Beginning of the Demon World (8)

A space that very few people even within the palace know of its existence.

The moment I set foot in the space secretly connected to the King’s bedroom, the air became heavy.

Julia took a deep breath, then bowed her head to show respect.

“It’s been a while since I saw you. “His Majesty the King.”

“Okay. It’s been a while. Count Julia.”

The king stopped Julia from kneeling.

Although she thought she had been kind in her own way, Julia’s suspicions did not go away.

“Ruler. I prepared tea and cake. Feel free to do as much as you want.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Contrary to what she said, Julia only put the tea cup to her mouth and the tea did not decrease.

I just held the fork and did not touch the cake.

At first glance, it could have been thought to be rude, but the king understood.

Everyone thought they couldn’t embrace her because they weren’t good enough.

The king and Julia were similar.

If there was someone he liked, he trusted him until the end, but if he didn’t like someone, he didn’t even care.

Unfortunately, the king wanted to attract Julia, but he did not want her.

The only reason the two met face to face was because of Seohyun’s request.

“Count Julia. What do you think of Seohyun?”

A conversation that gets straight to the point from the beginning.

He’s acting like he’s polite, which is inappropriate for his young age.

Who would enjoy bragging about a subject they have no power over?

“He is the most capable knight in the kingdom and my precious companion.”

“…Yes, that is correct. But it’s not the answer I was hoping for.”

Julia was not very pleased when Seohyun came out of the king’s mouth.

The person who supported him and his colleagues when they were struggling for money.

The person who first created the Adventurer’s League and elevated them.

He was the first person to help them whenever they were in trouble.

Of course, there were many helpers around him, but he could not deny that he was the biggest one.

“I think Seohyun is the hope of the kingdom.”

“…”

“I believe that he and his colleagues will defeat the Demon King and save the kingdom.”

That’s why he really hated the situation where the king was keeping an eye on him.

Not only did he not have any respect for the king, he had no intention of losing his comrade.

“But I’m worried about what will happen after the Demon King falls.”

“…I think it is still a distant future.”

“Count Julia. “Forget the pretense.”

Julia bowed her head even deeper at the king’s sharp tone.

Is this an intention to reach out to him already, even though the war isn’t over yet?

I continued speaking while suppressing the anger welling up in my heart.

“Seohyun wants a peaceful life in a peaceful world.”

“I know. “You promised me too.”

“If you call it a promise, what kind of…”

“He promised to create a peaceful world if he defeated the Demon King.”

A fact that Julia did not know. It means that the King and Seohyun formed a relationship without his knowledge.

Looking back, Julia’s time with Seohyun wasn’t long.

We only spent a few months at most, and we didn’t spend much time together because we kept going on expeditions.

How close are you to Seohyun?

Is it true that we are closer than the king?

Maybe he’s keeping his distance from me.

Is that why he decided to take the king’s side rather than himself?

As questions began to pile up, Julia cut off her thoughts.

Now I am face to face with the king.

“After defeating the Demon King, he said he would lay down his sword.”

“I can’t do that. “I hope he will lead my royal guard.”

“You can encourage Seohyun, but you cannot force her.”

“Count Julia. “If you help me, I might be able to change my mind.”

Julia once again swallowed her heart pounding inside.

Is this ultimately the reason the king is trying to involve him?

It was simply used as a bridge to attract Seohyun to his side.

You would probably think that the foolish king would keep his true intentions to himself.

Julia was able to sense people’s emotions faster than anyone else.

“Your Majesty. Thank you for overestimating me. But I can’t change Seohyun’s heart.”

“…I guess I have no intention of changing my mind.”

“Not really. Both the King and I were against the expedition to the Demon World, but he did not give up his will.”

At first, I thought he had a soft and finite personality.

He had an upright determination that never gave in to the goals and plans he had set.

He didn’t even pretend to listen to his opinions and persuasion.

I’ve met many stubborn people, but she was the first one to be this strong.

It may have been because of that stubbornness that he was able to achieve his achievements so far, but from the perspective of someone watching from the side, I was anxious.

“I really care about him. So please convince him.”

“…I will do my best.”

Julia reluctantly accepted the king’s request, which was not his request.

There was no intention of making him a member of the king’s personal guard.

Even if it means rebelling against the king.

***

‘You’re probably doing well, right?’

Suddenly I felt worried about Julia and the king.

