Chapter 187: Floor 17 Hidden (4)

“Welcome, Count Dafria.”

After we entered the Demon King's Castle, an elderly man who looked like a butler greeted us.

Since it wasn't time yet, we were shown to a room where we could wait.

“Where is the God-Slaying Sword?”

I asked Gakil, and he answered.

“It should be stored somewhere in the Demon King's Castle's treasury.”

“Where's the treasury?”

According to Gakil, the God-Slaying Sword was essential for the War Demon God's revival ritual, and this Contest was being held to decide who would own it.

Whatever the case, the God-Slaying Sword seemed to be an important item in this Hidden.

Gakil looked at me with a grave expression.

“...Don't tell me you're after the God-Slaying Sword.”

“That's not it.”

I explained myself so Gakil wouldn't get the wrong idea.

“The truth is, I want to stop the War Demon God from being revived too. You said its revival could cause a catastrophe, didn't you?”

“...That's right. The Demon God might run rampant.”

“Then wouldn't that make it a threat to the entire world? I'm worried someone else might try to get their hands on the God-Slaying Sword.”

I still didn't have any real evidence that preventing the War Demon God's revival was actually the clear condition...

But for now, that was the direction I intended to take.

Gakil shook his head.

“That won't happen. And I'm asking you, please don't do anything suspicious.”

Gakil didn't seem to appreciate my perfectly sincere concern.

I asked him something else.

“But you said the revival ritual is going to be held after crossing over into the Demon Realm, right? Because that's where the War Demon God's remains are.”

“That's right.”

“Are its remains really still intact? Aren't there plenty of monsters in the Demon Realm?”

Gakil replied.

“I've never seen them myself, but from what I've heard, neither the Fiends nor the Demons of the Demon Realm will go near the War Demon God's remains. They fear even the corpse of a Demon God too much to approach it.”

Hmm, I see.

The Demon of the Scales I'd encountered before had seemed like a being of considerable stature too.

“I'd like to see the Demon God's remains for myself. How do you cross over into the Demon Realm?”

“Mages of the 5th Circle or higher can cross over using Dimensional Travel Magic. But you won't be able to enter the Demon Realm.”

“What? Why not?”

“Because the Demon Realm is a world that permits only Demons to enter. When other races try to enter, they're subjected to Dimensional Resistance thousands of times stronger than what Demons face. The shock is more than even the strongest superhuman could withstand.”

There was something like that?

But I'd gotten out of the Demon Realm just fine.

Had the Demon of the Scales protected me with its power? Or had I been fine because I was leaving instead of entering?

We'd arrived with almost no time to spare, so it wasn't long before Gakil and I had to head to the appointed place.

Someone called out to us as we walked down the corridor.

“Well, if it isn't Count Dafria.”

Displeasure flashed across Gakil's face when he saw who it was.

“Count Hennon.”

Another count, apparently.

Hennon immediately started needling Gakil in a mocking tone.

“How are you feeling? I heard your Knight Commander staged a rebellion. Seeing as you had enough time to come all the way here, I suppose I worried for nothing.”

Gakil nodded.

“Thank you for your concern. But the traitor has already been dealt with.”

“...Is that so? I heard you couldn't even reclaim your territory and were forced into a humiliating retreat.”

“You shouldn't put too much faith in street gossip. It seems your family's informants are as lazy as pigs.”

Hennon's expression twisted.

The two clearly hated each other, but even so, this seemed remarkably informal for a conversation between Family Heads. Was that just how Demons were?

Another Demon approached just then.

This time, even I couldn't help paying close attention...

He was extremely powerful.

‘A Grand Duke?’

He wasn't quite on a dragon's level, but he felt almost as strong as I was.

“Your Excellency Bilford.”

Gakil greeted him respectfully.

So this was Grand Duke Bilford, the one opposed to the revival.

There was something about him that reminded me of a dignified tiger.

Count Hennon, who had been picking a fight moments ago, meekly greeted the Grand Duke and quickly left.

Grand Duke Bilford patted Gakil on the shoulder.

“Count Dafria, I didn't expect you to attend.”

“How could I be absent from such an important gathering, one that will determine the fate of all Demons?”

