Stray

    Subterranean Sunrise

    It felt amazing.

    Consciousness seems to be floating in mid-air, and many disorganized memory fragments revolve around itself like a tornado. In contrast, the center of consciousness has a strange calmness.

    Ironically speaking, his original self should have disappeared quickly in the orderly sea of ​​memory, like broken ice melted into boiling water. And Flint Lopez took the Demon King's head according to Ulysses' instructions, which directly caused the Demon King's memory to remain chaotic, allowing him to barely maintain his rationality.

    This is just a simple memory regression, Nemo thought bitterly - if this body is destroyed, consciousness will return directly to the original body. Under the pressure of removing emotions, I may not even have a chance to struggle for a second.

    Nemo clung to his memories, struggling like a drowning man. His feet couldn't step on the ground, and he fluttered his arms hopelessly, but he was able to occasionally stick out of the water during this boundless torture to get a breath of precious air.

    The resistance continues.

    Nemo rudely rejected the memories that kept surging in his mind and tried to deny it. These memories do not belong to me. He was Nemo Wright of Signpost, Nemo thought.

    He had a short life and a loving lover.

    But just as a drowning person can't struggle forever under physical constraints, "Nimo Wright" can't resist it forever. Before he was almost torn apart by anxiety and despair, he grabbed onto such a gleaming clue.

    As if finding a weak point on the slowly pressing copper wall—

    [To the surface? 】 O'Lori in memory responded curiously.

    [A theory, I remember mentioning it to you. I didn't give it a name, the intelligent race on the surface called it Woodruff's theorem - once a two-way connection across space is established, it can only die naturally according to the law. The connection itself cannot be destroyed. 】

    [I don't understand. 】

      Then, when the surface creatures are summoned, go to the surface with the low-level or intermediate-level demons. Next, you need to use this flesh and blood to make a contract with the life on the surface, let them "fix" you - your body is in this section, and the flesh and blood is placed at the other end. This state will be very stable. 】

    The self at the time continued very coldly.

    【I tried it with my own flesh and blood, and the lower-level demons were completely unable to withstand the power of my flesh and blood. Next, I will continue to try, and maybe I can get different results by switching to the intermediate level. The Ke Ruiwen flat snake is a good test subject. Answer me now, Aurora. are you going? 】

    【Why me? You make a lot of mindless rogues. 】

    [Such a test is safe. 】

    [It's not a security issue, why me? 】

    At that time, Nemo couldn't understand the answer the other party was chasing, so he could only explain patiently.

    [On the one hand, you have sanity and you can get more information. 】

    After receiving his calm thoughts, the young blind bug who couldn't move very much curled up, and there was a trace of grievance and dissatisfaction.

    […On the other hand, you can feel abilities that you never had before. Such as vision, the ability to move freely, and so on. The more information you can understand, the easier our communication will be. 】

    The grievance and dissatisfaction disappeared instantly.

    [Good. 】The lantern-blind insect's mood instantly rose. 【But... but I may not be back for a long time, you... 】

    【When you grow up, your body can eat miasma instinctively, I will bring food regularly. 】

    [No, I mean, if I'm not around, it's just you...]

    [Any questions? 】

    […no more, father. 】

    [I'm not your father, but as you like. 】

    How many years later?

    O'Lore is back, and soon. For a superior demon, perhaps the speed is too fast.

    The demon excitedly recounted what he saw on the surface. Pleasant, annoying, endearing, hateful. and endearing.

    The Demon King didn't understand, so he listened calmly beside the growing lantern blind bug, trying to extract useful information from it. In about a hundred years, when the other party gave up flesh and blood for the fifth time and returned to the body at the bottom of the abyss, Nemo raised his objection.

