I Saved the Demon King Who Was About to Commit Suicide – Chapter 31

It was time to go back down with the magical power received from Lucia.

At some point, Evan had begun to feel the heavy force pressing down on him gradually weakening.

The deeper he went, the more the water pressure continued to lessen.

Eventually, as he passed a certain boundary, the pressure completely vanished.

Even underwater, he was now able to breathe easily, just like on land.

‘I have arrived.’

Realizing he had reached the entrance of Cordelia, Evan withdrew the magical power surrounding him.

“Are you alright, Lucia?”

At the sound of her name being called, Lucia looked up at him with half-closed eyes and replied.

“I’m a bit tired… but I’m okay. Since I can’t feel my arm, I don’t feel any pain either.”

“You’ve lost a lot of blood, and if you lose consciousness now, you might never wake up again. I know it’s hard, but just hold on until you receive treatment.”

“I’ll… try.”

Following his words, Lucia clung to him and desperately tried to hold onto her fading consciousness.

However, the fatigue was inevitable, and her eyes kept fluttering.

‘I must find a healer as soon as possible.’

With that in mind, Evan hurriedly moved forward.

Thanks to the path following the current, their movement was swift.

*

While riding the current, something began to come into view for Evan.

It was a colossal kingdom.

In terms of size, it seemed several times larger than the empire’s castle.

The sight of numerous merfolk moving through ten entrances was nothing short of magnificent.

“This must be Cordelia.”

Turning her gaze towards the direction Evan was looking, Lucia exclaimed in admiration.

“The way the castle walls shine like a rainbow is impressive. If all the gems in this world were crafted into one kingdom, would it look like that…?”

Evan thought Lucia’s expression was indeed right.

The walls of the kingdom sparkled beautifully in radiant rainbow colors.

“Do you want a kingdom like that?”

“Not really. While I do like jewelry adorned with gems, too many would only detract from their innate beauty.”

“Seems like you can’t take your eyes off it, though.”

“It’s just fascinating, that’s all.”

“Well, if you say so.”

“You seem skeptical.”

Lucia glared at Evan with suspicious eyes.

Seeing that, Evan chuckled softly and said, “Didn’t you say you would believe me? I will believe it.”

“Who doesn’t trust whom with just words?”

As they bickered, they soon arrived at the kingdom’s entrance.

The two attempted to enter along the path that shone with luminescent stones like the castle walls.

“Excuse me. What brings you here?”

At that moment, guards approached, riding sharks.

If they answered incorrectly, it felt as though the sharks would bite them in an instant, their sharp teeth bared as they approached.

“We have come to see His Majesty Optatum Ocelin. Is he available?”

“He is available, but you may have to wait a little while to meet him. First, could you please tell me your names? I will relay them to His Majesty.”

“In that case, please tell him that Apostle of Destruction, Evan, has come to see him. There’s a patient, so please make it as quick as possible.”

“Understood. Please wait here.”

The guard entered the castle for confirmation, and the two decided to wait outside.

“Do you know the king?”

“I’ve never met him in person, but I know of him. The Apostle of the Sea, who joined me on my journey, is the princess of this country.”

“Does that mean I’m in a bit of danger?”

At Lucia’s question, Evan pulled out a anti-recognition robe from his pocket dimension and wrapped it around her.

Though the fabric floated in the water, thankfully, the magic on the robe seemed to be working well.

“As long as you don’t reveal your identity or let this robe come off, there shouldn’t be any issues. Just act as cautiously as possible.”

“Well, it seems like I won’t need to use any magical powers here… so I guess I don’t have to worry.”

As they continued discussing their plans, shortly after, the guard who had gone inside the castle returned.

“Your identities have been confirmed. Please follow me. His Majesty is awaiting you.”

Thankfully, their identities checked out.

With a sigh of relief, Evan took Lucia’s hand and began to follow the guard deeper inside.

*

The interior of Cordelia was just as splendid as the outside.

Chandeliers hung from every corner of the ceiling, shining in brilliant gold, while the floor was covered with luxurious marbles.

Moreover, every decoration within the castle was adorned with expensive-looking items.

‘It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that the entire country’s funds were spent building this castle.’