I hope that the two can reach an amicable agreement.

The story won’t flow that easily.

Rather, it was time to focus more on the current situation.

“Ruler. “Let’s all take a break.”

Finally, we climbed the hill and stopped our march.

As I looked around, I was able to see a panoramic view of the Demon World.

A field spread out beneath a red fog. The windless wasteland was full of monster footprints and corpses.

“It’s a space filled only with death. “Just breathing makes me uncomfortable.”

Tyria has had a bad complexion ever since she entered the demon world.

It could be said to be the worst place for elves who love nature and life.

“Cerica. Are you okay?”

“Huh. “This is no problem.”

Kayla walked next to Serika.

As the march got longer, her steps gradually became slower.

Even if it wasn’t so, he would be the weakest among us.

It was admirable to see him quietly following along without showing any signs of it.

“Let’s camp here today. Everyone, don’t let your guard down.”

An elevated area overlooking the Demon World. Even the devil’s army wouldn’t be able to come up without permission.

Of course, there was a need to be careful of monsters flying in the sky.

At least the conditions were better than the middle of the plain.

It is said that Max’s plan is to build a garrison centered around this place.

The location was not bad as it was a good distance from the central battlefield.

The biggest question is whether it can be stationed stably.

“No way. Now that things have come to this, let’s move forward a little further.”

“Anything more than this is dangerous. “I plan to slowly expand my territory around this hill.”

Catalina has been complaining constantly since she arrived in the demon world.

It seems that he was dissatisfied because it was the complete opposite of Max’s cautious personality.

Even the three knights were keeping an eye on Catalina.

No matter how much they did, there was no way they would like a coworker who complained all day.

In particular, a close situation continued with Arne.

“Please refrain from unexpected actions. “You never know when the devil’s army will attack.”

“Okay! “What I had hoped for was for the Demon King’s army to come all at once!”

“Then, if we are completely wiped out, will you take responsibility… ?” ?”

“What is annihilation? “The Demon King’s army is the enemy.”

As the conversation went on, Arne’s voice became sharper.

At least Max stepped forward to stop the two, but the conflict was growing.

If the two people continue to stick together like this, it might turn into a fight.

“Catalina. Just be patient. Anyway, you will end up fighting the devil’s army to your heart’s content.”

“I know. Still, I’m bored.”

“If you’re that bored, go take care of Malcolm. “Your complexion is pure white.”

Meanwhile, Malcolm was sitting on the floor with a helpless expression.

In fact, Malcolm, whose physical strength was similar to that of Celica, had a very difficult time.

Only then did Catalina seem to be worried, so she approached Malcolm and patted him on the back.

Since I couldn’t tell them to go back to their station now, I had no choice but to take good care of them.

In the meantime, my colleagues maintained the perimeter.

Among them, the person who became the most sensitive was none other than Erina.

“Erina. “Are there any enemies around?”

“Yes. “I can’t see anything.”

“If anything happens, please tell me right away. “Understand, right?”

“Don’t worry. “I will protect you.”

Has it become a habit to say that you will protect me?

Erina was always thinking only of me.

Childlike behavior has decreased significantly, and a lot of expressing emotions has disappeared.

However, his heart for me did not change like Cheol Onseong.

I wish other people would pay a little more attention too.

Unfortunately, her eyes were filled with only me.

“My lord. Camping preparations are complete.”

“Ah. Good job.”

Meanwhile, Kayla was quietly doing her job.

Before the sun set, we completed preparations for camping, including setting up a tent and lighting a fire.

The sun was slowly setting and night had come in the demon world.

Even the small amount of sunlight coming through the red fog was losing its power.

An incredible darkness that makes you miss the moonlight. Inside, the wood fire was shaking precariously.

“Ruler. Everyone, take a break early. “Never relax when you are on watch.”

“Yes yes. “Don’t worry and go to sleep quickly.”

When night came, it was so dark that I couldn’t see an inch in front of me.

Fortunately, the monsters will not wander around carelessly because darkness will come equally.

If the Demon King’s army carried out a night attack, it could be quite dangerous.

‘I knew it in advance, but it’s darker than I thought.’

How can I find the right path when I can’t even see an inch ahead?

It seemed that night marching in the demon world would be impossible.

In other words, the time to be active in the demon world has been reduced.

The period of residence in the demon world could have been longer than planned.