Standing before the northern gate of Lysimork, I think to myself, 'What has just happened?' The official announcement of our cooperation with the Dark Elf was just done a few minutes ago and I still can't think of a reason why Haletha needed to show me off like that.
"Well, as long as everyone is under control, it is fine I guess." I shrug it off in the end. Turning to Teanosvera, who is perching on my shoulder, I ask, "Are you okay being exposed to light like this?"
"It is fine, Master. I just like darkness—I can still live without it," he answers. "Besides, the darkness in your heart is already more than enough. Bright it is you may see this world, for me, who is connected your heart, all I can see is darkness."
"I hope we will have more chances to meet each other in the future, Layland, or should I say, Ghost of Lysimork?"
Turning my head to the speaker, I wave my hand lightly. "Stop it, Haletha. I wouldn't mind if I didn't know you, but I already consider you a friend, so just call me Layland like usual."
"I am glad to be considered a friend by you. Very well, take care, friend."
"Ah, you too, Haletha. Take care of Lysimork."
Ignoring the look the people behind Haletha are giving me, I walk toward my fellow Warriors at the same time Haletha waves her hand.
Arieda has been quiet ever since the announcement event; she didn't speak to me even though I was right before her when I was talking with Haletha. I don't know what happened, but she seems to have a lot on her mind.
"Layland!"
"Hm?" I quirk my eyebrow as I turn around. "What is it, Arieda?"
"That… that promise! Are you going to fulfil it?"
p
"The one where you will take me on an adventure with you." For some reason, Arieda is emotional. "I will mature as soon as I can, so… so, please wait for me!"
'How sweet,' is what the old Layland might think after hearing that. Maybe, Valeria's insensitiveness has rubbed off on me; but the moment I hear that, what I am paying attention to is her eyes—the passion in them.
It is burning so bright that a smile creeps up my face. I can feel the heat and that makes me ignore the underlying meaning behind her words.
"Ah, I will wait for you," I say as I continue walking. As I hope on Genelos' back, I add, "Therefore, get big quick, princess."
"Soldiers, march!"
At Velucan and Jovenus' order, the infantry march. Riders take their Wyverns to soar to the sky and flash through the air.
Whoosh!
The sound that friction between the Wyverns and the air make fills the sky as the Rider disappear one by one from the people's view. Despite being in the lead, I still can feel the longing gaze on my back.
Like always, I ignore what doesn't concern me; I have a goal before me. The moment I see the Portal to the Verniculos Kingdom, I know my journey to achieve my goal begins.
…
For security reasons, of course, we didn't make a direct Teleportation Gate to the Verniculos Kingdom. The closest Lysimork is connected to is Scentillion City, which is 16,000 Absitan or 32,000 miles away from the Kingdom.
Luckily, we don't have to pass through a Teleportation Gate to return; we can use a one-time Portal, which is powered by everyone's Mana. Because of that, all of us reach the Kingdom in less than five minutes.
Standing in the field before the Barrack, the Warriors kneel respectfully. Ilschevar and Valeria are already there waiting for us like they did the last time.
I get down from Genelos as soon as he lands on the ground, and also kneel respectfully. Velucan and Jovenus step forward and kneel before Ilschevar and Valeria when they are five steps away.
"Well, done, my Warriors!" Ilschevar exclaims. "It has been a week, three days longer than our expected time, but I am still satisfied with what you have managed to achieve."
Ilschevar's eyes turn to me and Teanosvera, who is perching on my shoulder. He smiles gleefully at me before turning his head away to continue his speech.
"Master, you are indeed extraordinary. Your Demon King has a considerable amount of Darkness in his heart, but it is still nowhere near as you," Teanosvera remarks. "I wonder if having darkness in your heart is normal among the Demon."
"Can't you see it in the other Demon's?"
"As far as my observation goes, I have only spotted three people with darkness in their hearts. One of them, however, hides their darkness well."
