novel-bin Page 37
Page 37
"It's not comparable to those rotten fish and shrimp given away for free on the street!"
"Hey!"
"Hehe." Apophis chuckled. "I'm relieved to hear you say that. Otherwise, all the preparations I've made over this long period would have been for nothing..."
At this moment, the dyeing demonic energy on Apophis's body boiled over and turned into black mist, spreading throughout the room.
The jet-black sword swung lightly in the air, and then, a terrifying spatial rift was sliced open as easily as tofu.
"Let me show you the first gift I've prepared for you."
Within the spatial rift, Apophis was drawn to a sturdy magical container with the exterior of a wooden barrel. The moment the lid was lifted, terrifying heat erupted, raising the temperature of the entire cell by an octave!
The terrifying steam kept spreading, and Mino's forehead and back were covered in sweat.
"This...this is...magma?!"
Mino's gaze suddenly froze; he hadn't expected Apophis to use something so terrifying right from the start.
The terrifying, crimson lava, still glowing, flowed slowly within the barrel-shaped container, exuding a chilling aura.
“That’s right.” Apophis chuckled meaningfully. “Moreover, this is the essence of magma from the deepest part of a lava volcano…”
"A lava volcano?!" Mino's pupils dilated in shock.
That's a massive active volcano that's been active year-round, turning the surrounding area into a desolate wasteland! Even slimes with the highest fire resistance can't survive there; only fire dragons occasionally dwell there.
Moreover, the magma near the Earth's core—even a tiny bit of it would cause Mino to experience a searing pain deep in his bones, even if his power wasn't sealed!
"They actually used such inhumane torture methods..."
Mino looked at Altotai with some alarm. At that moment, all thoughts of self-interest were forgotten, and a feeling of worry for her closest companion arose in her heart.
The blade of the Altotai sword stood stiffly upright in place, its hilt trembling in disbelief, and then it seemed to... swallow a mouthful of saliva.
"Gulp! You mean, that's... lava from a lava volcano... magma from the Earth's core?"
Altottai's voice wavered slightly.
Mino's heart clenched instantly. Even Altotai, made of the hardest materials and who had never cried out in pain, had lost his composure like this... Those despicable demons, they are indeed cruel to the point of being inhuman, actually resorting to such an unfair method!
Resist! You must resist, Artotai!!
In an instant, Mino decided to cheer for Altoté.
"Well, before I begin my interrogation, are you really not going to honestly reveal the information?" Apophis smiled darkly.
"Hmph! Don't underestimate me, I'm just high-grade magma from a lava volcano."
Artotai snapped out of his daze and proudly raised the hilt of his sword:
"If you're so capable, let me give it a try!"
"You have guts." Apophis stopped talking nonsense. It enveloped itself in a thick magical aura and headed towards the already suppressed Altote, lifting it up like a chick directly above the magma container on the outside of the barrel.
The steam at the mouth of the barrel was dozens of times hotter! Mino didn't dare blink, staring nervously at the trembling blade of Altotai.
Whether it was his imagination or not, for a brief moment he felt a sensation of "about to melt" from Altotai's sword!
"Ya me Lou!!!" Mino cried out hoarsely, tears welling in her eyes.
puff.
Under Mino's desperate gaze, Altotai plummeted straight down, cruelly submerged in the lava by the demonic sword!
A sizzling sound, like the grotesque noise of burning meat, rang out instantly.
"Altotai!!!"
Mino slumped to the ground, her back slightly hunched, and slammed her right hand on the ground, letting out a mournful cry of resentment.
Scenes flashed through my mind like a revolving lantern.
"...So you're the new hero? Mino Rek, hmph, at least it's a name that suits the name of my holy sword."
"...To actually withstand the protection of the Round Tower's thirty-seven layers, Hakimi, you're really powerful—"
"...Don't give up! Believe in our friendship and bond! Waaaaah!! Holy crap, what did I say? Your combat power doubled?!"
"...You're even willing to help an old lady cross the street, is this the source of your power... my lord."
"...It's a trap! All nine demon officials have been mobilized at once. What should we do, my lord... Heh, I was just asking a redundant question... There's only one answer: no matter what, we must not succumb to the demons' torment."
"—Never give up for nothing!!!"
"Altotai!!!!" Mino roared to the sky, tears welling in his eyes.
"Ah~ That feels so good!"
A familiar sound drifted from the bucket.
"Eh?"
The minutia froze in place.
Was it a hallucination? Thick steam kept churning, but soon, Mino clearly heard Altottai's incredibly comfortable voice coming from the lava!
"Is this the high-grade magma of a lava volcano? I've wanted to try it for so long! The temperature is just right! Woohoo!!!"
