Chapter 20

In the northern part of the continent, the base of the demon race, Seirido.

This land, where snow falls year-round, is lined with brick buildings.

Deep within, there stands a massive castle made of stone, exuding a unique sense of oppression—this is the Demon King's Castle.

Just the name alone strikes fear into the hearts of all humans, as it is the stronghold of evil.

However, in reality, those who live there are not the terrifying figures one might imagine from the term "Demon King."

In the dining hall on the first floor of the castle,

candelabras on the walls and dining table cast a soft glow.

Despite the extremely low temperatures in Seirido, the room was kept at a comfortable temperature thanks to the lit fireplace.

In this room, three demons were enjoying their meal, each holding a knife and fork.

Neygas of the Blood Gale, Tsaiyon of the Phosphorus Fire, and—Demon King Siitum.

Siitum, who looks like a girl around 12 years old by human standards,

wears a white dress and, because the chair is too high, dangles her red heels.

"So, Neygas, how did the investigation of the research facility go?"

Siitum asked Neygas, who was about to take a bite of the meat she had just cut with her knife.

As usual, Neygas stopped with the food in front of her mouth, looking slightly disappointed.

The dish, a sautéed huge goat with a mushroom sauce, is a favorite among demons, not just Neygas.

Especially when made by Diza, it is incomparably delicious compared to anything she can make herself.

The thorough preparation makes the meat extra juicy, and the sweet meat juice oozes out with just a bite.

This mixes with the smooth, slightly acidic sauce, creating a taste that makes you want to put it in your mouth as soon as possible.

Given that Neygas had been looking forward to Diza's meal so much that she skipped lunch, it's understandable why she was disappointed.

"Mmm... As expected, the oldest records we found date back about 30 years. And there was also the monster with the core embedded in it."

"Indeed. Thirty years ago would be during the Human-Demon War."

"It's possible that the plan was initiated to use them as a fighting force during the war."

"Experiments on their own kind had already been conducted before the war. This is just an extension of that."

"At the end of the war, even children were used as a fighting force."

Neygas recalled.

The human army during the Human-Demon War was truly terrible.

They were forced into a hopeless battle, with low morale and a chaotic command structure.

In the end, they even used children as a shield, taking advantage of the fact that demons did not try to take as many human lives as possible.

Ultimately, they retreated without putting up a fight.

"However, it seems that an accident occurred at the research facility about ten years ago, and it has not been used since."

"That is not a power that can be handled by humans, but where did it leak from..."

"Maybe the seal is weakening, Your Majesty?"

Tsaiyon said provocatively.

Siitum puffed out her cheeks in response.

"That's not true! Since I became a priestess, there has been no change in the seal! And Diza has confirmed it with me!"

"Hey, hey, don't get mad, Your Majesty."

"What's wrong with you, brother, calling me 'Your Majesty' like that!"

"You started calling yourself one of the Three Demon Generals, so I'm just calling you that."

"Wha... It was necessary to vent the accumulated grievances of the people and to stand up to the heroes!"

"Still, you didn't need to put on such a cool act and call yourself one of the Three Demon Generals, did you?"

"I don't want to hear that from you, who always wears your collar up and acts cool! Think about how it feels to walk with you!"

The two began their usual bickering, and Neygas and the man standing behind Siitum exchanged glances and smiled wryly.

His name is Diza.

It might be easier to call him Diza of the Mud, one of the Three Demon Generals.

He is a male demon with the appearance of a 40-year-old, wearing a monocle and a tailcoat, with a gentle demeanor. He is an excellent butler who has supported the Demon King from the shadows since the previous generation.

"What? Are you making fun of me? Are you making fun of this hot fashion!?"

"I am! Why do you always wear your collar up, no matter what you wear? Think about how it feels to walk with you, brother!"

"You... You said it! You said the one thing I can't stand! Let's go outside and see who's hotter!"

"I'd like to see you try to break my Yang Yin with a measly match flame!"

The heated argument between the two.

