Suicide Before Defeating the Final Boss – 117
EP.117 Duke of Betica Part 1
Jeong-hyeon stood in front of Duke Pamur, who glared at him with an expression full of indignation. Calmly, he spoke.
“You understand now, don’t you?”
He had just explained part of his plan—joining the demons meant to be sacrificed and causing chaos from within.
The look on Duke Pamur’s face was priceless.
‘Well, from his perspective, someone who introduced themselves as a member of the church suddenly declaring their intention to destroy it must feel like a betrayal,’ Jeong-hyeon mused.
As Pamur hesitated, clearly grappling with the situation, Jeong-hyeon continued.
“Anyway, there are two individuals who will assist with this plan… well, not exactly individuals.”
At that, Pamur let out a hollow laugh, his skepticism plain as he glanced at Jeong-hyeon. Though he said nothing, his expression spoke volumes: he didn’t expect these so-called helpers to be of much use.
Ignoring the duke’s doubt, Jeong-hyeon introduced the two companions who had accompanied him.
“Reltra and Shin Si-ah.”
At his words, the two stepped into the room as if on cue.
Pamur, catching sight of them, coughed awkwardly before speaking in a stunned voice.
“…The Demon King?”
“It’s been a while, Pamur,” Reltra said smoothly.
“How… how is Your Majesty here?”
Unlike Reltra’s earlier reaction to seeing Shin Si-ah, which was filled with a mix of surprise and joy, Pamur’s response was far more conflicted, showing hesitation and worry.
The contrast between the two reactions was stark, but Jeong-hyeon didn’t linger on it. Instead, he brought the conversation back to the matter at hand.
“Regardless, these two will be assisting with the plan. Discuss the details with them directly.”
“Wa-wait a moment! Why is the Demon King here?! More importantly, how is she alive?!” Pamur’s voice was panicked as he demanded answers.
At this, Shin Si-ah smirked derisively. Her voice was calm but icy.
“Why? Am I not allowed to be alive?”
Though her tone was her usual playful one, the chill in her words stripped it of any warmth, making it unsettling.
Pamur frantically waved his hands as if trying to backtrack.
“N-no, that’s not it… I’m just overjoyed that Your Majesty has returned!”
“For someone so overjoyed, you sure scrambled to become the Demon King as soon as I was gone.”
Faced with accusations he couldn’t deny, Pamur’s weak protests fell flat.
Jeong-hyeon observed the scene in silence, a question forming in his mind.
‘It’s odd, though.’
When the previous Demon King had fallen, Pamur had been among the first to challenge the throne. Now, however, he cowered, his loyalty seeming absolute.
‘If it were me, I’d at least try to assassinate her or challenge her to a fight,’ Jeong-hyeon thought.
Failure would likely mean death, but anyone aiming for the throne of the Demon King would already know their chances of survival weren’t high. A bold gamble would seem natural.
‘But he didn’t even try,’ Jeong-hyeon noted.
That left two possibilities: either Pamur hated taking risks, or something was forcing him into submission.
Judging by Pamur’s earlier behavior, Jeong-hyeon doubted it was the former. After all, someone averse to risk wouldn’t have dared to vie for the throne in the first place.
Curious, he leaned toward Reltra and whispered a question.
Reltra responded softly, explaining that Pamur was bound by a “lifelong contract” that made it impossible for him to defy the Demon King.
‘Ah, so that’s why.’
The reason the demons had so readily accepted a former hero as their Demon King.
The reason an unproven Demon King had been able to command all demons without resistance.
The reason no internal strife had erupted even after an unworthy Demon King ascended the throne—all of it became clear to Jeong-hyeon.
‘This is convenient.’
Had he ascended to the position of Demon King under normal circumstances, he could have used the demons to carry out some truly entertaining schemes.
As Jeong-hyeon was lost in thought, Shin Si-ah placed a hand on Pamur’s shoulder and spoke in a calm, chilling tone.
“I’ll give you one last chance. Burn your life to achieve merit in this war… Do that, and I’ll overlook everything you’ve done until now.”
If Jeong-hyeon had said those words, no one would have believed him. But coming from Shin Si-ah, who was more heroic than any hero, they carried undeniable weight.
Pamur, clutching onto this lifeline, wore a desperate expression, one that made Jeong-hyeon chuckle to himself.
‘Is this the church or the Demon King’s side? Hard to tell.’
If this were truly the Demon King’s faction, Pamur might have screamed, “How dare you covet my throne?!” while stabbing a sword into his thigh, perhaps even throwing him into a dungeon for torture.
Jeong-hyeon’s thoughts wandered further, conjuring disturbingly familiar ideas, until he abruptly stopped himself.
‘If I go any further, I might end up admitting that I’m better suited to being the Demon King than a hero.’
Shaking off the thought, he refocused on the matter at hand.
‘What’s important now is confirming the facts with Pamur and finalizing the plan.’
Having made his decision, Jeong-hyeon signaled the start of the meeting.
***
The hours-long discussion yielded two key pieces of information.