    [The trial is over, O'Lore. 】Nemo said quite rationally, 【Currently, you are frequently abandoning the flesh and blood on the surface and returning to your original body. Even if I could heal, the power-infused flesh attrition will make you weak. As a result, the information you gave me the last two times is highly repetitive... You can choose to stay on the surface or in the abyss for a long time, and you don't need to continue this meaningless behavior. 】

    【Are you worried about me? 】

    [This is not a 'worry', this is sound advice. 】

    [I'd love to come back...if you really don't think such behavior makes sense, you won't hear the end. Now I'm going to the surface, Father. Please send my flesh and blood to the designated demon. 】

    …

    [Father, don't you hate the surface? In the last expedition, their method was really... 】

    [Pain is indifferent, it will only help me judge the degree of injury. The weakness of the other party annoys me more than pain. There have not been any new breakthroughs on the surface recently, and it is disappointing that the tossing and turning are those methods. 】

    [I see. 】

    …

    【Father, do you have any wishes? 】

    [Wish? I have no wish. If I have to say it, I want to go to the surface, but so far I have not found an effective way. The current expeditions are so frequent that I don't have much time to concentrate. I hope the army sent from the surface will be stronger next time. 】

    【You mean, powerful surface creatures can make you sleep longer? 】

    [In theory. The more powerful the surface creatures are, the higher the value of intelligence and knowledge they bring. I need more time to analyze and then condense a new body. 】

    [I see. 】

    …

    【Father, I…】

    [What's wrong? 】

    [Nothing. 】

    …

    Now Nemo can understand what O'Lorore didn't say.

    Thousands of years have passed, and the lantern blind bug has gradually aged. Aurora is on its way to the end of life, and the unnecessary consumption of flesh and blood hastened the process - Aurora lives on the surface, in a world where she can move freely and see everything. Then he personally destroyed his own flesh and blood on the surface, brought his consciousness back to the abyss, and told himself what he saw on the surface.

    It goes back and forth.

    Telling again and again, talking again and again. As the blind worm's power was depleted, the interval between O'Lore's round trip became longer and longer, and at the same time, it became more and more silent.

    Finally, one day, the demon he fed never came back.

    The Demon King is not surprised. From his point of view at the time, even if Aurora was gone for the first time on the surface, it was completely understandable intellectually.

    The bottom of the abyss is dark and barren, and it is not suitable for a life with emotions to live for a long time.

    With the combat and magic theories that Orori had heard from himself, he wouldn't have many opponents on the surface. Orori can continue to live with the original flesh and blood until the body at the bottom of the abyss dies.

    According to normal logic, that demon should have done this long ago.

    The Demon King still regularly feeds Ororay's aging body, which has almost become a habit for thousands of years. Occasionally, just occasionally. A worthless thought occasionally pops up—

    How is the lantern blind bug that you keep?

    I know that the other party will not bring any more information, why do I continue this feeding behavior?

    No, he knows. Now Nemo is very clear.

     Born alone in the void, the concept of "family" and "companion" never existed in his life. Emotions are not conducive to his survival, but the erosion of "emotions" started a long time ago, but he couldn't understand it at all. Emotions are not simply "being" or "nothing", but only "producing" and "disappearing".

    Yes, that's what he used to worry about. Nemo even wanted to laugh a little. If he had to stick to his instincts to survive, there was no point in thinking, as he should have known.

    Nimo didn't hesitate for too long, he spread out his limbs in consciousness, relaxed his mind, and gave up resistance completely.

    No negation, no panic.

    These are his memories, and he now has a name. A human named him with a blessing, wishing him to live. Even if the memory fragments that come up are full of chaos, killing and blood—

    Not losing himself, Nemo thought grimly, he hadn't changed from start to finish. Now he can understand, and can wring out that little emotional vein from the darkness.

    Then go to control.

    The tornado of memory stopped.

    First the memories associated with O'Lore, then Ulysses, the previous generation, the previous generation - the memory is no longer cluttering his sanity. Under the repression of reason, they return to their positions obediently, like leaves that are still on the twigs of emotion.

    It's nothing but pain, Nemo thought, letting the blood and the pain of countless "deaths" in his memory pass through his mind.

    This is his thing, past and present - he is not their enemy, he is their master. If even he was afraid of himself, then nothing would begin.

