THDK Chapter 38

Reunion with the Past (Part 6)

Ever since I was little, I hated seeing anyone get hurt. I genuinely wished everyone could get along. Maybe, deep down, I’ve always been trying to fulfill my duty as the hero.

I’ve made up my mind. I’ll walk the path of light. And with it, I’ll illuminate the darkness. Just as Nox enveloped me in his warm darkness, I want to shine a light on someone else’s future.

“I’m going to meet the second prince.”

“…If that’s what you’ve decided, I won’t stop you.”

“Thank you, Gil.”

I steeled my resolve and smiled. Turning my gaze back to my brother’s grave, I lightly touched the headstone with my fist.

Brother, please watch over me.

“I’m off, Brother.”

I gripped Oreole tightly and started running. Oreole told me it would take two or three days on foot to reach the royal capital from the viscount’s estate. I didn’t have time to waste, so I needed to cover as much ground as I could while it was still light.

As I made my way through the forest paths, I remembered the days when I was abandoned in the woods and had to hunt alone. If I could survive back then, camping out now should be no problem.

“The royal capital, huh? It’s been a while.”

“Oreole, have you been to the royal capital before?”

“I lived there in my previous life.”

The phrase “previous life” caught my attention. I kept walking but listened closely to Oreole’s story. It must have something to do with why he can talk. My mysterious friend always has more to reveal.

“You’ve been curious about the Simurgh, haven’t you? It’s related to that, so I’ll tell you the true history I know. It seems the time has come.”

“…You said the Simurgh wasn’t attached to the first Demon King, right?”

“Correct. The Simurgh is drawn to light, enchanted by it. Though it’s now classified as a monster, it was originally revered as a divine beast.”

“Light… Only the hero can wield light magic, right?”

Just as the Demon King controls darkness, the hero commands light. Since ancient times, light and darkness have been opposites. Just like humans and demons.

“Exactly. The Simurgh was attached to the first hero.”

“But that doesn’t make sense. The history books say the Simurgh was by the first Demon King’s side.”

“Have you ever read human history books?”

“…A long time ago. I don’t remember much.”

I only glanced at them when I was ten.

“Human history books say the Simurgh was the hero’s familiar. Both accounts are true, but they’re cleverly woven with lies. Because the first Demon King took his own life, and the hero disappeared from human lands afterward.”

“The first Demon King took his own life?”

“Yes. The two were lovers. In that era, humans and demons lived together, helping each other. The human king, Albert, and the demon king, Asher, were known to be close friends.”

I listened intently to Oreole’s nostalgic tone. To think that two people who were once so close could end up fighting each other… It’s heartbreaking. I couldn’t help but see myself and Nox in their story, and it made my chest ache.

“The conflict began, as recorded in both histories, with a small dispute in a village on the border between human and demon territories. The spark quickly grew into an uncontrollable blaze. Despite the kings’ wishes, the conflict escalated—riots, theft, murder. By the time it reached a point where one of the kings had to die to end it, Asher decided to take his own life to restore peace.”

“…Was there really no other way?”

Thinking about how King Albert must have felt, I was overwhelmed with pain and sorrow. The thought of losing someone you love is suffocating, filling your chest with despair and loss.