Chapter 158: The First Day’s Investigation Comes to an End
“Firestorm!”
With a fierce incantation, Rest incinerated the unusually tall, overgrown grass, allowing the group to advance deeper into the heart of the Demon Realm. As they progressed, the magical power in the atmosphere thickened, overwhelming their senses and making it feel as if their stomachs were churning.
“Unbelievable… The magical power in the Demon Realm is this intense…”
Isis, her face pale, pressed her hand to her mouth. The other members, though silent, bore similar expressions. Isis’s sensitivity to magical power was particularly pronounced, likely due to her innate talent as a magician. However, this same sensitivity made her acutely aware of the overwhelming magical energy surrounding them.
“Are you alright, Senior Isis?”
“Ah, thank you, Yuri.”
Yuri offered her shoulder for support. In stark contrast to the sweating Isis, Yuri appeared calm and composed, seemingly unaffected by the dense magical power. Her naturally low magical capacity and high physical abilities allowed her to remain oblivious to the environmental changes.
“Still, this is quite a harsh environment. Can a town really be built here?”
“Under these conditions, living here normally would be impossible,” Rest replied to Isis’s inquiry. Even without her level of sensitivity, one could not escape the influence of magical power in the heart of the Demon Realm. As things stood, establishing a town was out of the question.
“While we can’t live here as it is… once serious development begins, court magicians skilled in Barrier Techniques will likely be dispatched to set up a Magic Circle for Demon Repulsion. If they consume magical power to deploy the barrier, the magical energy in the air should improve.”
“So, you’re saying we’ll exhaust the magical power of the Demon Realm with the barrier to change the environment… I see.”
“Can’t you create a barrier, Rest?”
“I can’t. Such advanced techniques are beyond me.”
Rest chuckled and shrugged at Yuri, who tilted her head in confusion. He lacked the ability to deploy a barrier, not due to a deficiency in magical power or skill, but purely from a lack of knowledge. While the academy taught Barrier Techniques, the barriers used in the Demon Realm were on an entirely different level of complexity.
“Our task is to conduct investigations and clear the way. We need to survey the terrain and eliminate any monsters to make it easier for those who will come after us.”
After burning away a section of the plain, Rest utilized Floating and Wind Manipulation to soar into the sky. From above, he surveyed the landscape, sketching a rough outline of the terrain for their records.
“Well then… I suppose today’s investigation is complete. It’s rather rough, but I’ve got a grasp of the terrain in the heart of the Demon Realm.”
They had defeated a significant number of monsters and cleared the land by burning away the overgrowth. While it was a small achievement in the grand scheme of the vast plain, it was sufficient for the first day’s efforts.
“Let’s call it a day and head back to the Plain Entrance. It would be disastrous if night falls on us.”
In the Demon Realm, the arrival of night was akin to a death sentence. An ambush by monsters in the darkness could be fatal, especially since the thick magical power in the area rendered Life Search ineffective. They needed to return before dusk to ensure their survival. Although it would take time, they had no choice but to conduct their investigations over several days.
“We should be able to return faster than we came. With the grass burned, moving around will be easier, so tomorrow’s investigations should go smoothly.”
“I hope that by the time we return, new grass hasn’t grown back.”
Lübesse shrugged with a hint of sarcasm. Normally, grass wouldn’t grow back so quickly, but in the Demon Realm, anything was possible. In an extreme scenario, by the time they returned the next day, the grass could have grown back to its original height.
“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Now, let’s head back…”
“GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
As Rest and the others prepared to leave, a beastly scream echoed through the air. It was a chilling cry that seemed to resonate from the depths of the earth, one that was all too familiar.
“That cry is…!”
“Stay alert! It’s coming!”
Argil shouted, drawing his sword. Isis and Yuri took defensive stances, while Lübesse silently gripped the hilt of his sword.
“Firestorm!”
Rest unleashed his magic first. The grass ignited, and from the flames emerged the shadow of a massive monster.
“Just as I thought… It’s one of Subnock’s minions!”
The creature that appeared was an Evil Lion, its blue-white fur bristling and drooling with putrid saliva. With a body the size of an elephant and six legs, it was a multi-eyed beast. This was a type of monster that Rest had previously defeated—one of the Corrupted Beasts now standing before them.