Chapter 75: Back to the Demon Realm

Demon Hart. No one knew who he was, what he looked like, or what he did, but his name was known throughout the Demon Realm.

If even demons in faraway regions who had never seen his face knew of him, what more could be said for those within the ‘Demon King’s castle’?

It was impossible for the movements of a figure treated as second only to the Demon King to go unnoticed. Since he rarely moved, even the slightest action of his would instantly spread throughout the Demon King’s castle. Naturally, the news of his return reached the ears of Develania, the commander of the 2nd Corps.

“Oh? Demon-nim has returned?”

She had been worried about not having seen him in so long, so this was perfect. And coincidentally, she had bought some new clothes while visiting the second city.

Once the thought crossed her mind, action followed immediately.

Develania began frantically gathering the luggage she had carefully put away without unpacking.

“Might as well say hello while I’m at it.”

And I need to give him all the clothes I haven’t had a chance to yet because our schedules kept clashing.

Having gathered a mountain of ‘gifts for Demon-nim,’ she wasted no time in moving.

…

Infiltrating Demon-nim’s room wasn’t that difficult. I slipped through the door while Demon-nim’s adjutant was arguing with the gardener.

I thought I had entered discreetly, but as expected, Demon-nim had noticed me from the start.

While lying on the bed, he looked directly at the ceiling where I was hiding, then raised both hands and rubbed his face as if I wasn’t worth the effort.

Not only was he lying defenselessly, but he even covered his own eyes.

As the commander of the 2nd Corps, whose main duties involved stealth, infiltration, and assassination, I’d be lying if I said my pride wasn’t hurt. That’s why I ended up moving a bit too aggressively.

Thwack-

The sword silently pierced the bedding. To be precise, right next to Demon-nim’s neck.

Despite this, Demon-nim slowly lowered his hands from his face without any sign of alarm. His red eyes glanced at the sword before fixing on me.

His eyes seemed to ask what I was doing, making me flinch for a moment before I slowly smiled and opened my mouth.

“Hellooo, Demon-nim.”

***

“I really missed you. I have so many gifts for you, but the intended recipient wasn’t around…”

…

“By the way, was my sword really not worth reacting to? I thought I’d been training pretty hard.”

…

“Huh? Demon-nim? What did you sayyy?”

“Sa…”

“Sa?”

Save me….

I barely managed to swallow the words trying to escape my lips.

I was so surprised that I froze, thankfully avoiding the embarrassment of screaming, but as a side effect, my heart felt like it had frozen too. I almost died of a heart attack.

Develania’s eyes sparkled as if curious about the word I barely swallowed. Her languidly lowered eyes were overflowing with undisguised interest.

“Sa, what was it?”

…

While I was momentarily impressed by her tenacity in clinging to something so insignificant, Develania clapped her hands together as if she understood.

“Ah! Because I didn’t show any killing intent, was it?”

…!?

No, I haven’t said anything yet.

“But how could I dare to reveal killing intent? The moment I did, you’d turn on me and try to kill me.”

…

“It’s not like I’m afraid of dying or anything, but while the aggressive Demon-nim is cool too, I prefer the gentler Demon-nim. Unlike that pervert Sillua, I like gentle men.”

I didn’t understand most of what she was saying, but I was certain about one thing: Sillua was a pervert.

Is it okay to call a corps commander a pervert like that? What if another fight breaks out among the corps commanders? Of course, Sillua is a pervert, but still.

“Ah, more importantly, I’ve been traveling around and bought some clothes that I think would suit Demon-nim-”

But you’re just as much of a pervert as he is. The way you’re looking at me right now is exactly the same.

Avoiding her uncomfortably sparkling eyes, I shifted my gaze downwards and subtly stood up.

I wanted to run away if I could, but whether by coincidence or intention, Develania was blocking my quickest escape route, so I gave up on futile resistance and obediently accepted the box she offered.

Well, at least this is manageable. Usually, she brings in piles of clothes like a mountain and stacks them in a corner of the room.

“Of course, this isn’t all of them. This was just my favorite, so I gave it to you first. The rest are piled up over there, so please try this on first and then all the others.”

…

When did she even put that there?

Of course, she wouldn’t give just one. I was too naive.

I sighed and opened the box. A light blue, flowing garment was revealed.

“This is…”

“I heard it was inspired by the clothing of the southern humans. I don’t like humans, but their culture has some interesting things.”

“But…”

“Ah, by the way, the top and bottom are a set, so please wear it with the pants that are underneath.”

“Yes, I understand that, but…”

The fact that it was inspired by southern human clothing wasn’t a lie; I’d definitely seen the design before. It was a bit different, but I think it was called a durumagi?

But wasn’t the most important thing being overlooked?

“Isn’t there any innerwear?”

Yes, innerwear! Usually, if they’re giving you pants as part of the set, wouldn’t they definitely include innerwear?

As far as I know, this is outerwear. And perhaps due to modifications, it doesn’t even have ties to close the front.

Of course, it could mean that I should just wear my own innerwear, but having experienced Develania’s endless clothing hell, I couldn’t help but shake my head.

Given Develania’s personality, if she gave me outerwear, she would have included innerwear to match.

Could she have… forgotten?

“Ah, you’re supposed to wear it like this.”

“…Originally?”

“Humans might wear it a bit differently, but in the Demon Realm, this is how you wear it-”

You’ve got to be kidding me.

“Now, why don’t you try it on?”

