The collateral engraved upon the heart.
That collateral must be settled.
It must be erased from the world.
Only then can I break the curse of the seal artifact that has sealed my mouth, my melody.
'....'
Artanis cast a gaze filled with both horror and hope.
Beyond the barrier.
She saw the current (?) Demon King who called himself Credos.
And once again, a rising certainty.
It's him.
The collateral once engraved upon Moderato's heart had been inherited by that man's heart. Likely because... that man executed Moderato.
'.......'
Artanis's eyes, staring daggers at Kim Jangcheol, grew deeper and more murderous.
It had been so ever since a full day passed. Even the next day, her gaze relentlessly, obsessively fixated on Kim Jangcheol alone.
Thanks to that...
"My Lord, are you alright?"
"Hm? About what?"
"That woman."
Zephyros, adjusting his glasses for once, subtly pointed toward Artanis, who was glaring this way from beyond the barrier with something akin to laser eyes.
"She's been staring at you like that all day since yesterday. Are you sure it's alright to just leave her be…?"
This is troubling.
Zephyros, adjutant to the Demon King, glanced at Artanis, lost in thought.
He couldn't help it.
He had a vague idea of who that woman was.
'That appearance, that aura... she's most likely Artanis, the Demon Queen from two reigns ago.'
It was a sudden realization, but he had been the record keeper of the Abandoned Land. Managing the chronicles left behind by past adjutants and recorders was part of his duty.
Naturally, he had read the old chronicles multiple times.
Among them were the records of Artanis, the Demon Queen from two reigns ago. Records that were, unusually, heavily damaged.
"......"
As a rule, chronicles were forbidden from being tampered with.
But strangely enough, only the records about Artanis were not properly preserved.
Was it an accident?
Or intentional?
'...Someone must've wanted to erase the records.'
Most likely, it was the previous Demon King.
Zephyros tucked away his theory and asked his lord,
"That woman doesn't seem to have very pleasant feelings toward you, my Lord."
"Yeah, probably."
"She might even try to take your life."
"Yeah, probably."
"You're oddly calm about this."
"I'm not that worried."
"…Says the one whose fingertips are trembling right now."
"Sssup? Again? Still shaking?"
"As you know, it's my job to record everything about you, my Lord."
"For a recorder, you're awfully detailed today, huh?"
"Well, perhaps because there aren't many days left for me to write about you."
"Eh?"
"…Said while widening both eyes round as marbles."
"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?"
"Nothing. Let's continue our duties."
Scritch scritch scribble!
Zephyros's pen nib scratched even faster.
Kim Jangcheol had no choice but to let out a bitter chuckle.
'Tch, can't even smack this guy once.'
Should he call this loyalty?
Or just plain annoying?
He didn't know. Really.
He simply tuned out the ever-scribbling Zephyros and turned his head to shout,
"Baal! Raster!"
The response came immediately.
Baal and the 3rd Star Master Raster, who had been near the ridged edge of a field, thundered over with heavy thuds.
"Baal! Here!"
"Did you call for us?"
"Yeah, I did. How's that thing?"
Kim Jangcheol gestured with his chin toward their butts. There, fitted snugly to the large rear ends of the Black Boulder Tyrant and the 3rd Star Master were extra-large farming cushions, just right for their massive builds.
Baal was the first to answer.
"Baal! Likes it very much!"
"Oh, yeah?"
"Yes! Very comfy when sitting! Even when plopped down, it doesn't flatten! When I stand, it springs back into shape! Amazing!"
"Hm, I see. Raster, your thoughts?"
"I agree with General Baal. It's soft and elastic, so the shock of sitting is hardly felt. Moreover… it's light. So light I wonder if it even has any weight at all."
"Hm, good, good."
He was pleased.
This couldn't be better.
The new version (?) of the farming cushion that Baal and Raster were wearing.
As he thought of the new material inside—barrier mana shards—Kim Jangcheol smiled with satisfaction.
He had every reason to be pleased.
It was as bouncy as rubber.
As soft as natural latex.
And yet, its ability to regain shape was phenomenal.
It was even as light as a feather!
Truly a model of next-generation material!
It's as if the gods gave him this material specifically to be used for farming cushions!
Though, of course, it wasn't without its flaws.
"Baal! So grateful! Our Demon King! Stayed up all night alone making this for us!"
"..."
As Baal said, it was true.
Barrier mana shards were amazing, but only he could handle them. His subordinates? Other members of the demon race? None could touch them properly.
A mere brush with a fingertip—hot!
Even after blowing on it to cool—still hot!
Like being burned by fire, it caused a commotion.
Even the mighty Four Heavenly Kings were no exception.
That's why—
He had stayed up all night, stuffing barrier mana shards into leather covers by himself, crafting the cushions.
He even had to carefully sew them shut so the mana shards wouldn't poke out and sear the user's butt.
"...."
What a life.
Who would've thought that someday, he'd stay up all night sewing, just to ensure the thermal safety of Baal's rear end?
And now he had to worry about sleep deprivation because of it?
Kim Jangcheol let out a deep sigh, overcome with doubt about his fate.
"Right. Good stuff. All turned out well."
"Baal! So excited! Our Demon King! Promised not to miss a single member of the farming corps! Everyone gets one of these cushions!"
"…Yeah, I did."
"Yay~!"
"..."
Right.
At least you're happy.
And the cows will be satisfied, too. That's good.
Which means—I've got to gather even more mana shards.
Suppressing a bitter smile that came out on its own, Kim Jangcheol turned his body. He walked. Toward the place where Artanis stood. With the barrier between them.
"Good day to you again."
He greeted her.
Of course, he didn't expect a reply—
—Yes, and are you well too?
