WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 185: Floor 17 Hidden (2)
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The worlds were connected.
It was my first time experiencing something like this, but it was not exactly surprising.
But if this was the same world as Floor 2... then when in the timeline was this?
They were just talking about the knight commander's rebellion.
That was probably referring to what I had experienced in the Floor 2 Hidden Route.
My mission had been to help a demon noblewoman escape from a knight who had betrayed her family.
Then was this set after that?
Could the story from the Floor 2 Hidden Route be continuing exactly as it had been?
Still concealed, I listened in on the demons' conversation again.
“I hear the Great Warriors will fight to determine whether the Demon God is resurrected.”
“They say Keilteir brought in an incredibly skilled fighter from the Bahel Church...”
“Either way, if the rumors are true, it will be quite the duel. What a shame we cannot watch it!”
After organizing the information I had overheard, this was the gist of it.
Soon, the 26 Families would gather somewhere called Kagolak to decide on the resurrection of the Twin Demon Gods.
From the context, the 26 Families appeared to be the twenty-six greatest families among the demons.
There, the Great Warriors put forward by each family would fight, and they would follow the opinion of the winning side.
I also learned that the Demon King was dead, that humans and demons were currently at war, and various other details...
I asked the Demon King.
This is not your world, is it, Demon King?
"No."
There were Demon Kings everywhere, including Seri's world. Was that some universal naming convention?
In any case, the crucial issue seemed to be the resurrection of the Twin Demon Gods, which the families would decide.
It was a Demon God, no less.
It was obviously no ordinary matter.
I stopped time and thought.
First...
I probably needed to go to Kagolak too.
Could preventing the resurrection of the Twin Demon Gods be the clear condition?
If they were resurrected, would the world be destroyed, taking me down with it?
It seemed plausible, but I could not be certain.
Whatever the case, I needed to go there myself and observe how things unfolded.
The problem was that I was human.
Even setting aside the racial issue, I was not qualified to attend a gathering of noble families in the first place.
Should I go and watch in secret, then?
But sufficiently strong people could see through concealment, and its duration was not infinite.
It would be best if I could participate directly and interfere with events...
...Should I make use of the Dapriya Family?
When she gave me the ring, had she not said that if I came to the family, she would grant me one request?
Based on the demons' conversation, Dapriya was also one of the 26 Families.
However, it seemed they were in no position to participate because of the rebellion within their family.
In any case, I concluded that I should first find the Dapriya Family.
It would be best if I could learn more detailed information there and find some way, even indirectly, to participate in Kagolak.
I looked around the tavern.
“Khaha! So I was just about to go for the jaw of that bastard who's nothing but muscle...”
Demons who looked like soldiers or mercenaries were making noise at one of the tables.
I approached them and swiftly swiped the horned helmet they had placed on the table.
Sorry.
It was a helmet with horns that covered the entire face.
The demon immediately noticed that their helmet was gone and shouted.
“Fuck! What the hell? Where is my helmet?!”
They savagely looked around, then grabbed an innocent demon at a nearby table and snarled.
“Was it you?! Hand over my helmet if you don't want to die!”
“What the fuck is with this guy? Are you picking a fight?”
Before long, the demons began punching and kicking each other.
I left the tavern and put on the helmet.
A helmet would probably look more ordinary than a mask.
I also stole some gloves from a stall selling clothes to hide the color of my hands.
“Excuse me.”
Then I dismissed my concealment and went around asking passersby about the Dapriya Family.
“Excuse me? I'll be rude too, asshole!”
Perhaps demons were somewhat aggressive by nature. Some threw punches at me the moment I spoke to them...
“Argh! I'm sorry! Please spare me!”
But if I caught their fists and gave them a light squeeze, I could obtain their cooperation without much trouble.
That was how I gathered information about the Dapriya Family.
The Dapriya territory was currently occupied by the knight commander Carlos.
And the Dapriya family head had been defeated by that knight commander and fled to the Blunhill Family, his wife's family.
The Dapriya territory must refer to the castle and forest from Floor 2.
In any case, that meant the place I needed to visit immediately was the Blunhill Family.
I needed to meet the family head if I wanted to use the ring to make a request.
“If you are looking for the Blunhill Family, head east. Cross two mountains, and the castle you will find is Blunhill's main castle.”
“How long will it take to get there? Is it far?”
“Not terribly far. About ten days on foot...?”
That would be over a thousand kilometers.
It was not far.
I could warp there, and even if I traveled directly, it would take less than an hour with my current physical abilities.
At top speed, I could easily exceed the speed of sound.
Still, I needed to save as much time as possible, so I decided to head in the right direction and use the warp device.
[0:01]
After waiting ten minutes for it to activate, I warped.
I arrived in the mountains.
I rose high into the sky and surveyed the area. In the distance, I spotted a large castle halfway up a mountain.
It seemed I had found it right away.
I headed toward the castle.
When I arrived, I saw residents farming in the village surrounding it.
Demons farm too.
Well, they had to eat and live.
I passed through the village and landed before the castle gate.
The guards were startled to see me fall from the sky and pointed their spears at me.
“Who goes there?!”
