WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: Coughing Baby
Discord: https://dsc.gg/wetried
Chapter 187: Floor 17 Hidden (4)
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“Welcome, Count Dapriya.”
An elderly person who looked like a butler greeted us as we entered the Demon King’s Castle.
Since it was not time yet, we were shown somewhere to stay while we waited.
“Where is the God-Slaying Sword?”
When I asked Gakhil, he answered.
“It is likely kept somewhere in the Demon King’s Castle treasury.”
“Where is the treasury?”
According to Gakhil, the God-Slaying Sword was essential to the ritual to resurrect the deity known as the Fighting Demon God, and this Great Warrior contest would determine its ownership.
Either way, the God-Slaying Sword seemed to be an important item in this Hidden Route.
Gakhil looked at me with a stiff expression.
“...Are you perhaps after the God-Slaying Sword?”
“It’s not like that.”
I explained to Gakhil, hoping to clear up his misunderstanding.
“The truth is, I want to prevent the Fighting Demon God’s resurrection too. You said a disaster could occur if they’re resurrected, right?”
“...That is right. The Demon God could go berserk.”
“Then wouldn’t that threaten the whole world? I’m worried someone else might be after the God-Slaying Sword.”
I still had no basis for being certain that preventing the Fighting Demon God’s resurrection was truly the clear condition...
But for now, I intended to act in that direction.
Gakhil shook his head.
“That will not happen. Please, do not do anything suspicious.”
Gakhil seemed unable to understand my sincere concern.
I asked something else.
“But you said the resurrection ritual would be held after crossing into the Demon Realm, right? Since the Fighting Demon God’s remains are there.”
“That is so.”
“Are the remains really still intact? Aren’t there many monsters in the Demon Realm?”
Gakhil spoke.
“I have never seen them myself, but I have heard that neither the magical beasts nor the demons of the Demon Realm approach the Fighting Demon God’s remains. They fear even the remains of a Demon God and will not go near them.”
Hmm, I see.
Even the Demon of the Scales I had seen before had felt like a being of considerable standing.
“I’d like to see the remains of a Demon God myself sometime. How do you cross into the Demon Realm?”
“Mages of the Fifth Circle or above can travel there using dimensional travel magic. But it is impossible for you to go to the Demon Realm.”
“Huh? Why?”
“The Demon Realm is a world permitted only to demons. If another race tries to enter, they will suffer dimensional resistance thousands of times greater than what demons face. No superhuman can withstand that impact, however strong they are.”
There was something like that?
But I had escaped the Demon Realm just fine.
Had the Demon of the Scales protected me with their power? Or was it fine because I had been leaving rather than entering?
We had arrived almost exactly on time, so before long, I had to move with Gakhil.
As we walked through the corridor, someone spoke to us.
“Well, if it isn’t Count Dapriya.”
An unpleasant expression appeared on Gakhil’s face when he saw the other person.
“Count Hennon.”
They must have been another count.
Count Hennon began picking a fight with Gakhil in a mocking tone.
“Are you well? I heard your Knight Commander started a rebellion. But seeing that you had the leisure to come all this way, it seems my concern was unnecessary.”
Gakhil nodded.
“Thank you for your unnecessary concern. But the traitor has already been dealt with.”
“...Is that so? I heard rumors that you failed to retake your territory and fled in disgrace.”
“Do not put too much faith in rumors. It seems your family’s informants are as lazy as pigs.”
Count Hennon’s expression twisted instantly.
The two seemed to have a terrible relationship, but even so, their conversation seemed rather informal for family heads. Was that just how demons were?
Then another demon approached.
This time, I could not help but take a closer look... because they were remarkably strong.
A Grand Duke?
They did not feel quite as strong as the dragon, but they felt nearly equal to me.
“Your Excellency, Grand Duke Bilford.”
Gakhil paid his respects.
So this was Grand Duke Bilford, the one opposing the resurrection.
He had an impression that reminded me of a dignified tiger.
The count who had been provoking Gakhil greeted the Grand Duke with a subdued look, then left.
Grand Duke Bilford patted Gakhil’s shoulder.
