“What exactly happened, Lua?”
At Charlize’s sharp enquiry, Lua seemed to have been waiting for the question and began to share his story.
***
It was a few days before Lua became the hero of the Empire.
On the day they left the Island of the Sick. And Charlize first departed for the Duke of Rebecca, the other humans also left, leaving Lua alone to think deeply.
More and more people were recognizing Charlize’s true value.
How could he monopolize Charlize for himself?
After much contemplation, Lua decided to pretend to be a human.
In order to get Charlize, or rather, to become Charlize’s spouse, he had to marry her.
For that, he required status.
A very high status that matched Charlize.
And power.
While wandering alone on the Island of the Sick, Lua happened to overhear a conversation among the guards.
“They say a war with the demons is about to break out.”
“…Demons? The crazy ones that devour people?”
“Yes. I happened to see it in a letter from my colleagues. They said it would probably happen soon.”
Weren’t all the demons supposed to be dead?”
“No. They said they were living secretly among humans.”
“Eek! So there could be a demon hiding here too?”
“I don’t think so. I heard they’ve taken over half of the northern land. It’s completely the opposite of our isolated island in the south.”
“True, would a demon really want to come to a place full of sick people?”
“We should just quietly stand guard and be careful not to get sick.”
“Any other news?”
“Not really. With the news of a possible war between demons and humans causing chaos all around, there’s no hotter news than this.”
Lua quietly listened to the guards’ conversation and left the Island of the Sick without a sound.
Then he began to ponder over many things.
Who was the bastard who took over half of the northern lands?
Who was it who’s causing chaos even though his seal has been removed?
He became curious for no reason.
The war between humans and demons was absolutely going to be lost by humans.
In the first place, they couldn’t win because the two races were fundamentally different.
The demon’s powerful abilities were far beyond anything mere humans could contend with.
Lua moved slowly, lost in thought, pondering and reflecting deeply.
‘What would I gain if I sided with humans in this war?’
In that moment, Lua’s grayish-blue eyes sparkled with realization.
‘The title of the greatest hero among humans.’
A faint, sideways smile flickered across Lua’s lips.
‘First, I have to meet the Emperor of the Empire, the one who isn’t on good terms with Charlize.’
Lua used his demonic power to instantly move to Harrison’s private chambers.
***
Harrison, who was lying on his soft bed trying to get some sleep after a long exhausting day, suddenly sat up at the sound of presence and dark figure.
“Who are you!”
“Human Emperor, I need your help.”
“… Aren’t you that demon cub that Charlize always brings around with her?”
“Have you heard? Demons on the northern side are trying to take over the Empire.”
“Ha, I heard.”
“I can help you with that.”
“….Are you saying you’re going to fight your own kind? Don’t demons have any sense of camaraderie?”
“We’re individualists.”
“Ha! Do you really think I’ll accept your help?”
“Are you confident? To win against demons.”
“Of course. I have John, and other people who are quite skilled too. Plus, we have demon hunters. They can kill demons. No, they can easily dominate them.”
Lua let out a laugh mixed with mockery at Harrison’s ridiculous claims.
“To be honest, I wasn’t killed by the previous Duke of Rebecca. I was sealed away. And it seems this whole ‘demon hunter’ thing has emerged out of nowhere. It’s supposedly a profession that kills demons, but the reality is different. Those rare demon hunters are all demons themselves. Humans are being deceived.”
“….What?”
“You don’t know. When demons are bored, they often kill their own kind. They feel pleasure when they see demon blood.”
“You crazy bastards.”
“So.”
Lua walked slowly to Harrison’s bed and placed both hands on it.
Then he continued.
“I’ll help you. Personally.”
Harrison felt a chill down his spine at the sight of Lua, who was usually quiet, but now showing his rare ferocity.
Is this the true face of the Great Demon?
Does Charlize know this bastard’s true face?
Despite all his thoughts, his mind kept drifting back to Charlotte.
Damn it.
The saying that hatred is the scariest thing is true.
Haa.
He really hated her.
