Chapter 33

Well, killing a member of the same race isn’t quite as taboo in the Demon Realm as it is elsewhere, but it’s still generally frowned upon.

Of course, that’s just “generally.” Most demons have experience killing their own kind and grow stronger by absorbing their essence after the kill—it’s the natural order. So, there’s not much punishment for it.

However, there is one case where even that minor punishment is avoided: when the killing is considered ‘justified’ according to the lawbooks, and that’s through something called a “life-or-death duel.”

A duel fought without interference from outsiders, purely between two demons staking their lives on the outcome. The winner earns the right to take the loser’s heart, while the loser must cut out and hand over their own heart—a brutal form of combat indeed.

And yet… Adela applied for such a duel. Even though she can’t guarantee victory against her opponent.

Any other demon wouldn’t rush forward just because some siblings died. Honestly, what a hassle of a demon she is.

Still, it’s worth noting that Adela chose to formally apply for a duel rather than attempt an ambush—showing respect for laws and discipline.

“Count King of the South Province versus Countess King of the North Province’s eldest daughter!”

A massive roar erupted among the crowd. What a pain.

If this were human society, people would scramble to stop the fight.

“That’s Adela Lucifer vs King? This can’t go unpunished!”

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

This is demon society. A place overflowing with madness, violence, and excitement, where crimes happen all the time out of sight.

Demons already have trouble controlling their boiling blood and often cause trouble at the slightest provocation. Stirring them up like this is bound to make things escalate.

“Everyone, look! Count South vs Adela Lucifer are about to engage in a life-or-death duel!”

“Really? So one of them is definitely going to die today?”

“The battle between the rising dawn and the setting sunset! It’s been ages since I felt this excited!”

The demons, drunk on the thrill of battle, shout enthusiastically. I get it; over the past thousand years, Adela has been known as the strongest emerging power in the Demon Realm, second only to the Demon King. A clash between ancient demons and rising stars is naturally thrilling.

Of course, I feel the same way.

“Haa… this got complicated.”

Their one-on-one fight sounds exciting. Adela versus King—how could anyone resist watching?

Dum-dum-dum-dum-dum—my heart beats like a drum even though it’s not my own fight.

But I mustn’t let myself be swayed. Acting purely on instinct instead of reason is something animals do. I am no lowly creature.

“Ho ho… I don’t intend to avoid this fight, but a life-or-death duel? Can you handle it?”

“For the vengeance of my siblings, I will claim their blood price.”

“That blood price might end up being yours.”

“…Then it shall serve as penance for failing to protect my siblings and seek revenge.”

With a sword glowing with crimson demonic energy aimed at King, Adela spoke solemnly. Though he appeared calm at first glance, a closer inspection revealed sharp eyes carefully observing Adela.

I stepped in before the tension escalated further.

“Now now, both of you, that’s enough.”

I slipped the mask into my pocket, knowing its discovery could lead to trouble. Right now, I have two items in my pocket that could land me straight in jail if found.

The rosary and the mask—both used during Retavis’ death. Worried they might pierce through the fabric and reveal their outline, I covered them with my hand as I cautiously approached.

“Sis, you’re getting too worked up. What if you suddenly leave?”

“Get out of the way, Oscar. I’m perfectly calm. My steady breathing proves it.”

“That’s true…”

– You seem to care for your sister. But can you handle this situation? With so many eyes watching?

King shot me a mocking remark. Tch, yeah, tell me about it.

In a place like this, mind control won’t work. As I mentioned earlier, Adela’s mind is currently extremely rational.

To begin with, Adela moved systematically to carry out righteous vengeance, fueled by cold logic and intellect.

She probably believes that even if she dies in the process, facing her deceased siblings with dignity requires it. After all, Adela values her family above her own life and never breaks the law or rules.

“(There’s always a way.)”

Smirking slightly, I silently conveyed this message to King before turning back to whisper to Adela.

Right now, Adela is following her reason, so there’s no need to appeal to emotions, ethics, or morality. Simply guide her reasoning in a different direction.

Just remind this foolish older sister of aspects she hasn’t considered.

“Sis, King hasn’t been officially convicted yet. He’s just a suspect under investigation. Right, Count?”

“That’s correct. Moreover, I didn’t kill your siblings, young lady.”

“You heard that, sis? Of course, King might still be the killer, but hasty judgments should be avoided. The mask found at the crime scene was merely discovered near his mansion—it could’ve been there all along.”