    The pain continued, but the fear stopped.

    It was hard for Nemo to tell what he was feeling at the moment, it felt very fresh, like a drowsy mind instantly clear. The joys, sorrows and sorrows have become weak. He has seen the lonely dark void, and he has also seen the pattern of flowers. He has seen the burning sun, and he has seen the subtle transition of human pupils—

    A beautiful emerald green.

     Memories are completely organized. A small crack appeared in the thick darkness, and the crack grew wider as the emotions of the past and the present merged.

    He won.

    The "Nineteenth Generation" Demon Lord has truly awakened.

    Even if this short-lived "self" will die after being executed by Ulysses, that is the problem that he needs to worry about next. Now he can be considered to have successfully taken the first step - not being overwhelmed by the huge memory and falling into madness.

    Nimo moved his fingers and found himself finally regaining some control of his body.

    Then he opened his eyes, although in the dark underground, this act had no practical effect.

    Then he smelled blood.

    "Eurore." Nemo said, pushing away the cold fingers of the other party on his forehead, and sat up. "haven't seen you for a long time."

    "Wright." The other party's voice sounded unsteady, mixed with breathy gasps. "I have something to say, please listen to me. As for the future, it doesn't matter if you kill me."

    Nemo raised his hand silently, and the healing spell climbed up O'Lorore's broken body. It's a pity that Orori's breath is too weak, he can only delay the death of the other party by doing this - the current demon killer is too weak, and even the flesh and blood can no longer be used for himself.

    Stunned by Nemo Wright's treatment, O'Rouree frowned as he looked at the other party's silver-gray eyes that gleamed in the dark.

    But he knew he was running out of time, and he didn't want to spend too much time on Mr. Wright's motives. Orori took a deep breath and spit out words with all his strength.

    "If you can return to the surface, be sure to tell those people on the surface that this generation of demon kings is very dangerous. I think you should be able to feel the power of this 'Ulysses'. If you want to go on an expedition, be sure to After a hundred years..."

    Even if he is about to die, he may be able to buy a little more time.

    "I don't really care if you're willing to be loyal to the Abyss, Wright. Only this one thing... just looking at your performance, you really care about that Lopez kid. Even for him... "

    Nimo Wright was silent.

    "I snatched you from Ulysses, and when I die, you'd better hide here a little longer and try to suppress your breath. Then flee to the surface, I can tell you the way... "

    "I can't leave." Wright finally spoke, his tone a little strangely familiar.

    Aurore frowned subconsciously.

    "I can't leave now." Wright repeated.

    The Demon Slayer let out a long sigh. He withdrew the strength of his arm, letting it crash into the icy sand with a thud.

    "...then so be it," said O'Lore wearily, "at least I tried, and unfortunately, we're all going to die here...Wright, if you want to hold the Scouts accountable That battle, now you can do it."

    Niemo Wright held out his hand, the pale hand shining with a certain light. Orori narrowed his orange-red eyes and looked at the hand calmly.

    But it did not bring pain and death.

    It just touched the top of his head, and the next second, the bottom of the dark abyss suddenly brightened like day.

    O'Lori was in a trance.

    The top illusion was instantly propped up. As if the world had truly changed, the two of them were now on an ordinary street on the surface.

    Aurore—or Talbot Vance knew this place, this is the border town of Noe, where the Dawn Tavern is located, and the street where the mercenary guild branch is located.

    The sun has not yet risen, and there are still sparse morning stars in the sky. Pedestrians in groups of three or five, walking on the streets in the early morning. The crisp birdsong came from afar, the wooden reels of the vendors' carts creaked on the gravel road, and the air was mixed with cooking smoke and the unique smell of early morning dust.

    He who should have his back against the corpse of the devil is sitting on the side of the street, on the steps of a bakery that has not yet opened, even the dust under his fingers is very real. Nemo Wright was half-kneeling across from him, his right hand still on top of his head, his eyes very serious.