Tsaiyon and Siitum leaned forward to glare at each other, and Diza cleared his throat, "Ahem."

The loud voices that had filled the dining hall abruptly stopped.

"You two, we are in the middle of a meal. Please be quiet."

"Ah... Sorry."

"Sorry."

The two apologized sincerely and sat back down.

They continued to glare at each other, but they no longer made as much noise.

"You two haven't changed, even as adults. You used to be scolded by Diza and fall silent when you were kids."

"You haven't changed either."

Neygas said with a laugh, and Tsaiyon retorted.

"By the way, Tsaiyon, I think you actually liked being called one of the Three Demon Generals. When we were fighting, you were all, 'Let's satisfy the Three Demon Generals!'"

"Brother... Is that true?"

"Ugh... No, it's just that I got a bit too excited and my head got a bit... you know..."

Tsaiyon stammered.

However, it is a well-known fact that he, as a childhood friend, dotes on Siitum like a sister.

In other words, their bickering is a sign of their close relationship.

"Hahaha, you really haven't changed."

"Shut up."

Tsaiyon turned away and fell silent.

Neygas laughed even more at the sight of him and said with a smile,

"Still, I don't think the heroes believe that the Three Demon Generals are just a group of childhood friends."

"We just happened to gather a group of capable people. The fact is, we are achieving results, so the details don't matter, right?"

"Results... I don't really enjoy destroying towns, you know."

"We have no choice. If we don't, the people's dissatisfaction will explode. Besides, we're not taking any lives, right?"

"Of course not."

Neygas and Tsaiyon have destroyed many human towns.

This is a countermeasure against the heroes, who have destroyed demon towns.

Linus, who doesn't want the situation to deteriorate into a quagmire, has been scratching his head, unable to find a good solution, as he leaves the room.

Maria, looking worried, follows him.

In the room, only Kiril and Gadio remain.

Kiril, with her shoulders slumped, was about to leave when Gadio called her back, saying, "I want to talk to you for a moment."

"What's up, Gadio?"

Turning to face Kiril, he said in his usual flat tone,

"I plan to leave the party after the next journey."

"Ah... I see."

She had a feeling this would happen.

He had liked Flamm and had a relatively good relationship with Eterna.

Now that those two have left, there is no reason for such an excellent adventurer to stay in a party with an uncertain future.

He had never joined for the sake of honor or status, after all.

"I feel guilty, but as an individual, I can no longer believe in the righteousness of this journey."

"Righteousness? Isn't it about defeating the Demon King?"

"Currently, the Demon King is seen as a symbol of evil, but in terms of meaning, it is just the 'King of Demons'."

"But... They invaded during the war and killed a lot of people, didn't they?"

Gadio shook his head.

"The Human-Demon War was started by humans. The idea that demons are evil only spread about 50 years ago, thanks to government policy. Before that, they were just neighbors with no interaction."

"So, demons aren't evil?"

"The gods say they are the enemy. They are the true evil that is eroding the world. How you believe that is up to you—"

It might be meddlesome, but he knows that as a hero, she cannot easily leave this journey, given the expectations placed on her by the people.

So, he felt obligated to give her some advice, even if it might just cause her more trouble.

"The world is not made up of simple structures of justice and evil. It's better not to believe that you are the absolute justice, or you will be betrayed."

"…That's hard."

"Of course, I can't judge everything correctly either. That's why you can only believe what you see with your own eyes, not just the information given to you by others."

"What I see with my own eyes..."

She had come this far by just moving forward blindly.

But now, with her companions leaving and her inability to handle her powers, she has come to a standstill.

This might be a chance to look around.

If Kiril can find a new path through this, it might be better for her.

"One more thing, this is a warning."

Gadio glanced at the entrance to make sure no one was there, then told Kiril,

"Be careful with Maria."

"Why her?"

"Probably because she is hiding something. She is connected to the church, so it's better to be cautious. I just thought you should know, even though I just told you to believe what you see with your own eyes."

With that, he left the room.

