Chapter 227: Predetermined Fate

Demon King.

A being created by the world to kill the Hero.

***

The Demon King is a being created by the world with a purpose.

Created with the explicit purpose of ‘killing the Hero,’ the Demon King is an entirely new race. Consequently, the very reason for the existence of the ‘demon race,’ including the Demon King and all demons born from him, boils down to a single point.

‘Demons are at least born without the world’s direct intention, so they have fewer restrictions…’

The Demon King, directly tied to the world’s will, is different.

Do you know what it feels like to be bound head-to-toe in iron chains? The Demon King’s free will is secondary to the world’s purpose. He can’t even freely choose death.

‘In matters unrelated to achieving their raison d’être, they are freer than anyone, but so what?’

They can never reach what they desire most.

On the other hand, Heroes are born based on humans. Humans live with free will, and creating diverse ‘histories’ is the very essence of their existence as a race. In other words, the free will of a Hero, born by granting power to such a human, takes precedence over the purpose the world belatedly bestows.

The Demon King sneered.

‘How enviable.’

The weight of free will differs so drastically depending on the purpose given when the world first created a race.

In the first place, ‘Demon Kings’ are beings the world hastily created without deep consideration, intending them to be disposable, so various errors exist.

For instance, even after killing the Hero and no longer being able to fulfill their raison d’être, death is not permitted; they must wait endlessly until another Hero appears.

Or, the purpose of being ‘disposable’ clashes with the fundamental rule the world set when it first created life—’all life has a duty to preserve its species’—and the latter prevails, leading to the birth of ‘demon race’ and ‘magical beasts’.

‘Putting aside other things, not being allowed to die even after killing the Hero is truly…’

The current Demon King is the strongest among all Demon Kings in history.

Come to think of it, in the distant past, the previous Demon King said something like this, right? That for a ‘Demon King,’ being strong is a curse. He was right.

Strength has become a curse.

According to their raison d’être, Demon Kings must do their best when facing Heroes. They couldn’t even intentionally lose.

As time passed, the Demon King grew weary. In the early days of his weariness, he seemed to have been angry. Why is my free will thoroughly trampled while human free will is prioritized? The incident that drove the Human Realm to the brink of extinction erupted around this time.

And then, as time flowed again, he met Deon Hart.

‘…I first saw him during a bet with the Duke.’

He stared silently at the white-haired man who was willingly offering his neck.

The Demon King does not regret betting on Deon Hart with the Duke. Even if he realizes this incident and harbors hatred and killing intent towards him, that thought will not change. No, if that becomes certain, he will rather commend his choice at that time as excellent.

Thanks to that, he has been able to watch the Hero’s growth from an unprecedentedly close distance.

‘He’s been giving me fresh amusement from the beginning, and that hasn’t changed even after becoming a Hero.’

Keeping a Hero under his command and residing in the Demon King’s castle is a first even for the Demon King, who has lived for eons. Consuming 90% of his magic to save a human, and that human becoming a Hero, is also a first.

Perhaps that’s why the Demon King, who was lenient with Deon Hart from the time he regarded him merely as a temporary toy, became even more amiable once he became a Hero.

The one who had given him interest and amusement from the start finally possessed the qualities to give him the ultimate teaching, so how could he not find everything he did endearing?

It’s fine if he tries to nibble away at my magic, and it’s fine if he plots something else behind my back.

It’s fine if he acts cocky and insolent in front of me now, and it’s fine if he picks a psychological battle like he did recently; there’s only one thing I want from you.

“I will teach you many things. If there is anything else you want to learn, you can tell me without hesitation. You don’t have to think of it as a debt; you just need to teach me one thing later.”

“……”

“I’m willing to wait long enough for that, so in the meantime, continue to entertain me as you do now.”

Understood, my Hero?

In an instant, the atmosphere lightened.

The Demon King, who concluded his words with exaggerated playfulness, smiled faintly and withdrew his hand. His expression and eyes were no different from usual, to the point where one might doubt if his previous demeanor was an illusion.

‘……’

Deon couldn’t open his mouth easily and stared at the Demon King.

Even though he hadn’t even properly mentioned what he uniquely couldn’t learn while asking for teachings, he couldn’t bring himself to ask. Not only was the atmosphere not conducive, but he also felt like he knew what he was referring to.

Instinctively, he realized. Ah, this isn’t right.

‘This is dangerous.’

There’s no way I can fulfill what he desires. Perhaps, if what he desires becomes blatantly apparent to me, the game itself might change once again.

The changed game would be unwelcome to both the Demon King and Deon Hart, for whom simply breathing and living is suffering. To live miserably, playing hide-and-seek with the Demon King for revenge until the naturally long lifespan as a Hero ends, is horrifying just to imagine.

Perhaps that was why, after a silence that was long if long and short if short, a slightly wavering voice came out.

“……If you hint at what you desire, I might find it and fulfill it in reverse.”

“Wouldn’t it be inconvenient for you if you blatantly say that?”

“……”

…He made a mistake because he was too agitated. Deon closed his mouth and swallowed the groan that was about to leak out.

Unintentionally, he revealed that he harbored ill feelings towards him and received confirmation from the other party that he already knew. A situation where what they had both been pretending not to know had surfaced without preparation.

Power went into the fist he didn’t know when he clenched, and his nails dug into his palm. He repeatedly opened and closed his mouth, prolonging the silence, before slowly speaking again.

“……So, you were going to say this.”

It was a somewhat abrupt statement, but the Demon King quietly nodded.

