DSB 51

“…It doesn’t seem like they came to the village because of hunger?”

“Do you have time to talk so calmly? You should go to the Young Master right now!”

“Young Madam should stay by my side.”

Everyone except Bron, who called himself Lebel’s escort knight, ran toward Yutis.

“They say you’re Yutis’s right hand, yet you don’t go to him?”

“Because I’m his right hand, I protect Young Madam. Young Master Yutis has Theo, so he’ll be fine. And I’m a mage. I can attack from a distance.”

Bron had a proud look on his face. But Lebel had no intention of standing in the back and just watching.

“Young Madam, this is as far as we go. Beyond this point is really not allowed.”

When Lebel tried to approach Yutis, Bron stopped him.

“Those creatures attack silently from behind. There’s even talk that they can slip into shadows. I can’t let Young Madam approach such dangerous beasts.”

“…If I don’t go, he’ll get angrier.”

“Who would get angry?”

Bron spoke in confusion, but Lebel could already hear the furious shouting.

[How dare a human stand in Lord Lebel’s way! I’ll tear that one’s neck off and present it before Lord Lebel!]

“I don’t need that.”

“…Who are you talking to?”

Bron sensed that Lebel was speaking to someone behind him, not to him. But behind Bron, there were only Yutis’s group and the pack of beasts.

[But before that, you! How dare you make the one I’ve guarded for so long cry?!]

“……”

[To think… you… you did such a thing…! I can never, never forgive it!!]

Lebel remained silent as he watched Karon, who was shouting furiously. In response to Karon’s fury, the beast bared its fangs and growled.

Yutis drew his sword, wary of the beast. Lebel hummed and watched Karon.

Was that worth getting so angry about? Though, hearing it said aloud by someone else did feel strange. And Karon, well…

All of Lebel’s subordinates had a tendency to adore him too much. Those still by his side were the ones who had stayed even after enduring his long indolence.

Among them, Karon was the most extreme. He had been the one who came to Lebel’s bedroom every day, trying to wake him when he refused to leave the bed.

Whenever something interesting happened in the Demon Realm, Karon would visit to give his regards and chatter about it, hoping Lebel would show some interest and rise from bed.

[Among the humans, your sin is the greatest! I’ll tear your throat out!]

[Enough.]

[Lord Lebel?!]

Lebel sent a calm telepathic message as he quietly watched. Karon’s startled voice echoed in his mind.

[W-why…!]

[He is my husband.]

[It’s only a paper contract marriage made by human laws!]

I used to think the same way, but lately, I’m not so sure.

[Someone that weak can’t stand at Lord Lebel’s side as his mate!]

He showed no sign of calming down.

Look at that. The demonic energy seeping from him was filled with murderous intent, so dense and dark it was almost visible. It was strange that he hadn’t already attacked.

This was why the servants’ past offenses had meant little to Lebel. Among demons, killing those who offended them was commonplace.

“Young Master Yutis, what will you do?”

The knights only waited, since the pack of beasts hadn’t moved. It was best to avoid combat if possible.

Lebel watched Yutis, Karon, and the pack.

[Karon, do you want to fight?]

[What…?]

Lebel couldn’t imagine Yutis losing to that beast.

Demons lived by the law of the strong. If something displeased them, they fought to the death, and only then would they acknowledge their opponent.

Even without that, they offered respect to the victor.

It was better to give Karon the chance to fight and let him acknowledge Yutis himself.

Lebel smiled.

[Yutis is rather strong.]

[…Why…!]

“Ah! Young Madam!”

“Wait, I only want to talk to Yutis.”

“Don’t come closer. It’s dangerous.”

Yutis had already sensed Lebel nearby.

“I know. I won’t interrupt the fight. I’m the one who should be making a request.

“You’re the one making a request?”

“Karon wants to fight you.”

“…Karon?”

Yutis looked at Lebel, then turned to face the beast that bared its teeth. The atmosphere was filled with murderous intent.

“I believe you’ll win.”

[Lord Lebel!]

“…Understood.”

