0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 26: To the Holy Land (1) (Part 1)  

0DK Chapter 26. To the Holy Land (1) (Part 1)

‘And this type is problematic.’

Uncontrollable. Acts solely according to their own beliefs and values, ignoring the words of others.

Karos clicked his tongue. It seemed like it would be a difficult journey.

As Sinclair cleared the branches blocking the way, she spoke with a cheerful face.

“When we arrive at the holy land, I will ask for you to be baptized.”

“Baptized? The baptism of a god.”

Karos murmured. A Demon King receiving a god’s baptism. It was a joke, not even remotely funny.

‘I must escape.’

He had to find some way to slip away before they reached the holy land. Karos followed behind Sinclair.

**** ****

“How far is it from here to the holy land?”

“Roughly… it will take about two months.”

Two months remained. Sinclair swung her sword, cutting down the branches in front of them.

“Good. Be careful where you step and follow me.”

“Why take the forest path instead of the road?”

Human territories were well-traveled. Anyone with two legs could traverse the empire’s expanse as they wished. Sinclair slightly furrowed her brow.

“Traveling by road can lead to bothersome encounters.”

“Bothersome encounters?”

“Hm. Many wish to see this unworthy body. Meeting them all would only waste time. That’s why we’re passing through the forest. Actually, meeting the lord was a unilateral decision I made for your sake.”

“I see.”

Karos thought it unnecessary to be so cautious, but logic doesn’t work on fanatics, so he remained silent.

“Sorry about that. I’ll try my best to take care of things.”

“No, it’s fine. Avoiding troublesome situations is also what I desire.”

Meeting people and becoming recognized would bring no good. Despite the rough path, passing unseen like this was preferable for him.

“Still, we will rest if we come across a village. However… it’s quite a distance until then, so we’ll have to camp out. Sorry.”

“I’m used to camping, so it’s okay.”

“Hm. Right, you mentioned being an adventurer. No need to worry, then.”

Sinclair smiled faintly and continued forward. Eventually, a small clearing within the forest appeared.

“Let’s eat here today. And then we’ll continue walking.”

“Understood.”

Karos responded cheerfully, fiddling with the fruit he held in his hand.

‘First, the poison.’

He wasn’t sure how effective poison would be against the Slayer of Demon Kings, but doing something was better than nothing. He had collected some poisonous herbs and fruits along the way.

Fruits that would cause a human to faint within ten minutes. Herbs cause vomiting, nausea, and hallucinations that incapacitate for a day, and fruits induce diarrhea.

‘And then.’

Karos pulled out a grape-like black fruit from his pocket.

This fruit was from the demon world. Harmless to demons, but when consumed by humans, it gradually transformed their body closer to that of a demon, a forbidden fruit in the surface world akin to a narcotic.

‘Using these should have some effect.’

“Miss Sinclair. Let me take care of the cooking…”

“Hm?”

Karos stopped as he approached Sinclair.

“What is that?”

Before Sinclair lay various cooking utensils. A table, a pot, and even meat and vegetables. Everything needed for cooking was spread out in the clearing.

“Nothing much. Just a blessing from the god.”

She casually waved her hand in the air, and a ladle appeared in it.

“It’s a portable space. I’m quite picky about my food, and I couldn’t just satisfy myself with jerky. So, I decided to cook for myself.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. I’ll cook everything, so just rest.”

She began skillfully cutting the meat. Karos discarded the poisonous herbs behind him.

**** ****

‘It’s okay.’

Karos reassured himself. It would have been strange if everything had gone smoothly. A failure or two was to be expected.

Actually, the plan was doomed from the start. She was a hero, after all; how could poison possibly work? Acting rashly would only increase the chances of his demise.

So, in a way, this was for the best. As Karos rationalized, the cooking was soon finished. Sinclair moved the dishes with a satisfied expression.

“Hm. Turned out well. Come, eat.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you.”

Karos gathered his senses and sat at the table. The delicious smell spread through the forest.

‘Wow.’

Karos’s face lit up. He had been starving from all the hardships endured. Naturally, his hunger was piqued.

“Alright. This is the last part.”

Sinclair closed her eyes and prayed.

“O deity. Please vanquish those who have fallen into delusion.”

Keeng.

A holy barrier encircled the clearing.

“With this, no beast can approach… Are you okay?”

“It’s nothing.”

Suppressing the pain that swept through his body, Karos smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Miss Sinclair. For going to the trouble of cooking for me.”

“Hm. Hm. It’s nothing much… but I’ll ask for your opinion on the cooking.”

Sinclair scratched her cheek awkwardly.

“I decided to cook myself, but without anyone to share it with, I can’t know if others find it tasty.”

“Am I a test subject?”

“Uh, sorry.”

“No, it’s okay.”

It looked fine and smelled good. Unless it was poisoned, there shouldn’t be a problem. Karos took a sip of the soup.

And then he coughed up blood.

“Cough!”

“What, what?!”

Sinclair panicked, getting up hurriedly.

“Is it not to your taste?”

“No, I just choked for a moment.”

Karos pounded his chest and drank water. Then, he coughed up blood again.

“Cough! Cough!”

“Vain!”

“No, it’s nothing…”

Sinclair patted Karos’s back. After a few minutes, color returned to Karos’s face. Sinclair, with a gloomy expression, asked.

“Is it… not tasty?”

“No, it was very delicious.”

“Then why the blood…?”

“I haven’t had such warm food in a long time. It seems my body can’t accept it.”

“Is, is that so?”

“Yes. Sadly, I can only eat a little. I’m sorry, especially after you went through the trouble.”

“Hmm. No, health comes first.”

“Thank you for understanding.”

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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