Elqueeness - Chapter 47

“Anyways, I can’t believe the 4 Dukes of the Demon world would make an appearance here.  It seems our situation is more serious than I thought.  What kind of relationship does the Demon King and archduke have?”

Mr. Kai asked in a serious manner.  I also fell in a deep thought.  It was at that moment when an unexpected answer was spoken out loud.

“My uncle used to be a priest inside the Demon god’s temple.  Maybe he made a contract with the demon king.

“Eh-ehng? A contract?”

“Yes. I believe so.  If he was able to make a contract with the Demon King, it is as impressive as summoning a Spirit King.  I was able to do it, so why couldn’t he also do it?”

After saying this, Isana hesitated as he bit his lips.  Then he was barely able to speak after a long while.

“Maybe the theory that sent my father to death was made up by him..”

“Are you saying the Demon god also had a hand in this?”

“I can’t say he isn’t involved. The arch duke has been gathering good looking boys and girl for a while now. Most of them could have been used as sacrifices to the Demon god. I can’t rule out the possibility.”

“My god!”

I had thought the Arch Duke had a perverted hobby, but the truth may be he was sacrificing people to the Demon god! My mind went blank as I imagined the horrific scene. During all of this, Lapis gave a detailed explanation.

“The gathered youths are kept inside the Demon god’s temple for a week, and they are bathed in their holy water. Seven of the youths are sent up one by one to the temple’s altar. The arch duke himself oversees the ritual. He raises the short sword up high, and in one motion, he digs out the heart. Then he drains their blood into a bowl….”

“Ooh-ahh-ahhk! Stop! Where did you hear sucha thing!”

“Ah? Didn’t I tell you? I was in the palace until not too long ago. I was one of the sacrifices gathered for the altar.”

“What?”

Everyone in the party stared at him yet Lapis didn’t falter. Then he said something about him being on his vacation before he met me? Why the heck would someone participate in such a thing for vacation? The words, “Maybe you are really crazy!”, rose into my throat.

“Do you think this continent has a psychiatrist? I really want you to get a serious evaluation from one.”

“Well~ Jeez. That wasn’t what I had intended to do. I had changed into a boy, and I was moving through the streets. Suddenly, I was assaulted then I was dragged away. I didn’t know what was going on, but I stayed still since I wanted to see what was going on. They took me to the palace. I found out that the Arch Duke was capturing boys, then he offered them as sacrifice. I thought it would be fun, so I played along for a little bit.”

“Are you crazy? What if you really became a sacrifice!”

“Hey, I’m a dragon. If I’m in danger, then I could always revert back to my original form to turn the tables. Also, I could just teleport out of there. Do you really think I would be taken down so easily? As you can see, I’m here in one piece.”

He beat his chest as he answered in a confident manner. I had nothing to say to that. As his words indicated, he was a 3000 year old dragon. He wouldn’t be taken down so easily. Chet. If he was going to escape, then he should have taken the other boys with him. How could he just slip out by himself? This cold lizard didn’t shed any blood or tears.

It seemed Isana and Mr Kai was thinking hard about something else. Mr Kai’s face was rigid and dark. He opened his mouth to speak in a bitter voice.

“What is the arch duke trying to get by giving sacrifices to the Demon god? It seems excessive if his goal was simply to become the emperor of Soltere.”

“Also, the 4 Dukes of the Demon world to keep surveillance on a single youth like Isana.  It’s ridiculous.   Maybe both the arch duke and the Demon King has some secret plan.”

“So who are these 4 Dukes? Are they really that great?”

The mood of the party was turning serious, so I asked the question to clear the air. This caused Lapis to give a sour reply. He couldn’t hide the shocked expression on his face.

“Didn’t you feel it? The Dukes are the 4 most powerful beings in the Demon world after the Demon King. If the past is any indication, the next Demon King will be born from amongst them. They aren’t beings that should be ignored.”

“Then they are stronger than you?”

“Kook. What do you see me as?”

What do I see you as? Of course, how could I not see you only as a prideful dragon? I didn’t know what he was trying to get at. When I lightly furrowed by eyebrows, he shrugged his shoulders then he started to speak again.

“I’m called a genius even amongst the dragons! My strength is on the same level as the Demon King, and I might even be stronger. I was stronger than most grown dragons when I was just a hatchling. Right now I’m on par with the Ancient Dragons! How could a mere Duke of the Demon World push me around? Even if the 4 of them attacked me all at once, they might barely be able to deal with me.”