“I've heard what happened. Have all the problems with your family been resolved?”

“Fortunately, yes.”

Gakil had said he opposed the revival too, so they must have been on the same side.

Still, bold of him to say that when he would've skipped this entirely if it weren't for me.

Grand Duke Bilford's gaze shifted toward me.

“Is this the Champion you brought?”

“Yes.”

Taking the cue, I bowed in greeting.

Several knights stood behind Grand Duke Bilford as well, and the strongest among them was fairly powerful. Was that Bilford's Champion?

The Grand Duke showed little interest in me. After exchanging a few more words with Gakil, he left ahead of us.

I leaned toward Gakil and whispered.

“Gakil-nim, you're on Grand Duke Bilford's side, right?”

“Yes.”

“How exactly does the Champion duel work?”

Was it some kind of tournament?

Gakil explained.

“One of the Champions volunteers to go first, and the other Champions are free to challenge them. The winner remains and continues fighting. Once no one else comes forward to challenge them, the remaining Champion is declared the victor.”

So it was a Winner-Stays-On format.

“Which side has the advantage, those in favor of the revival or those against it?”

“Their numbers are roughly even. In the end, it will come down to Grand Duke Keilteir and Grand Duke Bilford. The Champions brought by those two will undoubtedly be the strongest. The Champions brought by the other Family Heads will fight their own battles before that.”

Gakil paused, then asked uneasily.

“Are you planning to participate as well?”

“I'll see how things go. If our side ends up at a disadvantage, shouldn't I step in? You don't want the Demon God revived either, Gakil-nim.”

Gakil shook his head.

“I believe Grand Duke Bilford will win.”

“Why?”

“Because the Bilford Family's Young Grand Duke will serve as their Champion. Krail Bilford is already powerful enough to hold his own against the heads of most of the Twenty-Six Families. He's essentially the strongest card anyone could possibly put forward as a Champion.”

If he was Bilford's Young Grand Duke...

Did that mean he was the Grand Duke's son?

Maybe the strongest knight I'd just seen had been him.

“There are rumors that Keilteir recruited a highly skilled fighter from the Bahel Church, but I doubt even that person will be a match for the Young Grand Duke.”

“What's the Bahel Church? Does it have something to do with the War Demon God?”

“It is a religion that worships Bahel, the War Demon God, as their deity. For all intents and purposes, they're inseparable from the Keilteir Family.”

We continued toward our destination.

A vast space stretched out before us like a stadium, with a circular arena at its center.

Twenty-six chairs were arranged around it.

Gakil walked over to one of them and sat down. I stood behind him.

More than half the Family Heads had already arrived, including Grand Duke Bilford, whom we'd seen earlier.

As time passed, the remaining Family Heads arrived one by one...

‘That must be him.’

The last person to appear.

I immediately knew he had to be Grand Duke Keilteir.

Because he and Grand Duke Bilford were clearly the two strongest people here.

If Grand Duke Bilford gave off the impression of a tiger, Grand Duke Keilteir reminded me of a snake.

Several people followed alongside Keilteir. I couldn't tell which one was the Keilteir Family's Champion, but one of them immediately caught my attention.

‘Hmm...’

Gakil had said Bilford would win.

But I'd just changed my mind.

This was starting to look like Bilford might lose.

Eventually, the heads of all Twenty-Six Families had taken their seats.

The elderly butler from earlier stepped into the center of the arena and spoke solemnly.

“Then let us begin the Contest to determine ownership of the God-Slaying Sword.”

Apparently, he was serving as the officiator.

He got straight to the point without a word of unnecessary preamble.

“Each family may appoint one Champion as its representative, excluding the Family Head. If a Champion is defeated, that family will immediately be eliminated from the Contest, and the family of the final victorious Champion will gain ownership of the God-Slaying Sword.

“In accordance with the ancient tradition of the Demons, the duels will follow the Winner-Stays-On format until no challengers remain. Each duel will continue until one participant dies or admits defeat. The first family wishing to volunteer, please state your family name.”

I glanced around.

According to Gakil, the small fry were supposed to feel each other out for a while before the two Grand Dukes' Champions eventually fought...

“Keilteir. We volunteer.”