I held out the ring engraved with the Dapriya crest.
“I am a guest.”
Would this not work?
The guards stared back and forth between me and the ring in bewilderment. One of them hurried inside.
Soon afterward, knights came rushing out amid a commotion.
Ah.
There was a familiar face among them.
The demon lady standing among the knights spotted me and cried out brightly.
“Kim Seo-hyon!”
Wait...
What was her name again?
“Lady Heilo?”
“...It is Heillin! Have you already forgotten this lady's name?!”
Right, Heillin.
Her reaction confirmed that the story from the Floor 2 Hidden Route really was continuing.
Heillin glared at me sulkily, then relaxed and smiled again.
“I am glad you are safe. Do you know how worried this lady was when you suddenly vanished? How did you find your way here?”
“Well...”
“Ah, come inside first!”
I followed Heillin into the castle.
I was led to a room resembling a reception room and waited for a while. Then Heillin personally brought tea.
“Make yourself comfortable. I have told the servants not to enter, so there is no need to keep wearing that helmet here.”
I removed my helmet.
Heillin stared fixedly at my face, then blushed.
“Ahem.”
Hmm... Come to think of it, her tastes were not exactly ordinary.
Still, it was a kindness, so there was no harm in it.
Heillin cleared her throat and asked,
“So, Kim Seo-hyon, why did you come all the way to the Blunhill Family castle? Did you come because you wished to see th-this lady's face?”
“Yes, among other reasons. But where is the family head...?”
I had come because I heard the Dapriya family head was here.
Heillin's expression darkened slightly, and she gave a bitter smile.
“My father is somewhat unwell. I informed him that an important guest had arrived, so he will come to greet you soon.”
Unwell.
Had the family head been defeated by that rebel knight commander?
Heillin explained the circumstances herself.
“After you saved me, I immediately went to find my father. Father immediately set out to punish Carlos, but... because Carlos used a wicked trick, Father was injured and retreated here. You must have heard the rumors already.”
I see.
I roughly remembered the background story from Floor 2.
It seemed more time had passed since then, and several other events had occurred.
I changed the subject and got straight to the point.
“There is something I would like to ask.”
“What is it? Ask anything.”
“I heard the 26 Families will soon gather in Kagolak to decide on the resurrection of the Twin Demon Gods... When exactly is that?”
Heillin answered with a puzzled expression.
“Three days from now. Why do you ask?”
Three days. There was still time.
I asked again.
“I heard that each family brings forth a Great Warrior, and the winning side receives the deciding vote. Is that correct?”
“Hmm, yes. With the Demon King's throne vacant, the families' opinions are sharply divided... Yet the family heads cannot fight among themselves at a time like this, so they reached that compromise.”
“Then can you simply select anyone and bring them as a Great Warrior?”
“I have heard there are no particular qualifications, so probably. But why...”
Just then, footsteps approached, and the reception room door opened.
A middle-aged demon with a large horn on his forehead.
I immediately knew that he was the Dapriya family head.
Heillin rose from her seat, so I did the same.
The family head frowned when he saw me.
“...My daughter told me, but you truly are human.”
Heillin stepped forward as though protesting.
“I told you, Father! He is a good human who risked his life to save me! And...”
The family head raised a hand, cutting her off.
I greeted him first.
“My name is Kim Seo-hyeon. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
The family head returned the greeting.
“I am Gakhil Dapriya. Have a seat.”
I sat back down and faced Gakhil, the Dapriya family head. Heillin sat beside him.
Gakhil spoke.
“First, I must express my gratitude for saving my precious daughter. Race does not matter when one has received a favor.”
“It was nothing.”
“Why have you come all the way to Blunhill Castle? Did you come for Heillin, or did you wish to meet me?”
I took out the ring and showed it to him.
“I came to use this.”
“...”
“When Lady Heillin gave this to me, she said she would grant me any one request. I need that help now.”
Gakhil glanced at Heillin, then looked back at me.
“...As long as it is within the family's power, we have an obligation to grant it. What do you want? Wealth?”
“No. I would like you to bring me as your Great Warrior to the coming decision on the Twin Demon Gods' resurrection.”
Silence fell.
Heillin stared at me with round, startled eyes, while Gakhil looked at me as if I were insane.
Gakhil spoke again.
“You are human.”
“Yes.”
“And demons and humans are currently at war. What is this, some new kind of espionage? Why are you so brazen? Ridiculous.”
I shook my head.
“I am not a spy. It is just a personal matter.”
“That is a request I cannot grant.”
“Did you not just say you would grant anything?”
“I said as long as it is within the family's power. Have you lost your mind? You expect me to bring a human to a place where all the rulers of demonkind are gathered?”
I put my helmet back on.
“If I hide my face like this, would they not notice?”
“Do not be absurd. Humans have a different aura from demons to begin with. There is no way they would fail to notice.”
Was that so? This was troublesome.
“So as long as that issue is solved, it will be fine, right? Is there no disguise magic or something?”
“Do you believe disguise magic could fool the family heads without a dragon's polymorph? Stop saying nonsense. I am being patient only because you are my daughter's benefactor.”
