〈 Chapter 168 〉 The Betrayer

*

‘What’s that…’

Central Sea System.

Across the sea, on the opposing front of the Hero faction were the Demon King’s troops.

Even there, the light was observed.

‘The light of royal succession.’

Demon King Levia bit her lip until it hurt.

That light meant the 72nd Demon King had ultimately lost the Royal Sword.

No matter how uncertain the awakening of the 72nd Demon King was, it was still disappointing.

However, when she heard that from Violet, a glimmer of hope sprouted.

“The 72nd Demon King seems to have successfully awakened at the same time.”

If he succeeded in awakening, then the goal was achieved.

As long as that awakened 72nd Demon King didn’t end up getting killed by Allen Pleuk.

‘Allen Pleuk…!’

According to Violet, Allen Pleuk, who had slain Demon King Laus, activated the Royal Sword.

Clearly, only those who bore the royal emblem could wield the Royal Sword, so how could he activate it?

Did he also bear the royal emblem?

‘That might be possible, but…’

She had already faced numerous setbacks from being too complacent.

She couldn’t afford to be careless any longer.

She had to consider all possible scenarios.

‘It’s absurd, but could he have some kind of universal key ability?’

Of course, such a thing must not happen.

‘But there is one ability I can confirm he possesses.’

He could change his appearance through some means.

And he created a false identity as Sung Yoo-rang using that method.

However, now that it was revealed, it was a disguise he would no longer use, making it meaningless to be aware of it.

‘But…’

If that were the case, there was a strange point.

“Freira, the fact that Allen Pleuk is heading to the kingdom… means you heard that directly from him while he was posing as Sung Yoo-rang at Hero Academy, right?”

­Are you finally believing what I said? I was just stating the facts. You were the one who didn’t believe it.

Freira’s teasing words made her insides boil.

She had already realized that she had been played by Freira.

It was just that the current circumstances felt strange.

‘It wouldn’t have been an ordinary identity; to create a false identity as a formal hero, he must have had contact with the High Priest.’

If that was the case, they would certainly have discussed the next destination.

Nonetheless, if the High Priest misled regarding Allen’s destination, what could that possibly mean?

Had Allen deceived even the High Priest, or did the High Priest know that Allen would head to Leim Kingdom and deliberately redirect the heroes to Central Sea System?

In terms of results, both possibilities were somewhat valid.

Even if Allen Pleuk’s operation was risky, it had succeeded.

However, if it was the latter scenario, there were indeed strange points.

‘If only they had issued orders toward Leim Kingdom instead of Central Sea System, Allen Pleuk would have had a better chance of winning.’

Nevertheless, the fact that they gathered the heroes toward Central Sea System likely indicated a strong belief in Allen Pleuk.

That he could manage things toward Leim Kingdom all by himself.

If not, then he must have deceived the High Priest.

‘It’s unsettling.’

Whatever the case, the current situation was not favorable for her.

Both the already ruined Leim Kingdom and this Central Sea System.

While Central Sea System wasn’t quite ruined yet, there was an odd current flowing.

‘Why are those guys…’

She gazed across the sea at the Central Island occupied by the heroes, pondering.

‘They don’t seem to show any intention of attacking, do they?’

Even as this standoff prolonged, time was stretching on.

From her viewpoint, who needed to hasten the world’s destruction, she felt increasingly anxious.

‘Should I be the one to strike first?’

Perhaps they were waiting for Allen Pleuk.

If he were also to come to Central Sea System at this juncture, the situation would become even more hopeless.

‘What should I do…’

Just then, a subordinate arrived with unbelievable news.

“What did you say?”

*

Behind Violet, who was gazing into the crystal ball.

Freira, who was standing leisurely observing her, remarked.

“How is it? Quite entertaining, isn’t it?”

“Indeed, this person… is interesting.”

Within her crystal ball was the figure of Allen Pleuk.

And he was just about to depart for Central Sea System after finishing everything in Leim Kingdom.

‘It’s amusing. But that makes it even more regrettable.’

Of course, she couldn’t see everything simultaneously.

Until something serious occurred in the Leim Kingdom, she had kept an eye on the standoff with the heroes in Central Sea System.

Thus, she regretted being unable to watch what Allen Pleuk was doing in Leim Kingdom.

What she could see was just a scene of him wielding the Royal Sword and defeating the 72nd Demon King.

Yet, that alone was enough to draw her full attention to him.

More than the fact that he had used the Royal Sword, she was captivated by the swordsmanship he displayed at the end.

‘That was definitely Libero’s style.’

She still couldn’t forget the last moment of Libero.

The smile he wore as he willingly offered his life to Allen.

And with the will he passed on, Allen had appropriately honored it in the year following in Leim Kingdom.

‘To be honest, I still don’t understand this feeling.’

It wasn’t as if she particularly wanted to die like Libero.

Yet, for some reason, she became enamored with the expression he wore at the moment of his death.

“Freira.”

In her room, aside from Libero, there was another Demon King who had directly interacted with Allen.

Violet asked her.

“Do you still want to die?”

She smiled as she replied.

“Well, having lived for such a horrifyingly long time, I suppose I’ll have to die someday. But as you know, these days I find life quite enjoyable.”

