Chapter 55: The Demon of the Mountain

The scream hadn’t come from me. It had risen from beneath the earth.

“Huh? What’s this?”

“Yeah, why is there a human voice coming from the dirt…?”

“Let’s dig and find out.”

“Yes, sir.”

I scooped away the surrounding soil with the shovel, and the source of the scream finally revealed itself.

But whatever it was, it didn’t look entirely human.

Soot-black skin, a horn jutting from its forehead, and sinister golden eyes that glowed eerily.

This thing was straight out of…

“A demon?”

Anyone you asked would give the same answer.

Sure enough, Cordell McNeil’s expression twisted.

“Damn, we picked the wrong one.”

“What? Why do you say that?”

“You just said it yourself, Your Grace. A demon.”

“Wait, you mean it’s actually real?”

“Unfortunately, yes. Remember the friend you brought to the courtroom?”

“The God of the Earth.”

“Think of this as the opposite of that being. To be precise, it’s not a true demon.”

“So something like a half-demon, then.”

“Oh! Exactly.”

Cordell’s explanation immediately reminded me of someone.

Feltron, the one who had rallied the northern nomads and become a major threat to the empire.

He was probably a similar existence.

Anyway, now I knew what it was, but questions remained.

“What the hell were you doing down there?”

The half-demon gave no answer.

It just stared up at me, as if fascinated.

I’d become a lot more handsome since coming to this world, but my tastes hadn’t changed.

“I only date human women. So knock it off.”

This guy’s really something.

“What?”

A soul shining this brilliantly… A mere human shouldn’t be capable of this.

“I save a guy buried in a landslide, and the first thing he does is spout nonsense. Want me to bury you again?”

You wouldn’t do that.

The half-demon’s lips curved into a playful smile.

Then, without warning, it sprang to its feet.

Thud thud thud!

Dirt and pebbles cascaded off in an instant.

It must have weighed several tons, yet the strength was incredible.

“Well, you got out pretty easily. So why were you just lying there?”

…A question that doesn’t require an answer.

It replied calmly, turning its head away, but I instantly read its emotions.

Everyone’s had that moment, right?

Tripping embarrassingly in front of a crowd.

The embarrassment hurts more than the fall.

So you either can’t get up right away or run off in a hurry.

This one had apparently chosen the former.

‘He was just waiting for us to leave.’

Fair enough—even a half-demon would be flustered.

Who in their right mind would try to dig through a landslide with a shovel?

Most people would take the long way around.

I was about to ignore it and finish shoveling when a sudden thought struck me.

‘Wait, no way?’

I brushed the dirt off my hands and asked the half-demon, who was still shaking soil from its body.

“Then can I ask something else?”

I’d normally ignore you, but you’re interesting, so I’ll listen. What is it?

“This landslide. Did you cause it?”

It fell silent.

The playful glint in its eyes sank deep, as if it had never been there.

Now, faint hostility flickered instead.

I’d clearly hit the mark.

“What, are you the demon of the mountain or something?”

It remained quiet.

It was just a guess, but I had my reasons.

Adam, who freely manipulates stone, earth, and ore, is the God of the Earth.

This thing caused a landslide, so it must be something like the mountain’s demon.

And once again, my wild shot hit the bullseye.

Can a human possess foresight or mind-reading without divine authority?

“What are you talking about? I just deduced it.”

You’re even more fascinating the second time. Fine. So what if I did?

“Things move fast, then.”

I don’t follow.

“You don’t get it? You caused the landslide, right?”

Yes.

“Then fixing it is your responsibility. Put it back the way it was. Now.”

The mountain demon stared at me as if I were absurd.

Its hostility gave way to sheer bewilderment.

It couldn’t be helped.

Most people would beg for their lives or run screaming the moment they saw it.

But I wasn’t afraid at all.

‘I’ve already tamed the God of the Earth. A mountain demon is nothing.’

If it came to it, I could just smash its skull.

With that mindset, I tilted my head slightly, but soon my thinking had to change.

Tssssssss!

A pitch-black aura poured from its body, swallowing the surroundings.

“Ugh! Your Grace, be careful!”

Cordell groaned and stepped in front of me.

A human who usually joked around and ignored orders was reacting this seriously?

It must have sensed an overwhelming threat.

Truth be told, I was shocked by the aura the mountain demon radiated.

Had I ever faced anything this strong?

There had been a few who exceeded expectations.

Emperor Karon, Empress Cecilia, Princess Eustia.

People whose character windows didn’t fully display.

‘So this one too?’

The moment the thought formed, holographic text appeared before my eyes.

「Information on a target whose name is unknown cannot be viewed.」

The system had grown considerably.

But it still required an introduction before I could access a character window.

I lightly tapped Cordell’s shoulder.

