Chapter 163: It Was All A Trick!
About a week had passed since I started resting. Master would come in and periodically cast a healing spell, which I for some reason couldn't acquire. I also tried to return to spirit form, but I was blocked out of it while I was injured. Other than that, I was happy to see that a few people came by to visit. Fina, Leyhna, Wilharrow, Leon, and even Raon who I recently met dropped by.
"Thanks for visiting. I didn't expect to see you so soon." [Solace]
For today, only Raon was here.
"I thought it a bit sad to leave my rival dying of boredom." [Raon]
I had forgotten he considered me his rival.
"There are a few things I've done to pass the time." [Solace]
The first thing I did was train random skills when I had enough mana. I leveled up |Analyze| up to level 19 from 16, |Mana Detection| from 1 to 6, and |Mana Breathing| from 3 to 9. It turned out a bit quicker than expected since I had forgotten I could use |Mana Breathing| to regenerate mana faster.
"Can you give me a run down on recent events?" [Solace]
Raon gave me a weird look.
"A… run down?" [Raon]
"Ah, sorry. I meant a summary of what's been going on. Specifically about the tournament and stuff." [Solace]
It's always so strange to forget I'm in another world.
"I-I see… You have a very… unique way of saying things." [Raon]
Raon cleared his throat.
"Anyways, the date of which you will have an audience with the lord is still to be determined. I think they will schedule it around when you finish etiquette classes." [Raon]
("Oh brother…") [Solace]
Thinking of meeting people of status made me feel nauseous.
"You will rewarded with the |Pestilence Flower| for winning the tournament. Then, you will be waived from taking classes as you venture with the hero to defeat the demon lord." [Raon]
"Eh?" [Solace]
I felt like that was definitely something that needed explanation.
"Demon lord?! There's a demon lord I need to defeat?!" [Solace]
Raon stared at me blankly.
"Of course? What else would a hero fight?" [Raon]
"...Huh. I was about to say "a strong monster" or something, but I think the demon lord is right up that alley." [Solace]
"Hold on a moment. You DO know how heroes and demon lords work, right?" [Raon]
"I'm not stupid. Obviously I know how it works." [Solace]
Raon gave me a look of suspicion.
"Tell me, what is a demon lord?" [Raon]
I had a feeling that the question would be harder. Thankfully this was something I could answer.
"The strongest demon that rules them all." [Solace]
The corners of Raon's mouth twitched.
"You don't know how it works, do you?" [Raon]
Not too sure guys, but I think I answered incorrectly.
"Was I wrong?" [Solace]
"Well, you were half right." [Raon]
"Oh? Enlighten me." [Solace]
Raon raised a finger like he was using it as a teaching stick.
"Like humans, "lord" is a term for ruler. So, a demon lord is someone who "rules" demons. Therefore, they don't necessarily need to be very strong." [Raon]
"Uh-huh." [Solace]
"And also like humans, each region a demon lord rules contains the equivalent of a Hero. That would be a Feera. The chosen demon who would either fend off the Hero or slay them. Plunging our land into chaos." [Raon]
"Okay." [Solace]
Putting these things together, it felt less like the stake of the world and more like a game of politics. Only that the Hero and Feera are the nukes.
"Now, do you know how many demon lords are in our country?" [Raon]
"Wait, there's more than one?" [Solace]
Raon gave me another strange look.
"Yes? There are several in Metus. Even more so in our planet of Ashtal." [Raon]
"...Do I have to help the hero defeat all the demon lords?" [Solace]
"You are required to assist in defeating only one. After that, it's your choice to stay." [Raon]
This was starting to sound like military conscription.
"Well, it doesn't matter since I'm going to turn down joining the hero's party anyway." [Solace]
"Huh?" [Raon]
"Hm?" [Solace]
I think I said that one out loud.
"...I may be hearing things, but did you just say you aren't going to join the hero's party?" [Raon]
"Uh…" [Solace]
I was beginning to wonder if me saying yes would be a terrible idea.
"You do realize it's mandatory, right? Who knows what will happen to you if the lord is angered by your refusal?" [Raon]
"It's that serious?!" [Solace]
"The last time someone refused, they became wanted for treason!" [Raon]
I was without words.
"That bastard…" [Solace]
I felt annoyed and a bit angry towards my master who talked me into this.
"Raon? Could you step out for today? I have some things to sort out. Mentally, that is." [Solace]
Raon stood up with an anxious look on his face.
"S-Sure. You look… tired. Have some rest." [Raon]
"Thanks." [Solace]
I'm not sure what expression I wore that day, but Raon looked pretty scared.
("How am I going to get out of this one?") [Solace]
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Vilince
Vilince Vincent better have a good reason for this! Thanks for reading!
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Ranking 
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