DSB 97

The envoys had no choice but to close their mouths as Yutis glared at them with murderous intent. His eyes, swirling with intense emotion, were filled with rage, and the piercing killing aura made it impossible for them to continue speaking.

Yutis held Lebel tightly and began to walk away. Fortunately, Illa was among the group. The envoys, having belatedly checked Lebel’s condition, tried to speak to mitigate their responsibility even a little, but Yutis personally threw Norman’s head, which had been rolling beside him, at their feet.

Ignoring the envoys who screamed in horror, Yutis spoke.

‘He was a demon. That demon turned my wife into this state. You speak the very words I intended. The North will not overlook this matter lightly.”

Before they could even protest what he meant, the envoys saw Norman’s face and fell silent.

The demonization was halfway progressed, with a horn sprouting from one side of his forehead. In the dark night, they couldn’t see it well, but Norman’s back had even grown wings.

And then Illa’s decisive words followed.

‘…It’s indeed a demon.’

Faced with an undeniable parade of evidence, the envoys’ faces turned as white as sheets.

“Their expressions must have been something to see.”

Lebel, regretting not having seen it himself, raised one corner of his mouth.

“Even if they claim they didn’t know, they brought a demon along, so I intend to hold them accountable accordingly.”

Lebel nodded as if it were only natural.

“The Empire must be in an uproar too. After all, a noble and a mage turned out to be a demon. Though his identity was revealed in the North, it’s essentially the same as a demon infiltrating the imperial palace. They’ll be frantic with rooting out demons.”

“They sided with the demon of their own volition …what do you mean?”

“The Emperor?”

“No, the Crown Prince’s side.”

Lebel corrected him.

“Contracting with a demon is something to be condemned, so why…?”

“I wouldn’t know. But since he’s the Crown Prince, maybe he’ll get off without much punishment?”

“I know that the Empire also has gods and that the temples hold strong power.”

If they have priests there too, the appearance of a demon must have caused quite a controversy.

“With all that going on, the young master chased away the envoys.”

“Good job.”

It seemed a lot had happened while he was unconscious. Lebel patted Yutis’s back comfortingly to soothe the mental strain he must have endured alone.

“So, do both of you agree? Lord Michael said that receiving the blessing can prevent the demonization from progressing due to the demonic energy.”

Illa looked at Lebel with a hint of tension. Lebel shrugged slightly and glanced at Yutis.

“Prevent the demonization?”

So that’s why he decided to receive the blessing, the holy sword.

Lebel muttered very quietly, almost grumbling.

“…I thought it’d be pretty if you fully transformed.”

Yutis, who had briefly held his breath, slowly continued.

“…You’re the only one who says that.”

“Everyone else just has bad eyes. Most of them haven’t even seen it properly. I’m sure it’d be beautiful.”

Lebel looked at Yutis and smiled. The one saying that looked even more lovely. Lebel recalled him adorning white wings.

“You called my wings beautiful, so why do you say your own wouldn’t be?”

“……”

Seeing such consistent reactions made him not want to show it, yet also want to show it.

To see if Lebel would really call it beautiful…

But Yutis couldn’t bring himself to fully reveal his body, twisted into something hideous and only letting out monstrous roars. It was so horrific to him that he’d smashed every mirror in sight.

“The young master seemed unaware about demonic energy or demonization.”

“Did you explain it?”

“No. I thought it would be better if you explained it, Lord Lebel.”

“I see.”

He could feel Illa gauging the mood.

Lebel had no intention of telling Yutis about demonic energy. Not about the Northern Demon or anything like that. Since he hated being called a demon spawn, he should understand.

Yutis’s choices weren’t something Lebel could meddle in.

“Do you know the legend tied to the Hestro family? It’s not entirely false. A demon living in the North granted power to your family. That power is demonic energy. It’s the power demons possess.”

“So, a demon really gave our family…”

“That demon didn’t give it with ill intent. You probably didn’t know, but thanks to the demonic energy, your family members were stronger than other humans. Being able to use sword aura was also thanks to the help of demonic energy.”

However, the demonic energy granted by the demon was also the culprit that turned him into a monster.

