Chapter 80 – I Dream of a Hand at My Nape (3)

The Demon King, once called the Golden Beast, had originally been known as the Golden Demon King or the Guide of Dread.

There were dozens of names used to refer to her, and each person would recite whichever left the strongest impression on them.

Though she had been defeated and slain… surprisingly many had risen in revolt, claiming to carry on her will and legacy.

And it wasn’t just demons.

Within the Empire, everything had been settled within five years of the Demon King’s death, but in regions beyond the Empire, her influence and the aftereffects still lingered.

Among them were those who boldly claimed things were better during the invasion, using that to incite unrest and spread sedition.

Those who supported such figures from the shadows, claiming to inherit the remnants and will of the former Demon King’s army, eventually founded a new Demon King’s army under that justification.

“But I heard their numbers were pretty small, right?”

Luillin, recalling something she’d heard in passing, questioned Deik’s explanation to confirm.

She remembered rumors, like how people would shout, “You’re scared of the hero, not of us!”, as civil wars erupted everywhere, disregarding race, nation, or territory.

A flood of chaos and conflict disguised as something more noble.

But that was long ago.

Probably just after Luillin was born, or during the time she’d been swaddled in cloth, babbling in some unknown place.

“Maybe it’s because they learned their lesson from acting out too openly and suffering bitter defeat. Around then, they finally started using their heads.”

Instead of operating in the open, they began to move in secret, shrouded and quiet.

In truth, this outcome had been inevitable from the moment they failed to uproot the enemy completely.

Thus, most nations still maintained active cooperation in this matter.

Thanks to its early stabilization, the Empire was the first to begin its rapid ascent.

But unrest eventually escalated into tension, and at one point, a coalition of non-Empire nations attempted to challenge the Empire.

It nearly became a full-scale war.

Though the Empire displayed overwhelming strength even then, both sides knew the cost would be extreme even in victory, so the Empire desperately sought compromise.

Had the heroic Emperor been more ambitious, if he had set his sights on conquest, 

The situation might’ve taken an entirely different course.

“The reason the Blood of Radiance gained fame abroad lies here too.”

The Prince, 

Or rather, the only son of Luelde Brendiar, a member of the Nine Heroes often referred to as the Supreme Hero in place of Princess Elhermina Berke Enjul, was chosen as a diplomatic hostage. That shifted the entire course of events.

Officially, anyway. There were rumors he had volunteered for the role.

“If anything happened to the Princess, that alone would’ve been enough to justify a continental war. But the same applied to Luelde’s son. In fact, giving Luelde a reason to enter the war would’ve been the last thing anyone wanted.”

A man whose power surpassed common sense, capable of neutralizing entire armies without killing a single person.

To give that man a cause, a will to massacre…

That would be nothing short of resurrecting a living nightmare.

Hence, as a diplomatic hostage, Luelde’s son was not guarded by the Empire, but rather by the elite forces of the visiting nations.

So much so that not a single nation, but a coalition of countries formed a team to protect him.

He was indeed a hostage, but neither the Empire nor the foreign states could act recklessly.

A painful, prolonged stalemate had been born.

“And as the son of the one who took down the Golden Beast, the remnants of the Demon King’s army couldn’t just sit idle, could they?”

Even if it was clearly a trap, succeeding would mean splitting the continent in two, or reducing it to ashes.

It was also one of the few golden opportunities for the remnants to establish a new focal point.

But if they revealed themselves too openly, they risked retribution far worse than before.

So in the end, they had to make it seem like the hostage had been killed by his own side.

It marked the beginning of a dark, messy shadow war.

Which also meant, 

It was the perfect chance to root out the traitors and venomous spies secretly embedded across the nations.

“That’s why Luelde’s son began to be called more than just a prodigy, a genius.”

He had an uncanny grasp of enemy psychology and logic.

He laid traps, baited them, even played dead or got injured on purpose.

Ultimately, he played a critical role in flushing out traitors from multiple countries.

“That wolf prince from Dabass earned his place in the line of succession through that very operation, even though he was ranked 11th at the time.”

But the current King of Dabass, harboring deep resentment toward the Empire, never considered it a debt.

Still, 

If the prince later tried to strengthen relations with the Empire, the King would likely agree to a partial reduction of hostilities, acknowledging that it was the most rational path.

After all, the animosity had started when the Empire absorbed a piece of land that had once been part of Dabass, later turned into neutral territory due to the Demon King’s invasion.

“On the other hand, it was seen as both a sign of respect for Luelde, and a gesture of recognition toward his son, who was destined to one day solidify his own place.”

“…You can’t just hear this kind of thing anywhere. How do you know all this? And weren’t we talking about the Demon King?”

Luillin couldn’t help but ask. Her head wasn’t hurting, but the sudden detour felt so out of place, she couldn’t ignore it.

“That’s Deik’s worst habit.”

Luciri snapped, accusing him of thinking women would fall for him just because he sounded smart.