Grand Duke Keilteir's voice rang out, breaking the silence.

Going first?

The other Family Heads looked over in surprise.

Gakil muttered with a grim expression.

“He's coming out right away... What's he planning?”

Normally, you'd save your strongest fighter for later.

The fact that Keilteir was putting a Champion forward immediately showed just how confident the Grand Duke was.

A robed figure who had been standing behind Keilteir walked forward.

Once he reached the center of the arena, he removed his robe and drew a narrow, pointed sword resembling a rapier.

“My name is Banshu, Champion of the Keilteir Family. Anyone who wishes to challenge me, step forward.”

The Family Heads' gazes subtly converged on Grand Duke Bilford.

Grand Duke Keilteir called out to him.

“Is there any need to waste time dragging this out, Bilford?”

Keilteir wanted the two strongest fighters to settle things immediately.

Grand Duke Bilford stared grimly at Keilteir's Champion before finally speaking.

“Where did you find someone like him?”

Bilford seemed to have realized that his opponent was no ordinary fighter.

A murmur swept through the room.

The knight standing behind Grand Duke Bilford stepped forward.

“Family Head, I will claim victory. Please allow me to fight.”

Grand Duke Bilford reluctantly declared.

“...The Bilford Family challenges.”

The knight walked into the arena, stopped opposite Banshu, and drew his sword.

“Krail Bilford, Champion of the Bilford Family.”

Just as Gakil had said, he was Bilford's Young Grand Duke.

Grand Duke Keilteir chuckled.

“You're truly going to send your own son? One of the reasons we settle matters through Champion duels is to prevent grudges from forming between families.”

Grand Duke Bilford replied stiffly.

“I have to stop your mad ambition. Naturally, I'll use everything at my disposal.”

“I see. How unfortunate. Even your talented son will have to taste defeat this time.”

Grand Duke Keilteir spoke to the Champion.

“Your opponent is the Young Grand Duke of Bilford, so show him some mercy. Don't take his life.”

“As you command.”

The Young Grand Duke's expression twisted at the blatant condescension.

The duel began.

BOOM-!

The Young Grand Duke of Bilford made the first move.

He charged forward with speed reminiscent of the Quick Step skill and swung a sword wreathed in rippling scarlet Sword Aura. Keilteir's Champion reacted in time and blocked.

Crimson and green Sword Aura intertwined.

Their blades collided again and again, shockwaves booming through the arena.

For a moment, the Young Grand Duke of Bilford seemed to be overpowering his opponent through sheer strength...

Then Keilteir's Champion, who had only been defending until then, suddenly thrust his sword.

It was an explosive burst of acceleration, far faster than anything he'd shown in their exchanges until then.

SHK!

The Young Grand Duke failed to react, and the blade pierced one of his shoulders.

He retreated with a look of shock.

Keilteir's Champion didn't press his advantage and stopped attacking.

He casually flicked the blood from his blade, smiled, and asked.

“Would you like to surrender?”

The Young Grand Duke of Bilford lunged at him again with a ferocious expression.

But, well...

The outcome had been decided from the start.

Keilteir's Champion was the strongest person here after the two Grand Dukes.

The Young Grand Duke unleashed a furious barrage of sword strikes, but his opponent dodged or blocked every one of them.

Before long, his other shoulder was pierced as well.

Blood pouring from both shoulders, the Young Grand Duke of Bilford breathed heavily.

“Why not surrender? Surely you've seen the difference between us clearly enough by now.”

Ignoring the opponent right in front of him, Keilteir's Champion looked directly at Grand Duke Bilford as he spoke.

Grand Duke Bilford sighed and declared.

“I concede our defeat.”

“Father! I can still...!”

“Stand down, son. You'll only die for nothing.”

The Young Grand Duke left the arena with humiliation written across his face.

“The Bahel Church has someone that powerful...?”

Gakil muttered, looking just as shocked.

Keilteir's Champion swept his gaze across the Family Heads.

“Is there anyone else who wishes to challenge me?”

No Family Head stepped forward.

Even Bilford's Champion had been defeated without being able to do much.

The atmosphere already made it feel as though Keilteir had won.

I tapped Gakil's chair.

“Gakil-nim.”

