0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 27: To the Holy Land (2) (Part 2)  

Heroes were the natural enemies of Demon Kings, but detailed information was scarce. Demons revered strength, so exploiting weaknesses was considered cowardly.

It was frustrating for Karos.

“If you’re going to insist on fairness, don’t invade in the first place. Stupid fools.”

– Uh, um.

Bathesia, who had been one of those fools until recently, murmured uncomfortably.

“Irina. You’re human, so you must know. Tell me about the hero.”

– Hmm. Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t know much about the Sun God’s hero either.

“You don’t know, and you’re human?”

– I know quite a bit about other heroes. They don’t hide and wander around, making themselves known. But the Sun God’s hero is different.

Irina clicked her tongue.

– She stays holed up in the Sun God’s holy land and doesn’t come out. Not even the emperor can see her if the church doesn’t respond. The only time she appears outside is to kill the Demon King.

“…That’s the hero?”

Karos was puzzled. Heroes weren’t just machines to drive away demons; they were beings with lives. But to think she only leaves the holy land to hunt demons was certainly strange.

“She really doesn’t come out unless she’s hunting the Demon King?”

– There are rare rumors of her quelling bandits now and then, but it’s very infrequent. You might as well consider it nonexistent.

“Really…”

– You’re beside her, so why don’t you ask her directly?

“And get my head chopped off for suspicion?”

– But what other choice do you have?

There seemed no way out. He couldn’t escape nor did he have any useful information. The only option left was to figure it out himself.

“Do I really have to figure this out on my own?”

– Hmm. I’ll try to create an opportunity as well. It’s risky to communicate any longer. Let’s end it here. Hang in there until then.

– Lord Demon King, please take care.

– Lord Demon Kiing…

– Shriek.

With the village chief’s cry, the communication ended. Karos muttered dumbfoundedly.

“Damn.”

**** ****

After ending the communication, Karos couldn’t immediately fall asleep. The pain had become familiar, but it still hurt. After tossing and turning for a while, he finally fell asleep as if knocked out.

The next day, the chirping of birds could be heard. Karos’s consciousness slowly awakened.

“Uh…”

The first thing he noticed was the absence of the prickling pain on his back. As Karos sat up from the sleeping bag, he saw Sinclair preparing food.

“Oh. Are you awake?”

She smiled at Karos, her golden hair swaying.

“I prepared the meal since you were still asleep. Come, let’s eat.”

“…Yes.”

Karos reluctantly took his seat, facing the food seasoned with holy power. Despite its nature, he had to eat to gather at least the minimum nutrients. Both demons and humans would falter without proper nutrition.

Already lacking sleep, failing to eat could really send him to his demise. He finished his meal, enduring the urge to cry out in pain.

“Alright. Let’s get moving. Today, we’ll walk for about six hours.”

“Six hours?”

After barely sleeping for two hours, enduring the all-encompassing holy power, eating food imbued with holy power, and now walking for six hours.

And this would continue for two months. Karos realized this was beyond his worst nightmares.

“Let’s go!”

“Yes…”

He responded brightly to her, forcing a smile.

And after about two hours, Karos somehow managed to follow Sinclair. The forest ended, and a plain stretched out before them.

‘What to do?’

As he followed, Karos pondered. He needed to gather information about Sinclair but couldn’t just ask directly. He needed an opening.

Suddenly, Sinclair raised her arm, signaling Karos to stop.

“What’s the matter?”

“…The ground is trembling.”

“The ground?”

Indeed, the ground was shaking uneasily, as if dozens of gigantic creatures were moving in unison.

Soon, their forms became visible.

“Roar!”

“Scream!”

Monsters. A few ogres, trolls, and goblins were charging towards them.

‘Bathesia, perhaps?’

With her power, subduing a few monsters was trivial. But to send them here in just a few hours was impressively quick.

Given the number and strength of the monsters, they could easily devastate several villages. Even for a hero, it seemed enough to create an opening.

However, Karos’s expression didn’t brighten.

“These monsters shouldn’t be able to enter this area. It must be the work of that Demon King.”

Sinclair calmly drew her sword, standing confidently in front of Karos.

“Don’t worry. As a hero, I won’t let them harm you.”

“Ah. Yes.”

Karos nonchalantly nodded. Sinclair raised her sword, gathering holy light around it. That too caused Karos subtle pain.

“Receive the divine punishment!”

Sinclair swung her sword down. A wave of light surged, sweeping the monsters away.

“Roar!”

“Groan!”

And it was over. The monsters vanished without a trace along with their screams.

‘Of course.’

The Sun God’s hero was the strongest among heroes. A few monsters stood no chance against her. Sinclair placed her hands on her hips, proudly smiling.

“Huhu. How’s that?”

“Impressive.”

Karos responded vaguely, his mind racing again.

Force was futile. He had to look for a gap to escape.

‘It’s okay.’

Two months was not a short time. Finding an opportunity within that period wasn’t impossible. He might end up like a fish soaked in holy water, but with determination, he could endure.

Resolving himself, Karos started walking again.

**** ****

A month had passed.

A gaunt figure staggered, dragging himself along the ground.

“Ahahah.”

He let out a laugh as he cracked open a walnut on the ground with a stone. He greedily stuffed the exposed nut into his mouth.

“Ah. Ahah.”

Food not laden with holy power, rich in nutrients, not causing stomach pain or distress.

Tears streamed down his face.

‘Save me…’

Deep within, Karos prayed to the great Demon King.

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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