“Count Dapriya, I did not expect you to attend.”
“How could I be absent from a momentous occasion that will decide the fate of demonkind?”
“I heard what happened. Have all your family’s troubles been resolved?”
“Fortunately, they have.”
Gakhil was also on the opposing side, so he and Bilford must have been in the same camp.
More importantly, he would not have attended if not for me, yet he was saying that without shame.
Grand Duke Bilford’s gaze turned to me.
“Is this the Great Warrior you brought?”
“Yes.”
I read the room and bowed my head in greeting as well.
Several knights stood behind Grand Duke Bilford. The strongest among them was quite powerful. Was that Bilford’s Great Warrior?
The Grand Duke showed little interest in me, exchanged a few more words with Gakhil, then left first.
I whispered to Gakhil.
“You are on Grand Duke Bilford’s side, right?”
“That is right.”
“How exactly will the Great Warrior duel proceed?”
Would it be a tournament?
Gakhil spoke.
“At first, one of the Great Warriors volunteers to come out, and the other Great Warriors may freely challenge them. The winner remains. If no further challenger appears, the remaining Great Warrior wins.”
So it was winner-stays-on.
“Which side has the advantage, those for or against the resurrection?”
“Their numbers are similar. In the end, it will come down to Grand Duke Keilteir and Grand Duke Bilford. The Great Warriors they brought will be the strongest. The Great Warriors brought by the other family heads will likely fight among themselves first.”
Gakhil trailed off, then asked anxiously.
“Do you intend to step forward as well?”
“I’ll watch first. If things look bad, shouldn’t I step in? You do not want the Demon God resurrected either.”
Gakhil shook his head.
“I believe Grand Duke Bilford will win.”
“Why?”
“Bilford’s Great Warrior will be the heir of the Bilford family, Krail Bilford. He is already a powerful warrior who would not fall short even compared to most heads of the 26 Families. In truth, he is the finest card Bilford could send out as a Great Warrior.”
Bilford’s heir... did that mean the Grand Duke’s son?
The strongest knight I had seen earlier might have been the heir.
“There are rumors that Keilteir recruited a formidable warrior from the Bahel Church, but it will not be easy for them to stand against the Grand Duke’s heir.”
“What is the Bahel Church? Does it have something to do with the Fighting Demon God?”
“It is a religion that worships Bahel, the deity known as the Fighting Demon God. It is practically one body with the Keilteir Family.”
We continued on to our destination.
It was a vast space like a stadium, with a circular arena spread out at its center.
Twenty-six chairs surrounded it.
Gakhil walked to one of the seats and sat down. I stood behind him.
At least half of the family heads, including Grand Duke Bilford, had already arrived.
As time passed, the remaining family heads arrived one after another...
That must be them.
The final person to appear.
I could not help recognizing at a glance that they were Grand Duke Keilteir.
Because along with Grand Duke Bilford, the two of them were the strongest people here.
If Grand Duke Bilford resembled a tiger, Grand Duke Keilteir was a demon with the impression of a snake.
Several people followed at their side. I did not know which was Keilteir’s Great Warrior, but one person stood out.
Hmm...
Gakhil had said Bilford would win.
But my thoughts had just changed.
For some reason, I had a feeling Bilford would lose.
Time passed until all the heads of the 26 Families had taken their seats.
The elderly person who looked like a butler, whom I had seen earlier, stepped into the center of the arena and spoke solemnly.
“Then we will begin the contest to determine ownership of the God-Slaying Sword.”
They seemed to be the moderator.
There was no unnecessary speech. It began immediately.
“Each family may appoint one Great Warrior as its representative, excluding the family head. If the Great Warrior is defeated, that family will be immediately eliminated from the contest. The family of the final victorious Great Warrior will obtain ownership of the God-Slaying Sword.
“The duels will follow the demons’ ancient tradition of winner-stays-on until no challenger remains. The duel will continue until one side dies or admits defeat. The first family to volunteer, state your family name.”
I looked around.
According to Gakhil, the lesser players would test each other first, and eventually the two Great Warriors of the Grand Dukes would face off...
