– What should we do, Father?
Heufeln sent a message through telepathy to Julion.
– To make my magic hit, we first need to break through that barrier. Cast powerful offensive magic.
Even though it was a split-second decision, Julion’s thinking was accurate. It was thanks to a lifetime of dedicating himself to fighting demons.
– But his position is too close to Eila. If it were your magic, it might be fine, but with regular attack magic, there’s a risk of hitting Eila too.
– …….
Julion was well aware of that fact as well. However, there was no other choice, even if it meant taking some risks.
– It doesn’t matter. Attack.
– Father!
Aslan sent a shocked telepathic message.
– Surely he will realize that Heufeln’s magic could endanger Eila. So he’ll try to protect her in any way he can. It’ll be fine.
That, too, was an astute and accurate judgment.
Aslan suddenly felt a shiver down his spine. He knew very well that his father cherished Eila more than his own life. Making such a decision required an extraordinary individual.
Heufeln bit his lips and began to circulate mana within his body, then the cries of demon soldiers were heard from outside.
“What’s going on, Your Majesty?”
The expressions of the mages from the Rojasis family turned pale.
Even now, the chances of defeating the Demon King are less than 50%, no matter how generous the estimate. If the forces outside joined the battle, victory was not even remotely possible, and the chances of anyone escaping unharmed were slim.
However, at that moment, Clyde uttered words that no one could have imagined.
“It’s nothing; don’t interfere.”
“Yes, understood.” The demon soldiers immediately complied with the command without hesitation.
Julion stared at Clyde as if probing his intentions.
“Are you finally willing to listen to me?”
“…….”
“Eila is currently under the influence of my magic. She hasn’t woken up yet, but if you cause more disturbances, who knows when she might wake up? I’d prefer to avoid that.”
“Don’t spew nonsense as if you have any authority over Eila, you filthy half-demon scum.” Heufeln growled with deep loathing in his voice.
“It seems you’re her oldest brother. You’d better watch your language. The only reason I’m sparing your lives right now is because you’re Eila’s kin.”
Clyde spoke in a low tone.
“I don’t mind killing all of you here without Eila ever knowing. If that’s what you want, come at me.”
“What is it you want to say?” Julion asked.
“It’s simple. Use an invisibility spell to leave this place just like when you sneaked in, and go back to Trachen. Don’t ever think of pursuing me and Eila again. Then I’ll spare your life.
“…….”
Heufeln’s clenched fist trembled visibly.
At that moment, Nita, who had maintained a stoic expression throughout, spoke up.
“Haylan Peridot.”
At the mention of that name, Clyde’s eyebrows twitched faintly.
“Clearly, two years ago, you approached Eila at the Palace Masquerade Ball. The woman named Sapphire was also you in disguise, wasn’t it?”
“…….”
“Brother.”
Aslan turned to Nita with a questioning look, as if asking why he was bringing this up suddenly.
“Why have you been lurking around Eila all this time and now even kidnapping her? What’s the reason behind all this?”
Clyde remained silent, gazing steadily at Nita.
“Do you love Eila?”
“Nita!”
“Brother!”
Heufeln and Aslan’s voices overlapped in protest.
“If that’s the case, what are you going to do?”
Clyde asked expressionlessly.
“Think carefully once again if Eila is so precious to you. Is what you’re doing really for her? Taking her away from the land where she’s lived her whole life, away from her family, to a land that is no place for humans!”
“…….”
“If you truly love Eila, prioritize her happiness over your desires. You and Eila can never be together. If you’re with her, she can never be happy for the rest of her life.”
A hushed silence filled the tent.
The rustling sound was coming from Clyde.
“Listen to me, Peridot.”
“…Shut up.”
“Peridot!”
“Shut up and make a choice. Will you leave her here or will you all die at my hands?”
Clyde’s body emitted a terrifying aura along with a crimson magical power, something they hadn’t felt before. Everyone except Julion was overwhelmed by this aura.
