“Buwahahahahahahahahahaha! I see! You have been thinking about such things, eh? How very interesting this is!”
‘Of course, if you insist on having him immediately…’
“I do not mind! Use him as you see fit! While you must continue to keep him alive, you can do as you like until my arrival!”
He could hardly stop himself from laughing.
Bergganda bowed gratefully. And even after the mirror was dismissed, the Demon King continued to chuckle.
“Strategist.”
Once he caught his breath, the Demon King stood up from his throne and muttered to the stony woman.
“It is wonderful, isn’t it?”
“What is wonderful?”
“Isn’t it obvious! It is so perfect, this cast of characters!”
The young man walked down the hall with excited steps.
“The weakest monster and the nameless demon general. And then me, a Demon King chosen from the lowest ranks of the demon world!”
He spread out his arms as if in front of a grand audience.
“And it is we who grasp this entire game! It is a wonderful fact!”
As the Demon King gave the signal, the ceiling and chandelier above him shattered into pieces.
The sun’s rays shot down towards his slender form.
The Demon King who lived in darkness, allowed himself to be enveloped as if it was glory raining down on him.
“I will win. This battle.”
“Certainly.”
She replied curtly.
The smile on the young man’s face looked even more mad as the sunlight created a contrast of light and shadows.
—
When the knock rang on the heavy wooden door, Sheto was sitting on the stone floor and inspecting his bow.
A small room with four walls of stone, and a single window with iron bars. The only furniture in the room was a simple bed and a table for the candlestand. Other than that, it was just Sheto’s belongings on the floor.
“Who?”
“Komos. May I enter?”
“Do as you like.”
The robed hobgoblin entered the room and looked around.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. My master has finally finished up with his work.”
“After a cage, a cell. I’m bored now…of being a prisoner.”
“I know that it is rude, but we have our reasons too. Now, will you please come with me?”
After escaping the Hero’s army, Sheto was a prisoner again.
And while he had been allowed to keep his weapons and equipment, he was locked up in a cell with guards watching him. He had not seen the outside world for a few days now.
This place was originally a human fortress, but it had been modified by monsters. And this cell had been used to hold nobles or knights of high status.
“Where, are we going?”
“The office. That is where my master is waiting. Sorry, but aside from your hatchet, you will have to leave everything here.”
The adjutant said, and then he left the room as if having no doubt that Sheto would follow him.
The armed goblins glared at him threateningly. And so with no choice, Sheto sheathed his hatchet and left the room.
On the other side of the door, there was a spiral staircase. They ascended with a group of goblin soldiers.
“How was your food?”
“Fine. I could eat.”
“While you shouldn’t expect the food of royals, you are still a guest. I am glad to hear it.”
Komos replied calmly. There was something about him that was different from other monsters.
He was highly intelligent for a hobgoblin, and often acted to oversee the others. Being able to survive amidst that chaos and return… It was not only because of Berganda’s wisdom.
“There is one thing I’ll tell you before we step outside. You are a strange presence within this fortress.”
Komos looked at Sheto severely as they stood by the tower door.
“They know how you brought our master back alive, but they also saw what you did as an enemy in Lindle.”
“So, some may want to, kill me?”
“I wouldn’t go that far, but they would definitely look down on your kind.”