How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 261

291. Spirit Magic (4)

If one were to name the place among the Ten Great Calamity Zones that is closest to human society, most would choose this one.

The Tower of Blood Crystals.

The location of this Calamity Zone is remarkably close to human settlements, specifically near the former lands of the

Elphark Empire.

Or rather, the land once known as the capital of the fallen Elphark Empire.

People now call that fallen land, once counted among the great empires, a Calamity Zone.

The reason is simple.

The glorious capital of the empire is gone, replaced by a massive, towering red crystal.

That red crystal has accumulated, forming a gigantic tower.

Compared to other Calamity Zones, its range is relatively small,

only about the size of a large city.

However, in terms of danger, it ranks just below the White Hell.

It’s considered on par with the former Elven lands, now covered in miasma [a noxious or poisonous atmosphere] due to the decaying World Tree.

The reason is simple.

Any creature that touches that crystal is crystallized and becomes part of the tower.

A tower of resentment that grows by consuming life itself.

What lies at the end of such a terrifying tower?

Only one human exists there.

A grotesque figure, more than half of its body covered in blood-red crystals, sits upon a throne.

The last emperor of the former Elphark Empire.

Empress Halpheneas Mall Elpharia.

A witness to the fallen great empire and a wraith who endlessly dwells on resentment.

“You… you! The scum of the Forellos Empire…”

For hundreds of years, she has harbored hatred for those who brought down the great empire, and with that resentment alone, she transformed the city she ruled into a Calamity Zone.

“Resentful… hateful… the downfall… a terrible downfall upon them too… a terrible end that will not be resolved even after hundreds of years…”

She spat out words like curses and turned her head.

The sound of crystal fragments crumbling from her body echoed as a shadow fell at the entrance of the hall.

[What a sight, Empress of a fallen nation. Has the dignity of a ruler of a great empire vanished completely?]

“Do not speak carelessly… Does a mere corpse dare to comprehend the pain of downfall?”

[Kukuku. Of course, I know it well. I know it all too well.]

The lich chuckled mockingly, the sound of rattling bones accompanying his laughter.

Kmelz Alfrens.

[It would be remiss to exclude Kmelz when it comes to resentment cursing the world.]

“…Did you invade this land merely to utter such words?”

[Nonsense. Haven’t you already received the message? Empress, I have come to offer you a proposal.]

None other than the lich himself has come to seek cooperation.

The Empress seemed slightly intrigued by this, her blood-red eyes gleaming.

“Let me hear it. Speak.”

[Do not misunderstand. It is not Kmelz who will speak.]

“What do you mean?”

The Empress realized that another presence had infiltrated this place.

She cast a demanding look, and a man emerged from behind a pillar in the palace.

A strange being with blue skin and wings.

Neither human nor any other recognizable creature, but an ambiguous form.

The Empress frowned at the bizarre appearance.

“The lich has only promised cooperation. I will explain the details, Empress.”

“Who are you?”

“Indeed, you wouldn’t know. You may call me Epilette, Empress.”

Epilette, who introduced himself politely, wore a subtly unpleasant smile.

“I apologize for the late introduction. I’ve been forgetting lately, as some recognize me without being asked.”

“I do not care. What is your business?”

“I’ll get straight to the point. I will help you strike the Forellos Empire.”

*Crack.*

It was the sound of the Empress unconsciously gripping the armrest of the throne.

“What is your scheme? Surely, corpse, you are not also participating?”

[There are circumstances that require me to attack the Forellos Empire. However, even for Kmelz, I am unwilling to jump in there alone.]

The Forellos Empire is not to be underestimated.

It possesses abundant talent and some extremely dangerous individuals.

[Preparation alone will take time.]

He didn’t believe he would be easily defeated, but he couldn’t guarantee achieving his goal safely.

“So, I thought I would gather some like-minded fellows and make a proposal. Fuh-huh-huh. You also harbor a grudge, don’t you?”

If it was she, who had become a monster fueled only by the resentment of watching the downfall of the great empire that was fading away due to the emerging empire, she would be a good collaborator.

“I know you are planning something. But I think this is a good opportunity. How about it? Won’t you cooperate? Let’s combine our plans.”

“…”

However, the Empress did not immediately answer.

Even though the proposal to strike the empire she had longed to destroy had arrived, she only coldly watched Epilette with her red eyes.

“What is your scheme?”

“Suspicious? Is it because you were deceived by treacherous subjects and fell? How pitiful.”

“Silence!”

As the Empress’s eyes flashed, the crystals embedded around her grew with a crackling sound, then surrounded Epilette, threatening him.

Several crystal blades were aimed at him.

“How sad. You do not understand my sincerity.”

However, Epilette, on the contrary, pushed away all the aiming blades with his power, as if amused, by releasing his dark magic.

Red mana surged from his entire body and collided with the crystals.

*Kwaang!*

A roar echoed, and fragments of shattered crystals scattered.

“Let’s stop playing around. You can’t test me with this, can you?”

“Then you must tell me the reason first.”

“Ah~ Is it about that? Hmm, I don’t think you’ll be convinced?”

“Shut up and speak. It is not for you to judge.”

