28. Lily Jane vs The Demon King (1)

Midnight, when the long and short clock hands point to their highest position.

The pitch-black night sky, utterly indifferent to the mortal realm, remains as always tranquil and serene.

Yet the chaotic clamor that had erupted on the ground has not yet subsided.

It has merely relocated from the hunting grounds granted by the Emperor to the lofty interior of the Imperial Palace.

“Hmm.”

The still faint moonlight streaming through the large window illuminates the bed.

A snow-white beauty bathes fully in the unchangingly sinister lunar glow.

Under normal circumstances, Jane would have revealed her dark desires upon seeing Lily like this, stealthily beginning to trace her skin.

But now, her face shows no trace of sexual excitement.

Her fists are clenched so tightly her knuckles turn white, teeth gritted hard enough to produce an ominous sound from her jaw.

“Won’t you say something, child of Bathory?”

“Shut up.”

The Demon King inhabiting Lily’s body pouts her lips in annoyance, tired of the murderous silence.

Almost before the words finish, Jane snaps back.

“Hmm, very well. If you wish it, I shall remain silent for a while.”

-Click

The Demon King tilts her head slightly and closes her mouth as if doing a favor.

Her demeanor feels so mocking that something in Jane’s jaw seems to crack.

Another uncomfortable silence flows through the room.

Yet the Demon King occupying Lily’s body nonchalantly lies back.

-Thud

And begins savoring with all her might the physical sensations she hasn’t felt in so long.

“Mmm.”

Rubbing her cheek against the soft, smooth bedsheet, she scuffs her heels.

Actions like a cat preparing its sleeping spot.

Though her hands are bound with rope, the body accustomed to restraint feels no particular discomfort.

Jane watches this with eyes burning fiercely.

In every squirming, wriggling movement, she senses her beloved Lily.

But the chillingly expressionless face is so utterly alien.

Only the simple, naive expressions that used to reveal every thought have vanished.

Yet the added cold atmosphere makes her seem like a petite but mature woman.

“Huu…”

The anger that had stiffened the back of her neck still throbs painfully in her head.

But Jane, forcing herself to take deep breaths, grits her teeth as she struggles to regain composure.

“I expected as much, but your patience is remarkable.”

“Where’s Lily?”

“Such devoted love. Is that all you wish to ask?”

“Is she still alive?”

Jane’s voice trembles as she asks about Lily’s survival.

Sensing the fear lacing her tone, the Demon King’s lips curl ever so slightly.

“Hmm… Could she be alive? Or has she already perished?”

“Answer me!!!”

When no clear reply comes, only teasing, Jane finally raises her voice.

Yet contrary to her anger, the magical energy surrounding her gradually subsides.

“Yes, that’s right. It’s hardly desirable to resort to threats when you might be holding something precious.”

The Demon King nods in satisfaction, having read Jane’s silent surrender.

“But rest assured. For now, she remains within. Only deeply asleep.”

“Hah.”

Hearing the Demon King’s implicit assurance of Lily’s safety, Jane exhales a tiny sigh of relief.

Simultaneously, stinging resentment swells enormously within her chest.

Though known only through legends and texts, the Demon King must have sensed the [Demon King Slayer] lurking within Jane.

Yet the Demon King revealed herself with such boldness.

“I have much to say. But first, there’s something I must tell you.”

The Demon King, smiling only with her lips, speaks to Jane whose thoughts are in turmoil.

“Thank you. My revival is entirely your doing.”

“…What?”

Jane’s eyes widen slightly at the Demon King’s unexpected words.

Noticing this, the Demon King bursts into laughter.

“Hehe.”

***

“Humanity’s hero, your ancestor tore my body to shreds and scattered my divine authority.”

There was nothing to be done.

Until a new vessel-born from the mingled blood of monsters spawned by the world’s distortion and the humans still ruling this land-was prepared.

All that remained was to wait.

After long years passed, in the Kingdom of Albion,

The soul vacated a vessel with white hair.

The long-awaited moment of descent had arrived.

“But the descent failed.”

The cause was two uninvited guests simultaneously invading the body left empty by its original owner.

An inexplicable dimensional rift occurred, and from it emerged another soul.

“You must know the most fundamental providence governing this world’s lifeforms.”

“…One body, one soul.”

The world’s fundamental providence naturally sought to reject both souls.

But since both souls desiring the body existed beyond providence, they could remain.

Instead, one soul was pushed behind the other.

“It still shames me. That I, the Demon King, was pushed aside by that foolish brat.”

Ousted by Lily’s soul, the Demon King prepared to wait again.

Though once the Demon King who drove humanity to ruin, now merely a powerless soul.

Nothing could be done but remain hidden, awaiting the body’s death.

“Honestly, I nearly lost heart. Having tasted hope, however faint.”

Then one day, a variable appeared.

“Who could have known there’d be someone capable of forcibly implanting a talent so vast it affects the soul?”

“Talent… the Seed?”

