Chapter 365

Chapter 365

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 365: End Of The Expedition (2)

What blasphemous act were they planning to do with the corpses…? Sure, I might be a ruthless conqueror, but I could never truly understand the sensibilities of the demons. Compared to me, with my more human-like way of thinking, they were far too twisted.

Of course, that’s only from a human perspective. By demon standards, they were completely normal. But this wasn’t the Demon Realm; we were in the Middle Realm.

Many of my subordinates, born and raised in the Middle Realm, felt a deep aversion to the Demon Realm’s sensibilities.

As a king, I had to embrace even the hearts of my subordinates. If I lost their loyalty through reckless actions, I’d gain nothing. A king didn’t rule alone. If my subordinates were repulsed by Demon Realm customs, I had to avoid them as much as possible.

“Come on, Karuti, tell me quickly.”

“Okay!”

Despite the strange topic, Karuti responded in a cheerful tone as soon as I showed interest.

“First off, Brother Kyuse, you’ve gotten way stronger, haven’t you?”

“Hehehe, yeah. You can feel it?”

“Actually, that’s why I was able to track your location. You’ve finally acquired enough ‘power’ to be recognized in the Demon Realm.”

“So I’m officially acknowledged now?”

“Well, you’ve been recognized in other ways for a while. But your personal strength hadn’t been acknowledged yet. Now, though, you’ve finally reached that level!”

If Karuti was saying this, then I had truly become a powerful demon. Though, the path to get here wasn’t the most efficient. I only grew this much after defiling a saint, a female ruler, and a queen as an incubus.

Though, thanks to my unique traits, it was relatively easy.

“Well, thanks. So, what now? Can I finally do something with this power?”

“Almost. We’ve been making preparations in the Demon Realm for a while. Now that you’ve grown stronger, it’s time to give it a try.”

“And what exactly is that?”

“The bodies of the Dark Elves.”

I tensed for a moment.

“We’re going to use them to open a small gate to the Demon Realm.”

“A gate?”

“Yeah! We’ll burn the corpses and use the energy released to open it. It’s like using fuel.”

Burning the corpses?

“It’s simple. Burn the corpses, gather the smoke, and perform the ritual. Since these are battlefield corpses, there’s plenty of them and they’re filled with lingering grudges. It’s definitely worth a shot.”

I stroked my chin.

“So, Karuti? You’re suggesting… a cremation? For the Dark Elf warriors?”

“You could see it that way. There’s not much difference, really.”

Well…

I was ready to refuse, thinking it would be some Aztec-like ritual, but if it was just cremation, there was no issue. It even sounded honorable.

We weren’t chopping up the bodies to recreate a hexagram murder scene while chanting dark incantations. No need to view it negatively.

“Alright, let’s do it.”

I made my decision.

One day, I would sever ties with the Demon Realm, but not now. There was still more to gain. Besides, this wasn’t some cruel ritual—just burning bodies to harness their energy. No one would protest.

“Teach me how to do it.”

“Okay!”

Karuti responded enthusiastically.

“Alright, Buril! Keep guard here! Don’t let anyone through!”

“Kerrk! Got it, Master!”

“Once this is done, I’ll give you a proper magic enhancement!”

“Kerrk Kerrk! Will I get super muscular too?”

Buril was already pretty muscular.

“Hehehe, you might end up as big as a human.”

“Then I’d look like an orc, Master. Kerrk Kerrk.”

“So? You want to be an orc?”

“Honestly, I envy their natural strength. If I’d been born an orc, I’d probably be way stronger now.”

“Yeah, and if I’d seen you as an orc, I’d have slit your throat on sight.”

“Kerrk! That’s harsh, Master!”

“Hehehe, quit whining.”

“Kerrk Kerrk.”

I joked around with Buril as we made our way to the burial site.

—Step, step.

We arrived.

This was where we had buried the Dark Elf warriors from the last battle. I had declared that we would cremate them in our own way. After all, they had fought bravely against our forces. Letting wild beasts or monsters devour them would’ve been disrespectful.

The Dark Elves looked a bit displeased, but after my explanation—and a few words from the Queen—they nodded in acceptance.

“Krrk. The smell of corpses is overwhelming.”

“Tell me about it. Anyway, Imsoong, I’m counting on you.”

“Krrrk! Leave it to me!”

“Good. Hey, Gyuil! Get the others and start digging up the bodies!”

“Gyusatsat. Understood!”

—Thud!

The kobolds immediately started digging. They were incredibly fast—true pros. It didn’t take long before the corpses were uncovered.