Yutis quietly looked at Lebel, who smiled, trusting him completely. That smile made his heart beat faster, but it also made him fearful and anxious.

He wondered if Lebel really trusted and relied on him, who this Karon was, and how Lebel could know him. But he pushed all those questions aside for now.

He had to focus on the beast before him. The beast growled as if it would bite through his throat at any moment.

“Young Madam, what is Karon?”

“That child there.”

Lebel pointed with his chin. In the direction he indicated, a large beast was fighting Yutis.

“…Karon? You mean that beast’s name is Karon?”

“Yes.”

Lebel watched their battle as if he did not even see Bron’s bewildered face.

[Even if I lost strength as the price for coming to the Middle Realm, I will not lose to a mere human!]

The beast lunged toward Yutis. Yutis blocked the beast’s strike with his sword.

Yutis’s eyes followed the quick beast as he parried its attacks and he used its large body to move out of its blind spot and swing his blade.

The outcome was nowhere near certain. Yutis’s face grew rigid from the strain. Then a dark glow spread along the sword he held.

That’s why he’s strong.

Yutis could use the demonic energy within his body and his exceptional physical power came from that.

The problem was that the energy he drew out included Lebel’s own. Karon’s body trembled.

[You dare use Lord Lebel’s demonic energy?!]

The energy Lebel had shared with him still remained inside his body, and so it naturally leaked out and lent him strength.

Unlike the furious Karon, Lebel was satisfied. What he had done that day seemed to have been useful after all.

[Then how about this?!]

“W-what’s that?”

“That beast had that kind of power?”

The beast’s black fur stood up, and sparks of current began to spread around it.

That power was not the beast’s own, but Karon’s.

Yutis was surprised, but he stepped back calmly to prepare for the attack. Electric bolts burst from the beast’s head and flew toward him.

Yutis dodged the current while he mounted on Shati.

[Get down from that creature right now!]

Since Shati was smaller than the beasts Karon had brought, it was faster, and it avoided every attack. Karon shouted furiously.

The lightning left a trail of black ash. Karon persistently attacked, but the lightning never hit Yutis.

Instead, the road was ruined, and nearby buildings were damaged. Lebel’s brow twitched.

“Tch.”

[Lord Lebel…?]

It seemed he now thought of this place as his own territory. Watching the buildings break down made him displeased.

As Karon faltered after sensing Lebel’s disapproval, Yutis did not miss the chance.

At his command, Shati jumped high. The beast raised its head, but by then, Shati was already on its back.

Yutis’s sword struck down onto the beast’s spine. He hit with the sheath, so it was not fatal, but the pain made the beast curl up.

“Grrr!”

Yutis approached the writhing beast and drew his sword, placing the blade against its neck.

“If you withdraw now, I won’t chase you further.”

“Grrr–!”

The beast bared its teeth, but Yutis did not flinch. He thrust his sword closer, and blood flowed from its neck.

A normal sword would not have cut it, but his sword was wrapped in demonic energy.

The beast realized that even its hide could be cut by a human’s weapon, and it lowered its tail slightly. It valued its life.

[Get up! You’re fine! You won’t die to such a human!]

Karon shouted, but the beast whimpered. Lebel slightly lifted his shoulders.

His husband had passed Karon’s test splendidly, and he could not help but feel proud.

Karon had been heavily restricted when crossing into the Middle Realm, yet he had forcibly drawn his power out to try to defeat Yutis.

But Yutis had not been frightened and had broken through head-on, even finding an opening to strike back. Lebel walked toward him, intending to praise his achievement.

“I told you not to come closer…!”

“Would you stop me from standing beside my husband?”

“That’s not what I meant…!”

“You may get up now.”

“No! The beast…”

“It will quiet down now.”

The beast that had bared its teeth at Yutis wagged its tail and folded its ears back as Lebel approached. Anyone could see it now looked like a dog greeting its master.

“Hngg…”

Even Yutis looked confused at the sight. Lebel took his hand and patted it, telling him to sheath his sword.

“Thank you. Did you hit with the sheath on purpose?”

As always, he could have cut through the neck, but he had chosen not to.