The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 47: Doppleganger (9)

I don’t know how the Seven Deadly Sins bestowed magi upon humans, but it was undoubtedly imperfect.

If it were perfect, they would have been able to handle all the bestowed magi.

Certainly, the overall strength had visibly increased, but they couldn’t fully wield the magi within their bodies.

In a way, this was somewhat expected. It would be difficult unless you were a human like me with zero mana.

‘Perhaps during the process of accepting the magi, half of those sinners died.’

But unlike the Seven Deadly Sins, I will fix this issue.

‘The Demon’s Claw.’

‘The Demon’s Claw’ corrodes the target’s body with dense magi, slowly squeezing the life out of them. However, this applies to demons, not humans.

Humans undergo demonization due to the dense magi from ‘The Demon’s Claw.’ The flesh of humans unable to withstand this change crumbles,

“If I hadn’t treated Ha Seong-woo’s body back then, it would have crumbled.”

Since this would likely apply to Kim Eun-ha as well, based on the recipe obtained from [Robert’s Knowledge], I asked Jeong Ye-rin to mix it.

Thus, I succeeded in neutralizing its effects.

Before injecting my magi, I plan to feed this to Kim Eun-ha, just as one calms the heart with less cold water before entering a cold bath.

But there is one more step to take before that.

[Predation]

Description: By taking the blood of your opponent, you can store up to 3 of their abilities. (Can be deleted at any time)

[Clean]

[Family]

[Relative Perception]

[Magic Control]

[%&@?]

The part where the error occurred is an attempt to replace ‘Magic Condensation’ with Shayen’s ‘Telepathy.’

It seems that [Predation] couldn’t copy the abilities of those whose abilities exceeded the limits of the body, probably due to different races.

‘First, remove the part with Telepathy…’

I let Jeong Ye-rin’s blood flow into my mouth.

At that moment, Jeong Ye-rin’s memories rushed in.

– Eek! Don’t touch! –

– It’s the witch’s hand! –

Simultaneously, in the flow of loneliness, solitude, fear, and passing memories, the word ‘happiness’ was nowhere to be found.

…Now, I finally understand. Why she always wore leather gloves and why she rejected my touch today.

‘When we first met, she mustered a lot of courage.’

I felt sorry for seeing memories that someone wouldn’t want to show. Well, I had already glimpsed into the memories of other humans.

‘But the taste of blood is strange…’

I observed the swirling blood on the floor.

Naturally, the blood I had consumed so far had a bitter taste. However, Jeong Ye-rin’s blood was sweet.

Not just the sensation, but the taste itself was addictive.

‘Could it be…’

No, that was just a legend, right?

“Seo-jun, I changed into different clothes.”

Kim Eun-ha, in a voice slithering in, appeared in a revealing black dress.

It was nothing special, just the attire needed for the task at hand.

To smoothly inject magi, I needed to place my hand near the heart, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that directly. So, I told her to change into appropriate clothing.

Kim Eun-ha lifted the dress carefully.

“If it’s this…? It’s the outfit we wear for group events…”

“Yeah, but you brought the black dress again with that outfit.”

“Haha… If there’s no black within reach, I feel uneasy. But are you ready?”

“No, one step remains.”

I held the blended ‘The Demon’s Claw’ and infused magic.

– Sssss—! –

Magi emanating from my hand. It spread with the wind and swiftly got sucked into a small flask.

As the intense noise subsided, I examined the flask.

[Neutralized The Demon’s Claw] (Applied Hand of Midas)

Description: The Demon’s Claw with diluted magi through proper blending, using Hand of Midas by Jeong Ye-rin and Lee Seo-jun. Upon consumption, magi sensitivity increases, and strength, agility, and stamina permanently increase by 10.

Fortunately, it seems the enchantment applied well, given the change in caster. This should reduce the likelihood of her losing her life.

I handed it to Kim Eun-ha.

“Hold this and turn around.”

“…Yes.”

In an instant, Kim Eun-ha’s expression stiffened, revealing her pale back.

As I placed my palm on her back, she flinched. The soft and firm sensation from my palm.

Beyond that, her heart was revealing emotions.

“Try to hold on to that attire from not turning into ashes.”

