Chapter 367: Frustrated

Point-of-View: Ariella Velle———————————————————————————

"N-No, wait, please-...argh!"

"Answer my questions and I’ll put you out of your misery quickly. How do I get to your world? Or, alternatively, how would someone in that world get to this one?" I inquired icily, a sharp sizzle ringing out as I dug my heel in.

"I-I do not know, I swear!"

Today’s the 5th of July, 2170, it’s been six months...six long months since Kai was warped to the world of the Monsters.

I’ve been going on as many raids as possible, partly to vent my anger and frustration that’s been building thanks to how much I miss him, but mainly to try and get information.

I know the chances are slim, but I can’t just sit around and do nothing.

I was currently in the Boss Room of a Calamity Level Dungeon, I’d just gotten done beating an Archdemon into submission, and was questioning him.

Unfortunately, it looks like he doesn’t have the answers I’m looking for. Which also means I have no further reason to keep him alive.

"[Super Accel...]...!"

"N-No, wait-...!"

"[...FLAME LANCE]!"

I drive my right arm down as flames erupted and swirled around it, concentrating into a narrow point before striking the middle of the Archdemon’s torso, drilling through his flesh before he convulsed in agony as I struck his Core, charring it deeply before shattering it, his body seizing up as he let out a sharp gasp of pain, before going limp and slumping against the ground.

I opened Treasury and crammed his corpse into it, preserving it before closing the slot. This should help Kai get stronger a bit faster, maybe it’ll help him get back sooner.

Tch...I managed to blow off a fair bit of steam, but I still feel really pissed off and frustrated...

"Damn, you totally eviscerated that Archdemon, and all by yourself," Remarked Brid, as the others walked over.

"Even though your Power Level has stayed the same, you’ve clearly gotten a lot stronger over these last few months. Sure glad you’re on our side," Chimed in Lector with a wry smile.

"Well, this guy was pretty weak...he had plenty of power, but his lack of real combat skills made it pretty easy," I shrugged, letting out a slow exhale as I deactivated my power boosts, before adding, "Come on, let’s head back. There’s no reason to stick around here any longer."

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Point-of-View: Fenelza Zazzeka

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"Six months...that human has been in our world for six months. And in that time, he has attacked and decimated twenty-five various Monster settlements, we have lost thousands of our forces.

And he has done this all while eluding our efforts to capture him. I did not expect him to be found immediately, but I believe expecting one of you to have captured him within six months is more than reasonable. And yet, you’ve failed me," Remarked the Demon Lord with an icy glare.

"None of this would have happened if you had succeeded in teleporting him to the castle, Fenelza. How useless," Scoffed one of the other Generals.

"Well, it is clear that this human is formidable, and she is one of the weaker combatants among us Generals."

"Yes, but she is the only one who can travel between the two worlds, so there was no choice but to send her. In hindsight, perhaps two of us should have been sent to capture him."

"Except that wasn’t possible with the single-floor Dungeon."

"Enough. This discussion serves no purpose, there is no point in talking about the past. Instead, I would prefer to hear suggestions on how to find the target," Interjected the Demon Lord with a grimace.

"Well, we could have each of us posted by one of the Monster settlements, and wait for him to attack one of those settlements," Suggested one of the others, following a brief pause.

"Yes, that could work. But there are only ten of us, and based on Fenelza’s account of his abilities, we will likely need to pair up. That would mean we can only guard five settlements."

"Hah, I believe she exaggerated, how could a human be so powerful? I do not believe it."

Yes, I thought the same thing...until I actually fought him.

"Do not be foolish. Make no mistake, this human is a threat. Underestimate him at your own peril, it has become clear that the humans of that world are different to the humans we exterminated from this world, we cannot ignore that," Frowned the Demon Lord, before adding, "If no one else has any other suggestions, we shall proceed with this plan.

Gather the strongest among the Dragons and Archdemons outside of the ten of you, including the candidates for future positions among my ten Generals. Form as many pairs as possible, and have each pair covertly guard a Monster settlement."

"Understood, my Lord."

"As you command."

"We shall not fail you."

"Good, I would expect not. And do not forget, the human is not the only problem we have on our hands.

As of a week ago, we’ve confirmed that pest who has plagued us for so long has finally resurfaced," He reminded us with an irritated click of his tongue.

"The Dark Elf?"

"He has not appeared in nearly half a decade...how exasperating, he still continues to fight pointlessly, despite his cause having died out over two centuries ago."

"How troublesome, I thought he had finally died."

"The last of those long-eared vermin...their kind certainly are long-lived."

"It will be quite a problem if he happens to encounter and join forces with the human."

"He launches his petty attacks so occasionally that it is near-impossible to set a trap for him, he would not have evaded us for these centuries otherwise."

Or...perhaps we are simply inept at hunting down individual targets? Or maybe both the Dark Elf and this human happen to be remarkably adept at hiding? Or maybe a combination of both factors?

Hm...it would probably be for the best if I do not say that out loud. It will not add anything productive to this discussion, and is likely to irritate the Demon Lord.

I shall just remain quiet and wait for the discussion to come to an end...