Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 81

The reconstruction of the Black Fortress is in full swing.

The Demon King’s engineering corps and their technicians were bustling with activity.

“Hey, you stupid bastards! Do you even know how much you weigh, running on a wooden plank like that…?” Crack-!

“Kkweeeek! I’m falling-!”

There were a few minor incidents, but overall, the work was progressing smoothly.

Since this world has magic, basic civil engineering was easily accomplished.

It had only been a few days, but it looked like 80% of the exterior had been restored.

The real problem was the interior.

Castles and fortresses in this world aren’t simply made by stacking bricks.

There are dozens, even hundreds, of magical devices to protect the castle.

It will take several more months to restore them all one by one.

“Heung~ I’m glad everyone seems so energetic.”

Hemis, the person responsible for this whole situation, was looking down at the construction site from her office.

Her office was located high up, giving her a bird’s-eye view of the construction site.

Hemis was grinning as she watched the soldiers scurrying around like worker ants when someone knocked on the office door.

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

It was Raidrun who opened the door and came in.

Hemis greeted him cheerfully.

“What’s up?”

“I have something to report regarding the expansion of the castle.”

Hemis nodded, signaling him to speak.

Raidrun handed over a document.

Hemis quickly scanned it.

“The spatial interference magic field needs to be reinstalled…” “Yes. We discovered during the expansion that its lifespan is almost over.”

Spatial interference magic field – an important device that any city or fortress of a certain size must have.

Its purpose is to create an interference field to prevent teleportation magic.

The reason why this device is important can be easily understood by considering the alternative.

What would happen if there was no magic field?

You would be able to use teleportation magic freely anywhere.

This would create numerous opportunities for terrorism.

If someone teleported into the king’s bedroom and assassinated him, the country would be thrown into chaos.

For these and other reasons, it was common for most cities to maintain a wide-ranging spatial interference magic field.

“Hmm, was it replaced 50 years ago?” “According to the records, it was 54 years ago.” “Is that so? It’s definitely time to replace it. Does the 2nd Corps still make them these days?” “Yes. They are only produced at Lord Rotark’s laboratory.”

The 2nd Corps has the largest research lab in the Demon King’s army.

Rotark, the commander of the 2nd Corps and the head of the research lab, was one of Hemis’s long-time acquaintances.

“Raidrun, why don’t you go and come back quickly? If you go through the gate, it’ll be fast, right?”

Even if you maintain the magic field, you can still use the teleportation gate.

The 2nd Corps headquarters and the Black Fortress are connected by a gate, so you can bring back the necessary equipment in a short time.

However, Raidrun shook his head.

“This time, not only the gate but also the material storage warehouse were destroyed without a trace.”

“Ah… is that so?”

“Yes. It will take at least a week to procure the materials needed to make the gate and completely restore it.”

It is impossible to repair a broken gate.

Because there is nothing left but ashes and dust where the gate used to be.

Hemis, slightly embarrassed, scratched her cheek.

“Um… it wasn’t me who smashed the gate, it was that vulgar bitch. I only broke things that could be fixed quickly!”

Raidrun nodded silently.

“It’s true. I didn’t break that much!”

“Can’t you answer with a little more sincerity?”

“…I understand.”

Raidrun didn’t seem to believe her at all.

Hemis felt wronged.

Although she didn’t remember exactly, she really only broke things that were easy to fix.

‘It must have been that bitch who broke it while running wild!?’

Thinking about it again, it’s almost certain.

It was Park Hyun-ah’s magic that shattered the gate.

Hemis clicked her tongue, regretting that she hadn’t killed Park Hyun-ah back then.

Of course, it was Hemis who didn’t stop the magic even though she could have.

“It looked like it would hurt a little if I got hit.” “What do you mean?” “No. It’s nothing.”

Hemis, who had been reminiscing about the battle for a while, returned to reality.

“Anyway, that means I have to go to the 2nd Corps headquarters in person?” “Yes. If you give me three days, I’ll go and come back.” The 2nd Corps headquarters is far away from the front line.

It is so far from the Black Fortress, which is relatively close to the front, that it would take a month to get there by carriage.

However, there is no reason for her to travel all the way to that distant place.

