Chapter 188. Excuses (4)
The voice of Sloth carried its own unique brand of dark mana. Just hearing it seemed to drain the strength from Caron.
"Owner, cut the connection immediately," Guillotine's urgent voice rang out.
It was a trap. The Demon King of Sloth had to have anticipated this situation and planted his will in advance.
But Caron didn't sever the link. No—more precisely, he couldn't.
This might be too much for me alone, Caron thought.
The ancient artifact known as the Ring of Betrayal allowed him to force his way into another's consciousness.
However, that meant that as long as he used the artifact, his mind would remain connected to his target's.
...It's going to take some time, Caron thought.
"I never expected you to possess that ring. I had simply arranged this moment to have a little chat, but if luck is on my side, I might just be able to kill you here." The slick, serpentine voice of Sloth slithered into Caron's ears.
It was completely different from the raw bloodlust of the Demon King of Slaughter. This voice was cunning like a snake and persistent like a hyena.
Ssssshhhhh!
The darkness before Caron parted, revealing a man.
His skin was deathly pale, almost like a corpse. He had dark brown hair that cascaded down to his waist. And gleaming within that mane were a pair of yellow eyes, eerily reminiscent of a snake's. The man wore a seamless tunic that exposed his chest, and the garment, seemingly made of fine leather, shimmered faintly with a violet hue.
"I couldn't just sit around waiting beyond the North Sea forever," the man said with a voice as thin as a thread.
If Caron hadn't seen the man's face, he could have mistaken the latter for a woman.
The Demon King of Sloth, one of the four Demon Kings who ruled over demonkind, had finally shown himself.
It was truly an overwhelming presence. Even though this wasn't his true form, his presence was suffocating.
But rather than faltering, Caron's hatred only burned brighter. He loathed the Demon Kings to his very core. Just like when he'd faced the Demon King of Slaughter, Caron's bloodlust surged, unshaken.
"You look much better than when you were nothing but a rabid dog of destruction," Sloth said coldly.
Caron smirked and replied, "I'd take Slaughter over you any day. At least that bastard didn't waste his breath with useless chatter like you do."
"Are you comparing me to that brainless brute, whose mind is filled with nothing but slaughter?" Sloth replied. "I must say, that's quite insulting. Don't ever compare me to that fool again."
Caron recalled the records he had once read in his family's archives about the Demon King of Sloth.
True to his name, Sloth was the laziest of all the Demon Kings. Unlike the others, who frequently made appearances on the continent, he seldom moved.
"What brings a lazy bastard like you all the way to the distant east?" Caron asked.
"A subordinate of mine requested my power. Said he was planning something rather amusing, so I decided to indulge in some entertainment," Sloth replied with a chuckle. Then, his lips curled into a smirk and he continued, "So? How did it feel to reunite with your old subordinate? Was it a touching reunion?"
Sloth's mana seeped into Caron, a power designed to strip away even the will to resist. It was an ability that rendered the very soul powerless, a force that was both Sloth's greatest weapon and his defining authority.
But Caron withstood it with ease. This power was nothing more than a fragment, a mere sliver of Sloth's true self. Something of that level could never break Caron's will, nor the bloodline of the Ducal Family of Leston.
At the sight of that, the Demon King of Sloth let out a quiet murmur of admiration.
"What an enviable talent," he mused. "Why don't you join me? I'll see to it that your revenge is fulfilled. I'll even let you keep your identity as a human."
Caron scoffed and said, "Do you have an anus for a mouth too? You keep spewing crap from it."
Sloth chuckled and said, "Let's be clear. The one you should hate isn't me, it's the Demon King of Havoc. He's the one who toyed with you. I merely stood by and watched."
His voice slithered into Caron's ears relentlessly. At some point, he had conjured a chair and was now seated comfortably, one leg crossed over the other.
"I adore the desires of mortals," Sloth continued smoothly. "I want Havoc gone as well. If you take my hand, I can help you achieve your goal."
"Cut the crap," Caron said.
"Is it, though? Humans form alliances as long as their objectives align. I thought that's what you call a deal, isn't it?" Sloth asked.
His words were deceptively persuasive, but Caron already knew they were nothing more than empty rhetoric.
A smirk curled across Caron's lips. He raised his middle finger and said, "The Ducal Family of Leston has a rule that's been passed down for generations. Want to hear it?"
Sloth tilted his head in amusement and said, "Hmm... I'm curious."
"Never believe a single word that comes out of a demon's mouth. And kill every demon on sight," Caron stated.
"As expected of an old and storied bloodline," Sloth mused. "Was that a decree from Rael Leston, that terrifying man?"
"How the hell should I know, you dumb bastard?" Caron shot back.
