Episode 850
Chapter 211. Orgal’s Negotiation (4)
Paelito looked down at the fallen Orgal and shrugged his shoulders.
“That was close to death.”
He wasn’t talking about Orgal—he was talking to himself. If he had accidentally killed Orgal just now, Paelito would have been executed by Jito without hesitation.
‘Could it be that Orgal was already dead…? What kind of power denies death itself? Since it’s blocked by Vaskala, it probably isn’t the power of the Sun God or the witch.’
A strange unease settled over him.
The Orgal Paelito remembered had always been like this. His strength and powers weren’t overwhelming, but there was always something unsettling about him—something that made opponents uneasy.
‘Using that red power, still shrouded in mystery. But if Lord Jito finds out he’s already dead, the succession might be shaken up.’
Paelito slowly moved toward the crack in the Demon-Sealing Wall. Since earlier, the oppressive energy from the wall had been pressing down on him, pulling him in with an unpleasant sensation.
But this dreadful feeling wouldn’t last much longer. The underground demons were finally ready to rise to the surface—to take control of the world above.
Paelito threw himself off the cliff beneath the crack. After a long fall, a blinding light flashed before his eyes.
His whole body burned with heat. To climb the crack in the Demon-Sealing Wall, one had to pass through the “Artificial Sun.”
Only those who could endure the terrible heat of the Artificial Sun could cross the crack. Soon, when the curse on the wall was fully lifted, they would be able to ascend beyond the intermediate world and reach the surface.
As the heat of the Artificial Sun began to fade, familiar underground landscapes came into view. Paelito landed on a plain in the True Demon Realm and headed straight for the Sword Demon Castle.
“Welcome back, Lord Paelito.”
“Sakiel, is Lord Jito awake?”
“He just entered recovery. It’s best to delay the report for now.”
“Agreed. I met Orgal in the intermediate world.”
“Was he carrying out Lord Jito’s will?”
“No. Just as the witch said, he still wants the Sun God’s resurrection. He even threatened war if we invade the surface.”
“Still so arrogant.”
“Well, he’s earned that right.”
“Have you heard any other news about the surface?”
“No. Before the transfer is complete, it would be wise to negotiate with the witch to find out more.”
“We already have a rough idea of the power balance and key figures. I’m not sure it’s worth the risk to deal with the witch.”
“That’s ultimately Lord Jito’s decision. By the way, I’d like to cross swords with that Siron Runcandel from Inse. Even the witch admires him… That’s unimaginable for the Inse we knew. For such a man to be born.”
“Siron Runcandel is wandering the witch’s domain now, so he can’t return to Inse, right?”
“He’s a man beyond fate, so who knows? Some parts of the witch’s domain connect to the underground. He might appear here even if it’s not Inse. All those places are off-limits for transfers anyway.”
Transfer.
The demons of the True Demon Realm were preparing to bring most of the underground world to the surface. Except for some overlapping areas with the witch’s domain, they planned to raise all the land above. Unlike the Red-Eyed Tribe, they had no intention of basing themselves in the intermediate world.
“That might be so. But it’s strange—why would someone with no interest in the Sun God’s resurrection cling so desperately to the witch’s domain…?”
“Who knows? Maybe it’s just a struggle for power, or maybe the witch hasn’t told us everything. Either way, it’s a shame we won’t meet him as soon as we reach the surface.”
“There are still a few figures who can quench your thirst, Lord Paelito. Don’t be too disappointed.”
“They’ll be less affected by Vaskala, so they won’t be as bland as Orgal. Actually, we should consider fighting without Vaskala altogether. If it ends as hollowly as this time, I’ll just want to kill them all.”
Paelito and Sakiel climbed the walls of the Sword Demon Castle. The city below gleamed pale and slick under the light of the Artificial Sun.
Imagining the real sun shining down on them, Sakiel’s chest tightened, and he wiped away a tear. Paelito chuckled and handed him a handkerchief.
“Sorry for the ugly sight.”
“It happens. Any news from the Red-Eyed Tribe scum?”
“No, they haven’t noticed the crack yet. They’re too busy fighting Ziphl. They’ll realize soon enough.”
“If those bastards come near the crack, alert me immediately. Even if they’re ruined and buried, they still hold the core technology and powers to resurrect the Sun God. We can’t let that happen because of those scum.”
“Understood, Lord Paelito.”
Just as they finished speaking, a demon rushed in urgently.
“Lord Paelito!”