“...”

“Challenge him. Hurry.”

First things first, I had to stop Keilteir from winning.

Gakil turned toward me with a stiff expression.

“You truly intend to...”

“I'll win for you. We can't just let the Demon God be revived like this.”

The officiator's voice rang out.

“If there are no further challengers, the Contest will conclude with victory for the Keilteir Family.”

Gakil finally spoke.

“The Dafria Family challenges.”

Every Demon in the room turned to look at us.

Instead of taking out the Gatekeeper of Heaven's Sword, I borrowed Gakil's sword and stepped into the arena.

“Kim Seo-hyeon, Champion of the Dafria Family.”

I introduced myself just as the others had.

Keilteir's Champion looked at me with a sneer on his lips.

“Is this to prove your loyalty to Bilford? You're only adding another pointless sacrifice.”

I didn't answer and simply raised my sword.

The duel began at the officiator's signal.

At the same moment, a red line appeared, stretching straight toward my forehead.

So he doesn't even see a reason to spare my life?

I lightly tilted my head.

The sharp point of his sword stabbed through empty air.

“...!”

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, as though he hadn't expected me to dodge.

His next attack followed immediately.

I blocked it by meeting his aura-coated sword with my own.

Keilteir's Champion was certainly strong.

But obviously, he wasn't stronger than me.

If I had to put a level on him, he'd probably be somewhere in the high 100s.

There was no reason for me to show off any magic skills or other techniques.

Both my physical abilities and my pure swordsmanship were far superior to his.

On top of that, with my newly acquired Supreme Combat Sense, even deliberately letting him hit me was getting difficult.

‘It'd look a little suspicious if I beat him too easily...’

I'd humor him for a while, then win.

KABOOM-!

Shockwaves erupted in succession as our swords collided, making the entire building tremble.

My opponent gradually increased his speed, so I matched him.

The longer our exchange continued, the more bewildered he looked.

That should've looked like a pretty hard-fought battle, right?

Time to wrap this up.

SHNK!

My sword cut into one of Keilteir's Champion's arms.

Without backing away, I dodged the sword he swung in immediate retaliation and slashed his other arm as well.

With the tendons in his wrists severed, his sword fell from his grasp.

“...!”

Keilteir's Champion stared at me in disbelief.

I looked toward Grand Duke Keilteir.

“Would you like to surrender?”

The Grand Duke glared at me with wide eyes.

At that moment, the presence radiating from Keilteir's Champion suddenly exploded in strength.

“It's not over yet!”

Grotesque striped markings spread across his entire body.

The sword wounds he'd just suffered healed in an instant, and long purple Aura Blades extended from both hands like the claws of a beast.

Now half-transformed into a monster, Keilteir's Champion kicked off the ground.

THOOM!

I blocked the claws with my sword and was pushed backward.

His physical abilities had increased to one and a half times their previous level, maybe more.

Was it an ability similar to my Blood Frenzy?

His strength and speed were now almost on par with mine while my Exaltation was fully active...

But that was all.

Compared to Seri's ability, this wasn't even in the same league.

I could see every opening.

SHNK!

I deflected the barrage of attacks, then slipped into his blind spot and severed one of his arms with a sudden rising slash.

“Graaagh...!”

My opponent staggered back for a moment.

I looked toward Grand Duke Keilteir again.

The Grand Duke's expression had hardened, but there was still no call for surrender.

With a roar, my opponent swung the claws on his remaining arm.

Rake-like Aura Blades flew indiscriminately in every direction.

Even the Family Heads watching the fight could no longer remain seated and had to dodge out of the way. He seemed to have completely lost his reason.

I wove through the attacks and closed in on him.

With no other choice, I swung my sword at his neck.

SHRAK!

Along with a spray of crimson blood, Keilteir's Champion's head flew through the air.

I lowered my sword and looked at the officiator.

He announced.

“...Victory goes to the Dafria Family.”

I looked around at the wrecked surroundings.

Every Family Head was staring at me in shock.

“Anyone else want to challenge me?”

No answer came.

The silence stretched on for a long while.

Then the officiator's voice rang out once more.

“As there are no further challengers, the final victor is the Dafria Family.”

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