The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 61

Thudding hooves echo across the plains.

For days on end, without a break for night or day, I’ve been riding towards Liudira.

I’ve even fallen asleep on horseback.

And I wasn’t the only one.

Naturally, no horse could endure such a hellish march, and we had to switch mounts in a village along the way. Precious gold coins seemed to vanish as if through a hole, but that wasn’t what mattered.

Gold can always be earned back, but the loss of the carefully selected familiars would truly be a cause for tears.

Whinnying softly…

When the horse halted for a brief respite, I gathered my thoughts.

‘An Urea that never falls…’

A name unheard of, sprang up in the village where we changed horses. An immortal monster that appears in the Great Forest every autumn, stirring the surrounding demons.

Why had I never come across information about the Great Forest’s demon that visits every fall?

After deep analysis, it seemed the fault lay in my method of gathering information. I had blended into human society, sifting through their conversations for crucial intel, but this approach had a fatal flaw.

Information that everyone universally hesitates to speak of cannot be obtained. In other words, information that is as if forbidden by an unspoken rule, never even gets mentioned.

My preference for safe intelligence activities had led to this oversight.

The villagers of Liudira, a mere hamlet, knew that the Great Forest’s demons thrived each year, yet they never spoke of it. It wasn’t so much an imposed silence as it was… perhaps a sin to even mention the annual blight.

‘There must have been years with victims… and the aftermath of demon outbreaks likely handled by the association.’

This could be verified, but it was a meaningless endeavor. The water had already spilled, and now I had to salvage what remained, avoiding the shards of broken glass.

What’s crucial now is predicting how events will unfold.

By the time I confirmed the issuance of the extermination order, it was already late. Upon arrival in Liudira, adventurers would swarm like bees.

Rumor has it that this time, the gathered adventurers include many strong figures from nearby regions. The bounty for the extermination order is substantial, and those who distinguish themselves might claim a share of the spoils left by the giant demon.

‘No matter the current situation, I must join the extermination party before the real hunt begins.’

A bad omen visited last night, hinting that the situation is worsening. I feel increasingly burdened, as if sand in an hourglass is piling upon me.

‘It’s clear. There’s a problem with the dungeon core.’

The emergence of the Urea, the host of the rotten root that never falls…

When autumn reaches its peak each year, the host awakens. In this process, the dungeon collapses and is simultaneously reconstructed.
It’s highly likely that the dungeon has collapsed. And during that process, the core must have moved.

Whether it moved before the collapse or the core itself detached after the breakdown.

‘It’s probably the former.’

Why? Because it’s unthinkable that Amon and Phenex would have lost their lives so vainly.

Especially with Lucifer present, they must have known the value of that core to me, their rightful contractor.

‘They must have prepared, but there would still be damage. It was a disaster that came without warning.’

The problem is that I don’t know their current location. The rotten root was initially deep underground in the Great Forest, so escaping from the collapsed dungeon would be a struggle.

In this situation, with adventurers gathering and scouts abound, they might not have even managed to escape.

Perhaps it’s fortunate that I left all the demons at the rotten root…

At least their chances of survival are much higher.

“We must go… faster.”

“Ruby, stay calm.”

“Captain! How can you be calm? Everyone is anxiously waiting for us! Or else…”

The sentence that follows requires tremendous mental effort to utter. So it’s better left unsaid.

As her master, I advised her.

“Do not show your anxiety. From now on, every moment is a continuous test, a walk on thin ice.”

“…Why are you so composed?”

“Because I must be.”

It’s only natural.

I am the sovereign of these isolated beings.

I can do anything to save them.

Is it because they have my core? No. If they were to vanish as they are, my chances of survival would converge to zero, core or not.

* * *

Whinnying softly…

Clatter…

The horses came to a halt.

Four steeds exhaled white mist from their bodies.

The air is cold. I can feel autumn passing by.

“Let’s dismount.”

We arrived in Liudira before the fall had fully passed.

“Are they mad? Where did all these people come from?”

“How would I know? It’s been quiet for a while, so they must have come for a big score.”

“Hey, don’t just stand there, get lost!”

“What’s with this guy?”

The Liudira I remember… the one we all remember, was nowhere to be found. This small hamlet was suffering from the influx of adventurers.

Everyone stood dumbfounded at the entrance as if they had been struck on the head with a hammer.

“If you’re not going in, move aside!”

Thump!

I watched the backs of the adventurers as they brushed past our shoulders.

They might as well be my enemies. I envisioned the worst future, one where we would be pitted against them.

“…”

Bill was speechless too, his mouth firmly shut as he stared blankly at Liudira.

Despair and frustration.

But, especially at times like this, one must take a step forward. Only then can the future change.

“Let’s go.”

* * *

Liudira was in utter chaos.

