Published: July 3, 2025
Silence.
No one spoke... not a single word...
It was different from mere quietness.
For a full minute, no one opened their mouths.
After a while, Ryo decided to break the silence.
He raised his right hand to speak.
"Rasharta-san, I have a question."
"Ryo-san? Go ahead."
"Is the 'demon king's blood' literally the blood of the demon king? Like, is it some sort of metaphor, or perhaps the name of a wine...?"
Ryo asked, hinting at the implication similar to "the blood of Christ".
"Yes, it is literally and unmistakably the blood of the demon king."
"Unbelievable..."
Ryo was genuinely astonished by Rasharta's answer.
It felt like something out of a role-playing game... Ah, it had a very fantasy-like vibe.
Rasharta thought it necessary to provide further explanation and began to explain.
"As I mentioned earlier, this 'spirit curse of explosion' is extremely rare in the Central Nations, to the point that almost no traditions regarding it remain. It is likely related to the sealed 'demon of the east' this time."
Ryo and the others had encountered the 'demon of the south' before.
That time, it was a commotion involving demon insects...
"However, this spirit curse is well-known in the Western Nations. Apparently, there are humans who frequently fall victim to this curse. Thus, it is said that the Western Church keeps the demon king's blood in storage."
"What...?"
Everyone present was rendered speechless by Rasharta's explanation.
Indeed, demon kings are born regularly.
In order to defeat those demon kings, heroes are also born at regular intervals.
A few years back, an announcement was made by the Western Church stating that Hero Roman had defeated a demon king.
If blood was collected at the time of that defeat, it would indeed be possible to store it...
"This... It seems we should discuss this with everyone after Harold regains consciousness."
Abel said, and both Rasharta and Ryo nodded.
Five days later.
Royal Castle, Special Conference Room.
Various stakeholders had gathered there.
King Abel the First.
Queen Rhea.
Chancellor Marquis Alexis Heinlein.
High Priest Gabriel of the Central Sanctuary.
Legacy Officer Viscount Rasharta Deboe.
Grandmaster Hugh McGrath of the Royal Capital Adventurers' Guild.
C-rank adventurer Ryo.
B-rank adventurers Nils, Eto, and Amon, party name 'Room 10'.
And C-rank adventurers Harold, Zeek, and Gowan, party name 'Room 11'.
The latter group of six adventurers was exceedingly tense.
"Isn't it a bit out of place for us to be here?"
Only Amon was able to voice such words.
Nils was rigid due to the presence of Abel.
Eto was rigid because Rhea was present.
As for Harold and the others... they were rigid because 'Room 10' was there.
"Then, let's begin the meeting."
The host was Chancellor Marquis Heinlein.
Harold's current situation was briefly explained.
This was a confirmation since it had been conveyed beforehand, including to 'Room 10'.
Harold appeared to have been quite shaken when he first heard about his situation, but after two days, he had come to accept it.
"...That's the situation."
After Marquis Heinlein finished his explanation, a certain individual quietly raised his right hand to request to speak.
"Zeek-dono, go ahead."
Marquis Heinlein designated him.
"Excuse me. I have a request for His Majesty the King and you, McGrath-sama. Please allow us, 'Room 11', to be included in the delegation to the Western Nations."
This was a request that had been anticipated.
However, many thought that it would be Harold himself making the request, not Priest Zeek...
"Zeek... I..."
"It’s not okay, Harold. As long as there is hope, clinging to it is not something to be ashamed of! You intend to establish a ducal house, right? You can't just abandon that great aspiration here. You should face this spirit curse with all your might!"
Although Harold and Zeek were speaking in subdued voices, everyone present could still hear them.
'Room 10', Legacy Officer Rasharta, and High Priest Gabriel, the five of them did not show any particular change in expression, despite not knowing that Harold was the last remnant of Crown Prince Cain.