As the Empress glared and exuded power, Epilette drooped his shoulders.

“You’re stubborn. Fine. Well, to put it bluntly, we will all fail if things continue like this.”

“What?”

[…….]

“I know that each of you is making plausible plans. But think about it. Will they really succeed?”

Epilette said with a self-deprecating laugh.

“We are bound to fail. That is our fate.”

“…How dare you say that.”

“Let’s think calmly. Villains like us are always destined to be hindered by someone.”

[Those are slightly annoying words.]

Kmelz voiced his displeasure.

He is also one of those plotting plans for his own purpose.

Epilette’s remarks are tantamount to denying his purpose.

“Ah, I don’t mean to tease you. But history has proven it so far. And before that… no, this world runs on such laws.”

Epilette spoke with distant eyes, as if seeing something different from them.

They are bound to fail.

“To achieve our goals in this damn world, we can’t do it with our own strength alone. That’s all.”

“Is that the reason?”

“What can I do, Empress?”

“…Then I will listen to the plan.”

However, the Empress retorted indifferently.

“If, as you claim, there is a way to succeed by joining forces, then show it to me.”

To take revenge on the Forellos Empire.

That is the sole meaning of her existence.

However, on the other hand, she also knows that she does not yet possess enough power to carry it out.

She doesn’t want to admit it, but what Epilette pointed out is definitely reality.

“If you don’t have it, then your words are not worth listening to at all.”

“Don’t worry about that, Empress. I have thought it through properly.”

“And… what kind of guys are you going to bring? Surely that corpse isn’t all of them?”

“Don’t worry about that either. I haven’t fully recruited everyone yet. I’m going to visit a few more places after this.”

As if to have her listen to his plan first, Epilette revealed it to the Empress.

She listened to his argument without saying a word, and even after the explanation was over, she remained silent for a while.

And…

Finally, she reached a conclusion.

“Fine. I will humor your schemes.”

“Excellent judgment, Empress.”

The villains overlapped their intentions and scattered evil laughter.

* * *

About two months passed in an instant while learning spirit magic and practicing it.

The store itself is running smoothly, and at least within the Selvas Kingdom, there are no major disturbances.

‘Then that means the protagonist’s stage of activity has moved to another country.’

If my prediction is correct, Sylvester has gone to the Forellos Empire, so will an incident happen there?

Surely it will.

Above all, the Fire Spirit King also told me that there are items or abilities I can use in the Forellos Empire.

‘The problem is whether I should go or not…’

It’s not an easy decision.

I have to make a careful decision in terms of travel, and above all, I don’t know what dangers await, so I’m reluctant to move right now.

I’ll observe a little longer for now.

That’s my way.

‘Then, shall we… try the next proposal in the meantime?’

Before that, I should present the next agenda regarding new business.

My main job is, after all, to do things to make a good living for myself.

There’s also something I want to try.

* * *

“Mr. Zillon, are you interested in a restaurant?”

“…Mr. Ailan?”

Zillon asked, sounding dazed, as if he’d suddenly lost his mind.

I understand.

Because I suddenly called him and spoke with such a serious tone.

So, let me say it again.

“I’m asking if you’re interested in a restaurant. A diner! Food!”

“Ah, no… Even if Mr. Ailan suddenly says that…”

He’s embarrassed.

I guess it’s better to explain.

I cleared my throat and began to roughly explain why I suddenly called him.

“So, you remember that time? When I went to the royal capital and ran a food stall.”

“A stall…? Yes? Ah! That time!”

“Yes. That!”

The episode where they sold food and people showed some interest.

An event that ended as nothing more than a happening.

No, rather, it was an event that made me realize a new possibility.

“With that as an opportunity, I thought, why not just do one on purpose this time?”

“…”

“Please listen to the end.”

Humans are creatures that have to eat, and they also say that they live to eat.

“Basically, there is no one who dislikes eating.”

“Ah… well, that’s true. Yes. That’s right.”

“I’m not kidding.”

I’m saying it seriously.

“Let’s sell foreign food here and make a fortune.”

If you think about it, it is common to franchise and introduce foreign food.

There are plenty of success stories even on modern Earth.

Of course, there was a reason why I recognized it before, but I didn’t consider it.

‘I’m not confident in the food service industry…’

The food service industry is a business that is perfect for ruining your family.

I’ve seen many seniors on Earth who opened a store with their retirement money and went bankrupt.

No, why do you open three chicken restaurants side by side? That’s why you go bankrupt.

Anyway!

So, I’m going to open one too!

Of course, I don’t mean to open a chicken restaurant.

It doesn’t mean that I’m going to reproduce the food of modern Earth here.

‘It’s not impossible, but honestly, it’s difficult to reproduce. That’s a task to be solved later.’

There are problems with seasonings, and there are problems with technology and materials.

Above all, I’m not very confident in cooking.

From the beginning, I was in charge of eating, and I have no intention of coming down from that position in the future.

Above all, you have to leave this to someone else.

I heard that Zillon’s family used to run an inn.

Then he must know how to cook to some extent.

“I’m not just asking Mr. Zillon.”

I have already spoken to others who have some experience or skill.