The Regressed Son of a Duke is an Assassin

Chapter 268: The Devil’s Adversary (2)

The clear vitality of life seeped into Besti’s body through clasped hands.

Feeling rejuvenated, Besti exhaled comfortably and brushed her chest.

“Thank you. But is it really okay for you to keep giving me this energy?”

“I’m different from ordinary humans. In just a day, I can recover all of my original life energy. It’s alright for now.”

Lunab casually mentioned as he rolled up his sleeves.

“I’m somewhat worried about the way you say ‘for now.’”

“The amount of vitality you need to maintain your consciousness will keep increasing. That means, as time goes on, I’ll need to give you more and more energy. If it comes to the point where we surpass that limit…”

“Then I might lose my consciousness again and be on the brink of death.”

With a gloomy expression, Besti continued speaking.

Trying to change the subject, Lunab rested his chin on his hand and asked,

“Why do you think those humans we are pursuing are hiding in the Demon World?”

“To devise a plan, you need information. Just as we have no information about the human world. They will also lack information here, in the Demon World. Thus, the first thing they would’ve done is to gather information. For instance, about the relationship between you and the Demon King…”

“That almost sounds like there are other demons targeting you, Besti.”

“Well, there’s a saying that the enemy of my enemy is my friend.”

This saying also held true in the human world.

Rogers added from the side,

“There are many factions in the Demon World that do not follow the Demon King’s will.”

“Do they want to dethrone the Demon King?”

“It’s not a matter of dethroning.”

Rogers squinted his eyes fiercely.

“What they want is a Demon King who lets his true nature rather than his rationality lead—a return to the Demon King’s original form.”

The moment Rogers mentioned ‘original form,’

Besti clenched her fist tightly without realizing it,

Her expression clear—she did not wish for that at all.

* * *

Arem—the closest demon residence to the Lemea Canyon.

I had some memory of this place.

Though I don’t recall it being this bustling.

“Definitely more lively, huh? Guess there’s a reward for knocking out those demonic beasts around here?”

While the Demon King strolled the street with a satisfied smile, I kept a vigilant watch for any potential dangers that might emerge.

It was a natural response in an unfamiliar and potentially hostile land.

However, one thing captured my attention for a brief moment.

“Huh? Are you hungry?”

A demonic beast.

To be precise, the corpse of a demonic beast.

Even more precisely, a dish made from the corpse of a demonic beast.

The enticing golden hue.

Tentacles writhing vigorously as if revived by heat.

Long enough to easily cross five adult men.

A Death Worm?

Bigger than the ones I’ve seen in the Lemea Canyon?

But putting aside whether it’s a worm, did it always smell this delicious?

I hastily averted my gaze, realizing I’d been distracted.

To think, me, getting sidetracked by a demonic beast.

“Looks like someone who would eat a Hellhound. Aren’t you staring too much?”

My silence served as the only response to the ambiguity of the comment.

“Surely Besti’s point is rational. If their intention was to see me wreak havoc in the human world, why would they sit there to watch? They’d be waiting safely here in the Demon World while I’m away.”

And the place to wait matters.

Here is not the human world, but the Demon World.

To an outsider like me, this is a place of foreignness and potential danger.

So, would a human hide here, in this strange and unfamiliar land?

Even with memories from a past life, this isn’t something I would consider.

If we assume this to really be happening,

Then there must be a collaborator in the Demon World aiding them—that’s the conclusion from that demon lady named Besti.

She suggested that we search the settlements near the Lemea Canyon for any trace of them.

Regardless of whether there is a collaborator, the likelihood of Eshel being in the Demon World is something I find quite plausible.

If he utilized his so-called divine power of seduction, controlling the demons here wouldn’t be too difficult.

His goal is ultimately the Demon King.

He plans to lure him to the human world, cause chaos, and then deal with me in one fell swoop.

However, his shallow scheme would’ve been thwarted from the start due to a deal I made ten years ago, just in case.

By now, he might be grinding his teeth somewhere.

A pity, but it will continue to be so.

Because of me.

“Let’s split up from here.”

“Hm? Why all of a sudden?”

My penetrating gaze served as an inquiry, questioning his statement.

Then whispers arose from every direction.

“Is that the Demon King? Can it really be him here in Arem?”

“Did the Demon King actually come here?”

“What brings him here?”

Though the crowd murmured, they didn’t approach to see him up close, simply revealing our location quite openly.

There’s no point in investigating if we’re this exposed.

“Our demons are just extraordinarily shy! Don’t worry about it too much!”

I doubt that’s the case.

The gazes of the onlookers weren’t exactly kind or shy.

While little demonic children looked on with wide-eyed curiosity,

The other demons cast looks filled with anxiety and fear.

