NOVEL NEXT Chapter 129
The long night of the selection test day one.
Schwaaa~
Clouds drift under the moonlight.
And beneath that sky, the reed field is swept by a strong wind.
-Sara—waaaah.
The sound created by the wind brushing against the reeds is similar to the crashing of waves.
It feels like a foreboding presence of a major event about to unfold.
In the meantime, the red-haired man, Caeran Hiss, stopped the operation of the magical item in his hand and muttered.
‘So in the end, you won’t reveal your true self, huh.’
The first time he could see the latest model by Markosias was when he activated the magical item.
The communication happening now was merely a show of the seal’s effect and intimidation under the orders of the Great Demon.
Ultimately, the recipient of Caeran’s communication was just one of Markosias’ subordinates.
“Well, I’ve said all I needed to.”
Instead, he could convey all his requests that he found uncomfortable delivering directly to the Great Demon.
It was a bit amusing how the self-proclaimed adviser was throwing a fit about formality with every word he spoke.
Caeran glanced around.
Peaceful.
But…
‘By tomorrow, will this place turn into a hell on earth~.’
-Plan to release demon creatures in Area 2 to divert the interests of the creations. So immediately retreat and execute the instructions.
“Interesting.”
It seems the only aspiring hero among this batch is just himself.
Afterward, he kicked the support holding the tent where Aveline and Melissa were.
-Thunk.
-Clank!
“Wake up.”
With his cold morning voice, Melissa and Aveline awoke from their sleep.
“W-what is it…! Ah, Melissa, it’s your turn. I definitely went just before.”
“Ugh…? Is it already my turn…? Ah! I’ll go!”
She hurriedly got up and checked her outfit.
“Wait a sec. Sorry, Caeran. Let me fix this…”
“Tch, who’s watching…”
“…Huh?”
“Never mind. Just hurry up.”
“Ugh.”
Watching that boring scene, Caeran thought.
‘Easy girls are no fun. I really need those two.’
Yeriel Artina, Aria Bluebell.
The two girls revolving only around Lev Denec.
‘But Lev Denec, you snatched mine too, didn’t you?’
If he could have those two, what kind of defeated expressions would Lev Denec and Edwin Gwynn show?
“So don’t be sad, okay?”
“Uh? Caeran? Did you call me?”
“…Sigh.”
“Sorry…”
Hoping that his marks hadn’t stained the pure white cloth,
‘The curse of obedience… If I handle Markosias properly?’
Caeran envisioned the amusing future that lay ahead.
…
…
…
“You’re a clueless creature! For the next situation, we must instill more manners into you!”
“You’re a madman whose guts have spilled out! This is treating the demon race as a joke, going as far as to ridicule Pandemonium itself!”
Despite Caeran Hiss’s somewhat light-hearted tone, Markosias’s men found it difficult to maintain their dignity.
“Shut up. Enough.”
-!!
Markosias silenced them with a look and a rough gesture.
“You fools. The form in which you speak to a mere chess piece is not important. Whether the discarded words are made of wood or stone, as long as something useful is inscribed, it suffices.”
-……
His words left everyone in silence.
Before his corruption, Markosias had been a prominent angel, one of lower lineage.
Among the Great Demons, he wasn’t particularly connected to the fundamentals of Pandemonium.
Only the bigger picture existed in his mind.
The location of Mystic Island was ambiguous even within the Empire.
If it could be solidified as a demon stronghold, it would inevitably become an important strategic point in the future.
However, Mystic Island had been partly purified by the hero, Kroon, making it effectively under human control.
Simply being there diminished the combat effectiveness of the demons compared to fighting in Pandemonium.
Thus, activating the magic tower there to restore it to a demon territory and opening a dimensional gate was… practically their fate.
So far, the situation had progressed quite amusingly.
Once again, a traitor had emerged among the creatures.
This time, it was the one called Rezilus, who delegated the position of commander and started collaborating with the guild called Crow Pay.
To earn the trust of Markosias, they proposed two things.
1. Assist in diverting attention from Claris so that this matter goes unnoticed.
2. Present the qualified candidate, Caeran Hiss, and actively attempt to operate the Hell Magic Tower.
Unlike the pureblood demon Yellody Latashia, Caeran Hiss is a Demon.
His vessel was unnecessarily large enough to compare with Kroon, making him the perfect recipient to withstand the power of the tower.
“Oh great one, Caeran Hiss, will you consider his request?”
“Hmm.”
Was he aware of his own value? He responded arrogantly and even made requests of his own.
-Among the student party is 11th branch, Edwin Gwynn and Lev Denec. These two have taken everything I possess. Thus, I intend to take revenge on them. If I were to cause a major incident with them… would you, Lord Markosias, watch my back personally?
“That was Lev Denec, right?”
A human archer said to be of the same strength as Dalian.
It can’t be coincidence. That seemingly unremarkable guy has something going for him.
At that moment, a demon stepped forward and spoke.
“Great One, I have completed the investigation concerning Lev Denec’s close associates.”
“Speak.”
The Great Demon had no interest in mere humans.
However, Lev Denec had snatched away Dalian, who was Markosias’s minion, and as just heard, he had taken from Caeran as well.
It would be an understatement to say he deserved a brutal death.
“Two daughters of war heroes that the creatures venerate, and one creature that purified the archangel Tobiel. There is also a priestess with holy abilities among them.”
“How cute. Dreaming to be heroes with that crew, are they?”
