30. To the Empire (1)
“Daemon, is there anything uncomfortable about you?”
“doesn’t exist.”
“Maybe you have a headache…”
“I’m fine.”
“Would you like some water?”
“it’s okay.”
“My… it’s my heart!”
“…?”
Is this a murder notice?
I looked at the bizarre flower in front of me with a bewildered expression.
Then, the guy who held out the flowers was dragged through the crowd of people, and soon there was a dull sound and a commotion.
“Are you crazy!”
“How dare you give flowers to Demon? “What is the mind again?!”
“evil! Ugh! Demon, do you like flowers?! “It’s an expression of my respect. Why!”
“Demon likes flowers…?”
“okay! I saw you enjoying your walk in the garden! How much would you love it if you walked with an incubus next to you just because he was a gardener? “Things you don’t know anything about!”
“Then you paid a bribe!”
“Aaaah!”
I don’t know what it is, but you’re having a hard time…
I shook my head.
Currently, I am sitting quietly in the carriage. When I woke up, I was so surprised to realize that I was in a carriage.
It even made me wonder if the damn devil had taken advantage of my drunkenness to sell me to the empire.
It wasn’t until I opened the window to understand the situation that I realized that wasn’t the case, but I was surprised in a different way.
‘Why do you guys look at me like that?’
As soon as the window was opened, numerous eyes were focused on it.
Those eyes turned towards me with a strange heat in them, and I froze, unable to do anything.
Maybe it would have stayed that way if Ed hadn’t approached me.
Ed looked at my complexion through the window and asked if I was okay, and I just nodded without knowing what was going on.
Due to the atmosphere, I couldn’t even ask what was going on.
Later, I found out that I had done something while drunk…
Seeing that I had done a great job in the war, it seemed like I had jumped into the battlefield…
‘What on earth did I do? ‘In what spirit…’
I wondered why he just went back.
It’s not just about going back, it’s about going back because it’s already over.
I thought I definitely drank it in moderation. Has drinking volume really decreased? That doesn’t really cause any problems, but it’s still a bit disappointing.
Anyway, I think it was quite impressive.
All the way back, corps members were snooping through the open window and talking to me.
Those guys who always kept their distance from me with a stiff expression…!
“Are you not hungry?”
“I’m not sick.”
At first I was dazed, then I was scared, and now…
‘I’m exhausted.’
This should happen once or twice.
They may only talk to each other once in a while, but my mouth is watering as I receive them.
It’s not possible to close the window because there are people who keep talking to you. If I just ignore it and close it, I might disappear without even a rat or a bird noticing… It’s really driving me crazy.
At that time, Ed appeared, pushing through the corps members gathered in front of the window.
When I tilted my upper body toward the window to see a happy face, he bowed once and said,
“Im here.”
at las!
I quickly got up.
I’m not sure because my body is always tired, but my mind is so tired.
I felt like I was going to lose my mind if this continued, so I got out of the carriage with the intention of getting a quick rest.
And…
‘…when did I come up to the room?’
I was so tired that even my memory seemed to have faded.
I don’t know when or how it came up.
***
“Ah, are you here?”
The Demon King raised his head.
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the white-haired man standing in front of him with an expressionless expression as usual.
“I heard you did a great job this time? Thank you for your hard work. How do you feel about meeting a new hero?”
“…I have something to tell you.”
Even though there was no answer to the question, the Demon King put a smile on his face instead of pointing out the rudeness.
Because some very interesting information just came in.
Very important information that is also related to Deon Hart in front of us.
“okay? Before that, why don’t you take a look at this? “The 2nd Corps commander brought information about a new hero.”
Startle.
Deon’s body trembled when he heard the words 2nd Corps Commander.
“…The commander of the 2nd Corps has arrived.”
“okay. Why did you bring a lot of men’s clothes?”
“….”
Deon shivered again, wondering what he was thinking, and unlike before, he hastily picked up the document.
His eyes moved left and right and he began to read the text.
Actually, there wasn’t much to read.
but.
“The new hero’s name is….”
That little text contains heavy information.
“Cruel Hart.”
“…under.”
Deonhardt could only smile, forgetting about the urgency from earlier.
Red eyes are shining. The corners of his mouth rose, revealing hostility and murderous intent.
A very familiar name.
He said, repeating the name of his older brother, who is difficult to forget even as his life goes by.
“I should have just killed you then.”
Even if it means overdoing it.
I put down my documents and raised my head. The Demon King’s unique reversed eyes, with white and black inverted, were facing this way with a smile on their face, as if they knew what he was going to say.
“Are you planning on going to the empire?”
“….”
Sometimes silence becomes positivity.
After leisurely organizing his desk, the Demon King stood up and approached Deon.
He said as he tapped the border between Deon’s collarbone and neck, who was standing there without a hint of doubt, as if he already knew what he was going to do.
Even though there was a black mark on the spot where his finger touched, neither of them cared.
“Go ahead. Even on the Empire side, if you are away for too long, there will be people who become suspicious. Of course, if you have any useful information, let me know.”
The Demon King grinned.
Why he cares about Deon.
That’s because Deonhardt is taking on a task that even he cannot do.
This is something that demons, who have at least one outward appearance different from humans, can never do.
Acting as a spy.
“Then I’ll be back.”
Deon Hardt.
He is the commander of the Demon King’s army and
a hero of the empire.
***
After much thought, I was finally able to recall a fragment of memory.
