Chapter 887
Episode 221: An Unexpected Turn (3)
Back on the Kikar Plains.
The moment Tilius and Misol ended their communication, they turned to Luna and spread their arms wide.
“…You’re not seriously suggesting we hug to celebrate our alliance, are you? Though, of course, our little lord hasn’t fully accepted you as allies yet.”
“Not a chance. From now on, you and I will be the ones to be cut down. If we come back unscathed, Sakiel will only grow more suspicious.”
“Is that really necessary? We could just say we ran away after watching those two die.”
“Would you believe that?”
“If it’s coming from a comrade, I would.”
“Jito and Paelito are not comrades to Sakiel—they’re just subordinates. Besides, since I’m from Biceps, I’m already under close scrutiny. It’s better for us to return looking as battered as possible.”
Luna showed clear reluctance. Although Jin hadn’t fully accepted the alliance, if Tilius and Misol’s story was true…
These two were almost heroic figures. Their families were held hostage, and sometimes they had to kill their own comrades as spies. They were pitiable. Luna couldn’t bring herself to kill them easily.
“We’re used to pain, so don’t worry too much. Just get it over with—time’s running out.”
“Ugh, how badly do you want us hurt?”
“Make it look like we’re on the brink of death.”
Sigh “Fine, no choice then.”
Swish—!
Krantel tore into them relentlessly. Purple blood and flesh splattered everywhere. Occasionally, Luna deliberately mixed in a bit of red energy with her attacks—now was the time to make the wounds unmistakable.
Despite their bodies being torn and shattered, Tilius and Misol never once cried out.
“This should be enough. Damn, this feels awful.”
“Perfect. If I’d known you’d be this uncomfortable, I would’ve let you get hurt during the battle earlier.”
“Yeah, the Jinma Realm says you’re a ruthless demon with no blood or tears, but you’re surprisingly kind.”
“Any rumors about our little lord?”
“Not yet, but videos of Manbing’s power wiping out the generals have spread among the demon lords. It’s best to stay cautious. Manbing is a special case, like the red energy.”
The two staggered for a while, their wounds refusing to heal, before pulling out the last piece of Jito’s flesh.
“We’ll say we used this as a last resort to escape.”
“When will we meet again?”
“Probably not too far off. I’ll try to set up a way to communicate regularly somewhere in the mortal realm. We should get going.”
“Go well. Good luck.”
“See you again, little lord. Sorry we couldn’t explain everything you’re curious about.”
As Tilius crushed the flesh, a purple dimensional portal suddenly opened. Luna and Siris shrugged as they watched the two disappear into it.
“Let’s head back to Tikan, little lord.”
[Roar!]
“…With Tilius gone, the portal to the Otherworldly Snowfield opens. Blocking powers—if it’s an enemy, that’s the toughest kind. From what the late Kukan said, Tilius can even block the power coming from Jito’s flesh.”
“Anyway, after all the crazy enemies like the Akmyung tribe showed up, these are the first ones who might actually become allies.”
As Mot sped through the Otherworldly Snowfield, the scenery of Tikan Palace appeared in an instant.
“You’re here, sister.”
“So, what do you think?”
“It feels… not like a lie. We’ll have to keep watching, though.”
“They’re planning to build a Biceps communication network in the mortal realm soon. If they keep providing valid intel like this, maybe we can trust them a little.”
“I think so too. But I’m worried about the red energy…”
“I was going to bring that up. During the battle, I felt like the red energy was about to go berserk.”
“Berserk?”
“Yes. But strangely… it didn’t feel exhausting at all. That was odd.”
“Just to be safe, you should avoid using the red energy for a while.”
“Yeah, I guess. But if I start holding back right after today, Tilius and Misol might be in trouble. More than the demons, I trust Father’s judgment.”
Unlike Tilius and Misol, Siron never mentioned any ‘side effects’ of the red energy. He only advised to use it sparingly.
“If the red energy’s depletion was as dangerous as the demons say, wouldn’t Father have warned you properly? Even though it felt like it was about to go berserk, I didn’t sense any danger.”
“I’ve never handled red energy myself, so it’s hard to say. But maybe Father knows it’s dangerous and is deliberately not warning you. He might be expecting you to overcome it on your own and reach the next level.”
Though he’s regained some humanity after shedding his demonic nature, Siron was never a kind or gentle father.
Jin suspected that Siron, knowing the risks, was counting on Luna to surpass the danger and evolve.
“Ah… that could be it. Father would definitely do that. Then it’s all the more reason to follow his will. After all, the red energy is a necessary path to move forward.”
That made sense.
“Hmm, I’ll leave the use of red energy entirely up to you. But if you feel it’s wrong, stop immediately.”