“Is… is that so? Hmm… Indeed, King isn’t technically guilty yet…”

It’s incredibly easy to manipulate someone’s mind, whether human or demon. Instead of directly opposing their opinions, present a few circumstances and evidence to let them think and choose for themselves.

I’m the guide who leads them to unseen places. Be it the world, humans, demons, or dragons—they all follow wherever I lead.

Neither the so-called superior beings of humanity nor the apex predators of the food chain can escape my three-foot radius of influence. My greedy tongue shapes their reality.

“Hmm… But if I miss this chance, when will I get another…”

Adela hesitates, swaying like a scarecrow in the wind. When someone’s mind is wavering, provide them with an outlet.

“Sis, here’s a suggestion. If he’s proven guilty later, why not officially request a life-or-death duel then?”

“Again? Would that even be allowed?”

“Why wouldn’t it? Besides, I won’t interfere then. I’m just worried about unnecessary victims. What if you kill him, only to find out King wasn’t the real culprit?”

Additionally, letting her know ‘even if you miss this moment, another opportunity awaits.’

“Hmm… You’re right, Oscar. I’ve been too narrow-minded.”

Za-zan!

That’s how you defuse a fight.

There’s no need for brute force, unnecessary effort, or troublesome labor. Just a flicker of clever words and whispers suffice.

Ah, of course, Frankenstein will take the blame instead of King, who’ll be dragged off to prison following a trial. Meanwhile, Adela will end up chasing shadows. But that’s none of my business.

***

– Stop it.

Stop what? What did I do?

– For heaven’s sake… What sin did I commit… What grudge do I hold against you…

Wait, who are you? Why are you saying this to me?

– Gah, waaaah, isn’t it enough already? I’ve suffered for nine whole years. Please, just let me go…

Hey, wait a second. This voice… I’ve heard it somewhere before.

– Get down on your knees and beg. Huh? The continent’s most renowned hero, the guardian of the night, groveling at your feet like a dog. Isn’t that enough? Should I offer my purity to you as well…?

The encroaching darkness gradually dissipates. Whatever had bound my feet reveals its shape in the growing light.

The delicate features of a woman, faded golden hair, dimmed golden eyes, pale blue lips, and hollow cheeks.

A hero who lost everyone around her, suffered from mental illness, became addicted to drugs, and completely lost her once noble spirit.

– Joker… please stop… I’ll quit being a hero… I’ll hide away in some remote countryside and live anonymously… just leave me alone…

The greatest hero I ever admired.

The protector I deeply respected.

And the person I obsessively fixated on.

The great hero Shine Stella, responsible for guarding the continent’s nights, now lies prostrate at my feet, pleading pitifully. Her bloodshot eyes stream tears that soak my feet mournfully.

– Or… how about this?! I’ll become your dog! Woof woof! I’ll lick your feet if you tell me to! Heh-heh… I’ll do anything you say… anything at all…!

– Please… just stop tormenting me already… gah…

At this moment, as Shine Stella clung to my ankles, I felt deep sorrow and despair from above, beyond her line of sight.

I thought I’d finally found a lifelong companion.

Someone who would never compromise their principles, the epitome of ultimate goodness, someone I believed completed me. And I truly thought I’d found her.

But after only eight short years, everything crumbled, leaving me sighing endlessly.

As the light cutting through the dark curtain grew brighter, I began to understand—I was dreaming.

And when the light completely slices through the curtain…

Klimp…

“Oscar, are you hurt anywhere? You’re sweating profusely.”

I thought I was about to wake up from this dream, and sure enough, I did. My foresight strikes again.

But why is Adela looming over me like this?

Oh right. Today is the day of Leonard’s funeral. Retavis, who left no body behind, will remain listed as missing.

I instructed Mother to either eliminate or exile Big Mother together with Small Mother. Such trivial matters aren’t worth my personal involvement.

“I’m fine. It’s nothing.”

“Are you sure? Your sighs while sleeping were far from ordinary…”

“Don’t worry about it. I was just thinking about the roast duck I missed yesterday.”

“Roast duck? Shall I prepare some now?”

“No thanks, I’m not hungry. Anyway, isn’t the funeral ongoing? Why are you here, Sis?”

I sat up and replied curtly. I hadn’t noticed until now, but I’d been using Adela’s lap as a pillow. Saints do it too, so why does everyone around me insist on making me use their laps as pillows?