“Hmm. So they won’t be able to contend with me?”

“Of course. It is as that guy said. Your strength is on par with the Demon King.  You might even be stronger than him. The Spirit Kings have their powers dampened in the human world, but their actual strength is much stronger. So you don’t have to worry about those bastards.”

However, they were a race that was very unwilling to acknowledge defeat, so Lapis warned me about it. He told me not to consider them as total non-threat.
They were crazy about fighting, so if they hold a grudge against you, they’ll come after you even if their bones and flesh were carved away. They were like leeches once they get immersed into a battle. This was generally true for the entire Demon race.

“It probably was a good thing for you to introduce me as Ifrit. Once they acknowledge you as a superior adversary, they’ll have their guard up, but it also means they’ll delay causing us any trouble. Even though they are crazy about battle, they still know their place.”

“What if the Demon King takes the matter into his own hands?”

“We can think about what to do when that happens. Still, don’t be afraid beforehand. El! Have confidence in yourself as a Spirit King! You acted boldly not too long ago in front of those bastards, so why are you being timid when they have already walked away?”

Chet. Whe did I do that? What is wrong with thinking about the future instead of only seeing in front of my nose!

I thought about Tromwell’s words, and my future seemed very murky.

I knew I would be berated if I gave words to my worries. I turned my baleful gaze towards Lapis, who was acting like he was better than us. Still, we’ve been fortunate in that I was able to make a contract with him. The burden of protecting all these people by myself would have made me anxious.
However, a being of similar strength was by myself right now. This fact made me feel as secure as having Tromwell by my side.

“Chet. I should get in the habit of relying on others.”

I mumbled this words silently inside as I gathered all the Wyvern leathers on the floor.

******

It was a dark and deep location in the Demon world. At the center of this deep abyss, a Demon King’s castle existed there. The most damp and dark location in the castle housed the Demon King’s office. The darkness was coal black, and one couldn’t even see an inch in front of one’s eyes.

Even though this was the demon world, not everywhere was as dark as this place. It mostly depended on the personal taste of the Demon King in power. This is why the Demon world could be changed to an ill-matching white color if the Demon King desired it.

The current Demon King’s castle was this dark, because the current Demon King liked the color black. The first reason why he elevated the Witch of Darkness Serpernis to the 4 Dukes of the Demon world was the fact she had ebony black hair.

On a usual day, the Demon King would feel joy from her merely appearing in front of him. However, he wasn’t in a good mood today. He had trusted these two to do a job, but they had failed. Moreover, they came back with unpleasant news.

“Did you just say the Water Spirit King Elqueeness?”

“Yes. I did. Oh great master… An unexpectedly large obstacle blocked our way.”

Delonvil replied in a tense voice after he gave his report. He easily pointed out the fact that the Spirit Kings were basically the rulers of the Arkadon continent. They were beings possessing powerful ability that rivaled a god’s power. This was the only fact he knew about the Spirit Kings. However, he used it as a reason as to why they had failed in their mission.

“Moreover, the Fire Spirit King Ifrit was also helping them.”

“It was also hard for me to believe it. Even if he wasn’t the Fire Spirit King,  I’m sure he was a being with similar abilities.”

Two beings that was on par with a god was protecting Isana. Even if he was one of the 4 Dukes, he couldn’t attain victory.

He had voluntarily revealed their presence as he wanted to recover his pride once their cover was blown.
He was clicking his tongue when Serpernis carefully opened her mouth.

“I have one question I would like to ask, oh great master.”

“What is it, Serpernis? Speak.”

“Why did you make a contract with such a lowly human? It doesn’t make sense for the 4 Dukes of the Demon world to move at his request.”

“Kook kook kook. Of course, it doesn’t make any sense”

The Demon King didn’t deny that fact. It would be strange for the elites of the Demon world to move for a mere human. However, the reason was a secret only known to two beings, the Demon King and the Arch Duke. His ambitious plan was dizzily circling around inside his head.

“Soon I will have 10,000.  I’ll have 10,000 tender fleshed children’s heart soon! I’ve been drinking the blood squeezed out of those hearts for 10 years! I’ll be able to become a god soon!’

If he drank the blood extracted from the hearts of 10,000 innocent children, the Main god would put a curse on him. Then he would be able to become the most malicious evil god. If he became an evil god, no one would be able to stand in his way! He’ll be able to have the entire Demon world in the palm of his hand soon.

