CH 103

(Kurokiri POV for the whole chapter)

“Now let’s start filling each other in on what has transpired in the last decade, piece by piece.”

After the funeral of Houki, we arrived at the off-limits area that I created at the rear of the fourth level.

There, I console Ichiko and Ryo while listening to their recounts of the past ten years, chapter after chapter.

I then share with them the details of what had occurred during their absence.

And, despite the fact that I’ve tried to be as vague as possible while describing the punishment cell…

“To put it another way, you mean ‘that,’ right? While we were risking our lives, Kurokiri was having a secret affair.”

“Hahaha. An enemy of a woman is unforgivable no matter how you try to defend yourself. How shall we dispose of you?”

Ichiko performs a rear naked choke on me (her left arm is enchanted by ≪Fog Magic Grant≫ so she can touch me), and Ryo executes a stranglehold on me that clutches my face and press me down (this one seems to be an application of ≪Mist Slap≫).

Thanks to the high status of a Demon King and since Ryo is a kin, her attacks are completely nullified. Due to Ichiko’s half-Demon King race, her attacks do not inflict much pain, yet they are nonetheless exceedingly suffocating for me.

Incidentally, even when I am in a foggy state, the effect of their skill is still holding me securely in place.

“Um, would you both mind letting go of me now? Ugh…”

“Only until we feel satisfied.”

“Indeed.”

“Hah, it can’t be helped. Then I’ll exercise the Demon King’s authority.”

“Huh?” “Ah!”

And so, I inevitably employ the authority of the Demon King. After forcing Ryo to move away from Ichiko, I loosen Ichiko’s restraints. Then, I punish them slightly.

“Ugh. I feel as if one day I will…”

“The God of Calamity is unpardonable, but Kurokiri is unforgivable as well…”

Now, although both sides are naked, let’s proceed with the conversation.

“Even so, I didn’t expect that Polar Queen fellow to own such a technology. I was wondering how you crossed from Antarctica to Africa, so that was the method behind it.”

“Yes, it was an unexpected method for me too. However, it does not seem to be that highly effective.”

“There was a similar technology used in the Ganges River, wasn’t there? Even if it is not, the technology could be useful.”

To begin with, Ichiko’s way of traveling from Antarctica to the African continent was virtually identical to the Ganges River technology that Ryo and her party had witnessed.

In other words, the undersea monsters would be unable to recognize the ship if materials from the area’s monsters were attached to the ship’s bottom. This method has the advantage of not only rendering the ship less vulnerable to assault but also considerably enhancing the ship’s strength.

Nevertheless, this method can only fool the monsters into believing that they are being monitored by their own kind using searching skills; if they see you directly or if you produce a loud noise, you will be exposed.

Therefore, when Ichiko was actually on the African continent, she periodically had to encounter monsters from different dungeons and escape while they were in the midst of fighting with each other.

“If this method can be utilized successfully, perhaps defeating the ‘Crawling Octopus King of Chaos’ can be accomplished as well.”

“I suppose so.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

This technology, in my viewpoint, will be immensely helpful. If all goes well, we may be able to resume the use of sea and air routes.

“Lady Ryo, what was that sword you used to save me from Houki-san’s bombardment?”

“Oh, you mean that one. It’s a part of a weapon known as the ‘Spiritual Sword,’ which was created from components of ‘Taoist Curse of the Enshrouded Spirit.’”

“Speaking of which, I recall you retrieving such a thing.”

Well, to be more accurate, it seems that what Ryo used when saving Ichiko was not so much the “Spiritual Sword” but rather the residue of the power of the “Spiritual Sword”.

That is why it shattered once it was in effect.

However, since I didn’t witness this incident firsthand and only heard about it afterwards, I am not entirely clear on this.

“Even so, the Demon King’s materials are terrific. Maybe I could try to fuse one of my bones with someone who has a generative skill? It would be easier to regenerate then.”

“If you want, you can just rip that thing from your nether region and use it as energizing equipment.”

“Oi.”

I unconsciously snap at Ryo’s outrageous words.

“That would be futile, Lady Ryo. If he is going to use it as a material, the whole lower half of his body should be included.”

“Oiiiii!?”

Ichiko’s further crude remark draws an involuntary yelp from me.

At the moment when I am preparing to administer another punishment to both of them for their violent words,

“Well, actually, the materials stripped from a living Demon King won’t make much of a difference.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“The Polar Queen helped me with the verification somewhat.”

“Someday I hope to repay the Polar Queen for going to such great lengths for Ichiko-san.”

“Rightー”

I end up missing the timing to punish her after she switches the subject.

Tsk, I will remember this. When the conversation is over, I’m going to screw you a lot more.

“So, I personally find my left arm awfully thin, but what bugs me more than that is…”

Ichiko then gestures to my eye patch after stating that.

“Why are you wearing an eye patch?”

“I’ve been wondering about that too. What’s the reason?”

The two of them are staring at my eye patch collectively.

Hahaha. Don’t stare so much, you are making me embarrassed…

Thud!

“Ugh…”

“Would you please hurry up and get on with your story?”

“Yes…”

While I was being smug, I was stuck with the fist to the abdomen by Ichiko equipped with ≪Fog Magic Grant≫. Damn you…

Forget it. Let’s move on.

“This is the price of using a skill. And so is my left arm.”

