How to Live the Life of a Demon Chapter 28 - What Happens in the Desert (3)

 

“You idiot, I can’t believe you missed that!”

 

“Shit, I thought I caught all of them; how did he get away?”

 

“Is that important right now? Don’t you know that everything will go wrong if we mess up?”

 

In the distance, he could hear the conversation of the demons he assumed were the culprits. Lucius cautiously opened his eyes, pretending to pass out.

 

‘Is this the underground of the city?’

 

A place illuminated only by a dim crimson torch.

 

One side of the room has a clear opening, but there is barbed wire to prevent it from going outside at will.

 

As if it were made to trap someone.

 

A structure rarely seen in the demon realm.

 

‘But… kidnapping, huh.’

 

Lucius tested his arms and legs, finding no restraints or limitations on his movements. Surprisingly, considering the circumstances of their apparent kidnapping, he was not tightly bound or restricted in any way.

 

Was it because they were confident in their skills or simply careless?

 

There didn’t seem to be any other demons besides the two conversing. They probably went to catch Lipton again.

 

Lucius would immediately ask Arnold for help, so they wouldn’t be able to catch him.

 

‘But it seems like they have a purpose. Is there a reason they’re specifically targeting Mr. Lipton?’

 

Lucius looked at Rayel, who was still pretending to be unconscious.

 

As he lightly tapped his cheek, Rayel’s brow twitched slightly, and his eyes slowly opened. Deep green irises, as dense as a forest, gazed back at him.

 

‘He’s surprisingly calm.’

 

His straightforward eyes seemed to instill confidence that he would handle any situation calmly and well.

 

A promising talent.

 

While Lucius smiled with satisfaction, Rayel suddenly grasped his arm and began patting him.

 

Rayel’s eyes darted back and forth until they met Lucius’s, and he broke into a relieved and broad smile.

 

Afterward, Rayel craned his head to look outside.

 

His slightly trembling demeanor revealed his concern for their well-being, giving him a somewhat childlike appearance.

 

“Well, there’s no choice. We have to use even these guys.”

 

At that time, the criminals who were talking started walking.

 

Stomp. Stomp.

 

Rayel and Lucius leaned against the wall again, pretending to be unconscious.

 

Perhaps because the inside was quiet, the sound of footsteps seemed unusually loud. Rayel, feeling tense, tightly grasped his clothes and took slow, deep breaths.

 

The approaching individual took out keys furtively, opened the door, and entered.

 

The man who entered first squatted in front of Lucius, tousling his hair and patting his shoulder.

 

“Hey, wake up quickly. I know you’ve come to your senses.”

 

“Get away from him!”

 

Smack!

 

Rayel jumped up, hit the man’s hand, and cut in between as if to protect Lucius.

 

The way he glared and raised his magic as if ready to charge in was quite threatening.

 

“Phew, those hands are quite rough.”

 

“What are you up to? We’re still underage and in the academy, and you’ll be in trouble if you don’t send us back.”

 

“Don’t misunderstand. We don’t have any ill intentions. If you cooperate, everything will be fine. Do you understand what I mean?”

 

“Cooperate? This feels more like coercion…!”

 

“What do you want?”

 

Cutting him off, Lucius pushed Rayel to the back. Rayel, still glaring at the man with sharp eyes, expressed his concerns in a low voice.

 

“Lucius, what are they up to? This seems suspicious… Why would they go as far as kidnapping students?”

 

“It’s unfair not to know the reason why we were brought here, isn’t it?”

 

“Well, that’s true, but…”

 

Rayel’s voice gradually quieted down.

 

If it were Lucius, dealing with a couple of adults wouldn’t be too difficult. He was strong enough to knock them down and escape from this place.

 

The issue lies with him.

 

‘It holds him back.’

 

No matter how skilled he is at flying or running, it would be futile if he were held hostage. As an individual with average abilities, he lacked the combat skills required to endure such situations.

