C340
Cale explained to Aurora the entire overview of New World and about Count Lupe.
“Cale, you haven’t told me everything, right? You’ve hidden something, haven’t you? Like the fact that you’re a half-demon.”
No, I’m not even a half-demon! It’s just a character setting from a game! Why would I say something like that?
It’s definitely not because Aurora is the sole heir of the former Heavenly Demon King and can’t talk about it. Definitely not that.
“It seems that’s the case.”
The Glutton Priestess said this calmly, causing Cale to frown.
“No, why have you suddenly started speaking more?”
-…
The Glutton Priestess chose selective silence again. Since she ate all the grains from the plates, she had started talking more. Cale reflected for a moment on the ancient powers that were subtly changing.
"Then."
Aurora spoke with a serious expression. There was anger on her face.
“Count Lupe, no, could the missing demons all be in that game?”
"It’s very likely. First, I must confirm if the Count Lupe I know is the same Count Lupe you know."
Ha! Aurora let out a laugh of disbelief.
“No-”
She couldn't contain her rage.
“Raising My Precious Absolute God?”
Repeating the game’s name.
“New World?”
Wow. She couldn’t hold back a sigh. It was inevitable.
"So, in the end, is that game just a pastime for the people of World 3 who have the Five-Colored Family?"
"Mm. More than a pastime, it’s another world, and to some, it could be the real world—"
Cale tried to calm her with more elaborated words, but Aurora didn’t listen to all of them.
“It’s a pastime! Most people will treat that game as entertainment. If our demons, like Count Lupe, are treated as mere monsters, fighting and dying without even remembering, doesn’t that mean they’re living those lives repeatedly?”
Cale was at a loss for words.
“No, that’s terrible!”
Aurora was beyond furious; she was anguished.
“If one is treated as a chess piece in a game without even knowing who they are! I—"
She couldn’t bring herself to say those words out loud. She bowed her head and took a deep breath. Finally, she spoke.
“…Are the NPCs beings tied to the game?”
“Yes.”
“Is Count Lupe an NPC?”
Cale confirmed with his silence.
“Damn it!”
Aurora jumped to her feet, unsure of what to do. She couldn’t calm her anger. Cale understood the reason for her next words.
“In fact, the number of missing demons amounts to about a thousand.”
Hmm. A murmur escaped from Cale’s mouth. A thousand.
-Of course, with a few noble families of count size and some towns, that number makes sense.
The observation from Super Rock.
"Of course, that’s a minimum. It only includes what we’ve been able to identify."
These were Aurora’s following words. Cale murmured as if sighing.
"This Heavenly Demon is crazy."
“…!"
Aurora trembled. Regardless, Cale truly sympathized with her and, wanting to comfort her, spoke sincerely. This was a moment that needed sincerity.
“I’ve thought the Hunters are despicable, but this Heavenly Demon also deserves to be defeated. It’s nothing short of capturing the demons he should protect and turning them into this. He should be beaten along with the God of Chaos."
Cale said, looking at Aurora.
“Don’t you think so?”
Seeing his face full of irritation and fury, Aurora instinctively nodded.
“Yes, they should be defeated.”
Cale’s words were so spot-on that Aurora had nothing else to add. But watching a human talk about defeating hunters and now an ancient god, she was speechless for a moment. Regardless, Cale realized his sincerity had resonated with Aurora.
-It seems so.
He ignored the Glutton Priestess’s words.
"Let’s get everything in order."
He motioned for Aurora to sit again as he began to speak.
"......"
Aurora sat with a calmer expression. Cale took that moment to organize his thoughts.
"It’s more entangled than I thought."
Mediators. It wasn’t just this organization and Cale who were intertwined, but ‘the demons’ and Cale were more entangled than expected.
"Count Lupe."
That character was more necessary than the fierce Dark Bear for Cale to take control of the Eight Evils. Count Lupe was truly one of the three final bosses.
"Moreover—"
Count Lupe. Was he originally the richest in the demon world?
"Ahem. Ahem."
Cale cleared his throat with a fake cough and asked casually.
"Count Lupe must have given a considerable advantage to the Heavenly Demon when he was captured. You said his wealth was enormous."
"Ah, that’s what I thought. But it seems that wasn’t the case."
According to Aurora, the precarious situation began after Count Lupe’s support was cut off.