That was probably thanks to Allen Pleuk.

‘If I met this person, could I find happiness like Freira or Libero?’

She felt a twinge of jealousy.

Of course, engaging with the Demon Kings while gazing into the crystal ball was something she wanted to do…

But doing it forever wouldn’t remain amusing.

‘But…’

Meeting someone like him in person would probably be impossible.

So for now, she would just observe.

“Well, I’m off.”

Leaving her behind, Freira stood up.

“Off where?”

“Hailen.”

“Are you returning as a professor?”

Freira wore a slightly bittersweet expression at those words.

“It was fun hanging out, Violet.”

Having spent almost 500 years as friends.

“Freira? What do you mean suddenly?”

“I won’t be returning to the Demon King’s castle. I think I’ve spent my life as a professor and will die as one when the time comes.”

“So, why suddenly are you saying that?”

“I’m not a Demon King.”

An unusual confession from a long-time companion and friend who had spent so much time as a Demon King.

However, her expression looked earnest.

“There’s no way a Demon King could enter Hailen’s barrier, right?”

“That’s…”

Freira spoke nonchalantly while picking up her outer clothes.

Violet could only stare blankly at her.

It seemed Freira had made a firm resolution.

“Take care, Violet.”

“Are you really going?”

“Yeah, I want to do more teaching. Plus, I have something to argue with the High Priest about for my beloved disciple.”

Her expression was so happy that Violet couldn’t bring herself to stop her.

Knowing her, who would often mutter about wanting to be killed, it was impossible to dissuade her.

So if she couldn’t stop her, maybe she could at least tell her something she had kept secret until now.

Maybe it was already too late.

Perhaps it was something she should have said long ago.

“I was actually aware all along.”

“What about?”

“That you aren’t a Demon King.”

She had known that much already.

“That could have been possible.”

Freira said casually.

To her, Violet continued.

“A Demon King can’t become pregnant.”

At that, Freira’s expression hardened again.

“You were watching, huh?”

“Yes. In a countryside inn in Basilium. I witnessed you giving birth.”

“If that’s the case, you must also know the outcome?”

She started stroking her belly, which had not puffed up again since then.

“How did you succeed in becoming pregnant…”

The child born from her attempt was already dead.

Although she had told Allen that inter-species pregnancy between her kind and humans was impossible, she had not omitted her own attempts.

However, the child she had managed to carry after breaking the atrocious odds was ultimately a miscarriage.

With that, she set aside thoughts of the child.

And chose the path of a professor as a second option.

That was the only way to fill her emptiness, even just a little.

And she had something to tell her that she felt she must.

“Did you know?”

That was a statement she had feared to speak until now.

To say that would bring up the fact that Freira was not a Demon King.

If she did that, perhaps Freira would leave forever.

But now it seemed fine.

Freira appeared to have decided to leave after all.

“The child is still alive.”

It was a miracle.

Perhaps even God had aided in this.

However, what was certain was that the child was alive.

“Violet? What do you mean…”

“Allen Pleuk.”

At that, Freira’s eyes began to shake.

But that was only for a moment, as she smiled.

“Well, that’s fortunate.”

She had already embraced the disciple known as Allen Pleuk in her heart.

That feeling had only grown to fill her completely.

In the end, nothing had changed.

“It was fun while it lasted.”

Violet understood that as well.

So, she decided to let her go just like that.

“I had fun too.”

In the room left behind by Freira.

All alone, Violet gazed at the crystal ball while opening the lid of a small jar that Freira had left behind.

Inside was familiar food.

It was tteokbokki, a traditional dish from Sakh.

Now it was so common that it could be seen in any region.

And it was also Violet’s favorite dish.

‘Now who will get me tteokbokki?’

Often Freira would bring it whenever she visited the Demon King’s castle.

This was troublesome.

‘Maybe I’ll have to try making it myself.’

Just as she popped one of the rice cakes into her mouth.

­Ah, can you hear me?

It was Demon King Levia.

“Yes, I can hear you.”

­What are you eating now? Well, it doesn’t matter. I have important news, so listen well.

As she listened, Violet’s fork was quickly halted mid-air while trying to grab another rice cake.

Gulp.

“What did you just say?”

*

Saint City Hailen, the High Priest’s chamber.

A subordinate clad in all-white garments entered and knelt.

Then reported.

“Hero Allen Pleuk has defeated the Demon Kings and saved Leim Kingdom.”

Silence fell.

After a brief moment, the High Priest finally opened her mouth as if she had concluded her thoughts.

“That’s a miracle.”

Despite sending all the heroes to the Central Sea System, he had steadfastly headed to Leim Kingdom.

Moreover, he saved Leim Kingdom with only three people.

That could only be described as a miracle.

“He’s surpassed my expectations.”

A miracle.

In other words, it was beyond her predictions.

This was the appearance of an anomaly that had risen after a long time.

“Then, the task to be carried out this time will be the same.”

Usually, she wouldn’t do such a thing.

But with the emergence of an anomaly that even she had not predicted, she had no choice.

“I will issue new orders to all heroes.”

There was no other option but to issue orders.

“A bounty has been placed for the betrayer Allen Pleuk. And his rank will be demoted to 101st, revoking his status as a High-ranking Hero.”

*