 

‘But it seems like Teacher Lipton managed to escape well.’

 

This incident would soon be known to the academy.

 

It might take some time to pinpoint the location, but it probably wouldn’t take too long.

 

Rayel glanced sideways at Lucius, searching for any signs of fear or apprehension. However, all he found was a calm and composed demeanor, devoid of any discomfort or panic. Even if they were having tea right at that moment, Lucius would maintain his composure without a hint of unease.

 

‘I really can’t win against Lucius…’

 

The way he confidently lifted his head and the overflowing confidence in his eyes were so impressive, it was almost dazzling.

 

‘Alright. Let’s still prepare a plan for any unforeseen battles. Nothing grand is needed. I just need to buy some time.’

 

Buying time is the key to victory.

 

Let’s figure out exactly where this place is and what its structure is like.

 

Let’s assess everything that can’t be used and everything that can be used.

 

As the plan was set and actions were about to be taken, Rayel’s expression became more serious.

 

“Alright. What do you want?”

 

“We’re finally talking.”

 

The man nodded satisfactorily. Then, gesturing for them to follow, he led them out of the cell. The woman tapped the ground a few times with the staff she was holding.

 

Thunk. Clang!

 

As a distant sound of something opening was heard, the man, who had been looking around, pointed to the rightmost door.

 

“There should be a tree at the destination. Just take care of it. Being a minor, it might be a bit difficult.”

 

“So, is this how you’ve been kidnapping demons all this time?”

 

In response to Lucius’ question, the man snorted and added, “Hmph, don’t even think about exploring, kid. One thing’s for sure: if you don’t do something about that tree, you and we are as good as dead.”

 

Listening to the conversation, Rayel was puzzled.

 

“What kind of tree is that?”

 

“How should I know? Ugh!”

 

The man who was talking suddenly groaned. When he looked down, the woman walking next to him was stepping on his feet.

 

She lifted her foot off his and shrugged apologetically.

 

“I’m sorry, I think I stepped on your foot because it was dark.”

 

“You… Ouch, that hurts.”

 

“Be careful, both of you.”

 

The woman, who patted his shoulder with her hand as if encouraging him, walked ahead with strides. Then, at the end of the blocked passage, she lightly tapped the bricks with her staff.

 

Woo-doo-doo!

 

The bricks began to rotate, kicking up dust and sand as they cleared a path. A faint blue light seeped through the cracks, soon pouring in so intensely that it almost blinded them.

 

“We have arrived.”

 

A gentle breeze blew from somewhere. Lucius and Rayel slowly walked in the direction where the wind was coming from.

 

The place was bathed in blue light.

 

Unlike the clay-colored bricks they had passed earlier, there was a circular stage built with cold, solid stones.

 

On the stage, there was a softly glowing lake. The water was so clean that it seemed drinkable, flowing out like branches of a river, deep enough that the end was not visible.

 

In the middle of the lake was the ‘tree’ they had mentioned.

 

Lucius’ lips twitched.

 

“Truly…”

 

In a groan-like murmur, the woman laughed triumphantly.

 

“Impressive, isn’t it?”

 

“Indeed.”

 

However, contrary to the woman’s expectations, Lucius furrowed his brow and gave her a deep sigh before looking away.

 

“Do you even know what kind of tree this is? This is…!”

 

“Do you think I’m more ignorant about plants than you are?”

 

The woman, who couldn’t answer that, kept her mouth shut. The woman, who was staring at Lucius as if to eat him, swept her hair nervously.

 

“Hah, the problem with dryads is that they talk a lot.”

 

“Being confined in a narrow space, it could hardly grow. Its branches didn’t grow, and no new shoots sprouted. The flower buds have bloomed but won’t blossom, and the leaves are withering one by one.”

 

“You think we don’t know that? Whether it’s good or bad now doesn’t matter. The tree just has to hold on. Do you understand?”

 

She pointed the staff she was holding at Lucius.

