Ch.173Golden Memories (2)

The familiar banquet hall comes into view.

The place where I killed Killahal. The day when I disposed of the Red Horn Senate and successfully restored the Demon King of Istria flashes before my eyes like a lantern slide.

“Welcome, Durin. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Now it’s different.

Inside the memory created by the Golden Milky Way.

I met the Witch of Prophecy to resurrect the Mother of Night, but so far I’ve only been examining the past.

“Has Belial already told you? I asked him to inform you on your way here.”

In front of me, a green-horned demon was talking about various things. None of his words reached Durin.

I tried to understand why the golden memory wanted to show this particular period.

What connection could there be between my mother’s resurrection and the Istrian Demon King’s ascension…

“Durin.”

A solemn voice awakened me. When I focused my gaze forward, I saw the Istrian demon with an uncomfortable expression.

“You’re not yourself today. Are you unwell?”

“No, I apologize.”

“Don’t hide it, please tell me. You are very precious to us.”

A gentle gaze fell upon me. It was warmth I hadn’t felt in a long time.

From his days as the Guard Captain through regency to becoming Consul, Durin had lived a life divided between hostility and reverence. Other emotions had become luxuries over the long years.

“Come, sit down. I have so much to discuss with you.”

Durin followed the Istrian family head’s guidance. He showed respect as one would to a superior, not deference to a king. Though it had been a while, his body in this memory moved naturally.

“Let me ask you again. Did Belial tell you about the marriage?”

“Yes, he did.”

“Good. Now that you’re of age, it’s time you fulfilled your role. Do you have a woman in mind?”

Durin fell into brief contemplation at Istria’s question. Searching through his memories, he felt nothing.

Love? By all accounts, it was an emotion he had never experienced. Perhaps a will to protect the demon realm, but even that was absent at this time. He was filled only with thoughts of survival as a lower demon. One could tell immediately by looking at Durin from that time, when he had chosen to side with Istria who had taken control in place of the declining Red Horn Senate.

“I see you don’t. In a way, it’s the most warrior-like life, though not one suited for nobility.”

“The demon realm follows the rule of the strong. I intend to rise by my own power rather than bloodline.”

“That’s only possible with our support. Though we speak of strength ruling, ultimately moving according to bloodline is the very instinct of demons.”

The Istrian family head looked at Durin askance.

“Those red horns on your head are the very symbol of bloodline.”

“…”

“Never forget that red is always the mark of noble blood. That blood will eventually be used for great purposes.”

Looking back at the memory now, after experiencing everything, many things became clear.

The face of the Istrian family head coveting Durin’s bloodline was unmistakable.

“And today is the day for that greater purpose.”

Clap, clap. As he clapped his hands, another door to the banquet hall opened. Succubus maids walked out in step. Behind the long procession was a veiled woman. Her light, graceful steps were very familiar.

In that moment, Durin could recognize who the Golden Milky Way that stored the king’s memories was.

“Azmosa.”

The daughter of Istria, a child with exceptional talent in sorcery.

“If you wish, I could pair you with her…”

His smile deepened.

Since strengthening legitimacy was the main objective, the union of the two demons would serve to elevate the Demon King’s authority.

Which meant…

“What do you think?”

Even Belial was merely a passing chess piece for Istria.

#

An awkward atmosphere hangs in the air.

A spot slightly removed from the banquet hall. The elderly green-horned elders had stepped aside, creating a private atmosphere for the two.

Azmosa and Durin.

If they married as intended, the Blood of Origin and the Magic of Dominion would mix.

Theoretically, this meant a high possibility of birthing the most powerful Demon King in history.

“My… You don’t seem to have expected this meeting.”

Azmosa asked cautiously. Her eyes, darting occasionally, were filled with concern.

She constantly worried about Durin, who appeared uncomfortable.

“I’m sorry. The family elders strongly desired this…”

“I understand.”

Now that they had successfully installed a Demon King, they were aiming for the next step.

By combining the Blood of Origin with the Magic of Dominion to theoretically create the strongest king, the glory would be immeasurable. This was also why Istria was pushing the matter forward.

“They urged me to marry as well.”

“Ugh.”

Azmosa flinched. Her sidelong glance contained both embarrassment and subtle anticipation.

But Durin still wouldn’t look at her.

“As I said before, I bear a duty.”

Disappointment clouded Azmosa’s face. His lack of hesitation doubled her dejection.

“Captain of the Demon King’s Guard. Is that what you’re aiming for?”

“It’s the only path to serve by the king’s side and advance toward the celestial realm, isn’t it?”

“You could become a general with Istria’s favor.”

“I don’t want to be swayed by someone else’s gain.”

“I could protect you.”

Her voice was sorrowful. Though she knew he wouldn’t listen, she clung to one last hope.

