Chapter 189: Farewell to Regret

1: But I decided against it, having made a deal with the Fairy King. Weighing the consequences, breaking the agreement would cost me more than I’d gain. I couldn’t sacrifice a better play for immediate gratification. Frowning, I sank back into my thoughts.

2: “Magic is still out of the question, right? You would have said something if it were an option.”

3: “Yes, it seems there’s a magic suppression array in place.”

4: Damn it. What kind of mess is this to run into when we’re practically there?

5: Was my blood pressure spiking? Ben fanned me from the side, telling me to calm down. Though, it’s not like I’d start coughing up blood or collapse from it now.

6: “…….”

7: “……?”

8: Deon blankly accepted Ben’s fanning, then glanced upwards, his eyes rolling slightly. Following his gaze, Ben inadvertently looked up, and in that instant, Deon punched the tree right next to him. Crack! With a snapping sound, the tree fell over, and someone tumbled down from above.

9: “Son of a bitch!”

10: “There seems to be a device distorting perception, making it difficult to pinpoint their hiding place… but if they’re this close, things change.”

11: Deon, having discarded his bow, swiftly snatched the dagger from the guy who was drawing it, stomping hard on his wrist. He smiled amiably as he relieved him of the blade.

12: “Perception distortion affects you too, it seems? Otherwise, there’s no reason to get this close when you have a bow. You were trying to ambush us, weren’t you? Too bad for you.”

13: The stolen dagger twirled fluidly through Deon’s fingers. His playful voice continued.

14: “We’ve played enough; how about you tell us the way out now?”

15: “Go to hell. Why don’t you wander around here forever and die?”

16: “Hmm.”

17: Crunch.

18: “Aaargh!”

19: “Still not going to tell me?”

20: “Hah… haha! Do you think I would tell you if I were you?”

21: “Too bad. It would be nice and easy for both of us if we could cooperate peacefully.”

22: To interrogate him more comfortably, I took off my hood. There was no longer any need to wear it, but it had become a habit. But then again…

23: “Crazy….”

24: “Hm?”

25: Maybe I should have taken it off sooner.

26: Glancing down at the inexplicable curse, my eyes met those of the guy who was staring at me as if possessed. He quickly averted his gaze, but the look was familiar, and I couldn’t simply dismiss it.

27: Now where have I seen that look before….

28: ‘Ah, Lirinel.’

29: ……This might be easier to get out of than I thought?

30: Deon grinned and sat down in front of the guy, grabbing his chin and lifting it up. As our eyes met, the guy’s pupils darted around incessantly. Seeing the clear agitation, Deon’s eyes crinkled at the corners in amusement.

31: “Shall we have a little chat?”

32: “……!”

33: In the end.

34: Thanks to an excellent guide, the Demon King’s army was able to escape the camp unscathed.

35: ***

36: I know the world is abuzz with the birth of the Hero. But with the Demon King’s army right on our doorstep, who cares? The Hero won’t even make it here in time anyway.

37: ‘Just what kind of cursed luck does that guy have?’

38: I clearly heard explosions over the communicator, yet Deon Hart is reportedly alive and well, advancing towards us.

39: Around this point, the Duke conceded. That bastard is a cockroach.

40: ‘I was somewhat prepared, but to think he’d actually survive and come here.’

41: In 30 minutes, the mercenaries requested from Esperance will arrive. In his villa located in the capital, the Duke calmly prepared to leave. Sareen, watching him with anxious eyes, cautiously spoke.

42: “Where… are you going?”

43: “I have somewhere to be for a moment. More importantly, are you sure you don’t want to evacuate?”

44: “How could I leave alone when you are still here, Duke? Rather, shouldn’t you not go? I have a bad feeling about this.”

45: The Duke, who was putting on his coat, paused. Only for a moment, then a faint smile bloomed on his lips.

46: “You’re acting unlike yourself all of a sudden.”

47: “I’m sorry. But….”

48: “Sareen.”

