Chapter 116
Andras and Flauros had been exterminated.
As soon as the Knights returned to the Empire, they announced this glorious news to the world.
They reported that two Mighty Demons had appeared, but thanks to a swift response and support, they were exterminated without significant damage. Humanity had once again proven its resilience. Of course, the story of the Lemegeton was conveniently omitted from that 'support'.
And the ordinary Citizens—and Otherworlders—who heard this news reacted as follows:
[What the hell is this nonsense? Was there even such a thing?]
They wondered when the Demons were even caught. It wasn't a Demon that appeared within the Empire Territory to begin with, nor was there any massive, spectacular catastrophe. Only rumors of a Demon appearing in a distant Region had spread vaguely, with no further news.
But then, out of nowhere, there were two Demons, and they were all dealt with. From a User's perspective, it was utterly baffling.
+[Game Company: These bastards are just holding events now, excluding Users lol]
“At least open an Extermination Notice!” “We should get to see a Demon too, shouldn't we?”
[There was an event, but then there wasn't][Knights think Otherworlders are too weak to be useful~][Ah lol if you want to participate, do your part]
Thanks to this, the Community was filled with complaints for the first time in a long while. When you thought about it, the game *Demon's Saga* often had user-exclusive content.
It was as if the story progressed regardless of whether Otherworlders were present or not. While it was said that the high degree of freedom made it unavoidable, it was still impossible not to feel a little alienated when Users were completely left out of such an important event.
Twenty months had passed since *Demon's Saga* launched, and many Demons had appeared. Yet, Otherworlders hadn't caught a single Demon themselves.
While complaints erupted, a question also arose in the Community: Who exactly was that 'support'?
The Knights were certainly strong, but Demons were even more powerful. Since two had descended, there must have been a powerful supporter.
Unfortunately, this detail was missing from the Knights' official announcement. But that didn't matter much. If you had to pick the Otherworlders' greatest strength, it was their information-gathering ability.
Some Otherworlders friendly with the Knights subtly asked them, and soon received an answer. Yor, a Manifestor living in the forest, had participated in this Extermination.
+ [Why is *he* there??]
[Totally out of nowhere][No wonder he's been quiet lately][He was *there*? lol]
The Users' initial reaction was, naturally, bewilderment. The Knights and Yor didn't seem like a fitting combination at all. As attention suddenly converged on him, he was quietly doing housework.
*
“Ugh, look at this dust.”
After arriving home, the first thing I did was clean. Perhaps because I'd been away from the Cave for over a month, the accumulated dust was no joke.
Dirt blown in by the wind, fallen leaves—it was a complete mess. And that wasn't all.
“These bastards! Mating in my house!”
*Thump thump thump thump!* (Sound of hitting/kicking) Unwanted guests had settled in while I was away. Nearly ten Mutated Rabbits were having a group orgy deep inside the Cave. Even if this Cave was cozy and atmospheric, it was outrageous to use my home as an orgy venue...!
“Get out now!”
Naturally, I immediately chased them out of my home. I couldn't let my sacred home be defiled like that. I think I spent about two days just cleaning my home and its surroundings.
After that, I headed to The Depths for the first time in a while. Something Odelia said had come to mind, and there was someone waiting impatiently for me at the very end of The Depths.
“You're late! You, who claim to visit often, made <F1>this one</F1> wait so long?”
“Two months is 'often' enough. And for a Demon, isn't that just a moment?”
Even though she was a peculiar Demon, she was just a head.
“A reward for finding the Altar...”
When I heard that, I naturally thought of her first. Though she was utterly insignificant now, she was still a Demon threatening Humanity.
“This rude fellow...! If I descend, you'll be the first I punish...!”
See, she's threatening me fiercely even now. I knew I was committing a crime. Manifestors caught hiding their powers were executed, but I was hiding a Demon. Luckily, I'd lived as a Criminal so far, so I felt no guilt about this action. But it was clear I'd face severe consequences if caught.
“...Hmm? Why are you staring again?”