“Gyusat? My King, the bodies are in better condition than expected.”

“Must be my magic’s influence…”

Karuti did say something like that.

This would make the process even easier.

“Let’s give it a try.”

—Swoosh.

I summoned my tentacles to lift the corpses and neatly arranged them.

“Gyusat! My King! This is some intense labor! Should I call in the engineering corps?”

“Engineering corps? Hah! You’re asking for a beating.”

Startled, Gyuil chuckled and shot me a playful glance.

“My King! I want to learn this too!”

“Can this even be taught?”

It was probably a racial ability unique to incubi…

“If it works, I’ll let you know.”

“Gyusaaaat!”

“Don’t get too excited yet, idiot. I’m not sure if it’ll work or not.”

Anyway.

We dug up all the buried corpses. Well, even as warriors, I’m sure they’d prefer to be cleanly cremated rather than be eaten by swarms of bugs.

“Alright, let’s begin. Imsoong, burn them with respect.”

“Krrrgh! All troops, fire!”

“Krrrk krrrk!”

The gathered imps all hurled fireballs at once.

—Fwoooosh!

As the corpses caught fire, the smell of burning flesh began to spread. I added my own flames to the blaze.

“Demon Breath!!!”

—FWOOSH!

The Demon Breath, my primary attack since the early days, had become a far stronger and deadlier skill. Like a dragon’s breath, the flames spread out, completely engulfing the corpses.

“Gyusat! My King! That’s too powerful!”

“Krrrgh! Imps’ final form!”

“I’m not an imp, you fool! Again! Demon Breath!”

—FWOOSH!

As the corpses burned, smoke billowed into the sky.

“Good.”

I stared at the scene and followed the ritual Karuti had taught me. I spread my arms to both sides, controlling the mana within me, releasing it in the proper sequence.

—Goooooh.

A magic circle formed beneath my feet, and a glow erupted from my eyes. My power began to cover the smoke, gathering it into a black sphere.

—KWAARRGH…!

The black smoke was sucked into the floating sphere. I kept compressing it as it grew larger.

“Ugh…!”

I continued this process until every last corpse was reduced to ashes.

It took hours.

Maintaining complete concentration, I shaped the sphere of evil energy. It was an incredibly difficult task, but with how much I had grown, it wasn’t impossible—just exhausting.

“Phew!”

When the last of the corpses turned to ash, the sphere was complete. No matter how I looked at it, it was wicked and ominous. I had used up about 80% of my mana creating it, and my entire body was soaked in cold sweat. I couldn’t remember the last time I felt this physically drained. Yet, it was strangely satisfying.

“Gyusat…! That thing!”

“Krrrgh! Such powerful energy!”

My subordinates gasped in awe at the sphere.

—Swoosh.

I pointed at the sphere and traced sinister runes in the air with my finger. As I did, the ritual markings were etched onto the sphere.

“Karuti.”

“Yes!”

Karuti’s Evil Eyes flew up, circling the sphere.

—CRACKLE!

With Karuti’s help, the dark magic finally activated.

—SPLAAAASH!

A surge of evil energy shot out from the sphere like lightning, piercing through the clouds above! Darkness spread across the sky, and the air grew heavy.

“Gyusaaat…!”

“Krrrk…!”

Elation.

The malevolent energy spread outward. My excited subordinates clenched their jaws to suppress their cheers. And then, at the moment the sphere exploded—

—WHIRRRRR!

A small gate opened in the air!

“I-It worked, Brother Kyuse!”

“We really did it…!”

A wave of overwhelming excitement washed over me. I had actually done it!

“But… the gate’s really small, huh?”

“It can’t be helped. This is the limit for now. But the fact that we succeeded is what matters! If we can do this, we can definitely make it bigger next time!”

Karuti cheered loudly.

“Everyone’s thrilled! Even Mother, the Duchess, will be overjoyed!”

Mother…

“Brother Kyuse, you’ve finally managed to open a gate to the Middle Realm! Finally! We did it! Soon, the Bellacruel bloodline will rule the Middle Realm!”

Sorry, Karuti, but I was the one who would rule this land.

“Yeah, it’s great news. So, Karuti, is there a gift for opening the gate?”

“Of course! Brother Kyuse! The box!”

“Ah.”

The gift the Duchess gave me before—inside that chest was a small box. I pulled it out.

“We should be able to open it now.”

“Alright! Let’s do it!”

The moment I opened the box—

—SPLAAAASH!

A mysterious force burst out from within, shooting into the gate!

What could this gift be?