“Ho, how do you know… If something happens to you after losing Leonard and Retavis…”

As I tried to get up, Adela grabbed my hand.

Now that I think about it, in my previous life, after Retavis and Leonard died in the Demon Forest, Adela started overprotecting me.

Not a good sign. Although having protection from an absolute powerhouse like Adela is reassuring, I don’t need it coming from someone who traveled from the future.

“I’m fine.”

“Eh?”

“If I die, I die. If I live, I live. The world’s just a third-rate comedy play anyway.”

“…! Oscar! How dare you say such things! Take it back immediately! Words have consequences!”

“Tsk, Sis, take care of yourself first. You’re always messing things up. Recently, you even attempted a life-or-death duel with King without proper justification. In the end, it turned out King wasn’t the real culprit, right?”

“That… I sincerely thank you, Oscar. If it weren’t for you, I might have killed an innocent demon. Tell me what you desire. I’ll grant you anything.”

She talks as if she’d win if they fought. At this point, Adela’s strength likely isn’t even close to King’s.

Of course, I can’t be entirely sure. Since King has mostly secluded himself in his mansion since ancient times, I can only roughly estimate his abilities.

“Well, could you at least let go of my hand?”

“Th-that’s impossible! This is solely for your safety…”

“What? Didn’t you just say you’d grant me anything? Are you going back on your word?”

Normally, Adela listens to me. She wouldn’t break her own promises either.

“…No, I can’t let go. As the eldest daughter of the Lucifer family, it’s my duty to protect you.”

Gwaak…

Hmm, this isn’t working.

“Even if it’s inconvenient, I’ll try my best to accommodate you. Please bear with me…”

“Hmm, guess there’s nothing I can do about it then.”

“Y-yes! Let’s go together! It brings back memories of our childhood—so warm and nice!”

If holding hands doesn’t cost anything and she’s this insistent, there’s no reason to oppose her.

Besides, if we ever clash in the future, I can use “I did exactly what you asked me to!” to gain the upper hand in any argument. I’m not one to pass up opportunities.

Tub-tub-tub!

Holding Adela’s hand, we headed toward the location where the funeral was taking place. Several demons dressed in black stood around a single coffin, weeping sorrowfully.

How many of them genuinely mourn?

I’d love to bring each of them before me, one by one, and extract their true feelings like I did with Small Mother, but that’s too much trouble. I’m a busy person, after all.

I bowed my head slightly, exuding a solemn atmosphere despite the discomfort, and continued walking.

A skilled magician knows how to blend into the environment. Since I’m destined to be the sole heir moving forward, there’s no need to draw attention here.

“Waaaah… L-Leonard…”

“What a beautiful soul… Tragically taken by that monster Frankenstein…”

“Waaaaah! Leonard, I’ll never forget you!”

Dressed in black, the demons wiped their eyes. They surrounded the coffin.

Among them were members of the Northern Counts’ household, demons from distant lands, and even those who barely knew Leonard personally, all attending the funeral for their own advancement and security.

Naturally, none of them genuinely grieve. Poor Leonard—being part of my bloodline and abandoned by his mother makes his fate even more pitiable.

Knowing this, I should’ve made it less painful. Ripping him apart was probably excessive.

Even the Demon Realm operates within laws and regulations, with established professions and societies akin to humans. Everyone wears masks, concealing their true selves while living hypocritical lives. The only difference is that demons are slightly more aggressive and open about it.

Some attend to curry favor with powerful families for scraps of benefits, others to secure jobs or lucrative business deals with us.

I dislike it. Living by suppressing instincts and relying solely on reason is boring. But I shouldn’t act recklessly unless I want to end up in Tartarus again.

At the very least, not until after I’ve eliminated the Demon King. Destroying demon society is a distant goal for the future—after everything capable of stopping me has vanished from this world.

While contemplating these thoughts, I subtly turned my head and quietly scanned the surroundings.

“…Huh?”

“Oscar? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing… Over there…”

Among the crowd dressed in black, standing at their center…

A child wearing dark sunglasses stands rigidly, staring coldly at the coffin being lowered into the ground.

Despite simply standing there, it feels as though the entire world revolves around this child.

Though appearing as a child, the oppressive aura emanating from this figure dwarfs even Adela’s intimidating presence moments ago when she radiated hostility and killing intent.

Demon King Canos.

The Demon King attended the funeral.

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