“I'm debating whether to sell you out or leave you be.”
“W-what?”
Barbatos's Green Eyes wavered for a moment. She asked me with an anxious expression.
“Didn't we finish that discussion last time...?”
“Well, they're offering money if I sell you.”
Of course, I was just saying it; I had no real intention of reporting her. I had enough money, not rich but not lacking. And she possessed a lot of information I didn't know.
“Anyway, never mind. Speaking of which, I met Demons named Andras and Flauros recently...” “...What? You met those two troublesome women?” “Oh, so you know them, being from the same Demon Realm?” “Of course I know them. I run into them every time I travel back and forth, and they always put on such a shameful display... it's incredibly annoying.”
Indeed, their public displays of affection were the same even in the Demon Realm. I offered her a sausage bread I'd bought in the City and asked.
“Traveling back and forth... Speaking of which, which Faction are you in? Do you serve Amon, or that king?”
“Mph, mmph... Wait...! Don't shove it in! It's hard to eat...!”
After she consumed the bread, she said.
“And... Amon? <F1>This one</F1> has no intention of serving such a fire-crazed king. And besides, <F1>this one</F1> is not friendly with fire.”
I heard from her that all of Amon's subordinates were fire-affinity users. She would sometimes hide information, but then subtly drop a piece or two during conversation.
After talking with her for a bit longer, I left The Depths.
*
A week passed like that. I went about my daily life, hunting as usual, catching up on work, and resting a bit. I had truly returned to my routine. It felt a bit empty without my usual spear, but it was nice to relax for the first time in a while.
As I was going about my daily life, a package arrived. It was sent by the Knights.
There was a good amount of Andras's Hell Iron, several Holy Waters, and a considerable amount of gold.
They had sent it as Extermination Rewards. The quantity was quite large, as if they wanted to stay friendly in the future.
Well, the amount of Andras's Hell Iron was a bit small, though...
‘Well, it can't be helped.’
I accepted it. It was a rare item, so they probably couldn't give much. I should be glad I got this much, considering I had no connections.
Holding Andras's Hell Iron, I lightly appraised the item. Ah, not me directly. I used the power of an Otherworlder next to me, through *Player's Eye*.
[Andras's Hell Iron (Hell Iron)]
It is a unique metal produced only in specific Regions of the Demon Realm.
It possesses extremely high heat resistance. It will not melt even in the fiercest flames.
Especially, it can ignite flames when mana is injected, having long absorbed the power of the Demon Andras.
Unfortunately, holding this item didn't trigger a True Awakening like Nikki's. It wasn't a Demon related to me.
But even without that, it was a pretty good item. It was a metal that could ignite flames at will. My spear was broken anyway. I decided to use this as material for a new weapon.
To make it last a long time, I'd have it custom ordered.
That's why I planned to go to the City today. I had to sell off all the accumulated stock and find a Blacksmith myself. Of course, all this could be handled by an agent. But I wasn't going to.
“I have my identity badge now.”
Last time I used it in a remote Territory; this time I'd try it in a big City of the Empire. I couldn't miss such an exciting opportunity.
“Are you sure you don't need me to cast an Illusion like last time? A hood alone feels pretty insecure...”
“It's fine. Guards will just let me pass now anyway.”
The person accompanying me was Im Haneul this time. She had given me a City tour before, and she was the only one available.
“...”
I looked at her for a moment. Her level seemed to have risen quite a bit over the past few months, and her attire had changed slightly. Before, it was just a black robe and a Witch's hat. Now, it was a Mage's Robe with a slightly open shoulder and neck. Not as much as Yu Chaerin's, but a bit more revealing. My gaze briefly drifted to the deeply cut V-neck. The gravity there was unusually strong, so I couldn't help but look.
“Ahem.”
But after a brief glance, I cleared my throat and suppressed my dark self. Then I spoke as if nothing happened.
“Then let's go.”
So we headed to the City after a long time. This time, we planned to confidently enter through the main gate.