Thank you Not a Cofee Lover for the coffee.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Clyde lowered the chemise’s hem that had risen up to his thigh and then walked away from me.
Soon, I heard the sound of him leaving the tent.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
Clyde walked through the camp with a stern face.
Sakaya followed close behind.
“Your Highness, may I ask who that person is? If they are an important hostage…”
“Do not touch her.”
Clyde said with a tone that sent shivers down Sakaya’s spine. It was a chilling voice that would make anyone’s hair stand on end.
“It doesn’t matter who it is, not even you. The moment you lay a finger on her, I will immediately separate your head and limbs. Do you understand?”
“…Yes, Your Highness. I understand.”
Sakaya bowed deeply. He stepped back and disappeared.
Clyde, who had come out of the tent, waved his hand as if shaking off something. With a creaking sound, the trees in the forest in front of him were uprooted and pulled away.
After a while, the dense forest completely disappeared, leaving only a giant pit.
Clyde clenched his trembling fist.
The image of Ruby, who had been sobbing in a mess because of his own hands, was still vivid in front of his eyes.
He didn’t intend to do it—he never planned to make Ruby cry or see her wear such a pained expression.
But why…
For the last two years, he has eagerly awaited the moment to reunite with Ruby. This time, he had promised himself countless times that he would make her his, even if he had to force her, and he had actually done it.
But why did he feel so desolate?
Clyde bit his lower lip and lowered his head.
Eventually, the magic that had erupted from his body spread out into the sky like black flames.
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“…The Demon Army has started retreating. Is that really true?”
“Yes. This is a report that has just come in. Due to this news, His Majesty the Emperor has urgently convened a meeting.”
Deep wrinkles formed on Julion’s forehead.
As he remained lost in thought without saying anything, the messenger, seeming anxious, spoke again.
“Chief?”
“I understand. I’ll be there shortly.”
However, even after the messenger left, Julion did not get up from his seat.
It was only after about ten minutes that he finally rose from his desk.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
“You called for me, Father.”
“Have you heard the report that the demons have started retreating?”
“Yes. I was just about to enter the palace to attend a meeting.”
“Don’t go.”
“…What?”
Heufeln looked at Julion with a puzzled expression. Julion spoke with a blank face.
“You will accompany me in pursuing the Demon Army.”
“…….”
Heufeln fell silent for a moment and then spoke again.
“Is Eila there?”
“Yes.”
“How certain are you of this?”
“Ninety-nine percent.”
Given Julion’s personality, that statement was as good as saying 100%.
“We’re running out of time. We’ll discuss the details on the way.”
Chasing the Demon Army while ignoring the Emperor’s summons was not only an act of disobedience but also desertion from the military camp. No matter how high their positions were as Julion and Heufeln, punishment was inevitable.
However, Huefeln didn’t say a word about it. He was known for strictly adhering to discipline to the point of being called inflexible, but his belief was not more important than the life of his only sister.
Shortly after, Julion and Huefeln rode their horses and left the Duchy of Rojasis.
The horses they rode were magically enhanced, with increased stamina and speed.
– If we ride without stopping, we should be able to catch up with the Demon Army by this time tomorrow.
They communicated through telepathic magic as they were riding at full speed.
– Will the two of us be enough?
It’s better to have fewer numbers when infiltrating the enemy camp. Besides, I will be facing the Demon King alone, so you should focus on rescuing Eila during that time.
– Are you sure about this? Even for you, father, facing the Demon King alone…
– Don’t worry. It’s not an impossible battle.
Julion explained everything, starting from capturing Clyde as an experimental subject nine years ago to Eila helping him escape and what happened at the Andela Ruins. This was a story he had never mentioned to Heufeln until now.
– At that time, I had only developed restraining magic, but after two more years, I finally created a spell to kill that monster. I haven’t tried it yet, but I’m sure it will work. Just like the restraining magic did.
– …What will you do if you fail to assassinate the demon king or are discovered by his minions before you can kill him?
– In that case, while I buy time, make sure to escape with Eila.
– Upon hearing this, Huefeln instinctively tightened his grip on the reins.
– …Father.
– This is for the best.
– But.
– You must not hesitate for even a second. Think only of saving Eila and surviving together.
– …….
– Answer me, Heufeln. Don’t make me regret bringing you along.
– …….
Heufeln silently clenched his teeth.
– …I understand.
━━━━⊱⋆⊰━━━━
I was riding on a horse with Clyde.
He never left my side, and the only time he was away from me was when he left the tent for a few minutes.
I hadn’t even considered running away, and even if I had the intention to do so, it wouldn’t have been possible.
The choker around my neck completely sealed my magic. Even Eleanor’s voice was blocked. Whenever there was a gap, I tried to communicate with her in my mind, but there was never a response.
Until I could find a way to remove the choker, there was nothing I could do.
But even before considering if it was possible to remove the choker, I wasn’t sure if it was the right thing to do.
I didn’t know if I wanted to leave Clyde or if I wanted to stay with him.
Even though it was my heart and no one else’s,
Since that day, Clyde hasn’t looked me in the eye. He only spoke when necessary.
But he still kept me tightly in his embrace.
What will happen to us from now on?
Just thinking about it made my heart feel suffocated.
That evening, the Demon Army reached their camp at the Hendo border.
The reason the demons rested at night, despite not being restricted by darkness, seemed to be so that they could fight under favorable conditions in case the Imperial Army launched a surprise attack.
Clyde’s words about “no sacrifices” didn’t seem to be a lie. Despite retracing our marching route in a straight line, there was no sign of looting in any of the villages or cities we passed through.
I heard that among the demons, there were many tribes that enjoyed cannibalism. However, Clyde strictly prohibited the demons from harming civilians as well as soldiers.
It wasn’t because of Clyde’s own beliefs but solely due to our promise.
Two years ago, Clyde had said, “Since you broke the promise, there’s no need for me to keep mine.” However, contrary to his words, Clyde was rigorously keeping all our promises.
This invasion was also his way of keeping my request not to be captured by my father and not to harm my family.
Even if he said he would forcibly take me, even if he had placed the choker around my neck, Clyde was still Clyde in the end.
I was fortunate that Clyde didn’t try to make eye contact with me.
Because if I looked into his eyes, I might not be able to hold back my tears.
Instead of my torn clothes, I was wearing a long dress that fit me perfectly, reaching down to my ankles. It seemed like the attire of the women in the demon realm.
“Go to sleep early. We’ll depart as soon as the sun rises tomorrow.”
Without responding, I turned my back to Clyde and lay down in his gruff voice.
Although my body was extremely tired from the day’s journey, it didn’t seem like I would easily fall asleep.
With my eyes tightly closed, I tried my best not to think about anything. But Clyde pulled me from behind.
It was a desperate hug, like a drowning man still clinging to a life line.
“…You can resent me if you want.”
“…….”
At his gentle words, I bit my lip.
“You can resent me, hate me, and never forgive me for the rest of your life. It’s okay, as long as I can be by your side.”
“…….”
“So, you should also give up. I will never…. ever let you go, no matter what, ever again.”
Clyde’s strong and firm arms pulled me closer. For a moment, I felt like I couldn’t breathe, but strangely, I didn’t dislike it or find it uncomfortable.
“…How comfortable it would be.”
I mumbled in a voice that was almost inaudible.
“What did you just say?”
“…How much easier it would be if I could, if I could hate you.”
“…….”
Clyde pulled my shoulder and turned me toward him.
I kept my head down, avoiding direct eye contact with him.
Eventually, Clyde gently lifted my chin with his hand.
