Chapter 1353: Chapter 912: The First Opponent

Adventurers were clearly excited about the prospect of breaking through the maze. After a brief rest and assembly, the entire group set off toward the direction of the Demon King Palace.

“I really owe you one, Steel Warrior.”

Walking beside Duanmu Huai was a Dwarf Warrior, who also happened to be the president of the Underground City’s Adventurer Association. It was he who issued the quest to break through the maze. Originally, the Dwarf Warrior was psychologically prepared to wait for a few hundred years, but unexpectedly, the day had come when the maze could truly be breached.

“By the way, is this really okay? Wasn’t it said that there are still two months until the thawing period? Isn’t setting off now too hasty?”

“You don’t understand, Steel Warrior.”

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s questions, the Dwarf Warrior couldn’t help but get emotional.

“The fact is, the Demon King has already figured out our pattern. Indeed, it’s relatively easier for us to move about during the thawing period. But for that exact reason, the Demon King always calls back his scattered forces from all over just before the thawing period.”

“This kid is that afraid of death?”

Duanmu Huai couldn’t help but express his surprise upon hearing this.

“After all, the Demon Clan can fly, and what seems to be a long journey for us is nothing for them. So, every thawing period, when the adventurers finally reach the Demon King Palace after much difficulty, what awaits them is the fully prepared Demon King Army. To be honest, it’s definitely not easy to secure a victory in such circumstances.”

That goes without saying.

“But this time it’s different.”

As he spoke, the Dwarf Warrior gripped his Battle Axe tightly in his hands.

“This time, the thawing period hasn’t arrived yet, which means the Demon King won’t be gathering his forces in anticipation. This gives us a high chance of defeating the Demon King! Although we only have a hundred and fifty adventurers here, for us…this is the best opportunity!”

Indeed.

Duanmu Huai silently nodded his head and glanced back at the adventurers behind him. Those who had made it to the Northern Land surely had unquestionable strength. Saying that one could take on a thousand might be an exaggeration, but cutting down a hundred should be a breeze. After all, they were here to subjugate the Demon King, an existence that had created the deepest troubles for humanity. Without enough courage, wisdom, and strength, one’s presence would be futile.

Of course, the most important thing was…

“Magic is really useful.”

Looking at the old Magic User walking in front, Duanmu Huai quietly admired the thought. After all, this was the Northern Land, where it was constantly snowing, and the snow on the road had piled nearly up to an average person’s shoulders.

The reason they could advance so quickly was all thanks to the old Magic User’s ace magic–a spell that could blow away the snow cleanly.

Ah, if only I had this magic when I was still in school, I wouldn’t have needed to shovel any snow.

Looking at the clean ground beneath his feet, Duanmu Huai felt like crying.

It was the first time he had seen such practical magic, something even Ann couldn’t do.

“But why did those kids also tag along?”

Duanmu Huai frowned, looking back. In addition to the adventurers, he could see some young people in their teens. Judging by their inexperienced actions, these newcomers were nothing more than novices.

Were they intended to be cannon fodder?

“After all, subjugating the Demon King is a dream for everyone. Since they wish to try, let them come along,” the Dwarf Warrior said nonchalantly.

“An extra person sometimes means extra strength. Of course, compared to the other adventurers, these kids might lack experience, but at least they have the courage to battle the Demon King’s Army–a quality we can’t be picky about at this time.”

“Alright…maybe you’re right.”

Shrugging his shoulders, Duanmu Huai once again raised his head to look towards the Demon King Palace in the distance. Of course, it’s a matter of ‘a watched pot never boils.’ It’s like seeing a mountain that appears close but when you walk towards it, you realize it’s still a long distance away. Although it seemed as if they only needed to cross one more mountain to reach the Demon King Palace.

In reality, according to the Bird Divination Tool’s detection, they still had a long way to go.

Moreover, the closer they got to the Demon King Palace, the more danger they would encounter. Since their departure, they had already faced numerous attacks from Demon Beasts and even dragons. Of course, these monsters didn’t pose much of a threat to these battle-hardened adventurers. Still, some had poor luck and were killed by them.

Not to mention, to reach the Demon King Palace as fast as possible, the entire team of adventurers was almost always advancing at a forced march…

“Wait, there’s a change!”

However, just then, Frieren, who wasn’t far behind, suddenly shouted.

“I sense a powerful magic reaction, not from a Demon Beast; this is… no, it’s coming quickly, watch out!”

Before Frieren’s words could even finish, a huge man with long horns had already appeared in front of them. With a tight clench of his fist, he slammed a punch into Duanmu Huai’s chest, who had absolutely no time to dodge.

“Boom———-!”

A massive blast of air erupted, sending the surrounding adventurers flying in all directions, and some even screamed as they fell off cliffs. Even the Dwarf Warrior standing next to Duanmu Huai was sent flying by the forceful blow, disappearing into the crowd like a thrown baseball.

