Chapter 113 113 – Codes

While walking on the streets of Madcrest city, I kept moving my body, still ensuring I was okay. And it is. I don't feel tired anymore. It's like all the craziness healed me at once.

Only my mind is still tired.

"I've really never come across stuff like this. The materials are also very foreign to me." For the umpteenth time, Ayre peeked into one of the pockets containing a set of football outfits and shoes. "This means you are not making this up? You really come from another realm?"

I smiled. "That's a story for another time. The important thing is that we already have everything we need to return to our era."

"That's right, sir." She smiled back.

Once past a corner, I choked. My gaze landed on several individuals sitting in front of a closed shop.

It seems they are a family consisting of a father, a mother, and their two daughters. One daughter was probably under five years old, and the other around ten. Well, I don't know for sure. They are elves, after all.

"Many refugees like them are scattered in this city. I also heard they are also in other cities." Ayre explained as we continued walking. "This city hates to oppress others as long as you don't question their beliefs. So the elves are relatively safe here despite being hungry and homeless. However, I heard that they are not so lucky elsewhere."

I stopped and looked at the toddler elf. Unlike the rest of her family, who sat with a defeated faces, she didn't show that she was sad, even though that didn't mean she was smiling.

I think it's not that she's strong, but because she can't understand what's going on yet.

I put on a smile, walked over to the little girl, squatted down, and took out a pouch from my robe. This is part of my travel money.

"Give this to your parents, little girl." I put the pouch in her hand.

She stared at me for a moment, tilting her head, then said. "Thank you."

She then dashed to her parents while holding the bag.

As I stood up, the father spoke to me. "Thank you, sir."

I just smiled again and continued on my way. Just a few feet away, I could hear the gasp from that little family.

The amount of money I gave them was pretty decent indeed. Maybe enough to start over with a new life.

"Sometimes I think, can I still be called a demon lord?" I laughed bitterly.

"You are a demon lord, sir. That's undeniable." Ayre replied.

I took a deep breath. My thoughts went from guessing about what a giganpoppy was to thinking about the impact I had made.

***

I lean my shoulder against the doorframe of Faye's workroom. That witch is drawing a magic circle on the floor.

"Finally, I have completely understood the runes inscribed in this magic circle, Ethan." She explained without looking at me, continuing to draw that circle with the piece of chalk. "However, I can't magically draw it yet. So, I have to do it manually. After this, I need to do little experiments to see if this magic circle works."

"I see." I nodded. "Thanks for the hard work."

She turned her head back and raised an eyebrow. "You're welcome."

"What about that giganpoppy extract?"

That witch continues her work. "That thing only appears in one manuscript and is considered fake. But, after seeing the original, I was completely amazed. When examining it with detection magic, I felt the elements of the powders changing continuously. Yes, they are bending reality among themselves."

I paused for a moment. "By the way, are you familiar with the term clone?"

Faye did the last stroke, then stood up and looked at me. "I've never heard that sentence before."

"Every living thing has a code that shapes them with their own characteristics. The code is in the tiniest part of their bodies." I explained while folding my arms across my chest. I'm talking about the DNA of living things, something that the inhabitants of this world don't understand. "If we can retrieve the code from any individuals, then we can make copies of them."

Faye's chin started to drop. "I understand what you're talking about…. There is a theory that living things are formed by tiny parts that cannot be seen by ordinary eyes…. However, regarding that code…. I've never heard of it before and don't know how to respond."

"Imagine if we could copy the fairy."

Silence then came between us. I could see that her hands were starting to shake. Her face also showed excitement, but that was only a glimpse.

As a magic scientist who felt guilty about the destruction of the country of Scyonia, Faye had more than enough motivation to carry out the cloning research.

"The elves will get their glory again." I approached her. "Maybe it will take years. Maybe the current generation of elves won't be able to enjoy it. Perhaps you will pass on your unfinished research on clones to your descendants. However, that doesn't mean it's not worth a try, right?"

"The fairy's corpse is still in excellent condition. She still looks alive but without a breath or a heartbeat." Faye's breathing started to get out of control, apparently because she couldn't contain her excitement.

I shrugged. "She would make a good research specimen, wouldn't she?"

"However, I must complete this time travel first." That witch let out a very long breath. "And regarding the clone theory... Doesn't that violate our nature? We are taking over the role of god by creating new living things."

A chuckle slipped from my mouth. "You're talking about something like that to me?"

"Well, of course, a demon like you wouldn't believe in god."

"I believe in God." My words made Faye widen her eyes. "I've even met him."

I refer to that cosmic being who brought me to this world.

She was silent for a long time before laughing aloud. "That's so funny, demon!"

"It's up to you whether you want to believe it or not." I shrugged. "Back to that time travel, when can we do it?"

She wiped one of her tears that flowed from laughing too hard. "Maybe tomorrow at the earliest."

"Then…." I gulped. "Are we going back to the point in time we left or according to the duration we spent here?"

I've been here for about three months. I'm afraid, in the future, we'll be back after three months we've been gone too.

"I still don't know." That witch shook her head. "The odds are 50:50."