“Keilteir will volunteer.”
Grand Duke Keilteir’s voice broke the silence.
They were going first?
The other family heads looked at Keilteir in surprise.
Gakhil also muttered with a stiff expression.
“To come out immediately... What are they planning?”
Normally, the strongest fighter would come out late.
Yet they had stepped forward immediately. That meant they were just that confident.
A hooded figure standing behind Keilteir walked out.
The figure entered the center of the arena, removed their robe, and drew a pointed sword like a rapier.
“I am Banshu, Great Warrior of the Keilteir Family. Any challengers, step forward.”
The family heads’ gazes subtly focused on Grand Duke Bilford.
Grand Duke Keilteir called to him.
“Is there any need to drag this out, Bilford?”
The Grand Duke was telling the main contenders to face off right away.
Grand Duke Bilford stared at Keilteir’s Great Warrior with a tense face before speaking.
“Where did you find someone like that?”
Bilford, too, seemed to realize that the opponent was no ordinary fighter.
A stir went through the crowd.
The knight standing behind Grand Duke Bilford stepped forward.
“My lord, I will claim victory. Allow me to go.”
Grand Duke Bilford declared as though he had no choice.
“...The Bilford Family will challenge.”
The knight walked into the arena, stood opposite Banshu, and drew his sword.
“I am Krail Bilford, Great Warrior of the Bilford Family.”
Just as Gakhil had said, he was Bilford’s heir.
Grand Duke Keilteir let out a laugh.
“Are you truly going to send out your son? The purpose of conducting this through a Great Warrior duel is also to prevent grudges from forming between families.”
Grand Duke Bilford replied stiffly.
“I must do my utmost to stop your insane ambition.”
“Is that so? How unfortunate. Your outstanding son will have to taste defeat this time.”
Grand Duke Keilteir spoke to their Great Warrior.
“Your opponent is Bilford’s heir, so show restraint. Do not take his life.”
“I will do so.”
Krail Bilford’s expression twisted at the blatant disrespect.
The duel began.
Booom!
Krail Bilford attacked first.
Moving as swiftly as if using the Quickstep skill, he charged forward and swung a sword wrapped in crimson sword energy. Keilteir’s Great Warrior reacted and blocked it.
Crimson and green sword energy tangled together.
The blades clashed repeatedly as shockwaves rang out.
For a moment, Bilford’s heir seemed to push his opponent back through sheer strength...
But Keilteir’s Great Warrior, who had only been defending, suddenly thrust their sword.
It was an explosive acceleration beyond the speed of their previous exchanges.
Shnk!
The heir failed to react, and one shoulder was pierced.
He staggered back with a shocked expression.
Keilteir’s Great Warrior did not press the attack, instead stopping their sword.
They casually shook the blood from the blade, smiled, and spoke.
“Will you surrender?”
Bilford’s heir rushed at them again with a fierce expression.
But well... the result had been decided from the start.
Keilteir’s Great Warrior was the third strongest person here, after the two Grand Dukes.
Bilford’s heir launched a vicious flurry of sword strikes, but his opponent evaded and blocked every one.
Before long, his other shoulder was pierced as well.
Blood poured from both shoulders as Bilford’s heir breathed roughly.
“Would you not rather surrender? You should have seen enough to understand the gap between us.”
Keilteir’s Great Warrior spoke while completely ignoring the opponent in front of them and looking at Grand Duke Bilford instead.
Grand Duke Bilford sighed and declared.
“I concede defeat.”
“Father! I can still...!”
“Withdraw, my son. You will only die for nothing.”
The heir walked out of the arena with a humiliated expression.
“There was someone that strong in the Bahel Church...?”
Gakhil muttered in shock.
Keilteir’s Great Warrior looked around at the family heads.
“Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?”
No family head stepped forward.
Even Bilford had been defeated without putting up much of a fight.
The atmosphere suggested that Keilteir’s victory had already been decided.
I tapped the chair.
“Gakhil.”
“...”
“Challenge them. Hurry.”
For now, I had to stop Keilteir from winning.
