Chapter 180 : Chapter 180

Chapter 180 : The Calm Before the Storm (2)

I visited Ostrum.

The streets hadn't changed much from when I left.

Merchants selling magical tools were soliciting customers, and mages were reading books while walking.

Although Eidon was said to be staying at the Frost Magic Tower currently, I first moved my steps toward the Mana Research Department.

Creaaak.

I opened the heavy door of the Mana Research Department and entered.

“Oh, it's Polarin. Long time no see.”

“Hello, have you been well all this while?”

“Well... I guess so. We are a bit busy because of you too.”

Even though those who discovered me greeted me gladly for a moment, that welcome didn't last long.

After exchanging short greetings, they returned to their respective seats.

It was an attitude that wasn't much different from when I was an aspiring mage or now that I have ascended to the position of King of the Inoe.

‘This is what mages should be like. These days, gazes follow me wherever I go, but this is rather better. But... busy because of me?’

Since I didn't know the reason, I asked why, but no particular answer returned.

Thinking I should find the reason myself, I peeked around here and there, but I only received gazes implying not to disturb them.

I thought about meeting Mumbel to ask why the Research Department was busy because of me, but he wasn't seen either.

‘Should I have gone straight to Gullok?’

I fiddled with my bangs and headed for Labella's office.

Whatever it was, since I came all this way, I felt I should say hello.

Standing in front of the office, I knocked on the door, knock knock.

– Come in.

Hearing Labella's voice, calm as always, I quickly thought it was a good decision to come.

I opened the office door and entered.

“It's been a long time, Polarin.”

Labella, smiling brightly, was sitting wearing the [Necklace of the Void] like an accessory.

If you call it an accessory, it is an accessory.

...But is it okay to be like that?

***

Labella held out a thick book.

She said it was a record of things found while researching the [Necklace of the Void].

“It was a fascinating magical tool. No, I wonder if I should call it a magical tool... If the Holy Order has Holy Relics, it would be correct to see that the Demon King has artifacts like this.”

“Yes, the Demon King's Authority must be contained in it.”

I looked at Labella wearing the [Necklace of the Void] with worried eyes.

The Demon King's Demonic Energy, which Zenburga, the 4th rank of the New Demon Army, released by splitting his own skull, was strong enough to put everyone in the area into a status condition.

The Demon King's Authority had seeped into the [Necklace of the Void] as well.

Strong Demonic Energy surged even when I pulled the [Necklace of the Void], which didn't even suit him, from Zenburga's furry neck.

“...But is there no problem even if you wear it now?”

“Yes, as you can see. All Demonic Energy has been extracted now. The extracted Demonic Energy is being stored separately in the Research Department and is under analysis.”

Labella explained to me about the information found by analyzing the [Necklace of the Void].

There were many difficult terms, so I didn't understand everything.

To summarize, this tool has traces of two Demon Kings injecting their Demonic Energy.

It was an artifact where the new Demon King also added his power to the necklace bestowed by the former Demon King.

However, Labella and the Mana Research Department compiled the research on Demonic Energy they had done so far and succeeded in expelling the Demonic Energy of the two Demon Kings from the [Necklace of the Void].

Originally, it was an artifact that had the ability to absorb human life force, though.

“Ultimately, we succeeded in modifying the artifact that absorbs and uses human life force.”

“How was it modified?”

“It has now been modified to absorb Demon life force and use it as one's own power.”

I couldn't help but be surprised. When I took the [Necklace of the Void] and delivered it to the Research Department, I just hoped they would analyze the new Demon King's Demonic Energy.

But the Mana Research Department, led by Labella, modified the artifact and transformed it into an artifact that can steal Demon life force instead.

“However, there is a problem. To obtain Demon life force using this necklace, a tremendous amount of Mana is required. Still... if you can use it, it will become an artifact that can fill up power infinitely whenever you kill a Demon.”

Tremendous amount of Mana.

I'm confident about that, aren't I. I grinned at Labella.

“It would be possible for me.”

“That is correct. While researching, we also predicted that this would become an artifact for you, Polarin.”

I bowed my head to Labella to thank her.

“You've worked hard. I will gradually inject Mana and prepare it so it can be used anytime.”

“If you do so, we will also feel it was worth it.”

Labella also smiled gently and Labella's amazing research didn't end there.

“About the new Demon King. Analyzing the Demonic Energy that becomes his origin, he would be at most a Lesser Demon.”

“Pardon? Are you saying a Lesser Demon became the new Demon King?”

“That is correct. He was a Lesser Demon, but it seems he became a Demon King as the former Demon King's power was combined. It is an amazing thing.”

“To think a Lesser Demon's power and the former Demon King's power combined to become a Demon King...”

I couldn't hide my surprise and let out an exclamation.

“That is likely why those who received the new Demon King's Authority can gradually grow.”

“Could you explain in more detail?”

“High-Rank Demons injected with the Demonic Energy of many Demon Kings from the beginning have a distinct growth limit. Since they would have been granted enough power to fill their vessels from the start. However, Lesser Demons who were granted less Mana are weak but have a high potential for growth.”

