Chapter 655: The Return To The Expanse

Chapter 655: The Return To The Expanse

655. The Return To The Expanse

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This was it. I had finally arrived. I heard the words resound in my mind. Familiar words. I had only heard them twice before. The first was when I had still been with Haec, wandering aimlessly around the Netherworld. I had no plan in mind. No goals. No aspirations.

All I wanted back then was to become more. To evolve.

It was like I had just been a wild Demon. Except, I didn’t kill senselessly. I fought to preserve my life, and in doing so, I became more me.

Anyway, that was the first time I entered the Demon King’s Domain. The second time was right after I had left, when I had returned to pursue Haec. He had been captured by a terrifying Greater Demon by the name of Lucerna.

I went back to save Haec. Because he was my companion. And in doing so, I trapped myself in the Mortal Realm with Lucerna. It had been a long journey since then. But now, I was back here again.

Now Entering [Demon King’s Domain].

I closed my eyes as I heard the words come and went. It was the same emotionless voice that echoed in my mind whenever I leveled up or entered a Dungeon. There was no difference in the intonation when it spoke right now, and when I did literally anything else. But for whatever reason, the words sent a shiver up my spine. Like it was said with a sense of looming dread.

Shaking my head, I focused on the task at hand. I opened my eyes and looked down as the two Deathsquad Hunters leading the way began to descend. They made their way down to the very edge of the undulating mountain range, and I landed with them. As soon as our feet touched the ground, I turned to Ultis and asked the question that had been lingering in my mind.

“So, um, how did you know this was the... Expanse-place, anyway?”

I frowned at her, and she looked back at me as she explained.

“These mountains— they were not created by the natural shift of the terrain in the Netherworld. They are special. That is why they are unaffected by the destruction of Revelation. That is why they aren’t impacted by the shifting of Reconstruction. They are entirely artificial, made by Regnorex the Demon King himself.”

Ultis spoke as she gestured at the mountainscape. I frowned as I swept my gaze over my surroundings.

“Huh. I didn’t think that Regnorex would specialize in earth magic.”

Certainly, this terrain looked very much different from the other mountains I had seen both here in the Netherworld and the Mortal Realm. It was like the ground had been pinched up, molded methodically to create a barrier surrounding the Demon King’s Domain.

“The Demon King is said to be capable of all types of magic.”

Aliq said, drawing my attention to the side. I was caught by surprise when he spoke up. He hadn’t said a word for at least a full day. He shook his head as he turned to me.

I wagged a finger at her.

“I’m not letting you run off to warn Regnorex about us.”

She paled as she backed away.

“I had no such thought!”

Ultis tried to protest, but Aliq didn’t say a word. I looked to Haec as I shrugged.

“But other than that— I have no idea. It’s up to Haec what happens now.”

The former Heir of the Netherworld strode forward as he cast his gaze over the mountainous terrain. He narrowed his eyes as he spotted something in the far distance, and he pointed.

“The first thing we must do is find the Third Legion.”

I blinked, looking in the same direction as my companion. I concentrated on the strands of mana that pervaded the Netherworld, and I sensed small disturbances coming from afar. There was... fighting up ahead? Or not fighting— but magic being cast. And I wasn’t sure what it was.

But Haec knew. He lowered his gaze as he spoke in a low voice.

“We need to kill the Ruler of the Border. We need to kill Hartia.”

“Huh.”

Author's Notes:

What thonk? Sorry for the short chapter. I rushed to finish it because I'll be flying out for my family holidays in the next few hours, so I tried to get it out. Also, because I'll be traveling, Amelia and Salvos chapters will be a bit slower. I'll also try to write Kara once in a while. I'll probably write it in the plane since it's the only novel I can probably write outside on my phone.

Also. just so you guys know, Tapas is currently holding a coloring and drawing competition which includes Salvos in it too! So if you're interested in participating, check it out here:

TapasArtChallenge2023 | Publish on Tapas

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