0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 34: The Choice (3) (Part 2)

The slender man returned to the original topic. Karos shrugged.

“What will happen to you? I don’t know. You might live.”

He said indifferently.

“Or you might die.”

The slender man’s face turned ashen. Just as the atmosphere was about to become gloomy, Sinclair struck the pot with a ladle.

“It’s done. Everyone, come here.”

“Yes…”

The slender man approached the cooking with a defeated expression.

‘As if the mood wasn’t depressing enough, now we have to eat bad food too.’

It was the worst. He picked up a spoon.

*** ***

The meal was cleanly finished. Except for the slender man repeatedly asking for more, making Sinclair troubled, the night passed without any incident.

‘No one attempted to escape.’

Everyone was asleep. Karos sat on a rock, surveying them. Among the lowest-ranking mercenaries, loyalty to comrades was nonexistent, so he thought at least one or two might run away, but that wasn’t the case. Despair was present, but no signs of escape were evident.

‘Unique mercenaries.’

– Hey.

A languid voice was heard. Karos frowned.

“Why are you initiating contact? Don’t you know it’s dangerous if we’re caught?”

– The current hero won’t care. I just wanted to complain a bit.

Irina’s voice was laden with deep fatigue.

– After our last communication, Bathesia caused a commotion, and it was very difficult. It seemed like she was about to rush to your side, so I barely managed to calm her down with Soccu’s power.

“Huh.”

Karos was impressed. Even weakened, putting Bathesia to sleep was not an easy task for a great mage.

“An absolute power, huh? You had a hard time. There’s no reason for Bathesia to act that way, why?”

– Demon King.

Irina asked with a tone of genuine curiosity.

– Why do you think that?

“She’s free if I die.”

Bathesia did not like him. She was forced into servitude by the Great Demon King.

Therefore, there was no need for her to save him. That was Karos’s thought.

– Hmm. That’s interesting.

Irina murmured with a hint of amusement.

– I won’t do anything boring. If that’s what you believe, then believe as you wish. Anyway.

She chuckled.

– Are you still embracing each other?

“No. Not anymore.”

Sinclair had not slept with him since leaving the village. Karos clicked his tongue.

“I’m going to sleep, so get to the point.”

– Just a simple curiosity. You said you’re going to the sanctuary for your safety and as a future Demon King. Is that sincere?

“What are you talking about all of a sudden?”

– There was irritation and anger in your voice at that time. It was directed at yourself. It seemed like you couldn’t accept yourself using the hero.

“…You know too much for someone who’s been confined.”

– Being confined has its own way of learning.

Irina giggled.

– Who are you seeing in her? Enemy of humanity.

“I have no obligation to answer you.”

Karos spoke emotionlessly.

– That’s true. I’m just a tool for you, after all.

Irina didn’t probe further and retreated easily. She knew getting closer would only be poisonous.

– For me, knowing you’re not just a simple monster is enough. I have a guess about what you think of my proposal. How do you think it will turn out?

“Half and half. If things go as planned, it’s almost certain.”

– Not bad. Then, I’ve satisfied my curiosity, let’s end it here.

Before the communication ended, Irina’s voice lingered.

– I hope you don’t get consumed by your emotions.

*** ***

The journey continued. They walked through the forest, eating and resting in cycles. The mercenaries following them began to show signs of exhaustion.

Karos, too, reached his limit but persevered with willpower, following Sinclair. Falling here would turn all their efforts to naught, so he couldn’t afford to collapse, even if it was just for show.

The only ones not showing fatigue were Sinclair and the rough man. Just the two of them. Sinclair often closed her eyes as if pondering something.

Finally, a month passed.

“We’re nearing the sanctuary…”

The slender man looked gloomily at the forest. Passing through this forest would mean reaching the sanctuary. That implied their end was drawing near as well.

“What will become of us.”

The anxiety they had managed to forget by walking aimlessly began to creep back into their minds.

“You all rest. Be careful not to get involved in any incidents before we arrive.”

They took their final rest before reaching the sanctuary. Sinclair looked at each mercenary, speaking to them one by one. After finishing her conversation with the last mercenary, she approached Karos.

“…You’ve worked hard.”

“You’ve worked much harder, Miss Sinclair.”

Karos spoke calmly. Sinclair gazed at him intently.

“…Vain, may I have a moment?”

“Of course.”

Karos responded as if he had been waiting.

“Come this way.”

Sinclair entered deeper into the forest. She stopped at a distance where the mercenaries could no longer hear their voices.

“So.”

Karos spoke leisurely. He had expected her to come this far.

Until now, she had never doubted the words of others. She blindly believed in the teachings of the Sun God and accepted everyone’s words without question.

But now, that belief was shattered. She began to doubt everything she had heard. The teachings of the Sun God’s clergy. The words of the villagers.

And even Karos’s words on their journey.

Sinclair silently looked at him.

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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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