Chapter 57

On the day of the execution, at dawn.

The Minister of War launched a surprise attack to tie down the Demon King. However, the Demon King effortlessly blocked the thrown spear with a single sword, as if he had anticipated the attack, and spoke.

“…How utterly cowardly. Why won’t you even give me time to pray for my companion’s soul?”

“You can pray for it yourself in the afterlife.”

“That woman is quite cunning. No doubt she plans to tie me down and split the army in two to annihilate us.”

Seeing his plan read so easily, the Minister of War was visibly shaken, his pupils trembling slightly.

“Knowing that doesn’t change anything, you widowed brat.”

“Surely, the giants’ forces will prevent the left flank from being surrounded. Even I must admit, it’s a fatal move.”

If the plan went as intended, the Demon King’s army would surely be annihilated today.

“…It’s not a brilliant move, but it is a fatal one.”

“What?”

“Do you really think we wouldn’t notice such an obvious attempt to target our weak point? Who would be foolish enough to leave their weakness exposed?”

The Demon King’s strength lies in his overwhelming charisma, which has subjugated all demons through sheer power. In other words, without the Demon King, they lose their center of gravity.

But what can those who have lost that center of gravity possibly do now?

“It is indeed a splendid strategy. The determination to use everything at their disposal. It was that determination that brought down the vampire. However… the more intricate the plan, the more it crumbles at the slightest misstep.”

Penelope’s strategy was indeed brilliant, as it aimed to utilize every available resource. But that was also its flaw.

“If I return alive today, tell that child this: schemes, swords, and humans are all valued at their weakest points.”

The Minister of War also realized the flaw and immediately tried to return to where his disciples were.

But before he could even lift his foot, a vicious sword strike tore through the ground. Had he moved just a moment earlier, his foot would have been severed without a trace.

“The moment you are certain of victory is when you are most vulnerable.”

“…You’re in my way. If you’ve come to sever the bond between master and disciple, at least show me some blood before you go, disciple.”

“Simple. I’ll kill you and then go save those fools.”

“Even if we set aside how difficult that will be… do you think you’ll be in any condition to fight after battling me?”

“So, you’re saying you’re tied down too. Nicely exploited.”

“You talk well. You must have guessed that at least one of your disciples would die.”

The Minister of War had no choice but to remain silent.

Raul was like a rabid raccoon. Surprisingly cunning, but when it came to fighting, he charged in without regard for anything, like a rabid beast. The only flaw was that he was a bit slow.

Camilla was like a blind boar. Excellent, but her flaw was that she had no one to guide her. If someone could guide her, she could even surpass herself.

First Prince Asel was a bird of prey without wings. His fiery temperament burned away his own feathers every day. He needed someone to temper that temperament.

Penelope was like a monkey without hands. She had a brilliant mind, but lacked the ability to act on it herself.

Raul and Camilla were a good match. Asel and Penelope were a good match.

“That crow…”

Layla. A genius among geniuses, scoring 99 in every field. A child with wings that could fly to the edge of the sun. Wings that wouldn’t fall, as if glued with wax.

That’s why he worried. She scored 99, but could never reach 100. Even in death, she couldn’t overcome that one point.

She would soar. A genius who didn’t know the pain of falling, she would soar to the edge of the sun. And the heat would melt the wax on her wings. She would fall, blackened like a crow.

Not knowing the heat of the sun. That was the one point she couldn’t overcome.

“Let’s dance the sword dance. Until the whole world is submerged in a sea of blood. Until my love reaches her.”

“…You crazy bastard.”

“Love is fundamentally madness. Remember that.”

“If you talk about love in front of a guy who ran away from his cheating wife, I’ll tear your mouth apart. Remember that.”

At that time.

Raul and Layla were holding their own against the dragon race and other demons, tying them down.

“Raul. You feel it too, don’t you?”

“…Yeah.”

“These guys’ movements are unusual. It’s like they knew we’d come to stop them from the start…”

“Their queen can sense my scent and heartbeat… but it’s a bit surprising that she predicted you’d come too.”

But that didn’t cause any major issues with the plan. They just lost the element of surprise, but they could still fight head-on and win.

Kyle, who had been killing demons with a staff imbued with resonance as Raul had taught him, spoke calmly.

