Chapter 78: Crimson Portals of Fate

Great! Wait, if we bring two prisoners, that might just be an attractive offer for them.

The pair resumed their vigorous dash forward.

As they neared the portal, Lara noticed a demon, softly holding up a faded photograph from behind a wall. Drenched in an unfamiliar streak of green blood on one leg, he fought back tears while steeling his resolve.

If only I could see Katarina one more time… Hahaha, I won’t die here—I must live, for the sake of our unborn child… Hahaha.

Although he seemed eager to live, his actions screamed defeat. Lara and Karlahee exchanged nods before turning toward the demon.

You look like you’re in trouble… let me help!

We’ll support you!

Th-thank you… Hahaha.

Lara and Rahi helped steady the demon as they headed toward the portal. Behind them, the sounds of crumbling structures and agonized demon screams echoed.

Before the smoke could engulf them all, the portal closed.

“Subdue them immediately!”

Meanwhile, holy knights arriving late swarmed around Lady Elina V. Amidst the capture of demons sprawled on the ground, she stood alone, staring vacantly toward the vanished portal.

“My Lady! Are you all right?”

“Shumorud and a civilian… they were taken by the demons in my stead.”

Elina V couldn’t shake off the crushing despair.

“It’s my fault for failing them… I should have been the one abducted by the demons…”

“That’s right!”

“Dragging innocent lives into this mess means I no longer deserve to be their Lady.”

A knight’s heart sank as he saw a lone tear streak down Elina V’s cheek.

“Had you been taken, it would have sparked a grand war with the Demon Realm… and even more innocents would have perished.”

“No, we’ll choose a path that spares everyone from needless sacrifice.”

“My Lady…?”

A resolute light ignited in Elina V’s silver eyes. Without hesitation, she headed straight for the heart of the Daeshin Shrine.

The shrine’s core—guarded by the Pope—was encircled by a powerful barrier. Elina V slipped past it lightly and entered the office.

“My Lady.”

Pope Mikhail, deep in conversation with the head of the Knight Order, turned his gaze toward the open door in surprise.

“I’ve been looking for you. You must’ve heard about the current situation.”

“Yes.”

Elina V quietly bowed her head as she spoke. She had long sensed that this day would come—even though knowing it couldn’t stop the inevitable.

Even with them right before her eyes, she couldn’t protect them—a cherished person, seen only a few times, awkward when alone yet still dear.

Elina V bit her lower lip. The disgrace of the time they abducted Pope Mikhail to lure her had made it clear: they desired her above all else.

“I have something to say to Your Grace…”

“What is it?”

As soon as Pope Mikhail’s gaze met hers, Elina V slowly knelt. The stunned head of the Knight Order stepped forward but halted at the sight of a single, clear teardrop on the floor.

“I know they’re risking their lives to protect me. But I never wished for such sacrifice—be it Your Grace or anyone else. I can’t stand watching more innocents fall because of me.”

Then, as suddenly as it began, the falling tears stilled. Elina V lifted her head, her pale cheeks marked only by lingering tear tracks.

“I’m heading to the Demon Realm. This is the decision I’ve made.”

“No, you can’t!”

The head of the Knight Order shouted, as if determined to stop her. Then, after a brief silence, Mikhail spoke up.

“I see. If that is truly your will, I won’t stand in your way.”

Though the knight order head wished to show some resolve, he merely shot a glance at the Pope, who simply interlaced his hands atop the desk.

“But I hope you can hand over responsibilities to the new Lady soon. With the shrine in such dire straits, it’s essential. And thank you for your tireless efforts.”

“Your Grace!!”

“He says he’s moving on his own; what can I do about it?”

“What have you been hearing? This isn’t just a job change! My Lady, you’re about to become the Demon King’s bride!”

“…That’s right.”

Mikhail’s eyes widened in shock as his clenched hands began to relax, stopping near his chin.

“Since when have you been involved with the Demon King? You could have told me earlier. As someone who’s worked alongside you, I’m disappointed. Congratulations on your marriage, though. But giving up your title to suddenly become a housewife—is there no regret?”

