“What… fox brat?”
Dehan was bewildered.
However, it wasn’t just that he was stunned because he had been insulted. Dehan gripped his wooden sword tighter.
“Who are you?”
“Then, who are you?”
The response came immediately after he spoke. Dehan sensed the voice held no friendliness, hinting at an ominous atmosphere. He guessed that the person in front of him was one of the demons.
Like Shekina, this demon was young… probably one of the siblings. Therefore, it was even more important not to provoke them.
After assessing the situation, Dehan lowered his head slightly.
“I’m Dehan Agato. I came following Priest Yuriel.”
“So, why?”
Yurian stepped closer to Dehan.
“What are you doing here, taking over the room?”
“……..”
Ah. How should I explain this?
If they find out that I know you’re demons and that Arthur kept me here to watch over me, they’ll surely try to kill me immediately. So that’s a no-go.
I almost got killed by the northern priests, and I’m now on the run after exposing the dark schemes in the central region? Saying this would only make things more intense. So, that’s out.
Then…
“I have my reasons.”
It was the only way to deflect.
Upon hearing that, Yurian’s eyes narrowed.
“Reasons, huh. Yeah, right.”
He clicked his tongue and tilted his chin up.
“You.”
He was twice as big as Dehan, so he could completely look down on him.
“I heard you’ve been following Shekina around.”
“……..”
“What’s your intentions for doing that? Speak up.”
It seemed to Dehan that this demon had sought him out because of Shekina.
He had seen Arthur being fond of Shekina and the twins being willing to do anything for her, so he had some idea… But were the other siblings the same way too?
If that was the case, he’d definitely get asked this question multiple times in the future. It was best to make things clear now.
“I’m not sure myself, but I feel like I’ve known her for a long time.”
Dehan decided to be honest.
“So I want to stay by her side. That way, I can solve the questions I have.”
Yurian glared at Dehan, his eyes intense.
The usual kind and gentle expression he showed to others was gone. His face was entirely devoid of any warmth, looking more terrifying than ever.
“This…”
Yurian raised the corner of his lips slightly.
“You’re really crazy.”
In a flash, he approached Dehan and grabbed him by the collar.
“Questions? Are you saying Shekina exists just to answer your questions, huh?”
Yurian could tell there was no regard for Shekina’s intentions in Dehan’s words. It didn’t feel like he was being selfish either.
It was as if he had always treated Shekina like that… like it was set up that way.
‘He’s dangerous.’
He didn’t know exactly why, but this guy was dangerous.
“You.”
Yurian roughly let go of Dehan’s collar and spoke, eyes fierce.
“If I catch you near Shekina unless she calls for you, I’ll kill you myself.”
“……..”
“I’m not like the twins.”
Unlike the twins, who were confused because they had never lost someone precious, I had already lost many things.
So, I didn’t want to lose anything anymore.
***
“Hmm.”
Shekina cautiously raised her cup of cocoa, glancing around nervously.
She had been excitedly watching the sparring between Dehan and the demons since the morning and, after lunch, was finally taking a breather.
To enjoy her alone time, she even sent Arthur away, made herself a rich cup of cocoa, and was now sipping it on the terrace.
Yes, that’s how it was…
Until the Demon King, Lucart, appeared.
Lucart suddenly showed up, sat down across from Shekina without saying a word, and remained silent.
“……..”
No words. Not a single one.
“…….”
Why are you here?
What do you want?
Go away, you.
…she wanted to say that, but Shekina was still a small, cute child, so she couldn’t.
Shekina sipped her cocoa and looked at Lucart.
“Um, boss.”
She asked carefully.
“Why are you here?”
Lucart raised his eyebrows slightly at Shekina’s question.
“You came because you had something to say, right?”
“Something to say…”
Lucart narrowed his eyes and stared at Shekina.
“No, I don’t.”
Shekina tilted her head in confusion.
“Then, why did you come…?”
Lucart wouldn’t seek her out without a reason. There had to be a meaning behind this. Shekina’s eyes sparkled.
“If there’s something you need me to do, just tell me now. I’ll check my schedule and let you know. I’ll be busy soon.”
Lucart let out a small sigh.
He hadn’t said anything. He just came to see Shekina and sat down across from her.
But now she was asking why he was there.
“Do I need a reason to look at you?”
“Of course, I guess so?”
“Why?”
“Well…”
Shekina tightened her grip on the cup and said,
“Because you always do…”
“…….”
Lucart’s expression twisted slightly. Then, Shekina’s eyes began to tremble.
“W-what did I do wrong?!”
Alright!
I’m the one who messed up!
I’m giving you this look so you’ll figure it out on your own!
How could you not notice this?!
Shekina, squeezing her eyes shut, let out a sigh.
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on, but I’m sorry! I didn’t act thoughtlessly. I’m sure I did it with good intentions in my own way, so please try to understand. I’ll find out more and explain everything!”
“……..”
Lucart sighed again.
Where did things go wrong?
Where did it go so wrong that…
– I think I might lose my appetite if you stay.
Hearing remarks like this and getting chased out…
– Why are you here?
Having to come up with a reason for his visit…
Lucart quietly fell into thought.
The homunculus who had come to him, trembling yet begging him not to harm Shekina.
The demons who dared stand before him, scolding him to be kinder to Shekina.
Ignoring their words and doubting Shekina had led to this outcome.
Of course, he couldn’t completely rid himself of suspicion towards Shekina. It was instinctual. The fact that Shekina dared to hide things even from the Demon King—it was his instinct to uncover it.
However, that didn’t mean Shekina still seemed suspicious. Every time he was about to doubt her, he remembered the small child smiling while bleeding profusely, saying it was for him. So Lucart couldn’t doubt her. No, he chose not to.
Therefore…
‘I should listen to others,’ he thought, resolving his thoughts. Lucart shifted his gaze to Shekina, who was still watching him carefully.
“I just came to see your face.”
“…Huh?”
“I’m heading to the snowy mountains now.”
“………”
You go there all the time, why suddenly say that?
“So, don’t eat these cookie crumbs while I’m gone. Eat real meals.”
“……..”
“You’re so thin; what good are you like this?”
Tsk.
Lucart clicked his tongue, stood up, and walked off the terrace.
“……..”
Whish!
The wind blew fiercely, as if pouring down.
Yet, not a single strand of Shekina’s hair was out of place.
This was thanks to the teleportation spell Lucart had previously cast on her.
Shekina stood there, blankly staring at Lucart’ back as he walked away, shielding her from the wind.
She murmured to herself,
“What the… what’s with him?”
They say people change when they’re about to die.
Could it be… is the Demon King dying?!
