DSB 112

‘Why is a demon mixed in among humans? And being cared for like that, no less.’

He was concerned for the humans. To Luceris, Lebel was a wicked demon who raised his hand against him at the slightest provocation.

It should be easy for a displeased demon to kill humans, and they ought to know that.

Yet, no one was afraid of Lebel. On the contrary, they were anxious because they felt they weren’t doing enough for him. Luceris wondered if that was why the people here treated him well, too.

When he was in pain after being hit by Lebel, they applied medicine. When he was bored and alone, some played with him, and others brought him food.

It seemed to be going exactly as Lebel intended, which he didn’t like, but it was certainly more enjoyable than being alone in a cave.

“Enough. You know what I really am.”

“It is my role to look after the Young Madam’s health,” Mahan replied.

Lebel clicked his tongue at Mahan’s words. These people were a problem whether he revealed his identity or not.

“Greetings to you as well, Guardian. Thank you for keeping the young madam company. You have shrunk by about 5cm today. I am glad to see that progress is being made.”

Luceris stared at Mahan. He had become accustomed to the title ‘Guardian’ that the humans used for him.

He didn’t know why they called him that, but it contained respect and awe, which made him feel good. Luceris spread his wings wide and shrugged his shoulders proudly.

“He’ll get bad habits.”

[What did I even do!]

As Luceris acted proud, Lebel gestured for him to go away. Mahan sighed.

“There are many eyes around, so please be careful.”

“I know.”

Lebel watched Mahan walk away, then turned his gaze to Luceris.

“You should try talking to them.”

[I don’t want to… I don’t know what to say.]

[Tsk, tsk. You’re like a social misfit.]

[Karon, you’re not exactly on good terms with humans either.]

[I simply do not speak to them because I have no reason to be friendly with those things.]

“Karon, you shouldn’t speak like that.”

[I… I am sorry.]

Luceris hummed, thinking it served Karon right. Karon glared at him with smoldering eyes, but he was just as helpless against Lebel.

“How is this place? You don’t hate humans, do you?”

[I have never hated humans.]

“Ah, were you afraid of them then?”

[No! If anything, the humans should be afraid of me!]

“The people here don’t seem very afraid of you.”

The knights he first saw were terrified of Luceris, but their attitude had changed before he knew it.

He was sure he had only shown a dignified appearance, so he couldn’t understand why everyone approached him so familiarly. It was the same with the humans he saw after arriving at the castle. They seemed wary at first, but soon they were by his side.

‘Guardian, please look after our North!’

A human welcoming him politely.

‘What side of the Lord did you see that made you decide to follow him? It is embarrassing to say it myself, but he is a great man. Ah, of course, the others are the same.’

A human suddenly praising a man he didn’t even know well.

‘…Just once! Please, let me touch your tail or wing just once! It is the wish of a lifetime!’

A human puffing out his breath in excitement, making him flinch instead.

‘If you had no intention of making a contract, you may terminate it.’

A human being considerate of him, even though it was much better for him to keep the contract. He supposedly suffered for a long time, turning into a monster because of the demonic energy he gave.

‘Wait, he… I mean, you. If Lebel ever hits you, tell me. I will stop him. Look, see that window? That is my office.‘

I am stronger than you, so what are you going to do? How can a human stop a demon?

‘My wife has great expectations for you. There may be times when you cannot tell what he is thinking, but it will all be for your sake.‘

A pitiful human who doesn’t know what it means to be loved by a demon.

To Luceris, humans were more frightening because they were foolish. When he was born, the North was crawling with demonic beasts, and humans were losing the fight against them.

They fled from the beasts, and when they realized they could not resist, they killed their own kind and plundered the dead. Only a few exceptional humans managed to subjugate the beasts.

He couldn’t understand why they fought and killed each other when it was hard enough to survive even if they cooperated. What he understood even less were the few humans who resisted the beasts, enduring pain even though they knew they would eventually be defeated.

One of those humans broke through the barrier and appeared before him. In a place where a chilling energy could be felt, the human who said he came to find power opened his mouth.