Azmosa moved closer to Durin.

“If you succeed my brother Belial as king, you could do as you wish.”

“Are you suggesting usurpation?”

This was not a conversation to have during a coronation ceremony.

While the Istrian family head might not care who became king, Durin foresaw too much misfortune for the demon realm.

Civil war.

Not just rebellion, but a war born of greed would obviously bring great calamity.

“If I said it was possible, what would you do to me?”

“I can do nothing here. But we would meet again on the battlefield.”

“You’ve chosen my brother Belial.”

“I’ve chosen the king and the demon realm. Now is the time to preserve our strength and continue the war with the celestial realm.”

With those words, Durin walked away. The young gladiator didn’t look back.

He was cold-blooded, unmoved by emotion.

“Duty.”

In truth, she knew too.

How heavy the mission entrusted to him was.

But the words wouldn’t come easily. The pain churning in her heart blocked her lips.

“If only I were a little stronger.”

A demon strong enough to push Belial aside.

“If I were closer to the king, I could have kept him by my side.”

Her voice, like a lament, was desolate. Azmosa opened her hand.

Saaaa-

The magic that flowed out gently illuminated the serene world.

“Perhaps I should train from now on.”

The light was close to golden.

…

“Huh!”

Serphin suddenly came to her senses.

The memory was vivid. The scene of meeting Durin was clearly depicted.

But she had lost consciousness. It felt like she had completely lost control of her body.

“W-what is this…?”

“Miss, please stop drinking.”

The maid who had been with her since the beginning of the memory looked distressed. Following her words, Serphin looked at her hand to find a wine glass.

That wasn’t all. Bottles were rolling everywhere. The smell of alcohol was overwhelming, making it impossible to guess how many bottles she had consumed.

“How long have I been like this?”

“Since right after the banquet ended.”

“T-the coronation?”

“…”

The maid averted her eyes slightly. Serphin heaved a deep sigh. It seemed Azmosa had suddenly taken control of her body, resulting in disaster.

“We managed to get through it somehow. You were completely out of it, but thanks to that, no one approached you.”

“Ah…”

“The rumors will probably be bad, so be prepared for that.”

The maid’s words were ominous. Serphin clutched her head.

“W-what on earth have I been doing!”

“Did you sober up in the middle? That’s interesting.”

“Don’t just stand there admiring… Hmm. Yes, let me ask this first. Where is Durin?”

Serphin, unaware of Azmosa’s actions, asked. It was a question with significant implications for the maid who knew the whole story.

“You were rejected once, yet you want to approach him again?”

“That doesn’t matter. Just tell me his location quickly.”

“I’m not entirely sure, but there is a rumor.”

The maid lowered her posture. Serphin also leaned in.

“You know there are two towers in the Demon King’s castle, right?”

“Of course I do.”

“There’s a rumor that a noble person is hiding in the western tower.”

“A noble person?”

It was currently used as a punishment room. It was exactly opposite to the reception room where Serphin was staying.

Based on her wanderings through the Demon King’s castle while in the past memories, not much had changed.

It would be easy to move while avoiding people’s eyes.

Above all, the Magic of Dominion that she could control. Since she had previously manipulated it freely to obtain information about the castle, gathering intelligence was as easy as eating cold porridge.

“Let’s go there.”

“W-where? Surely not!”

“Yes. I need to find Durin.”

She had already met him once, but that was with Azmosa’s consciousness.

This time, she would absolutely not surrender control.

Serphin clenched her fist.

#

After the familiar banquet hall, I walk down a familiar corridor.

Durin took slow steps forward.

“It’s been a while since I last visited.”

The closer I got, the more excitement built. As he said, it was a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a long time.

I encountered various emotions in the past. It felt like my soul, which I thought I had forgotten, was awakening again.

-I’m looking forward to it too.

Another voice echoed. My awakened mother occasionally whispered to me.

She seemed to enjoy the memories shown by the Golden Milky Way.

The reason Durin and Serphin separated in the past.

Perhaps it was to show past events that mother had not seen.

“Who goes there? This area is restricted.”

A guard awakened Durin, who had been buried in the past.

He had already arrived at the tower. Unlike before when he had organized units with Durahans, red-horned elite soldiers were guarding various parts of the castle. Durin composed himself.

“I’ve come to see the person in the tower.”

“That person? You?”

“I’m the child who always visits at night.”

“Ah.”

When he pulled out a fragment from his memory, the guard nodded.

“If you have noble blood, you must fulfill your duty.”

They stepped aside. Without a trace of suspicion, they led him into the darkness.

“The Demon King is also inside.”

One soldier told Durin with a solemn face.

“He said your duties have increased.”

It wasn’t a light joke.

“Go in and listen to Lord Tantalos. He will show you the direction you must take.”