“Belial! You skipped your meals again, didn’t you?”
“…”
A voice rang from inside a small hut in the quiet forest. This forest was located near the Imperial Palace and was rarely used for closed-door training, so there weren’t that many people. It was in this place that Belial continued to recuperate with Illyna’s help.
The man sitting on top of a rock did not even turn his head at the girl’s loud cry. However this was a daily occurrence since Illyna had brought the man here, so this was nothing new to her.
“Haa… I feel like I’m always talking to a statue…”
“Human woman.”
Human woman was how Belial referred to Illyna, even though she kept asking him to call her by her name.
“What?”
“When does the sun rise in middle earth…?”
“Yes?” Illyna frowned at Belial’s sudden question. She said, “What on earth are you on about?! This demon. When does the sun rise? Of course the sun rises in the morning. That’s common sense, you know?”
“I see. Does the sun rise at the same time every time?”
“Then, are you telling me that it shouldn’t?”
“…” Belial remained silent.
Raising his finger, the small lark that was fleeting around the garden slowly settled down on him. He then said, “There’s no sun in my hometown.”
“Belial, you said that you came from another place, right? Where are you from?”
“Black Slave Corps.”
“Black Slave Corps? What’s that? You know, you have to speak in a way that makes it easier for others to understand you,” Illyna grunted.
Belial silently looked at the bird in his hand.
His silence frustrated Illyna to no end. She was just about to speak up when…
Belial said, “The demons were banished from this land a long time ago, so we’re trapped in a place that would never allow us to return to this place again.”
“…”
“The demons, who have settled and taken root in that place, have been grinding their teeth and sharpening their weapons all their lives to fight against the people of this continent. Moderates, like me, were sent away after being branded as our race’s traitor. All of the moderates have been sent to a huge concentration camp called the Black Slave Corps.”
It was a literal hell. On top of the trashy environment, the moderates were also subjected to constant labor and terrible abuse. It was a hell-hole that was rarely found even in the artificial demon world that had no sunlight. That was the kind of place the Black Slave Corps was.
“This is a much better place to live in compared to that place, even though there are many risks that are unknown to me here. The only reason why I’ve come here was because I was selected to be a part of the advance party after winning in the battle arena. Even though that place is terrible, it’s still the place that I consider as my home.”
“…Isn’t that a good thing? You have come to this place and left that living hell?”
“It’s good, but I still wish that I can come back home.”
Illyna was silent. For some reason, she could tell that the man in front of her had been kicked out of his hometown. However, she still felt uncertain whether she should be wary of the man or she should sympathize with him.
[Illyna. That man might be calling himself a criminal and a sinner, but he’s most definitely a high-ranking demon. In terms of his position, I’m pretty sure that he’s among the best of the best. Even demons can cry and laugh. I believe you’ll regret what you’re doing here.]
‘Should I say that I’m just following my feelings here?’
[Is that so?]
‘My rational side is saying that I should not keep him alive here, but a part of my heart keeps on shouting at me to keep him alive.’
Caldeiras remained silent.
Caldeiras had judged that Illyna did not have any special powers. As the divine sword, it might have accepted the girl as its contractor and owner after being ownerless for a very long time. However, it was true that she was just a great and talented swordsman. She did not have any particular spirituality in her body.
Nevertheless, the reason why Caldeiras was lending her its power and holy mana was because, for some strange reason, her senses and instincts were outstanding. They fit perfectly with the divine sword.
[There’s nothing we can do if you feel like that. However, since it has come to this, why don’t you ask the human that’s with Per?]
Illyna instantly frowned and thought, ‘No. What can I even get from such a cold-hearted person?’
[You’re upset because he’s not paying any attention to you, even though you’ve finished your closed-door training.]
‘Do you know what kind of person that bastard is? In the first place, it did not matter to that guy whether I came out of this place or not. Besides, based on that bastard Davey’s personality, he’ll absolutely cut down anyone who he judges as hostile.’ Illyna’s expression turned slightly stiff as she thought, ‘There’s obviously something.’
She was obviously not someone who had any kind of spiritual power. However, her senses and instincts had been outstanding from a young age. In fact, she had been able to obtain outstanding results by following her senses and instincts during some huge incidents. Her meeting with Davey was no exception.