“I’m telling you, it’s all relevant! It’ll be easier to explain later if you already know this stuff. So, to sum up the son…”

Anyway, after Luelde’s son experienced a major incident in the land of the elves, rumors spread that he had become a broken man, or even died.

“But at some point, word spread across the continent that he was alive and well within the Empire. Still, the consensus is that his former brilliance and genius are no longer what they once were.”

“Really?”

“And someone else gained quite a bit of fame because of it.”

A self-proclaimed ‘foolish legion commander.’

“Rumor has it that someone claiming to be the last surviving legion commander of the Demon King’s army nearly succeeded in killing him in the elven homeland. They say that was serious enough for the radiant knight himself to show up in person.”

“Big brother Deik… you’re not just some regular guy, are you?”

If it was that big of an incident, surely the whole world would’ve heard by now.

No, by this point, it would’ve been officially recorded as a major historical event.

So why was there not a whisper of it?

Because it was nonsense? Just some theory he made up in his head? A fantasy? A lie?

“I am one who follows prophecy.”

At those words, Luillin reflexively responded.

“…Emerald Prophet?”

“You calling that out so casually, you’re not ordinary yourself, are you?”

The northwest of the continent.

A land described as both small and vast, an island, an archipelago, a chain of islands.

That domain once belonged to a ruling clan, now referred to by that very name.

But centuries ago, they were expelled by those who came from the mainland.

And the only reason they weren’t eradicated was because such an agreement was needed to maintain harmony with the original native peoples.

They forged a pact.

Since then, the people of the archipelago, known as the Emerald Prophets, had wandered the continent, never setting foot on their ancestral land again.

Some settled in fixed locations. Others became gypsies, nomads, roving clans moving from place to place.

Though few in number, they possessed extraordinary abilities and foresight, and their astrology gained widespread acclaim throughout the continent.

Just a few centuries ago, it was common, almost expected, for kings and high nobles to have at least one of them at their side. Even church history records it openly.

And when asked who they were, they’d reply:

We are those who follow prophecy.

“I heard it from someone. They said if someone claims that title, eight out of ten times, they’re a fraud. So be cautious.”

At that, Deik’s face twisted as if he’d bitten into something bitter.

“…Whoever told you that must know us quite well.”

Not nine out of ten, eight.

“Anyway, we’ve gone off-topic, haven’t we? I did ask, but… I’m even more curious now, so please, go on.”

“But hey, do you know why I’m telling all this to you, little miss? Can you guess what my intention is, for sharing all this so readily?”

“Deik?”

Leo and Luciri both shot him sharp looks, but Deik just stroked his beard calmly.

It was Luillin, far too mature for her age, who responded without missing a beat.

“It’s a request for cooperation. Sure, there’s a bit of showmanship and vanity in it. The way you’re feigning casual familiarity? You’re not used to it, so you’re acting. Oh, and me pointing that out, risking making myself unpopular? That’s just to show how competent I am. And if you want to make use of me, you’ll need to pay up. Make the request through the Edenrevan Regiment branch. That way, there’s no chance of anyone getting backstabbed. Win-win, right?”

“Leo, I’ve said this before, but you’ve got incredible luck with people. Look at this. Not just me, but that witch over there, too. Why do people like this keep gravitating toward you?”

“It’s not Leo’s luck, is it? It’s you two who latched onto me. Let’s get that straight.”

Luciri pouted, clearly irritated.

“Alright then. Assuming you’re allies, let me offer a little service. While doing readings and conducting an investigation, I came across something: there’s a girl traveling with our hero’s son, hair like polished silver coins, eyes that gleam like real silver melted down into her irises.”

“…Huh? You don’t mean me, do you?”

Luillin’s eyes widened.

“Hey, you two. Don’t go whispering just between yourselves. Our ears work fine. Let’s speak clearly, yeah?”

Luciri looked beyond bewildered, she looked downright annoyed as she glared at both Deik and Luillin.

“Um, big brother Deik? I think I just heard something really important.”

“What?”

“…‘Hero’s son’? You’re not talking about my teacher, are you?”

“Is he your only companion? If your teacher’s that black-haired boy… young man, rather… then probably? I haven’t seen him myself, so I can’t say for sure.”

Luillin folded her arms, pretending to think it over.

But really, the only evidence she had was what the guy had just said.

So, if this bearded guy was one of the infamous eight-out-of-ten frauds?

Then there were only two outcomes:

He’s telling the truth, or he’s lying.

And if it was the truth, 

“…Wait. You’re telling me he’s an actual high noble?”

Deik raised an eyebrow.

“You seriously didn’t know?”

“I was just a guide hired for a job. All I was told was that he was a noble knight-in-training. That was it.”

“Really? That explains the strange reading. Between two meteors, there was both a silver coin and a gold coin… so then, what’s the gold one?”

Abruptly, Deik unrolled a sheet of leather parchment onto the table.

He scattered several differently-colored stones and splinters of wood across it, inspecting them intently.

