Chapter 212: Reunion at The Crater

Proofreader:Xemul

When the Efreet disappeared, the Salamanders it had summoned also vanished, and the surrounding area of the crater regained its tranquility.

Believing that higher spirits did have the intelligence to stage a retreat to fool their opponents, Loren stayed on guard for a while. When it seemed that the spirits had retreated for real, he called over Lapis and Gula, who were standing a little distance away.

Lapis came running up to him on the sloping ground, and before Loren could say anything, she circled around Loren and observed his body closely. When she was sure he was alright, she nodded.

You defeated an Efreet without any major injuries. Amazing, Loren.

More like it backed down.

Loren had a feeling that the Efreet didnt intend to fight until one of them died. It probably appeared to stop Judie from doing what she had been doing, but didnt want to risk its own existence for that. He believed hed eliminated a good number of Salamanders, which seemed to be lesser spirits, but as a human, Loren couldnt guess how much that means to the spirits.

Were just here to melt one helmet. It seems to decide to let us pa.s.s.

I see. Shall we go then?

If there were no obstacles in the way, it was not difficult to reach the crater. It was a little uncomfortably hot to approach the lava-filled crater, but it was not unbearable from a certain distance.

As expected, its impossible to get too close. We just need to get close enough to throw it down.

The crater is large enough that once were within throwing distance, we wont miss.

Ahhh-, I want to get out of here as soon as possible.

Gura tugged at her top and fanned her face with her hands. Her sweat-soaked skin was generously exposed, of course, and although Loren didnt really want to look, Lapis cupped both his cheeks with her hands and made him turn away so that he wouldnt even face Gulas direction.

The closer they got to the crater, the stuffier it became, and the hot air seemed to be soaked in sweats. It was scorching. In addition, the smoke bursting everywhere was laced with a smell that made their noses wrinkle.

The smell is awful, but the heat isnt so bad, is it?

Youre still under the residual effects of the magic I applied to you, Loren. Gula and I dont have that, so this heat is pretty hard on us.

In order for Loren to deal with the flame-controlling Efreet and Salamanders at close range, Lapis had used a spell that resisted fire on Loren. Thanks to the remaining effect of that magic, Loren was less affected by the heat when they approached the crater than Lapis and Gula.

In fact, if it wasnt for that effect, Loren wouldnt be able to get this close to the crater, since he was just a human and had much lower resistance than Lapis and Gula, a demon and an Evil G.o.d.

In any case, lets get the job done and get out of here. Its not a place you want to stay for long.

I agree.

Lapis agreed that they should finish quickly. In any case, they couldnt leave the place if they didnt finish their errand. She pulled out the black helmet from her luggage. Even a demon like her couldnt walk near the lava without any preparation, so she planned to throw it down from here.

Lapis was about to make the throw, but she suddenly leapt away from the spot. At the same time, Loren also quickly moved away from the crater with his hand on the greatsword on his back. Gula was the only one left there, and even though she looked sleepy, her hand held the arrow that had been shot at her. On the ground, where Lapis and Loren had just been, were two other arrows. The two of them had sensed those arrows coming, and had moved to dodge.

Would you hand it over to me?

The direction where the voice came from was probably where the arrows had been shot. Lapis ignored it and made to throw the helmet again, but more arrows came to stop her. She had no choice but to retreat behind Loren.

It is useless to those who do not understand its value. Just hand it to me obediently.

A man with black hair and black armor said as he approached them. The young man carried a longsword and a black s.h.i.+eld, something they hadnt seen with him in their first encounter.

If the information they heard from Judie was correct, this was probably Magna, the man who had been stealing pieces of the black armor set belonging to the Demon Kings, claiming it to be his own.

What kind of idiots will just give things away when asked?

Loren asked as he a.s.sumed a fighting stance, ready to confront Magna.

If there was an opening, he could send Lapis running through to throw the helmet into the crater, but there was no way this man would allow them such an opening. Moreover, he could catch glimpses of the Dark Elf woman a distance behind Magna, watching them vigilantly with an arrow knocked on her ready bow. He had guessed it, but she was apparently the mans accomplice. Loren unsheathed his greatsword, but Magna showed no signs of getting ready for a fight. Instead, he spoke:

Why dont you just tell the Demon King that youve thrown it away?

Unfortunately, were under the spell of the Demon King.

Even though she was in her castle, Judie was still tracking the helmets position and status. If they gave in to Magnas cajoling and gave him the helmet, no one knew what she would do to them later.

And even if Judie hadnt used any tracking magic, Lapis, who was standing right behind him, was her own daughter. It was not possible to go against a request from the Demon King in front of Lapis, who was watching attentively.

Why are you so obsessed with this anyway? Your taste for gear is pretty random and bland for a guy so f.u.c.king high and mighty, isnt it?

Its none of your business.

You dont have to talk about it if you dont want to, but its hard for us to cooperate if we dont know the situation, you see.

As Loren conceded, Lapis tugged at his s.h.i.+rt from behind. She knew he wasnt the type of man to abandon a commission he had accepted, but she also knew he wasnt the kind of human to faithfully fulfill a deal with a Demon King. She was wondering if he actually meant it.

