Ten years ago, Benita had made a disgraceful scene at the Daimon Count’s estate. But that Benita was no more.
Now, there was only a proper young boy who understood the value of sweat shed while wielding a sword.
During the month spent at the Count’s estate, Benita learned many things.
Previously, he had been timid and fragile, which ironically made him even more desperate and reckless. He had been a small-minded person, treating others based on their status and judging them by their reactions.
But Benita had changed.
During his time at the Count’s estate, he learned how to acknowledge others, how to apologize, and how to accept things. As a result, he matured and even received more affection from the Empress.
All of this was thanks to Shekina.
“When is she arriving? I want to prepare for her return.”
Benita spoke with an unconcealed excitement on his face.
“They say she should arrive within ten days. However, it seems she will stop by the reconstruction site of the Papal Palace first.”
The attendant read the contents of the letter aloud. Benita tilted his head in curiosity.
“Why would Shekina go to the Papal Palace reconstruction site?”
As he pondered, he suddenly realized something and clenched his jaw.
“Come to think of it, she was close to the northern priest. Could it be that priest is participating in the papal election?”
“I’m not certain, but shall I find out?”
“No, it’s fine. I can just ask when we meet.”
Not wanting to trouble the attendant, Benita brushed it off and mumbled to himself in a low voice.
“If that priest is taking part in the papal election….”
Benita’s eyes sparkled.
“We might be able to help.”
It was time to return the favor to Shekina.
***
“Why do my ears feel itchy?”
Meanwhile, Shekina scratched her ear with her pinky and sniffed.
“Should I find out who’s talking about you?”
Dehan immediately responded.
Shekina furrowed her brow.
“Stop jumping in so suddenly. What do you mean, ‘find out’? And what would you even do if you found out?”
“…Hit them.”
“No violence.”
This kid has changed. He wasn’t like this before.
Shekina clicked her tongue and gave Dehan a sidelong glance.
Dehan had changed a lot—not just in appearance. He felt like an entirely different person from the Dehan Shekina had known in her previous life.
If she didn’t have her past life memories, she might have accepted this new Dehan without question. But because she kept overlaying the past onto the present, something about Dehan always felt off.
‘There was also what Dehan said before….’
Didn’t he say that Shekina appeared in his dreams? And that he felt like he knew her?
‘It doesn’t make sense for him to remember his past life.’
Unless the system was involved.
‘…System?’
No way.
Shekina stared blankly into the air.
‘You’re not up to something shady, are you?’
However, the system window did not appear.
It only hid itself when things were unfavorable—what a coward.
“What are you doing?”
Dehan spoke up, noticing Shekina staring intently into empty space.
“Oh, nothing.”
Shekina hastily changed the subject.
“Are you coming to the capital as well?”
“Were you planning to leave me behind?”
“No… I was just asking… You might have other plans…”
Shekina averted her gaze, avoiding Dehan’s intense stare.
“Even if you tell me not to come, I will follow you.”
“You always say you’ll do as I say, yet you never listen to things like this.”
“If it is in your best interest, I will act accordingly.”
What a convenient excuse.
“…And the prince…”
Dehan muttered but didn’t finish his sentence. Shekina tilted her head.
“Hm? What about him?”
“…Nothing. In any case, I will stay with you.”
“You’re going to do it whether I say no or not. Do as you please.”
“Yes.”
Not missing a single word.
Shekina glared at Dehan, then clicked her tongue and looked away.
Why had he changed so much? He was definitely different before… Shekina felt a tinge of sadness as she recalled the past.
Just then—
“Shekina, here you are! You said you were going out with the Demon King, but he came back alone, and you were nowhere to be found. I thought it was strange.”
Lyat opened the door and entered. Shekina smiled brightly and waved.
“Uncle! Are you done with work now?”
“Yes. I think I can wrap things up for today.”
“I went to the temple. I wanted to see Arthur and Yuriel.”