Gakhil turned to me with a stiff expression.
“Are you really...”
“I’ll win for you. We cannot let the Demon God be resurrected like this.”
The moderator’s voice rang out.
“If there are no further challengers, the contest will conclude with the Keilteir Family’s victory.”
Gakhil finally spoke.
“The Dapriya Family will challenge.”
Every demon’s gaze focused on us.
Instead of taking out the Sword of Heaven’s Gatekeeper, I borrowed Gakhil’s sword and stepped into the arena.
“I am Kim Seo-hyeon, Great Warrior of the Dapriya Family.”
I introduced myself as the others had.
Keilteir’s Great Warrior looked at me with a sneer.
“Is this proof of your loyalty to Bilford? You are only adding another needless sacrifice.”
I did not answer and raised my sword.
The duel began with the moderator’s signal.
At the same time, a red line shot toward my forehead.
So there was no reason to spare my life, was there?
I lightly tilted my head.
The sharp sword tip stabbed through empty air.
“...!”
A flicker of surprise appeared on their face, as though they had not expected me to dodge.
The next attack followed immediately.
I blocked it, meeting their sword with my own wrapped in aura.
Keilteir’s Great Warrior was strong.
But of course, not stronger than me.
If I had to put a level on them, they were probably in the high 100s.
There was no need to reveal magic skills or other techniques.
My physical abilities and pure swordsmanship were far superior.
Moreover, with the newly acquired Supreme Combat Sense, it had become difficult even to deliberately take an attack.
It would be a little awkward to win too easily...
I would fight them appropriately, then win.
Booom! Boom! Boom!
Shockwaves exploded in succession as our swords collided. The building shook.
As my opponent gradually increased their speed, I matched it.
The longer we exchanged blows, the more I could see the confusion deepening on their face.
This probably looked like a fairly fierce fight, right?
It was about time to end it.
Slash!
My sword cut one of Keilteir’s Great Warrior’s arms.
I dodged the sword that counterattacked without retreating, then cut their other arm as well.
Their wrist tendons severed, they dropped their sword.
“...!”
Keilteir’s Great Warrior stared at me with disbelieving eyes.
I looked at Grand Duke Keilteir.
“Will you surrender?”
The Grand Duke glared at me with wide eyes.
Then, Keilteir’s Great Warrior’s presence suddenly surged explosively.
“It is not over yet!”
Hideous striped patterns appeared across their entire body.
The sword wounds they had just suffered closed in an instant, while violet blade energy extended from both hands like the claws of a beast.
Half transformed into a monster, Keilteir’s Great Warrior kicked off the ground.
Boom!
I retreated as I blocked the blade-energy claws with my sword.
Their physical abilities had increased to roughly one and a half times their previous level, or more?
Was it an ability similar to my Blood Frenzy skill?
My opponent’s strength and speed had now become nearly equal to mine with Enhancement activated to its maximum...
But that was all.
Compared to Seri’s, it was a technique far below hers.
Every opening was plainly visible.
Slash!
I deflected the barrage of attacks, then swung my sword upward from a blind spot in an instant and cut off one arm.
“Argh...!”
My opponent staggered back for a moment.
I looked at Grand Duke Keilteir again.
They wore a stiff expression, but still did not call for surrender.
My opponent let out a roar and swung their claws with their remaining arm.
Rake-like blades of energy flew indiscriminately in every direction.
Even the family heads who had been watching could no longer remain seated and had to dodge. Keilteir’s Great Warrior seemed to have completely lost their reason.
I dodged back and forth, then closed in on my opponent.
I had no choice but to swing my sword at their neck.
Slaaash!
With a spray of fresh blood, Keilteir’s Great Warrior’s head flew through the air.
I lowered my sword and looked at the moderator.
The moderator declared.
“...Victory goes to the Dapriya Family.”
I looked around at the ruined surroundings.
Every family head was staring at me with astonished eyes.
“Does anyone else wish to challenge me?”
No answer came.
After silence continued for a long while.
The moderator’s declaration rang out once more.
“As there are no further challengers, the final victor is the Dapriya Family.”
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