With furrowed brows and a series of black lines, Mino got up from the ground and expressionlessly patted the dirt off his body.
He slowly approached the tub and coldly gazed at the holy sword soaking inside.
Inside the lava, Altottai was so comfortable that his sword was curling up slightly, and he was lying in the wooden barrel with complete ease.
"Hey, my lord, why are you looking at me like that? Did you just call me?"
"Look, that's lava from a volcano!" Altottai exclaimed excitedly, his voice trembling.
"That legendary magma essence is said to be able to soothe the sword's texture, strengthen the soul, and refine the minerals within! No wonder it's a demonic sword that's lived for so long; it actually managed to acquire such a high-grade item!!!"
"My soul feels like it's soaking in a hot spring." Artotai closed his eyes contentedly and let out a blissful "ah."
"It's so warm and thoughtful."
"Heh...heh heh." Mino's lips twitched, then he revealed a gritted-teeth smile as he looked at Apophis:
"Is this how you torture the Holy Sword?"
"Which holy sword cannot withstand such torture?!"
Apophis floated slowly on the ground and said calmly, "Don't rush. This is the first and most important way to maintain health that I have figured out since I retired."
"—Drink more lava."
Chapter 50 I won't use that to insult you.
"You big-headed devil!"
Mino pointed at Altottai swimming in the lava bucket and said indignantly, "It's having so much fun it's practically taking off!"
Apophis approached the lava barrel and lifted Altottai up.
Having just been soaked in lava, Altotai's body became smooth and translucent, and the blade radiated a faint warmth, giving it a deep, dark golden texture.
"How are you, Altotec? Are you feeling alright?" Apophis smiled.
“Comfortable…” Altottai’s expression softened as he was about to nod when a sudden realization struck him: “So what if it’s comfortable?! Don’t think that just because you’re trying to tempt me with these little favors, I’ll easily reveal the secrets of the Holy Church!”
“This kind of 'don't care about anyone after you've pulled up your pants' spirit, hmm, well done, Artotai.” Mino stroked his chin and nodded.
"So it wasn't that simple after all... What a pity, I'll have to enjoy the rest of the lava myself." Apophis shook his head as if regretful.
"Gulp! Your torture is so short-lived..."
Altottai's sword swayed slightly as he tentatively asked, "Why don't you try again?"
"...What's with this smug look on your face, like you've finally gotten your hands on something good?"
Apophis continued to shake his head: "I'm old, I'm old, I know I don't need to put in the effort where it's impossible."
As if regretting something, he tore through space again and pulled out an ice bucket radiating a chilling aura.
"Since even the lava of a volcano can't tempt you, then I won't use the snow on this pure white ice peak to insult you..."
Upon hearing this, Altotai's still-scorching sword paused abruptly, its voice hesitant as it replied:
"The snow on the pure white ice peaks...?"
“Yes,” Apophis exclaimed. “After just experiencing a steaming lava bath, to then be covered with the finest, icy snow is simply the ultimate pleasure for us.”
Moreover, it can greatly improve the tightness of the sword blade, making it elastic, soft, and shiny, and making the blade sharper than ever before..."
"A holy sword that has not gone through the complete process is destined to live a life of failure."
Apophis stored the magma bucket inside his spatial dimension, leaving only the ever-expanding chill in the room. The beads of sweat on Altotai's sword shook out into fine icicles upon contact, producing a crisp sound.
"Is this... really the snow on that supposedly absolute zero ice peak?" Altottai asked, his eyes somewhat dazed.
"Yes, and it's the most exquisite part of the summit."
The blade of Altotai swayed violently, as if its throat was constantly swallowing saliva. For a moment, Mino suddenly felt something was wrong.
"Hey! Altottai, you can't just do this..."
“…Haa…Haa…” Altottai trembled violently, letting out labored gasps. Soon, he spoke in a tough, masculine voice:
"No, do not worry, my lord. I, Artotai, am the Holy Sword of Light. How could I possibly submit to the demons for my own desires?"
“Altotai!” Mino wiped away her tears with relief.
From the side, Apophis casually uttered a sentence:
"Unlimited refills of ice today..."
Altottai suddenly raised the hilt of his sword:
"Even if I were to willingly give away information, thereby making my blade even sharper, it would all be... for you, my lord!!!"
With a splash, Altottai plunged headfirst into the snow bucket.
“Altotai!!!” Mino exclaimed in shock.
[Ding—The interrogation mission is complete. You have obtained three Command Seals that enhance/suppress the Demon Sword Apophis, which can be displayed when needed.]
With a crisp ding in his ear, Altottai confessed.