Chapter 30: To the Empire (1)

“Demon-nim, is there anything bothering you?”

“No.”

“Perhaps, a headache or something…”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“Would you like some water?”

“I’m alright.”

“T-This is from my heart!”

“…?”

Was this a declaration of murder?

With a bewildered expression, I stared at the bizarre flower thrust in front of me.

The guy who offered the flower was suddenly dragged away into the crowd, followed by a thud and a commotion.

“Are you crazy?!”

“How dare you gift Lord Demon a flower? And what’s with ‘from my heart’?”

“Ugh! Urk! Lord Demon likes flowers! This is my way of showing respect, why?!”

“Lord Demon likes flowers…?”

“Yeah! I saw him enjoying a stroll in the garden! If he keeps an incubus around as a gardener, how much do you think he likes them? You know-nothings!”

“So, it’s a bribe!”

“Kuaaak!”

Whatever it is, he’s going through a lot…

I shook my head.

Currently, I was sitting quietly inside a carriage. When I woke up and realized where I was, I was shocked.

I even wondered if that damn Demon King had sold me off to the Empire while drunk.

I opened the window to assess the situation and realized that wasn’t the case, but I was surprised in a different way.

‘Why are they all staring like that?’

The moment I opened the window, countless gazes locked onto me.

Those eyes, filled with a strange intensity, froze me in place.

I probably would have stayed like that if Ed hadn’t approached me.

Ed peered through the window, checking my condition, and asked if I was alright. I simply nodded, clueless about what was going on.

The atmosphere prevented me from asking what was happening.

Later, I found out that I’d caused some trouble while drunk… again.

Judging by the talk about my incredible performance in the war, it seems I jumped onto the battlefield…

‘What exactly did I do? What was I thinking…?’

No wonder they were returning so readily.

It wasn’t just returning; it was returning because it was over.

I thought I drank moderately. Has my tolerance really decreased? It’s not a big deal, but still a little disappointing.

Anyway, it must have made quite an impression.

Throughout the journey back, legion members kept peeking through the open window and talking to me.

The same guys who always kept their expressions stiff and maintained their distance from me…!

“Are you not hungry?”

“I’m not hungry.”

At first, I was bewildered, then scared, and now…

‘This is exhausting.’

This kind of thing is only tolerable once or twice.

They might think they’re only saying a few words, but the constant replies are making my mouth hurt.

I can’t close the window because the guys keep talking to me, but if I just ignore them and close it, I might disappear without anyone noticing… This is driving me crazy.

Just then, Ed appeared, pushing his way through the legion members crowding the window.

Glad to see a familiar face, I leaned towards the window. He bowed slightly and said,

“We’ve arrived.”

Finally!

I quickly straightened up.

My body was always tired, so I couldn’t really tell, but my mind was completely drained.

I felt like I was losing my mind, so I quickly got out of the carriage, eager to rest.

And…

‘…When did I get up to my room?’

I must be too tired; even my memories are hazy.

I don’t know when or how I got up here.

***

“Oh, you’re here?”

The Demon King looked up.

Looking at the white-haired man standing expressionlessly before him, as usual, he curved his eyes into a smile.

“I heard you played a big role this time? Good work. How was meeting the new Hero?”

“…I came because I have something to tell you.”

Even though his question wasn’t answered, the Demon King didn’t point out the rudeness; instead, he smiled.

Because he had just received very interesting information.

Very important information connected to Deon Hart.

“Oh? How about you look at this first? The Commander of the 2nd Corps brought information about the new Hero.”

A flinch.

Deon’s body trembled at the mention of the Commander of the 2nd Corps.

“…The Commander of the 2nd Corps came?”

“Yeah. He brought a pile of men’s clothes with him, though?”

“….”

Deon, who was trembling again, seemingly lost in thought, hastily grabbed the documents, unlike before.

His pupils darted from side to side as he began to read.

Actually, there wasn’t much to read.

However.

“The new Hero’s name is…”

The few lines contained heavy information.

“Cruel Hart.”

“…Ha.”

Deon Hart had forgotten his earlier haste and could only laugh.

His red eyes gleamed. The corners of his mouth lifted, revealing hostility and murderous intent.

A very familiar name.

Muttering his older brother’s name, a name he would never forget, he said,

“I should have just killed him back then.”

Even if it was reckless.

He put down the documents and looked up. The Demon King’s characteristic reverse eyes, with white irises and black pupils, were turned towards him, full of laughter as if he knew everything.

“You’re planning to go to the Empire, aren’t you?”

“…”

Sometimes silence is confirmation.

The Demon King leisurely organized his desk and stood up, walking towards Deon.

As if he knew what was coming, Deon stood there without a hint of surprise. The Demon King tapped the boundary between his collarbone and neck with his finger.

Even though a black mark appeared where his finger touched, neither of them cared.

“Go ahead. If you stay away from the Empire for too long, people will get suspicious. And of course, let me know if you find any useful information.”

The Demon King smirked.

The reason he cherished Deon.

It was because Deon Hart was doing something even he couldn’t do.

Something that demons, with at least one visible difference from humans, could never accomplish.

Playing the role of a spy.

“Then, I will be going.”

Deon Hart.

He was a legion commander in the Demon King’s army, and

The Empire’s hero.

***

After much deliberation, I could barely recall a fragment of memory.

Right, I met with the Demon King. Reporting to my superior after returning is my duty, after all.

And one of the things I vaguely remember from our conversation.