"Haha! You really are insane, aren't you? You're the only worm that dares speak to me like this." A twisted grin spread across Sloth's face. "I like you, Caron Leston. But... I suppose this means our negotiations have failed."
Sloth rose from his chair and slowly stepped toward Caron.
The moment his foot touched the ground...
Crack.
Fractures spread through the air itself. Just like cracks in a pane of glass, reality itself began to splinter.
"As long as your mind remains connected, if this place collapses, you'll be trapped here," Sloth explained.
This was Motsbi's mental realm. And since Sloth had already consumed this realm entirely, he was now bringing it to ruin.
"One day, you'll be my greatest enemy," Sloth said, reaching out lazily. "So die here while you still can."
Crack!
Golden fissures tore through the air and streaked toward Caron.
But Caron never took his eyes off Sloth. Instead, he let his voice drip with killing intent as he said, "Let me promise you one thing."
Demons and the Demon Kings who led them were the sole purpose of Caron's reincarnated life. The ones who wielded dark mana, the ones who had led his past self to ruin—he would erase them from this world, no matter what it took.
In a twisted way, Caron was grateful. He was grateful that they never failed to remind him, and never let him forget his purpose.
So Caron made the Demon King of Sloth a promise.
"You'll never accomplish anything here," Caron said coldly. "Because I'll stake my life to stop you."
"Hah! Big words for someone who's about to be trapped here forever—" Sloth began, but was unable to finish his sentence.
Fwoosh!
A brilliant blue light flared to life, wrapping around Caron and pulling him in. He knew this mana all too well.
Feeling its familiar force tugging at him, Caron smirked and turned to the Demon King of Sloth.
"Did you really think I came in here without a backup plan?" Caron taunted. "You dumb bastard, go ahead and get your neck nice and clean, I'm going to cut through it as many times as it takes. Got that?"
And with that...
Fwoosh!
The blue light swallowed him whole. In the span of a heartbeat, Caron successfully escaped Motsbi's mind.
Caron was greeted by the sight of the vast forest canopy stretching overhead.
"Caron! Are you alright?" Leo cried out.
Leo's face appeared above Caron, his expression filled with concern. In Leo's right hand was Sylphid, its blade slick with fresh blood.
"Caron, say something!" Leo urged.
"My head just hurts like hell," Caron muttered.
"Was I too late?" Leo asked.
Motsbi's right hand, the one that had worn the Ring of Betrayal, had already been severed. It seemed Leo had acted without hesitation.
Caron grinned and clapped Leo on the back before saying, "Nope. You were right on time. There was a bit of a complication, but... Thanks to you, I got out of it in one piece. I appreciate it."
"...It's pretty odd to see you saying 'thank you' first," Leo said.
"This time, it was actually dangerously close," Caron admitted. He then shifted his gaze downward to Motsbi, who lay motionless on the ground.
It seemed Motsbi's mind had been utterly shattered. He was still breathing, but his unfocused eyes suggested there was nothing left inside.
"Owner, you let your guard down too much. Your mind might've collapsed along with his. I did what I could, but still..." Guillotine, who normally would've snarled and snapped at Caron, spoke in an uncharacteristically subdued tone instead. Even it had been shaken.
Caron let out a small sigh before dusting off his knees and standing up. He murmured, "I got the information I needed."
As a result, there had been many gains. He'd found out the Demon King of Sloth was directly involved in this incident.
"I'll have to change the plan," Caron declared.
Perhaps it was time to prepare for the worst-case scenario. With that thought in mind, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a communication orb.
There was no way he would sit back and let things unfold the way Sloth wanted. Not a chance.
***
At the same time, in the Southern Great Forest, deep within the elven city of Galad, an extraordinary guest had arrived at the Temple of the World Tree where the regent resided.
"...So, you can't tell me anything," an old man said.
"I am merely the messenger of the Mother's will," the regent replied calmly. "No matter how many times you ask, my answer will not change."
The regent took a sip of fragrant herbal tea, savoring its warmth before setting the cup down.
Seated across from her was an elderly human man. Despite his white hair, he carried an aura so overwhelming that it defied belief. He was a warrior of such unparalleled strength that calling him human almost seemed inadequate.
It was none other than Halo Leston.
"So you won't even tell me why the World Tree chose Caron?" Halo asked.
"Unfortunately, I cannot," the regent replied.
Halo's visit was unofficial, but it had taken only a few exchanges for the regent to deduce his true purpose.
He's beginning to think Caron Leston is suspicious, the regent thought.
There was no other reason for a man like Halo to inquire so deeply about Caron.
"Did Sir Kerra say anything?" the regent asked.
