The Max Level Hero Has Returned!-Novel

Chapter 502: Mages’ Treasures

Thud… thud…

"What’s that sound?”

“We should hurry, Lord Gagao. We won’t be able to keep the saint much longer.”

Gagao nodded in response to his subordinate’s urgency. The earlier loud sounds must have been caused by that monstrous human who had exceeded common sense. One wrong move could bury them alive, yet they recklessly ran about.

“As expected of a brat, he’s completely obsessed with his power,” Gagao muttered, clicking his tongue as he moved swiftly.

Despite the immense power the young man possessed, Gagao found it absurd that their decisions and actions were being influenced by someone so young. It was laughable.

Soon after, a frown creased Gagao’s forehead upon hearing a strange, unknown sound echoing from afar.

“What’s that sound?”

“Who knows? Perhaps some dungeons collapsed due to the Saint’s rampage.”

“We don’t have much time. They've exceeded our expectations. You need to join us as quickly as possible…”

"Isn't it impolite to barge into someone else's home uninvited? Let's begin with the Jordan River Express Ride."

A voice resonated in the cave, abruptly silencing Gagao. They scanned the area, searching for the owner of the mysterious voice.

Crack, crack, crack, crack!!!

However, there was not even a shadow of the voice's owner. Instead, they were greeted by the passage, which had seemed like a natural cave not long ago, twisting and contorting as the walls started to close in on themselves.

“What... What is that?!”

“Damn it! What’s happening?!”

“Lord Gagao!!!”

Gagao’s eyes widened as he witnessed a man, who had shouted and pushed him back in haste, get crushed by a huge iron ball. The man didn’t even have time to scream, dying instantly beneath the weight of the iron ball.

This shouldn’t have been possible. They had made sure to neutralize all the traps in this area, including the mechanism triggering the walls to close in. So, what on earth was happening right before his eyes? And that iron ball... It was a trap entirely unfamiliar to Gagao.

The iron ball slowed, halting momentarily before resuming its motion toward Gagao. It seemed almost alive, moving with an intent. Why? Because it unmistakably targeted Gagao.

[Dark Sphere!]

Gagao seethed with anger as he observed the iron ball, which seemed to mock him. Roughly pulling out a mana stone from his pocket, he raised it above him. Chanting the incantation for the dark sphere, he extracted devil mana from the stone and directed the magic toward the iron ball.

Gagao's magic-casting speed differed significantly from other mages. Skill-wise, he might have been considered a mage of the 5th Circle, but his casting speed surpassed others at his level. However, as the dark sphere neared, the surface of the iron ball quivered, forming a mouth that devoured the incoming magical attack. And then...

Swoosh!

As if taunting Gagao, the iron ball rolled once more. Gagao felt as though something had snapped in his head. Despite his instincts warning of impending danger, he remained immobilized, unable to launch an attack.

Then, the massive iron ball began to writhe and twist, adopting a liquid-like quality and swiftly transforming its shape. In an instant, the iron ball morphed into the likeness of a man, seemingly mocking Gagao and his thoughts.

Crack, crack, crack!!!

Amidst the loud cracks echoing in the area, the man, silently observing Gagao and his men, slowly extended his hand toward them.

Shwaaaaaaaa!!!

Simultaneously, the man’s hands elongated into long, sharp tentacles that swiftly pierced through Gagao’s subordinates. Everything unfolded in a heartbeat.

Gagao was distraught. He couldn’t come to terms with the abrupt deaths of two of his men. But just as he prepared to retaliate, the surviving individuals around him immediately began dragging him away, urging escape.

“It’s dangerous! Run away!!!”

“We must leave!!!”

His men abandoned formalities in their urgency, shouting commands at him. Meanwhile, the iron ball, now a silver figure, remained stationary and shook its head, as if to mock them.

“That fiend! He’s ridiculing us!”

“Have you forgotten where we are?! This is the Assassin King’s territory! No one has breached this place before! Our chances in a direct confrontation are minuscule!”

“Damn it!!!”

Unbeknownst to them, this was merely the inception of their harrowing ordeal.

***

Hermesia’s treasure warehouse contained all the means to prevent intruders from advancing deeper into the caves. This unknown treasure trove played a pivotal role in concealing the items and treasures in this place, ensuring they wouldn’t resurface on the continent. After all, those stumbling upon this place invariably met their demise. It was only natural.

The dungeon boasted numerous traps—a space that enticed intruders before collapsing the cave's ceiling upon them, or a trap door embedded with stakes and spears, a lethal descent for anyone attempting escape.

The dungeon's complexity, coupled with the formidable protective barrier, made it nearly impossible for anyone to discover this place.

"Is there another exit here?"