And Seeing Lua, whom Charlotte carried around like a cherished doll, only made her face swirl in his mind to the point of madness.
So Harrison deliberately took his eyes off Lua’s true demonic visage.
“There’s no way you’d help humans for free. You must want something in return, don’t you? What is it?”
“The human Emperor is different after all. You’re quick-witted.”
Lua added, his eyes narrowing into crescents.
“I want to live like a human, be in a position similar to or higher than Charlize, with wealth and status.”
“You’re crazy about Charlize.”
“Oh, and I’d like you to break off your engagement with her. I heard about it before entering the island.”
“That makes sense. I had no intention of marrying Charlize anyway. The engagement was just a bait. Canceling it will take some time, so just bear with it for now. I have no plans to meet Charlize personally in the meantime. Why would I create reasons for you to hate me?”
“I’m glad you listened to my requests.”
“When the Great Demon makes a not-so-subtle threat, I have to listen.”
Harrison let out a sigh, half relieved.
Puff.
Lua sat down next to Harrison.
“What, why are you sitting here? Aren’t you done with your demands?”
“The foundation of war is strategy, you foolish emperor.”
“….”
Until now, Harrison had fought wars without a strategy, so he was unprepared for a war that required strategy.
This was because an enemy country that could defeat him with force had never appeared before.
So the word ‘strategy’ was really unfamiliar to Harrison.
“Just tell me. What kind of plan are you thinking about?”
“If I can find out who the leader of the northern demons is, we can take them down pretty quickly.”
“I’ve heard he’s a beautiful person with silver hair tinged with gold and purple eyes. They say he’s really lovely, but his personality is as vicious as a beast, according to his subordinates.”
“Does he have a dragon tattoo on the back of his neck?”
Lua, having a rough idea from Harrison’s description, asked one last question.
“Oh! That’s right. Your words match with the description of the people who saw that demon. They said there was a dragon tattooed on the back of his neck. A jet-black dragon.”
“I know who it is.”
Lua’s cold sky-blue eyes darkened ominously.
It was Baroquel, ranked just below him in the demon hierarchy.
He had the appearance of a prince straight out of a human fairy tale, but his true nature was eccentric and cruel.
He also had a strong domineering nature.
Moreover, he preferred to gather other demons who also favored individualism, creating his own circle.
He was a complete lunatic who made even Lua click his tongue in disapproval.
He also respected Lua’s incredible power, but despite that, he was also consumed by a strange desire for Lua to die, so Lua also kept his distance from Baroquel.
That’s why he only heard news of Baroquel from other demons.
Their relationship was that bleak.
Who would have thought they would meet on the battlefield?
This, this might really be fate.
Lua covered her smiling lips with his palm.
Harrison, puzzled by Lua’s unsettling demeanor, tilted his head and asked again what his plan was.
But Lua simply replied that he would handle everything and told him to rest comfortably and prepare for war before vanishing like a ghost.
Awake now due to Lua’s presence, Harrison raked his hands through his neatly styled hair in frustration.
“Charlize and that demon she carries around really know how to infuriate people. Damn it! If you’re going to share a plan, at least do it properly!”
Harrison shouted in a roar-like cry, closing his eyes tightly before lying back down on the bed.
But he only tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep.
***
With the information Harrison provided, Lua headed north without hesitation.
Lua hated the cold.
Because when it was cold, loneliness and emptiness overcame him greatly.
The only source of warmth he had felt in the dark, cold basement came from Charlize.
‘Should I have gone back to Charlize instead of here?’
For a moment, Lua’s resolve weakened.
But then he regained his composure.
‘No, this is all for a future with Charlize.’
Clenching his teeth, Lua pressed on through the blizzard in the north.
Easily slaughtering the demons that attacked him along the way.
Lua was eventually able to reach the northern gate.
“Who goes there!”
“Who am I?”
Upon hearing Lua’s voice, the several demons guarding the northern gate immediately collapsed to the ground.
It was because Lua’s voice contained the power of a demon, leaving them powerless.
Lua looked down dismissively at the lower-ranking demons who were cowering before him.
