DSB 133

If Lebel is unable to move, then he would go himself. He may not have wings, but he has two legs. Moreover, his wife had even placed a weapon in his hands capable of slaying demons.

There was no reason he couldn’t go find him.

But Karon immediately stopped him.

[Don’t rush in. Wait for the right moment. Since they summoned Lord Lebel, they’ll come out in earnest too. And you’re the one who annoys that bastard the most. He’ll be targeting you.]

It wasn’t that he was particularly worried about him. Rather, Karon’s mind was filled with thoughts of Lebel.

Lebel was his greatest concern, but considering the aftermath, this guy getting hurt would be a bigger problem.

‘Even though he’s an unpleasant human, Lord Lebel genuinely cherishes this man.’

Why else would Lebel have placed the holy sword in his hands? Even his promise to stand by him if war broke out stemmed from not wanting to see him hurt.

“Then I must go. We can only bring him back if Norman is dead, right?”

[No! Absolutely not! I can’t protect you while dealing with the demonic beasts! If you get hurt, I won’t have the face to show myself to Lord Lebel!]

“You’ve already hurt me.”

Yutis silently showed him the pants still bearing the bite marks from Karon.

The hole was large, seemingly filled with pent-up resentment, and there was even a wound on his leg. Blood was gushing out from the torn area.

[Th-this is because you couldn’t keep your wits about you and kept unleashing demonic energy…]

“My decision won’t change. And I never asked you to protect me.”

Yutis was firm. Seeing his unyielding resolve, Karon decided to handle the more important matter first.

[Wait! I’m going to meet Merick!]

Karon slipped into the shadows and went to find Merick.

Left alone, Luceris rolled his eyes, unsure if he should leave.

“Let’s go together.”

[Hmm….]

Luceris briefly debated whether he should stop Yutis like Karon had, but decided it wouldn’t matter much since he wasn’t an ordinary human. He figured he just needed to keep a close eye on him to make sure he didn’t die.

Besides, he knew from experience. Humans with that kind of look in their eyes were impossible to stop.

Only Yutis emerged from the tent, and the passing knights looked on in confusion. After all, it was Yutis who had been clinging tightly to Lebel’s side, refusing to let go.

And just then, knights from Hetsros Castle, having heard of their arrival, gathered around to offer their greetings.

“Lord Yutis, where might Lord Lebel be? We wish to pay our respects…”

Bron peered around Yutis, searching for Lebel. Then, when he noticed Yutis’s stiff face, he froze himself.

Yutis offered no reply to the greeting and followed after Luceris.

Inside the tent where Edmund was staying, a strategy meeting was in full swing. Commanders from each region had gathered to assess the situation. They were calculating remaining forces and the number of wounded, racking their brains to seize the advantage.

“Young master…?”

The nobleman with Edmund looked surprised when they saw Yutis enter the tent with a grim expression.

“Father, send me to the front lines.”

Edmund was taken aback by Yutis’s sudden request. As a valuable asset, Yutis was indeed likely to be deployed to a dangerous front. But he hadn’t expected Yutis to volunteer.

Because of the safety of the one person who followed him everywhere.

Edmund soon realized the person who should have been beside Yutis was missing. He suddenly found it suspicious that Luceris had flown off somewhere, then returned, peering cautiously over his shoulder. Then, seeing Luceris looking at Yutis with obvious unease, he sensed something had happened.

And the most important person was missing.

“…Where is my daughter-in-law?”

“He was taken.”

“T-taken? What does that mean…!”

The retainer, about to shout loudly, stopped mid-sentence when he met Yutis’s gaze.

He wasn’t in rut, nor had his appearance changed, yet his pheromones had sharpened into a fierce, oppressive pressure, as if he couldn’t control himself.

Edmund looked at Yutis. His sunken eyes were gloomy, yet the area around his eyes was red and bloodshot with rage.

“Everyone, step back.”

“But… what do you mean the demon took the young madam…!”

“I’ll explain everything later. Now, get out.”

The retainers, sensing the atmosphere, cautiously withdrew. He knew Lebel had been attacked by a demon, but he couldn’t explain it. He didn’t even know how to explain it in the first place. If he spoke, Lebel’s true nature would naturally be inferred, so he had to be careful.