“Ah…”

Damn it. This is why I avoided the 2nd Corps Commander. Sweat trickled down my back as I stared at the clothes in my hands.

I don’t want to wear it. No, putting aside the level of exposure and my personal preferences, I absolutely mustn’t wear it. Based on my experience with Develania, if I wear it even once, she’ll say it looks good on me and try to make me wear everything else she brought. The end result will undoubtedly be a shopping trip for more clothes.

But my opponent was the 2nd Corps Commander. I couldn’t firmly refuse and was hesitating when—

Knock knock.

“Demon-nim, it’s Ed. The commander of the 8th Corps and his adjutant are requesting a meeting. What should we do?”

“Oh.”

Yes, Ed! My face lit up as I looked back at Develania.

I couldn’t tell her to get lost directly, so I just sent her a silent gaze that said, ‘As you just heard, I’m busy, so please leave.’

“Tch.”

…!?

Did she just… click her tongue?

As soon as my surprised gaze landed on her, Develania smiled sweetly as if she had never clicked her tongue and stood up. Her gaze fell sharply on the door.

If it weren’t for her scary eyes, I would have thought I imagined what I heard. Her voice, as languid as ever, sounded no different from usual.

“It’s a shame, but I guess trying it on will have to wait until next time.”

“Y-yes, it will.”

“If you don’t like the design, please tell me. We can go to the second city together later and buy clothes that Demon-nim likes.”

“…Yes.”

I absolutely mustn’t say anything. Whether I like it or not, I absolutely won’t say a word.

Meanwhile, Develania reached the door, grabbed the handle, and yanked it open. Ed, who seemed to expect me to tell him to come in or for me to come out myself, had been preparing to greet me formally, but his eyes narrowed slightly as he looked up.

“Develania-nim?”

“Hi?”

“I didn’t know you were here. I apologize if I interrupted.”

“Oh, no, it wasn’t anything important. Our 8th Corps Commander’s business is more important than mine, isn’t it?”

…

The 8th Corps Commander seemed to reply, but his voice was too soft to hear. Moreover, my gaze was busily scanning past them.

…As I thought, he’s not here.

Hien isn’t here. Surely Ed didn’t bury Hien in the garden and then come here…?

“Anyway, I’m off. Good luck-”

Ah, it looks like she’s finally leaving.

Having confirmed that Hien wasn’t behind them, I casually turned my gaze away, only to witness something.

As Develania passed the 8th Corps Commander, who was laden with weapons on his back, she loosened the straps securing his weapons.

Because of that, the two spears that had been crossed vertically slid down and became crossed horizontally.

Oblivious to this, the 8th Corps Commander took a step inside.

And click.

“Ah.”

The spear, longer than the width of the door, got caught on the entrance.

The 8th Corps Commander froze in place, his leg still extended, as if someone had grabbed the scruff of his neck.

His adjutant, who witnessed the scene, gasped as if something terrible had happened—

“I…”

“Oh dear.”

—and the 8th Corps Commander slumped down.

With his face buried in his hands, he muttered as if trying to dig a hole into the ground.

“Why do I live… I’m just a stupid, useless piece of garbage…”

“No, Hel-nim! That kind of mistake can happen to anyone! Besides, Hel-nim carries a lot of weapons…”

“I carry so many weapons that I can’t even handle, I don’t even deserve to breathe…”

“That’s not what I meant at all! Oh, my head…”

“I’m making my adjutant’s head hurt…”

“N-no! It’s not because of Hel-nim that my head hurts, this is just… chronic pain! Hel-nim didn’t do anything wrong!”

Why are these idiots making a fuss here of all places?

I stared blankly at the scene unfolding before my eyes with dead eyes. And then I thought.

‘What kind of conversation did Ed and Hien have?’

…Looks like I’ve adapted to this crazy place too.

***

Ed and Hien didn’t have as special a conversation as Demon had expected. Nor did the bloodshed he had worried about occur.

It was merely Ed’s sharp words directed unilaterally at Hien.

“…So don’t approach Demon-nim again.”

It was an arrogant voice befitting the top candidate for corps commander.

Hien, who had been listening silently due to his lower status, suddenly raised his head.

As his gaze met Ed’s, Ed winced and took a step back. At first glance, his expression and actions seemed to show disgust, but Hien knew.

This demon doesn’t despise me. He’s just pathologically ‘avoiding’ me.

‘…Come to think of it.’

He had faced him countless times and received countless instances of hostility, but he didn’t think he had ever felt disgust.

‘Why?’

“What are you looking at? Look away.”

Indeed, no disgust was felt.

Hien had spent his entire life being called an incubus who lived off others and had received much scorn. There was no way he wouldn’t be able to distinguish disgust directed at him.

So, he mustered the courage to speak.

“Ed-nim, you don’t despise me, do you?”

…!

“I’m certain. Ed-nim doesn’t despise incubuses or succubuses. But why… Keuheok!”

Oh, did I touch a nerve?

Instinctively, I tried to grab the hand that was choking my neck, but I realized the situation and relaxed my body. Wheeze. I focused my eyes on the face of the person choking me, letting out faint breaths.

Even in this situation, his expression didn’t contain any disgust.

Instead, what was revealed was anger stemming from not being able to avoid what he wanted to avoid, and… shame?

‘Keuk.’

The force choking my neck grew stronger.

I thought he was someone who, even if his personality wasn’t mild, respected Demon-nim’s opinions above all else, which was why I had spoken, but was I mistaken?

Just then, a hand grabbed Ed’s arm.