DSB 65

“How could a cracked vessel be fine? The physician believed that Lord Lebel’s condition had improved, but do you know he now thinks his judgment was wrong because of this incident?”

“Ah, I know. Because of that, the dosage of the medicine increased… I told him there was no need for that.”

Not long ago, he had said they could start reducing the medicine, yet it increased again.

“Lord Lebel.”

Lebel looked at Karon and Illa’s faces that showed concern toward him, and he sighed.

“The vessel cracked a little, but there’s no problem.”

The crack happened because a large amount of demonic energy suddenly left his body. Even that was already restored as Yutis’s demonic energy filled it.

So now he was fine.

But.

“Did I really overdo it…”

“You did. Do you know why few people use magic? Because it’s hard to control and it is a heavy burden on the body. Moreover, Lord Lebel uses demonic energy, not mana. If you were still the demon you once were, it would’ve been fine, but this body has never used magic before. While you used magic, didn’t you pierce multiple circuits by force to make the spell possible?”

He was right. While he was casting a protection spell, the magic didn’t come out well, so he forcibly opened the circuits. He thought it would be fine because he had done it before.

“Thanks to that, I can now use more magic.”

“Before that, your body will give out. You should’ve checked the condition of your vessel first. It is already harmful, and the sudden passage of so much demonic energy has thrown your body off balance.”

Although it is a body prepared by the Demon God, its limitations are too low because it is a human vessel.

Lebel thought that if he remained silent, Illa would never stop talking, so he changed the subject.

“But you’re unexpectedly talkative.”

“I’m like this to Lord Michael too.”

“Does he quietly listen?”

“He’s a kind person who even listens carefully to the words of a human like me.”

Was he like that?

Illa smiled for a moment, then his expression turned serious.

“Lord Lebel, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

“That’s why I fixed it myself.”

“It took you time. Why did you do it? I thought Lord Lebel neither hated nor liked humans.”

“I don’t like or hate them. I just remembered old times.”

To Lebel, who had been the first child of the Demon God and the Celestial God, all the demons and angels born after him were no different from younger siblings. The Demon God and the Celestial God were busy, so it had been Lebel’s role to play with them.

Now they had all grown up, and there was no one left for him to play with.

Instead, new children were born one after another. But unlike before, there were many beings to take care of them, and Lebel’s status had risen much higher, so fewer people came to bother him with trivial matters. And the things they asked of him gradually became excessive.

They no longer asked for simple favors like showing them magic, but difficult things that ordinary beings could never accomplish, bowing their heads and offering payment. So he had found the pure hearts of the children pleasing to see.

“And I did not expect something like this to happen from that.”

“Now that you know, please restrain yourself. As long as you do not use too much demonic energy, it will not be a problem.”

“That’s the hard part.”

From birth until now, Lebel had always used demonic energy as his own power. How could he restrain a habit that had lasted for hundreds, or almost a thousand years.

“But I’ll try to be careful.”

Because he didn’t want to see Yutis worried about him again.

“I did think I was being careful, but my standard must’ve been too high. Even the ants living in the Demon Realm can do this much.”

“…The standards of demons and humans are different.”

He knew that, but the problem was that he couldn’t grasp that difference.

At that moment, Lebel heard a noisy commotion outside and turned his gaze toward the window.

Since he collapsed, Yutis had remained by his side to keep watch, never leaving. But today, he had stepped out after being called by a servant.

And now he was there.

Lebel watched Yutis, who was moving busily. He was looking at something with the servants and giving instructions.

“By the way, what is Yutis doing there?”

“I don’t know the details, but since the Young Master himself is involved, it must have something to do with Lord Lebel.”

Illa also spoke as he looked out the window. The one who reacted to his words was Karon. Karon pressed himself against the window and growled.

[What? What’s that guy planning to do again? I can’t even just cut off that bastard’s tail…!]

“Karon, Yutis doesn’t have a tail.”