“I’m thinking of going to a nearby fortress and taking the gate.” “That’s a good idea, but no. You stay in the Black Fortress.” “May I ask why?” “There will be a corps commander meeting soon. The Demon King has something to say about this incident.”

Although it was unofficial, Raidrun was practically the vice commander of the 3rd Corps.

Therefore, if Hemis was not there, Raidrun had to stay and protect the Black Fortress.

“Hmm, I understand. Then who should I send to the 2nd Corps?” “Let’s send Choi Hyun-seok.”

“Choi Hyun-seok…?” “Yeah. Rotark was already clamoring to see Choi Hyun-seok, so it’s a good opportunity. Tell him to meet Rotark and bring back the necessary equipment.”

Rotark, the commander of the 2nd Corps and the head of the research lab.

He was a demon known as the greatest mad scientist in the Demon King’s army.

He committed all sorts of bizarre experiments, and there are rumors that thousands of soldiers have died in the name of those experiments.

Perhaps that’s why he gets along so well with Hemis.

Anyway, what would happen if Choi Hyun-seok was sent to such a crazy scientist?

He would probably drool and try to dissect him.

An anatomy lesson might be held on the spot.

‘Choi Hyun-seok… you must be safe…’

Raidrun was worried about Choi Hyun-seok’s safety, but there was nothing he could do.

All he could do was nod.

“I understand. I will tell Choi Hyun-seok myself.”

***

Choi Hyun-seok was lying on the floor.

His back muscles, exposed by his shirtless state, were firm and sturdy.

The scars all over his body testified to the fierceness of the battlefields he had been through.

“Ugh…”

Choi Hyun-seok groaned as he lay face down.

“Plea, please be a little gentler… treat me kindly.”

It was quite unsettling to hear the 6’6″ (198cm) giant blushing and speaking shyly.

Abelson Mariotte, who was treating him, picked up her thick scripture.

‘Should I kill him…’

She seriously pondered it before letting out a sigh.

“I might end up killing you.”

“Yes?”

“Ahem! It’s nothing.”

Her true feelings accidentally slipped out.

Abelson cleared her throat and continued.

“I won’t stand for it if you say anything weird again.” “It’s not a weird sound, it’s the truth. It really feels like I’m going to die from the pain, so please be a little gentler.”

It wasn’t a lie.

The treatment he received from Abelson was always painful.

Every time her divine power entered his body, the demonic energy inside him went wild.

He had developed some resistance to it now, so he could endure it, but it still hurt.

“I told you not to overwork your body like that.”

“I’m sorry…”

“I’ve said it a few times, but if you didn’t have the potion back then, you would have died for sure. No, it would have been at a level that couldn’t be treated even with a potion in the first place.”

Abelson recalled the day a few days ago when the Black Fortress was shaking.

How surprised she was when Choi Hyun-seok, near death, returned to the collapsing Black Fortress.

At the time, Choi Hyun-seok’s condition could be defined in one word: mangled.

She heard that he had drunk two high-grade potions, but he was in a situation where it would have been strange if he hadn’t died immediately.

Abelson was able to get Choi Hyun-seok back on his feet after staying up for two nights.

“An ordinary human would have died a long time ago.”

“Yes.”

“The reason why Choi Hyun-seok is alive now is, paradoxically, because of the demonic energy.”

Demonic energy.

The very thing that pushed Choi Hyun-seok’s life to the edge of a cliff grabbed Choi Hyun-seok’s hand this time and pulled him up from the cliff.

“Because of demonic energy… that’s interesting.”

Demonic energy originally does not suit humans.

However, for some reason, demonic energy eventually took root in Choi Hyun-seok.

And it was changing Choi Hyun-seok’s body to its liking.

“Now is not the time to laugh. Because you don’t know what will happen to Choi Hyun-seok in the future. He’s still close to being human, but if this continues, he might really become a demon.” “Is it possible for a human to become a demon?” “There’s no need to argue about whether it’s possible. In the first place, it’s impossible for demonic energy to take root in a human.”

“That’s a paradoxical answer.”

Even now, atypical changes were occurring in Choi Hyun-seok’s body, such as horns growing or hair suddenly growing.

It was still a temporary phenomenon, and it disappeared quickly when Abelson treated him, but no one knew what would happen in the long run.

“Uh… still, I want to remain human if possible.”

Choi Hyun-seok scratched his head and said.

