Chapter 54: If it’s not good for your health, why don’t you just get rid of it?

The demons now confined as test subjects in the Blue Tower’s research lab were once lords in the demon realm, each reigning like a king.  

Barons, viscounts, counts.  

Not merely nobles in name, they were monsters wielding power befitting their titles.  

In the demon realm, a world where might makes right, they likely strutted about with their demon underlings, sneering arrogantly.  

Though my bindings prevented them from returning to their realm, they surely carried their treasures with them.  

In online games, killing a boss drops a ton of loot, but I didn’t expect this much in reality.  

I’d kept quiet since they didn’t drop items like game mobs, but I hadn’t anticipated this kind of haul.  

Demons are a magical race.  

Each governs a specific concept, wielding pseudo-divine abilities.  

Too weak to be called true divine powers, yet far too potent to be mere magic, their abilities are extraordinary.  

Some even possess a sort of pocket dimension in their souls, carrying weapons and treasures with them.  

If I’d known they were hoarding this much, I would’ve interrogated them sooner.  

These guys are living better than the demons in that other world.  

Should I press them for more now?  

As I pondered, I glanced at the demons standing in a line. 

They shuddered and avoided my gaze, except for one: the count-level demon, Albania of Illusions.  

Her eyes weren’t just clear—they sparkled with an almost fanatical gleam.  

“Will you grant us the honor of continuing to present the tributes prepared for our great Master?”  

It wasn’t about rank—baron, viscount, or count. 

This girl was a clear-eyed, crazed demon.  

But a crazed demon who obeyed me like a loyal puppy? 

That might not be so bad.  

As the Goddess’s Hero, I could never let my guard down, but I was ready to accept what they offered.  

Right, I should take the gifts they prepared.  

“Go ahead and show me.”  

With a solemn expression and tone, I gave my approval. 

Albania beamed and led me to the next location.  

“This room contains rare metallic resources from the demon realm and other worlds—”  

***

And so, touring the warehouses connected to the research lab, I received seven types of gifts.  

Gold, magical artifacts, rare metals, spirit stones, technical manuals, equipment including armor and weapons, and even rare herbs for alchemy.  

Each warehouse was packed to the brim, and honestly, I was a bit shocked.  

I’d received plenty of gifts as a Hero in that other world, but nothing this varied or on this scale.  

It seems that shaking down demons who ruled like kings in their domains yielded quite the bounty.  

I wondered if I could squeeze out more, but since they’d offered these voluntarily, it felt wrong to demand further.  

Some demons looked aggrieved, as if their treasures had been forcibly taken.  

“The radiant gold was chosen to match our great Master’s divine visage, the magical artifacts were prepared to aid your loyal servants in their duties, and the rare metals were gathered to craft a throne worthy of your greatness…!”  

At least one demon—Albania—exuded 100% sincere loyalty and madness in her offerings.  

Well, I decided to accept them gratefully.  

I left the items there for now, unsure how to transport them, but their ownership was firmly transferred to me.  

“You’re probably the only one who could get demons to offer tributes like this.”

Elnair Grantz, the Blue Tower Master, said, shaking her head with a mix of disbelief and amusement.  

“Forcing them to hand over goods would be hard enough, but voluntary loyalty? That’s something else.”  

“There’s really only one genuinely loyal one among them, though.”  

“One’s more than enough! And isn’t that one the strongest of the bunch? Given demons’ nature to follow the strong, it’s as good as having them all under your command. You’ve got over ten demons at your beck and call.”  

Curious about Elnair’s envious expression, despite not being a dark mage, I asked, 

“Were you ever interested in dark magic?”  

“…No, I’ve studied water and ice magic since I was a kid.”  

“Oh, you just seemed intrigued by the demons.”  

“Haha, I’m not into dark magic, but I am curious about demons. They’re the origin of our magic, aren’t they? Some say elder dragons pioneered magic, but I lean toward the darker, demonic origin theory.”  

She seemed to have a subtle fascination, even fondness, for demons.  

In that other world, she’d either have become a dark mage or faced a religious inquisition.  

As a Hero, I wondered how to handle this.  

I considered a brief “reeducation” session, but this was clearly a different world, so I let it slide and listened.  