With their avarice for treasure subsided, the knights accompanying Davey sought an alternative means to accomplish their initial objective. Davey contemplated for a moment, plucking three triangular trinkets from the mound of treasures and handing them over.

"What's this?" Lucia asked, receiving a precious item with anxiety.

"The key."

However, the catch was that only one of the three trinkets was the key; the rest were likely bombs. No one in this world would maintain vigilance given a chance to escape. But that would be their mistake, for Hermesia was the type to lay traps until the very end.

Davey quietly observed the trinkets in their hands before selecting one. He headed directly toward a wall covered with a massive shelf. Pushing it aside revealed a hole identical in shape to the triangular trinket.

"How did you know that?"

"Ah, I've lost track. If you were to say Davey is an alien wearing a human mask, I'd believe you," Shayir Renda sighed resignedly.

Davey felt mischievous at this. He playfully put a finger to his throat, altering his voice. "How did you find out? We're from outer space."

Fendyr burst into laughter at the jest.

"You can exit through this. It leads to the outside world."

"Go out? The dark mages are still—"

"I'll pursue them. However, they're not the only ones here. Scout the nearby small towns for information on them. Maybe it'll be easier to track down these foreigners."

Fildyr nodded. "Understood. Dividing our tasks. I'll handle this."

Resolutely, Fildyr departed through the passage Davey had opened, showing no regrets or attachment to the treasures left behind, taking only what Davey had given.

"Lucia! Let's go!"

"I-I'm coming!"

Flustered, Lucia followed suit. Meanwhile, Shayir and Fendyr approached Davey.

"Be careful, Davey."

"Just in case."

The words of the two girls, identical in appearance, held the same concern.

"And you? Why aren’t you leaving?"

"If we're dividing tasks, then you should also distribute the number of people accordingly. You probably sent them away because they'd hinder you, right?" Illyna inquired.

However, Davey just looked away. “Tch.”

Illyna grinned upon hearing Davey click his tongue.

"And?"

"Well, it doesn’t really matter to me. I happen to have something for you."

"Something for me? A gift? Is it a gift? It’s a gift, right?!"

"Quiet."

"Ehehehehe! Are you getting shy?" Illyna laughed, finding it amusing, while playfully tapping Davey several times as she followed closely behind him.

The passage they entered led to a sprawling maze. Despite its vastness, it was meticulously crafted. Anyone capable of using even a few secret passages could navigate swiftly and safely throughout the maze.

Only Hermesia, the warehouse's owner, knew the location and existence of these hidden passages. However, as someone who formally inherited her legacy, Davey had gained all the knowledge and information related to this warehouse.

"Keheok!"

As Davey swung open the huge doors, he was met with a man writhing in pain on the ground. The man's white robes had turned black from dirt; he had been trapped in the enclosure where the walls closed in.

"This guy..."

"He’s been left behind."

"H-Hey! Please, please save me!" The man pleaded, extending an identity card with the church symbol toward Davey. "I fell into a trap! Help…"

"You’re too soiled to be a priest."

Dark mages weren't inherently malevolent. Dark magic was initially created to aid humanity's development. Yet, humans tended to err. In essence, the sword itself wasn't evil; it was the one wielding it.

However, due to misconceptions, devil and dark mana had been ostracized. Consequently, finding someone using both types of mana on this continent was exceedingly rare. The existence of dark and devil mages was so clandestine that people regarded it as a fairy tale.

The man scowled when Davey didn't fall for his ruse. "Nonsense! I’m a priest!"

"Ever heard of an old saying?"

"W-What?!"

Davey promptly cast a thick, sturdy, defensive holy magic on the man after his furious outburst. Illyna, observing with a blank expression, and the black mage, who had been shouting, both wore incredulous expressions.

Both Illyna and the man had anticipated Davey to attack. Hence, they were taken aback when they witnessed Davey employing shield magic. They couldn't comprehend Davey's intent.

The man chuckled, assuming Davey had erred due to the cave's influence. "I don't know what you're up to, but it seems like you've made a mistake in your spellcasting, huh?"

"No, what do you mean, mistake?"

Snap!

As Davey snapped his fingers, water began to fill the round, transparent protective barrier.

"You, you filthy bastard!"

It was only after the man revealed his true nature that Davey spoke.

"Let me ask you, why didn't you flee when you knew I was coming? Why did you choose to venture deeper into this place?"

“Ptew! Do you think I’ll speak?! You f*cking dirty church dog!”

Davey simply shook his head in response to the man's growing anger. "Hmm. I knew you wouldn't make it easy for me."

"Even if I die, I'll never tell you! You'll never get a single piece of information from me! Bastard!"