“Here he goes again.”

“…Meanwhile, I’m still trying to digest everything we just heard.”

Their food arrived, finally giving them a brief chance to breathe.

Deik downed his drink and called for a refill.

Luillin, without hesitation, emptied her plate and requested seconds.

How could they be so calm?

Did eating well and living well always come with being this shameless?

Luciri sighed while Leo scratched his brow in quiet agreement.

But setting that aside, 

“If we leave it to Deik, he’ll still be talking come sunrise, so let’s hear it from big brother Leo who actually explains things properly. So… you came here to find the Demon King? But what exactly do you mean by ‘Demon King’?”

“…Yeah. I guess it’ll be clearer if I explain.”

Unlike usual, Leo’s face had stiffened.

“We’re looking for a Demon King. Not the one from the Demon Realm, but one that was born in the Middle Realm. There are exactly two of them. And I believe one of them is the one who destroyed our village. That’s why I’m searching.”

Two of them? In the Middle Realm?

“What’s the reason for calling them Demon Kings?”

“I’ll explain that.”

Luciri cut in without hesitation.

“Have you heard of the Great Demon King’s Legacy?”

“……”

It sounded far too weighty to dismiss.

“There are seven in total. And during the Demon King’s invasion, three of them fell into the hands of the human alliance due to betrayal from certain demons. But as for the remaining four? Their whereabouts are still unknown.”

It was a frightening tale.

…Or maybe not? Honestly, Luillin couldn’t quite grasp how scary it was supposed to be.

“Whoever holds one of them might be a remnant of the Demon King’s army… or they could just be a regular human or someone of another race. But the point is, have they inherited one of the Great Demon King’s legacies? Have they awakened it? That’s the standard we use to temporarily designate someone as a ‘Demon King.’”

Of course, it was Deik who originally explained all this.

“We believe Leo’s village was destroyed by one of them. My sister and brother-in-law lived there too. That’s also why Leo and I have been traveling together all this time.”

“……”

Leo, face tense, was visibly sweating at the memory.

“You must’ve… been through a lot.”

Luillin offered comforting words.

And though her expression was gentle and sympathetic, 

Her heart… didn’t really care.

Tragedy was everywhere.

She’d seen siblings and family members become cold corpses, their bodies gnawed on by rats. More times than she could count.

So sob stories didn’t move her.

The world was already hard enough without having to carry someone else’s grief too.

…Still, she couldn’t help wondering. What had freaked out the rats earlier? They’d gone berserk, running around in broad daylight like something had spooked them.

It had lingered at the back of her mind, but there’d been too many other things demanding her attention.

“So to recap, Leo’s looking for the Demon King. A village elder told him to come here and ask the sword about the Demon King’s whereabouts. So he came here to try and get an answer from that hunk of steel up there. Did I get that right?”

“Yeah. Exactly.”

Leo smiled weakly and nodded.

“But if we’re talking about Demon Kings… they must be incredibly powerful. How do you even plan to deal with them?”

“……”

It wasn’t like he hadn’t thought about it.

But that didn’t mean he’d give up.

The determination in Leo’s face made that clear.

“That’s why we’re looking for the Hero.”

Luciri added a note of clarification.

“If the others in our party can’t find one… we’ll have to figure it out ourselves. But that’s only if we can even locate one.”

“Uh, guys? Hey, friends? Something’s seriously off with the reading. Why is this suddenly going sideways?”

“You’re doing it again! Would you stop with the bad omens already?!”

“I’m serious! All the stars, everything got swallowed up!”

“…And how exactly do you know stars got swallowed by looking at those dumb rocks and twigs?”

“Why is it my fault that your eyes are blind?”

SLAM!

“GAAH! My ribs!”

Deik writhed under the table, completely floored.

“But… about the Hero’s son, Lord Riel, right? That’s who we’re talking about?”

“…Probably.”

When Luillin confirmed with a glance at Deik, Luciri reached over and grabbed him by the earlobe.

“OW! Hey! Let go!”

“Quit rambling in riddles! You could’ve explained this in minutes instead of dragging it out for an hour!”

“It’s all necessary, I AUGH!”

“No excuses, you pompous know-it-all! Leo may be an illiterate blockhead, but even he explains better than you! And you, aren’t you supposed to be a damn graduate of Truga National Academy?!”

“Okay, Luciri. That was kind of a compliment to me, right? And I did learn to read and write thanks to you… So don’t still call me illiterate, that’s mean!”

A loud, chaotic bunch indeed.

Yet among all that chaos, there was something unmistakable:

Trust.

So deep, so complete, it left no room for walls between them.

“……”

Luillin found herself thinking, 

No, realizing, 

That this was something her teacher and she could never hope to have.

You could call it, 

Resignation.

Or maybe just surrender.

They might become friends. But comrades? Partners?

That was a different story altogether.

There was simply no helping it.

Because we’re broken.

The world had broken them.

Broken them until trust was no longer an option.