Chapter 350

Chapter 350

* * *

“Be honest with me, you just came here for the bread, didn’t you?”

“Human food isn’t all that appealing. Who do you think you are?”

“Then leave it alone! I brought it here to feed my subordinates. ”

Yozen hummed low, reading the movement of the bread as it shifted from place to place. As excited as he was to be spending time with Cadel, he had felt a less-than-pleasant energy as soon as they entered the room together. A presence whose power he could barely fathom. Kunra, the Scarlet Dragon.

Of course, the Scarlet Dragon that appeared in Cadel’s room was not as powerful as the one Yozen had felt in the mountains, but it was still unnerving. The fact that it didn’t do anything to protect humans despite its great power was one of the reasons he felt distant from Kunra.

“We can’t start working with that dark energy around, so we’ll have to wait until it leaves. You don’t expect this one to sit still like a doll in the meantime, do you?”

“Why do you call people names like that? It’s not dark energy, it’s Yozen, and if you don’t want to wait, you can come back later.”

“This one is not so leisurely to focus on you. You’ll have to catch up when you can.”

“You’re still busy? You worked so hard on strengthening the barrier, I guess it didn’t work out so well after all.”

“......Good. If that’s the way you halfling want it to be, I can’t help it. I’ll do as I please, whether that dark energy sees it or not.”

Kunra’s sensitivity to the dynamics of the Demon Realm had increased. Ordinarily, he would have assumed that he had done his duty in sharing his power, but he had made a special promise to Cadel. He had come to Cadel with a personal interest, but his demeanor was haughty.

Cadel jumped to his feet and pulled his chair back, flinching at the sight of Kunra coming toward him. Even if Yozen was blind, he didn’t want to be stuck with Kunra in front of Yozen, receiving energy from him.

“I, I got it! Yozen, I’m sorry.......”

“If that ‘work’ involves sitting and receiving energy infusions, I don’t care. Have at it.”

“......Huh?”

“I’ve often watched you through your shadow alter ego.

Cadel’s expression hardened at the unexpected answer. He’d always known that Yozen used his shadow alter ego to locate him, but Cadel hadn’t realized that he was also watching him in other ways.

“......Did, did you even see that?”

“Yes. The alter ego needs constant attention to stay alive. If nothing else, check in on it once or twice a week to replenish its energy. Sometimes I’ll leave it alone and do something else if I think it’s getting too personal.”

“Too personal? What’s that?”

“Like suddenly dancing, or taking a bath naked, or sticking your tongue out and kissing.......”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! Stop! Stop talking!”

Cadel, appalled by the casualness of the conversation, covered Yozen’s mouth. He was about to blush when he heard Kunra giggle in amusement.

“From now on, just maintain it and don’t check what I’m doing! Just put it out and leave it. Okay?”

Cadel emphasized his command in a voice almost dying of shame, and Yozen, who hadn’t seemed to understand him at first, slowly nodded, though he hadn’t been able to understand why.

Kunra, meanwhile, watched Cadel’s humiliation with amusement. As soon as Yozen’s mouth was free, he managed to add a comment.

“You’re a more gentlemanly man than you look, and if I were you, I’d have done some stuff to the alter ego. Or have you already done it, and you’re keeping it a secret?”

“You are the craziest human being I’ve ever seen, halfling, and I give you special recognition.”

“Shut up!”

Cadel slammed the door with a loud bang and turned with a grunt to find Kunra sprawled across the bed, a hand wrapped around his slightly swollen right cheek. He lowered his hand to cover it as Cadel approached.

“How dare you touch this one’s face?”

“It’s not even your real body, why would I let it go when you can heal it?”

“Because I’m bewildered and horrified. In my long life, I’ve only seen a few humans in humanoid form, but I’ve never been struck by one, and you’re the first. You have great character.”

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Are you sure you’re okay? Tell me if you’re overdoing it, because it’s...... hard to stop, but you can take it slow.”

“......That’s funny.”

It was a genuine concern, but Kunra only smirked. Bending down in front of Cadel, who was still seated, Kunra pressed his forehead against Cadel’s, then looked into Cadel’s eyes, which were tilted under his weight, and said.

“Don’t include me in your many worries. I’m not weak enough to be worried by a small human.”

“Even though I know that.”

“Good to know.”

He replied dryly, then lifted his forehead and playfully swiped at Cadel’s face. Cadel’s eyes closed reflexively at the suddenness of the action, and he flailed his arms in irritation but made no contact.

“......What the hell, at best, people were worried about him.”

Cadel looked at the empty spot where Kunra had once been and frowned. A part of Kunra was still attached to him, but he hadn’t spoken to him much lately, and Cadel wondered if it was because of his deteriorating health. He ran a hand through his hair, once again doubting Kunra’s health.

Kunra was right. There was no need to add the Scarlet Dragon’s well-being to the pile of worries. He was stronger than anyone else in this world.

* * *

The blissful rest granted to the Scarlet Scales Knight Order did not last long. Morning of the fourth day. Cadel received a letter from an imperial scout who had visited the inn. It read that the summit was over and the commanders of the Empire’s Knight Orders were to return to the castle as soon as possible.

“It doesn’t seem like we’ve been resting for long.”

Folding the letter tightly, Cadel glanced at the system window in the corner of his vision.

「Demon Realm Summoning Progress: 00%」

「Human Realm Invasion Progress: 02%」

‘I guess the next quest won’t start until after I’ve gotten the transcript of the summit.’

Contrary to his fears, the progress of the invasion slowed down easily. The Scarlet Scales Knight Order didn’t even have to go out of their way to do so. It seemed that once they reached the castle and realized the next objective of the war, it would naturally tie in with the quest.

As this main quest was the prequel to the Demon War, next up was the sequel. The final quest.

‘There were more enemies than I’ve ever seen before, but no one was seriously injured, so it’s safe to say that we’ve made it through without incident.’

He felt proud that his training had paid off. But he was still on edge. The end of the story was near, which meant that the fall of the Demon Realm was at hand. No race would stand idly by and watch their own kind, their home, crumble. The demons would make their last stand, and countless unforeseen events would occur.

‘......The first issue to be addressed is the magic circle that Sellev left behind.’

A trap they could only walk into. The first thing they needed to do was figure out what it was and prepare for the danger. He wished he could enlist Kunra’s help, but he didn’t know if he could afford it.

It was time for the magicians who had requested assistance to move, and they would need to join forces with them as soon as possible.

‘Let’s not be rash. Let’s wait until I hear the results of the summit and get a clearer picture of the main quest before I tackle it.’

A diligently dressed Cadel opened the door with a big sigh. As he glanced over, he saw Ector with his fist raised as if to knock.

Cadel reflexively backed away at the sight of the imposing man raising his fist unprepared, and Ector chuckled and tapped him on the shoulder.

“Have you received His Majesty’s letter?”

“Yes. I just checked, but why is Sir Ector here.......”

“To get a ride on a traveling magic circle. I assume you’ve been resting, and have some mana left over?”

“Of course, it’s not a difficult task.”

“Kahaha! A person must be able to manipulate mana after all. If only I had the talent.”

Ector insisted that since he didn’t have the talent and was desperate to recruit magicians, and then sneakily offered to trade Lydon for one of his own. Cadel responded with a neat dismissal.