However, he still had to his job as the Demon King, so he didn’t have time to hunt down humans.(Moreover, he had to find innocent children) This was why he had found a contractor willing to do his work for him. Of course, he promised the man he would get everything we wanted once he became an evil god. He was offered wealth and power. He was even promised youth and an immortal life.

There was a simple reason why he didn’t use his underlings to do the work. The Demon race was a race of jealousy and betrayal. One of them would have betrayed him midway.

The 4 Dukes looked loyal right now, but he knew they were aiming for his seat. He already knew this truth. If the sacred ritual was revealed later on, he was sure they would try to interfere with his work. However, he wasn’t too worried right now. Only a few more children’s heart was needed for the altar. He just needed to fill his glass a hundred more times then he would gain the ability to take over the entire world.

‘Kook kook. It hadn’t been easy. Even the most ambitious of humans balked at the number of 10 thousand. Most of them ran away midway, and Yucarte was the only one who didn’t give up. Yucarte is doing my work even now. If I could ignore his race, I would really like that guy.’

The 10 year calamity of Arkadon was the golden opportunity he and the arch duke was waiting for. The people were starving from the famine, and most weren’t sad when they lost their children. This was why the arch duke was able to easily kidnap children for sacrifice.

He had worried a rumor would be spread in the nether world. So he disguised the killing of the children as sacrifices to the Demon god.

Everything was turning out as he had planned, so the Demon King wasn’t afraid of anything.

‘However, the Spirit Kings are worrying me. In the Spirit world, it is said their ability is stronger than a high ranked god. Are they perhaps trying to interfere with my plan?’

The worrying thought suddenly brushed across his mind, and he suddenly felt an anxiousness he had never felt before. He couldn’t leave them alone. The Demon King gave an order to the prostrated Delonvil.

“Bring Rukarem to me.”

He was one of the 4 Dukes of the Demon world. The dark knight Rukarem was one of the oldest being in the demon race. There was a rumor saying he had existed from the time the Demon world was made. Still, he had never risen above the station of Duke, and he had never risen to the rank of Demon King. This was why most of the Demon race took the rumor to be ‘bullshit’.
However, they couldn’t deny that he had lived for a long time. Unlike his fellow Demons, who enjoyed battle and murder, he preferred to lead a relatively decadent rural life. His words and actions were very dignified. Moreover, no one from the Demon race had heard any harsh words coming out of his mouth. This was why some had forgotten he was one was the 4 Dukes of the Demon world.
Still, those of the Demon race who recognized his true nature considered him to be the most dangerous being in the Demon world. His name was ‘Rukarem.’ His smiling mask was hiding his true nature inside. He was the most evil and cruel being in the entire demon race.

As one of the 4 Dukes, Delonvil was well aware of this fact.
He looked at the sky. He looked at the floor. Then he looked side to side as he let out a sigh. He mumbled with a defeated expression on his face.

“Jeez. I’m probably going to get scolded. I couldn’t even complete a simple reconnaissance mission. I’ll probably get reprimanded if I tried to pass off the blame.”

“Ho-oh. What put you in such a foul mood, Delon?”

“Oooahhk! Ru..Ruka! You surprised me!”

He showed up suddenly in front of his eyes. It was the Demon he hadn’t wanted to meet a moment ago.

The face of a smiling youth with curiosity-filled eyes looked back at him, and he had never seen a scarier sight.  Delon’s mouth dried up as he unconsciously gulped.

“Hoo hoo. What were you thinking about? You weren’t able to notice me approach you. It seems you need more training.”

‘If you put your mind on erasing your presence, even I won’t be able to notice you!’

His rebuke was rising up his throat, but he was short 2% of his courage for him to say such a thing.
He was barely able to calm his heart. Delon forced himself to laugh, then he nodded his head.

“That might be the case. It has been awhile, Ruka. Are you still taking care of your gardens outside?”

“It is a hobby I’ve maintained for my whole life, so why would it change? Is the Demon King doing well? I haven’t had the chance to greet him recently, so please pass on my apologies.”

‘No. The Demon king probably prefers for you to not to come. It’s probably better for his heart.’

This underling was stronger than the king. For a society that values strength, this wasn’t a welcome sight. It basically meant a Demon had no interest in the Demon king’s seat, and he was satisfied with just tending his garden. This was why the fact that the Demon King wanted him to find Ruka was such an anomaly.