This was, after all, a world where being an S-rank necromancer was a teenager’s dream.  

***

Blah, blah, blah—  

Half-listening to Elnair’s ramblings, I suddenly recalled the recent visitors and asked, 

“Do you know anything about that dark magic… or mystical sect? The First Eternal Church?”  

“I don’t know the gritty details, but I’m aware of their existence. The previous sect leader was quite a formidable figure.”  

How formidable could they have been?  

“She was comparable to a high-ranking demon manifested in human form. You can imagine how powerful she seemed back then.”  

Elnair chuckled, perhaps nostalgic for his younger days, while I thought of the trembling girl from before.  

Cheon Juyeon, the top student.  

At the entrance ceremony, she’d seemed cold and charismatic, but up close, she was shaking like a leaf.  

I thought she was a nobody, but maybe her family has deeper roots than I realized.  

Or perhaps she has skill but lacks guts.  

[The Goddess shakes her head, asking if I don’t know why a mouse trembles before a cat.]  

I’m not a cat, though?  

[The Goddess sighs, saying my depiction as a Hero is truly profound.]  

I didn’t even reveal I was a Hero, yet she was trembling on her own.

Doesn’t that make her a spineless dark mage?  

Back in my day, plenty of lunatics charged at me without hesitation, but these folks all seem so timid.  

Well, I suppose that means this is a more peaceful world.  

Still, there seem to be some with that kind of madness.  

“What about that Divine Sect?”  

“…What? Where? You mean the Central Plains’ Heavenly Divine Sect?”  

“Yeah, probably.”  

If the trembling kids’ excuses were true, that’s likely it.  

I’d been curious about who this “Marnoi” was, so I noted it down and asked, only to hear the sect’s name.  

Their suicide terrorism reminded me of those dark mages and demon worshippers.  

It left a strong impression, in a bad way.  

I asked because I thought I’d deal with them when I had time, but Elnair Grantz, frowning as if he had no fond memories, replied, 

“The Divine Sect? A den of lunatics.”  

“They’ve got quite a reputation, huh?”  

“Hmm, yes. They’re not just curious about demons—they’re raving about bringing the demon realm to this world.”  

“Oh?”  

“Don’t bother with those crazies. They’re terrible for your mental health.”  

It seemed my first impression was spot-on: a den of lunatics.  

But my way of thinking differs a bit from others.  

If they’re bad for my health, why not just eliminate them?  

***

First Eternal Church Headquarters  

Cough, cough…!  

After facing Shin Yuseong in person, the condition of Cheon Juyeon, the sect’s heir, worsened.  

Her divine sight was usually a blessing, but in times like this, it became a poison.  

The pain of her overloaded divine vision spread from her eyes to her head, from her head to her body, and from her body to her soul.  

What are those light pillars?  

Imir, a guardian tasked with supporting the sect’s future, let out a deep sigh.  

She’d already realized that monstrous guy was no ordinary threat, but judging by the heir’s reaction, there was something more to him.  

If she were completely ignorant, it wouldn’t matter, but being in such close proximity and knowing just enough made her uneasy.  

My stomach’s churning.  

Imir sighed repeatedly, then snapped to attention upon hearing a report from the intelligence division.  

She shot to her feet, eyes wide.  

The ultra-high-risk target was on the move, and his destination was deeply concerning.  

“…W-Why is he coming to our neighborhood?”  

It was incomprehensible and ominous.  

No, seriously, why here?  

Her stomach churned even more as Imir covered her face with her hands, exhaling.  

Ugh, I want to quit…  

***

Not long after, the monster, designated as a critical threat by the sect, arrived at a mansion in Seoul.  

Shin Yuseong, looking as casual as if meeting a friend, greeted her with a smile.  

“I had a feeling you’d know.”  

“…Know what?”  

“I’m not familiar with other countries, so I came to ask for directions.”  

Despite his calm expression, the question and the aura he exuded were chillingly menacing.  

“Could you tell me how to get to that Divine Sect place?”  

“I wouldn’t mind if you sent a guide along.”  

Imir closed her eyes and thought, I just want to drop dead right now.  

Somehow, her stomach churned even worse.  

To be continued…