“The price for… your skill?”

Ryo casts a stern look at me. There is no need to be concerned about it though.

“Though that being said, it’s not a regular skill, it’s the price of Outer Skill. Therefore, as long as what is used is normal skills, everything will be fine.”

“Is there any chance of recovery?”

As Ichiko is also an Outer Skill practitioner, her eyes are filled with concern.

“My left arm is currently regenerating. There is no hope for my left eye. It has been entirely ruined.”

[[!?]]

Neither of them seems to be able to contain their astonishment at my words. At any rate, I have to cheer them up.

“Don’t make that look; I’m not in a front-line position to begin with and owing to this skill, I was able to gain something prominent, so everything’s fine.”

“T-that’s not the point!”

Ryo put her hand on my left eye and says such a thing while utilizing ≪Heal≫.

I thought I already said that it wouldn’t have any effect.

“That’s right! Are you an idiot! You are so foolish!”

Ichiko is cursing at me while hugging me. Mmm. What an adorable one.

“Well, whatever the scenario may be, I’m going to be rash from now on in order to overthrow the God of Calamity. What are your plans, you two?”

Unlike before, I ask the pair with a serious expression on my face.

To that question, the two of them reply with a smile.

“I, for one, have no intention of overlooking the God of Calamity. I will lend a hand.”

“It’s for avenging Houki. I’ll provide assistance too.”

“Well then, we should have a good time tonight for the sake of our future vigor.”

“What! So that’s what you’re going to say after all!”

“You cowardー!”

I have decided to have plenty of fun tonight.

Hmm. It’s been a long time since seeing her, but Ryo has become stronger. And Ichiko too. Ah, this is the status of the three of us..

Name: Kurokiri (King of the Devouring Black Fog)

Class: Demon King

Race: King of the Devouring Black Fog

Level: 5

HP：2020/2020

MP: 2330/2330

SP: 2260/2260

Status

Strength 40

Dexterity 55

Agility 57

Sensing 45

Intellect 64

Spirit 74

Luck 10

Skill

≪Dungeon Creation≫, ≪Monster Creation≫, ≪Devouring Black Fog≫, ≪Cycle≫, ≪Mist Plosion≫, ≪Bewitching Fog≫, ≪Sharp Aqua Pillar≫

Title

≪King of the Devouring Black Fog≫, ≪White Fog of Ambush≫, ≪Lord of the Kirijin≫, ≪The Demon King Who Has Looked Outside≫, ≪Demon Slayer≫, ≪The One Who Vanquished the Demon King≫, ≪Miracle Deceiver≫, ≪King of the Kirijin≫, ≪Agitator≫, ≪Wordsmith of Sweet Poison≫,  ≪Purger of the Fog≫, New! ≪The One Who Encountered the God of Calamity≫, New! ≪Ruler of Japan≫, New! ≪The One Who Revolts Against the God of Calamity≫ etc.

Name: Nasu Ryo

Class: Healer

Race: Kirijin

Level: 9

HP: 462/462

MP: 519/519

SP: 486/486

Status

Strength 16

Dexterity 24

Agility 24

Sensing 16

Intellect 35

Spirit 32

Luck 10

Skill

≪Heal≫, ≪Fog Cloak≫, ≪Heal Proficiency Ⅰ≫, ≪Detoxification≫, ≪Anti-paralysis≫,≪Anti-illusion≫, ≪Mist Slap≫, ≪Mantle of Fog≫, ≪Command≫, ≪Great Heal≫

Title

≪The King of the Black Fog’s Kin≫, ≪Healer of the White Fog≫, ≪Leader of the Kin≫, ≪Mercenary of the Fog≫, ≪Commander of the Mercenary Order of the Fog≫, ≪Beckoning of the Fog≫, ≪Seeker of Food≫, ≪Free of Mercy≫, ≪Slayer of the Hero≫, ≪The One Who Encountered the God of Calamity≫, etc.

Name: Ichiko (Blade Princess of the Unsettled Sword)

Class: Half-Demon King

Race: Half-Kirijin・ Blade Princess of the Unsettled Sword

Level: 10

HP：1160/1160

MP: 1015/1015

SP: 1065/1065

Status

Strength 30

Dexterity 45

Agility 57

Sensing 56

Intellect 21

Spirit 26

Luck 10

Skill

≪Sword of the Formless King・Weak≫, ≪Fog Cloak・Thin≫, ≪Monster Creation・Low Rank≫, ≪Dagger Proficiency Ⅰ≫, ≪Decapitation≫, ≪Keen Edge≫, ≪Long Edge≫, ≪The Lord Will Exercise His Power in My Path≫, ≪Fog Magic Grant≫, ≪The Lord Transcends Reason for My Sake≫, ≪Durable Edge≫, ≪Art of the Long Sword≫

Title

≪The King of the Black Fog’s Kin≫, ≪Assassin of the White Fog≫, ≪Demon Slayer≫, ≪Fog King’s Representative≫, ≪Favored Princess of the Fog King≫, ≪Blade Princess of the Unsettled Sword≫, ≪The One Who Encountered the God of Calamity≫, ≪Decapitated Princess≫, ≪The One Who Reached the Polar Region≫, ≪The One Who Befriended the Demon King≫, ≪The One Who Defeated the Demon King≫, etc