“Ah, so that's why the new Demon King, who was from a Lesser Demon origin, can continue to grow even though he received the Demon King's power?”

“That is correct. The nature of the new Demon King must have transferred to the Demons following him as well.”

If the power of the former Demon King's subordinates was determined by the amount of Mana granted from birth, I finally understood the reason why the new Demon King's subordinates had the nature of continuing to grow.

A kind of mutation occurred and the New Demons must be continuing to grow even at this moment.

“We shouldn't relax our tension.”

“Yes, we will have to. And I heard you met the Emperor?”

“Ah, yes... Unfortunately, his condition wasn't good.”

“It was a fact I didn't know well either as I had left the Imperial Family. However, I heard the Imperial Family also decided to cooperate with you now, Polarin.”

“Yes, Lord Dinaus gave a lot of help.”

Labella held out a letter paper. It was luxurious letter paper engraved with gold leaf.

[5 months from now, the expedition will gather in front of Myeolji.

– Polarin Expedition.]

“Is this sent by Agamben? It arrived already.”

“That is correct. Our Research Department is also planning to participate in the Polarin Expedition without a single person missing.”

Polarin Expedition.

It was just surprising to see the name Dinaus arbitrarily attached in Agamben's letter.

I don't know if Agamben used the term Polarin Expedition after listening to Dinaus, or if he decided it arbitrarily himself.

However, if that letter spreads across the continent, it is no different from the name Polarin Expedition being announced publicly.

“You don't necessarily have to do that. Just leave behind the personnel who like research.”

“No, all personnel of the Research Department wished to participate on their own. Although they say mages have difficulty exerting power in Myeolji, we will do our best.”

Labella spoke with a determined expression.

There is something I learned from the experience of dissuading people like Soler and Dinaus all this while.

That they are also stepping forward to conquer Myeolji with their own will.

That they are not people who move only by my command.

“Yes, thank you everyone. Please take care of things.”

“And the Research Department is researching how to fight in Myeolji. Mana that is not encroached by Demonic Energy...”

I talked with Labella for a long time that day.

Just hearing about the achievements she and the Research Department had accomplished raised my expectations for the Myeolji expedition more and more.

***

“Am I a person who makes portals for you?”

Eidon grumbled and said.

Even though I ascended to the position of King, his attitude towards me hadn't changed much.

I rather liked that point.

“Ahem, your words are harsh to the King of the Inoe.”

“Pfft, even so, you are a brat of Tello.”

“Haha, that's right. By all means, please open a portal to Gullok.”

Eidon didn't complain anymore and floated a portal in the air.

“Go.”

“Yes, thank you. You are also participating in the expedition, right, Eidon?”

“Of course, most of the Frost Magic Tower will probably participate. I haven't decided yet whether to go as a member of Tello or as a member of the Frost Magic Tower.”

“Whatever capacity it is, if you join us, Eidon, it will be a great help.”

“That is obvious. Stop chattering and go quickly.”

“Yes, thank you.”

I bowed my head to Eidon and entered the portal.

Gullok. It was time to reach my beginning.

***

Eidon has never been to Gullok. Even so, the fact that he can create a portal was no different from proving what an outstanding mage he is.

However, a limitation existed since he hadn't been to Gullok, so Eidon said even he didn't know where I would land.

When I came out of the portal, the scenery I saw stimulated my nostalgia at once.

The vast grassland of Gullok.

It was that place where I trained every day until I turned fifteen.

Even now, several boys and girls were running across the grassland.

“Run faster! Will you be able to undergo the Coming-of-Age Ceremony properly like this?”

The instructor yelling at the children was still the same too.

He should tone down his temper a bit. He doesn't change.

I peeked at the training process while reducing my presence.

“You must produce results in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. What result can you produce when you do so?”

“We can also become like the King of the Inoe! Like Lord Polarin!”

I ended up being startled.

When I was young, the instructor encouraged the children by mentioning Tayon.

– In our Autonomous Region District 18, there was a single Hero Candidate who ranked within the top 10 in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

– Sir Tayon Adjak!

– That is correct. Sir Tayon, one of the current Twelve Swords of Adjak, is indeed the sole pride of our Autonomous Region. However, Sir Tayon was also an ordinary boy like you at first.

– Can we also become like him?

The time when I shouted his name aloud was still vivid.

It must have been like that, but now am I being counted as a hero of Gullok Village?

The emotion was new. I even felt like I was being compensated for the past time.

So that the sprouts of the family are not trampled anymore, I will have to do many things as a hero of the family too.

While watching the children's training with various thoughts, one child discovered me and was startled.

“I, Instructor! It's Lord Polarin!”

Hearing the child's words, the instructor's eyes widened and he ran to me.

“P, Lord Polarin!”

“Ay, why are you like this? Instructor. By the way, you are still yelling at the children?”

“T, that's not it...”

“Haha, it's a joke.”

I shouted looking at the children.

“Sprouts of Gullok! Shall we see how well you are growing?”

“Yes, Lord Polarin!”

Looking at the children of Gullok smiling brightly at me, I also responded with a bright smile.