“Being a housewife isn’t a bad thing, but Your Grace—if you continue like this, she might never return!”

“That’s right. The career break for married women is a serious issue indeed.”

“…You have a point.”

‘Absolutely right.’

Unable to voice his true feelings, the head of the Knight Order trembled with clenched fists.

“I couldn’t bring myself to say it given the sudden decision. I’ll call you when things settle at home.”

‘…If only the Lady could be a bit more understanding.’

“That’s all I have to say. I promise to take full responsibility for returning Lara and the civilian captured in my stead—fulfilling my final duty as Lady…”

“What did you just say…? Why is Lara even here, Lady?”

At that moment, a deep, resonant voice—about two keys lower, almost like a goldwave—rang out. Mikhail, his earlier nonchalance replaced by a rare seriousness, fixed his gaze on the Lady.

“You should have said it sooner! Damn it…”

Mikhail slammed his relaxed fist onto the desk and lowered his head. Through his brushed-back light blonde hair, his once carefree deep eyes now held no ease.

“I’ll go with you.”

Mikhail stood up. As expected, Elina V quietly fell into step behind him. Observing them, the head of the Knight Order suddenly spoke up.

“So, does anyone know how to reach the Demon Realm…?”

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Mikhail sat in the darkened room. He had dispatched his subordinates to uncover a route to the Demon Realm, but so far they had returned empty-handed. There was, however, one possibility—interrogating captured demons.

However, strong internal opposition prevented immediate action, as high priests in the Daeshin Shrine forbade such atrocities—arguing that if humans have rights, demons deserve their own sovereignty.

‘But… we can’t stand by calmly forever.’

Lara couldn’t just sit back in uncertainty, not knowing if she’d survive. Who knew what unspeakable torment the demons might be inflicting on her?

Perhaps she wouldn’t return unscathed. Seated in the expansive room, Mikhail silently rued his own ineptitude.

***

“Aaaahhh!”

“Ugh…!”

Just as Mikhail had feared, in the damp, dark space a series of anguished screams rang out. Lara’s cry led the chorus, while a pained groan, half-forced from a man, came from Karlahee beside her.

They lay a little apart, the dim light of a single candle barely illuminating their surroundings. Karlahee struggled to hold onto his wits, but before he could check on Lara, a raspy voice cut through the darkness.

“My arm feels like it’s falling off! Aaaah!! Stop it! Please, let go!!”

“Hahaha, what a commotion already… Typical of frail humans. Hahaha, endure the pain even more… That will loosen your cramped shoulder muscles.”

The demon forced Lara’s arms back as far as possible, prompting another piercing scream. Karlahee watched with sympathetic eyes, then suppressed a groan as he massaged his tense shoulder with his thumb.

“Seems like you haven’t used your muscles in a while, hahaha… Now, let’s move on to an aromatherapy massage. Hahaha.”

Karlahee reclined, burying his face in a soft pillow as he transitioned to the next massage.

‘Ah, refreshing.’

The pain subsided, replaced by a soothing sensation that spread through his body. With a contented smirk, Karlahee dozed off, only to wake an hour later when a gentle touch stirred him. He saw Lara, having changed from her massage uniform into a robe.

“The full-body massage is done. Next up is a special course reserved for VVIP members—care to give it a try?”

“Alright then. I’ll change my clothes too.”

“Then I’ll wait in the Waiting Room with some tea, hoho.”

With a radiant, almost newborn smile, Lara stepped into the Waiting Room. After savoring a cup of premium herbal tea prepared by the staff, she sank into a plush sofa. It was pure bliss—though in the Demon Realm, no less.

To sum up the events so far, it went something like this.

“Humans? Hahaha, laughable lowly humans—not much better than pests! How dare they set foot in the Demon Realm…!!”

A new crisis awaited Lara and Karlahee, who had just stepped through the portal. Though minor compared to the perils above, the middle-aged demon before them glared with genuine contempt.

“I cannot stand to see filthy vermin crawling in my mansion! Hahaha! They must be captured immediately…”

It was the moment Lara closed her eyes tightly, watching the middle-aged demon poised to unleash his next mischief.