The Demon King Who Draws

Chapter 80

We decided to head to the base where the Blue Witches used to stay, with Enis, the last Blue Witch, leading the way.

There were many other things Enis could provide, but the items at her base seemed like they would be lost forever if we didn’t retrieve them now.

She urged me to move immediately, as she was in peak condition.

“We need to go now, right now!”

“Understood. But let me make it clear… just because we’re moving together doesn’t mean I’m here to help you.”

“…Got it! Got it, so let’s hurry.”

I didn’t say this because I planned to betray her. It was all hypothetical.

What if there were no treasures left at the base? What if Enis turned out to be a burden?

What if the enemies were too strong for us to handle?

In such scenarios, a firm promise would be nothing but a heavy shackle.

So, let’s move according to our own interests. I had no intention of selling her out, but I wasn’t ready to risk my life for her either.

“Tell me what you need.”

“For emergencies, a very powerful subordinate… like a demon! Not many, just one!”

“Anything else?”

“A large subordinate. If we don’t have one, we’ll have to think about climbing the ice wall.”

“…I have one.”

“Someone skilled in infiltration, quick on their feet.”

“I have that too.”

“You’re lying, you have all of that?”

“It’s more surprising to think I wouldn’t have such resources running a dungeon like this.”

“Is that so? Anyway, let’s leave as soon as we’re ready.”

Despite the horrific experience of her clan being massacred, Enis quickly regained her composure. It seemed her determination to reclaim the legacy left by her grandmother, the matriarch of the Blue Witches, was driving her.

‘Resilience is her strength.’

A mental fortitude as strong as steel.

Is this what it takes to survive in the frozen wasteland?

The team for the legacy retrieval was as follows:

Naturally, Enis, who knew the location of the legacy, was included, and so was I, who had made a deal with her.

“I shall accompany you as well.”

“Amon, you?”

It’s reassuring, but I was originally considering Ipos…

“If it’s the legacy of a witch, wouldn’t there be bizarre creations left behind? I also plan to study the local ecology.”

“…Understood.”

If Amon was coming along, it was a welcome addition. The dungeon could run smoothly without her for now, and ensuring the dungeon minions didn’t starve was more urgent than my soul’s growth.

“What about the dimensional gate relay?”

“It will be restored soon. One of the reasons for this expedition is related to that… don’t worry.”

Amon wrapped herself in a coat made from white bear fur. The cold in the wasteland was enough to freeze one’s breath, so this wasn’t excessive.

Anyway, the powerful minion accompanying us would be Amon.

“Bill, get ready. We’re going outside for a while.”

“Yes.”

Bill never refused.

With this, we secured a skilled infiltrator.

Next, for the large one…

“Odin, how are you holding up?”

“How am I holding up… I’m itching to get out!”

“Then come with us outside.”

“Really? Hahaha! Anytime! I’ve missed the cold!”

Secured the large one too.

“Koning, we’re leaving.”

“Huh? Am I going too?”

“…Of course.”

“Got it!”

* * *

Our retrieval team, consisting of Koning, Odin, Amon, Enis, and myself, set out from the dungeon.

Whoooosh!

“I’ll scout the area first! If there’s no news, assume it’s safe!”

Koning disappeared into the blizzard. Her owl form, with its insulating feathers, allowed her to navigate the storm without catching a cold.

“Everyone, hop on my shoulders! Hahaha!”

“My butt’s freezing. Isn’t your skin cold?”

“Hahaha, demons can be quite picky. With those tiny steps, we’d never reach our destination before winter ends.”

“…Fine, I’ll accept your offer.”

We all climbed onto Odin’s sturdy shoulders. Fortunately, his armor-covered skin wasn’t as cold as ice.

“Up we go!”

“It’s… so cold…”

Even Enis, who grew up in the frozen wasteland, and Bill, who usually shrugged off pain, shivered from the cold seeping into their spines.

“Warm yourselves with those soft butts! Hahaha!”

Regardless, a favor is a favor.

Thanks to Odin, we conserved our energy.

“It’s fascinating… Frost Giants are known to be wild even in the wasteland, yet you’re a minion…”

Enis’s curiosity was met with Odin’s response.

“I got tired of wandering. It’s hard to find worthy opponents… and having enemies come to me is quite the life! A contract where I can keep fighting without dying.”

It seemed the battle maniac didn’t mind dungeon life.

“Did you have a group?”

“A group? I had followers, but I left them all behind.”

“I see… Any other kin who became minions?”

“I don’t know. My first contract was in a distant desert. It’s been a long time.”

Thud… Thud…

With each step, Odin covered a great distance. The mountains grew closer, and our dungeon faded into the distance.

“Is it okay to move so conspicuously?”

Bill’s question was met with a shake of Enis’s head.

“No problem. Among witches, it’s an unspoken rule to ignore Frost Giants.”

“Hahaha… Right, we’re practically your nemesis.”

Frost Giants are naturally resistant to magic. Their skin, which looks like ice, is said to be crystal, and their heartbeat repels magic.

“If we hadn’t brought Odin, we would’ve wasted a week.”

“The wasteland is harsh for smaller races. But we should reach our destination in two days.”

As I dozed off on Odin’s shoulder, I was awakened by Koning’s voice from afar.