Kiril, left alone, remembered something important and hurriedly called out to him.

"Hey, wait, Gadio!"

"What is it?"

"Um... Flamm. Flamm's hometown, how is it...?"

Gadio, who had stopped and turned around, smiled, a rare sight.

"I'm also concerned about her. If I have a chance to go to the countryside on a mission, I'll check on it."

"Ah... Thank you."

"It's nothing."

He raised his hand lightly and started walking again.

Kiril knew she had no right to worry about Flamm, but she couldn't help it.

Since she was chosen as a hero by the divine revelation and everyone started treating her as a hero—Flamm was her only friend.

---

Linus and Maria walked through the town together after leaving the room.

Linus has a room prepared in the castle, but he finds it too cramped and stays at a high-end hotel in the eastern district.

"Maria, you don't have to go to the cathedral, do you?"

Linus asked her, who had followed him without being invited.

"Is it strange for me to worry about Linus?"

"No, it's nice, but did I look that down?"

"You did, you seemed to be deeply troubled."

"...Sorry about that."

"It's understandable, given the situation."

Flamm and Eterna leaving the party.

The journey not progressing.

Jean's frustration and Kiril's poor condition.

Gadio, who is probably considering leaving the party.

Linus's mind is full of worries.

"Hey, Maria."

He stopped walking.

"What is it?"

To Maria, who tilted her head cutely, Linus said with a dark expression,

"If I asked you to leave the party and live with me, what would you do?"

Maria, surprised by the sudden declaration, opened her eyes wide.

Her heart raced.

Surprisingly, it didn't feel bad.

But—

"...I'm sorry."

She has a reason that prevents her from nodding.

"Ahaha, that's right. I knew that. I knew it."

"It's not that I don't like you, Linus! I'm very happy with your proposal, and I think I would be happy living with you, but—"

"You can't stop the journey until the demons are destroyed, right?"

"...Yes."

Maria's hatred is deep-seated.

It is a curse that will not disappear until the demons are eradicated from the world.

No matter how much she falls in love or wants to live with someone—her hatred will always get in the way.

"Actually, I... I looked into you."

"Into me?"

"Yes, I couldn't help it. I'm sorry."

Linus bowed his head awkwardly, but Maria smiled.

"It's fine, Linus. If anyone can be interested in me, it's you."

"You're a saint, you're so kind."

"I'm not that kind to everyone. I wouldn't forgive anyone else. But... Since you looked into me, you know that my hometown was destroyed by demons when I was 8, right?"

"Yes, when you were 8, right?"

"Yes... On that day, the town where I lived was suddenly attacked and destroyed in one night. According to what I heard later, I was the only survivor."

Maria, with a distant look, recalled the events of that day.

The tragedy that still vividly remains in her memory.

"I clearly remember the demons using magic to stab, cut, crush, and burn the people I cared about."

"...I see."

"The demons are ugly monsters who can laugh while killing people. They are a scourge that should be destroyed!"

Maria, clenching her fists and seething with hatred, spoke without a hint of falsehood.

However, from what Linus had experienced, the demons' claim that "We do not kill humans" did not seem to be a lie.

"Ah... I'm sorry, I got carried away."

"It's fine, I was the one who brought it up."

He is in love with Maria to the point where he wants to support her, including her flaws.

He clapped his hands and said, "I know," to dispel the awkward atmosphere.

"There's a place nearby that serves delicious ice cream. Want to go now?"

"Sure, I like ice cream."

Maria's face lit up with a smile.

This is the expression that suits her best.

Linus silently vowed to support her until the day she can smile from the heart, free from all hatred.

---

It had been a while since they left the transfer room, and it was already dark outside.

The area around the castle was completely quiet, but in this silence, a man's angry voice began to echo.

"What kind of S-rank adventurer are you, what kind of 'Star Breaker' are you! You're just a spineless coward, damn it!"

—It was Jean.

He was raging in his room.

Kicking the table and walls, punching until his fists bled.

Throwing papers and books on the