– Attack, Heufeln.
– …….
It was when Julion’s message prompted Heufeln to slowly raise his hand.
“Release the invisibility spell on me, Aslan.”
It was Raphir’s voice. Everyone was surprised, and they turned their heads in the direction of the voice.
‘I clearly told you to wait in that spot!’
“Quickly.”
“…….”
Aslan glanced at Julion, who nodded faintly.
As Aslan shook his hand, Raphir’s figure appeared.
Raphir walked forward, and as he did, he whispered a few words into Aslan’s ear. As a result, a few wrinkles appeared on Aslan’s forehead.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Do you remember me? Like the others, we first met at the Imperial Palace Ball two years ago.”
“…….”
Clyde stared at Raphir with sinister crimson eyes.
“I am Raphir Enshus Mule Palma. I am the first prince of the Palma Empire and the heir to the throne.”
“I’m not interested. If you don’t want to die, get out of my sight.”
Despite his unparalleled viciousness, Raphir maintained a remarkably calm expression.
“Release Eila, demon king.”
“…I thought I told you to get lost.”
Clyde’s hand, charged with sharp magical power ready to strike, was aimed at Raphir as Nita quickly drew her sword and stepped in front of Raphir.
“It’s okay, Sir Nita.”
“Your Highness, please…”
Raphir moved Nita aside and took a step forward.
“You heard what Sir Nita said earlier. You’re prioritizing your own desires over Eila’s well-being. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have resorted to forcibly kidnapping her like this.”
“…This is your final warning. If you utter another word, I’ll turn you into minced meat on the spot.”
Clyde said through gritted teeth.
However, Raphir remained unfazed, not even raising an eyebrow.
“Are you saying this in front of Eila?”
“Your Highness!”
Nita, feeling helpless, raised his voice.
“Enough! Why do you keep provoking him like this?”
“You don’t truly love Eila. I’m the one who loves her sincerely.”
Raphir said in a low voice.
Clyde’s entire eye turned crimson. He reached out and unleashed his magical power toward the prince.
“Aslan!”
With Raphir’s shout, Julion and Heufeln quickly created magical barriers in front of him. Despite breaking through the double-layered defense, Clyde’s magical power narrowly missed Raphir.
In the meantime, Aslan rushed to Eila.
Clyde tried to reach out, but Aslan had already rolled out of the bed, clutching Eila in her arms.
Raphir stood in front of them, as if shielding Aslan and Eila.
“Don’t move. Unless you want to hurt Eila.”
“……you axxhole….”
Clyde’s gaze toward Raphir was filled with murderous intent.
‘I’ll divert his attention. Use this opportunity to rescue Eila. Tell your father and brother of our plan.’
Those were Raphir’s words, which he whispered when he passed by Aslan.
While they ultimately succeeded, it had been a close call. If anything had gone wrong, Raphir’s life could very well be lying lifeless on the floor right now.
Aslan couldn’t help but admire Raphir in a distinct manner compared to how he felt about Julion.
“…Don’t think that you can safely leave this place by using Eila as a hostage. I’ve said it before. I’m keeping you alive on purpose.”
Clyde’s words were far from bluffing. He had single-handedly incapacitated over a hundred thousand soldiers of the Palma Empire. If he so desired, he could kill everyone in the tent or force them to kneel before him.
Julion and Raphir were fully aware of this fact.
“I know. There was never such a plan to begin with.”
Clyde furrowed his brow, as if wondering what Raphir meant.
Raphir said, turning his face slightly to the side.
“Aslan, wake up, Eila.”
Clyde’s eyes widened at the words.
At his command, Aslan chanted a few incantations, and Eila let out a faint moan.
Finally, Eila opened her eyes.
Pffft hahahaha why is the last scene so funnyyyyyyy….The Demon King being like, oh crap my wife woke up! I’m done for!!!
See hypocrites talking about her happiness when they’ve all just been trying to throw her from one gilded cage to another. Burdensome lot .