I Became the Master of the Devil

Whoosh. The cold wind shook Redian’s hair. Seeing that the sun went down, it seems like a lot of time has passed. He used all the wooden training swords until they broke, so there was nothing left.  

 

“…”

 

Although he could no longer train, Redian stood there. He didn’t know why but stood still for a long time. At that time.

 

“Redian.”

 

At someone’s call, Redian urgently turned around.

 

“Did you destroy all of this? You’re working very hard. Your complexion seems to have improved a lot.”

 

Walking from afar was his trainer and teacher, Nevil.

 

“What’s wrong with your expression?”

 

“…”

 

“Now you look like you want to hit me in the face.”

 

Is there anyone he’s waiting for? Nevil tilted his head. It was because he saw Redian’s eyes turn into disappointment.

 

“It looks like the trainers are quiet. I don’t think there’s any need for restraints.”

 

“…”

 

“You look full of energy too. Don’t you think so?”

 

Their conversation was always like this, with Nevil talking to himself. There were only a handful of times when Redian spoke first or answered.

 

Tsk. Who would have made a promise for someone with that temperament? He’s a guy who doesn’t even have a trace of humanity. Thinking like that, Nevil recalled the first time he met Redian.

 

“Do you have any idea how much trouble I went through to find that kind? Do me a favor and take a look. My jobs end here.”

 

“Who is that kid?”

 

“I don’t know the details either. But it seems to be the most likely, so I’m asking you for a favor.”

 

“The most likely?”

 

“Don’t ask anymore. I’m just following my wife’s last wish.”

 

The complicated face of the duke, who was playing with his pipe, passed by.

 

Redian was so extraordinary that he could understand why the duke had taken notice of that boy. But he never had a chance to be taught properly. Ever since the duke drew his attention from the underground castle… What’s training? Redian surviving here without dying was astonishing in itself.

 

“I’m your subordinate, but I cannot comply with raising children as human weapons.”

 

“Do I look that much barbaric in your eyes?”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“If I was going to create human weapons, I just need to release them on the battlefield. Why did I waste money to build underground like this?”

 

“That’s right, but…”

 

“Trust and follow me. Even if you couldn’t trust me, you could trust my wife.”

 

Nevil still had no idea what the duke was up to. He had been searching all over the empire, gathering boys with creepy stories… After that, he took off his attention from the underground castle as if his job was to end here. He could only guess that it’s related to the will of the deceased duchess.

 

“Redian, it seems like you’ve grown taller in the past few days?” Nevil shook off his thoughts and spoke as if he was once again surprised.

 

Redian is taller and has a better physique than his peers from noble families who eat everything that is good for their health.

 

“Because I ate a strange candy.”

 

“Huh? Candy?”

 

What candy?

 

Even when he asked him back, Redian only raised one of his eyebrows. Nevil was surprised that Redian answered even though he wasn’t in training, but he never thought the word ‘candy’ would come out of his mouth.

 

Nevil spoke again. “Great, anyway, I’m glad that the trainers who believed in the two and were struggling, seem to have been discouraged.”

 

The trainers holding the equipment behaved as if it were their own world, and the bloody smell was vibrating from the cage. It was clear that the atmosphere had changed significantly over the past few months.

 

“It’s because of the princess, right?”

 

“…”

 

Nevil knew because he had heard it too.

 

“Training is over, Redian. Stop and put the sword on the ground.”

 

Besides, hasn’t he seen it with his own eyes how her sentences can make Redian quiet? At that time, he already felt that she wasn’t normal.

 

“It seems like she resembles the duke. I think she looks like the late madam.”

 

Nevil recalled a couple who had been well matched through Siani.

 

“The late madam was very beautiful.”

 

The princess’ nature seemed to resemble that of the duke, and her appearance was a replica of the duchess.

 

“Because she was said to be the cruel and merciless woman of Felicite Duchy, no one dared to cross her.”

 

The Duchess, Claude Felicite.

 

“Most men in the capital would have admired madam at least once.”

 

She was the daughter of Count Kanier and exclusive maid of the late Royal Princess Izel. The two grew up like sisters when Izel, who had been unwell since her childhood, was taken into the care of Count Kanier.