“Actually, I was heading towards your place to meet you as per the majesty’s order.”

“What? Me? Ho-oh. Does the King want one of my flowers? What business does he have with me?”

“The King wants to meet you. He has ordered you to come to the castle immediately.”

“…Hmmm. Is it something serious?”

He didn’t show any hostility when he asked in a serious manner. He looked like a innocent country youth. Delon’s body shook when he saw Ruka’s advanced acting skills. If one wanted to count the black thoughts in his heart, it would take more than a night to count it.

“This might be a little bit troublesome. A Spirit King is involved.”

“A Spirit King?”

*Twinkle!* A blue slight flashed across Ruka’s eyes. This was a rare occasion. This only happened when his buried evil nature showed up, and Delon had caught a glimpse when Ruka raised his head. Delon automatically became nervous as his shoulders bunched up. He started to give a more detailed explanation.

“The Demon King had ordered us to keep a surveillance on a human boy. However, two Spirit King was present near the human. This is probably why he is calling for you.”

“Ho-oh~ It seems he is in quite the hurry. He almost never calls on me yet he is doing so now. So who is this boy?”

“The human boy is the contractor of the Spirit King, and he is the one that we were going to kill. We were keeping an eye on him in the beginning, and we were going to kill him when the opportunity presented itself. However, our plan was derailed by the Spirit Kings.”

“Kook Kook. I think I understand. So you and Ms Serpernis failed this time?”

“… I am ashamed.”

Normally, Ruka would berate him right about now. He would say ‘How could a Demon world’s duke be so pathetic’ or ‘how will you be able to aim for the position of Demon King if you are like that.’ However, it seemed he had a change of heart today. He put on a soft expression instead, then he gave Delon words of comfort.

“Don’t be depressed by such things. I know you did your best, Delon. Well, I’ll go visit his majesty. I can’t make him wait too long.”

“Ah, yes! See you, Rukarem.”

‘Did this old fogey eat something wrong today? Why is he suddenly acting this way?’

Before Delon could feel surprised, Ruka had already started to walk towards the Demon King’s castle. He was walking lightly, and he was even humming. When he arrived at the Demon King’s office, he respectfully got on one knee as he bowed.

“I give my greeting to the great one. Rukarem Dark Veil. I have come here after I received your summons.

“It’s been a while, black knight. I called you here, because I have an important task for you.”

“Before I came here, I’ve heard part of the story from Duke Delonvil. He said this relates to the Spirit Kings?”

“That’s correct. They aren’t much of a problem right now, but I would like to prepare a back up plan. It seems you’ll have to go through some trouble for me.”

“Don’t worry about it. Please give me your orders, oh great one. I’ll accomplish any work you give me.”

He was an underling whose original ability couldn’t be predicted. It always made the Demon King uneasy to have such an underling by his side. However, this opportunity would allow him to get rid of Ruka and the Spirit Kings in one fell swoop.

Ruka didn’t know anything, so he kept smiling at the new mission that had fallen in his lap.

‘Kook Kook Kook. You played with your plants for too long. Your head has turned into stone, Rukarem. You rashly accepted my request. All right. Every step you take I’ll put down shards of glass in front of you.’

The Demon King had a large smile inside, but his outer appearance remained solemn as he spoke. The corner of his mouth was cramping as he was trying to suppress his laughter. Fortunately, Ruka hadn’t picked up on this.

“You task isn’t too difficult. There are two Spirit Kings interfering with my plan. The two of them is the Water Spirit King Elqueeness, and the Fire Spirit King Ifrit. I want you infiltrate the party to keep an eye on them. Then you just have to kill the young boy they are protecting. Of course, don’t cause a big commotion. Kill him away from their eyes.”

“Hmm. I see.”

One had to call a spade a spade. Anyone would realize his words held treachery. The two Spirit Kings’ strength were on par with the Demon King. It wouldn’t be an easy task to kill the boy while the Spirit Kings protected him. The King’s order were basically sending him to his death. However, the Demon King couldn’t tell what Ruka was thinking.
Ruka laughed with a twinkle like starlight in his eyes. He had lived for a long time, so it wasn’t as if he didn’t know the Demon King’s intent. Still, he received his orders with a dignified attitude.

“I’ll follow the orders of the great one. Please leave it to me.”