Episode 478: Return to the Demon Realm

“This is the place.”

Duke Aranius planted a flag on the sand-covered table.

The sand, like a miniature landscape, depicted mountains, fields, and roads, representing the northern region of the Central Plains.

With a wave of his hand, Aranius caused the sand to shift and reform, revealing a more detailed topography centered around the flag.

“It’s a herb shop, they say. But the real goods are hidden in the underground storage, not on the shelves.”

“Anything else we should be cautious about?”

The question came from Viscount Ailid, his eyes gleaming with curiosity.

“They say there are martial artists here. Their skills vary, but some are as strong as sword masters.”

“These days, it seems like everyone and their dog is a sword master.”

Duke Aranius chuckled softly.

Indeed, as Viscount Ailid pointed out, sword masters were everywhere now. Once, having even one sword master was a cause for celebration, hailed as a hero sent from the heavens. But now, the title was as common as a dog’s name.

In a way, this was all due to the dragons and demons. Their frequent visits to the human world to flaunt their power had pushed humanity to evolve, from marveling at simple fire tricks to producing 8th-circle mages.

Even those who were dragged to the demon realm and miraculously returned contributed to humanity’s progress. Yet, it’s undeniable that demons also advanced because of these “inferior” humans. Their sense of unity, collaboration, anthropological knowledge, and emotional exchanges provided significant stimulation to the demons.

This is why Demon King Tarant constantly invades the human world, abducting them for experiments. Humans, with their diverse cultures, are fascinating. They create various cultures within a single world, and even more so in different dimensions.

Some worlds have advanced in science, others in martial arts like the Central Plains. Some human realms are overflowing with sword masters, while others are teeming with high-circle mages. It’s truly remarkable how such short-lived beings can achieve so much.

Thus, Tarant has been abducting humans from various worlds, conducting experiments, and using the results to advance the demons. Thanks to this, Tarant has elevated the demons to a prestigious position even within the demon realm.

Of course, from the perspective of the invaded humans, Tarant is nothing but a villain. Their peaceful lives were shattered overnight by demon invasions.

However, Aranius believed humans should be grateful to Tarant. If not for him, and if by some miracle Marquis Baritan’s rebellion had succeeded, humanity might have been wiped out. Baritan was a staunch demon supremacist, viewing humans as nothing more than inferior parasites to be eradicated.

Had he become the demon king, few humans would have survived in the universe.

“Do you also think humans should be exterminated?”

“Not necessarily exterminated, but if they get in the way, it’s better to eliminate them.”

To him, humans were no different from bugs crawling on the floor. Aranius nodded in agreement.

“True. But remember, we once abducted humans from a scientifically advanced world.”

“I remember.”

“They achieved incredible advancements. Though their arrogance led to their downfall.”

“Indeed.”

“Yet, even those arrogant humans ended up mimicking insects to create machines. They flew without magic and wielded laser swords without aura.”

“Even inferior bugs are worth observing.”

Aranius nodded.

“Exactly. If there’s nothing to see after observing, you can crush them then.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Think deeply. Humans ponder everything because their lives are finite. They’re short. They don’t want to ruin their one short life with a single mistake. So sometimes, thinking with the mind of an inferior human isn’t a bad idea.”

“I see. In that sense… could this be a trap?”

Viscount Ailid asked, looking at the sand map.

“Whose trap are you asking about? Humans? Or Baritan?”

“The latter, of course.”

“Hmm.”

Aranius squinted his eyes before shaking his head.

“I doubt it. How could he set such a trap? Unless there are hordes of sword master-level humans.”

“That seems unlikely.”

“Baritan has only just regained his physical form. What trap could he set with a human body?”

“True, that’s also a point.”

“Go and retrieve the elixirs. It shouldn’t be difficult.”

“I almost wish it were a bit challenging.”

Viscount Ailid grinned slyly and bowed.

“I’ll return with good news, Your Grace.”

**

A brilliant light emanated from the standing coffin.

In that moment, Zonya felt as if something was being pulled from her body, a sensation akin to dizziness that threatened to make her faint. But she quickly steadied herself.

“Master…?”

She called out to Baritan in her mind, but there was no response. It was clear that the entity that had shared her body for so long had finally separated.

Instead, a powerful light was shining from the coffin before her. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she squinted against the brightness. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she shut her eyes tight.

With a sudden burst, the light seemed to explode, and silence fell over the room.

In the enveloping darkness, Zonya slowly opened her eyes. As her vision adjusted, she began to make out the shapes around her.

The lid of the coffin opened with a clatter.

With a heavy thud, the lid fell to the ground.

