Kays Translations

Chapter 89: The Forbidden Era

I faced the woman known as Eldor.

"Answer the questions I'm about to ask honestly, and I'll spare your life. Refuse, and I'll kill you right here. There are other elves; we won't be short on informants," 

Karla seemed like she wanted to say something, but I gestured for her to be silent.

"Are you really going to help me? What if I'm asked something I don't know?" 

"Yeah. I'll keep my promise. I won't let anyone here kill you. If you don't know the answer, just say so. If you genuinely don't know, I won't kill you," 

Eldor gave me a skeptical look and then said, "Start your questions already."

I retrieved "Magic blade: Condemnation" from my "Storage Bangle" and unsheathed it, making a small cut on Eldor's right arm.

"What... What are you doing? This is not what we agreed on!" 

"This black flame reveals your lies. I asked you to answer honestly, so I used this artifact to detect falsehoods," 

I explained, ignoring her piercing gaze, and then I re-sheathed "Condemnation Blade."

(Old lady, please infiltrate her mind. When I ask questions, let me know the truths that come to her mind.)

(You really are rough with people. And how do you intend to use this information? Sigh, I'm not looking forward to what comes next.)

It seemed the old lady was willing to cooperate, so I was ready.

By the way, this idea came from the Demon Lord. He thought of it when I told him about the erosion by the Flame of Condemnation. If you have any complaints, take them up with him.

Now, let's get to the questions.

"First question: Where is the World Tree located?"

"It's near the Elven capital, 'Titania,'" 

The old lady didn't say anything, so it seemed to be the truth. This aligned with the Dwarf King's information.

"Do you have a leaf from the World Tree?"

"No, I don't."

"What should one do to get the leaves of the world tree?"

"You... How dreadful. To think you would..." 

Eldor's face turned pale, and she began to tremble.

(The World Tree is like a deity to the Elves. Trying to take a part of their deity is truly unforgivable... It feels something like this.)

"Alright, I'll change the question. How can one go about meeting the World Tree?"

"I can't say. I don't know," 

(Lies. I already have a map of Elven territory. I made sure you could think of it.)

The old lady was truly remarkable.

After my questions about the World Tree were done, Arthur and the others started their own inquiries.

 The full scope of this war was revealed.

Killing Arthur, who the elves cannot control, and having Mimura conquer the Shirakami Dungeon.

In the process, there will be a coup d'état by adventurers in the Kingdom of Melkid, and Mimura will be made the king. That was the plan.

When Eldor mentioned that General Gibson had been killed by Mimura, Arthur clenched his jaw and contorted his face, while Mary couldn't hold back her tears. They were shocked to learn that the Adventurer's Guild had systematically used people from other worlds as sacrifices to have Mimura steal their skills.

Mia and I realized that we could have easily become sacrifices.

With everyone seemingly done with their questions, I said. 

"As promised, I'll untie you now. Leave this place."

Eldor, her restraints removed, walked slowly toward the forest.

Alright, it's time for me to keep my promise too. I borrowed a mobile magic circle from Karla and headed to meet the Demon Lord.

---

[Eldor's Perspective]

I will never forgive them, especially that Takumi, the otherworlder. I will make him suffer so much that he begs for death.

The Garnet Stones infused with otherworlders' skills still exist in "Titania." I'm not going to let humans and demons rest easy from now on. Live in fear of the nightly bombings.

Right now, I have to return to "Titania." I'll make sure to give them the punishment they deserve.

"When will your clan learn the word 'remorse'?" 

"Who's there? Where are you?" 

A man emerged from the shadows.

His eyes were crimson, a demon.

This man... he wasn't just anybody. His movements were so efficient it was almost eerie.

"So, why is a demon here? I've been formally released by your boss. If you doubt me, ask that princess," 

"Yeah, I know that. There’s no need to check with my daughter Karla," 

“Daughter…? By chance are you the Demon king Enzo?”

The man grinned.

“Oh, you know about me? Don’t be scared, I only came to talk.”

The man slowly approached.

Without realizing it, I took a step back. No, I actually retreated. How could someone like me be overwhelmed by him!

"Kukukuu... Stop it. Are you so clueless that you don't even know your opponent's strength? You just have to answer my questions. It's simple. Can you manage that?" 

Then, something like an aura, a combination of dominance and hostility, emanated from the man.

My body started trembling.

This is bad. A monster like this is the Demon Lord?

Do the Elders know about this? They couldn't possibly have known and sent me here, right?

"About 250 years ago, your clan was using the 'World Tree' to purify the 'Miasma' from the world. It was an era before the people from another world arrived," 

What is this man talking about?

"During that time, thanks to the 'World Tree,' most of the 'Miasma' around the world disappeared. However, as the 'World Tree' that used 'Miasma' as energy grew larger, it couldn't sustain itself and gradually withered away."

Th-this is the story of the Forbidden Era!?

"Stop it! Don't tell me about that time!"

"Why? Why do you refuse to hear this story?" 

"Th-that time is considered the 'Forbidden Era' among the Elves. Anyone other than the Elders who mentions it faces exile. And I don't know about that time. I don't want to know!" 

When I mentioned exile, the man smiled happily.

What's going on? I can't stop trembling.

This is the worst. If this continues, I'll be punished when I return to Titania.

The man muttered to himself while placing a hand on his chin.

If I'm going to escape, now is the only chance.

"Don't waste your time," the man said.

Hiii!

Why did he find out about what I was thinking!?

"I've completed my business here. Well, there was one more thing..."

The man took another step, closing the distance between us.

This is bad. I'm going to be killed.

"Takumi made a promise! He promised not to kill me. Y-you agreed to it too!" 

"That's not entirely accurate, is it? Takumi said, 'I won't let anyone here kill you.' I was in Gonhirrim, so I'm not part of that promise,"

No, that's a lie. Why am I... in a place like this?

"Kukuku... Takumi is doing a good job. Being able to see the images in other people’s head is helpful,"

The Demon King said, gripping a bloodstained black sword.

(What are you saying? Haa, put yourself in my shoes for once. Instead of playing this revenge game forever, hurry up and help me!)

"Yeah, I'll save the Elves and the Second Generation. While I exterminate the trash," 

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