“Yeti! A group of Yetis is coming this way!”

Whoooosh!

Koning flew back and landed on Odin’s shoulder, urgently reporting.

“There was a dangerous one among them! They must’ve spotted us… snore…”

Koning fell asleep immediately.

“…Koning? What are you doing?”

Bill nudged her.

“Mm… Ah! I fell asleep because it was so cozy. I tend to nap during the day! Can I borrow your shoulder again, Odin?”

“Hahaha! You’re a funny one. Anytime!”

“Great! So, is everything resolved?”

“Of course not, Koning.”

“Ah! Right. Should we avoid the Yetis? There were quite a few…”

Snort…

Odin’s breath blew through the air.

“Retreat? I’ve never retreated in my life. I won’t start now, especially not in my first battle under a new master!”

“Odin, did you often clash with Yetis in your life?”

“It’s been so long, I don’t remember. I just recall it was hard to find worthy opponents in the wasteland.”

That’s enough.

“Koning, we’ll rest here for today.”

“So, we’re not avoiding the Yetis…”

Thud thud thud…

A group of Yetis, twice the size of humans with gaping mouths, ran through the snow-covered terrain.

“Graaaah!”

The Yeti leader roared.

“What’s it saying? Hold on…”

Whoooosh…

[Enis uses Thought Translation: Primitive Species.]

[Translates the language of a species with pre-collected blood.]

As expected of a witch from the wasteland, she could communicate with Yetis.

“Interesting magic, I’ll have to note that.”

Amon scribbled something in the air.

Meanwhile, the Yeti leader roared again.

“Why have you come again?!”

“…Hmm?”

Odin tilted his head, looking down at the Yeti.

“Do you know me?”

“Of course! You’re Kakuszan, the mad tyrant!”

“Kakuszan… Right, that was my name.”

“Wasn’t what you stole before enough? Why are you here again? We moved here to escape you!”

…Well, this is interesting.

So, Odin was known as Kakuszan when he was wreaking havoc somewhere in the wasteland, and this Yeti knew him from back then?

Espionage often led to interesting events, but this level of detail was new.

The reason was obvious.

‘It’s not a game anymore, not for a long time.’

The era when only things presented in the game, only things that appeared in the game, and only things marked in the game had value was over.

‘I need to think about this.’

It might be related to future directions.

“If you continue to torment us, we won’t stand for it!”

“Wait, ah… I remember now. Hahaha! Yes, there was a noisy Yeti like you. It was you.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

“I really didn’t. I gave up raiding because it was boring, so don’t worry.”

“…Really? Then why did you bring your followers here?”

Suddenly, Odin’s expression changed.

“…What?”

“Those two cursed ones.”

“Wait, they’re alive?”

“What are you talking about! Don’t pretend you don’t know!”

Thud!

Odin stomped, sending most of the Yetis flying back. Just a stomp.

“Explain. You saw them here?”

“Of course… You didn’t know?”

“Where are they?”

“I don’t know! They were wandering around here looking dazed!”

“Hmm…”

It seemed to be someone from Odin’s past.

“Hey, Yeti.”

“What do you want, demon? You smell like a demon.”

“We need to stay here for a day. Can you give us a place?”

“What… I’ll cut your throat…”

Snort…

Odin’s breath reached us.

“Cut my throat, what?”

“…”

“What.”

“…There’s a suitable place. Just promise not to cause trouble!”

Nod…

“I promise.”

“Follow me.”

* * *

Unexpectedly, we were guided by the Yeti to a comfortable resting place.

Even now, it feels surreal.

“The beasts around here are all gone, so there’s nothing to worry about! Leave by tomorrow, or I’ll consider it a breach of our agreement.”

“Hahaha! Sure thing.”

The spot was less windy than expected, so it wasn’t too cold. The fire stayed lit, ensuring a warm night’s sleep.

Crackle…

Snap…

Pop…

After a long day of wandering, Koning was the first to fall asleep, followed by Amon.

“Odin.”

“…Can’t sleep?”

“Seems like you can’t either.”

“I have a lot on my mind…”

“Thinking about your followers?”

“Heh… Yes. I thought I’d left my past behind when I made the minion contract… I never expected them to still be alive on this land.”

“Do minions often encounter their past?”

“Rarely. Especially for those like me who have lived for ages…”

“…Should we look for them?”

“For what?”

“Your former followers. Giants, right?”

“…Yes, giants. But there’s no reason or value in it. The past is the past. Don’t worry about it.”

“…”

“After a long day, I’m tired. I’ll sleep first.”

Everyone fell asleep.

Except me.

Maybe it’s because it’s been a while since I slept outdoors, but it felt more uncomfortable than I remembered.

Crunch…

Crunch…

I got up from the fire and walked a bit. I thought letting the cold seep in and then warming up by the fire might help me fall asleep.

“Haha! Did you come to greet me?”

“…”

I definitely didn’t come out to meet this guy.

“Long time no see?”

“How long are you going to keep up that pathetic disguise?”

“Cut me some slack, I’m not in a position to be bold.”

It was him.

“Leon…”

“Shall we talk?”

This was the first time I’d seen him since the Autumn War. I had a mountain of questions and a lot of anger.

But… with one word from him, all those feelings faded into the background.

“Stay out of the witch’s business.”