"....."
Huh?
No way?
Did she just respond to my greeting?
She… replied to my greeting?
She?
To me?
"..."
This is generally an impossible occurrence.
An extremely rare event, based on experience.
Especially in Korea, it was an almost unheard-of sociological phenomenon(?).
That's why suspicion came first.
Had he seen it wrong?
To make sure, he greeted her again.
"Um, hello there?"
— …Why would you greet me twice with the same words?
"....."
— Truly strange.
"...."
Yes. Truly strange indeed.
I actually got a reply to a greeting.
Kim Jangcheol quickly suppressed his confusion.
And asked with a composed expression,
"Are you no longer trying to break the barrier?"
— Who knows.
Artanis tilted her head slightly to one side, staring this way.
Still with a murderous gaze.
But on the other hand, her eyes were deep, unfathomably so, making it difficult to read her thoughts. She gestured at the air.
— It's not going as planned. I'm currently researching alternative methods.
"Still, wouldn't it be good to give the barrier a light tap every now and then, when you have the time?"
— Why?
"For your health, of course."
— ...Health?
"Yup."
Kim Jangcheol wet his lips with a smack. His lying engine began revving to full torque.
"You see, that's how it is with people. Standing still for too long without moving isn't good for you. Your metabolism slows down, blood circulation worsens, swelling can occur, and also..."
— You won't be able to gather the mana shards that fall from the barrier.
"...Exactly that, ahem!"
— Shameless, even after your petty intent was exposed.
"Didn't think I'd be able to talk my way out of it?"
— True. In a way, it's better that you're being honest.
"Thank you for the compliment."
— That wasn't a compliment.
"....."
— Do not forget. I am not your friend.
"Ah, of course. How could I dare to think I could be casually friendly with someone of your stature."
Kim Jangcheol cautiously watched Artanis's reaction.
But there was none.
Which left him clicking his tongue in regret.
'Tsk. I was hoping she'd get a bit riled up and take a swing at the barrier.'
That way, he could collect more mana shards.
That way, he could make more farming cushions.
That way, his boys' knee joints would be safe and sound.
He was just savoring the regret when—
— …Do you really think that?
"Excuse me?"
— Do you truly see me as someone untouchable, as a revered being you cannot grow close to?
"......"
What kind of out-of-nowhere question is that?
Kim Jangcheol studied Artanis's expression. But half her face was obscured by a iron mask, making it hard to read.
Bloodshot Eyes skill?
The barrier between them prevented him from activating it.
After a careful pause, he chose his answer.
"....Uh, yes, that's right?"
— I see. So you are afraid of me, and you hold me in reverence.
"Y-Yes! That's exactly why I'm concerned for your health, ma'am."
— Hmm. Such an attitude is rarely seen in today's young demons. That mindset is a bit admirable. I'm grateful, in a way.
"Oh no, it's nothing. That's the kind of mindset a junior should naturally have."
— Is that so?
"Yes, ma'am."
— I see. Very well.
"Yes, ma'am?"
— Perhaps I shall grant your request.
"Pardon?"
— I'll give the barrier a good hit.
"Really?!"
— Or would you rather I didn't?
"Oh no, not at all!"
What a gift from the heavens.
When someone offers you rice cake, you snatch it up without hesitation. Pocket money? You wag your tail as hard as you can.
When good things come your way, you grab them first, ask later.
That's the law of survival in this world!
Recalling that principle, Kim Jangcheol scurried up to the barrier. His heart pounding, he eagerly awaited Artanis to strike it—hoping bonus mana shards would fall from it like candy.
On the other hand, Artanis… looked at Kim Jangcheol with emotionless eyes.
'........'
Indeed.
The current fledgling Demon King.
You must be relying on the barrier that separates us. That's why you shamelessly show such blatant desire and try to scheme against me.
But I, Artanis, Witch of Melody, am not one to dance to the tune of your petty tricks.
Swish.
Artanis raised one hand.
And aimed at a specific point on the barrier.
A spot she had explored and examined countless times. A spot she had finally discovered.
A junction where the warp and weft of mana interlace.
Among thousands, tens of thousands of intersecting threads, one of the few weaknesses in the barrier.
Hnnngh.
She took a breath.
Condensed her mana.
Toward the weakness in the barrier.
Toward the heart of the fledgling Demon King beyond it.
Shhhiiing—!
Her hand shot forward.
Fingers stretched out.
A firm, decisive thrust.
The tip of her hand struck the weak spot in the barrier. With zero margin of error, she pierced it precisely.
Boom-!
Her fingertips broke through the barrier.
A destructive hand reaching straight for his chest!
"....!"
Kim Jangcheol's eyes flew wide open.
He hadn't expected the barrier to be pierced.
Nor had he imagined this kind of ambush.
'Wha—?'
Panic set in.
The approaching threat.
He instinctively slammed his foot down on the ground.
He leapt back a step.
...…Kwa-tuk!
Artanis's snow-white hand, which had darted out like lightning, halted just short of his chest.
Was it because she withdrew her murderous intent?
No.
The reason was simple.
The weak spot she discovered was minuscule, allowing only her arm to pass through. Only up to her shoulder had made it through.
And because Kim Jangcheol had stepped back. Because her arm was just slightly too short to reach him after that step.
Furthermore, the barrier immediately began auto-repairing itself.
'...Huh?'
Her arm was stuck and couldn't move anymore.
She couldn't even pull it back out.
'.......'
And so she realized, with painful clarity—
…Ah, I'm struck.
[T/L: I am not getting any support from webnovel platform, so please support me and read ahead chapters on my ko-fi page "RevengerScans" : https://ko-fi.com/revengerscans ]