“Enemies are approaching again, Raul. There must be over a thousand of them.”

“Then we’ll just reduce them to zero. Kyle, reform the ranks.”

“As you command.”

Kyle rode off to reorganize the troops. Though usually irritable, as a loyal subordinate, he carried out any order during battle.

Once the troops were reorganized, there would be no problem. Raul and Camilla would handle the dragon race, while Kyle and his troops would deal with the other demons.

“Raul! Camilla! We’re in big trouble!”

“What’s wrong?”

A messenger, running from afar with a terrified face, dismounted and delivered the bad news.

“The giants have let the succubi through! The succubi are advancing from the south! We’ll soon be completely surrounded!”

It was a betrayal that would be etched in Raul’s heart forever.

If the giants had blocked the path, Penelope’s plan would have succeeded without a hitch.

“Kyle.”

“…Yes. I’ll prepare for a last stand to ensure you two retreat safely.”

“Your wish will come true.”

“Huh…?”

“You take the remaining troops and retreat to headquarters. We’ll handle things here.”

It was madness. The succubi army would soon descend. While the soldiers bought time, the two, being significant assets, needed to escape.

“What kind of insane plan is that?!”

“If we sacrifice the soldiers to survive, we have no worth.”

“But…!”

“I promised the soldiers they’d return home, Kyle. Don’t make me a liar.”

“Then I’ll stay too!”

“If you don’t go, who will command the soldiers?”

Layla also seemed to agree, pushing Kyle’s back.

But Kyle couldn’t bear to leave them behind. Though not much older, they were like second parents to him. He couldn’t abandon his saviors to certain death.

“Raul… Layla…!”

“It’s an order, Kyle.”

“…As you command.”

Kyle, who could sharply distinguish between public and private matters, had no choice but to obey.

“Don’t cry, kid. Do you think Raul and I are going to die? We’re monsters…”

“I will retreat, praying for the safe return of you two ‘people’.”

“…”

“May fortune be with you.”

He didn’t even say thank you for taking him in. He firmly believed the two would return safely.

Kyle left them behind and began retreating to headquarters with the soldiers.

“Now… let’s reassess the situation.”

“Dragons to the north and succubi to the south. Both have other demon armies with them. We’re about to be completely surrounded. If the encirclement closes, even the retreating soldiers won’t be safe.”

“There’s only one answer. We split up and block the south and north, buying time for the soldiers to retreat while tying down the enemies. We’ll succeed in the plan and save the kids. A perfect two-for-one deal.”

“How many do we have to execute that?”

“Do we need to count? Just you and me…”

Layla laughed, finishing the simple calculation.

“Just one person.”

The two were each other’s other half, practically one body.

“Enough numbers, then.”

“Right? You and I are the strongest.”

They hugged each other one last time. By doing so, they could erase each other’s imperfections and become complete.

“Raul…”

“Speak.”

“Are you still not going to tell me what you wanted to ask me?”

“…I’m still not sure.”

Layla accepted even that frustrating answer with a smile.

Then she kissed his forehead and brightly waved, promising to meet again.

“Then tell me when you come back! I’ll give you a positive answer too!”

“Alright. I’ll make sure to do that.”

Raul smiled faintly and waved.

Then, gripping his staff, he glared at the dragon army charging towards him.

Among the dragon army that blackened the sky, at the forefront was not a massive dragon but a slender woman.

She was the Dragon Queen, the strongest being who had never been defeated by anyone except the Demon King.

“Raul… we meet again. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this day. The day I can welcome you as my companion.”

“…”

Raul couldn’t understand her.

Ever since he punched and kneed her abdomen on the battlefield, she had become obsessively attached to him.

“Get lost. I find you disgusting.”

She was a special woman to Raul.

The only woman who could see his genuinely contemptuous expression.

“I am grateful to hear your beautiful voice…”

Raul thought to himself that from the Demon King to the dragon race, none of the Demon King’s army was sane.

“In return, I will make you one of our kind… so you can live eternally with me…”

“Please, just shut up. Talking to you makes me feel like my brain is rotting.”

“To think my voice reaches your heart… what continuous joy…”

Raul clicked his tongue, showing his discomfort.

Her way of speaking, ignoring others and only saying what she wanted, was deeply unpleasant to him.