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] S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    ("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]