“Yes, what you call the Seed. That overwhelming potential forged by shattering the Heart’s Ring became the variable.”

Jane holds her breath hearing the Demon King’s reply, delivered with a twisted smile.

What Lily sought to protect herself was so simple.

But the implanted Seed reacted unexpectedly.

First, it tried to expel the Demon King’s soul from the body.

And Jane had sensed the Demon King’s soul slightly displaced then.

“I was tense then. Your killing intent was sharper than your ancestor’s.”

The reason Jane first felt murderous intent toward Lily is revealed at last.

“I… it was because of me…”

The strength drains from Jane’s eyes as she stares sharply at the Demon King.

The flames of hatred that burned so fiercely dwindle, her pitch-black pupils shaking uncontrollably.

“Of course, resisting grew harder as the ability strengthened. Still better than being buried in shadows.”

Unconcerned with Jane’s guilt, the Demon King casually stretches her legs.

Extending her toes to enjoy the taut pull of supple calf muscles.

“Huu… Ha. Watching and waiting, then this incident exploded.”

Lily’s fully unleashed ability fiercely repelled the Demon King’s soul.

Meanwhile, the Demon King’s soul barely held on, biding time to turn crisis into opportunity.

And soon, the awaited chance arrived.

The body’s panic upon encountering Oscar Flanders.

The body’s disturbance shook both souls, and the Demon King seized the moment.

“Though the seal prevents me from regaining full power. Time will resolve that.”

The Demon King lifts her chin, looking at Jane as she speaks.

“First, I wish to praise you. The killing intent you felt-persisting simply because you willed it-I know well that’s no easy feat.”

“Shut up and get to the point.”

The Demon King clicks her tongue playfully, and Jane growls in response.

Amused even by this, the Demon King keeps smiling before stating her terms.

“Let’s make a deal, descendant of Bathory.”

“…What deal?”

“Help me break the seal. Once I regain my power, I’ll return this body to its original state.”

This small, weak body isn’t what I want either.

Jane lets the grumbling words go in one ear as she closes her eyes to consider the offer.

***

Seeing her ramble on, it was clear from the start she wanted to bargain.

But to ignore the Demon King’s revival in exchange for Lily’s return?

“Ugh.”

The [Demon King Slayer] coiled inside her roils as if protesting the offer.

Handed down through generations, this ancient divine authority is too vast to control.

What if she makes a deal with the Demon King?

The outcome seems painfully clear.

The moment the seal breaks, the fragile Lily’s body would be torn apart.

The First Emperor’s divine authority exists to expel the Demon King from this world.

Even if she somehow controls it, there’s no guarantee the Demon King would keep her word.

“You’re conflicted.”

“Shut up.”

Nor can she commit suicide before the Demon King revives.

The divine authority would seek her remaining bloodline, and the Emperor expected to inherit it would kill Lily without hesitation.

No way out seems possible.

Her nails dig into her clenched palms, the stinging pain sharp.

In the chilly silence, Jane slowly opens her eyes after agonizing deliberation.

She gazes at the Demon King with sunken eyes.

“I refuse your offer.”

If only.

If only the Demon King had descended somewhere far beyond sight.

Dying by the fully unsealed Demon King’s hand would be no different than dying by Lily’s.

Moisture gradually wells in her black eyes filled with darkness.

Gulping back the sobs threatening to burst forth, Jane slowly reaches out.

Spider-like fingers encircle the pale, delicate neck.

“So, this is your choice?”

Even as her breath chokes off, the Demon King maintains her crooked smile.

Slowly, anticipation fills her ruby eyes.

“Ghk.”

“Haah…”

Yet Jane cannot kill the Demon King.

Knowing Lily’s soul still lives makes it impossible now and likely forever.

“…Why Lily? Why her?”

Jane’s face crumples like a child’s.

Tears finally spill over, falling drop by drop.

“Sigh…”

The Demon King exhales heavily, bowing her head to gaze at Jane’s tear-streaked face.

Her cold, hardened jewel-like eyes brim with dissatisfaction at her plans gone awry.

***

“Sniff.”

After crying for a while, Jane unconsciously reaches out.

Her fingers brush the snow-white cheek.

“Eek?”

Startled by the sudden touch, the Demon King’s ruby eyes widen like a rabbit’s.

“Huh?”

Jane is equally surprised.

The Demon King possesses this body.

Yet the reaction is identical to Lily’s.

A mistake?

Even if it is.

Unable to wipe her tear-streaked face, Jane moves her hand again.

From cheek to eyelid, brushing back hair, then fiddling with an earlobe.

“Mmm…”

Her shoulders hunch.

The touched cheek flushes a lovely hue.

“W-what is this…?!”

The flustered Demon King reflexively averts her gaze.

A ticklish sensation both familiar and utterly alien.

“Ah.”

And Jane sees it.

The faint yellow light shimmering within the ruby-like jewel eye.

Like finding an oasis in the desert.

A hopeful smile blossoms across Jane’s face.