Pandemonium.
35th place, 5th Legion Commander Markosias was spending his days just like any other.
Boring.
It had been hundreds of years since he became the henchman of the Demon King and took command of the legion, but as the war between the demon race and humans stagnated after the chaos period, the duties of Markosias were gradually decreasing.
He was already in a state of ‘thirst.’
To explain this, the phrase “humans are foolish” had to come first.
First, it was undoubtedly the human heroes who sealed some of the Great Demons. However, unlike the demon race, where hierarchy is determined solely by power, humans, divided by power and bloodlines, cannot avoid infighting.
History repeats itself.
Selfish humans emerge, making contracts with demons to satisfy their own desires, which, in turn, feeds the demon race. The current Demon King wisely focused on establishing his power amidst the chaos without provoking a large war.
Foolish creatures.
In a few years, they wouldn’t even realize that the fully realized Demon King intended to devour everything while they were still lost in their infighting. The heroes are merely tools crafted by the flattering words of a divine messenger.
Anyway, Markosias was completely fed up with all of this.
A predictable cycle. A development he had seen too many times.
Even slaughtering, torturing, and humiliating humans was nothing new; it was all the work of the previous demon ancestors.
Foolish…
In the end, it’s a lapse in judgment.
The insatiable greed of humans soon turns into obsession, and at some point, they try to equalize themselves with the Demon King, or rather, the Absolute God.
Looking at the previous demon ancestors, they merely overlooked this point and fell victim to it.
Click.
?
At that moment, a dream demon he hadn’t seen before flew in and knelt before him.
“O great Markosias, the situation is urgent, and I dare to report.”
It seemed it was an inappropriate situation, and as the demon substitutes were about to step forward, the commander silenced them with a glance.
Speak.
“…14th Legion, it has been reported that the main base of Lady Bunea has been partially annihilated.”
At those words from the dream demon, the hall of Markosias became chaotic.
In that instant, Markosias became aware that he was supportively pressing his temple with his right hand.
Of course, since the 14th Legion was composed of Bunea’s corpse legion, it was not a significant loss in Pandemonium.
Without any movement in his facial muscles, he asked.
What is their scale?
It was essentially impossible for humans to invade Pandemonium with their military.
Due to the demonic pressure surrounding this place, ordinary humans would not even be able to step foot here.
Thus, the raiders were always demons, and the attackers were also demons.
For them, humans were beings lesser than the lives of insects.
Even now, if they decided to, they could easily wipe out a few villages like going for a leisurely stroll.
But now they were actually on the offensive, these audacious beings.
Markosias was curious just how much military might those bugs had utilized to attain this victory.
“That is… there is none.”
“…”
As the commander gave no reaction and merely sent a cold gaze, the dream demon prostrated on the ground and begged.
Her voice began to tremble increasingly.
“An unknown attack came from beyond the dimensional gate… and it, it has annihilated the unit, including Lady Bunea… Is that really… possible…?”
As her words began to falter, Markosias grew momentarily irritated.
…..
“P-please spare me!?”
Thud!
With a single gesture, the dream demon vanished without a trace.
Bunea is dead…
In the strategy books of the creatures, there wouldn’t be a method to attack Pandemonium without any losses.
Markosias commanded a subordinate from the dark corner.
Dalian. Go verify the facts.
“As you command.”
From the shadows, a silhouette with pointy ears, a fairy disappeared.
To be frank, he found humans too weak and wanted to grow them a bit only to devour them later.
Isn’t that how demonic contracts work?
You have to show a glimmer of hope to amplify the despair even more.
But who would have thought such an incident would happen?
… I see.
Markosias realized that simply being aware of himself was itself an intriguing notion.
Until now, such developments had never occurred.
He began to understand a bit why the previous demons had been eagerly waiting for war.
As his thoughts elongated, perhaps out of fear of losing his head, it was the strategist demon who first opened his mouth.
“O great Markosias, if you just give the command… I will concentrate the forces toward the 14th Legion and dispatch the legion to avenge Lady Bunea.”
Hahaha, the strategist truly knows nothing.
Everyone here well understood that laugh was merely a false laugh.
If we only face trivial beings, they will become even stronger.
“I was short-sighted. Please kill me.”
Ignoring the strategist’s apology, Markosias lowered his chin and shouted.
Listen clearly. There is no need to report to the Demon King, nor to send troops. Once Dalian verifies the facts, I will directly cut the root myself.
The thirst of Markosias.
He felt this thirst being slightly quenched.
*
Chirp chirp.
In contrast to yesterday’s chaos, the serene sanctuary of Claris.
As Yeriel carefully approached the two, their positions began to align gradually.
Aria, who had been listening to Lev, also seemed to sense an aura and stood up.
“Ah… Aria?”
“Yeriel-nim?”
There was no particularly flustered expression.
Perhaps there wasn’t any physical contact of the kind Yeriel was thinking.
Thus, trusting that, Yeriel pondered.
Should I ask… But…
She didn’t want to cause unnecessary misunderstandings and conflicts.
Aria wasn’t that kind of person, and it could simply be one of the medical acts…
In the end, the warm-hearted Yeriel asked the most optimal question.
“Lev…! Is he alright…?”
“Yes. For now, at least. I heard Yeriel-nim is also injured; are you alright…?”
“Yeah, I’m fine! How about Aria…? You look tired…”
“Well…”
Aria hadn’t slept a wink while taking care of him.
She had used a lot of sacred power and had to carry the holy water all day long, as well as clean up.
“If it is not too much trouble… could you please watch Lev until I can bring another nurse from the Restoration Chamber?”
“Okay, got it! You must be tired; hurry and go rest…!”