Parties of every color and creed, and even renowned solo fighters had gathered, causing an endless stream of incidents. I had already witnessed two brawls on my way to the destination.

…In one of them, spectators were even betting money and cheering.

“Kill him! Beat him to death!”

“Kihahahaha! Look at that stupid face!”

“I bet on you! Do it right!”

Ignoring them, I made my way to the temporary headquarters of the association dispatched for the extermination. The record keeper, looking utterly exhausted, was dealing with a line of adventurers.

It was my turn, and I approached him.

“Name.”

“…”

“…Name!”

“Valphus.”

I handed over one of Bill’s forged identities.

“Watch your language… But, well… That’s quite a tough name for your delicate appearance. Don’t you hear that often?”

“Often enough.”

Quite a brazen fellow, starting with informal speech himself.

“The extermination document.”

“Here.”

“Haha… A rookie just out of the nest? Anyway, don’t cause any trouble while you’re here and join the evening gathering. Everything will be decided there.”

“Evening meeting?”

“Yes, there is such a thing. Just understand.”

“More importantly, is the entrance to the Great Forest sealed?”

“What kind of question is that… Of course! You can’t enter now without the association’s permission. Only the seasoned veterans deployed for reconnaissance are on standby.”

“…Thanks for the information.”

“Thanks… Now, the rest of your party’s IDs. Get it done quickly and have a drink until the evening.”

I stepped out of the temporary headquarters and stood blankly by the roadside.

Even if the sky falls, there’s a way out. The solution to all these problems lies solely in my hands… It felt like a burden of responsibility.

‘Is it luck that I can participate in this extermination with just a cheap forged ID?’

Forcing entry into the Great Forest is clear suicide. I’m not yet ready to draw the attention of so many adventurers and attempt a mass migration.

“Bill, I’ll write down a list, so prepare the items before the evening gathering.”

We have a long journey ahead, so fill the large backpack with dry food… and add various herbs, remedies, and potions.

“…You have something in mind.”

“We discard the rotten root.”

“Understood.”

Ruby looked crestfallen, but what can be done.

Sigh…

* * *

The evening assembly took place outdoors, in a square hastily constructed throughout the morning and afternoon.

I heard that the extermination order had drawn such a crowd that even the association was taken aback.

“Welcome. I’m called Kailut. I’m in charge of this extermination order.”

“At last, you show up! I thought my neck would stretch from waiting!”

“…You must be Zerman. Arrogant, but better than someone without confidence.”

“Heh…”

A man with a large hunting dog and an equally large curved bow received a glare from Kailut.

“Troll hunter Zerman… He’s here too?”

“Still as stiff-necked as ever. To dare speak to an executive of the association’s Far East branch…”

Kailut continued to lead the assembly, ignoring trivial matters and focusing on topics of interest.

“Firstly, for control purposes, parties will be formed with a minimum of five members. Only those in a complete party may participate in the extermination order.”

“What? …Something’s off. What about the solos?”

“With the current organization, we don’t have the capacity to control solos.”

“Then how will the merits be divided?”

“Obviously, it will be divided according to the number of people.”

At first glance, it seems neat, but for solos, it’s a maddening method.

“I see… Understood.”

The one who spoke was a fellow called Twin Blades, carrying two vicious swords on his back. Those from the East can be recognized by their appearance alone, mostly lightly armored and wielding Eastern-style weapons.

‘But that reaction doesn’t seem convinced…’

Those who become part of his party will likely die. The suppressed killing intent he deliberately held back was slightly irksome.

Swoosh…

Amidst the ongoing discussion about the extermination order, I sensed someone approaching me.

Pop…

My companion tried to intercept, but Bill hesitated for a moment before allowing the approach.

The man handed me a note and disappeared. It read:

It’s Romwell. My subordinates have entered the Great Forest under Lord Leon’s orders.
‘…What?’

This was unexpected.

An investigation team was dispatched for this extermination order. This means I, Romwell, have failed to keep a promise. I dislike that. Since Lord Leon also instructed me to assist you, I’ll help as much as I can.
‘Romwell…!’

I’ve heard about the situation. There were quite a few surprising facts, impressive indeed. When the extermination team enters the Great Forest, we’ll contact you first. Ah… And there was a message Lord Leon left for you.
A message from Leon… What could it be?

A door that never opens from the inside may open easily from the outside.
“Ha…”

It’s exasperating.

Did Leon foresee everything?

“Scalada, taking charge of the extermination team for the second year. You fools.”

For a moment, my attention wavered, then my gaze shifted to the stage.

‘Scalada? Surely not…’

It can’t be. It mustn’t be.

“The one-eyed wolf! Is that you?”

“Scalada? Kahahaha! This will be fun!”

The boss of Episode 9’s final act.

The one-eyed wolf, Scalada.

“…Things have gotten seriously twisted.”

I’ve encountered him far too soon.