DSB 104

“The fight… seems to have been fierce.”

“Wasn’t the journey here difficult?”

“Most of the dangerous monsters had already been subjugated, so we didn’t encounter many on the way here.”

“That’s a relief. Sit down for now.”

Putting aside the joy of the reunion for the moment, Edmund prepared seats for them, knowing how exhausted they and the knights must have been after coming all this way.

“I’m sorry I made you come all the way here. Damian must’ve been very worried….”

“I told Bron to send a carrier pigeon.”

As soon as they reunited with Edmund’s group, Bron had released a carrier pigeon toward Hestro Castle. Edmund nodded, saying that was well done.

Yutis quickly checked the knights. They had departed together with Edmund, but some familiar faces were missing.

There were also several who were injured seriously enough to hinder their movement. Furthermore, Edmund himself, their most important combat strength, was injured.

No wonder they couldn’t descend the mountain.

“What happened?”

“The demonic beasts became violent. Ones that used to stay within their own territories and avoid interference started fighting each other. It wouldn’t matter if they only fought among themselves, but they came down to the lower mountain. I came here to find the cause, and as you can see, this is how it turned out. I’ve shown you an unsightly sight.”

“I don’t think that. It must’ve been a monster strong enough to injure you, father.”

“It was strong. It was just me that was attacked so viciously.”

Demonic beasts subjugations were usually carried out in large groups, since some moved in packs. But a basilisk acted alone.

The method of subduing a solitary demonic beast was simple: other knights attracting the attention, exploiting an opening, and inflicting fatal damage.

“Did it only attack father-in-law?”

Lebel suddenly stepped between Yutis and Edmund.

“It didn’t even look at us.”

“Normally, the lord is considered threatening by demonic beasts and becomes the main target, but even when we attacked it, it stubbornly focused only on him.”

Lebel was lost in thought. Edmund, like Yutis, possessed demonic energy. If demonic beasts were fighting among themselves, and if the attacks had been concentrated on Edmund….

“…I don’t know if it’s related, but there’s something I should tell you, Father.”

Excluding Lebel’s true identity, Yutis explained everything that had happened so far, the visit from the imperial envoys, the appearance of a demon, and the demonic beasts moving south.

The moment demons were mentioned, Edmund jumped to his feet. The surrounding knights did the same. They all stared wide eyed, asking if what they heard was really true.

Edmund’s group had been isolated in the mountains, and Yutis’s subordinates had immediately set out again following Lebel as soon as they reached the castle, so it was natural that they knew nothing of what had happened in the meantime.

They had learned about the imperial envoys’ visit through a letter requesting Bron’s presence, but demons were something they had never heard of before.

“Damian! I shouldn’t be here… ngh.”

“Father, everything has been resolved.”

Yutis supported Edmund and guided him back to his seat. He told him that things had ended well and also explained what had happened with the god.

Edmund, who had been surprised, quickly calmed down and put a hand on Yutis’ shoulder, saying he was proud of him.

“You handled everything very well, even though I wasn’t there.”

“I stayed behind at the castle to prepare for unexpected situations, so it’s fine.”

He tried to sound calm, but Lebel noticed the corners of Yutis’s mouth relax subtly. Edmund turned his gaze to Lebel.

“I’m glad you weren’t hurt either.”

“Yes. Well….”

If I mention the demon trying to kidnap me, this will only get worse.

“A demon in the north….”

“The demonic beasts alone are already giving us headaches. How are we supposed to deal with a demon?”

“What are those imperial bastards even doing? They’re useless, completely useless…!”

That was the usual reaction toward demons.

Several knights ran their hands roughly through their hair in despair or stared vacantly ahead.

“We should return to the castle as soon as possible. But before that, we must kill the basilisk.”

“Do we really need to kill it?”

“It’s taken control of this area. It fought the beasts that lived here and even chased down and killed those that lost territorial battles. The important thing is that it wasn’t hunting out of hunger.”

“…If it comes down to a village, it would be disastrous.”

“It’s not just that one. There have been small changes among the other beasts here too. The demonic beast you defeated three years ago was the same. They are evolving. And if that’s even related to demons….”

“It’s dangerous. We should subjugate it.”

[Lord Lebel, isn’t all of that because of demonic energy?]

The reason demonic beasts were evolving into stronger forms was the rift beneath this cave and the northern demon sleeping there.

It had nothing to do with Norman, but it did relate to Edmund being targeted.

Then it was time for me to do what I had to do.

While listening, Lebel quietly stood up. Sealing the rift was something he had to do.

