Chapter Forty-Nine: Altotei, Never to Be Taken for Granted!

“Then, are you ready to endure this old man’s interrogation, Altote?”

Inside the cell, Apophis let out a cold laugh, eager to begin. “I guarantee, the interrogation from this old man will leave you with memories you’ll never forget…”

Altote’s sword stood straight and firm. “Heh! If you have any cruel methods, bring them on—I am a noble holy sword!”

“Not at all comparable to some roadside stinky fish or rotten shrimp handed over for free!”

“Hey!”

“Heh.” Apophis smiled knowingly. “Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease. Otherwise, all the preparations I’ve made would have been for nothing…”

At that moment, the stained demonic aura around Apophis bubbled like a boiling cauldron, churning into black mist that spilled throughout the room.

The pitch-black blade twirled deftly in the air. Then, a terrifying spatial rift was sliced open as if it were soft tofu.

“Let me show you the first gift I’ve prepared for you, old man style.”

From the rift emerged a sturdy magical container shaped like a wooden barrel, drawn toward Apophis. The moment the lid was lifted, a scorching heat burst forth, raising the temperature inside the entire cell dramatically!!!

The terrifying steam spread relentlessly, beads of sweat pouring down Mino’s forehead and back.

“Th-this is… lava?!”

Mino’s gaze froze in shock—he hadn’t expected Apophis to begin with such a dreadful weapon.

The deep crimson magma, still glowing faintly, flowed slowly inside the barrel-shaped container, exuding a chilling aura.

“That’s right.” Apophis chuckled meaningfully. “And this is the very essence of magma from the deepest core of the volcanic heart…”

“Volcanic heart?!” Mino’s pupils dilated in disbelief.

That was a perpetually active volcano, turning the surrounding thousand-mile radius into a desolate wasteland. Even the most fire-resistant slimes couldn’t survive there; only the fire dragons occasionally rested in that domain.

Moreover, magma from near the earth’s core—just a single drop sticking to the skin would cause searing pain that penetrated to the bone, even for someone like Mino who hadn’t been sealed of his power.

“To resort to such an inhumane interrogation method…”

Mino looked anxiously at Altote, casting aside all other concerns, his heart swelling with worry for his closest companion.

Altote’s blade stood stiffly upright, the hilt trembling in disbelief, as if swallowing nervously.

“Gulp! You mean that’s magma from the volcanic core?”

Altote’s voice wavered.

Mino’s heart clenched sharply. Even Altote—the holy sword forged from the hardest materials and never known to falter—had lost composure like this… The demon clan was truly merciless, resorting to such unfair methods!!!

Fight back! You must resist, Altote!!

In that instant, Mino resolved to cheer him on.

“So, before this old man’s interrogation begins, are you truly unwilling to reveal the intelligence?”

Apophis smiled darkly.

“Hmph! Don’t underestimate me. It’s just high-grade magma from a volcano.”

Altote suddenly snapped out of his daze, proudly raising his hilt.

“If you dare, let me give it a try!”

“Spirited.” Apophis stopped wasting words. He wrapped himself in thick demonic energy and sealed off the already suppressed Altote, lifting him like a chick above the magma container shaped like a wooden barrel.

The steam at the barrel’s opening was dozens of times hotter! Mino didn’t dare blink, his eyes fixed nervously on Altote’s trembling blade.

Whether it was his imagination or not, in that brief moment, Mino actually felt as if Altote’s blade was beginning to melt!

“Yamero!!” Mino burst into tears, shouting at the top of his lungs.

Splash.

Under Mino’s despairing gaze, Altote plunged straight down, cruelly submerged directly into the magma by the demonic sword!

Sizzle, sizzle—the eerie sound of roasting meat burning instantly filled the air.

“Altote!!!”

Mino collapsed weakly to the ground, his back slightly bent, pounding the floor with his right hand, unleashing a mournful wail.

Scenes flashed through his mind like a lantern parade.

“…So you’re the new hero? Mino Rek. Hmph, a name fitting my holy sword.”

“…Able to withstand the protection of the thirty-seventh floor of the Round Tower. Hakimi, you’re truly powerful—”

“…Don’t give up! Believe in our friendship and bonds! Oh oh oh! Damn, why did your combat power double just now?!”

“…Willing to help an old grandma cross the street—is that the source of your strength, my lord?”

“…It’s a trap! The nine demon officials have all mobilized. What now, my lord… Heh, that was a pointless question—it can only be one answer: no matter what, never yield to the torment of the demon clan.”

“—Never surrender!!!”

“Altote!!!!!” Mino’s tiger-like eyes brimmed with tears as he howled to the heavens.

“Ah~ This feels great~!”

A familiar voice drifted from the barrel.

“Huh?”

Mino froze in place.

Was it a hallucination? The thick steam roiled relentlessly, but soon Mino clearly heard Altote’s delightfully comfortable voice coming from the magma!

“So this is the high-grade magma of a volcano? I’ve wanted to try this for so long. The temperature is just right! Woohoo—!!!”

Steam rising from his brow and streams of black lines of frustration, Mino got to his feet and expressionlessly dusted off the dirt on his clothes.

He slowly approached the barrel’s edge and cast a cold look at the holy sword soaking inside.

Inside the magma, Altote’s blade curled slightly in comfort, appearing utterly content as he leisurely lounged in the wooden barrel.

“Huh, my lord, why are you looking at me like that? Did I just hear you calling me?”

“Look, this is magma from a volcano!” Altote shook excitedly.

“That legendary essence that relieves sword fatigue, tightens the soul, and tempers the minerals within! No wonder a demon sword that’s been alive so long managed to get such high-quality stuff!!!”

“My soul feels like it’s soaking in a hot spring.” Altote closed his eyes in bliss, sighing with contentment.

“Warm and so thoughtful.”

“Heh… heh heh.” Mino twitched at the corner of his mouth, then displayed a gritted-teeth smile as he glanced at Apophis.

“So this is how you interrogate a holy sword?”

“What sword wouldn’t survive such an interrogation?!!”

Apophis floated slowly above the ground, unhurried, saying, “Don’t rush. This is the first and most important health secret I discovered after retiring.”

“—Drink more magma.”