I Became the Master of the Devil

On the day Redian first came to the duchy’s training ground.

 

“…”

 

He immediately realized that he wasn’t the only one here. He saw familiar figures from each level of circles. So, in the end… Siani’s ‘my knights’ included not only him but other Norma as well.

 

Yes, it was expected to have a few more members since it was a knights’ group.

 

Entering the training ground, Redian wore jet-black gloves while sucking on candy. Gloves fit his hands perfectly, candy melting on his tongue, and even the red wounds on his palm. All were given by Siani. Unbeknownst to him, traces of that woman were left all over him.

 

Redian picked up the Astra placed in the armory. He needed to train. It had been quite some time since he last used an Astra, so he needed to get a feel for it…

 

“Damn it.”

 

But ultimately, Redian chewed the candy in his mouth, cursing.

 

Why did he feel so disgusted? It was strange.

 

The more Siani was kind to him, the closer he got to her, the more desperate Redian felt. Like constant thirst, wanting something unfulfilled. The woman seemed like she could give everything and then suddenly take it all away. Just as she said back then…

 

“If he’s useful, that’s it.”

 

He thought she was keeping him next to her because he was the most useful one.

 

“…Sigh.”

 

Redian irritably swept back his hair. Through the training ground’s windows, where the sunlight had settled, he could see the main castle where Siani would be.

 

Redian’s blue eyes quietly gazed at that place. Even after escaping the underground castle, the high tower of the castle where the woman lived still seemed far away from him.

 

What should I do?

 

How can he reach there?

 

Instead of just waiting for Siani, how could he go to find her?

 

How could he keep her hidden only in his sight?

 

Unknown thoughts tangled in his mind. It could be instinct or illusion. But one thing was clear… Redian was feeling the emotion called ‘greed’ for the first time. He just hadn’t realized it himself.

 

“So, how is Siani Felicite now?”

 

At that time, Redian was looking out the window, lost in his thoughts.

 

“Don’t tell me she also got infected with the skin disease or something?”

 

A carriage stopped in front of the east building, and someone got out. Normally, he would have ignored it, but Siani’s name caught Redian’s attention.

 

“The Princess is fine. But rumor is going around that the ointment princess made is the cause of the skin disease.”

 

“What?”

 

A man with pink hair halted in his tracks. Redian knew him. Irik, the adopted son of the duke, had recently caused a stir in the underground castle.

 

“Siani’s ointment caused the skin disease? What kind of nonsense is that? Who came up with that stupid idea?”

 

“It seems to be the talk among the servants and even the vassals as well.” The man who followed Irik out of the carriage added. “They say it started after they used the ointment given by the princess.”

 

“What, that’s crazy…”

 

Irik’s face contorted in frustration.

 

“Anyway, it’s not true. I know it. It’s definitely not because of Siani Felicite.”

 

Redian keenly observed this. He couldn’t understand everything, but Siani seemed troubled by some trivial matter.

 

“If it’s not that, then there’s no other particular cause. The only thing the servants shared was that ointment.”

 

“Why wouldn’t there be another cause! Didn’t they think of what they eat together?”

 

“Yes? Eat?”

 

“Forget it. Let’s stop talking about it.”

 

Irik ran his hands through his hair in frustration. It was the first time Redian had seen him so agitated, though he had only glimpsed him in passing.

 

“Anyway, tell Siani again. Don’t pick up and eat strange things. Ah, never mind. I’ll tell her myself.”

 

“The princess is not in trouble. Her maids are fine too.”

 

The man following Irik seemed puzzled by his reaction.

 

“It’s Lady Luna’s maids who are in trouble. They have more severe symptoms. Isn’t that why you came to the ease wing in the carriage?”

 

“That’s… Anyway, wait here.” Irik, visibly annoyed, walked into the east building. 

 

Watching him, Redian let out a soft laugh. “Crazy b*stard.”

 

Redian clearly saw it. Despite not being related by blood, Irik’s face when speaking of Siani was just like…

 

“…Am I like that too?”

 

The sight of him not being able to understand his subject was absurd and funny.

 

“This is why I told you not to be kind to just anyone.”

 

Siani was excessively kind and gentle. No wonder such people clung around her.

 

The buzzing sound in the air signaled the start of training. Redian lifted the Astra again.

 

How many years has it been since I held one?  He couldn’t get the feel of it…

 

Holding the Astra in his hand, Redian aimed through the window. Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger once he had a target. Bang—!

 

“Uaargh! W-what is it! Who did that!”

 

The bullet that flew instantly pierced Irik’s carriage. The servant guarding the carriage flustered as if shocked by the sudden shot.

 

Tsk. What a waste. Redian clicked his tongue.

 

It didn’t seem like his skills were rusty. If he had been even slightly rusty, he could have made an excuse for a mistake… He could have aimed for that b*stard’s neck.

 

* * *

“Redian?”

 

The figure of Redian approaching me became clearer. Dressed in a black training suit, he looked unusually cold.

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“I am fine, but…”

 

Aeron couldn’t take his eyes off Redian. I had adapted quite well, but it must have seemed unreal for someone seeing Redian for the first time.

 

“Ha… really.”

 

Redian, striding forward, snatched the Astra from my hand.

 

“How’s your ankle?” He frowned and looked down at my foot.

 

“Ankle? Ah, it got better quickly, thanks to you. I’m okay now.”

 

It seemed the treatment Redian gave me that day had worked; the pain had subsided quickly.

 

“How about your shoulder?”

 

“My shoulder is fine too.”

 

“I told you. Please be more careful.” Redian, looking at my shoulder, scolded coldly. “After treating it all night, just to be bothered by those stupid b*stards… It’s annoying.”

 

I didn’t notice the surrounding air freeze while looking at Redian.

 

“Are you worrying about me now?”

 

I couldn’t help but laugh. Wasn’t this the kind of nagging I used to do to Redian in the underground castle? It seemed like the roles were completely reversed.

 

“You find it funny?”

 

“You’ve been quite…”

 

I gently tapped Redian’s cheek as if caressing it. “So cute.”

 

“Gasp.”

 

The trainer and Aeron, watching us, trembled. It was shocking for them, given that he was that ‘Redian,’ the main character of the incredible rumors.

 

“Master, you almost got kidnapped recently. Didn’t I tell you then?” But Redian, now familiar with this me, continued. “Don’t fight, just run away. Please.”

 

“It was an accident while watching Vallentin’s training.”

 

“Why are you watching his training?”

 

Redian clenched his teeth. “Grr.”

 

“…”

 

I lightly gripped Redian’s cheek as if telling him not to. I never thought I’d repay him for what he did to me.

 

“Ah, but it’s strange.”

 

The remnants of the monster had shrunk to almost nothing. I could have been sucked into that disgusting mass if I were a bit late.

 

“Why did it die with the bullet you shot when all the Astra are the same for training?”

 

Picking up Redian’s discarded Astra, I checked the chamber.

 

“You really killed it with the last bullet.”

 

I couldn’t help but admire it. The chamber was empty, killed with just one remaining bullet.

 

“Well, at this rate, it’s like a world for just the two of you.” Then Vallentin, who was watching from behind, interjected. His expression was full of dissatisfaction.

 

“I did everything, you see. That bas, I mean, Redian just luckily pierced it with his last bullet.”

 

“…”

 

Redian’s gaze, which had been fixed only on me, shifted to Vallentin for the first time.

 

“That’s right, Master. There was only one bullet left.”

 

His eyes turned unfamiliarly cold.

 

“…It’s regrettable.”

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