“…”
Yeriel’s bright smile.
Seeing that, Aria hesitated for a moment before calling her.
“Yeriel-nim.”
“Yeah…?”
“Lev is… looking for you.”
“Ah… Yes.”
In that moment, Yeriel worried if Aria had misunderstood, but Aria’s expression showed no change.
And this meant one simple thing.
They are not yet in a romantic relationship…
A little sigh of relief.
After Aria finished donning her robe to leave, she added.
“Yeriel-nim… I just want to say, Lev… he doesn’t have good sleeping habits…”
“Ah, okay! I’ll be careful!”
“And… I’m sorry. However, I didn’t… attribute any other meaning to the medical acts.”
“I… understand?”
Though she wasn’t quite sure what the apology meant, Aria headed to the Restoration Chamber, and Yeriel immediately sat down beside Lev.
“… Lev.”
His expression wasn’t very good.
And rightly so; he had been injured far more than Edwin.
Don’t forget the promise.
When he had consoled her yesterday, he had surely worn a smile, but it was all an act, wasn’t it?
Rustle.
“…?”
As Yeriel watched Lev’s complexion, he turned over and grabbed her wrist.
Heh…?
In an instant, an unidentified sound escaped from her mouth, and
Slide.
Her body was pulled toward him.
A mere 40cm from the Ashen-haired man…
Every visual stimulus began to register in her consciousness.
She was draped in a cover, but judging by his upper body and shoulders, he was likely in a state of undress.
Rustle.
And as the wide shoulders wrapped in bandages and his bare legs began to be revealed,
“!!”
Rustle!
Yeriel quickly pulled the cover up to Lev’s neck.
… The patient should be kept warm…!
Heat rose to Yeriel’s face.
It was certainly bare skin.
That would make sense.
It would be better to undress for treatment…
And the one who undressed him… was probably…
Aria.
But I didn’t… attribute any other meaning to the medical acts…
So that was what that meant.
“…”
Why did she feel a glum mood as if having lost a bet?
Y-Yeah, Yeriel, what are you thinking…!
Aria had simply taken care of an emergency patient.
In short, a lifesaver.
And Lev, still holding onto her wrist…
Really… I’m glad. I’m so glad…
Only now did she realize that he was alive.
“It’s warm…”
Yeriel had no choice but to work hard to cool off the heat until Lev let go of her hand.
*
Chirp chirp…!
Of course.
The sound that awakened my consciousness was the chirping of birds.
I was lying on a white bed, and when I looked around, I found myself in a place resembling a temple with open walls and only pillars visible.
An unfamiliar ceiling.
“Could it be… this is the paradise of another world?”
As soon as such foolish thoughts crossed my mind, I sensed a presence from afar.
“Lev…!”
Yeriel brought water, and
Swish.
As I propped myself up, the thin robe pleasantly grazed my skin.
“Yeriel… what about the promise from yesterday…?”
Before I could make an excuse, it seemed I collapsed due to the Erosion Level explosion again yesterday.
I had believed in the elixir of free will, but once its effect wore off, I instantly lost consciousness like a dog.
“Lev, I was worried… I’m so glad!”
“…”
“Thank you for waking up…!”
Yeriel offered me a drink with an untainted smile.
Is it alright…?
To prevent my Tarchangel transformation, I forced a promise upon Yeriel, thinking it was a handshake, but her face, aside from a slight blush, didn’t seem that bad.
…
An awkward silence lingered, and
“Ah…?”
Tears were streaming down from the eyes of the still-smiling Yeriel.
“What, why… you shouldn’t laugh and cry…!”
“Just stay still.”
“!”
Quickly grabbing her hand as she tried to wipe her tears, I used my robe’s sleeve to dry her face.
“…”
And as I tidied her hair, Yeriel seemed to calm down a bit and spoke to me.
“Lev… um. Can I hug you just once…?”
“…”
“If it’s too painful, you can refuse…!”
Yeriel, looking flustered with a hint of joy, although it was my fault for not looking after her properly…
Well, a hug? What’s the issue with that?
Instead of answering, I gently tugged on her slender wrist.
Hug.
Naturally, our bodies drew closer.
I became intoxicated by the illusion of back-to-back heartbeats, Yeriel’s fragrance, and her warmth.
“This time… you saved me again… right…?”
“…”
“But you mustn’t do it again…!”
“…”
Yeriel slightly pulled her head back, entwining her fingers behind my neck to face me, then began to gently scold me.
“ You asked me to check on Edwin, but why did you follow me… You were really in danger…!”
“…”
“I don’t like it when you get in danger, Lev…! I hope you don’t strain yourself for my sake… okay?”
“…”
Yeriel’s sweet voice echoed in my ears.
…Perhaps because she was crying, her delicate lines were accentuated, amplifying the moist feeling of Yeriel.
This is why she gets called an innocent fox…
Make a promise, will you…?
“…?”
“In Hwanseangyongsa, Yeriel is a character devoted to the protagonist.
And the object of that devotion is Edwin, who is fit to slay the Demon King.
Yet, I thought I was only acting for myself.
“Answer…!”
“…”
Yeriel puffed her cheeks as she tidied my robe’s collar.
What do I do…
Now that I was all tangled up in a complex relationship, it was hard to answer directly.
I can’t just ignore it either…
Just as I was about to divert the topic to something else,
…!
A breathtaking beauty with violet hair approached us.
“You are Lev Denec… and you are Yeriel…?”
“Ah, Senior…!”
A voice colder and stiffer than Selena’s.
A gaze as fitting as it was cold.
…
It was Violet, the villain of Chapter 4 who faced a tragedy while trying to restrain Caeran…