As if announcing an intruder had arrived, Lebel unleashed his demonic energy. Edmund instinctively sensed it and turned to look at Lebel.

“…Daughter-in-law, what are you doing?”

It seemed Edmund could perceive demonic energy after all. That was probably why he unconsciously sensed Lebel’s strength.

“If we don’t deal with the cause, the demonic beasts will only grow stronger day by day.”

“That’s true…. Are you saying you know what the cause is?”

“To some extent.”

Edmund looked confused, wondering how he could know that.

“I’m coming too.”

“Yutis, stay here with Karon.”

[What? Why do I have to stay with this guy?]

“Why?”

“We don’t know what might happen.”

“That’s exactly why I should go too. Why are you trying to exclude me?”

“Well, I just don’t want to show you to that demon.”

At that moment, Lebel abruptly lifted his head.

“The one I was trying to wake up didn’t get up. A different one caught the scent and came instead.”

That confirmed it. This thing was chasing strong demonic energy.

“What? What do you mean….”

Yutis couldn’t finish his sentence. The cave started trembling. Then the knight on watch came running in, shouting in panic.

“Lo-Lord! It’s that thing! It’s back!”

The knights jumped up, grabbing the swords at their sides as if they’d never been resting calmly. Edmund, despite his injuries, also clenched his sword.

A screech echoed through the cave. Yutis’s expression hardened as he pushed Lebel behind him.

“It’s dangerous. Stay with the knights. I’ll handle this.”

Here we go again.

That thing isn’t even a match for me. But there are too many eyes here. The reason I can’t reveal my identity to Edmund is because there are so many people.

Then a good idea occurred to him.

“This works out perfectly. Let’s see how much you can do.”

Lebel smiled as he looked at Yutis, whose eyes had widened in confusion.

“Think of it as practice using sword aura. You know I taught you how to handle demonic energy, right?”

“Bu-but after that….”

“You seem like the type who’s strong in real combat. You’ll do fine. Don’t worry. I’ll be watching.”

Is this really right? I should be moving my wife to a safe place….

But he couldn’t shake Lebel’s hand off. Yutis moved his feet in the direction Lebel led him. Maybe because of the demon’s power, he felt like he was being dragged along even though he didn’t want to go.

Yutis had listened to Lebel explain how to use demonic energy and what sword aura was. The problem was that what Lebel had explained barely qualified as an explanation.

‘You didn’t realize it, but you’ve been using demonic energy well all this time. So if you think you want to use it, it’ll come out on its own.’

‘…That’s it?’

‘Do you need more explanation?’

Yutis still didn’t understand what demonic energy was.

Unaware of why Yutis hesitated, Lebel walked ahead.

From within the cave, occupying the high ground, the basilisk’s eyes glowed, searching for the demonic energy it sensed.

Scanning the people emerging one by one, the beast’s gaze fixed on Lebel. There were several beings with demonic energy, but his was the densest among them.

“I knew you’d find me.”

He’d suspected it after hearing that Edmund had been targeted, but as expected, it seemed Norman had enchanted that beast.

What he had used the demonic beasts to search for had to be the rift guarded by the northern demon. But monsters couldn’t precisely sense demonic energy, so they had attacked the nearest being with strong demonic energy instead.

“Hiss!”

“Young madam!”

Lebel didn’t retreat. He was confident that the person beside him would protect him. Yutis pulled Lebel into his arms, dragging him back and dodging the attack.

“That beast chases demonic energy. That’s why it only targeted father-in-law. And this time, the target is me.”

“That monster is targeting you….”

“Fix your gaze. And fight.”

“I can’t use demonic energy….”

“I’ll pass it to you directly. Feel it.”

Yutis’s eyes widened, it was because Lebel had suddenly kissed him.

“Here, I gave it to you. Do you understand now?”

Lebel asked eagerly, eyes wide, but Yutis couldn’t answer. He didn’t know about demonic energy. All he could feel was Lebel’s fragrant pheromones and the heat transferred through his lips, leaving him dazed.

“Why would you kiss me all of a sudden….”

“To transfer demonic energy, you need contact.”

It didn’t have to be the lips?

“You’ve had demonic energy since you were born. You can feel it well enough.”

Yutis slowly exhaled. As a human, he’d never directly felt demonic energy.

But if the changes during his rut were caused by demonic energy, then the sensation he’d felt that day, the feeling of something huge burning and churning in his chest, if that was what demonic energy meant….

“I knew you’d do well.”

A massive demonic energy began to writhe inside Yutis, enough to overwhelm Lebel’s own energy and scent. Lebel smiled contentedly.

Now the basilisk’s gaze turned to Yutis instead of Lebel.