Up the Mountain

"Your head didn't react?"

"Not at all. What are you up to, Demps?"

The conversation that followed involved private matters.

Demps threw an arm around Han Dong's shoulders and pulled him into a shadowy corner of the outer corridor of the Demon King's Castle.

"According to my deductions, your head should be connected to the High-ranking Old King corresponding to Perugia City's back."

"What?"

"It isn't entirely my own deduction. 'Mother' also provided informational assistance."

"Which one?"

"This Old King is rather special. Neither its true name nor a codename can be spoken.

As long as a living being attempts to represent it with characters, they may invite the abyss.

However, answers concerning this entity can surely be found in Perugia City... after all, this place falls within the territory covered by its Medium Deed."

"You have your own agenda too, don't you, Demps?"

Demps adjusted his glasses and spoke with a grave expression.

"If you become stronger, it will also raise our squad's overall survival rate.

Besides, Nicholas, you came to the Great Expedition to uncover the secrets surrounding yourself, didn't you?

Don't worry. This is the Great Expedition, not some ordinary mission. I would never joke around with our lives... even if the entire army were defeated, you and I cannot die here.

You and I, along with the unfathomably powerful Knight Charlie and a legitimate Battle Nun, can at least ensure our basic safety."

Smack!

Han Dong gave Demps a heavy slap on the back.

"If it were really that simple, I would've made my decision long ago... The reason I didn't step forward to bring this up to the Great Demon Commander immediately was because I still hadn't completed the risk assessment.

And the Earl inside me has been making a fuss the whole time. Perugia