Chapter 86 : Chapter 86

Chapter 86: Western Noble Coalition (4)

Which is closer to being human—a half-demon or a half-dragon?

At Rodos’s question, I could answer without hesitation.

“Of course, I’m closer to being human.”

“Why? Because your parents are human? Or because you’ve lived among humans?”

Rodos’s eyes gleamed, as if my confidence intrigued him.

“Because I fight on the side of humans, for humans.”

Rodos burst into hearty laughter.

He seemed to enjoy this conversation.

But I couldn’t just revel in the discussion.

Still, as this was my first encounter with a high-ranking demon, I had plenty of questions.

As a high-ranking demon, he must have harbored far more demonic energy than others, so there would be aspects of demonic energy only he could understand through experience.

“May I ask a question too?”

I asked,while pointing my sword at Rodos.

He glanced at it but answered casually.

“Go ahead.”

“Why do demons exist? Why do they oppose humans?”

“An interesting human-centric perspective.”

Rodos’s smile faded, and he answered seriously.

“When the world was first created, there might have been nothing, but this world originally belonged to demons.”

“A world of demons?”

“Yes, because the world was filled only with demonic energy back then. Gradually, other energies entered the world—like the mana you breathe now.”

Was he saying the world was once entirely covered in demonic energy, like Myeolji?

“Humans—no, all non-demon races—think demons threaten the world. But from the demons’ perspective, their world has been under attack for ages.”

“So, in a world once filled only with demonic energy, mana and those who wield it emerged to fight demons?”

“Exactly. From the world’s perspective, that might be better. Demonic energy was indeed eroding the world, creating an environment where only demons could survive. Mana arose in opposition, leading to the world we have now.”

I listened closely to Rodos’s explanation.

“So demons don’t just hate other races—they want to restore the world to how it was, a world they ruled.”

“Correct.”

The mystery of why demons and demonic beasts were so hostile toward other races was solved.

To demons, it was about reclaiming their world.

But countless beings had adapted to this world.

No matter if demons were once its masters, those living here now couldn’t abandon it or hand it over.

If coexistence wasn’t possible, one side had to fall.

Adjak had marched into Myeolji to break that ancient cycle of conflict with demons.

Even after slaying the Demon King, the fight hadn’t ended.

“The new Demon King probably thinks the same, right? That arrogant desire to rule the world.”

“Likely even more so than the last one. He’s a young, hot-blooded Demon King. Probably younger than me.”

“The Dome’s appearance isn’t for peace—it’s to amass power.”

“When the Dome opens, new demons will run rampant. Many demons long to see demonic energy cover the world again and rule it.”

I listened to Rodos’s words, asking questions as they came.

“Especially the new Demon King’s followers… Unlike old-era demons like me, they grow faster and are more ferocious.”

“I’ve seen the conflict between the new Demon King’s demons and the old ones.”

“That conflict’s only intensifying. But when the Dome opens, it’ll all become clear. War will break out, and all the wrath will fall on those outside the Dome.”

It didn’t matter who the world originally belonged to—old demons or new.

Humans and all non-demon races had to stop the demons’ ambitions to survive.

“Yes, so humans must prepare for what comes after the Dome breaks.”

“What’s your plan?”

“To unite our forces, form an expedition, and purify Myeolji.”

“Then you’ll need to eradicate all demons or strip them of their demonic energy, like me. Can you do it?”

“Of course. That’s why I was born into this world.”

Hahaha!

Rodos had been laughing throughout our talk, but this time he roared with unbridled gusto, like Renwood.

* * *

I followed Rodos through the marquis’s castle.

He led the way, saying he’d show me around.

Honestly, I wasn’t curious. But I couldn’t refuse him.

I tried not to offend him, following closely behind.

Even if he’d expelled most of his demonic energy, he had centuries of accumulated mana.

A long-lived being’s training methods were unique.

He could snap my neck with ease if he wanted.

I wasn’t upset about him showing me the castle.