Yes, I met the devil. It is a natural obligation to report to your superiors as soon as you return.
And one of the conversations I vaguely remember.
‘The commander of the 2nd Corps has returned.’
So I thought about going to the empire, and the devil managed to give me permission to go…?
It somehow feels like a memory to my taste, but whatever.
As a result, it is clear that permission was given to visit the empire.
[Come back. Even on the Empire side, if you are away for too long, there will be people who become suspicious. Of course, if there is any useful information, let me know.]
These words of the Demon King remain clearly in my memory.
In that case, since we have permission, let’s leave quickly before the 2nd Corps commander comes here. I’m sure as soon as they find me, they’ll try to dress me up in various clothes.
I quickly got up from my seat and started packing my things.
Anyway, the luggage needed to go to the empire is not much. All you need to do is dress appropriately to avoid exposure to the sun, and bring some food to eat along the way.
‘Wow, it’s perfect.’
I was a little worried about whether I would be able to get food without running into the 2nd Corps commander… but
I trembled as I remembered the 2nd Corps commander who had brought a lot of clothes.
‘I won’t let you go until you try on all those clothes.’
He may not seem like a bad guy, but he is a terrifying demon who taught us that people can become exhausted just by putting on and taking off their clothes.
I put my hand on the door handle to quickly grab some food, but for a moment.
‘Where do I get food?’
It’s difficult because there will be army commanders in the restaurant.
…Let’s go out first.
The moment I turned the handle, I heard a knocking sound. I was startled and ran away from the door.
‘Is he already the commander of the 2nd Corps?’
My feet automatically take a step back.
As if to reassure me as I hesitated before asking who it was, I heard a very familiar voice through the door.
“This is Demon Ed.”
***
“If you came, please sit here.”
The Demon King, who was examining the documents, raised his head and lifted his chin. Unlike when dealing with Deon, his face is serious.
Ed obediently sat down and quietly rolled his head.
Demon must have reported it, but why did he call me? Could it be that there was something unclear?
Meanwhile, the demon king, who had organized the documents and piled them on one side, softly called out to Ed.
“I don’t like procrastination, so tell me right away.”
“….”
“Aren’t you planning on becoming a corps commander?”
“!”
Regardless of all my assumptions and determination, my mind became a blank page.
Even though he was dazed by an unexpected topic, Ed was able to quickly understand the situation.
“Is it because the 9th Corps Commander’s position is vacant?”
“okay. “Until now, all the corps commander positions were filled, so he was the deputy to the 0th corps commander, but the situation is different now.”
The seat was empty.
It was natural that the choice for that position would be given to candidate Ed.
It’s something I’ve always been waiting for. How did I forget this?
However, even though it was something he had been waiting for, Ed could not easily open his mouth.
“When I become a corps commander, Demon’s lieutenant will be….”
“I guess I’ll have to pick a new one. “I’ll be the next guy after you.”
“So what happens if I refuse?”
“The guy who will be the new adjutant will be offered a corps commander.”
“Is that so.”
Ed, who had said that far, kept his mouth shut.
A look of distress is evident from the facial expression. The Demon King leisurely leaned back in his chair as if to give him time to think.
The air is released and a soft silence settles in the room, as if time has stopped.
Ed, who had been unable to open his mouth for a while even in that space, managed to speak only after the three moons lined up outside the window began to overlap again.
“I…”
After finishing the conversation with the Demon King, Ed headed to Deon’s room as if it were natural.
As always, I knock twice and say what I always say.
“This is Demon Ed.”
“Come on in.”
As I open the door and go in, I see my boss standing in the room. Ed stopped on the spot.
He looks fully armed as if he’s going out at any moment.
It was an unexpected appearance, but considering that he had previously met the Demon King, he could have predicted that he had received some kind of secret message, so he showed no signs of agitation and closed the door.
“Are you trying to leave?”
“Yes, it will take a bit longer.”
“Ah…”
Uncharacteristically, he hesitated and rolled his eyes.
Deon, who looked at Ed strangely, decided that there was no need to inquire for a moment, so instead of mentioning this, he added a slightly belated explanation.
“I’m going to visit the human world.”
“Is that so. “Then you will need food.”
Ed’s actions were quick as expected.
Ed, who had stopped him from taking care of it on his own and carefully tied the small enchanted pouch to his waist, glanced at him and carefully opened his mouth.
“I…”
“Oh, thank you. “Then I guess I’ll just have to go.”
I didn’t mean to say hello. Ed looked blankly at Deon, who stood up from his seat.
A traveler’s hood covers his white hair and covers his red eyes.
And at some point, my back was turned towards the door as if I would never look back again.
“Ed.”
“Yes, Demon.”
“Is there anything you want?”
“…yes?”
“It’s been a long time since I’m going to the empire, so there are things I need.”
Eat. Ed smiled without realizing it.
Where else can you find a superior who takes care of his subordinates like this?
And nowhere else would a superior need so much help.
“Nothing in particular.”
“Hmm… Then, I will take care of finding the right amount for you. I’m busy right now, so let’s talk about it.”
From there, Ed decided to keep quiet.
Instead of mentioning the suggestion I heard from the Demon Lord, I raised the corners of my mouth and slightly folded the corners of my eyes. Then, I bowed politely and spoke.
“Yes, I will wait.”
There would be no need to disturb the busy person by bringing out an offer that has already been rejected.
“Please come back safely.”
Even if he leaves the Empire, Ed will still greet him as his lieutenant.