Halo let out a wry chuckle and gave a small nod, then said, "He mocked me, saying I did an excellent job raising my grandson."
"...I must say, I agree with him," the regent said with a small smile.
Caron Leston was the one who would bring the elves a new future.
The regent knew about Caron's previous life, but she had no intention of sharing that secret with Halo. That wasn't her place to do so.
Tap.
She set her teacup down gently and exhaled, then turned her gaze toward the small girl nestled in Halo's arms. She observed, "It seems you're quite fond of your great-granddaughter."
"How could I not be?" Halo replied with a smile.
"I also agree on that," the regent said.
The girl in Caron's arms was Aqua, the hatchling of the dragon, Etyron. Since she called Caron 'Dad,' it was only natural that, by lineage, Halo was indeed her great-grandfather.
"Great-Grandfather! Is Dad really busy?" Aqua asked.
"He's far away by now," Halo answered.
"I have a bad feeling," Aqua murmured. "Something happened to Dad, I just know it."
Halo had never heard anything from Caron about this great-granddaughter of his. Nor had Caron ever mentioned that she was a dragon hatchling.
The more he thought about it, the more he realized just how much Caron had kept hidden. He'd never given it much thought before, but lately, doubts had begun to creep in.
And to resolve them, he had come all the way to the Southern Great Forest, yet the regent remained firm in her stance.
"Grand Duke," the regent said, setting down her cup. "If I may offer some unsolicited advice."
"I'm not so foolish as to ignore the regent's wisdom," Halo said. "Go on."
"You've done things in the wrong order," the regent said plainly. "If you had questions about Lord Caron, you should have asked him first."
"...You're right," Halo admitted with a nod. He took another sip of his tea, then slowly reached out to stroke Aqua's hair.
For a moment, the imposing image of the Ducal Family of Leston's head faded, replaced by that of a great-grandfather indulging his young descendant.
Aqua giggled under his touch, rubbing her head against his hand.
"The reason the World Tree chose Caron," Halo said. "That much, at least, you could tell me, couldn't you?"
It was a subtle probe, but the regent wasn't one to break easily. She met Halo's question with a gentle voice. "How many children truly understand their parents' will?"
At that, Halo realized she had no intention of answering him.
"I feel bad that you have made this journey in vain," the regent said.
"I was merely looking for an easy path, just as you said," Halo replied. "Think nothing of it. I do not consider this a wasted trip."
He'd seen everything Caron had changed so far with his own eyes.
The long-standing conflict between the nagas and the elves had ceased, and the once-isolated elves had begun to open their gates to the world.
All of this was because of Caron. Despite his suspicion, Halo couldn't help but feel proud of his grandson.
"Lord Caron will continue to bring change," the regent said. "That is the only thing I can tell you."
Halo let out a bitter chuckle and nodded.
"The era to come will belong to Caron," he remarked. "No, perhaps his era has already begun."
"He is merely seventeen years old," the regent pointed out. "And yet you believe so?"
"I do," Halo said firmly.
Too many coincidences intertwined, including the choice made by Guillotine and the prophecy of the World Tree.
People called such things fate. Halo wondered why Caron had been born into such a fate.
Many thoughts ran through Halo's mind, but in the end, the regent was right. Unless he spoke to Caron himself, he would never find the answers he sought.
"Don't fight with Dad," Aqua suddenly spoke up.
"Hmm?" Halo glanced down at her.
"Dad cherishes you a lot too! So don't scold him too much," Aqua said earnestly.
"Hah! And what makes you think I would scold him?" Halo chuckled. "Hmm, though he does deserve a scolding for keeping you hidden."
"Hehe," Aqua giggled.
Halo stroked her hair once more, a wry smile on his lips. He planned to speak with Caron the moment he returned. He needed to know what Caron knew, and what was so urgent that he had to act alone.
And this time, he wouldn't ask as the head of the Ducal Family of Leston, but as a grandfather. Caron was his most cherished grandson, even if he was an uncontrollable troublemaker.
As Halo sank deeper into thought...
Knock, knock, knock.
"Regent, it's Orion," a voice called out.
"Come in," the regent replied.
A figure stepped into the reception room. It was an elf, dressed in the uniform of the patrol captain. It was Orion.
"There is an urgent matter that requires your attention," he said, his voice grave. "And I believe Grand Duke Halo should hear it as well."
"What is it?" the regent asked.
Orion took a slow breath, then said in a hushed voice, "A request for aid has arrived... from Caron Leston."
The words froze the air in the reception room.
A moment later, Orion continued, "Caron has encountered the Demon King of Sloth in the Eastern Great Forest."
Halo's hand clenched into a fist as he demanded, "Say that again."
It was news that would shake the entire continent.