49: Sareen fell silent. In the silence, the Duke’s footsteps echoed. The sound, growing closer, stopped only when it reached right in front of her.

50: Normally, she would have apologized and backed away by now. But this time was different.

51: ‘I have a bad feeling.’

52: I’m anxious. So anxious that my heart is pounding wildly.

53: That’s why Sareen lifted her head and stared at the Duke, determined not to back down. Facing the woman who was meeting his gaze directly, the Duke responded not with pressure, but with a sweet smile.

54: “Thank you for your concern.”

55: “…….”

56: “But I must leave now, so I would appreciate it if you would let me go.”

57: Sareen blankly stared at her hand, now being held up, not knowing when he had taken it. Just like he had done once before, the Duke slowly lowered his head, and a small warmth settled on the back of her hand.

58: Peck.

59: With a soft brushing sound, he lifted his head. He was wearing a meltingly sweet smile.

60: “I’ll be back.”

61: A move that thoroughly exploited her affection for him.

62: Taking advantage of the opening created by her frozen reaction, Sareen watched the Duke’s departing back as he left without a trace of regret, then laughed hollowly.

63: Doing this much, how could I possibly stop him?

64: “My lord… even while being dragged along by his own emotions….”

65: I know he is going to the Imperial Palace. I also know that he cherishes the Emperor more than I thought.

66: He would never admit it, but it clearly takes the form of affection.

67: That’s why it was even more heartbreaking.

68: “You wield other people’s feelings so carelessly.”

69: Sareen began to pack her luggage.

70: ***

71: After arriving in the capital, Deon decided to change out of his clothes, which he hadn’t changed for days, before storming into the Imperial Palace. His clothes were not only dirty with dust but also tattered, making him reluctant to wear them any longer.

72: More than anything, he didn’t want to meet the Emperor in such a shabby state.

73: Ben, who was acting as his aide in place of Dan and Ed, went into a decent-looking clothing store nearby and rummaged through the clothes, asking.

74: “What kind of clothes would you like to wear?”

75: “Hmm. If possible, I’d prefer a familiar uniform style.”

76: “A uniform style… how about this?”

77: “It’s black.”

78: “Yes, if you don’t like it, how about this?”

79: “That’s also black.”

80: It’s not like I need to hide it so obviously; the whole world knows I’m from the Demon King’s army.

81: Ben, seemingly puzzled by my lack of affirmative response, tilted his head, then suddenly gasped as if something had occurred to him.

82: “White uniforms are out of the question.”

83: “……Right.”

84: It’s better if I just choose myself.

85: I approached the clothes racks where uniforms were lined up. Since there were no customers in the store, I could just take whatever I wanted, so I looked around without considering the price.

86: After a brief consideration, I chose a red uniform. The color and design reminded me of the uniform the Emperor had bestowed upon me once.

87: “That looks good.”

88: It seems it passed Ben’s standards as well.

89: As I was about to enter the fitting room with the clothes to change, he added, as if emphasizing to my back.

90: “Just put on the shirt and pants and come out with the coat. That’s a must!”

91: A demon soldier, looking puzzled, asked.

92: “Is there a reason to say it that emphatically?”

93: “It’s easier to adjust the attire that way.”

94: “…….”

95: Deon silently took off his top.

96: ***

97: Only when the Imperial Palace’s main gate came into view did Deon truly realize it. I really came all this way.

98: However, there was no time to indulge in sentimentality. He froze, spotting a knight standing alone, blocking the main gate.

99: The knight also paused momentarily upon seeing Deon Hart’s appearance, but it was just for an instant. As if nothing had happened, she called out to Deon.

100: “My lord.”

101: “……Sir Lien.”

102: He uttered the other’s name as if groaning.

103: “Why have you come here?”

104: “As a knight serving my lord, I have come to prevent you from going astray. Please, I implore you to stop here.”

105: Ah. This is why I deliberately left her behind.