“Yutis, calm down. The more you panic, the more you need to stay calm…”

But before Edmund could finish, Yutis walked forward and shouted.

“He was summoned by the Crown Prince. Their goal is to make a contract with him. How can I possibly stay calm in this situation…!”

As time passed, his resolve to go get him only grew stronger. Lebel had come north to find him first; this time, he would simply go to the Empire to bring Lebel back.

“I will go and bring him back.”

Yutis stated firmly once more. Edmund lowered his gaze, which had been fixed on Yutis, and looked at the map.

The Empire’s soldiers, controlled by the demon, were troublesome. Advancing into the empire wasn’t difficult, as the villages and towns on its outskirts had already suffered damage from the demonic beasts. The problem lay beyond that.

The devastated outlying villages and towns meant supplies were impossible to obtain. Food was already scarce in the North, and the plan to capture villages and cities within the empire to secure even a little food had fallen apart.

The Empire’s seemingly unending troop numbers were another problem. Not only were the imperial forces larger than those in the North, but above all, they were a force that didn’t fear death.

“This war won’t be easy. The demonic beasts that once targeted the Empire now only hunt the northern army. We’ve even been ambushed by imperial forces while dealing with them. Perhaps because they can’t be called human… their presence is hard to detect. And there’s a demon there too. That one will come for you.”

“That is my wish.”

Because he could destroy those who covet his wife with his own hands.

Yutis smiled and touched the holy sword. It immediately burst into light, asserting its presence. With this sword that can slay demons, I will bring my wife back with my own hands.

“Father, if Dad were kidnapped by enemies, could you just stand by?”

“…If you put it that way, how could I stop you?”

Edmund sighed and gave Yutis his order to depart.

***

The scenery was strikingly different from the North. Warm sunlight, flowers in full bloom, and the scent of grass brushed against his nostrils.

It was so peaceful, it was hard to believe they were in the midst of war.

“Is there anything you’d like to eat? If there’s anything you desire, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Lebel and Biakin sat facing each other. Despite having forcibly summoned Lebel, he continued to treat him with extreme hospitality.

Each meal was piled so high the table threatened to break, and servants attended to him promptly without him lifting a finger.

Only one thing was missing.

He was certainly more comfortable than when he had been in the imperial palace before his marriage, but without Yutis, he found no joy.

What Lebel wanted was to return north. Though they treated him with utmost care and provided every convenience, they refused his greatest wish.

Biakin did not hinder Lebel’s freedom of action. He was certain Lebel could not leave the imperial palace anyway.

The collar fastened around Lebel’s neck was meant to restrain the demon, blocking the flow of demonic energy within his body. He tried gathering demonic energy several times, but it scattered willy-nilly.

Physical enhancement ultimately relies on demonic energy. With a human body unable to wield Demonic energy, Lebel couldn’t even spread his wings now.

But his legs were fine, so he tried to escape on foot. But the palace was damn huge; no matter how far he walked, he couldn’t see the end.

Whenever he ventured beyond a certain area, the surrounding space blurred and fog formed. Then a servant would appear and lead him back to the palace.

This vast palace was like a prison for Lebel.

Lebel didn’t touch the fragrant tea served on the table or the sweet desserts.

What meaning could such things possibly hold? He never enjoyed eating in the first place.

“I said I wanted only one thing.”

“Have you decided to make a contract with me?”

Just as Lebel’s resolve was firm, so was Biakin’s. He offered to release Lebel if he agreed to a contract. Lebel scoffed, finding it ridiculous.

A tense standoff ensued, neither side budging from their position.

“Does the food not suit your taste? I hear you’ve been eating poorly.”

The very culprit behind it all asked. He didn’t even bother hiding that he knew every single one of Lebel’s movements.

Leaning his chin on his hand, Lebel spoke lazily.

“I just don’t feel like eating.”

“Hmm, was it the same in the North?”

“Well… I suppose I ate there, at least.”

“It seems the Northern cuisine suited your taste. I shall order it prepared in the Northern style.”

“Doesn’t it occur to you that something else might be the problem?”

Biakin brushed it off with a laugh. He knew perfectly well what the problem was, yet he didn’t even mention it.