‘The Commander of the 2nd Corps has returned.’

So, I thought about running off to the Empire, and thankfully, the Demon King allowed me to go… right?

It feels like a convenient memory tailored to my wishes, but who cares?

The fact that he allowed me to go to the Empire is clear.

[Go ahead. If you stay away from the Empire for too long, people will get suspicious. And of course, let me know if you find any useful information.]

This sentence from the Demon King is clearly etched in my memory.

If that’s the case, since I have permission, I should leave quickly before the Commander of the 2nd Corps gets here. He’ll probably try to make me wear a bunch of clothes the moment he sees me.

I hurriedly got up and started packing.

The luggage needed for going to the Empire isn’t much anyway. Just be mindful of my attire to avoid sunlight exposure and pack some food for the journey, and that’s it.

‘Yeah, perfect.’

I’m a little worried if I can get food without running into the Commander of the 2nd Corps, though…

I shuddered, thinking of the Commander of the 2nd Corps who supposedly brought a ton of clothes.

‘He definitely won’t let me go until I try on all those clothes.’

He doesn’t seem like a bad guy, but he’s a terrifying demon who taught me that a person can be utterly exhausted just from putting on and taking off clothes.

I reached for the doorknob to get some food, but wait.

‘Where am I going to get food?’

The legion commanders will probably be in the cafeteria, so that’s a problem.

…Should I just go out for now?

The moment I turned the doorknob, a knock sounded. I was startled and moved away from the door.

‘Could it be the Commander of the 2nd Corps already?’

My feet instinctively moved backward.

As if to reassure me, who couldn’t even bring myself to ask who it was, a very familiar voice came from beyond the door.

“Demon-nim, it’s Ed.”

***

“You’re here, have a seat.”

The Demon King, who was reviewing documents, looked up and gestured with his chin. Unlike when he faced Deon, his expression was serious.

Ed obediently sat down, his mind working quietly.

Lord Demon must have already reported, so why did he call me? Could there be something he found unclear?

Meanwhile, the Demon King finished organizing the documents and stacked them on one side before calling Ed softly.

“I don’t particularly like dragging things out, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

“…”

“Are you thinking of becoming a legion commander?”

“!”

All sorts of assumptions and preparations were rendered useless; my mind went blank.

Dumbfounded by the unexpected topic, Ed quickly grasped the situation.

“Is it because the Commander of the 9th Corps’ position is vacant?”

“Yes. Until recently, all the legion commander positions were filled, so you were in the 0th Legion Commander’s adjutant position, but the situation is different now.”

A position was vacant.

It was natural that the choice for that position would be given to Ed, the candidate.

It was something he had always waited for. How could he have forgotten this?

However, even though it was something he had longed for, Ed couldn’t speak easily.

“If I become a legion commander, Lord Demon’s adjutant will be…”

“I’ll have to pick a new one. The next best guy after you.”

“What happens if I refuse?”

“The legion commander offer will go to the guy who would have been the new adjutant.”

“I see…”

Ed stopped talking there.

His expression clearly showed his inner turmoil. The Demon King leaned back in his chair as if giving him time to think.

The tension eased, and a soft stillness descended upon the room, as if time had stopped.

Even in that space, Ed couldn’t open his mouth for a long time. It wasn’t until the three moons lined up again in the window that he finally spoke.

“I…”

After finishing his conversation with the Demon King, Ed headed to Deon’s room as if it were natural.

As always, he knocked twice and said his usual line.

“Demon-nim, it’s Ed.”

“Come in.”

Opening the door, he saw his superior standing in the room. Ed stopped in his tracks.

He was fully armed, as if ready to leave at any moment.

It was an unexpected sight, but considering he had met with Lord Demon earlier, Ed could guess that he had received some secret orders, so he showed no surprise and closed the door.

“Are you leaving?”

“Yes, it will take a while.”

“Ah…”

He hesitated, unlike his usual self, and his eyes darted around.

Deon glanced at Ed, finding his behavior odd for a moment, but decided there was no need to press him. Instead, he added a belated explanation.

“I’m going to the Human Realm.”

“Is that so? Then you’ll need supplies.”

Ed’s actions were swift as usual.

Deon tried to dissuade him from taking care of it himself, but Ed insisted and carefully tied a small, enchanted pouch around his waist, then cautiously opened his mouth after glancing around.

“Um…”

“Ah, thank you. Then, I should be going.”

That wasn’t what he was trying to say. Ed blankly watched Deon rise from his spot.

A traveler’s hood covered his white hair, concealing his red eyes.

And his back, which was facing the door as if he would never look back, turned around at some point.

“Ed.”

“Yes, Demon-nim.”

“Is there anything you want?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Since I’m going to the Empire, is there anything you need or want?”

Pfft. Ed couldn’t help but chuckle.

Where else would you find a superior who takes such good care of his subordinates?

And where else would you find a superior who needs so much help?

“Nothing in particular.”

“Hmm… Then I’ll get you something appropriate. I’m busy now, so let’s talk when I get back.”

Ed decided to keep quiet.

Instead of mentioning the offer he received from the Demon King, he curved up the corners of his mouth and slightly narrowed his eyes. Then, he bowed respectfully and said,

“Yes, I’ll be waiting.”

There was no need to bring up the offer he had already declined and bother someone who was busy.

“Please have a safe trip.”

Even if he goes to the Empire, Ed will still welcome him back as his adjutant.