“Don’t worry, youngest. The little lord and I will rest for about a day and prepare for the next battle. The little lord’s Manbing also has abilities like the red energy, so you can look forward to that.”
Jinma Realm, Naval Outpost.
Tilius and Misol, battered and bruised, reported to Sakiel.
“So, all of Lady Leila’s Jito’s vital energy was used, and Baekgyeong has depleted a significant amount of red energy. Is that everything?”
“Yes. Honestly, during the battle, I wanted to save at least one piece of flesh, but to escape, Misol and I had no choice…”
“You did well. Losing you two would have been a huge loss, even if we could afford to lose Vice and Kukan. The number of demon lords and generals has been dropping too fast lately.”
Tilius bowed his head.
“Everything is going worse than Jito expected. Because of Ayula, Jito’s arrival in the mortal realm was delayed, and the resistance there is fierce. And for some reason, the Biceps seem well aware of this.”
“Mi, Misol?”
Sakiel’s eyes narrowed.
“As soon as we started investing full force in the mortal realm, Biceps attacks increased. Are you aware?”
“I had a banquet with the demon lords at Lagal Fun’s castle recently, but I didn’t hear anything about that.”
“That was the day Lady Leila and Dailus were together, right? That very day, both their castles were attacked. Bassett appeared at Lady Leila’s castle, and Tuwale came to Dailus’s. Ten generals were killed. Over 200,000 demons in the city were kidnapped.”
“…You said 200,000?”
The Biceps abducted demons every time they raided.
They believed this was the only way to prevent ordinary demons from becoming Jito’s playthings.
“Until now, it was at most 10,000 or 20,000. Suddenly kidnapping 200,000 means Bassett’s power has grown stronger for some reason. Maybe he absorbed the strength of the demons he kidnapped, or perhaps the weakened power of the Immortal Zone has recovered. The land once ruled by Biceps wasn’t called ‘Immortal’ for nothing.”
Tilius easily grasped Sakiel’s intent.
‘…He wants to confirm if the Immortal Zone’s power has recovered, since I’m from Biceps too.’
In fact, Tilius’s own power from the Immortal Zone had recovered significantly, which is why he could block the energy from Jito’s flesh during the battle.
“My own power has indeed grown stronger. But if the numbers you mentioned are accurate, Bassett’s power is now ten times what it was before. It’s on a level I can’t compare to. So, I think Bassett isn’t stronger—he’s been hiding his strength.”
“Hiding his strength…”
Sakiel nodded with a smile.
“At times like this, I wish Tilius had some hidden power too. You two should recover now and prepare to face Baekgyeong again.”
“Misol!?”
Misol put on a fierce expression and rolled her eyes.
“So far, you two are the only demon lords who have returned alive after facing Baekgyeong. You deserve another chance.”
If they survived another encounter with Baekgyeong, Sakiel would finally drop his suspicions.
That was what Sakiel was implying. Either be suspected while alive or prove your innocence in death. The worst-case scenario Tilius had anticipated.
‘Next time, I’ll have no choice but to die at Baekgyeong’s hands… If I survive again, Sakiel will surely ask Jito to torture me.’
Tilius had endured Jito’s torture before. But he wasn’t sure he could survive it again. This time, he’d end up revealing everything about Biceps during the torture. It’d be better to explain things to Luna and disappear.
“Understood. Next time, I’ll make sure to fully exhaust Baekgyeong’s red power.”
“Yes, we’ll look forward to it. Now, please take your leave. Ah, wait a moment… Jito!”
Boiling…
Suddenly, Sakiel’s crystal orb seemed to bubble and shift, revealing Jito’s face.
{Hey, Sakiel. Are you out of your mind?}
“Jito?”
{Why are you doubting Tilius again and making such a fuss? Has he already forgotten the serious talk we had?}
“I apologize.”
{Let Tilius and Misol rest for a while. Send someone else to handle the White Whale. Got it?}
Heaven was on their side.
Tilius breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. If he and Misol disappeared now, the fragile alliance they had been carefully building with Balmel could become uncertain.
“I will do as you say.”
{Good. Keep sending the meat, and tell the Demon King and the generals to deal with the White Whale properly. Don’t mess this up.}
As Jito’s energy faded from the crystal orb, Sakiel wiped the sweat from his brow.
“…Sorry for doubting you, Tilius. Please, go back.”
“No, not at all, Sakiel. If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to call.”
“Misol, Misol.”
At that moment, Jito trembled slightly in the demon realm, a smile spreading across his face.
{Ah, my little darlings. Just looking at you makes me want to bite you to death. Don’t you agree, Helluram?}