Just when Lebel thought that the relationship between Karon and Yutis was getting a little better, his body had ended up damaged while he cast protection spells on Yutis’s subordinates. Karon blamed Yutis for it and became even more hostile than before.

Illa stared at Karon, who was hanging from the window and glaring fiercely at Yutis.

“I’ve been curious for some time. Is that one a demon?”

Since Illa knew Lebel’s identity, he had looked at Karon who stayed close to him without leaving his side. Moreover, his presence felt strange for a mere demonic beast.

“Yes. He’s my subordinate. Can you hear Karon’s words?”

“No, I can’t.”

Because the voice sounded only in Lebel’s head, Illa couldn’t know what Karon was saying.

“But I can guess what he’s saying now. The relationship between Lord Karon and the Young Master is famous.”

Their relationship is famous? How bad is it that it became known?

“It’s late, but let me introduce myself properly. I’m Illa. It’s an honor to meet you.”

Karon looked at Illa from the corner of his eye, then turned his head away.

[I’ve no interest in some angel’s lackey.]

“You came down to the Middle Realm, enduring an inconvenient body, just to serve Lord Lebel. That’s admirable. It seems Lord Lebel feels much happier with you by his side.”

…Do I?

Karon’s ears perked at Illa’s flattering words. He dropped down from the window and faced Illa.

[Hmm. I’ve served Lord Lebel for 235,020 days. I’m saying I’ve watched over and served him far longer than you or that white leech!]

Illa gently smiled as the voice echoed in his head and he answered.

“You deserve to be called a loyal follower. We’ll be seeing each other often, so I hope we get along.”

[Heh, I thought that so-called priest would be useless, but you’re a human who knows his place!]

Why did Karon like Illa, Michael’s saint, more than Yutis, who carried demonic energy?

Lebel tilted his head as he watched the two peacefully talk, then he checked the state of his body and asked Illa.

“Illa, since there’s no one who knows my body better than you, let me ask. How long do you think I’ll live?”

“…What?”

[Lord Lebel?]

Illa and Karon were both startled by Lebel’s sudden question.

“As a human, I mean. You can see it too. This vessel is fragile. I barely used a little strength, and it already affected the vessel. As my demonic energy keeps growing stronger, I feel like this vessel won’t be able to endure it.”

Illa silently looked at Lebel.

His body was unnatural. Even as a human, he could hold and use demonic energy. But his body was too frail to withstand it. The proof was how easily he collapsed.

There must have been several other abnormalities, but since he was a demon, he probably hadn’t noticed them.

“If I were as strong as Yutis, I could’ve lived a long time with him.”

Lebel had always thought that Yutis worried too much about him. But at times like this, he had no choice but to admit that his body was one worth worrying about.

“With such a weak body, I can’t even get pregnant, so I probably cannot give him an heir.”

He knew how important heirs were for humans. Bloodlines had to continue for families to be passed down. Humans had to raise their successors within their short lives. The earlier they gave birth, the better, but with this body, it was impossible.

And he didn’t have unlimited time either.

Illa carefully looked at Lebel’s bitter expression and asked cautiously.

“Are you regretful?”

“Well… I’m not sure. It’s closer to being dissatisfied that I can’t do it.”

“The Young Master would be happy enough just to have Lord Lebel by his side.”

“This life must have an end too.”

“…Both the Young Master and I are human. Humans eventually die.”

“I know. But since I happened to get this kind of body, the chance that I’ll die before Yutis is high.”

Who would’ve thought I’d end up wanting to stay with a human for a long time?

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best to make sure Lord Lebel can live as long and as happily as possible. I actually asked Lord Michael for advice about this once.”

I doubt Michael said anything good.

“He said, unfortunately, there’s nothing he can do, but he was sure that Lord Lebel wouldn’t die. He said you’re loved by the God.”

That wasn’t wrong. If I said I wanted to return, the Demon God would find a way. Even if not, I could come back with my own power.

Then the problem would be Yutis’s lifespan, and whether Yutis would accept a demon like me again.