“I’m serious that you need a hobby. It’s kind of for both of us.”

He induced questions by teaching various things, using hobby-making as a reason, all for the sake of the current conversation.

Since you’ll find out eventually, to tell you in advance.

He knows that keeping silent is easier to steer the situation in the desired direction than telling. In fact, the Demon King also intended to remain silent until Deon realized it on his own.

However, yes. He felt an impulse to express this much gratitude and respect to a human with a tragically bizarre fate who, nevertheless, strives to see the end, enough to catch the Demon King’s eye.

‘…Selfish bastard.’

Deon’s expression hardened.

The Demon King is cunning. He was certain that Deon Hart would not act solely on the ‘hint’ about the true method of revenge thrown in front of him. That’s why he revealed everything but avoided directly mentioning it.

Thanks to that, agitated, he ended up dragging unnecessary things to the surface. Deon lifted his eyes, which had been cast down in dissatisfaction.

“……It would be better for both of us to pretend that the conversation just now never happened.”

“See? Isn’t that right?”

“Yes. ……And if you’re going to bother teaching me something, I would have preferred weapon skills, not something like this.”

He cast his gaze at the vivid portrait drawn on the canvas.

Reading the attitude of trying to escape the uncomfortable situation as quickly as possible, the Demon King chuckled and asked.

“Are you serious? To teach weapon skills and learn them properly, you’ll have to reveal your bottom line, you know.”

“……”

“And even if I teach you, sparring is off-limits, so you won’t have a chance to figure out my bottom line. Only you will be completely exposed. Is that still okay with you?”

“……When have I ever been curious about your bottom line, Lord Demon King?”

There’s no direct mention, but now he’s openly bringing up the situation.

Red pupils glowed as if displeased. His head, raised straight as if he had nothing to lose, met the Demon King’s gaze.

“You said to speak up without hesitation if there’s anything I want to learn.”

“……”

“I want to learn weapon skills. I’ll take care of my own bottom line.”

You just teach me. Whether I hide my bottom line or create a new one, or even figure out your skills, I’ll take care of it myself.

Deon was saying that.

The words he threw out casually, containing his own thoughts, seemed to have touched his pride; arrogance settled in his eyes.

He didn’t seem to have any real intention of learning, but I ended up egging him on. The Demon King lightly burst into laughter.

“If that’s what you want, fine.”

Only then did Deon nod and lower his gaze, then frowned as if something came to mind.

“But why is sparring off-limits?”

“When facing a Hero, a Demon King is bound to do his best. To be precise, I can’t control myself ‘not to kill.’ If we force it, it won’t be sparring but a deathmatch.”

“……”

“More importantly, isn’t this the time to be concerned about that? Is it okay for you to be here peacefully like this?”

The Demon King grinned. Deon felt a shiver of foreboding run down his spine and abruptly lifted his head.

The Demon King doesn’t bother to volunteer information about things not asked. That last remark must be a hint. His mind, awakened by tension, began to race.

“……Is it related to war?”

“Mhm.”

“It seems new news has arrived.”

“Maybe.”

“Then it’s not new news, but it seems you belatedly obtained information you had missed… What is it?”

Correct. The Demon King uttered an answer tinged with laughter.

“Sanguo and the Empire have re-established their alliance. And it seems it’s been quite a while.”

“……”

“Well, there seem to be other minor news besides that… but you can find that out yourself.”

You’re going, right?

Along with a question that wasn’t really a question, filled with certainty, the portrait is handed over. Deon, taken aback, accepted it and met eyes with himself in the painting, then stiffened.

“Why is this….”

“It’s a gift, so take it.”

“……”

It feels unpleasant because it’s like a mirror.

Still, he cannot refuse what the Demon King gave him. With a sullen expression, he held the painting in one hand and tried to tuck the flowerpot from the table under his arm… then lowered his gaze at the sensation of his waist tightening.

Green vines were wrapped around his waist.

“?”

“Kkyiaek.”

“Ah, it says it will hang on well on its own, so I can let go?”

“Kkyulk.”

After hesitating for a moment, he subtly put down the flowerpot. Fortunately, the flowerpot didn’t fall.

Deon chuckled at the weight dangling from his side and, with his freed hand, carefully held the painting and turned back to the Demon King.

“I heard a lot this time, but I won’t ask anything. I won’t ask what you desire from me.”

“……”

“However, let me just say one thing.”

A dark light flickered in his pupils.

“Whatever it is, don’t get caught by me.”

That would be for the good of us all.

***

Voices chattered in the hallway.

Ed, who had been loitering in front of the door to welcome Deon Hart, sensed familiar voices and lifted his head. As expected, his superior, whom he had to serve, was walking from afar.

…For some reason, he was carrying a flowerpot on his side and a large portrait of himself in his hand, though.

“The thought of listening is commendable… but there’s no need.”

“Kkyiaek.”

“You just need to hang on well.”

“Kkyiaeee….”

“Besides, the paint isn’t completely dry, so the painting might get ruined if you’re not careful. I don’t want to hear that a painting drawn by the Demon King was ruined, so it’s better if I hold it….”

Hmm, he’s become much more individualistic while I haven’t seen him.

Ed, who openly accepted it as individuality even though green vines were almost completely wrapped around his upper body, bowed politely to welcome him as he approached, then suddenly tilted his head.

‘But whether that plant carries it or Sir Deon carries it, isn’t the weight Sir Deon has to bear the same in the end?’

Well… that’s not important right now.

He respectfully bowed his waist towards the figure who had approached.

“Welcome, Sir Deon.”