"You few, you may enter." The towering guard with ten eyes waved his scale-covered hand dismissively and stepped aside to clear the path.
The moment they stepped inside, a wave of clamor crashed over them!
The broad main thoroughfare was packed shoulder to shoulder with all manner of strange races mingling together. The air was thick with the mixed aromas of food, spices, and some kind of magical energy.
Buildings towered on both sides, decorated with flickering magic crystals and fluttering banners.
"Whoa! This scene..." one of his companions widened his eyes. "Compared to this place, Deep Snow Harbor is like some backwater town!"
"It's probably because of the bicentennial celebration," another maintained his composure. "Even the Demon King's castle wouldn't normally have this many people."
Wo remained silent, but his inner shock was no less than his companions'. The unprecedented prosperous scene made him unconsciously tighten his clothes.
"Wo, then we'll split up and act separately," his companion patted his shoulder. "Remember, three days from now at dawn, meet at the city gates!"
"Understood." Wo nodded, watching his companions merge into the crowd before turning into an alley beside the main street.
His main purpose for coming along was hearing that the Demon King's castle had the most complete collection of magic array and alchemy books. He wanted to pick some suitable for himself.
But before that...
Wo touched his stomach. After gnawing on rock-hard salted fish the entire journey, having finally reached the legendary demon capital, how could he not sample the local cuisine?
Following the enticing aromas and sounds of voices, he chose a tavern that was nearly full and bustling with activity.
Before he could even squeeze inside, heated discussion from within already reached his ears:
"Hey, hey, do you think we'll get to see Lord Demon King at this celebration?"
"We should be able to, right? I heard Lord Demon King personally attended the centennial celebration, so for this bicentennial, it should be the same!"
"Heavens! To see His Majesty the Demon King with my own eyes... however far I traveled, it would be worth it!"
Clearly, outsiders like Wo who had traveled from afar were not few in number.
However, when he finally managed to squeeze through the entrance, the boiling voices in the tavern suddenly dropped as if their throats had been grabbed.
Countless gazes—curious, scrutinizing, even carrying a trace of barely perceptible rejection—like fine needles, pricked toward the blue magic markings on his exposed arms.
Fragmented murmurs buzzed in the corners:
"Demon spawn... from the guard units..."
"But... why are the magic markings blue? Never seen that before..."
Behind the bar, a wild boar man boss whose tusks nearly poked his own face was expressionlessly wiping the counter with a cloth, completely ignoring this subtle silence.
Wo steadied himself and walked to the bar: "Boss, any signature local dishes you'd recommend?"
The wild boar man boss paused his wiping, his thick eyebrows shooting up as he looked at Wo: "You... aren't a local demon spawn?"
"Just entered the city today!" Wo forced out a smile.
"Oh—an outsider!" The boss seemed to have an epiphany, his massive tusks appearing to curve into an arc. Enthusiasm instantly replaced coldness. "No wonder the magic markings are a different color! Since you're a guest from afar, you absolutely must try our restaurant's signature treasure—Red Tusk Wild Boar Ribs! Secret sauce, slow-roasted over charcoal fire. I guarantee you won't taste this flavor anywhere else, not even in your dreams!"
He slapped his chest, spittle flying as he enthusiastically introduced the dish.
This abrupt shift in warmth left Wo slightly puzzled. He couldn't help but wonder: did local demon spawn have a bad reputation?
The tavern's atmosphere, which had been suppressed by Wo's appearance, began to boil again after hearing his conversation with the boss.
Though the discussion still centered on the celebration, some brought up another topic:
"...Speaking of which, will that 'Plague God' try to cause trouble?"
"What Plague God?"
"Who else could it be! That human who's been appearing and disappearing at the borders these past few years, constantly ravaging the frontier!"
"Him? Give him ten times the courage! This celebration has Marshal Mad Wolf, the Blood Clan Grand Duke, and the Demon Spawn Commander all gathered together. His Majesty the Demon King might even personally attend! That coward who only knows how to exploit gaps would only dare act wild in remote places! Dare come to the Demon King's castle? Perfect chance to deal with him!"
...
A hearty meal.
Though the Red Tusk Wild Boar Ribs weren't as unique as the owner boasted, they were definitely delicious!
Wo thought this was likely thanks to the capital's rich variety of spices.
Leaving the noisy tavern, Wo resumed his journey to find a bookstore.
However, at the corner of a relatively quiet street, two guys in city guard uniforms accosted him.
On their skin were crimson magic markings of the same origin as Wo's, yet completely different in color!
"Hey," one of the demon spawn guards crossed his arms, his gaze contemptuously scanning Wo up and down. "Unfamiliar face? Which backwater hole did you crawl out of?"
Wo didn't want to cause trouble, replying quietly: "Deep Snow Harbor."
