on their rank, but it will take several hours before lower-ranked Demonic Beasts emerge, and it won’t be until tomorrow that mid-ranked Demonic Beasts or lower-ranked Demons appear.”
“Then wouldn’t it be even more prudent to go at once and close the Gate?”
“The Demon who opened the Gate is likely now at the Gate’s entrance, receiving Demonic Energy and able to wield the same strength as in the Demon Realm. Even if your martial prowess is Master Class, you would struggle alone.”
“Is a Demon capable of wielding strength from the Demon Realm truly that formidable?”
“High-Ranking Demons in the Demon Realm are known to be nearly the equal of Dragons.”
“I don’t know how strong a Dragon is, but I’m confident that even if the High-Ranking Demon I just killed were twice as strong, I wouldn’t lose.”
Layla’s eyes widened at Jang Gaain’s words.
“Is that so? Then it should be possible to strike down the Demon who opened the Gate right now with the Count’s knights combined, shouldn’t it?”
“Since you are the Count’s retainer, please come with me and persuade the Count.”
“Understood. Let us go at once.”
* * *
Bang, bang, crash—
As thunderous explosions echoed from beyond the Inner Castle, the knights, mages, and Spirit Users gathered in the Training Ground by the Count’s order exchanged bewildered glances.
“Blast it! We haven’t even sealed the Gate yet, and why in the world are they suddenly outside fighting a Master-Class powerhouse?”
Jaslan Milei and Yureah Milei, the two sons of Count Johansen Milei, exchanged confused looks as Bedola Bar, the commander of their father’s guard who stood beside him, suddenly let out an incomprehensible muttering.
“Such violent explosions can only occur when immense Auras or Mana collide. Does Commander Bar know who is fighting out there?”
“For crying out loud, I’m losing my mind. And they’re actually losing ground!”
Bedola Bar muttered to himself in frustration rather than answering Jaslan Milei’s question.
“Commander Bar. Am I not asking what is happening?”
Whoosh—
Suddenly, bat-like wings sprouted from Bedola Bar’s shoulder blades.
“Gasp! C-Commander Bar! Those wings—?”
Bedola Bar did not answer Jaslan Milei’s question; the moment his wings spread, he flew away.
“Brother, could it be that Commander Bedola Bar was a Demon all along?”
“It seems so. Father, are you all right?”
The two sons hurried to their father’s side.
“Hm? What, what are you talking about?”
“Commander Bedola Bar, who was your guard commander until just now, turned out to be a Demon—are you unharmed?”
“That Bedola Bar is a Demon? What of it?”
“What?”
The two sons suddenly repeated back in astonishment.
“What does it matter if he’s a Demon? Since he became my guard commander, have I ever been in danger?”
“Well, no, but still—the Demon—”
“You wouldn’t understand, but he even cured an illness of mine that no physician could heal.”
“Regardless, he is a Demon. If a Demon shows goodwill toward you, we cannot know what schemes he might be plotting in secret.”
“The Demon Race are not demons, but rather the people of the Demon Realm. There are good demons and bad demons alike, and from what I have witnessed thus far, Bedola is one of the good ones.”
“Father, the Demon Race are listed as the primary target for elimination under kingdom law. He merely disguised himself as a good demon to deceive you—there must be some hidden agenda at work.”
“Such claims are best made after that agenda has been uncovered, not before.”
“Father, please come to your senses. You must order the knights at once to capture and execute the demon.”
“Are you giving me orders now? I am the lord of this territory.”
“Father, this is merely common sense. How can you call it an order?”
“Trying to move my forces at your whim is precisely an order and insubordination. Bedola has cured my illness and shown me loyalty all this time. I have no intention of casting him out simply because he is of the Demon Race. Now, withdraw.”
“Father, please regain your senses. I have remained silent while you listened to Bedola and made misguided decisions, but now that his true nature has been revealed, I can stay silent no longer.”
“If you won’t stay silent, what will you do? Do you mean to rebel?”
“Rebel? I only say this because I cannot bear to watch my father any longer, entranced as he is by the demon.”
“I’ve been too lenient with you, and now you’ve lost all sense of propriety! Vice-Commander of the Order, Mactor—hear me!”
As the Count called upon the vice-commander, Mactor bowed his head, his expression conflicted.