 

“If you understand, shut up and go to work. If you run out of strength, drag your fairy friend over there and keep the tree alive.”

 

“…”

 

“Hurry!”

 

Rayel came next to Lucius. Lucius remained silent and climbed onto the root, which was half submerged in water.

 

As he trudged along, a light breeze blew in.

 

Despite the abundance of water, the tree itself was incredibly dry. Even the roots that should support the body by touching the ground were weak and brittle.

 

It’s impressive, huh? The tree is screaming.

 

Furthermore.

 

‘It’s only been 10 years, but a lot has changed.’

 

He can’t help but feel bad for the tree he planted ten years ago.

 

Lucius gritted his teeth. Above all, he was puzzled as to why this tree was here.

 

Why was the tree that he had planted on Rudd to counteract the poison of the desert here?

 

It would be better to ask the tree itself. It might leave him vulnerable for a while, but with a trusted companion by his side, it should be fine.

 

“Rayel, please give me 5 seconds.”

 

“Okay.”

 

Rayel nodded with a tense expression.

 

He reached out his hand and touched the pillar.

 

A strong yet fragile energy seemed to flow cautiously through his palm, as if it could shatter at any moment.

 

Closing his eyelids and focusing his mind, fragments of memories flashed by like shooting stars. 

 

The tree that had stood steadfastly in its place, enduring everything it had been through.

 

Being stripped of its soil and having its roots pulled out.

 

A young tree was slowly withering up in a narrow place, seeing the deaths of many demons.

 

A strong thought swirls through his mind.

 

「You, I miss you.」

 

Kwaaang!!

 

The loud bang made Lucius open his eyes.

 

After gently sweeping the tree trunk once, he turned around. Rayel was on the floor and breathing heavily.

 

Various blue lights flickered in the engraved inscriptions on each stone.

 

Droplets of water floated around the woman.

 

Plink! Plink!! Splash!

 

Three times, the swiftly shot water blades were all intercepted and dissipated by an unseen barrier. Rayel’s face lit up with satisfaction.

 

“What kind of barrier…! Hey, don’t be distracted and attack!”

 

Boom!!

 

With a distinct friction sound, the man staggered backward, his curved sword bouncing off the ground.

 

“Damn it! Do you think I’m not doing anything?”

 

“Keep going! They won’t hold out for long anyway!”

 

Thud!

 

The ground made a solid sound as it moved in a circular motion. Light emanated from the floor, arranged by size, like a circular puzzle.

 

The combined spells of the previous attacks formed a stream of water, sharp as a knife, pouring down upon the man and woman.

 

Rayel wiped the cold sweat running down his cheek with his sleeve.

 

“I don’t know who it is, but someone truly values this tree. There are numerous designed spells, far more than just a few.”

 

Spells engraved on the floor are a spell that can handle a wide range of situations, with countless combinations akin to assembling a circular board.

 

Lucius lowered his posture and locked eyes with Rayel.

 

“I didn’t think you could do it. That’s pretty impressive.”

 

“Huff, thank you. Are we done?”

 

“Yeah, you can take a break.”

 

Lucius gritted his teeth.

 

Utilizing constructed spells without a proper intermediary took a serious toll on the body.

 

Even now, continuously absorbing magic like this was pushing him to his limits.

 

Rayel mustered a faint smile, clearly showing signs of exhaustion.

 

“Lucius, are you… perhaps angry? Your expression doesn’t look good.”

 

“No, I’m not angry. Not at you. You did well.”

 

Shrugging his shoulders, Lucius let out a hearty laugh.

 

Rayel’s exhausted body leaned to the side.

 

Thud.

 

Lucius caught Rayel’s body. He picked him up carefully and looked down at them.

 

As if it were familiar, there was no hint of disdain in his arrogant gaze.

 

“Now that we have a general understanding of the situation, it’s best to proceed accordingly.”

 

His voice rang low.

 

“I’m not that patient.”