Chapter 68: Now, I’m Going to Smash It (2)

The first step in attacking the Demon King’s Castle.

We broke through the protective barrier surrounding the Demon King’s Castle, that absolute shield manifested by the Demon King’s Martugi (though only partially).

The Demon King’s Castle, where the black clouds and crackling thunder had vanished.

It was even more spacious and boasted a more complex structure than I’d expected.

“Beeeeeep.”

But it didn’t matter.

The moment I maneuvered the Griffin over the castle gate.

“Boom!”

I heard an explosion right away.

The source of the explosion was the Griffin that had been carrying us just a moment before.

As if it was fated to be so, the high-grade monster Griffin disappeared without a trace.

With our mount gone, the Knight Kinzel and I had no choice but to fall, following the law of gravity.

“Thud!”

A heavy shock reverberated up my legs.

Panic?

There was none of that.

If it was the Emperor’s (that is, my, the summoner’s) command, the Knights would leap into a fire pit without hesitation.

And I had already anticipated this.

‘The absolute law of the Demon King’s Castle.’

There is an absolute law that governs the Demon King’s Castle.

The annihilation of all mounts.

The prohibition of all teleportation and return magic.

An unavoidable, absolute power—even if you know about it.

[Absolute Command]

It was an authority that formed a region much like a barrier.

Anyone within the range of this command (that is, inside the Demon King’s Castle) must obey it.

Because a compulsion activates, like with the Griffin’s forced destruction.

This applies to teleportation magic and special traits as well.

Others cannot see it, but to my awakened inner sight, it is visible.

Within the Demon King’s Castle, a power that freezes all teleportation magic and special abilities is at work.

In a sense, it’s unreasonable.

It’s a powerful authority that forcibly restricts actions and movement.

But the Absolute Command is not as overpowering as it might seem.

Equivalent exchange.

To gain something valuable, you must give up something of equal value.

Just as magic requires mana and superhuman strength needs aura.

The Absolute Command cannot break this absolute order.

To restrict mounts and teleportation, a penalty must be endured.

One of those penalties is this.

The master of the Demon King’s Castle must face the enemies alone at the topmost floor.

On the highest level, only one can remain.

They must face those powerful enough to break through all the castle’s barriers, alone.

The Demon King’s Castle was designed by the Mage Legion Commander, Deborah.

But all these commands were devised by Demon King Ingram.

All the preparations, in truth, were to welcome the Hero.

But the plans of the Demon King and his castle would never see the light. 

Because I, who was just a Corps Commander, defeated the Hero.

Because of that, all causality, the order of good and evil, became twisted.

And so did the Demon King’s hatred and rage.

In an instant, I brushed away those distracting thoughts.

What matters now is not the past.

Unless I defeat the master of the highest floor, I cannot leave the Demon King’s Castle.

I move forward to achieve the goal right in front of me.

Normally, I would spread my aura wide to sense for nearby enemies.

But.

“Mm.”

As I can tell from the reactions of the Knights, that’s pointless.

No detection or searching abilities can be used inside the Demon King’s Castle.

This too is due to one of the Absolute Commands personally inscribed by the Demon King.

At best, you can only discern a few meters ahead; you never know what lurks beyond the darkness.

Still.

There is no hesitation in my stride.

Whatever they have prepared, I’ll just smash through it.

And there was no time for curiosity.

What they had prepared was quickly revealed.

“Flash!”

A domain ruled by darkness.

There, a chandelier lit up the area brightly.

The high ceiling was adorned with a chandelier that emitted a blue light, allowing me to see the surroundings.

“Click click click.”

I hadn’t noticed them.

The beings decorating the area.

Lurking in the darkness were a tremendous number of Demon Clan soldiers.

Thousands of the Demon King’s Legion had surrounded us.

“Ho…?”

That was unexpected because each floor of the Demon King’s Castle cannot have more than a certain number of troops deployed.

I knew about such Absolute Commands.

The Demon King’s Castle consists of six floors in total.

To set up various advantageous conditions, penalties must be accepted, and one of them is the troop limit per floor.

This was also a preparation for welcoming the Hero.

But here, violating that Absolute Command, high-grade Demon Clan members had surrounded us.

‘They broke the law?’

That’s unthinkable in my experience.

But my surprise only lasted a moment.

“Who do we have here?” A presence revealed itself and resolved my doubts.

Sliding forward like a ghost, he took his place at the head of the Demon King’s Legion.

He was an old man dressed in a pristine black suit.

So thin and frail-looking that it wouldn’t be strange if he collapsed right away.

“Harbinger of Famine.”

The old man was one of Salmora’s personal guards, the Harbinger of Famine.

“Just as I’ve heard.” He twisted a smile at me, knowing I had recognized his identity.

“You really do know our Demon King’s Legion inside out. You guessed who I am right away.”

His words fell on deaf ears.

Once again.

‘He really doesn’t know.’

The Harbinger of Pestilence, the Harbinger of War.

