I Became My Healer Elf Character - Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Demon’s Arrival
Kurayami held her head a bit lower at the 30s of the dungeon. The region ended up being mountainous. The primary monsters were drakes in the level 50s. Other than that, there were various different smaller monsters. Packs of [Dire Wolves] would howl from the trees. It seemed like the floors went back to being vertical. However, instead of going up, they kept climbing.

Each floor saw more snow than the last, and the higher they went, the colder it got. The peak of the mountain surprisingly didn’t produce another boss. It was simply a hole leading into the interior.

At floor 41, the castle had begun. It served as a stark contrast to the outside with a large amount of warmth and lighting. Along the walls, torches were affixed to their sconces in intervals.

The pathways had become narrow enough to barely accommodate monsters. If those lizards from the gorge were here, they’d barely fit in the tunnels. Fitting for a castle environment, the first monsters to charge at them were armored skeletons. The creaky sounds of their bones could be heard from around each bend.

Traps started becoming more numerous. It became akin to a certain fortress from a game that was considered challenging in Hikari’s life on Earth. There were arrow traps on the sides of walls, rolling boulders, and swinging axes that threatened to chop of people’s heads.

The monsters themselves would likely pose little issue for most adventurers, but the traps were on every hallway.

Hikari stepped over a wire that threatened to trigger a magic attack from the walls.

“I really don’t like the personality of the owner of this place,” Kurayami said. “It’s such a cowardly way to win.”

Hikari shrugged her shoulders and wings. “Those who are weaker have to use different methods of attack. You can never underestimate human ingenuity.”

The dragon scoffed, huffing out a breath of smoke. “Master, that only works if the opponent is slightly stronger. If the difference is between you and a human, there is no way to close this gap.”

“Do you think that I’m invincible?”

“If not you, then who would be? It’s like asking an ant to take down an entire fortress. Does Master think it’s possible?”

Before Hikari could respond, she received a transmission from Senjo.

“My Queen, it seems like that guy is making his move… What should I do?”

Hikari responded to the fairy’s query. “For now, you should continue to observe. We will wrap this up quickly and return.”

“Master?”

“We need to finish fast. It seems those guys are making their move.”

///

Lord Thalmus stood above two rows of maids. A carpet separated him from the demon world outside. Everything was prepared, and his best suit adorned him.

The door to his castle opened, and a familiar face made his way inside. Lord Thalmus frowned at Demon Lord Dominix—the only one he could never hope to rule over.

Prideful Dominix walked with his chest held high. The Demon Lord grinned at his fellow demon. Even while wearing casual clothes, the king of demons was still handsome. His horns were a perfect and pristine black. His skin had a faint red tint, and his eyes were darker than the deepest abyss.

It was said that no one in the demon world knew how old this Lord of Pride was. It was said that no one knew how his mind worked. It was said he could stand toe to toe with the elder gods, but no one knew how long he reigned king. However, Thalmus didn’t believe the words of his fellow demons.

He didn’t regard Dominix so highly. Instead, he crinkled his nose in agitation. “To what honor do I hold this visit? If you are hoping for accommodation, I’m afraid that I’ll be leaving soon.”

“That’s actually the matter I wanted to discuss. A servant has informed me in advance. For what reason do you wish to visit the mortal realm?”

“The idiot on the other side fumbled my plans, so I have to go.”

Dominix raised an eyebrow. “Is there really any reason for you to over there yourself? If you wanted, couldn’t you use another pawn?”

“Don’t play dumb. You know there is only one reason I’d go.”

Dominix chuckled and grabbed a glass of blood from the tray of a nearby maid. “It seems the mixing skills around here have gotten better.” He eyed the glass curiously. “It tastes a bit different.”

Thalmus frowned. “Tell me why you’re here. Did you really wish to come and talk pleasantries?”

The demon lord’s smile faltered. “Not at all. Is it wrong to worry about the future of my subjects?”

“You’ve never been the type. Even that wrathful girl seems more worldly than you. You never cared before.”

After finishing off the glass, Demon Lord Dominix returned it to the maid. “Thank you.” He put on a neutral expression, gazing into Thalmus’ eyes with his dark pearls. “I am just thinking who would take over as the sin of lust once you’re gone.”

“Who says I’m going to die!?” Thalmus yelled. “Why don’t you worry about yourself? You can’t think you’ll hold that position forever? How long can you stay in your prime? How long before someone overtakes you? What makes you so sure?”

Dominix shrugged. “Maybe one day I will fall, but my pride tells me it’s impossible. As for you…Well, your future is already certain.”

“Did you only come here to pick a fight? Just say what you want to say.”

“Fine…But, it’s exactly as I say. You will meet your end in the mortal realm. I came to warn you against it, but if you really want to go, I won’t stop you. I’ll just leave you with this warning.” After speaking, the demon king vanished into a puff of black smoke.

Thalmus slammed his fist against his leg and ground his teeth together. “Who does that man think he is? There’s no one in the mortal realm who could hope to stand against even my maids.”

He glared at the open door of his castle. A cool breeze blew in from outside, and the red moon cast a glow against the throne room.

The voice of a demon maid reached his ear from the side. “What should we do, My Lord?”

“Of course, we will proceed as planned. Is the array already prepared?”

“Everything is prepared as you requested, My Lord.”

“Good, let’s not waste another second. Someone close that door before I lose my temper.”

One of the maids closest to the exit acted immediately, closing the gate to the world outside. A group of the lord’s most trusted maids followed him to an inner chamber where the teleportation array was prepared. Of course, Lord Thalmus could expend his own magic to go to the mortal world immediately, but it didn’t come at a low cost. Traversing two points in the same plane was a simple matter—traversing entire planes…not so much.

As the lord of lust stepped onto the magic circle he contemplated the warning of his king. There’s no one who could beat me. Unless… No, a god wouldn’t descend for this matter.

Thalmus was somewhat familiar with the rules of the heavenly realm. If he hadn’t learned anything over his thousands of years of life, he’d be a fool. They had much stricter rules than the demon realm.

In the demon realm, a demon could traverse with something as simple as a contract request from a mortal. Teleportation arrays constantly appeared in the demon realm. Even one of those lesser demons could simply fall into one and become a slave to a mortal contract. Well, even they would be benefited, so it wasn’t necessarily a bad thing.

However, the holy beings ruling in the heavenly realm would never descend for a mortal’s prayers. At most, they’d be given a blessing.

Thalmus had already made up his mind to bring his strongest gear. Even if he was confident, he’d not go unarmed. His temporary weariness was relieved by his own thought process.

Most likely that guy was attempting to frighten me. Such an idiotic attempt would never work on me. Indeed, he’s not as otherworldly as people make him. But, what is his goal?

In the end, Thalmus could only shrug. His last thoughts as the magic circle began the process were of the elf. He wandered where that little angel would fit in best in his castle. A perfect little pet? She’s most likely a virgin.

He no longer could contain the grin from appearing on his face. There’s no greater joy than breaking those little angels. What will that face look like in the end? His perverted mind had already started imagining numerous scenarios. Even as he traversed across the gap between space, he was in a state of bliss.

Thalmus and his four maids landed in the pits beneath the church, blinking their eyes to the interior of a cave formation. A silent observer blended with the wall and watched their arrival.