In such a situation, you could categorize them into two groups:

Those familiar with the Demon King’s true nature and those who are not.

I probably fall closer to the former category.

“Come back in an hour.”

“Hey, at least tell me where you’re going!”

Ignoring his call, I quickly melded into the throng, escaping the area.

My reason for leaving the Demon King wasn’t solely to avoid attention.

From the moment I arrived at Arem, there’d been a group following the Demon King and me.

Initially, it was unclear if they were tailing him or me,

But now that we’ve split, the truth is evident.

They’re following me.

I quickened my pace and left Arem entirely.

After running without looking back, the vast wilderness unfolded before me, and the harsh winds of the Demon World swept over my skin.

“Wait, it’s actually a human?”

I heard a mixed tone of surprise and confusion as I slowly turned my head.

Eight in total.

Not humans, of course, but all demons.

“You look even weaker than I expected.”

Their initial reaction upon seeing me, their first words, already allowed me to make several deductions.

They observed me with a novelty, like a newborn beholding the world for the first time.

But soon, the demons started to move to prevent my escape.

“Handle him gently! If you’re not careful, something might just snap right off! Hehe!”

Ah.

I unintentionally raised my face and sighed deeply.

One phrase to summarize the situation came to mind:

I hit a dead end.

Perhaps I was too guarded because it’s been so long since I’ve been to the Demon World?

From their first reaction, I had my suspicions, but seeing them up close made me utterly certain.

Of all things, I’d gotten entangled with the most insignificant riffraff.

Without any further thought, I drew my blade, Keram.

“If you stay still, there’s no need to get hurt…!”

-Swish

I started with the demon who first tried to touch me,

-Swish! Crunch! Thump!

Severed all six demons who surrounded me in a single blow.

Do you know the one easy thing about demons compared to humans?

They give up quickly.

Demons live by the harsh laws of survival of the fittest and natural selection.

Meaning, in a dire situation like this, they quickly grasp how to behave to stay alive.

“Pl-please, save me!”

The demon who commanded my capture just three seconds ago was now on his knees, begging for his life.

To me, this was all too convenient.

At least it’s better than knights clinging to notions of honor or chivalry.

I leaned in and grasped the demon’s head.

We locked eyes for about five seconds before I softly whispered,

“Speak.”

“What, what should I say?”

“Everything you think you should tell.”

I hope this unimpressive demon can reveal something useful.

* * *

“The Demon King has shown himself in Arem. Not only him, but his guards are actively patrolling throughout the Demon World residences. It seems they’ve caught wind of you?”

Eshel merely maintained a relaxed smile, not responding in words.

“Should we revisit our initial agreement? Your plans have failed. The Demon King still possesses his rationality.”

The one-eyed demon thrust his fierce face forward in a threatening manner.

“It’s just a slight delay. The plan hasn’t failed yet.”

“Hmph! Curious to see how long you can keep up that confident facade. Let’s clear one thing up. We do not wholly trust you humans. To us, you are dispensable.”

“…”

“Shouldn’t you show us something more convincing? Something to further provoke the Demon King?”

“…”

“We have a plan. Why don’t you help us with it? It’s not difficult. Anyone could do it as long as they can move their body…”

“Did you misunderstand me?”

Eshel, unfazed by the ongoing prompts, suddenly spoke up.

“I was clear before, wasn’t I? I’ve not failed yet. Should I explain it in simpler terms?”

“Is the human tongue always so slippery? Especially yours—it looks like it needs cutting in half.”

The demon’s irritation was plain to see.

“Understand this: you may be looking me in the eye, but we are not on even footing. If I just flick my hand, your head could… roll across this table…”

-Swish!

The cold sound of a sword being drawn, and a single drop of sweat rolled down the demon’s brow.

Before him, a golden blade hovered at his throat in the blink of an eye. The energy emanating from the sword was unmistakably extraordinary.

“You seem confused, so let me make it clear. You might think you’ve been using me, but that’s not the case. It’s the other way around.”

Eshel calmly pressed the holy sword to the demon’s neck.

“Spare me!”

Upon feeling the holy sword’s aura, the demon cried out and shifted his stance.

“Alright, I was mistaken! Now I understand!”

With a wide grin, Eshel expressed his satisfaction.

“Is there any way I can further assist your plan? Whatever you need, say it! Be it manpower or resources, I can provide generously. So please, can you remove this dreadful sword?”

Eshel willingly withdrew the sword.

“Let me tell you what you must do next.”

“An-anytime, just tell me…!”

-Swish

The conversation was cut short as the demon’s head tumbled onto the table.

Eshel carefully observed the blood on his blade for a moment before returning it to its sheath.

As he left with an easy gait, nameless demons lay scattered in his wake.

(To be continued in the next episode)