"The Heavenly Demon has focused more on searching for us than dealing with the Hunters, thus reducing our range of action within the demon world."
They had thought the Heavenly Demon would have gained immense wealth from Count Lupe’s funds.
"But the Heavenly Demon hasn’t kept Count Lupe’s wealth."
Aurora was sure of that.
"In searching for the missing Count Lupe, I contacted his associate."
According to this person.
"Count Lupe had a secret vault."
That vault contained not only most of his wealth but also several treasures.
"Most importantly, the reason I’m sure the Heavenly Demon hasn’t obtained Count Lupe’s wealth is that the majority of it is in that vault."
"What is that?"
"The trading company that Count Lupe owned is the largest in the demon world."
"Ah."
Interest filled Cale’s expression.
-Hehe.
The Fire of Destruction began to laugh. But Aurora didn’t know all this.
"Currently, although someone else is managing that company, Count Lupe still holds the ownership rights."
In the end, the Heavenly Demon didn’t obtain the greatest wealth of the demon world.
"Of course, only a few, including me and some on the Heavenly Demon’s side, know that Count Lupe is the real owner of that company."
Count Lupe had meticulously hidden the source of his wealth while operating.
“Wow.”
Cale was impressed. Count Lupe. Was that somewhat foolish demon that impressive?
-He wasn’t foolish. Wasn’t he quite impressive when you first saw him?
Ignoring Super Rock’s words, Cale smiled.
"I definitely need to meet Count Lupe."
"Yes. Indeed, yes, that’s true."
Aurora nodded but couldn’t hide her seriousness.
"According to what Cale says, meeting Count Lupe might not be helpful."
The Count Lupe that Cale knew seemed to remember nothing about the demon world. He thought he was an NPC in the game.
"Who knows."
But Cale shook his head with an ambiguous expression.
"Count Lupe is starting to realize that he exists within the game and the existence of the Hunters, and he’s slowly breaking out of the NPC mold. If he really is the Count Lupe Aurora speaks of, maybe he’ll regain his memories."
“Do you believe that?”
When Aurora looked at him hopefully.
-Hehe.
The sound of the Cheapskate laughing while drooling echoed in Cale’s mind. Of course, he ignored it while speaking more sincerely than ever to Aurora.
"Of course, I’ll help with this."
And in the end,
-Hahaha!
Cheapskate let out a loud laugh.
-And then I’ll collect the reward for it. Imagine that our subordinate is the richest in the demon world! That he owns the best trading company! Hahaha.
Cale almost smiled but held back. Inevitably, his lips tightened into a straight line.
“......"
Aurora let out a small sigh seeing his serious face and sincere gaze.
“You really are different."
He remembered Cotton, who was waiting outside, and what she had said about Cale.
Cale Henituse may seem like a coward on the outside, but inside he’s a hero. He’s the typical person you shouldn’t judge by appearance. Although he’s physically quite weak, he has the ability, audacity, and courage to overcome it. His power has no limits.
There had been a recent addition.
He has a divine scent. But he’s not a Loner.
Cale Henituse is not a Loner, but he exudes a divine scent. What does that mean?
“First, we’ll enter New World through Neo’s lair in Apitoyu. Then we’ll coordinate a meeting with Count Lupe.”
“I agree.”
Cale and Aurora briefly discussed how they would cooperate in the future. Choi Jung Gun. As long as he remains in the demon world, Cale has no intention of severing ties with them.
It would be better to have them under my command.
Whether it’s the Seventh Evil or the Third Evil. It doesn’t matter which group Aurora belongs to; as long as she’s active, she won’t escape Cale’s watch.
In this situation of uncertainty, surveillance of this caliber is necessary.
They know their goals but not how they achieve them. Therefore, it’s necessary to keep them under observation.
“I look forward to working well together in the future.”
“Me too, thank you.”
Cale and Aurora shook hands once more. And they left the door slightly ajar as they exited.
The place was empty.
-It seems they really don’t have money.
Even Cheapskate was concerned about how empty the headquarters was. Ignoring this, Cale followed Aurora to where Choi Jung Gun’s altar was. That’s when it happened.
“Mr. Cale.”
“Yes.”
Aurora, based on Cotton’s report and what she had experienced, decided to share a piece of information with Cale that she knew.
If he’s sincere—
I must respond with sincerity. Therefore, this information will be necessary. As a demon with years of experience, her intuition told her this.
