[Translator - Kie]

[Proofreader - Kawaii]

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Chapter 331: Father and Child (2)

***

“Laria, bring the key.”

At Dorugo’s command, Laria immediately picked up the key from Asthar’s grasp and handed it to Dorugo.

Dorugo extended her bony hand and took the key, exhaling a sigh of relief.

“I have finally retrieved it.”

- Congratulations, My Lord.

“I didn’t say that I don’t want praise from the likes of you.”

- I apologize.

Laria immediately bowed her head to the ground. Dorugo didn’t even spare her a glance.

- Guh... Urgh...

At that moment, Asthar, who had been lying on the ground, regained consciousness.

- La... Laria...! Why... did you betray... us...!

Even as he was dying, Asthar voiced his resentment. Suppressing the pain, he forced himself up.

- Was it because you coveted the Duke's title? That’s why you tried to kill us, your potential rivals, in advance...

When Asthar raised his head, he saw Dorugo. A look of confusion crossed Asthar’s face.

- Dorugo...? Why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to go to the Empire...? And why are you kneeling to Dorugo... Laria...?

It was hard to believe, given Laria’s pride and skills as a demon.

Even Vahel had to put in a significant effort to make Laria his subordinate.

- Don’t tell me you’ve allied with Dorugo? Why would a demon of your level do that? Why?

Laria did not answer Asthar’s question. She remained kneeling like a stone statue.

“Don’t be too hard on her. She didn’t do it of her own will.”

It was Dorugo who spoke instead. Asthar glared at Dorugo with bloodshot eyes.

- What do you mean by that?

“Allow me to explain.”

Dorugo directed his words at Laria.

“Laria, harm yourself.”

As soon as Dorugo commanded, Laria immediately tore off one of her arms.

Blood gushed from the severed stump, yet Laria showed no sign of pain.

The grotesque scene left Asthar speechless.

- Wh-what is happening...?

“Laria’s mind is under my control. Migmag over there is also the same.”

- Under control...?

Asthar couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

Since Dorugo had once been a demon, she might still possess some power.

But Dorugo was now nothing more than a lowly undead. She shouldn’t have much power to wield.

And yet, he claimed to control a Marquis class demon with such meager power? It was absurd.

“It wasn’t an easy task. The power I have left is very little. However, thanks to Vahel assigning her as my watcher, I had plenty of time. That’s why I succeeded.”

- Nonsense... An undead like you controlling a demon is impossible!

“If I were an ordinary undead, it indeed would be.”

Dorugo looked up. By now, the sky was painted with the hues of sunset.

“Do you know what kind of demon I am?”

The sudden question made Asthar furrow his brow.

- What rubbish...

“Calm down and tell me. What kind of demon am I?”

- You are...

Asthar hesitated.

He knew Dorugo was a demon who had betrayed her kind, but he couldn't remember exactly what type of demon she was.

“You can’t recall anything, can you? Naturally, since I erased all your memories.”

- Erased all our memories? That’s absurd! What kind of demon could do that?

A demon's soul is strong. Even manipulating the soul of a lower-ranked demon isn't easy.

And erasing the memories of not just one or two, but all demons?

At Dorugo’s gesture, the Four Great Demon Kings emerged from the forest.

“Take care of the demons. Heal them sufficiently so they don’t die. It would be troublesome if they died before the ritual.”

- Ritual? What are you planning to do to us!

Asthar shouted. But subdued by Migmag, all he could do was yell.

- Are you planning to create a new oath with the altar and the key?

Suddenly, Dorugo burst into laughter. Her unexpected reaction made Asthar involuntarily close his mouth.

“You really know nothing, do you? Even with the key and the altar, creating an oath is impossible. That’s something only Ruin can do.”

- Then what kind of ritual are you talking about!

“It’s preparation to capture Damien Haksen.”

- How do you plan to capture that monster, whom even His Excellency couldn’t defeat?

Asthar scoffed. But despite his mocking tone, Dorugo remained unfazed.

“That’s why I brought you. To face a monster, I too must become a monster.”

Dorugo raised her head and looked at the seven statues.

In reality, they were not statues but the petrified bodies of the Demon Lords.

“If only I could return to those days... I could do anything.”

Dorugo’s eyes gleamed dangerously as she stared at the Demon Lords' bodies.

* * *

“Father?”

The Mercenary King asked in disbelief. Balhard nodded slowly.

- Yes, it’s me. It’s been a long time.

Thud.

The spear dropped from the Mercenary King’s hand, and tears welled up in his eyes.

“Daddy!”

The Mercenary King ran towards Balhard, who polymorphed into a human form.

“Karl!”

“Daddy!”

The father and son embraced each other, shedding tears.

“Karl, you’ve grown up so well. I almost didn’t recognize you.”

Balhard wiped the Mercenary King’s tears with his thumb. However, the tears continued to flow.

“I, I missed you so much! Ev-every day... I only thought about you!”

“I’m sorry for leaving you alone.”

“No, it’s okay! Y-you couldn’t help it!”

“Karl...”

The Mercenary King hugged his father again. Balhard held Karl tightly with a pained expression.

It was truly a heartwarming reunion between father and son.

“......”

“......”

However, Cheongyeum and the Sword Saint watched with displeased expressions.

“To think I’d hear that lustful old man use the word ‘daddy’ with my own ears... I want to disinfect immediately.”

“I feel the same. Can someone get me some holy water? My stomach feels uneasy.”

The Sword Saint approached the pair with a disapproving look.

“Mister Karl Hopper’s father?”

“Just call me Balhard.”

“Yes, Balhard. I have many questions, but first, something must be done.”

The Sword Saint pointed to Damien.

“Please hand over Damien. His injuries are severe. He needs immediate treatment.”

Hesitation appeared on Balhard’s face. The Mercenary King then spoke.

“Dad, it’s okay. We’re on Damien Haksen’s side.”

“Then I’ll trust you. But I must come along too.”

The Sword Saint nodded as if to say Balhard could do as he pleased. He then took out a magical communication device and spoke into it.

“We’re bringing Damien Haksen back now. Do we have His Majesty’s permission?”

A voice came from the device's other side.

- Yes, His Majesty has granted permission to wield the Divine Sword.

[Translator - Kie]

[Proofreader - Kawaii]