As Evan walked while thinking that, a guard in front of a door spoke up.

“I will take your injured companion to the healer. His Majesty is inside, so please, Evan, you may enter.”

He nodded and gently laid Lucia onto the patient transport bed that was placed in front of him.

“Get well soon. I’ll be back shortly.”

“Take care, Evan.”

“Who sounds so concerned?”

Seeing the guard moving the transport bed with Lucia on it, Evan opened the door and stepped inside.

Inside, he saw a merfolk.

At first glance, he seemed like an ordinary person, but the shark-shaped fin on his back confirmed he was a merfolk.

“I’ve been waiting for you, Evan.”

Optatum Ocelin.

The 47th king of Cordelia and the father of Sio Ocelin, the Apostle of the Sea, who was once his comrade.

‘Quite… strong.’

Is it because he is a king?

The magical power emanating from him was no ordinary level.

Of course, it’s not compared to an Apostle blessed by the gods, but in terms of monsters, it would easily be at least Rank 1.

That much magical power could be felt.

“I greet the clearest waters of Cordelia.”

“You don’t need to be so formal. I may be a king, but you are an Apostle representing the gods.”

Optatum smiled and gestured for Evan to sit.

“So, what brings you all the way to this far place? Seeing as you came to find me directly, it doesn’t seem to be for tourism.”

Sitting down as per his gesture, Evan replied.

“…I want to know the history of Cordelia.”

“Hmm? If that’s the case, you can simply go to the library and read the history books.”

“I want to see something deeper than just the history shown.”

“Sounds like you want to read Cordelia’s forbidden texts.”

“I hope to do so if possible.”

“Hmm…”

Optatum stroked his chin.

After about three minutes of silence, he finally spoke.

“Although you are the precious comrade of my daughter, it seems difficult to see the forbidden texts of Cordelia.”

“…Is that so?”

Is it really not possible?

As Evan felt anxious that all his effort might lead to a dead end, Optatum spoke again.

“However, if you fulfill a request of mine, not only will I let you see the forbidden texts of Cordelia, but I will also answer any information you seek to the best of my knowledge.”

“What is that request?”

At Evan’s question, Optatum stood up and opened the door.

“Come with me. I have something to show you.”

He stepped outside first, and Evan followed closely behind.

*

After a short walk, Optatum stopped in a certain space.

It was a terrace that overlooked the entirety of Cordelia.

“…How many monsters have you hunted?”

The sudden question caught Evan off guard.

He paused for a moment before replying.

“I remember having hunted several dozens of Rank 1 monsters alone.”

“I see.”

Nodding, Optatum looked into the distance and spoke.

“I, too, have hunted dozens of Rank 1 monsters just like you. As for Rank 2 monsters, the count is beyond measure.”

“Is that so?”

“Indeed. Therefore, I believed there were no monsters in the world that I couldn’t catch. Yet…”

Optatum trailed off at the end of his sentence.

His face was filled with various emotions.

“If you’re having a hard time, take your time to speak.”

“…I have encountered a monster that I cannot catch.”

With Optatum’s words, a great tremor shook throughout Cordelia.

Simultaneously, a chilling aura emerged, one that was so powerful that even Optatum’s presence felt diminished.

Evan could feel a massive entity approaching Cordelia.

“I felt an overwhelming sense of despair. I fought several times yet couldn’t even conceive of victory.”

Eventually, it revealed itself.

It was a creature Evan had never seen before.

Its size was comparable to the royal palace of Cordelia, with a body reminiscent of a sea dragon and a gigantic shark head adorned with ten enormous teeth and six yellow eyes.

The feeling of its magical power made even the rank 1 top-tier monsters appear as small puppies.

‘Never have I felt such chilling power among the monsters I’ve faced in the past…’

Just seeing it sent shivers down his spine.

At the same time, a profound sense of despair akin to when he first met Lucia washed over him.

‘Monster’ doesn’t quite fit it.

It was a beast. Or a monster.

It was a being that could be described as such.

“Therefore, I request this of you.”

“Wait, are you saying…?”

“Indeed.”

Optatum nodded in affirmation.

“I ask that you hunt this monster.”