"Oh? Those seaside folks?" The other guard snorted with laughter, suddenly grabbing Wo's wrist. His rough fingers forcefully rubbed the deep blue magic markings on his forearm. "Heh, this deep blue... probably cold resistance, right? Tsk tsk..."
Wo was about to compliment the man's "extensive knowledge" when—
Bang!
Without warning, a heavy punch slammed into his abdomen!
Wo groaned muffled, pain instantly making him curl up as his stomach churned violently.
"Ugh—!"
Immediately after, fists rained down like hailstones. Wo was beaten until he staggered backward, crashing against the stone wall, completely unable to defend himself. Even his cries of pain were stuck in his throat.
"Why... why?!" Wo barely lifted his head, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth as he asked with difficulty.
"Why?!" The guard kicked him in the chest, pinning him firmly against the wall, and spat. "You still have the face to ask? You demon spawn disgrace! Actually getting such markings? Going off to be a lowly merchant?!"
He grabbed Wo's collar, twisted fury burning in his eyes. "It's because of cowards like you! The demon spawn's prestige gets worse every year!"
"I... I was born with..." Wo coughed up blood, showing a bitter smile. "...I couldn't choose these magic markings..."
He never imagined he'd be beaten over something like this.
"Couldn't choose?" The guard sneered, raising his fist again. "Then choose a decent way to die! Go kill yourself! Use your blood to wash away the sin of defiling the demon spawn name!"
Just as the fist was about to fall, both guards' movements suddenly froze.
At the alley entrance, a figure stood silently, unknown when it had appeared.
A wide hooded robe completely shrouded the person, their face covered by an expressionless metal mask, leaving only two deep points of light piercing through the shadows.
"What are you looking at?! City guard business! Get lost if you don't want trouble!"
"Hiding your head and acting sneaky! Definitely suspicious!" the other chimed in.
However, when their gazes truly met the eyes looking through the mask's openings, an icy chill that seemed capable of freezing bone marrow instantly crawled up their hearts.
"For... forget it!" The lead guard released Wo as if electrocuted, his voice dry as he forced composure. "Today... it's the celebration, consider yourself lucky!"
Before leaving, he glared viciously at Wo, his expression seeming to say "you won't get off so easy next time," then disappeared with his companion at the alley entrance like avoiding the plague, their retreating figures even appearing somewhat... like a rout.
"Are you alright?" A gentle voice sounded as a hand wearing pure white gloves extended toward Wo.
"Thank... thank you!" Wo borrowed the strength to stand. Through those unusually soft silk gloves, he could barely feel the existence of bones underneath, as if he were grasping a ball of warm cotton.
"Why did they trouble you?" The voice behind the mask carried a trace of concern.
"Heh," Wo smiled bitterly, raising his bloodied hands. The bright red blood traces snaked across the deep blue magic markings, forming a striking contrast. "Because my magic markings are inscribed with cold resistance rather than combat skills. In their view, this probably defiles the prestige of the 'Demon King's strongest creation'..."
"What narrow-minded thinking." The masked person gently shook their head. "Has no one considered that Lord Demon King endowing demon spawn with these infinite possibilities through magic markings might hope for you to shine brilliantly in all fields, not just battlefield slaughter?"
These words made Wo suddenly look up, staring at the masked person in shock—he had never heard such a viewpoint!
Catching Wo's incredulous gaze, the masked person's tone remained peaceful: "Very surprised? You're a demon spawn from Deep Snow Harbor, right? I've heard of it. You opened the northern shipping routes, connected the Tabu Continent. Deep Snow Harbor's prosperity—you've contributed greatly. Isn't this another form of glory?"
"You... you know so much." Wo unconsciously used respectful language.
The other's bearing and manner all indicated an extraordinary status. Being recognized by such a figure filled Wo's heart with warmth.
But then he became dejected again: "Unfortunately... that shipping route has been shrouded in fog since the year before last. I fear it will never be navigable again, and we've had to seek other paths."
"Sigh... yes, the fog..." Mentioning the fog, the masked person also let out a long sigh, their tone filled with the same helplessness.
"My lord! So you were here!"
A figure in pure black robes hurried over, his features clearly marking him as blood clan.
"My lord, I've been searching for you everywhere. The celebration is about to begin!"
"I know, I'm coming." The masked person replied helplessly.
Before leaving, he turned to look at Wo again, his tone serious: "Don't let those people's prejudices shake you. Go do what you should do, persist, and I believe..." He paused, his voice carrying a peculiar certainty, "Lord Demon King surely expects the same!"
Watching that wide-robed figure merge into the crowd, the other's almost "spokesperson-like" certainty made Wo couldn't help but shake his head with a smile.
However, given this person's status and position, perhaps... he truly had personally heard Lord Demon King's teachings?
This thought made Wo's heart surge with excitement.
