Help! I Think We Summoned A Demon King-Chapter 41: Arriving At The Catacombs

After Azaria dropped that sudden news, Zorat thought he definitely had to accelerate his plans.

The catacomb of permafrost was set to be the place where he would orchestrate a situation to simulate Erica’s desire. Thereby obtaining her divine authority fragment.

As soon as Azaria was done talking, she began to instruct the heroes in their regular training drills while Zorat just watched from the side.

Now their training had been bumped up a notch, and they were being taught how to fight as a group. Knowing and observing each other’s weaknesses and taking measures to fill those gaps.

Even though Zorat was aware Azaria was most definitely a spy from the demonic side, he still had to hand it to her; she does know how to teach. Or maybe it’s just the hero’s ridiculous assimilation speed at work.

The training lasted into the evening, with Zorat having conversations with heroes who came over to rest, while benevolently offering them some water from his ’item box’ now and then. Playing the part of the item box hero who can currently only access about four slots of space from his skill.

If one thinks about it, the regular item-box skill was really a let-down for a hero’s divine skill. No wonder the people of the kingdom despised Zorat so much. Though the mana consumption was minimal per slot of access, at a lower level, it can only do this much. At least that’s what it should be capable of.

Still. It does come with an affinity for space. Quite a rare affinity, according to the denizens of this kingdom. And hence the problem; just as rare as spatial affinity is, it’s just as difficult to cultivate regular and workable skills from it.

With the training coming to an end at almost sundown, Zorat was ready to move to his new destination when he heard someone call out his new name in a manner that’s barely a whisper...

"Caleb....hi."

Turning, Zorat came face-to-face with Ava, who was now suddenly behind him. Though she almost seemed blended with her environment at this point.

Zorat could already tell that this was the same presence that had been stalking him for the last seven days, a few meters outside his cabin.

"Well, hello, Ava. It’s been a while since we last spoke..."

"How has training been so far ?" Zorat asked her kindly, going out of his way to make her feel comfortable in his presence.

Ava managed to look up because of how enthused Zorat had been with his greeting. Her blue eyes sparkled to life as she began to strike up light conversation with Zorat while twirling in place.

Zorat had plans for the night, so he had to cut the conversation short. He also didn’t want to get too involved with Ava yet. Although he would soon have no choice but to do so, since he planned to get her divine skill rune as well.

"I have to go now, Ava... it was nice catching up," Zorat said with a warm smile as he turned to leave.

"Wait." The call came a little louder this time.

"wait ..." then softer, as Zorat turned to Ava again, who was looking to the side shyly through the frame of her glasses.

"On the day of the dungeon exploration...." she began saying.

"I ...."

"I will protect you, Caleb," she said, then turned and scampered back toward the other heroes, her face flushed crimson as she covered them with the palms of her hands.

Sigh. I knew it had to be something.

At least she’s not as coo-coo as that person....

....I hope she isn’t.

Zorat exited the training arena and made his way to his cabin, and when he confirmed the coast was clear and that most importantly, the two eyes that had always been on him were nowhere close, he made a hand sign, and a tear in space like a vortex materialized before him in a shimmering purple hue.

The plan was simple. Zorat can only manifest a portal to a place he had already seen before, and it had to be at a certain radius at the moment, lest he risk destroying his current mind and body from the strain.

He had gotten some information from Florielle a few days back that the catacomb of permafrost was to the south side of the palace, only a couple of kilometers away, and right at the entrance of the forest of no return. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Its landmark was one of the only mountains in the kingdom, and by far the tallest, as Florielle explained, and the entrance to the catacombs of permafrost was at the base of that mountain, right at the entrance of the forest of no return.

Sufficient enough description.. hehehe. Zorat grinned as he stepped into the vortex, which compressed shut behind him with a pop.

At the same time, an identical portal popped up high above the palace, nearly reaching the clouds beyond.

Zorat reached his head out slightly, with his hands folded behind his back.

He gazed towards the south side and at the giant mountain on the horizon. Stepping out of the purple vortex as it closed behind him mid-air, he repeated the process as another portal materialized before him, and he stepped right through mid-air.

This opening and closing of vortices in the air just below the cloud repeated ten more times before Zorat finally arrived above the giant mountain, and above the catacombs of permafrost. Though he could already feel the mental strain tugging at the corners of his mind.

He stepped through another portal mid-air, as yet another materialized right in front of the entrance to the catacombs of permafrost.

The first thing Zorat noticed was the dry air emanating from the gaping maw of its entrance.

Zorat put on the gold ring that Kaelara had so kindly gifted him.

He advanced slowly with his hands behind his back, and just as he placed a step inside, a wolf-like creature with snow white fur lunged at him with killing intent.

However, just as the beast’s gaping maw closed around Zorats’s throat while he just looked on impassively, a shimmering golden veil materialized around his entire form, and the beast shattered ten of its teeth against the veil.

From the rebound, the wolf slammed hard against the opposite wall at the entrance, and Zorat simply raised his boot and slammed down hard, crushing its head into a pulp before retrieving its body into his spatial repertoire and clearing any lingering signs of battle in the area.

Ok then. Let’s go set up your ideal desire, Erica. hehehe.

Right then. Zorat heard a soft chime from the world system.