THDK Chapter 26

First Victory (Part 4)

Alan, who had just lowered his fist, twisted his face into a sorrowful expression once again.

“My parents were killed by humans. They lived peacefully in a small village closest to the border. One day, bandits came, and my parents… they died protecting me. My parents could only use simple magic, so they weren’t much different from humans.”

“…I didn’t know…”

“It’s fine. I never told you before. I watched my parents die in front of me, and many villagers were killed too. I had a large amount of magical power, and the shock caused it to go out of control. When I came to my senses, all the bandits were dead. From that day on, I stopped aging. It was the effect of the magical backlash. The villagers all sought help in other villages, but I couldn’t leave. That’s when the Demon King, who was investigating, saved me.”

Alan muttered that he hated humans. I realized that the reason he was so harsh on me was because he was deeply wounded and couldn’t bring himself to forgive humans.

I gently embraced Alan, who looked like he was about to cry. In the past, I was the smaller one, but now the difference in our builds was so great that he fit perfectly in my arms.

“…I’m weak. The words I said to you back then might have been directed at myself.”

“Alan, your words back then helped me. I was able to acknowledge my weakness and decide to move forward because of you.”

“Even if a thorny path lies ahead, can you still love the Demon King? Can you swear not to harm the demons?”

I bent down to meet his gaze and looked straight into his sunset-colored eyes, nodding firmly. No matter what path lay ahead, my heart wouldn’t waver.

“I’ll become stronger. So, I want you to lend me your strength.”

“…You used to be much more obedient in the past.”

“I’ve decided to stop holding back.”

When I replied with a smile, Alan pressed his forehead against mine and let out a small chuckle. As I laughed along, my heart felt warm. My master was always strict, but he was always by my side. He used to scare me, but now he was a trusted and precious family member.

When we left the training ground, Alan told me he had something to discuss with Nox, and I nodded. I didn’t know what they would talk about, but I chose not to ask.

I returned to my room and let out a sigh. While Beatrice tended to my wounds, I thought a little about the future.

“Beatrice, do you know what’s happening in the human world?”

“I’ve heard a little about it.”

“Could you tell me?”

“…What I tell you must remain confidential.”

“Thank you.”

After finishing the treatment, Beatrice poured tea into a cup and began to explain.

Currently, the royal family was divided into two factions, locked in conflict. The king had fallen ill, and the rivalry between the first prince, Antonio, and the second prince, Luke, over the throne had intensified. Adding fuel to the fire, there was an ongoing debate between the anti-demon faction and the pro-demon faction among the nobles.

What surprised me was the fact that there were humans who supported demons. Prince Luke had proposed reconciliation with demons to save the people suffering from the effects of the war between humans and demons, which occurred every few hundred years. However, Prince Antonio, who was anti-demon, refused to accept this, and the relationship between the two had grown increasingly strained.

Thinking about the future, contacting Prince Luke would likely benefit the world. I didn’t know if it would work out, but it felt worth trying.

“Beatrice, I feel like having some cake.”

“I’ll prepare it for you.”

I watched Beatrice bow and leave the room, then turned my gaze to the window. I had only left the Demon King’s castle a handful of times. The castle had everything I needed to live, so there was no reason to go outside. But now, I felt like looking out at the world beyond.

Tomorrow, I’ll talk to Nox. About my feelings, and about Prince Luke. I’m sure Nox will understand.