‘It’s difficult to be a demon. Then I’ll have to date a demon, right?’

Choi Hyun-seok liked human women.

He didn’t know how pretty demon women were, but looking at the demons around him, they didn’t seem beautiful from a human perspective.

‘No, looking at Commander Roiger, is that not necessarily the case?’

Roiger is a demon, but he is also a very handsome man by human aesthetic standards.

Maybe high-ranking demon women are also such beauties?

‘Then demons might be okay…’

Unnecessary thoughts continued to spread without end.

If Abelson hadn’t called him, he probably would have fantasized about marrying a demon woman and having grandchildren.

“Choi Hyun-seok.”

“Yes?”

“For now, I have no choice but to continue treating you. I have to suppress the demonic energy as much as possible with divine power and hope that your body adapts, just like I’ve been doing so far.”

“I see.”

Choi Hyun-seok decided not to worry about this matter any further.

It’s not like a solution will appear if he worries about it right now.

It was better to put more effort into other things during that time.

‘Let’s ask her that instead.’

Choi Hyun-seok decided to talk about what he had wanted to ask all along.

“Abelson, do you know anything about heroes?”

“Heroes?”

“Yes. I had an incident where I fought against heroes this time…”

Choi Hyun-seok began to talk about the heroes.

Taylor Andrew.

And the 50 heroes who appeared with him.

They all had strong powers, but something was strange.

‘There was no focus in their eyes, and they even died expressionlessly.’

He still gets chills when he thinks of them staring at him with empty eyes and dying.

It’s like a soulless doll.

He also wondered if that’s what androids would look like in the future.

Choi Hyun-seok asked the question, wondering if Abelson knew anything about them.

“Hmm… I haven’t heard of such heroes.”

“Is that so?”

“The information I receive is limited. I’m said to be the next saintess, but I’m being watched, so I don’t know much about the internal affairs of the Holy Empire.”

At that moment, Abelson widened her eyes as if she had remembered something.

“Come to think of it, I’ve heard such a rumor before.”

“Rumor?”

“Yes. There is a rumor that there is an organization that secretly trains heroes somewhere in the Holy Empire. But the method is inhumane, so they can’t disclose it to the outside.” “Inhumane method…?” “And I don’t know if it’s related to this, but the Drasen Empire doesn’t accept heroes.”

There are two empires on the continent.

One is the Gatrein Holy Empire.

The other is the Drasen Empire.

In contrast to the Gatrein Holy Empire, which actively employs heroes, the Drasen Empire was famous as the country that rejected heroes the most on the continent.

Choi Hyun-seok, who had heard all the stories, stroked his chin and pondered.

“I smell something fishy, but I don’t know what yet.” “Someday, when you leave the Demon King’s army, you’ll have a chance to find out.” “Will that day come?”

“Maybe.”

It was when the two were exchanging trivial stories.

“Choi Hyun-seok, are you inside?”

A familiar voice was heard from outside the tent.

Choi Hyun-seok jumped up.

“Yes, Lord Raidrun.”

“I’m coming in.”

The giant cow head appeared, opening the tent.

He turned his gaze to Abelson next to him, seeing Choi Hyun-seok shirtless.

Then he stared at Choi Hyun-seok intently again.

He finally opened his mouth after being frozen for 5 seconds.

“Um… I’m sorry. Continue what you were doing. I’ll come back later.”

Raidrun, about to turn around and leave the tent.

Abelson jumped up and grabbed him.

“Don’t say weird things.” “There’s no need to be embarrassed. You are the only humans here… and you are adults, so it’s natural.” “That’s not it, I’m treating him now…” “Choi Hyun-seok, still, if you got a lover, you should have told me… I’m disappointed. Aren’t we that close?”

He has no intention of listening at all.

In Raidrun’s mind, Choi Hyun-seok and Abelson were already in that kind of relationship.

However, he seemed very disappointed by the fact (?) that Choi Hyun-seok had not informed him of the existence of his lover.

Raidrun walks away, looking dejected.

“…”

Abelson quietly picked up the thick scripture.

She mutters as she follows Raidrun.

“Beef bone broth is said to be good for restoring energy…”

Choi Hyun-seok thought as he watched Abelson raise the scripture.

There might be beef head soup for dinner tonight.