“Yes, my lord.”
“Seize these presumptuous sons of mine and throw them in the dungeons!”
“Y-yes? The young masters in the dungeons? I—that is…….”
“What are you waiting for? Are you my knight or theirs?”
“I am the knight of Johansen Millay, Count of Greywan.”
“Then obey my command.”
“Very well. I hear and obey.”
Mactor could not bring himself to refuse the Count’s order and drew his blade toward the two young lords.
“Young masters. By order of the Count, I must take you into custody.”
“Mactor! Do you truly believe our father is giving a sound command?”
“I am not a mind that judges, but limbs that obey. Now, what are you waiting for? Take the young masters to the dungeons.”
As Mactor commanded his knights, they reluctantly drew their swords.
“Mactor! Please, come to your senses.”
“My apologies. Why do you delay? Take them to the dungeons at once!”
Whoosh—
At that moment, a chilling sensation swept through the hall.
“W-what is this?”
“Vice-Commander Mactor, do you not feel the Demonic Energy surging suddenly from over there?”
“Y-yes, I feel it too.”
“The demon wearing Bedola’s face is certainly plotting something over there. Father, you must not lock us away—you must order Bedola’s arrest!”
The eldest son’s voice cracked with desperation, but the Count remained unmoved.
“Is a rise in Demonic Energy so extraordinary? Unless Bedola has attacked me or my family, or conspired with enemy nations, he remains my benefactor and I will not hear otherwise.”
At that moment, Loria, a third-rank mage, rushed forward and spoke urgently.
“My lord, when Demonic Energy surges and clouds gather to blot out the sun, it is the sign that a Gate has been opened.”
“What! A G-Gate! Father, did you hear? Bedola has opened a Gate. Now you must order his arrest!”
“What does it matter if a Gate has been opened? Without tangible harm, I will not order his capture. Mactor, what are you doing? Take these two to the dungeons at once—”
“Please, stop.”
Just then, Layla and Jang Gaain entered through the entrance to the Training Ground.
* * *
Jang Gaain followed Layla while listening to every word exchanged in the Training Ground ahead.
‘From what I hear, the Count is already enthralled by the demon… but will he listen to Layla when he won’t even listen to his own sons?’
If Layla were to say the knights should be mobilized to capture the demon, the Count would likely imprison her as he had his sons.
“Lady Layla, I’ve been listening to the Count, his sons, and the Vice-Commander from the Training Ground entrance. Allow me to tell you what I’ve heard.”
As Jang Gaain relayed everything he had overheard, Layla’s expression hardened.
“Then the Count has already been completely swayed by the demon?”
“It appears so to me.”
“What are we to do? Without the Count’s knights, mages, and spirit-callers working together, Jang Gaain cannot face a High-Ranking Demon alone.”
“Then what do you propose?”
“The Count holds Leodsson and myself in special regard. I will try to persuade him.”
“If you do, you risk being arrested and imprisoned just like his sons.”
“It’s worth trying.”
Jang Gaain watched as Layla pressed her lips together tightly, then after a moment’s thought, he nodded.
“Then let us go together. If the Count orders your arrest, I will help you escape.”
“I understand. Thank you.”
When Jang Gaain arrived at the Training Ground shortly after, he observed the Count carefully while Layla explained the situation to him.
‘We had many techniques for enthralling people at my school, but this seems to be of a different nature. Could a demon employ such advanced methods…? Wait—’
As Jang Gaain examined the Count with his spiritual sense, he felt a thick Demonic Energy and his eyes widened.
‘This is the same aura I felt from that Mutated Monster infected with Demonic Energy……’
Compared to a Mutated Monster, it was feeble as a drop in the ocean, yet that viscous quality was unmistakably the same.
‘Has the Count been tainted by Demonic Energy and become a Mutated Monster—or rather, a mutated human? What do I do? Should I kill him? But if I do, I’ll become an eternal enemy of the Count’s House…’
It seemed he couldn’t kill him here and now, at least not immediately.
As Jang Gaain wrestled with the problem, it occurred to him that if he dispersed some of the Demonic Energy using Spirit Power, the Count might regain his senses, at least for a moment.
Whoooosh…….
Jang Gaain summoned wind with the Wind Character Seal and washed the Count’s body from head to toe.

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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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