VOLUME 1: Chapter 5 – The Strongest Hero is the Most Unfortunate Hero
[Part 3]
[Past]
Originally, the reason why the Hero’s party of the previous generation was not able to immediately go and defeat the Demon King was because, of course, it is necessary to train to become stronger. There is also the existence of the Demon King’s subordinates, and the Demon King’s castle moves into another location after a definite period.
When Princess Louise was kidnapped, the Demon King’s castle happened to be in Schwarze. That’s why this kingdom was able to immediately dispatch soldiers to the castle———although it was a struggle to reach the castle due to the interference of the group of demons. However, the castle moved after they have taken the princess. No one knew where it went. That is why Schwarze had to rely on the hero.
The hero’s party, who received the request, first gathered information including the location of the moving castle through information brokers, adventure guilds and spirits. It turned out that the castle moved to the Barlude mountain range located at the border of the two countries, Lexarida and Mindalk.
But even if they knew the location, there is still a problem.
The Demon King’s castle had many barriers. The barrier was created by the seven major subordinates of the Demon King and it was necessary to defeat all the major subordinates in order to enter the castle. If they do not defeat them, they won’t be able to enter the castle.
However, it is more difficult to find the whereabouts of the major subordinates than to locate the Demon King’s castle. Unlike the huge castle, they can individually and freely move around.
At this point, Greed had defeated four major subordinates. They had to find the other three and defeat them.
However———Greed, the strongest hero, ignored the protocol.
“I cannot wait. I’ll capture the Demon King’s castle now.” Greed declared. “A month has pa.s.sed since Princess Louise’s abduction. If I keep on detouring, I will not be able to take the princess.”
Although he has stated plausible reasons, in actuality it is obvious that he was not worried about the princess at all.
“Even if I take back an injured princess, she (Aria) will not be delighted.”
———That’s what you really think, right, Greed?
“So I have to rescue her as soon as possible.”
———Isn’t it just because you want to return to her as soon as possible?
Because there is a love rival in the castle!
The party thought so, but no one had the courage to voice an opinion to Greed. Who wants to rush out in front of a charging wild beast while holding out a red cloth?
“Well…… the Demon King is unprepared now, and if the magical powers of the Demon King including all the demons in the castle will vanish, then the world will stabilize considereably.”
The elf Ruf.a.ga sighed as he stated his opinion and everyone resolved their selves to accept the situation. Thus, the hero’s party took a shortcut and proceeded to force their way through the castle under the pretext of the Demon King’s subjugation.
———The capture of the Demon King’s castle continued in a very rash and unreasonable manner.
Fortunately, they had been there in the district near the border of Lexarida. So they were able to move easily by using magic. However, from the district, they need to go to the Demon King’s castle in the Barlude Mountain by foot. They can only use the “teleport
ation magic square” to be able to go to the place the caster of the magic knows and they will be discovered if they use magic near the castle of the Demon King. They followed a steep mountain path but it was not so difficult because an earth spirit taught them a safe shortcut.
———It is the third day after they left the district near the border.
They arrived on a place where they can look out over the Demon King’s castle.
The Demon King’s castle was not on top of the mountain but is instead located deep into the woods of the valley to avoid being seen. Still, whether the trees were blown away during the time the castle transferred or the earth spirits hated the demons, not a green thing could be seen in the castle and its surroundings. It was wide open, hollowed out and exposed.
The Demon King’s castle is not that big. It is as big as the Schwarze’s castle. In contrast to the chalk color of the castle of Schwarze, the Demon King’s castle is dark colored all throughout. A black tree was also used as the door of the main gate and is surrounded by rocks. The appearance gives a creepy and intimidating feeling to humans.
Renas the priest made a sacred barrier around the barrier of the castle that the demons made. It was from the flower of Reelis that the wind spirits scattered around the castle. Reelis is a pale red flower that symbolizes the G.o.ddess Refelia. In addition to being compatible with the sacred magic, the demons hate sacred magic for some reason. Therefore this barrier has a double purpose. By catching the major subordinates of the Demon King under the barrier, they can lock down the demons inside.
“I have to do most of the work after all, huh?” Renas naturally complained.
Renas covered a sacred magic over the barrier around the Demon King’s castle that was put up by the demons, while this hero protected it. Even if they drill a hole in the barrier and the demons notice, the demons cannot rush to the Demon King and will not be able to escape the castle.
The sacred magic was originally developed by elves and this magic specializes on protection rather than attack. However for some reason, the demons became weak. That is because the sacred magic contains chants that disturb the core of their evil powers. It is not an exaggeration to say that demons have a dense evil magical power that is packed into a container called a body. The reason why a container is necessary is that the evil magical powers will dissolve and disappear without it. That is why the demons condense their magical powers into their own nucleus and protects it by forming a body. The fact that the nucleus of the magical power, which can be said as the life itself, is being disrupted, putting their lives at risk.
Therefore, the demons hate the sacred magic.
That is why it was effective to create a barrier with sacred magic and cover the castle.
“Hey, my magical power is almost zero……”
Renas’ face was pale as he continued to erect a huge barrier around the castle.
It was his first time putting up a big barrier. However, because it is a high priest like Renas, he can produce an immense amount of magical powers.
“I will take care of the rest.” Ruf.a.ga the elf patted Renas’ shoulder to comfort him.
They took a sidelong glance at Greed, who was the perpetrator of doing such unreasonable thing, and those with magical powers gazed quietly at the barrier built by the leaders of the demons, which looks like a film of soap bubbles on the surface.
“I will remove the limiter as we attack,” he announced from near the creaking barrier.
“I see. Are you also exerting pressure from the inside of the castle’s barrier using the power of the spirits?” Ruf.a.ga stared at Greed and the creaking barrier with a wry smile. It seemed impressive and amazing.
It is unusual for him to have this kind of expression. It is because this barrier breaking is just all about common sense.
———Yes. The one who is irrational is the strongest hero, Greed.
Greed removed the limiter outside the barrier of the Demon King’s castle built by the other surviving leaders and the spirits commenced an attack from the inside of the barrier.
He synchronized his power and the power of the spirits and concentrated to hit onto a single point of the barrier.
The barrier of the Demon King’s castle is in fact anti-human but is ineffective to spirits, and because Greed always synchronizes his powers with the spirits, it was a technique that he could do. The magical powers that Greed possesses are the powers of all kinds of spirits and also the power of the hero that the G.o.ddess bestowed upon him. The three kinds of powers. .h.i.t the barrier of the demons inside and outside on one point and before that force———it vanished quickly. Thinking about the long battle journey of the heroes of the previous generations, it was truly amusing.
[Present]
I wonder if this is alright?
Slowly, everyone except Greed and Ruf.a.ga tilted their heads in contemplation.
Moreover, everyone got shocked at the words Ruf.a.ga mentioned afterwards.
“At that moment, a tremendous “force” was concentrated over there that caused the world for a moment to shake. That enduring barrier———vanished.”
However, Renas thought while gazing at the profile of the strongest hero, who stood by the window and not reflecting any emotions.
What was really shocking was the words Greed said after the subjugation of the Demon King.
Perhaps, that was the beginning of everything.
The chapter will end in Part 5. See you next time! (^o^) /~~~~
Happy weekend!