Footsteps echoed as a man emerged from the coffin.

”…!”

His face was still obscured by shadows, but Zonya held her breath, waiting for him to step into the light streaming through the window.

Finally, the moonlight illuminated the man.

“Oh…!”

Zonya couldn’t help but gasp.

The moonlight turned golden as it cascaded down his long, flowing hair, which reached gracefully to his waist. His features were strikingly handsome, with a high forehead, deep eyes, a sharp nose, and lips set in a firm line. He was tall and impossibly beautiful, like something not of this world.

Of course, he wasn’t of this world. He was Baritan, the demon.

As Zonya stood in awe, Baritan tilted his head and asked, “Why do you stare so?”

Even his voice was beautiful, deep and resonant, yet perfectly fitting.

Zonya quickly gathered herself and replied, “You’re… far more beautiful than I imagined.”

Baritan smiled faintly. A mere mortal woman might have fainted at the sight of that smile. Given that one of the evil gods he served was the deity of jealousy and seduction, his striking appearance was understandable.

As Zonya’s heart skipped a beat, she turned her head, her face flushed.

“I’m sorry! I spoke out of turn! How could someone like me…!”

But she couldn’t finish her sentence. Baritan’s slender fingers had lifted her chin.

Meeting his gaze, Zonya’s face turned as red as a ripe fruit.

Baritan caressed her cheek, smiling gently.

“Do you dare speak of age before me? You are still very young.”

“I’m sorry…!”

Zonya’s eyes widened, unable to look away. It was a wonder she didn’t faint on the spot. Before she could react, Baritan’s lips were on hers.

Tears welled in Zonya’s eyes, spilling over as the kiss lingered.

When Baritan finally pulled back, he gazed at her intently. Zonya, feeling like a bashful girl, didn’t know where to look.

“I will cherish you.”

“I will give my life for you, Master!”

Zonya knelt, tears streaming down her face.

Baritan shook his head, gently stroking her cheek.

“No. Your life is no longer yours. Cherish it above all else.”

“I will remember.”

Zonya bowed deeply.

**

The carriage sped along the road, carrying Sabiang and Maesellan inside.

Maesellan stared out the window, her expression a mix of emotions.

“What are you thinking about?”

At the sound of Sabigang’s voice, Maeseollan turned her head.

Sabigang wore a faint smile.

Ah, that smile.

How long had it been since she’d seen it?

She felt tears welling up for no reason.

So much had happened.

While Sabigang was away, many people had died, and she had to endure heart-wrenching farewells.

Looking back, she couldn’t quite grasp how she had managed to survive such a tumultuous time.

Even now, it felt as if her emotions were anesthetized, flowing uncontrollably, independent of her will.

One moment she was melancholic, the next her heart swelled with emotion.

Just a short while ago, she had been unsettled.

The early winter landscape passing by the window was so desolate.

Yet, it was so beautiful that it reminded her of those who had passed.

They would never see such sights again.

But then, seeing Sabigang beside her, she felt overwhelmingly grateful.

When was the last time they had a moment to focus solely on each other in a space just for the two of them?

Right after he returned to the clan, they were too busy to even glance at each other.

Now, in this shared solitude, the emotions she had suppressed kept rising to the surface.

She wanted to collapse into his arms, to sob and complain.

And then, to forget everything and embark on a journey as if they were on a carefree outing.

But Maeseollan bit her lip.

“I can’t afford to be weak.”

Yes, she needed to steel herself.

The real battle was just beginning, wasn’t it?

The demons had taken so much from her and the martial world.

They said that such weak moments were when the uninvited guests of humanity crept in.

She had to become tougher, stronger.

On the day Sabigang returned to the clan, she had wanted to cry her heart out in his arms, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She didn’t want to burden him with yet another weight.

Yes, she had to be even more relentless…

“When you feel like crying, just let it out.”

”…?”

Maeseollan flinched and looked at Sabigang.

He was murmuring as he gazed at the sunset outside the window.

“Crying doesn’t mean you’re giving up your burdens. It’s just setting ‘yourself’ down for a moment to become stronger.”

”…”

“When you want to cry, cry as much as you need. At least while I’m by your side, I’ll guard those burdens for you.”

Maeseollan looked at Sabigang with tear-filled eyes.

Finally, she spoke in a voice thick with emotion.

“Why… why do you make me cry…?”

At last, the tears fell.

After saying goodbye to everyone, she was the last to shed tears.

She had held back and held back until finally, the tears came.

The carriage continued steadily along the road.

Towards the place where a new battle awaited.

Carrying the weight of both their destinies.