Davey had already begun casting the Flames of Interrogation when he heard the man's defiant cries. However, a flash of inspiration halted his actions.

'Wait. I think this can serve as a new method of torture!'

"There's an old saying: Listen well, this might be your blood and bones," Davey murmured, a grim smile forming. "I'll find the truth from the water."

"Huh?!" The man instinctively sensed the impending crisis. He desperately struck the shield isolating him, but a high-grade barrier like this was impervious to human physical force.

As the water steadily rose, the man's face slowly paled.

"Don't you think it'll be easier if you just talk?"

"Do you think I'll talk?!"

"Is that so? Then, I'll go ask your boss."

Davey's words incited rage in the man. "Bastard! I'll smash your head if you touch Lord Gagao! Even in death, I'll drag you down with me!"

Davey felt a twisted satisfaction witnessing the man's furious loyalty. Yes, he was quite devoted.

"Just tell the truth. Once I'm finished with you, I'll capture him and subject him to far worse methods than what you're experiencing."

Illyna observed silently, her interest piqued by Davey's approach.

"It'll be easier for you if you yield. Either way, you'll spill everything, be it truth or lies."

"I'll never tell you the truth!"

Davey nodded at the man's unwavering resolve, despite only his face remaining above water.

"Alright, tell me a lie. But know this: if what you say differs from his account, I'll ensure he doesn't perish and will continue endless torture."

The man flinched.

Eventually, the water filled the entire sphere, and the man thrashed fiercely inside. After a while, Davey kicked one side of the protective shield, releasing some water. Once the water receded to the man's neck, Davey restored the pierced barrier with a kick.

"If your answers align, I'll show mercy. Let's swear on my name as the Saint. After all, Goddess Freyja represents mercy, right?"

Fear and agony filled the man's gaze as he looked at Davey.

"Time is on my side. You can't escape this place. By now, you should be wondering why the traps you deactivated are all operational again."

“Ugh… Ughhhh!!! Ugh!!!”

Agony etched across the man's face as he struggled against the rising water within the sphere. Davey allowed the man's torment to persist briefly before draining the water and re-establishing the shield.

"Isn't this amusing? Even if that wretch speaks the truth, he'll endure eternal suffering if you lie.”

"Gghhk?!"

"Well, it's up to you whether you choose to speak or not. Let's wait and see."

"D... Demon!"

"Demon? That should be your label. After all, you lot are the ones responsible for those children's deaths, aren't you?"

***

"Ughhh! Please… Please, I'll talk!"

"What? You won't tell me? Alright, I acknowledge your determination."

"Ugh... Ughhhhh! Heuuuup!"

Water torture was a method that could drive individuals to madness the longer it persisted.

Davey observed the man's struggle and suffering in silence. Suddenly, he raised a hand to his ear, sensing a piercing wavelength spreading around him.

[Dirro, mission complete.]

The report was concise and direct, yet more than sufficient. Essentially, Dirro's message implied that everyone had been killed except for the man currently in front of Davey.

"Congratulations. Now, you can't die even if you wish to, not until you've given me the information I seek."

"Are you going to speak? If your statement aligns with Kakao's or Gagao's, or whatever his name is, then I'll show him mercy."

"Ughhh! Heuuuup!!!"

Seeing the man desperately pounding on the shield walls, Davey released a fraction of the water inside.

"Keok!!! Haaa... haaa... Please... Please!"

"You still refuse to talk?"

"A precious jewel! We came for a precious jewel! The organization wants to use it to summon... urkkkk!!!"

Ignoring the man's words, Davey hummed as he refilled the sphere with water.

"Endure it. Hold on until the very end, understood?"

"Davey, he's talking already. You don’t need to torture him anymore..."

"Illyna, understand that I'm not a good person."

Illyna stiffened upon hearing Davey's words, nodding in silence.

"A life for a life. These knights might be strangers, but they're human. There were children too."

Illyna could only nod in silence.

"I won't let those wretched individuals go so easily."

Despair crossed the dark mage's face upon hearing Davey's resolve.

"However, it doesn’t matter to me if you speak or not. I can extract information from you in an instant. Melveque might have resisted for a while, but there's nothing I cannot extract from a soul," Davey calmly mentioned as he drew some water from the sphere again.

"Haaa... haaa..."

"No words? Your loyalty is truly commendable," Davey said with sarcasm.

Enraged, the man shouted, "Bastard! You're a demon! Even the Demon Lord would be ashamed to stand in your presence!"

Davey nodded at being called evil.

"Ashamed? What do you mean?"

Demonic energy gathered in Davey’s palms as disbelief marked the man's face.

"I am the Demon Lord. There's no need for comparison, is there?"

The despair on the man’s face deepened.