MMORPG: Rebirth as an Alchemist

"Eh? No way," Elena protested.

Ren found it hard to believe as well.

"You're just pulling our leg, aren't you?" Princess Lorelai commented and whacked Nori's head. "Don't lie."

"I am not!"

"Hmm . . ." Evie furrowed her brow and crossed her arms in contemplation. "If what she said is true, then . . . how are we going to find Salister Kane?"

"Salister?" Nori asked. "Are you searching for someone with that name?"

Princess Lorelai sighed. "That's right. You didn't stumble upon that evil demon, did you?"

Nori shook her head. "No, I don't know any demon by that name."

"Then . . . how about Solomon Krane?" Ren asked, saying Salister's true name.

Nori paused, her eyes widening, and everyone held their breath, waiting for the words that were about to escape her lips.

Then Nori let out a breath, sounding like a deflating balloon. "Nope. I don't remember hearing that name, although it does sound familiar."

Princess Lorelai smacked Nori's head in frustration. "Don't get our hopes up for nothing."

Tears welled up in Nori's eyes as she rubbed the growing lump on her head. "B-but maybe the elders in my village knew. Those grannies are more than centuries old, so they definitely know a thing or two."

"Yosh! Then let's speed up ahead! To your Village!" Princess Lorelai declared, brandishing her sword forward.

"Watch where you swing that big thing," Elena deadpanned.

While everyone was chatting, Ren stood silently at the side.

In truth, he wasn't worried about not finding Salister. His plan was to search for Vanadon-Necroth's lair in the first place and obtain those recipes ASAP.

Everything else would follow once he settled Evie's debt. Finding Vanadon-Necroth's lair was his top priority.

"By the way, now that we're still traveling for a day, I think it's time for you to tell us who this Voraxa is," Princess Lorelai suddenly interjected, abruptly changing the topic.

Evie shot her a sideways glance. "Still not over it, are you?"

Princess Lorelai widened her eyes at them. "Aren't you guys curious as well? She's been mentioning Voraxa this and that, and I'm not a fan of suspense."

'You're not exactly a fan of being patient either,' Ren mused to himself.

At the mention of Voraxa, Nori's face turned somber, and fury flickered in her eyes. "I don't know where to begin. The best person to explain would probably be the elders––gurgh!"

Nori's words caught in her throat when Princess Lorelai gripped her with her hands, choking the words out of her.

"Tell me now, or I'll get the information from your severed head," Princess Lorelai threatened, her voice icy.

"Hoi." Elena slapped Princess Lorelai's hands away from Nori, who quickly retreated behind her savior.

"Don't be so harsh on a child," Elena scolded, her tone firm.

"Child? That devil is a hundred years old. She's practically a granny," Princess Lorelai retorted.

Elena rolled her eyes and patted Nori's back reassuringly. "There, there. Don't mind that grumpy lady."

Nori nodded, wiping her tears and snot on her sleeve before Elena suddenly grabbed her shoulder, her smile teetering on the edge of a threat.

"You will tell us who Voraxa is, won't you?" Elena said, her tone leaving no room for refusal.

"Eegh!" Nori couldn't do anything but scream while the two tortured her.

Ren and Evie released a weary sigh as they watched the scene unfold before them, feeling a mixture of amusement and exasperation.

"Alright, alright. I'll tell you. I'll tell you everything I know. Just please, don't hurt me!" Nori pleaded, her voice laced with fear.

"You better not skip any details," Princess Lorelai said, settling comfortably and slipping another piece of meat into her mouth as she began to eat.

Once Nori had regained her composure, she started explaining about Voraxa. "Voraxa is one of the seven warlords of the Netherworld. I don't have all the specifics, but they used to be generals under the late Netherworld King, Obsidian X."

"In his era, the Netherworld knew a long period of peace. The realm was governed peacefully for over a thousand years until the king's demise. After his death, the seven warlords took control and became the new rulers of the underground."

"Peace . . . ?" Evie echoed, a hint of disbelief in her voice. "I'm surprised demons even comprehend that concept."

The others nodded in agreement.

"What do you think demons and devils are?!" Nori shouted at them.

"Flesh eaters," Evie replied.

"Deceptive and manipulative," Ren chimed in.

"A menace," Princess Lorelai added with a resolute nod.

"Just plain ugly," Elena finished.

Nori's mouth dropped open in astonishment and exasperation. She was about to unleash her frustration when she realized it would only be a futile effort. 

With a resigned sigh, she collected herself and addressed the group, "You guys . . . not all demons and devils are evil, you know."

"Wait . . ." Elena interjected, her brow furrowing in confusion. "He was a protector before, and now he's turned into an oppressor?"

Nori nodded solemnly. "Exactly. The seven warlords weren't always like this. Something within them changed after the passing of the previous king. They underwent a transformation that struck fear even into the hearts of their fellow underworld inhabitants. 

"It's as if the loss of their former ruler triggered a dark side within them, leading to their descent into tyranny and oppression. The Netherworld, once a realm of relative peace, had become a place where they ruled with an iron fist, using fear to maintain their dominance."

"Is that right?" Princess Lorelai thought for a moment, crossing her arms in contemplation. Then, with unwavering determination, she declared, "Then I will defeat these warlords for you and bring peace back in this godless world!"

Ren swiftly whacked her on the head. "We don't have time for that."

"Ren's absolutely right," Elena chimed in. "We're here on a mission, not to save the Netherworld. Besides, even if we kill those warlords, new ones would just replace them. It's an endless cycle."

"That's right. That's right. Therefore, the optimal solution would be to reinstate the former king to the throne."

"That's right. That's right," Nori nodded in agreement, the others acknowledging that it was indeed the most logical solution. Having that king who reigned in peace sit on the throne was a better choice. 

They paused, turning their attention towards that unfamiliar voice that had suddenly interrupted their conversation. 

Off to the side, they spotted a boy sitting cross-legged near Tiki's tail with a big smile on his face.

"Yo!" he greeted cheerfully.