“The Ancient Gods aren’t Loners.”
“What?”
Cale looked perplexed at Aurora, who suddenly made a seemingly out-of-place comment. However, Aurora, more serious than ever, explained.
“The Ancient Gods are the oldest beings and could be considered the first gods. They’re not Loners. How they were born is a secret.”
But,
“The Hunters are trying to create an Absolute God. That being is probably inspired by the birth of the Ancient Gods.”
Eh, um. Cale was about to speak, but he stopped himself.
-Have you heard anything about that?
Following Cheapskate’s advice, Cale remembered something he had heard about the birth of a god.
‘It will contain an entire world.’
Information obtained while facing the Purple Blood Family and the Blood Cult.
‘Worship.’
And that it would receive the worship of many. These were two of the conditions for becoming a god. Or like the sealed god, hunt a Loner. And it seems there are more trials to becoming a god.
‘What does that have to do with me?’
Why mention a story that has nothing to do with me? Was she just trying to say something to break the awkward silence? Cale was confused, but he responded to Aurora.
"I wonder what that secret will be."
He simply went along with her.
"......!"
Aurora’s eyes wavered. But Cale didn’t see it.
Ding-dong-dang-dong!
Suddenly, a sound of bells echoed around.
-Cale, it seems something is happening.
Cale became serious, and Bam. The door to the house where Choi Jung Gun’s altar was opened, and Choi Han appeared. The moment Cale and Choi Han saw each other,
“Captain!”
Demons from all over emerged from the deteriorated house. It was incredible that so many people were gathered in this small, worn-out headquarters. There were about 50 people, all seemingly elites, and among them, a horned man who had embraced Cale quickly approached Aurora and said,
“The Heavenly Demon’s forces have appeared in the village!”
The village? As Cale looked confused, Aurora ordered firmly.
“Send more reconnaissance teams immediately! And go into battle mode now!”
“Yes!”
The demons responded with grim faces and moved swiftly. Only Cale and his group passively observed. Cale asked Aurora.
“What village is that?”
“This base is hidden, and there’s a village nearby.”
She referred to a common village. Members of the Mediators sometimes disguised themselves as hunters and went there to buy necessary supplies. Only a few scouts were placed there.
“If the Heavenly Demon’s forces have appeared there, it’s likely they’ve discovered our base.”
A regular village without any notable features in the area. The appearance of the Heavenly Demon’s forces there was a bad sign for the Mediators.
“Of course, it could be that the Heavenly Demon’s forces were just passing through the village. But it’s better to be cautious.”
To which Cale responded nonchalantly.
“If it’s the worst, the Heavenly Demon’s forces will storm here, and then we’ll fight, right?”
“…Yes.”
Aurora’s face hardened. Then, Choi Jung Soo hurriedly came out of the house and said,
“So, what about our ancestor, no, anyway, the old man? It doesn’t seem like we can move the altar immediately, right?”
The altar’s structure, despite being in a ruined house, seemed to have required a lot of effort due to the multiple magics of the Demon World involved. It wouldn’t be easy to move that altar and the magic circle to another place. He hadn’t heard that a teleportation circle could move another magic circle.
“Cale.”
Choi Han had suddenly approached and asked him.
“I’ll go do reconnaissance.”
Cale, seeing Choi Han already with his hand on the hilt of his sword, swallowed.
-Human! Choi Han’s eyes are crazy!
It seems so. Choi Han and Choi Jung Soo. During the conversation between Cale and Aurora, it wasn’t clear what had exactly happened in the house where the dying Choi Jung Gun was, but it definitely hadn’t been a good time.
-Human, Choi Jung Soo has crazy eyes too!
Choi Jung Soo looked similar to Choi Han.
-Human! Both Choi are starting to smile creepily! It’s scary!
Exactly. Even both now had strange smiles on their faces.
-Human, the two Choi are terrifying!
Exactly. The two from the Choi family. Will I be able to handle these guys?
“I’ll go for reconnaissance too.”
Choi Jung Soo also asked to join Cale. Cale stared into the void for a moment before calmly responding.
“That’s fine.”
Choi Han and Choi Jung Soo’s eyes glinted dangerously. After looking at those two, Cale didn’t hesitate and said,
“I’ll go too.”
Yes. We’ll all move together. The Heavenly Demon’s forces. It’s not them I’m worried about, but those two Choi. What are they planning?