“…You’re being mischievous.”

“That’s a warning for you to be prepared for it.”

I hope you won’t just die from this.

“Now, drink it.”

“…Yes.”

Kim Eun-ha stared at the peculiar purple liquid. Even though her face wasn’t visible, I could imagine her expression changing rapidly.

Soon, she swallowed the liquid.

“Ugh…!”

An immediate reaction as her pupils narrowed. The warmth of her skin turned cold, and blood dripped from her tightly clenched fist.

I didn’t let go of her, supporting her as she collapsed on the floor.

“Then, live to see it.”

– Ku-gwa-gwa-gwa-gwa! –

Ruthless magi exploded and surged into her small body.

====

***

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After all the procedures were complete, Kim Eun-ha lay on the floor, breathing heavily.

“Now, come out.”

“…You knew, as expected.”

The presence on the altar descended to the ground. Since the sky had been still since my arrival, it was obvious something unusual was happening.

Quel kneeled on one knee and lowered her head.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to intrude. I was just worried it might disturb Your Majesty….”

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, you’ve worked hard moving the territory. Is your body okay?”

“Yes, it’s nothing much.”

Indeed, she didn’t hold the title of Legion Commander for nothing.

I gave a faint smile to Quel and turned to Kim Eun-ha. I couldn’t leave her lying in this grassy field, I needed to move her to the castle.

Although I succeeded in permanently infusing magi, it was uncertain how long it would take for her to wake up. She might never wake up again.

I gently held Kim Eun-ha and headed towards the building.

“…Ah.”

– Thud –

A profoundly affected sigh.

I turned my head at the sound of someone collapsing.

“…?”

Quel, sprawled on the ground. Before I could say anything, she let out a pained sound.

“Oh, dizziness… It seems a bit challenging to move the floating island. Your Majesty…”

I blinked my eyes for a moment, looking at the groaning Quel.

Then, with a chuckle, I turned away.

“Is that so? Then rest comfortably there.”

“Your Majesty?”

Her bewildered voice grabbed onto my ankle, but I just continued walking.

“Yo-Your Majesty…?”

====

***

====

The next day, I instructed Seo-yeon to take care of Kim Eun-ha.

Beneath the splendid bedroom, Kim Eun-ha still tossed and turned, seemingly trapped in a nightmare. Seo-yeon, sitting by the bedside, muttered as she observed her.

“She seems to be in so much pain.”

“…Who said you could come so close?”

“While lying down in such attire?”

Seo-yeon looked at me with an expression that truly couldn’t comprehend what was happening.

…Certainly, her clothes were disheveled from all the tossing and turning, making it easy to misunderstand.

“That’s not it, when I go, you will change her clothes and wipe away some sweat.”

“Yes, yes, the future Demon Lord is like that. Ouch!”

I grabbed Seo-yeon’s head as she was complaining. Thanks to my excellent control, she wasn’t killed and glared at me with a healthy head still intact.

“Hey! Did you just hit me because I said nonsense?”

“You said nonsense. Anyway, when she wakes up, tell her to contact me with that horn.”

I pointed at a small horn on the table.

It was an item hidden among the treasures in the treasure vault, and according to Jeong Ye-rin’s ability [Empathy], it could convey ‘intentions’ to the target. Naturally, one horn was in my possession. Since I might not be here when she wakes up, it served as a kind of communication device.

No calls were expected here, and I was worried about leaving her defenseless in an apartment. In ordinary situations, there would be no need to worry, but with the Seven Deadly Sins attacking, it was a concern.

“Ugh, always speaking in imperative tones to your sister.”

“And this is a gift.”

I tossed a bracelet with embedded blue gems.

Seo-yeon caught it deftly, eyes widening.

“…What’s this?”

“I picked it up on the way here.”

Indeed, I did pick it up along the way.

The bracelet had a defensive barrier ability that protected the wearer three times. Exploring the treasure vault revealed several useful items like this.

However, Seo-yeon, considering the unusual item, chuckled while wearing the bracelet.

“Hmm… my little brother has also tasted embarrassment?”

Well, if she liked it, that was fine.

The immediate matter that came to mind was now concluded. It was time to focus on ‘capturing the Demon Lord of Pride.’