“What? Do you have any other stories? Something about you or something else?” Illyna sighed and asked Belial, letting go of the weight she was feeling and putting it aside for the time being.
“There’s none.”
“Really?”
“…”
Illyna’s eyes widened at the sudden silence that encroached the area. It seemed to suggest that Belial had nothing more to say.
“Do you not have any stories about your human friend?”
Illyna tilted her head in confusion., “Human friend?”
“That’s right. The human that can use swords, magic, and holy mana.”
“Aaaah… Davey,” Illyna said, snorting. “He’s a freaking bastard.”
“A freaking bastard…”
“Why? What’s wrong?”
“No. It just looks like you have complete trust in that human.”
Illyna frowned, embarrassment coloring her cheeks at Belial’s unexpected remarks. She then said, “Complete trust… Trust… That’s right. I do trust him. Except for his temper, you can consider him as a good man by nature.”
Sounding slightly choked up, she continued, “Well, what’s the point of talking about him? He’s a vicious bastard who’s proud and likes to show off. He also often quarrels with others and loves to tease people until they cry.”
Belial just listened silently to Illyna’s rant.
“To be honest, I was so interested in his swordsmanship skills in the past that I raised the issue of an arranged political marriage with him. This was just so I could learn them.”
“And?”
“What do you mean by that? I was coldly rejected.”
Belial looked at Illyna in confusion. He muttered, “I believe humans and demons have the same aesthetic sense.”
“Oh my, is that so?”
“Even from a demon’s perspective, I can tell that you’re quite the beauty.”
“Who knows? There are rumors of him being an eunuch. Although rumors like that have been circulating, he’s still the best candidate as a groom because of his abilities and position.”
Young, capable, rich, and strong... There was not even an issue with regards to Davey’s status. He was also someone who could ignore anything because he had received the trust of two whole empires.
“However, I can see that he’s not really interested in women. I’m not the type to dig a dried up well.”
“Dried up…” Belial murmured quietly.
“I don’t know if he already has someone in his heart or if he’s really just not interested in the opposite sex. Anyway, there’s no other reason for me to cling to a guy who does not have any thoughts about me. It will all just amount to nothing even if you force it,” Illyna said calmly and stretched her hand out.
The bird that was sitting on Belial’s hand looked silently at Illyna. It just continued to cozy itself up in Belial’s hand.
“It seems like animals like you.”
“…” Belial quietly looked at Illyna before looking down at Caldeiras in her hands. He said, “Owner of the divine sword.”
“Yes?”
“I heard that the divine sword has an ego. I believe it should already be crying out to kill me.”
“Caldeiras is someone who would cry out to kill you just because you’re a demon.”
“I see, it’s quite different,” Belial murmured, quietly speaking about the knowledge that he knew of. “The ego of the Sword God’s sword, Caldeiras, was rumored to be a sword of antagonistic violence toward the demons. From what I heard, 3,000 years ago, during the time when the ego could materialize, its hatred for the demons was even enough to drive it to madness.”
Illyna looked at Caldeiras, which remained silent.
“A long time has passed, so there’s bound to be some changes here and there.”
Belial nodded before slowly standing up and saying, “Grab your sword.”
“What?”
“Us, demons, still acknowledge the Sword God’s swordsmanship despite being enemies for thousands of years. The swordsmanship passed down in my family is a swordsmanship that was created by imitating the Sword God’s Longsword. Although I won’t be able to teach you the true and genuine Longsword, and it wouldn’t be of much help, but…”
“Are you done? I’m not so stubborn and reckless as to confront and fight against a patient.”
Despite Illyna’s refusal, Belial still raised the demonic energy in his body which created a huge change in the surrounding air. He said, “You have to know that even if my body is in this state, I’m still at a level that you won’t be able to hurt me.”
Illyna’s face hardened at those words. After pondering and contemplating for a moment, she slowly released the cloth that wrapped around Caldeiras and pulled her mana up.
As mana burst out of her body from the unique mana flow created by Longsword, a bluish sword energy appeared at the tip of her sword and began to cover every part of her blade. This was none other than the symbol of a Sword Master, the Aura Blade.