First, the church’s plan to stage a sacrificial spectacle involving demons had been delayed due to “unspoken circumstances.” For now, they wouldn’t be able to act on it.
Second, the final shard of the Holy Sword was in Duke Betica’s possession.
“What? Duke Betica has a shard of the Holy Sword? Why?” Jeong-hyeon asked, incredulous.
“That’s because the kingdom and the church intended to use the Holy Sword to—”
Before Pamur could finish, Reltra quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and interjected.
“Let’s discuss that part later. For now, shouldn’t we focus on the main topic?”
Normally, Jeong-hyeon would have brushed Reltra’s hand away and demanded answers. But the sight of Shin Si-ah’s pale, frozen expression made him hesitate.
He nodded quickly, adapting to the situation.
“Sure, it’s not that important.”
In truth, it was very important. Understanding why the Holy Sword had been split into fragments and why others—including the Second Princess—had possessed those fragments could explain much of what had been puzzling him.
However, it wasn’t worth wounding Shin Si-ah to learn the truth.
‘I’ll set it aside for now.’
Resolving to ask about it later, Jeong-hyeon gestured for them to move on to the next topic.
“For now, Hero, it would be wise to retrieve the Holy Sword shard Duke Betica has hidden and complete the Holy Sword before proceeding with the plan,” Reltra advised.
“That does seem like the best course of action,” Jeong-hyeon agreed.
When Reltra addressed him as “Hero,” Pamur stiffened. He muttered the word under his breath, his gaze locking onto Jeong-hyeon.
Clearly, Pamur hadn’t realized who Jeong-hyeon really was, and the revelation left him stunned.
Jeong-hyeon let out a dry laugh.
‘Now that I think about it, I did introduce myself as a mere lackey of the church sent by the Pope.’
He waved a hand dismissively, realizing that his earlier deception had caused the misunderstanding.
“Anyway, that’s how it is. Don’t worry about it too much.”
Pamur remained silent, his expression unreadable.
Jeong-hyeon left the stunned Pamur behind and turned to Reltra, seeking clarification on his next move.
“So, I just have to take down Betica?”
“If possible, it would be best not to kill her… but,” Reltra hesitated before continuing, “the duke’s strength is on an entirely different level compared to ours. Honestly, defeating her without killing her might be impossible.”
“She’s right,” Shin Si-ah added, her tone serious. “Duke Betica is one of the strongest warriors I’ve ever faced, even back when I was the Demon King. Not once did I manage to defeat her. Be careful.”
True to her reputation as someone who had risen to the rank of duke purely on the strength of her martial prowess, Betica’s power was a source of concern for both of them.
Hearing their words, Jeong-hyeon nodded, his curiosity piqued. He imagined the strength of someone they spoke of with such respect and felt excitement bubble within him.
‘Finally, a proper opponent.’
Up until now, his enemies had been disappointing—easily crushed with an overwhelming display of divine power. But this time, the person waiting for him was strong enough to make everyone uneasy, and Jeong-hyeon couldn’t help but look forward to it.
Grinning at the thought of a real fight, he stretched and said, “Send me over right away. Use a teleport.”
“So soon…? Understood. I’ll prepare it immediately.”
Jeong-hyeon watched as the teleport gate activated, cracking his neck as he prepared himself. It had been far too long since he’d truly tested his limits.
***
In Betica’s Domain
Betica, with her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, stared blankly at the strands as they fell over her face. Slowly, her gaze shifted upward to the ceiling.
Unlike the shabby wooden roof she’d grown up staring at during her childhood, the ceiling above her now was a masterpiece—an exquisite structure made of the finest magical crystals that glittered brilliantly.
This splendor, which should have filled her with satisfaction, instead left her feeling hollow.
‘How futile this all feels.’
For this grandeur, she had abandoned everything, killed countless others, and made herself a demon feared by all. Yet, staring at it now, all she felt was the suffocating weight of regret and emptiness.
A long sigh escaped her lips as her gaze dropped. Sitting alone in the vast, silent castle, Betica wondered if summoning her demons might alleviate the loneliness. But she knew better. A grand banquet or celebration would only amplify the emptiness she sought to escape.
‘I miss those days.’
Days filled with struggle and scarcity, but also the raw joy of simpler times. As she drowned in nostalgia for her impoverished yet cherished youth, an intense wave of divine power surged through the air.
‘Divine power? Here?’
In the very heart of the demon realm, no less. This level of divine power was unheard of. It didn’t make sense, but Betica knew she couldn’t ignore it.
Reaching for her massive greatsword, her weapon of choice, she rose to her feet.
‘Whoever you are… how very welcome you are.’
Thankful for the interruption to her monotony, Betica resolved to repay them with a merciful death.
Just as she moved toward the castle gates, ready to meet this intruder, the doors were blasted open with an explosive crash.
“Peek-a-boo!”
The unfamiliar, bizarre greeting echoed through the hall as Jeong-hyeon entered with a smirk.
Betica stared at him, utterly baffled. She had never in her life encountered anyone who greeted her in such a peculiar manner.