Chapter 157: Burning the Demon Realm
As Rest and his companions began their investigation of the center of Subnock Plain, they were faced with an unexpected obstacle. This hindrance was not a monster enhanced by the magical power of the Demon Realm, but rather an overgrowth of ordinary weeds.
The weeds, towering to the height of an adult male, obscured their vision and concealed the presence of any lurking monsters. Moreover, these weeds were saturated with magical power, interfering with their Life Search spell. If things continued this way, they would be unable to prevent a surprise attack from the enemy, leaving them vulnerable to any assault.
The harsh natural environment loomed as a formidable foe, blocking their path.
“Well… we can just burn it all away,” Rest remarked casually.
With that, he began to incinerate the surrounding underbrush.
Advanced Magic: Firestorm
With a sweeping wave of fire magic, Rest scorched the weeds, clearing a path through the heart of the Demon Realm. He deliberately refrained from using Amaterasu, as gathering sunlight would darken the area around them, increasing the risk of a surprise attack from monsters.
“That’s incredible…”
“Rest is truly amazing. I can’t believe he can do something like this!”
Behind Rest, Isis gazed at him with awe, while Yuri looked on with unrestrained admiration.
“Well, he should be able to do at least this much.”
“……”
“……”
Lübesse crossed his arms and let out a satisfied “Hmph,” keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings. The other two—Argil, the knight dispatched from the Royal Palace, and Rail, the priest sent from the Temple—stood speechless, dumbfounded by the display before them.
Rest unleashed multiple blasts of fire magic, relentlessly burning away the underbrush. It’s worth noting that he had received prior permission from Andrew Aiwood, the leader of the pioneering group, to set the vegetation ablaze. This area was slated for town construction after the clearing, as utilizing the magical power of the Demon Realm would allow for a richer city than usual. Regardless, the weeds and the monsters residing there would be an impediment to building the town. If Rest could clear them away, it would be a relief for Andrew as well.
“To use that much advanced magic without even showing signs of running out of magical power… This man truly embodies my ideals…”
Isis swallowed hard, captivated by Rest’s feats. Advanced magic was a powerful spell that even upperclassmen in the Magic Department could only cast two or three times at most. Yet, Rest had unleashed over twenty spells without showing any signs of fatigue.
“Graah!”
“Yowww!”
Monsters scorched by the flames burst forth from the underbrush. Some charged at Rest, while others attempted to flee.
“Thunderbolt!”
“Take that!”
Isis swiftly shot down a monster that was about to attack Rest. Meanwhile, a fleeing monster met its end as Yuri delivered a crushing kick to its skull, sending it crashing to the ground.
“Hmph… pathetic creatures.”
Lübesse swung his sword, cleaving through another monster. The four of them continued to carve a path through the center of the Demon Realm with ease, making steady progress.
“Damn… seriously?”
Behind them, Argil clenched his fists in frustration. The four young individuals had been the ones to shine in battle, while Argil, a seasoned knight, found himself with little opportunity to showcase his skills. It was easy to misinterpret the situation, but Argil was by no means incompetent. Although he had been unfortunate enough to have a relative involved in a rebellion, his abilities were genuine. That was precisely why he had been entrusted with this task—to redeem his tarnished reputation.
(I came here thinking I’d be cleaning up after these inexperienced youngsters… but are they all monsters!?)
It wasn’t just Rest with his infinite magical power. Isis’s spellcasting speed and Yuri’s physical prowess allowed them to dispatch enemies before Argil could even react. Lübesse’s swordsmanship was equally impressive, and as a knight, Argil could recognize that Lübesse stood at a higher level in martial arts than he did.
(Are these guys really students? I haven’t had a single chance to step up…!)
Argil had joined this dangerous mission in hopes of redeeming himself from the disgrace brought upon him by his relative, yet he found himself overshadowed by the young talents. He hadn’t been given a single opportunity to shine. It felt as if he were nothing but a hindrance.
“Damn it… at this rate…!”
“By the way… I really appreciate your help, Argil.”
“Huh?”
Rest, having paused for a moment, spoke to the flustered Argil.
“Thanks to you keeping an eye on our rear and protecting Rail, our healer, I can focus entirely on the front without worrying about my back. I truly admire your willingness to take on the less glamorous tasks.”
“Ah, ahh. Yes… that’s right!”
Remembering that Rest was a Count, Argil adjusted his tone.
“Someone like me must willingly take on the mundane tasks! Supporting the young is the duty of the elder. Please, don’t mind me!”
It seemed Argil had decided to take Rest’s words to heart. If he was intentionally holding back to support the younger members, then he could maintain his dignity despite not being at the forefront.
“Leave the rear to me. You all continue to focus on the front!”
“Yes, we’ll rely on you.”
Rest couldn’t help but smirk, turning his face away from Argil, who seemed to be in better spirits now.
I have posted a new novel. I hope you will check it out!
Title: The Cursed Queen, but After Being Killed by My Family, I Got the Best Fiancé
Link to the work