As Teanosvera turns to my right, I also do the same; my eyes land on Eliseus. Instantly, a premonition that I have buried deep in my heart resurfaces.
'She is one of Demon King Candidates,' is all I can think about.
I was unsure before; but now that Teanosvera has confirmed that she has something similar in her heart, I am sure she must be one of my rivals. There is no other reason for her to hide her darkness than to not alert me so she can observe me.
'Eliseus, is our friendship nothing but an illusion?' I think as I look at Eliseus from the corner of my eyes. 'Well, it's a Demon Realm—what do you expect, Layland? You have to get used to deceit.'
There is only meaning to this revelation: Eliseus and I will be killing each other in the future. I don't know if she really desires the throne, but I am sure she will not hesitate to cut me when she is sure that I am what she thinks I am.
Now that I think about it, I barely know anything about her. The way she conceals her emotion makes it hard for me and any other people to understand her.
'Just like what I do,' I reflect.
"Since I have expected this to be the case, I have prepared the reward for your achievements. Like usual, only those who have done something unusual get it."
Shaking my head faintly to clear my thoughts, I pay attention to every word that Ilschevar says. It is already the awarding session by the time I know it.
"First and foremost, of course, my Warriors, I don't want you to feel unworthy for not getting any extra rewards. You have excelled and those who get the rewards have just done more. You are precious to me, so keep excelling until I call your name."
Spreading his left hand in my direction, Ilschevar exclaims, "Let us award our Golden Rookie, shall we? Ghost of Lysimork, Layland Kleinhaus, step forward and take your reward!"
"Master, let's go!" Teanosvera exclaims.
"That embarrassing name!" I cringe.
Calming myself down so I don't make a fool of myself, I stand up straightly and walk toward Ilschevar. He immediately steps back, meanwhile, Valeria steps forward.
Learning from my experience, I don't kneel when I arrive before her. Standing straightly before her, I notice, again, how much taller I have become after maturing as a Demon.
I don't know if I am going to get any taller than this, but being 6'11" tall is already over the top for someone like me, who was formerly just 5'6" tall. As expected of the Demon gene.
"You look like a man now, Layland," Valeria remarks.
"I didn't before?"
"Having a penis doesn't instantly make you a man."
"Ouch."
It has been a long time since I was last roasted by Valeria. Her tongue is still as sharp as before and her remorseless delivery burns just as hot.
"Layland Kleinhaus, your achievement baffled Lord Ilschevar and me when we heard it," Valeria says loudly. "Never have we expected you to pull something like that, so we were equally bemused and astonished."
She turns to Teanosvera. "Standing before me now, you let me see the existence that has spent most of his life in the deep forest of Amizanima. You have got stronger yet again, strengthening our military power at the same time."
She extends her hand and grabs my Rank Necklace. "Seeing three wings hanging on your necklace feels wrong to me—it is blasphemous! Because of that, Layland Kleinhaus, I will add another three of them."
Valeria's hand glows briefly; I feel the heat before my chest. She lets go of the necklace in the next moment, allowing me to see the six wings hanging on it.
I have become a Sixth Wing Warrior in less than a month, but I weirdly don't feel a sense of achievement. No, I certainly feel it, but it is not as fulfilling as being able to kill my accursed classmates.
At this moment, I am sure that it is time to settle my grudge. I will not be able to move forward if my mind is stuck in the past.
"Congratulations, Layland Kleinhaus for—"
"Pardon my insolence, Great Commander, Valeria," I say as I kneel. "May I have a word with our Liege?"
"Speak, Layland," comes Ilschevar's resounding answer.
"In order to find my real self, I want to have a journey on my own. Three months—may you be benevolent enough to free me of my duty for three months, my Liege?"
"How are you going to find your real self, Layland?"
The field that has been rowdy ever since my declaration abruptly turns silent. Every eye is on me; they are waiting for my answer.
"I am going to get along with my heart demon, my Liege. I am going to have some fun… by killing the Heroes," I answer calmly, hiding my excitement.
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