In Liyakade’s memory, this rather narrow path did not lead to the third floor.
At the end of this path was a Dark Armor Shadow Demon’s nest, and some treasures were hidden inside the lair.
If Liyakade remembered correctly, there should be a Shadow Resistance Ring and an Amulet in there.
They could absorb and block some damage from shadow magic.
Moreover, this Dark Armor Shadow Demon was only LV.20, and posed no threat to the current trio.
“Is this really the way out?”
Field looked at the narrow cave and asked Liyakade doubtfully.
To her, this didn’t look like a path leading to the next floor no matter how she looked at it.
“This isn’t the way out.”
Liyakade didn’t try to hide it when she heard Field’s doubts, and answered directly.
“But it seems like there are some treasures on this path.”
“Treasures? You can use Treasure-Seeking Magic too?”
Field was slightly surprised when she heard Liyakade mention treasure.
She hadn’t expected that Liyakade could use Barrier Magic, and that she’d also been hiding Treasure-Seeking Magic without using it.
“Uh…yes, but this ability to locate treasure comes from my Demon Bloodline.”
Liyakade saw that Field had mistaken her knowledge of the treasure’s location for Treasure-Seeking Magic, so she went along with it and said it was a power from her Demon Bloodline.
After all, none of them knew exactly what abilities the Demon Bloodline held, so whatever she said would make sense.
Claiming she’d known about the treasures here from the start would be a bit too shocking.
“The Demon Bloodline really is amazing.”
Field felt relieved after hearing Liyakade’s explanation and marveled at the Demon Bloodline’s strength.
“By the way, do you two know about the Prophecy of the Demon King’s Revival?”
At this point, Field suddenly recalled the prophecy about the Demon King’s resurrection.
She continued walking behind Liyakade, chatting idly with the other two.
“The Resurrection of the Demon King!?”
Alice was clearly startled by what she heard.
She shook her head.
“I don’t know…”
“I’ve heard a little about it, but not in detail.”
Compared to her, Liyakade was much calmer.
Although the original owner’s memories didn’t contain information about the Demon King’s resurrection, Liyakade herself did know.
Pretending not to know at all might have seemed unnatural, so she admitted to knowing a bit.
“According to the prophecy, the Demon King will be revived in ten years.
At that time, he’ll lead the demon race to wage war against the Kingdom.”
Field paused here, then looked at Alice.
“Alice, your appearance is also mentioned in the prophecy.
It says a Light Element Mage will appear in the Kingdom and will lead us to fight against the Demon King, ultimately claiming victory.”
“Wa-wait, I fight the Demon King? Seriously?”
At this, Alice pointed at herself in disbelief.
She didn’t know how powerful the Demon King was, but if he held the title of Demon King and could command the demon race to wage war against the Kingdom, he had to be stronger than anyone in the royal family.
And Alice herself was only LV.26 right now—just average level in the Academy.
The idea of her fighting the Demon King was sheer fantasy.
“Hehe, don’t worry.
Didn’t they say the Demon King would only be revived in ten years?
By then, Alice will be the strongest Magic User in the Kingdom.
A mere Demon King—she could knock him down with a few Light Element spells, right?”
Liyakade sensed Alice’s tension and gently squeezed her jade hand, comforting her.
“Talking about this is just to mentally prepare you, Alice.
Liyakade and I will also stand by your side and fight the Demon King together.”
Field added.
“Besides, the prophecy says you’ll win.”
“Haa…That kind of talk puts a lot of pressure on me…”
Alice wiped her brow awkwardly.
However, she’d heard that users of the Light Element hadn’t appeared for a long time, and that the Light Element was especially effective against the demon race.
So Alice could vaguely sense that her existence and her innate power might have a special meaning.
But she hadn’t imagined she’d have to confront the Demon King herself.
That mission was indeed overwhelming for her.
“It’s good to know in advance.
That way, you can hone yourself better and become stronger as soon as possible.”
Alice quickly adjusted her mindset and spoke optimistically.
“Well, if it’s Alice-chan, she can definitely do it!
The Demon King isn’t as scary as you think.”
Liyakade seemed quite relaxed, encouraging Alice with a laid-back tone.
“You say that like you’ve met the Demon King yourself.”
Field teased Liyakade, who looked so confident.
“But it’s good to have confidence.
Someday the three of us might team up to fight the Demon King together.”
“If it’s with Miss Liyakade, I believe I can do it!”
Encouraged by Liyakade, Alice turned her pressure into motivation.
“Then let’s treat all the battles ahead as training.
I thought our teamwork was pretty good just now.”
“Mm.”
Liyakade truly felt no anxiety about the Demon King’s revival.
In the original story, the Demon King was revived seven years early through the original owner’s Blood Sacrifice, and even the just-graduated Alice could defeat him.
Let alone a Demon King who needed ten years to fully revive without a Blood Sacrifice.
Liyakade hadn’t been exaggerating.
If Alice had ten years to grow, she could really blast the Demon King to bits with a few spells.
So in Liyakade’s eyes, the road ahead was smooth.
The only potential threat was the High Demon hidden within the Royal City.
But in the Royal City, that High Demon likely wouldn’t dare act recklessly.
Wait…
Liyakade suddenly realized something.
If it can’t act inside the Royal City, does that mean it can make a move as soon as they leave the city?
Thinking this, Liyakade shivered and glanced back at the pitch-black tunnel behind them, recalling the strange sense of unease she’d felt when she met Dakenis that afternoon.
No way…
“What’s wrong, Miss Liyakade?”
Seeing Liyakade suddenly stop, Alice tilted her head, golden hair swaying slightly as she looked at her with concern.
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
Liyakade shook her head.
“I just suddenly thought of something.”
“Right.
There should be an elite monster up ahead too—also a shadow-type creature.
Let’s do as before—Alice can support us, and if it hides in the shadows, Alice will force it out.
Leave the attacking to Field and me.”
Liyakade quickly brushed aside the topic and began laying out their tactics for the upcoming fight.
But the problem continued to swirl in her mind, refusing to go away.
But…in the original story, there wasn’t any mention of such a threat.
I must be overthinking it.