 

They passed away around the same time.

 

About a year after the duchess died, the royal princess also passed away…

 

“It seems like she inherited her beauty. In fact, when I first saw her, I thought madam had come back alive.”

 

However, compared to Claude, who was like a cosmos, Siani looked like a rose with thorns, perhaps because of her red eyes.

 

“It may be fortunate that there are strange rumors going around about her being a black witch or something. Otherwise, the men of the capital would have hung themselves and chased her. Ohoho.”

 

Nevil, who had been laughing at his jokes, slowly became embarrassed.

 

“Cough.”

 

“…”

 

This was because Redian’s expression became colder when he heard it. Even so, it was a bit scary to see this cold-looking guy with a straight face.

 

“Anyway, I’m glad to hear that the princess cares about you. The adopted son, I think his name is Irik, made me really felt uncomfortable.”

 

The Norma here were all sinful souls. But they all had sad stories. In addition, there were many talented people who were too good to rot while being covered with blood.

 

It would be good to weed out those who need to be weeded out and create an elite corps.

 

Could it be that this underground castle could change in Siani’s hands?

 

“When did the princess decide to come again?”

 

“She said she’ll be busy for a while.”

 

“Busy? That’s true. The capital is now in chaos with Ash Benio’s welcoming party.”

 

“…Ash Benio?”

 

“The Grand prince. He’s also the princess’s former fiancé. They’re over now.”

 

A person’s face passed through Redian’s head. Ah, that guy.

 

At that time, he couldn’t hear what Siani was saying to the man. However, Redian still remembered her appearance that day. Siani’s expression toward the man was something he had never seen before.

 

“It seems that for the welcoming party, His Grace invited all the famous designers and sent them to the princess.”

 

Nevil nodded his head.

 

“He’s quite ambitious. How much more beautiful is he planning to make her?”

 

“…”

 

Redian was feeling it too. The woman he met in the darkness of the underground castle was different from the woman under the chandelier. Even those eyes that felt round were cold when she looked down at the man.

 

“Is that man coming too?”

 

“That man? Ah, of course. It’s a party hosted by that man.”

 

Nevil frowned as to what else would be heard afterwards, and whether his ears were already burning.

 

“Not only that man, but all the young masters of the capital will gather. It’s the first big social gathering we’ve had for a while.”

 

I guess it’s true that she’s busy. Redian didn’t know much about her outside of the underground castle. Because until now, he had no reason to think about it, and he had never wondered about it.

 

“Is that world different?”

 

“…Huh?”

 

Nevil was a little taken aback by Redian’s questions coming one after another. What happened to the guy who always looked bored? His questions were also unique.

 

“How amazing is that she must have been so busy?”

 

“Of course amazing!”

 

Nevil’s voice burst out.

 

“Felicite, the arrow of the goddess, is the only ducal family in the empire. The princess is the only bloodline of the Duke Felicite.”

 

“…”

 

“She’s the highest-ranking woman in the noble society.”

 

Redian felt a strange feeling when he heard that.

 

The world he was in was always bottom and muddy. He was used to curling up and falling asleep alone in the dark, and vomiting blood was also a daily occurrence. On the other hand, the world of that woman…

 

“For someone like her, how busy must she be? She probably has a lot to worry about.”

 

“…”

 

Must always be gorgeous and dazzling. Enough to forget about this place at any time.

 

“Since all the wooden swords look like this, there is no need to train. I’m going home.”

 

At the same time Nevil turned around. “Take care, Redian. The princess isn’t here, so don’t get hurt.”

 

“Take care, Redian. Don’t get hurt without a princess.”

 

“Stay calm.”

 

“I’m worried, so don’t get hurt.”

 

Redian was alone again. He could no longer hear voices calling his name. It’s always been like that, but why today…

 

Redian slowly stretched out his hand and grabbed the broken wooden sword. There was no hesitation in his actions after that. The sharp-edged sword instantly tore through his skin.

 

“Even like this…”

 

Drip, drip. Red blood dripped from his fair hand, whose wound had barely healed.

 

“Will she not come?”

 

Instead of feeling pain, Redian smiled faintly.

 

“I’m hurt.”

 

---