“Arthur?”
As soon as his name was mentioned, Lyat’s face twisted in displeasure.
“Why did you go see that brat? He’s useless, annoying, and downright infuriating.”
Lyat grumbled with a scowl. Shekina blinked in surprise.
“…Uncle, did you fight with Arthur?”
“Absolutely not! Why would I ever fight with that guy?!”
Shekina, who believed that strong denials often indicated the opposite, heard Dehan whisper in her ear.
“They fought.”
“Aha.”
“That’s also why Arthur is staying at the temple.”
“Aha.”
Shekina felt somewhat strange.
The Demon Realm was known for its rigid hierarchy, where lower-ranking demons couldn’t even dream of arguing with those above them. Yet Arthur, merely a vice commander, had fought with Lyat, a high-ranking advisor. Had things changed?
Shekina found this to be a positive development.
He let out a small smile.
“Anyway, Arthur, Yuriel, Dehan, and I are heading to the capital together. We’ll also take the opportunity to meet with the prince.”
“The prince?”
Lyat paused momentarily before recalling Benita.
“Ah, that arrogant human brat.”
If it was him, there wasn’t much to worry about. Lyat nodded.
“I would like to go with you this time, but my experiments aren’t finished yet.”
“That’s understandable. Uncle has a lot on his plate.”
“You’re the only one who ever calls me capable. You adorable thing.”
Lyat reached out and pinched Shekina’s chubby cheeks. Shekina let him do so for a moment before quietly speaking up.
“But… there’s something I’m curious about.”
“Hm?”
He had to ask while Lyat was in a good mood.
Shekina’s eyes sparkled.
“Gabriel.”
Gabriel.
Lucifer’s right-hand man and the celestial being they had captured at the merfolk island.
Shekina knew they had been trying to extract information from him, but since the topic hadn’t come up for a while, curiosity had been building.
“There hasn’t been any news about him… What happened? Did you find out anything?”
Lyat’s expression darkened.
“That guy isn’t just a celestial. He’s part demon. There’s no other explanation for how ruthless he is.”
“…What?”
“He hasn’t spoken a single word. Not even once.”
That meant he hadn’t uttered a single word in nearly ten years.
Even while enduring the cruelest tortures the demons could inflict.
‘Loyalty?’
Would someone truly devote such loyalty to a madman like that?
Shekina frowned, recalling the madness in Lucifer’s eyes.
“So, you weren’t able to get any information about Lucifer.”
“It seems that way.”
“What if Lucifer launches another attack?”
Lyat looked down at Shekina for a moment before letting out a short laugh and shaking his head.
“That’s unlikely.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“Because his body is still incomplete.”
Lyat confidently declared as he shifted his gaze past Shekina to Dehan, who stood behind her.
“Unless he finds the perfect vessel, he won’t be able to make a move.”
Children had been disappearing from the capital. Only boys with blonde hair and blue eyes.
And their final destination…
Would be Dehan.
Lyat studied Dehan closely, and Dehan, as if fully aware of everything, nodded.
***
“Another failure, huh.”
Lucifer muttered as he slumped into his chair. Beside him, Virtus, who had been anxiously fidgeting, let out a sharp breath and shrank his shoulders.
“I apologize, my lord. I will find another child immediately.”
Virtus knelt and bowed deeply. Lucifer raised his half-decayed hand and let out a long sigh.
“Even if we try a hundred times, we’ll fail a hundred and one.”
It had already been ten years of searching for a body that matched his soul.
And still, there were no signs of success.
At this rate, he would only waste more time—accomplishing nothing.
That could not be allowed.
“It seems I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”
“But, my lord…! It is still too soon!”
“Even if it’s difficult, it must be done.”
Lucifer leaned on his staff and slowly rose to his feet.
“Let’s capture Dehan.”
A perfectly fitting vessel.
He knew where it was.
Bringing it to him wouldn’t be difficult.