    “…what are you doing?” O’Lorore coughed twice. It's a bit strange, even Della Lennion can't make such a perfect illusion. "Wright, get your hands off-"

    "What did you want to tell me the last time?"

    "What last?"

    "The last time you left the abyss and didn't come back." Nemo Wright's black hair was scattered around his cheeks, and his robe was torn and looked very embarrassed. The slightly turbid light in the early morning illuminated the delicate facial features that belonged to human beings, and there was no difference from the memory.

    But his temperament is subtly different, even if he doesn't meet much, he can detect something is wrong.

    "You..."

    "I told you, even if I could heal you, the power-infused flesh attrition would still weaken you. Now even I can't save you, O'Lore. You It's long overdue to come back."

    The pale young man sighed, let go of his breath completely, and then immediately took it back.

    "You should be able to recognize me now. Just for a moment, you can't bear too much magic pressure now."

    "Father..."

    Oluori moved his lips, and he raised his head slightly, looking at the scene on the surface in front of him. His eyes were sore, and something warm slid from the corner of his eyes.

    How hilarious.

    In countless deductions with Della Laineen, they have determined that the underground "Ulysses" is the new demon king. But the aura that Nemo Wright exudes at this moment is absolutely not false - completely different from before, full of wildness and dominance.

    Memory can be copied and feelings can be faked. But Orori would never mistake the Demon King's breath.

    That's right, Wright's memory loss not long ago, so that's what happened. It seems that Flint Lopez may not have really thirst for glory when he brought the Demon King's head to the surface.

    Have you finally found a way to the surface, Father?

    And he doesn't know, yes, of course he doesn't. Hundreds of years ago, before the last expedition took place, he abandoned the Demon Lord himself.

    Just as his clan abandoned him at the beginning, he did not inform him in advance, he was decisive and simply, leaving the other party in the cold and lonely darkness.

    In fact, even before landing on the surface this time, Orori believed that he would return as usual when the time was right.

    But he is too old.

    After successfully landing on the surface this time, Aurora began to shake instead. If he returns to the abyss, does he still have the strength to leave there? The death of a superior demon can even last for a hundred years. He will lose his vision, lose his ability to move, and just wait to die slowly in the dark.

    He began to fear. The brighter the sun, the more he feared death in the dark.

    Not some "Demon Slayer", Orori clenched his fists with trembling. He was nothing but a coward, a traitor. Maybe the always ruthless Demon King wouldn't care about his existence at all, but Orori couldn't really use that as an excuse.

    His father, who has no mercy, will give himself such a warm name - after thousands of years of getting along, he is very clear. The Demon King does possess extremely weak emotions, an unpredictable but definitely existing heart.

    [Everyone doesn't like being left behind. 】

    The self who has been abandoned should understand this pain deeply. And now he has done the exact same thing - abandoned his family because of fear.

     Aurora couldn't forgive herself.

    He clearly wants to see the Demon King again, instead of staying on the surface and doing something to make up, so that he will not be overwhelmed by guilt—

    He did his best to teach Flint Lopez, make Lopez grow into the strongest man on the surface, and then participate in the expedition as a matter of course. According to what his father had told him, would this allow his father to sleep longer and not be disturbed frequently?

    He taught those idiots who tried to reduce the surface to scorched earth, so that the forests remained green and the rivers flowed as usual. If one day my father can come to the surface, he can keep the beautiful scenery he has seen to his father... Does my father remember his long-winded and unstructured descriptions?

    But these are just his wishful atonement, self-talking fantasies.

    In the final analysis, all he needs is time for a sentence, and he still has no time to tell the devil. Even if he couldn't understand it, he should have conveyed it to the other party seriously and solemnly...

    However, I always think about the next time, maybe the Demon King can understand. Next time, next time, next time, until he was defeated by fear and completely lost the opportunity to speak.

    "...Father." O'Lorei grabbed Nemo's wrist, tears finally pouring out.

    It may be a miracle that such a cowardly self has a chance again.

    "I'm not your father," this time, Wright gave a half embarrassed half sad smile. "...But do as you like."