He was trying to prove his goodwill by being friendly.

I just vowed to myself:

‘I’ll make sure I’m never dragged around against my will again.’

To make that possible, I had to overcome barriers.

Reaching the Sixth Rank was urgent.

If I could surpass the Dragon Heart and achieve materialization, where mana transforms to suit my nature, I’d become an entirely different being.

“It’s quite elegant, isn’t it? A castle I’ve cultivated for centuries.”

“According to imperial records, Salbaron’s lord has changed three times in the past century. How’d you manage that?”

“Changing my appearance isn’t hard.”

Rodos gripped his face tightly—so hard I worried he’d crush his own head.

Then his features changed. It was the face of Baron Renwood, whom I’d seen this morning.

“Pretty convincing, right? Hahaha!”

Even his voice mimicked Renwood’s. It was chilling how easily he could alter his appearance.

“Can all high-ranking demons do this?”

“No, it takes training. Not many can change their face so freely.”

I sighed in relief.

If many demons could do this, I’d never trust anyone’s face again.

‘But some can, so I’d better remember that.’

I stayed on guard, following Rodos.

He proudly showed off portraits and artworks along the corridors.

We arrived at his study.

“Here we are. From now on, I’ll invite you, so no more climbing walls.”

“…Understood.”

The study was filled with various collectibles.

He was a demon with a taste for refined collections.

But he didn’t boast about them.

Instead, he pointed to a large desk in the center.

On it was a map of the world, like a minimap from Tune World.

It was the first time I’d seen such a detailed map of the entire continent.

I stared, entranced.

‘The places I’ve been… aren’t many.’

Adjak Autonomous Region, Hamdel Desert, Turoko Duchy, Ostrum, Manoa, and more.

I’d traveled quite a bit, but on this map, I’d only seen a fraction of the world.

“Eradicating demons and purifying Myeolji isn’t something you can do alone.”

“I know. That’s why we must stop the Empire’s wars and unite humanity’s strength first.”

“I’m against war too. That’s why I’ve rallied the Western Noble Coalition’s anti-war sentiment.”

So Rodos was behind the coalition’s anti-war stance.

“Uniting humanity is the immediate goal, but this map shows it’s not enough. Human lands don’t even cover half the continent.”

Rodos declared with resolve:

“Demons don’t just want to destroy humans—they want to eliminate all non-demon races. Non-human races need to realize this. Ultimately, we must unite. Can you do it?”

“I’ll make it happen.”

I answered with equal determination. Rodos smiled faintly.

“I’ll help you unite humanity. At least when you speak in the capital, the Western Noble Coalition will stand by you.”

“Thank you.”

“But for your speech to matter, you need power. No matter how great your words are, if the nobles and people of the capital don’t know you, it’s meaningless.”

My power.

My reputation.

I hadn’t paid attention to these. I’d been hiding my family name to avoid the Empire’s eyes.

“I’ve heard about your deeds. Some were impressive. But outside Adjak’s devoted followers, the people don’t know you. They don’t know you won Adjak’s Coming-of-Age Ceremony, that you’re Adjak’s heir, or that you’ve killed demons threatening the Empire.”

“…You’re not wrong.”

“Stop hiding your name. Make it known. When you speak in the capital, you must do so not as an Adjak heir, but as someone who’s achieved great feats.”

Not just as an Adjak heir, but as someone with my own accomplishments.

I wasn’t sure what deeds to pursue yet.

But a small goal had taken shape.

“I’ll make it happen. But I have a request.”

“What is it?”

“Protect me from the Empire’s pursuit. The Third Prince, the Imperial Intelligence Agency—help me move freely without their interference.”

“That won’t be easy…”

“If you can do that, I’ll make my name resound across the world.”

“Haha, will you? I’ll do what I can.”

Life flows in unpredictable ways.

Falling into this world, proclaiming my resolve before a former high-ranking demon—none of this was expected.

But I’d do it.

As I always have.

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