Chapter 138: Someone Must Do This
Time flowed on, and Kurtz and Serie's journey continued.
One day, as they traveled to the northern part of the continent, in an area closest to the Demon King's City's sphere of influence, they unexpectedly encountered an old acquaintance.
The person who appeared had short, green hair, wore simple leather armor, and carried a longsword at his waist. When he saw Kurtz and Serie, his eyes clearly showed surprise.
"Serie? And… Kurtz?" It was Kraft.
"Kraft? I didn't expect to meet you here," Serie nodded slightly, also quite surprised.
After nodding to her, he fixed his gaze intently on Kurtz.
He had heard about Kurtz's disappearance, initially thinking that the former God Slayer had perished, but he never expected him to reappear before him now. Kraft was at a loss for words, unsure how to begin speaking.
Kurtz, however, had no such reservations, sizing Kraft up and down: "Kraft, meeting you is a pleasant surprise."
"The same to you, Kurtz. Why are you here? And why hasn't your appearance changed at all?"
Over the past thirty years, Kraft had seen Norn several times, watching the former youth slowly age, which was the inevitable fate of all humans.
Yet, the Kurtz before him, clearly human, showed no signs of aging whatsoever.
This left Kraft utterly confused.
"That's a very long story. Let's talk about you first. Why are you here?"
Since Kurtz had no intention of explaining, Kraft did not press further. Instead, he began to explain: "I am here under the Elf King's command to investigate this area."
"Investigating again?" Kurtz chuckled, teasing: "I remember when we first met, you were also investigating, and now you're still investigating? Is your real profession scout, not warrior?"
The muscles on Kraft's face twitched, a hint of helplessness flashing across his face.
He didn't argue, merely tugging at the corner of his mouth as he spoke: "I thought this war had ended, but I didn't expect the next one to be on the horizon.
That Demon King of the demon race has extended his claws in all directions, and the heavily damaged demon race is steadily regaining its strength. We still have too little intelligence on them. As for warrior or scout…"
He patted the longsword at his waist, "As long as it can protect this peace, it's all the same."
The smile on Kurtz's face faded slightly. He keenly perceived Kraft's resolve.
Perhaps, even without his interference and impetus, the other party would still walk that destined path.
He took a few steps forward, his voice turning serious: "Kraft, I remember you once said you owed me a promise, didn't you?"
"Yes! As long as you have a need, Kurtz, I, Kraft, can help at any time."
"Coincidentally, I have something I'd like your help with."
"Please speak."
Kurtz took a deep breath, looking directly into the elf warrior's eyes, and slowly began: "It's about that Demon King Asmodeus."
Kraft's body instantly tensed, and even the hand resting on the longsword at his waist subconsciously tightened.
"Kraft, I hope you won't spread what I'm about to say," Kurtz continued, "That Demon King Asmodeus's true identity is Eric."
Kurtz's words were like a stone thrown into water, causing Kraft's eyes to widen instantly.
Eric!
He lowered his head, his shoulders trembling slightly. The weight of the revelation settled over him like a shroud.
No wonder Norn had always been unwilling to tell him about Eric. No wonder he hadn't heard any news about him in fifteen years. No wonder the Demon King also suddenly appeared fifteen years ago.
All these things connected, plus the usual clues, Kraft had already grown suspicious.
But when this cruel truth was so directly revealed by Kurtz, the impact still made it difficult for him to accept for a moment.
"Eric… How could he…"
Kraft's voice was filled with disbelief.
Why would the hero of yesteryear become today's Demon King? Become the source of darkness! What exactly did he experience in between?
"During the final battle back then, he was corrupted by darkness, then gradually degenerated and twisted, eventually being pushed into that position," Kurtz recounted word by word.
"He has been struggling in pain. The position of Demon King is not a power to him, but endless agony and torment."
Serie stood quietly to the side, observing the expressions of the two, choosing not to interject. The wind carried the scent of distant battlefields and old sorrows.
Kurtz looked at the conflict in Kraft's eyes and continued: "I hope you can walk the world under the name of 'killing the world, saving the Demon King,' and then come before Eric."
"You want me to kill him?" Kraft hesitated, speaking.
Eric also held deep affection for him. It was partly due to his efforts that the other party could become a powerful warrior or mage.
Now, asking him to kill the other party, if it were an emotionally detached elf, they might not care, but Kraft was not such an elf.
He was older than Serie and had experienced more, so his emotions had long transcended the scope of ordinary elves.
It was this very restraint that made him instinctively resistant to this matter.
"No! I will strike the final blow, but in the eyes of the world, I am already a bygone legend, so you will have to bear this honor."
Kraft lifted his head, looking at Kurtz's eyes, filled with shock and confusion, but eventually turning into understanding.
He looked at Kurtz, his voice low, as if expending all his strength: "Kurtz, are you going to be the one who goes into the darkness to announce death?"
"Yes, let this honor be borne by you, Kraft."
"There is no honor in this!" He exhaled a long breath, "But…" Kraft's voice grew heavy and resolute, "Someone has to do this. Watching him sink is more unbearable than personally sending him on his way."
He lifted his head, his gaze passing through Kurtz, as if looking towards the distant Demon King's City in the north. The horizon seemed to pulse with dark promise.
"I understand! After all, I said before that I owed you a promise. Consider this repayment, though the method of repayment…"
He smiled, not continuing further.
Kurtz looked at the determination in Kraft's eyes and the promise from his lips, saying nothing more, only nodding heavily.
Just as he had said, someone had to do this.
Kurtz was unwilling to gain this honor at the cost of a former companion's life, so he could only ask Kraft to bear it.
Kraft was also unwilling in his heart. But in the end, this elf warrior still agreed.
[End of Chapter]