Volume 9 Chapter 3 Before The City Invasion
After distributing breakfast to all, including the sl*ves.
I stood on a snowy hill with a great view, facing the sl*ves.
Since we're on the other side of the hill, I don't think we can be seen from the city side, even if they look. Even if they do see us, it's just me standing on the hill.
"...This is huge..."
The Demon sl*ves were still restless, so I waited until they calmed down, gazing at the city.
It's a vast city, surrounded by a high wall. The Demon King's city, finally within reach.
Inside the wall, various buildings stood in a row, with towers built at regular intervals between them. Six on the outside, 4 on the inside.
Those must be the towers that protect the Demon King's castle, as I've heard.
And surrounded by those towers, a massive castle rises high in the center.
The Demon King Hel's castle, our next target. The main objective of our current strategy.
But that's not all. Around the castle, massive sculptures of unknown creatures stood, as big as the towers. Snakes, wolves, and who-knows-what.
It's an extravagant and ominous city.
I turned around, sensing that the demons behind me had calmed down.
"Well, sl*ves, you've had a long and hard journey. We're finally close to the Demon King's city. Let's take a moment to appreciate it."
As I said this with a confident smile, the demons stirred.
"Appreciate it...? What do you mean? Are we being praised by our master for doing a good job?"
"I don't get it... Don't masters usually mock their sl*ves' efforts and laugh at them?"
"No way, I don't believe it. Even if you told me that our entire journey was just a big prank, I wouldn't be surprised."
"The sl*ves' distrust of humans is amazing."
No, it's demon distrust. That's reasonable, I thought, and continued.
"From here, we're going to infiltrate the Demon King's city. But, we're not stupid enough to think we can take it down with our current power."
I continued, gesturing with my hands.
"So, what's the plan? First, we'll infiltrate the city, establish a foothold, and get comfortable. We'll spread out, but stay connected through information and benefits."
"What if there's a traitor~?"
Rollo, the younger sister of the demon siblings, asked, raising her hand. I replied.
"Don't worry about it. If someone betrays us, they'll be punished by being kicked out of the 'Demon King Killer' festival. I don't want anyone who's not fun to be around."
Some of the demons' faces changed color after hearing my answer. I guess there were some who were thinking of betrayal because it seemed fun.
But that's not something demons would do. Demons are essentially immortal freeloaders and ultimate hedonists.
"So, if you sl*ves have any trouble, feel free to come to us for help. And if you get any information, bring it to us. The more you contribute, the more interesting roles you'll get."
"For example, what kind of roles?"
Renril, the older brother of the demon siblings, asked. I replied.
"We'll prepare roles like an invasion team to attack the sorcery stronghold that protects the Demon King's castle, a manipulation team to control the city's people from behind the scenes, and an assignment to the Demon King subjugation team. In other words, we'll be the main attraction of the festival."
'Oooooh...!'
The demons started to get excited. They love chaos and behind-the-scenes moves. The Demon King subjugation team would be extremely tough, but...
"First, we'll get comfortable in the city. You guys should think about it. 'What's next?' and all that."
I laughed fiercely.
"Next, we'll take on the city's Collapse."
The demons' eyes lit up with curiosity.
"We're a big organization. So, after we get comfortable, we'll spread information, manipulate the economy, and crush any obstacles. And then, the city will become... that way."
Do you get it? I asked.
"So, we're going to take over the city of Demon King Castle with our numbers. Our will is going to confuse and drive the city crazy. And in the end, we'll destroy it."
If that happens, it'll be the most exciting part of the festival.
"After that, we'll just go wild. We'll incite the people, kill each other, and while they're in chaos, we'll take down all the defense points and attack Demon King Castle."
The demons are all chattering away.
"That means we'll be plundering, right?" "Hahahaha, this is going to be fun!" "We'll get all the food, gold, and treasure we want, and our drooling won't stop!"
"I want to kill a lot of strong guys!" "I want to eat a lot of kids!" "Anyone who cries and screams is fine with me. Let's do it quickly!"
"We might get blown away like dust when we challenge Demon King-sama." "But we can just eat other demons and get stronger in the meantime." "And then revive near our master and launch an all-out attack!"
The demons are shamelessly expressing their desires, and it's disgusting. But as long as they're having fun, they'll be on our side.
Besides, there's no point in worrying about their evil nature.
The demons in the city below are probably the same kind of people too.
"Well, I think that's enough explanation, sl*ves! From here on out, it's the main event!"
I shout loudly, and the demons shut their mouths.
"We're approaching the city But if we try to infiltrate this huge fortress, we'll be detected as enemies and a war will break out! We don't want that kind of hassle!"
So what do we do?
"We have a plan. We can quickly and quietly take out the soldiers at the castle gate, and that's something we can do."
I turn around and call out to the person waiting behind me.
"Sur."
"Yes, Wade-sama."
I call out, and Sur steps forward.
"This is Sur, a sorcerer with incredible skills. He's so skilled that he can use the highest level of sorcery, 'Domain Control'."
The demons' eyes widen in surprise when they hear that.