Just like them, the Harbinger of Famine did not recognize me.

It would make sense if this was the last Harbinger I had never met before, but it’s hard to accept that even the Harbinger of Famine doesn’t know me.

Now, it’s gone beyond speculation to certainty.

The truth behind this doubt.

But.

“I do know more than most humans.” Without betraying my thoughts, I answered his question.

“Then you must know this as well? The Absolute Command engraved upon the Demon King’s Castle.”

To his question.

“I know it well.”

“…You do?”

“Only the designated number of troops can be deployed on each floor of the Demon King’s Castle.”

“Hahaha! So it’s true!”

When I mentioned one of the Absolute Commands, he laughed.

Of course, that was a bluff, trying to hide his own surprise.

“Amazing. To know so much about the inside workings. Anyone would think you once belonged to the Demon King’s Legion.”

Sometimes, you can exert power beyond your abilities.

That’s what the Harbinger of Famine was doing now.

It sounded like mere words, but surprisingly, there was truth in them.

Of course, he would have no way of knowing.

“But isn’t it strange? Even though the Absolute Command is in place, such a massive number of troops is deployed here?”

At first, I thought so too.

But after seeing the Harbinger of Famine, I understood the answer to all my doubts.

Still, I didn’t bother.

I didn’t speak the truth out loud.

“Because these troops aren’t here to punish intruders to the Demon King’s Castle.”

He claimed that, even with troops present, they weren’t for blocking anyone.

“They’re all ingredients for making me whole!”

Those surrounding us, the ones enclosing us within the Demon King’s Castle, were not there to block intruders.

Ingredients.

They were materials to make the Harbinger of Famine whole.

As his appearance shows, the Harbinger of Famine is not in a complete state.

Even in his current feeble state, he could easily overpower most Awakened, but that alone is not enough to be called a Commander’s personal guard.

But his power—

Vitality Absorption.

Vitality Absorption bestows famine upon others.

As if starving to death, all their life force is drained, and all that energy is transferred to him.

And for that purpose, the green magic circle drawn on the floor.

It’s a powerful ability that absorbs the vitality of all living things within its range.

Through this process, he attains a complete state by absorbing energy.

The potential of that power is—

‘Rivaling a Corps Commander.’

I once witnessed it.

The Harbinger of Famine, reborn after absorbing thousands of Demon Clan soldiers.

It only lasted for a brief moment, but he definitely wielded destructive power on par with a Corps Commander.

Winning a hopeless battle like that, he helped raise the status of the Demon King’s Legion.

Right now, I could handle him (not just handle, but overwhelm), but if he absorbs all the nearby “ingredients,” it’ll be hard.

Even if the Knight Kinzel help, the result would not change.

But—

“What the…?!”

The face of the one who should be exulting in his power quickly hardened because even though the magic circle had activated, vitality absorption wasn’t happening.

The Demon Clan soldiers, who were supposed to become the ingredients of his victory, didn’t understand either.

Why, when they should be glorious ingredients for victory, was nothing changing?

“Foolish.”

I spoke to the flustered Harbinger.

“You know I understand the inner workings of the Demon King’s Legion. Why didn’t you assume I’d know your ability too?”

He knew I was familiar with the Demon King’s Legion.

So how could he not realize I’d also know about the Harbinger of Famine’s unique ability?

If I’d been given this information, I would have made preparations.

But he and those behind him were careless, and handed me an opportunity.

That is—

A way to protect the Demon Clan from his Vitality Absorption: Martugi.

His Vitality Absorption only works on lower-ranked Demon Clan. 

If the will of a higher-ranked demon intervenes, it has no effect.

Vitality Absorption is a very dangerous power.

That’s why it’s limited to those of lower rank than the user.

Even Demon King Ingram acknowledged its danger.

“Hmm. That’s a rather dangerous power, isn’t it? In case you try something treacherous, I’ll have to set some restrictions…”

So a restriction was placed.

If the will of a higher-ranked Demon Clan member intervenes, it’s forcibly stopped.

But that’s not the end.

“Boom!”

I stomped my foot.

Not to unleash a frigid winter like Fimbulvetr.

My will and demonic energy seeped into the magic circle, and in an instant, I altered the spell formation.

“Whoosh!”

The originally green magic circle began to shine blue and the sacrifice marks on the foreheads of the Demon Clan surrounding us also changed.

“Wh-what is this?!”

The Harbinger of Famine panicked at the unfolding scene.

Neither he nor Salmora, who stands behind him, could know.

What kind of efforts I had made after entering the Demon King’s Legion.

I always knew that, when the time came, I would leave the Demon King’s Legion, and so I spent countless days studying their weaknesses, looking for holes to exploit.

One such study was to reverse the Harbinger of Famine’s Vitality Absorption.

I changed the target of the sacrifice mark from the Harbinger of Famine to myself.

That means—

“Zing, ziiiiing!”

The magic circle reacted violently and activated.

All around, the energy of thousands of Demon Clan soldiers began to flow straight into me.