‘The North is all fractured. Everyone is so busy trying to survive that they do not hesitate to steal from others and kill. It is hard enough for humans to work together to drive out the beasts, yet they are fighting each other. That is why I need power. A strong power that can make everyone submit to me…’

And he was not afraid, even when looking directly at him. Instead, he drew his sword.

He was a mere, fragile human; why did he not give up? His actions were so beyond common sense that it was absurd, yet even as a weak human, he blocked his attack. Luceris cannot say how startled he was.

The power of a human howling with desperate longing is beyond imagination. They are weak, yet they can produce transcendental strength. That human was a unique case.

Perhaps that is why he gave it to him, even though he knew the power was too much for a human to handle, a power so excessive it could ruin his body.

It was because he showed him a spark of possibility. Luceris thought his power might be of great help to him. He wanted to watch over him for once.

“It is fine as long as you do not hate humans. You are better than Karon in the sense that you do not try to kill them.”

[Lord Lebel?!]

“These are people who survived thanks to the power you gave them. They must feel dear to you.”

[They do not.]

“Do not lie. You simply do not realize it yet. I was the same.”

Because of his size, he used to do nothing but crouch in a corner to avoid damaging his surroundings, but now even his swaying tail was tucked quietly under his haunches.

“The fact that you care at all means you have affection for them.”

After all, a demon is thoroughly indifferent to things that do not interest them. Karon is a prime example. Fortunately, even Karon has improved a bit lately.

“But it is problematic to keep you in this state. Perhaps I should force your size to decrease… I must also stop the demonic energy from leaking out.”

[Is that possible?]

“Well, if I limit your power, you will shrink. Just like Karon.”

[That is a great idea! He possesses a strength that does not match his level, so he cannot even control it himself.]

[What? No! Why would you take my power! I am weak! I am weaker than you and weaker than that human!]

“Of course you are weak.”

Lebel stared at Luceris, telling him not to speak as if such an obvious fact were unfair.

[I am a demon… I was the dragon who ruled the North until now…]

“With that size, it is difficult for you to even move around. Did you not come here because you wanted to see the world?”

Initially, Luceris had settled on the mountain behind Hestro Castle. However, on his way there, he encountered people and saw the cities where they lived.

Lebel could forgive the noise he made while building a nest, but he had to tie him down because he kept flying over the territory day and night to sightsee.

It was natural for a child seeing the world for the first time to be curious, but the circumstances of the residents who suddenly had to see a dragon also had to be considered.

Since this place was the center, there were many people from other territories, making the commotion even worse. In the case of young children, some even burst into tears upon seeing the dragon.

When told to come to the castle if he really wanted to watch people, he came every time, even though he knew he would become an attraction.

“You do not want to be alone on the mountain.”

As if he had never hated leaving his cave, he had grown to dislike being alone.

“If you get smaller, you can have a good time here.”

Since a contract was made, it would be wonderful if he protected this place. The rumor that Luceris had become the guardian of the Hestro family must have spread far and wide. That was why Lebel had only watched even when Luceris caused trouble in the territory for a while.

When Lebel flicked his finger, Luceris bowed his head. Lebel placed his hand on the dragon’s forehead. If the power he could handle was released little by little as he grew, he would be able to control it well on his own.

[Oh…? I became small!]

The shrunken Luceris fluttered in the air. He looked at his small body with fascination.

“Since it was a success, let’s go.”

[Huh? Where are we going?]

Luceris was grabbed by Lebel and moved somewhere.

The place Lebel headed for was Damian’s office. When the door opened, Lebel wordlessly thrust Luceris forward.

Damian looked back and forth between Lebel and the wide-eyed Luceris with a blank expression.

“…What is that?”

“It is Luceris.”

“You finally succeeded.”

Edmund said, examining Luceris. No one was unaware that Karon performed something like a special training with Luceris every day.

Though few knew that the training was Lebel’s idea and intended to reduce Luceris’s size.

“I see that you succeeded, but why did you bring him here?”

“At this size, he is suitable to be carried around.”

“…Weren’t you going to take him with you?”

“Why would I take Luceris with me? I already have Karon, so that would be excessive. I am going to have him stay by my father and father-in-law’s side.”