“Indeed.”
The dangerous part is neglect.
Right now, those beings likely have abilities no better than bugs, but if left unchecked, they will annoyingly grow to wield swords in the future.
Markosias made a quick decision.
“This time, they are true enemies. I shall personally manifest on Mystic Island. Until then, any action beyond orders is forbidden.”
“Understood.”
With the occupation of Mystic Island, he would neatly prune the young sprouts.
Markosias ordered with a smirk.
“And relay to Yellody Latashia. Concentrate the demon creatures into one area and ensure not a single one enters the depths of the island.”
“Understood.”
Thus, all preparations were complete.
The moment the foolish humans of Claris gather in one place, he will strike.
‘The daughter of the war hero… I wonder what kind of flavor that would have…‘
The only thing left is for Markosias to carry out the slaughter and select the worthy to become his eternal subordinate.
‘You’d better hold out longer than Dalian, ha ha ha…!’
Markosias’s laughter echoed longer than ever.
*
Drip drip drip.
After acquiring information on Markosias and returning to our party’s base, a pure white girl, Yeriel, who glows even through the darkness, was sitting in front of the bonfire.
“You just got here…!”
She looked a little drowsy, but upon seeing me, her sleep seemed to fade away, leaving a complicated smile.
Snore!
-!
I exchanged a glance with Yeriel briefly as Edwin snored, then quietly sat beside her and asked.
“Were you waiting for me?”
“…No. It wasn’t even Lev’s turn.”
She turned her gaze from the bonfire to my face.
“…Aren’t you tired? Shouldn’t you get some more sleep?”
“I’m fine. More importantly… you don’t ask where I went.”
“Yeah. Lev kept my secret too.”
“…!”
“I actually know, right? Something has happened to my body, right? Like that demon who appeared in Sellafi Hall in the form of Umberto on the day of Lev’s ranking.”
She gazed back at the front again and spoke to me.
“Before Lev came, that demon indeed said so. That a funny curse has been placed on my body. Probably something the demons covet… something they like, right?”
I silently took her hand.
There was no particular reason. If anything, it was because I felt she might disappear just like this.
“And that is connected to Lev.”
“…”
“That night too, I just remembered. Lev’s falling out with Aria was also because he wanted to hide my secret, right?”
I recalled Yeriel’s character setting that I hadn’t been paying attention to.
Insight and empathy.
And devotion.
Clearly, it was true that I had acted violently toward Aria to mask her feeling black magic from Yeriel, but I didn’t want to be comforted like this.
It couldn’t be wrapped in such a positive way.
I had been the one using their feelings all along… it was just me.
I tried to let my emotions go as much as possible and quietly said.
“Yeriel, I’m not a good person. I’ve committed unforgivable mistakes toward Aria…”
“Lev. Stop it.”
“…?”
“I’ve never thought you were a bad person. You’ve saved me every time I was in danger, how can I think like that… But if you keep saying that, it only makes me sad.”
She held my hands tightly and turned her body to face me fully.
“And… about Aria… it’s not just you who did wrong.”
“That’s…!”
“Honestly, I’m also really~ bad, okay? On the day Aria told Lev she liked him, she told me she didn’t expect an answer for the confession, so I felt super relieved… So don’t just be sad alone…”
“…Yeriel.”
“Also, what about Lev kissing Aria? The way I see it… is kinda…”
“!”
“Because of me… Uh. Uh…?”
-……
A brief silence fell.
With my heart slightly crumbling, I asked her.
“You… saw it……?”
“Yeah, sorry…”
“No, I’m more sorry…”
If she saw that situation, then my worst lines would…
be something she heard as well.
“That’s right. Lev was much sneakier than me.”
“…!”
I was startled by Yeriel’s agreement and gazed into her eyes.
She teased playfully, smiled, and said.
“Just kidding.”
“…Yeriel…”
“What? Lev always plays around with me.”
“I apologize.”
Afterward, as Yeriel puffed up her cheeks cutely, I had no choice but to instantly apologize.
…
…
…
Drip drip drip.
Silence returned, and for some reason, the bonfire felt a little warmer than before.
“Lev.”
Then, in a gentle tone, Yeriel called my name.
“What is it?”
“Do you like me?”
“…Yeah.”
“And Aria?”
“I like her.”
“Wow. Lev’s such a greedy one…”
“Sorry.”
“Then tell me you like me too.”
“Uh? Right now…?”
“Yeah. It’s a punishment for a flirt.”
I couldn’t believe such a punishment existed. I didn’t quite understand the context…
But I had no choice but to say it.
“I like you, Yeriel.”
“Hmm. So this is the feeling…”
She nodded while staring at the bonfire and then directed one more command at me.
“Is there anything else…?”
Perhaps due to the warm ambiance, looking at Yeriel’s blushing cheeks and beautiful profile, I found myself saying.
“Let’s go out, Yeriel.”
“……”
Perhaps not liking the line, Yeriel pondered for a moment but eventually replied.
“I’ll decline.”
“…?!”
“First, Lev should be forgiven by Aria.”
“…”
“If you come back and properly respond to the confession…! Then I’ll think about it again…!”
“……Wait, does that mean…”
-Swish.
We could no longer continue our conversation.
-Smooch.
Yeriel planted a kiss on my cheek, and then shyly brought her lips onto mine.
…
…
…
Drip drip drip.
The moonlight danced on the stream…
This night was too short to learn everything about her.