Though there was one point of confusion: that blood clan attendant seemed to be wearing pure black, unadorned robes?
Wo vaguely remembered that in the blood clan's strict hierarchy, only the supreme Grand Duke had the right to wear pure black...
He probably missed other colors on the robe...
...
...
...
The celebration's torrent swept across the entire plaza. Wo only managed to grab a spot in a remote corner.
In the deafening waves of cheers, he stood frozen, his gaze locked on the figure on the high platform—His Majesty the Demon King!
Though the mask was different, that bearing, that presence... it was clearly the "masked person" who had come to his rescue earlier!
Looking at the blood clan Grand Duke beside him, identical to the "blood clan attendant" who had come to find the masked person...
Which meant...
Wo looked down at his right hand in disbelief—His Majesty the Demon King had personally helped him up!
Thinking of His Majesty's words to him, a scorching power instantly filled Wo's limbs!
Buzz—
A massive amplification magic array lit up in the sky. The Demon King's majestic voice rolled like thunder across the entire Demon King's castle:
"My subjects!" That once-gentle voice now contained supreme authority. "Since we broke free from our shackles and reclaimed our freedom, it has been exactly two hundred years!"
"I once stood on scorched earth, watching you use claws to dig through rubble, use tails to lift broken beams;
I once kept vigil in bitter winter, seeing wolf clan warm their cubs with body heat, blood clan heal their comrades with magic power.
Two hundred years!
You built magnificent cities upon ruins, dug moon wells in wastelands!
Once humans whipped our backs, cursed us as 'barbaric beasts'!
But look now—our magic crystal lighthouses illuminate the entire continent, our forges can smelt stellar iron!
This is not the glory of any single race, but wolf clan claws, blood clan magic, eagle clan wings, serpent people wisdom—all demon races' bone and flesh together forged today's golden age!
This golden age will not stop at two hundred years!
The next century, and the next, forever!
Demon race eternal!"
"Demon King eternal! Demon King eternal! Demon King eternal!" Wo roared hoarsely along with countless demon races, his blood boiling!
He firmly believed that under such a Demon King's leadership, eternal glory would surely be achieved!
The Demon King's voice continued to echo, announcing the empire's future direction:
"In the past, we defeated humanity as the dominant power, but only mercifully drove them into the southern forests. However, humans don't understand gratitude and instead plot to harass our borders. Henceforth, the empire will completely resolve these hidden dangers. This world cannot tolerate these vermin!"
"Exterminate humanity! Exterminate humanity! Exterminate humanity!" Mountain-shaking, sea-roaring fury pushed the celebration to its climax!
However—
"What is that?" A puzzled voice reached Wo's ears, pulling him slightly out of his frenzied emotions.
Following the sound, he saw more and more people looking up in alarm toward the distant horizon.
Wo squinted—a tiny black dot was tearing through clouds, rapidly approaching!
"A large bird?" someone guessed.
Winged guards had already flown up to try intercepting, but that black dot was both high and fast, flashing over the Demon King's castle in an instant!
Just as it passed the highest point—
Whoosh!
A figure separated and fell like a meteor straight down!
BOOM—!!!
The solid stone slabs at the platform's center exploded!
Through smoke and debris emerged a human figure!
In that instant, magic markings around the Demon Spawn Commander blazed with blinding light, Marshal Mad Wolf's body swelled to a four-meter giant amid roars, and the Blood Clan Grand Duke became a crimson blur, fingers like swords stabbing toward the newcomer's throat!
However, before the next heartbeat could fall—
The Demon Spawn Commander's magic core shattered, Marshal Mad Wolf's massive chest erupted in a huge spray of blood, and the Blood Clan Grand Duke's stabbing arm flew high into the air before everyone's eyes!
The newcomer casually flicked blood droplets from his blade, smoothly sheathing his sword.
Only then did he look up at the sole figure still standing on the platform.
"You must be the Demon King. Nice to meet you, I'm Lin Ke, and I'm the Hero!" Speaking in broken demon language, his voice also echoed throughout the city through amplification magic.
As if nothing had happened, he strolled to the platform's edge, looking down at the countless enraged demons below with apparent curiosity.
"Is this some kind of festival? Sorry, sorry, I really didn't mean to interrupt," he grinned, showing snow-white teeth. "I just happened to be passing by to do a small quest."
"...Quest?" The Demon King's voice was low as ice.
"Right, right! A quest!" Hero Lin Ke nodded enthusiastically, frantically rummaging through his worn backpack before finally pulling out a crumpled piece of parchment that looked like it had been gnawed by mice.
"Ahem! Collection quest: One Demon King head. The reward..." He paused, shaking the parchment. "—1 copper coin!"
T/N: The missing chapter 199 is uploaded. Really sorry for the inconvenience you guys had to face.
Comments