106: I repeatedly rubbed my face roughly. Really… truly… I don’t know what to do with her.

107: I didn’t want to kill her, so I left without a word to avoid conflict. The mad dogs probably acted the same way for the same reason.

108: If we had just given up moderately and lived as things flowed, we wouldn’t have had to face each other, yet she deliberately came all the way here.

109: “Everyone, step back appropriately.”

110: The demons, sensing the mood, cautiously retreated.

111: Only after Ben had distanced himself to the point where his voice couldn’t be heard did Deon turn his gaze back to Lien.

112: “Sir Lien.”

113: “Yes, my lord.”

114: Her unwavering voice returned.

115: ……She still calls me my lord. I squeezed my eyes shut then opened them again. A complicated emotion melted into a single phrase that leaked out.

116: “Are you… don’t you resent me? What about Lofty and the others?”

117: Her superior and subordinate knights all left for the Demon Realm without a word. All the problems that arose from that would have been solely her responsibility. It wouldn’t have been just responsibility for the situation.

118: Even resentment and hatred would have been poured out on her, beyond simple hardship, she must have received many wounds. It would be strange if she didn’t resent me.

119: “A knight does not resent their lord.”

120: “…….”

121: “If you would return now, I will not resent you in the future either.”

122: Strong eyes stared straight into red pupils.

123: Deon, feeling discomfort at the clear gaze that seemed to reflect back the dirty underbelly of his side—sticky, damp, and bloodstained—briefly lowered his eyes.

124: A moment of silence was broken by a soft voice that flowed out like a whisper.

125: “……I have become a Hero.”

126: “……!”

127: “You can never defeat me. If you block me here like this, you will surely die. So rather….”

128: “Once you cross this gate, you intend to take His Majesty’s life, don’t you?”

129: Lien Riner drew her sword, her face contorted as if suppressing sorrow.

130: “Do you remember what I said when I took the knight’s oath?”

131: [I, Lien Riner, acknowledge and serve Deon Hart as my lord, and as long as his commands do not contradict the will of His Majesty the Emperor, I swear to follow him with my life for eternity.]

132: “A knight must not point their sword at their lord. Nor can I stand idly by while my lord’s life is threatened. Therefore, Commander of the 0th Legion, I will….”

133: “…….”

134: “Stop you at the cost of my life.”

135: She called me Commander of the 0th Legion. Then the lord she mentioned must be the Emperor.

136: ……I remember her oath. It was an impressive oath in an impressive situation. Perhaps that’s why I also remember my answer at the time.

137: [I swear to do my best so that your loyalty will not be in vain.]

138: The one who broke the oath first was me.

139: So I have no right to say anything more. Trying to appease Lien Riner any further would be an insult to her, so I drew my dagger.

140: I coldly ordered the demons who seemed ready to step forward. Don’t interfere.

141: “Sir Lien, do you know this?”

142: There was no answer, but her gaze flew straight at me as if she was listening intently. Deon wore a faint smile.

143: “I loved your upright knightly spirit.”

144: “…….”

145: “But now I resent it.”

146: Once, I might have admired and respected it.

147: It wasn’t like that from the beginning. It started with surprise and worry.

148: How can a person live like that? Isn’t it tiring? What will happen if she breaks like that?

149: Nevertheless, her consistent appearance was admirable, and in the end, I came to love her foolish knightly spirit.

150: “Just be a little flexible. Just be a little softer. Just closing your eyes to what’s happening, something others do as if it’s natural, but you can’t do even that.”

151: “…….”

152: “……Never mind. Whatever I say, your attitude won’t change now.”

153: Deon gestured his dagger at the knight, who had taken a proper stance.

154: “What are you doing not coming? Hurry up and attack.”

155: Watching Lien rush at him with all her might, Deon licked his bitter lips.

156: Yes, it would be good to do your best to buy even a little more time. I will face you with all my might for your honor.

157: How long can a mere knight, not even a hero, hold out against a Hero?

158: Dagger and long sword clashed.