“An Aura Blade at such a young age. It seems like you’re the reincarnation of the Sword God, huh? You’re probably the first to achieve such a feat, no?”
“The second, to be exact. Because that damn bastard is not just a simple Sword Master.”
“I’m getting more and more curious about him.”
Thud!!!
Illyna stomped her foot, twisting the ground beneath her. She flew out in an instant.
Belial calmly raised his sword and slashed down when he saw the explosive and heavy weight being applied on his opponent’s sword.
Bang!!!
A powerful shockwave appeared and covered the entire forest.
“You’re quick on the uptake. The others weren’t aware that their swords would be destroyed if they recklessly slashed their swords against my Longsword.”
“I’ve already told you. My family’s swordsmanship was created by imitating Longsword,” Belial said calmly as he walked toward Illyna and raised his sword to destroy Illyna’s balance.
“Ugh!”
He moved to grab the falling Illyna by the neck. Then, at the very last moment, he decided to grab her by the arm and push her down on the ground.
Bang!!!
Another shockwave soon followed. Then, Belial had no choice but to step down without achieving anything that he had aimed to do.
“Showing consideration despite being in the middle of a battle. This…”
“Human, do not think that chivalry is something that’s unique to mankind. Although I am the only one left, I have always maintained our family’s tradition. Whether it’s an enemy or an ally, we never fight and bother the weak.”
“I’m so grateful, I’m already in tears!!!” Illyna said with irritation on her face as she pounced on Belial.
Belial’s words implied that Illyna was a weak underdog that he could overwhelm at any given moment.
Bang!!! Bang!!!
Tremendous shockwaves began to shake the otherwise silent forest. From their unhesitating attacks and powerful blows, Illyna and Belial both seemed to be sparring with many thoughts in their minds.
Even though he had been weakened, Belial could still fully show off the power of a high-ranking demon. As for Illyna, she was putting pressure on Belial by showing strength and technique that’s far beyond what she had before.
[Illyna, just what are you doing right now? Have you forgotten that your opponent is a patient?]
Illyna, who was caught in the excitement of fighting against a strong opponent, had completely forgotten about the fact that her opponent was a patient and was using her full power to fight against him. That was why Caldeiras’ words had caught her by surprise.
At the same time, Belial, who was brandishing his sword and parrying Illyna’s attacks with the same fervor and power, panicked when she suddenly stopped moving. He had no choice but to force his targeted attacks toward a different direction.
Bang!!!
In the end, Belial’s heavy sword slammed down and destroyed the ground. The impact made Illyna lose her balance and fall on the ground. Belial rushed to help her with his hand reaching out. However, even he lost his balance.
An awkward silence blanketed the forest as the two collapsed on the ground, a subtle and ambiguous air surrounding them. After a long moment of silence, Illyna said, “I’m, I’m sorry. But…would you mind moving over a bit?”
Belial looked at Illyna blankly as he stood up slowly. He said, “Please excuse me.”
“That… It seems like demons are very polite. You said that we are enemies. So, why didn’t you kill me then?”
“Killing just one of you will bring me no benefits,” Belial said calmly as he took back his sword.
Although their spar had been terminated so suddenly, neither of the two looked dissatisfied with how it ended.
“You…haven’t eaten yet, right? Today, I’ll make sure that you eat. I will watch you. So, don’t skip it.”
“Why are you treating me nicely?”
“I’m just following my instincts.”
Just as Belial fell silent…
“Why? It was such a nice sight to see. Why didn’t you continue?”
Both Illyna and Belial whipped their heads toward the direction of the voice in surprise.
“Reina, subdue that rascal.”
“Belial. I thought you’re one of the most respectable figures among the demons, but…”
A flash of white shot forward before anyone could even react. The light was immediately followed by several pure white feathers fluttering down from the sky. Just like that, Belial, who was on guard, flew back as if he had been hit by a heavy weight.
Watching everything unfold in an instant, the black-haired boy leisurely said to Belial, “Reina is no longer the half-dead person that you used to know. Ah. You probably don’t remember her anymore, no?”
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