“What is it?”
“Basset’s army is currently assaulting Lord Dailus’s castle. They’ve requested reinforcements.”
“Huh, so Basset’s already recovered from the last time I wounded him. Open the gates. I’m on my way.”
“A non-aggression pact… hmm? Zephyrin?”
“What is it, Demon Dragon? Why the sudden change?”
Zephyrin suddenly broke out in a cold sweat, trembling. Jin sensed something was wrong with Orgal.
“Something’s happened to Orgal.”
Zephyrin took a breath and spoke honestly.
“…Yes, Lord Jin. It seems the negotiations have fallen apart.”
“Beyond that, was Orgal attacked? You look badly hurt.”
“He nearly died.”
“…What? Orgal?”
Jin and Murakan didn’t know Orgal’s exact combat strength.
But it was certain he was among the top fighters in Inse. He even possessed various powers, so it was hard to imagine him facing death.
“Demon Dragon, are the underground demons really that strong?”
“Generally, they’re similar to Inse. Just as not all Inse are strong, only a few underground demons are exceptionally powerful. Of course, even the average underground demon is far beyond ordinary humans… Their technology also surpasses the surface in some ways, unlike the Red-Eyed Tribe.”
“You’re spilling information freely. Are you hoping to form a temporary alliance with us against the underground forces?”
“That’s not my decision. Whether we ally or not, once the underground demons move in full force, the Balmel Union will be under pressure. And if you look back, we usually spill information to Lord Jin. That’s the frustrating part.”
“Ameris told me the ancient losers were the Red-Eyed Tribe and the Blue-Clear Tribe. But are the underground demons more dangerous than the Red-Eyed Tribe?”
“Lord Jin could intimidate the Red-Eyed Tribe because they’re not as strong as they once were. The current Red-Eyed Tribe has no fighting gods, and their manpower and resources don’t compare to the past. But the underground demons are different.”
The underground demons remained fully intact.
Unlike the Red-Eyed Tribe, Blue-Clear Tribe, or other demons beyond the True Demon Realm, they had never been sealed or buried. They had lived continuously beneath the Demon-Sealing Wall.
Or perhaps “survived” is a better word. The True Demon Realm had been at war for ages. Only recently, with Jito regaining consciousness, had unification neared completion. But not all forces opposing Jito had vanished.
Zephyrin didn’t know all the details—he had only recently recovered ancient memories. But he could guess that “unification under Jito” was imminent.
Orgal had nearly died during negotiations.
“If my lord faced a near-death crisis, it means the demons who came through the crack are likely Jito’s minions. If they wanted the Sun God’s resurrection, they wouldn’t have clashed with my lord. It means Jito holds the underground’s dominance.”
“Then… when those underground demons run rampant, their first move is obvious.”
Jin’s words made Zephyrin nod.
“Yes, they’ll surely try to reclaim Jito’s Eye, kept by the Holy Kingdom.”
That meant a second Holy Kingdom War could break out soon. Jin fell into thought.
‘The key is how strong Jito and the underground demons really are. But no matter how strong they are, it’ll be hard for the surface’s great powers to form a temporary alliance like during the Fierce God War. Ziphl is already at war with the Red-Eyed Tribe.’
Jin had a feeling Ziphl might side with the underground demons or the Red-Eyed Tribe.
That left the Balmel Union and Kinzel.
Zephyrin seemed to be considering an alliance already, judging by how freely he shared information. If not, there’d be no reason to reveal so much. Even if not a full alliance, it was almost certain Kinzel would need Balmel’s help.
‘If Jito truly is a madman ruling the world through suffering, then he’s a common enemy. Even if not a full alliance, we should use Kinzel wisely and prepare.’
As Jin pondered, a commotion stirred outside.
Orgal had just returned to the Divine Headquarters. When I stepped outside, I saw the steel door, battered and dented beyond recognition, and Orgal being supported by the other members.
[Jin Runkandel…]
“Orgal, I heard bits and pieces from Zephyr just now. Looks like you got thoroughly beaten by the demons from the Underworld.”
[The match-up wasn’t in my favor.]
“Is that so? But Orgal, from what I can tell, you didn’t exactly escape on your own power… It feels like you were spared mercy and allowed to come back alive. Don’t tell me you made some kind of deal with the Underworld?”
I said it casually, but Orgal didn’t hesitate for a moment before revealing the truth.
[Zito wants to make me his successor. That’s why I was allowed to live.]