Gakhil released his aura as though trying to pressure me.
I brushed it off without difficulty.
Is it impossible?
If there was no way, would I really have to sneak into Kagolak alone and hide?
Still reluctant to give up, I asked again.
“Is there no way I can use a dragon's polymorph?”
Gakhil, who had looked surprised at me, gave a hollow laugh.
“Why not find a dragon yourself and ask one?”
“Where are the dragons? Would it be possible if I asked one?”
“Listen, what are you trying to...”
Gakhil was about to become angry, but then he sighed with a resigned expression.
“Please, do not ask absurd favors that cannot be granted. The Dapriya Family is not even in a position to head to Kagolak right now. We have not dealt with the rebellion, and the family head was defeated by the rebel and cannot even reclaim the family castle. Where do you expect me to go?”
Heillin nodded with a dark expression.
After thinking for a moment, I spoke.
“Then there are two problems. The fact that I am human, and the fact that you have not dealt with that rebel named Carlos or whatever.”
“...?”
“I will ask only one thing. I am not joking, so answer me. Where is the dragon? If I find a dragon myself, can I obtain a way to polymorph into a demon?”
Seeing my serious expression, Gakhil answered with displeasure.
“There is a rumor that the Red Dragon in the Land of Fire at the southern end will grant one wish to anyone who wins a wager against it.”
“Then if I find the Red Dragon and win the wager, polymorphing should be possible.”
“It would take you several months just to reach the Land of Fire from here. Do you understand now that it is impossible?”
Good. Then it was worth trying.
I nodded.
“I will handle every problem. First, I will bring you Carlos's head.”
“What...?”
As I stood up, Heillin urgently rose as well.
“A-Are you insane?! What are you even saying?!”
Carlos, the Black Knight who had driven me to the brink of death in the Floor 2 Hidden Route.
Carlos had been an enemy I could never defeat back then...
But now, Carlos was just a trash mob.
I spoke.
“Which direction is Dapriya's main castle? Just tell me. I will deal with Carlos and return shortly.”
Gakhil looked at me with an expression so dumbfounded that he could not speak.
“I know you are not ordinary, but... Where does this confidence come from? I heard you could not even stand against Carlos and barely escaped with Heillin.”
“I have become much stronger since then.”
“In only twenty days?”
Ah, so it had been around twenty days since then.
Gakhil continued.
“Carlos massacred the retainers in the castle and carried out some incomprehensible ritual in exchange for their souls. Carlos is far stronger than before. Even I suffered a crushing defeat after leading an army against Carlos, yet you say you will go alone and defeat Carlos?”
“Just tell me. If I go there and die, you will not need to grant my request, and you will lose nothing.”
Gakhil gave a hollow laugh.
“Go straight east from here, and you will reach Dapriya's main castle. But you came from there yourself, so why do you not know the way?”
“I have a poor sense of direction. How far is it?”
“About three days by carriage. Do as you will.”
“Could you point in the direction with your finger? The exact direction from here. I need to teleport.”
“...”
Gakhil stared at me as if I were unbelievable, then pointed in one direction as though waiting to see how far I would take this.
I oriented myself that way, set the distance, and activated the warp device.
I also set my current location as a warp point so it would be easier to return later.
“W-What are you doing? Are you really going?”
Heillin grabbed my arm with a horrified expression.
I pulled her hand off my arm.
“It is fine. Just wait about twenty minutes. I will be back shortly.”
I ignored Heillin as she restlessly chattered for a while.
When the warp device's activation time ended, I warped to my destination.
I arrived in a wasteland.
I rose high into the sky.
Looking around, I saw a vast forest stretching into the distance, with a tall tower rising from its center.
It was the forest from Floor 2.
It seemed I had found the right place.
Using Air Step, I flew like an arrow toward the tower.
I could see the collapsed bridge I had crossed while clearing the Floor 2 Hidden Route...
There he is.
When I reached the tower, I spotted a figure standing at its peak.
A Black Knight clad in pitch-black armor.
It was the knight commander Carlos.
Boom!
I landed before him.
Carlos looked at me and drew their sword.
Their voice came from within their armor.
“It is that human. Have you returned to the place where you will die?”
I drew the Sword of Heaven's Gatekeeper as well.
“This is not where I will die. Unfortunately, it is where you will die.”
At those words, Carlos swung his sword.
Whoooosh!
Crimson-black sword energy surged toward me like a net.
Ah...
I realized once again.
I had grown tremendously stronger.
Of course, Carlos had only been difficult back on Floor 2, but... had Carlos always been this damn weak?
I swung the Sword of Heaven's Gatekeeper as well and unleashed Fatal Strike.
Five-colored sword energy erased all the crimson-black sword energy and flew forward, severing Carlos's neck.
“Goodbye.”
Thud.
Carlos became Car/los.
I picked up Carlos's fallen head and activated the warp device again.
Ten minutes later, I returned to the reception room.
Gakhil and Heillin were still seated there.
“...!”
I placed Carlos's head on the table.
The two stared at me with shocked expressions.
I spoke to the stunned Gakhil.
“Now I will go meet the dragon. About how far is it from here?”
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