Loren didnt respond to Lapis but kept looking at Magna. The man took some time to think about it, but eventually twisted his lips in a condescending smile and said while looking down at Loren:

You expect me to ask for help from some random adventurer? The only thing you should do here is to hang your head and offer the helmet to me.

Those with too much pride are troublesome.

You want to die here while doing a Demon Kings bidding?

Even your threats are boring.

Loren replied with a mocking laugh, but he kept his eyes on the movements of the Dark Elf behind Magna. Neither of them was the type of opponent that could be confronted half-heartedly, and just a little negligence could really mean the end of his life.

Watch your mouth, mongrel. You should not even be allowed to speak to me.

Dont make me laugh. What kind of n.o.ble are you that you cant even talk to me?

Loren had intended to make fun of him, but Magnas reaction was something Loren had not expected.

Dont make me laugh. Me, a n.o.ble?

Loren was a bit surprised to learn that he was not satisfied with the term aristocrat. He wondered what the h.e.l.l he wanted to be called to be happy, but Magna didnt pay any attention to his pondering. The man pointed his longsword right at Lorens face.

Your disrespect is of no concern to me right now. If you want to at least improve my impression of you, just prostrate and offer me the helmet.

Do you really think Im going to comply with that kind of talk?

Loren was dumbfounded, but Magna seemed to be very serious. He looked at Loren with frustration, then spoke to Lapis, who was behind him:

You, woman. You give it to me instead of that stupid man.

Its not a joke. We have no idea what shell do to us later.

If Lapis, Judies daughter, were to give the helmet to Magna, Loren was sure the treatment she would receive would be unimaginably horrible. Knowing that, Lapis wouldnt be a bad daughter and give the man the helmet.

Magna-sama! Its useless to negotiate with those people.

The Dark Elf said as she drew her bow and aimed it at Loren. Magna, who had been glaring at Loren without answering her, turned his gaze to Gula, who was watching Loren and Magnas exchange from a short distance away with a bored expression.

What about you, woman? Are you willing to take the helmets from these people and offer it to me? Being an adventurer is not something you can do forever. If you cooperate with me, I promise you that you will eventually obtain wealth and splendor. Ill even let you off the hook for your previous transgressions.

In the past, when fleeing from Magna, Gula had crushed the enhanced goblins in the surroundings and vomited their flesh and blood on him to create an opening that allowed them to escape. Magna offered to forgive that action of hers, but Gula just stifled a yawn:

Nah. You seem very unappetizing, at least compared to Loren.

Loren wondered what criteria she had.

Magna looked unhappy with Gulas answer, but turned his attention back to Loren.

Im sure you understand the folly of fighting me.

Shut up. We dont have to fight you properly. We can just throw the helmet youre so obsessed with into that lava and our business will be over.

Do you think someone like me will allow such a thing?

Someone like me, Magna said, but the thing was Loren didnt know his lineage. Even the name Magna was something he heard from the Demon King. He hadnt heard the man himself say it at all. Thus, he had no idea how amazing this guy was supposed to be.

Dont bother me, you mongrel.

Stop saying mongrel this mongrel that. Most of us humans are mongrels anyway.

No, youre wrong. In this world, there are mongrels like you and purebreds like me. Its folly to lump someone who inherited an ancient and venerable bloodline like me with the likes of you, who dont even know from which bloodline you came from.

Magna looked at him condescendingly. Loren met his gaze straight on, wondering what the h.e.l.l the man was talking about. Only royalties or great n.o.bles would be able to claim that their bloodlines were ancient and venerable, but he didnt think such people would go to the trouble of visiting the top of a mountain in the middle of the demon territory, where dragons lived.

However, there was something in Magnas tone that made him believe that he wasnt just spouting nonsense.

Ill ask you again: Give me that helmet. The likes of you or the demons possessing it will be like throwing a pearl before swine. Its only when I, the rightful owner, possess it that it will serve a meaning.

Jokes should remain jokes. Even if it was yours, once its in a Demon Kings warehouse, the Demon King will be its owner. If you want it, go negotiate with her.

So that is your answer?

Loren readied his sword; in all honesty, he hoped the guy wouldnt tell him to go negotiate with the Demon King. In case he did, Loren of course preferred to just feign ignorance and throw the helmet into the crater, but with the Dark Elfs arrow trained on Lapis, who was carrying the helmet, he couldnt do anything reckless.

It cant be helped then. Noel, watch out for that woman with the helmet. If she tries anything strange, stop her, even if you have to kill her. Do not let her throw the helmet.

As you wish.

The dark elf called Noel replied without taking her eyes off Lapis. Magna nodded at her, then slowly began to walk towards Loren with his s.h.i.+eld and longsword raised.

If one fight cant make you understand that your sword skill and strength are no match for mine, Ill teach you again.

I dont want any lecture from a guy who let us escape while being covered from head to toes in vomit. Did you manage to get rid of the smell, ladykiller? Goblins blood must really stink.

Loren challenged Magna, who was still looking down on him. Magnas face suddenly turned grim, as if he had no tolerance for being mocked, even though he may mock others.

Youre talking too much. Ill have your head cut off from your body.

Go ahead, try it. We have bad mouths and bad habits, so come prepared!

Magna slashed at Loren with movements so light that it was difficult to believe he was wearing such heavy equipment. In response, Loren shouted a battle cry and swung his greatsword with all his might.