"Can that guy use Domain Control...!?" "No, that's amazing. I tried my best to learn it when I was serious, but Domain Control was impossible." "It's painful, so I'll just engrave it with a Rune."
Most demons who can use sorcery react like this. It's truly impressive.
On the other hand, I think it's strange that this kind of "secret art" is so well-known. It's not like that on the surface. There are many people who only know the surface of magic.
The difference is in the number of years you've lived. Not dying creates this difference.
I'll cut off my thoughts and continue.
"Infiltrate by sneaking into the enemy's territory, taking out their guards, and then quickly scattering. After that, each of you will need to find a way to sneak in on your own."
"What's the plan like?"
A demon I don't know asks. I smile back at him brightly.
"Think for yourself."
After finishing my speech, I push through the demons' chatter and turn back, and a shadow approaches me, saying, "Wade-sama, your speech was impressive."
A handsome man with dark brown skin and jet-black long hair, the guide of Nilfheim. The sorcerer Sur, who is approaching us.
"Sur, good morning. Well, it's about time."
"Yes, I've felt that Wade-sama's speeches are exceptional from before."
"Thanks for the praise."
Sur praises me with a serious face, making me feel awkward.
"What's with you, Sur? Do you need something from me?"
"I can't hide anything from Wade-sama. Besides, we'll be entering the city soon, so I thought I'd talk to you about powerful demons beforehand."
"Powerful demons."
Great. If I can learn more about demons, I'd love to.
"What kind of demon is a powerful demon?"
I ask, curious, and Sur answers with a smile.
"Generally, it refers to demons who can use the secret arts of sorcery."
Secret arts, huh.
"Secret arts, I see... I definitely want to know more about that."
"Yes. That's why I, who can use those secret arts, will demonstrate it for you."
"Oh, a demonstration! That would be helpful."
We've already fought Lord Bael, and the evil god Heimdall was pretty strong too, but since Sur won't say it, I guess that secret technique wasn't activated.
Those powerful demons. The secret to their sorcery. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.
"Then, since we've got this far, I'd like to show it to everyone in my party, except for the teachers who already know about it."
I say, and Clay follows up with "That's right." He must have been eavesdropping nearby, because he walks up to us right away.
"Sur-san, can you show it to us in a way that Wade's party can understand?"
"...Yes, that's right. I mean, I also think it's desirable, but..."
"Sur-san, do you have some concerns?"
Sur answers Clay's question with a bitter expression.
"Well, it's something like a finishing move, and especially mine is dangerous, so..."
"Ah, so you're saying that if you show it to me, it's like saying 'I'll perform it on you, and if you die, oh well'?"
"Except for Wade-sama, there's a possibility that I might accidentally kill someone, and... yes..."
This is super dangerous, and I get a little excited. Meanwhile, Clay looks serious.
"I'm pretty tough, though."
"That's true, but it's not about that. I mean, even if you have strong defenses, it can still penetrate and kill, or rather, even immortals can be killed."
When we hear that, Clay and I both look unhappy. I furrow my brow and ask again.
"Are you serious? That's not strong at all. Why do you think I'll be okay?"
"Wade-sama has the persuasive power to go beyond reason and say 'it'll be fine somehow'."
Sur says with a dry laugh. Clay strongly nods in agreement, punching his palm with his fist.
I look disappointed.
"...Well, whatever. Just tell me the general idea for now, and then we can think of a convenient situation."
"I apologize for the trouble... During the Bael fight, it was unfortunately useless due to its characteristics."
I think that Sur, with his dark, handsome features, has always given off an air of being troubled since we met, but I urge him to continue without saying a word.
Sur clears his throat once and begins to explain.
"The essence of sorcery is, in other words, the most deviant technique that goes against the laws set by magic. Its true nature is usurpation. It's nothing but taking away the divine world from the gods themselves."
Sur held his left arm parallel to the ground, and spread his right hand above it. His left arm was representing the ground, meaning he was about to talk about the world above.
"The world above is truly the realm of the gods. Therefore, magic, which is a mimicry of the gods' miracles, is used under the gods' laws. In other words, magic. Magic can be used because it's within the realm of the gods."
However, Sur then brought his right hand under his left arm. Is he talking about the underground world now, I wonder?
"Originally, everything in this world should be under the realm of the gods. So, why do demons thrive and sorcery prosper in this underground world? It's because the Demon King took away the realm of the gods."
"The Demon King in Nilfheim, they are a god-like figure to humans in surface, isn't it?"
"That's correct. If the gods are the guardians of humans, then the Demon King is the guardian of demons. In other words, the Demon King has taken away the realm of the gods and is ruling over it. That's why the Demon King can set rules in the underground world."
I nodded. I once tried to peek into the mind of a demon, and was judged by the already-dead Demon King. That was equivalent to being punished by the gods above, wasn't it?
"However, the method the Demon King used to take away the realm from the gods is not special. It's the same sorcery as the demons. In other words, sorcery has a technique to take away the world from the gods."
Sur narrowed one eye, gazing at me.
"It's called 'Domain Control'. A sorcery that takes away a part of the world from the gods, and puts it under one's own control."
I couldn't help but curl up the corners of my mouth at the grandeur and majesty of it all.
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