“Hey, calm down. We have no intention of fighting.”

That’s a poor excuse. After making demands like that?

“No, come on. You pull this stunt and just walk away? Even for a demon, that’s a bit much.”

Ot!

It let out a hollow laugh, blinking rapidly.

Cordell McNeil wore an equally dumbfounded expression.

Telling a demon it should have a conscience—who had ever heard such a thing?

But I stood firm.

My logic was airtight.

“You’re misunderstanding something. Conscience is a form of intelligence. Everything in the world is interconnected, right? Why ruin your reputation for no reason?”

That’s because my existence…

“Hey, hey! Just listen. Why do you do bad things to humans?”

To enchant them and steal their spiritual energy. Every soul contains special power.

“See? Then what’s the easiest way to deceive people?”

By showing overwhelming power?

“Wrong. It’s earning their favor. If they trust you, they’ll believe anything you say, right?”

Oh ho?

The mountain demon nodded, clearly intrigued.

Seizing the moment, I pointed at the pile of earth and rocks.

“It’s the same now. Instead of causing a landslide to instill fear, you should help people in trouble.”

But would they really like me for that?

“This demon’s hopeless. You don’t know image management?”

How do you do that?

“First, change your face. You can transform, right?”

Of course.

Whoosh!

The black aura rippled, and it transformed into my exact likeness.

It felt like staring into a mirror.

But I shook my head firmly.

“No personality. What’s the point of copying someone else? You want to be a fake forever?”

No way!

“You need identity. Your own unique look.”

Hmm.

After pondering for a while, it took another form.

This time, a blend of me and Cordell.

“Ugh, no creativity.”

In the end, I coached it carefully.

Raise the nose a bit more.

Eyes like this.

The result was pretty decent.

Truth be told, I didn’t have much creativity either.

I’d just described a famous celebrity I’d seen on TV.

What did it matter?

That person didn’t exist in this world.

“Perfect. Use this from now on.”

And then?

“Help people. Then they’ll offer their spiritual energy willingly, without you forcing it.”

But they won’t know how.

Its question briefly stumped me.

But I improvised my way out.

“Fine. Show me how it’s done first.”

Simple. I just place my hand on their head.

“And the effect?”

Nothing major. Spiritual energy recovers over time. Though the person feels a bit dazed for a while.

“That’s it? Not even that threatening.”

True demons in the demonic realm make contracts that steal souls entirely.

Things were starting to come together.

Just as Adam was a clumsy half-god, this one was similar.

It might look the part, but it wasn’t a real demon.

‘There’s room for compromise.’

Wasn’t that the truth?

Adam had seemed like a monstrous beast at first.

But now?

A full-fledged member of the Carius duchy.

There was no reason this one couldn’t be the same.

‘And its ability looks impressive. Perfect.’

If it could cause a landslide, it could probably do other things too.

I extended my right hand.

“From now on, go around like that. Help people, and they’ll bow their heads to you on their own.”

I’ll think about it. It hasn’t been proven yet.

“Then test it.”

I jerked my thumb backward.

Right on cue, I sensed many footsteps approaching.

A group was coming down the trail.

“Greetings. Might I ask what’s happened?”

A man who looked like a merchant caravan leader spoke up.

I explained the situation briefly.

No need for details—the blocked road was obvious.

“This is troublesome. Detouring around the Magreta region will take far too long.”

“We can’t pass through the volcanic zone either. Too dangerous.”

“And it looks like rain. The goods might get ruined.”

Soon several caravan leaders gathered, inspecting the blockage.

Worried sighs rose from all sides.

I shrugged and glanced at the mountain demon.

It nodded as if to say, Got it.

No need to worry too much. I’ll take care of it.

The leaders’ eyes widened.

“What exactly do you plan to do?”

Just wait a moment.

The mountain demon stretched both hands into the air and began muttering something.

I couldn’t understand the words, but one thing was clear.

‘He’s surprisingly good at showmanship.’

Didn’t it feel like something grand was happening?

Like a student who learns one thing and masters ten.

Moments later, the earth and rocks blocking the trail began to slide away.

Ruuuuuumble!

The sight of nature moving as if alive was truly spectacular.

Cordell McNeil let out a hollow laugh.

“Wow. That’s impressive.”

“Right? I’ve never seen anything like it. Terrifying power, but pretty useful ability.”

“No, not him. I meant Your Grace.”

“Huh?”

At the unexpected comment, I tilted my head, and he continued.

“I’ve never seen anyone talk a half-demon into submission. Honestly, aren’t you the scarier one, Your Grace?”

Well, I guess it could feel that way.

I deliberately twisted my lips into a sinister smile.

Cordell’s face went pale.

‘Heh heh! Gotcha.’