“Of course, the demonic energy must have tormented your family for a long time, but I think that demon, unable to leave the rift, shared their power with a loved one instead.”

“…A loved one?”

“Like you and me. They must have suffered from the demonic beasts, so they wanted to be of some help. I would’ve done the same.”

If the rift caused demonic beasts to appear, then when the Demon God created the Northern Demon, it must have been a headache too.

Lebel made excuses on behalf of the Northern Demon. He didn’t want to plant any more negative images about his race.

After finishing his words, Lebel observed Yutis. But Yutis showed a face completely different from what Lebel had expected.

‘A loved one.’

There had been a human who loved a demon besides himself. He suddenly grew curious about his ancestor. Was it because of that that he reached the realm of a sword master who could wield sword aura?

“I want to meet that demon.”

“Hmm?”

Lebel tilted his head.

Why would he want to meet that demon?

“No.”

Immediately rejected, Yutis’s eyes widened.

“Think about it. How would you feel if the descendant of someone you liked showed up?”

“……”

“It’s obvious they’d like it. Especially since you have a lot of demonic energy, they’d like you even more. If you resemble the ancestor, it’d be even worse.”

Lebel furrowed his brow. They must have been mourning their long-dead old lover, so seeing Yutis might spark unwarranted interest.

I probably would’ve felt the same.

It’d be troublesome if they took unnecessary interest in Yutis.

“So, no.”

“My wife, are you perhaps… jealous?”

“Me? I’m just saying I don’t like it because I don’t like it.”

Why would I be jealous? Yutis is mine, my husband. I just don’t like the idea of another demon showing interest in him, that’s all.

“Let’s drop this topic. It’s not the important thing right now. Right, Illa?”

“Ah, yes… That’s right.”

Illa smiled awkwardly. He couldn’t react to the squabble that had unfolded right in front of him. What mattered to Illa was Lebel’s opinion.

“But how exactly do they grant the blessing? Isn’t that authority only given to priests?”

“There’s a way. For now, I plan to convey the god’s words to you. Very grandly. After all, you’re the hero chosen by the god.”

“Hmm, I don’t like that the god is Michael, but doing it grandly is good.”

A divine blessing or a holy sword are not things given to just anyone, so everyone will look up to Yutis.

That’s only fitting for my mate.

“Michael is giving a decent sword, so we can’t refuse that. And on top of that, it’s not bad for my husband to become an idol among humans.”

Actually, after this incident, he’d been thinking they needed countermeasures. Norman wasn’t even a worthy opponent, but other demons were the problem.

There are quite a few fanatics like Karon.

“Hmm, Yutis. It’s awkward to say this myself, but I had many demons following me.”

“I know. I’ve heard plenty already.”

Lebel’s gaze turned to Karon.

[I’ve informed him. Lord Lebel was the idol of all demons!]

Karon, noticing Lebel looking at him, cleared his throat dramatically and boasted that he’d proudly shared all of Lebel’s achievements and the demons’ praises for him.

“…Filter what Karon says appropriately. He must have exaggerated it.”

[What do you mean!? There’s no one in the Demon Realm who doesn’t know Lord Lebel’s fame!]

Ignoring Karon’s words, Lebel continued.

“Even if we say Michael will handle the blessing, how will he give the holy sword?”

“He said he has a method in mind.”

“Well, he’ll figure it out.”

There were many angels who helped humans whenever crises arose. Each assisted in their own field of expertise.

As an angel known as the god of war, and thus settled in the North, Michael simply chose a weapon.

Just don’t send something weird and call it a holy sword.

“Then, I’ll take my leave now. I’ll send an official document separately soon.”

Illa bowed his head and quietly left the room.

“Ah, right. But does Father know I’m a demon?”

It seems inevitable that they’ll have to explain it.

“He doesn’t know yet. Wouldn’t it be better if you told him?”

“Hmm…”

Given Father’s personality, he might get angry.

Lebel glanced at Yutis. If Yutis had stayed by his side the whole time he was unconscious, then all the aftermath must have been handled by Damian.

He must have been busy without a moment’s rest.

Damian had such a fiery temper. He was the type to scold Lebel without holding back, so he might not believe it.