Knock, knock!

At that moment, something tapped on the window. It was the communication method Shayen left behind, made of iridescent magi.

I opened the window.

– Your Majesty!! I found Iris Yerena!! –

The iridescent magi spread its wings and uttered a mysterious voice.

====

***

====

Inside a luxurious mansion in London, England.

In the deep night, a woman in nightwear gazed at an elderly man in his nightclothes.

“Your Majesty, it’s been a while.”

Turning away from the mirror, the king faced the woman with a gentle voice.

Moonlight filtered through the window, illuminating the long brown hair of the woman.

“Ah, Iris!”

The king was startled at the sudden appearance of the Gemini.

Where had she been for the past three days? I was worried when the news suddenly cut off during such an important time!

“Well, I had a lot going on.”

Iris, seemingly in her own room, leaned against the wall calmly.

The king wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed.

“Still, I’m really relieved. Do you know how worried I was, thinking you might have died?”

“Am I someone who would die so easily?”

“Haha, indeed! Aren’t you the pride of England? Thanks to you, the status of our United Kingdom has risen even higher!”

After showing a brief smile, the king pointed out Iris.

“But still, be more careful. If someone sees us meeting at this late hour, what will they think?”

“Well, yeah.”

“But how did you manage to come to my room without being noticed? There should have been guards outside.”

After the upheaval, the royal guards were composed of hunters. Even if she was Iris, by now, a guard who had noticed something unusual should have come to check.

“I killed him.”

“…What?”

“I said I killed him.”

A wicked smile played on Iris’s lips.

The king, who had been dumbfounded for a moment, forced a hollow laugh.

“T-That’s not a funny joke.”

“It’s not a joke.”

“W-Why would you make such a joke…”

“Well, it’s not a joke.”

Iris, detached from the wall, walked slowly towards the king.

With her swaying brown hair and a confident stride, the king swallowed nervously and stepped back.

“Nox IV. You’re too kind, moderately arrogant and moderately humble.”

“…Don’t come any closer.”

“Our Great British Empire, as history has proven, holds the power to dominate other countries. It’s about having the power to control a vast land, not a small island nation like this.”

“W-What on earth…”

“Forget it. Just shut up. I’m talking here.”

Simultaneously with Iris’s snorting, her eyes became sharp.

As the king reflexively closed his mouth, Iris continued speaking.

“Look at those Chinese bastards, so greedy and arrogant even with such a vast land. But how about us?”

Iris pressed against the king, who was stuck to the wall.

“Because of you, who does nothing, we have to eat damn tasteless fish pie. You are not suitable as the king of a country.”

“…What’s the reason for saying all this?”

Iris didn’t immediately answer but stared intently at the ceiling.

“Those entering the Cult of Great Sin are broadly divided into two categories, you know? Those who hate their sins and seek human punishment from the Demon Lord. Those who praise their sins and follow the Demon Lord. And I belong to the latter.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about…”

“It’s simple. I praise pride, so I don’t need to follow a king who isn’t arrogant. Like you.”

A sinister atmosphere pervaded Iris’s smile as she looked at the king.

“So, die for my new king.”

As the slender hand approached slowly, the king’s pupils trembled.

As Iris’s hand, the moment it reached near the king’s neck, was about to touch, the voice was heard.

” Your Majesty, I found Iris Yerena.”

A language different from the casually spoken English.

As the hand that was reaching toward the king’s neck naturally lowered, Iris turned her head to look at the source of the voice.

“Yes, yes, it’s confirmed with the long brown hair.”

The wind rustled through his clothes, revealing the attire of an assassin, his ears covered with fabric. The man nodded his head, two fingers pressed against his ear, listening intently.

‘…When did he appear?’

Iris’s pupils slightly dilated. There was no indication of his presence until he spoke. Was he a special forces unit hidden by the UK?

‘No, there’s no such thing.’

Iris penetrated all of the UK’s secrets. If such a unit existed, she would have known already. After organizing her thoughts, Iris asked in English,

“…Who are you?”

“Oh, Your Majesty, she just saw me.”

However, the man casually continued the conversation as if they were chatting on a quiet street.