Only Duanmu Huai remained standing in the same place, with Zhenjiling and Ogis sitting steadfastly on his shoulder, seemingly unaffected.

Then Duanmu Huai looked down at the punch that had hit his chest and then lifted his head to face the assailant.

“Is that all? Didn’t you have your meal?”

“Quite amusing.”

Facing his attack being blocked, the Demon Clan member opposite him didn’t seem to care. On the contrary, he showed a look of interest and once again retreated, increasing the distance between himself and Duanmu Huai.

“I didn’t expect to encounter a warrior like you. It seems I’ll have some fun this time.”

As the man of the Demon Clan spoke, he kept his gaze fixed on Duanmu Huai,

“I am Livale of the Great Demon Clan, also a warrior. According to the human classification of the Demon Clan, I suppose I would be considered a ‘General’. However, for a warrior, such titles are meaningless. Since you’ve been able to catch my attack, that in itself has already shown your skill. So, speak your name, warrior.”

“What? Livale?!”

Hearing the self-introduction, the Adventurers behind were also startled.

“He’s one of the Seven Fallen Sages, the Blood-Stained Military God Livale?”

For the Adventurers, the name of the Seven Fallen Sages is well-known, particularly Blood-Stained Military God Livale, who is famed amongst the Demon Clan for his love of battle. Wherever there is a fight, his presence is there. He has destroyed countless human towns and has earned the title of Blood-Stained Military God with his overwhelming combat prowess.

Despite the commotion, these Adventurers did not retreat. Instead, quickly thereafter, dozens of warrior-clad Adventurers raised their weapons to face the member of the Demon Clan, while the Priests and Magic Users behind them also prepared for battle.

In an instant, the atmosphere became incredibly tense and strained. Although each Adventurer was prepared to die in the process of subjugating the Demon King, encountering one of the Seven Fallen Sages without any warning was truly beyond their expectations.

However, Livale paid no mind to these Adventurers; he was just staring at Duanmu Huai with a confident smile.

“Honestly, I only came here to investigate the anomaly I noticed before, never expecting to encounter so many Adventurers–is it finally your breakthrough in the Great Labyrinth? That’s somewhat unexpected.”

“What?!”

Upon hearing Livale’s remark, most of the Adventurers were shocked. They had hastened their journey precisely to avoid letting the Demon Clan guess where they had come from. But, unexpectedly, the opponent already knew their origin?

Indeed it was so.

Compared to other Adventurers, Duanmu Huai sneered dispassionately. In fact, he had suspected that something was amiss all along. Just as Duanmu Huai had mentioned to the Hero Squad before, although the legend stated that this maze was built to resist Demon Clan invasions, why would there be a Demon Clan Guard stationed at the end of the maze?

Who exactly was this maze meant to defend against?

Furthermore, when Frieren mentioned that the Water Mirror Demon had once appeared in the heroic tales of the Sage Evi Xi, Duanmu Huai had more or less guessed what was going on.

The reason was simple.

Because that so-called Demon King–was actually Sage Evi Xi.

The all-knowing, omnipotent Sage from the myths, who ultimately feared death and formed a pact with the Subspace, had become a fallen heretic who assumed the role of the Demon King.

“Come on then, state your name, warrior.”

Livale, not caring about the reactions of the surrounding Adventurers, only stared at Duanmu Huai with an intense, eager smile.

“Feel proud, for standing before you is the strongest warrior of the Demon Clan.”

Facing the eyes of everyone, Duanmu Huai hummed lightly.

“The strongest warrior of the Demon Clan? A Seven Fallen Sage? You dare to bark in front of me with your incompetence? Aulaura was the same, do all of the Demon Clan have such arrogant genes?”

“Hiss…!”

Hearing Duanmu Huai’s even more arrogant response, everyone gasped, while Livale merely smiled slightly.

“Oh, Aulaura. Now that you mention it, it’s true that Aulaura is dead. So it was you who killed her, huh? That makes this even more interesting…”

While speaking, Livale reached out and soon a War Hammer appeared in his hand.

“Since you’re someone who could kill Aulaura, you’re certainly worthy of battling me…”

“But you are not worthy of battling me.”

Duanmu Huai simply crossed his arms and coldly gazed at the Demon in front of him.

“In fact, you’re already dead.”

“What are you sayi…”

Livale’s words were cut off mid-sentence because, in the next moment, his head suddenly exploded with a “puff,” and the headless figure of the towering Demon swayed back and forth for a moment before collapsing heavily into the snow, turning into scattered shadows that gradually disintegrated and disappeared.

“The Seven Fallen Sages, they’re just at this level.”

Only then did Duanmu Huai withdraw his gaze.

“In my mind, smashing your head isn’t any harder than crushing a watermelon, idiot,”

he said coldly afterward.