CHAPTER 94: for how long was I gone?

The demon quickly approached and jumped at me in anger. But it tried to retreat once the first few blows had been exchanged.

However, I was faster. I grabbed it in its nek and snapped it with a simple movement of my wrist.

The warm steaming blood of the demon dripped down my claws.

I had no interest in the lifeless body since I had already eaten. A lesser demon that could bot hunt on its own would probably take care of it.

And since I had already lost interest, I flew away to a place that was a little quieter.

I descended once I found a comfortable spot.

It was a semi-circle, formed out of rocks that was placed on the edge of a cliff. It allowed me to look out on the land below me while remaining relatively hidden.

While I was licking the blood of the demon that I just slaughtered from my claws, heard a familiar humming sound.

It was the same lime green formation that the dwarf had used to summon me the first time.

I was excited to see that I could finally return to my original world. Therefore, I had no hesitation to pass through the portal.

But while I did so I could not shake the feeling that I was being watched. Or rather, followed.

The feeling slowly faded away once I made it to the other side.

I was glad that I was summoned indoors this time. I could see through the windows that it was night and the barn I currently resided in was lit by a faint candlelight. The calming smell of oak wood filled my nostrils, and I could hear a tender female voice completing the final lines of the incantations used to call upon me.

It was a huge difference to when I was summoned by the dwarf and was immediately blinded by the bright day light.

The only thing that was slightly uncomfortable was the fact that I couldn't stand upright in this room.

An almost hysterical giggling could be heard in front of me.

"Is this that great demon you kept talking about? Why is it wagging its tail like an exited dog?"

The pale young man that stood next to a worried looking Beatrice nearly choked on his laughter.

"I mean he doesn't even fit it this room. Can it not change its shape or something?"

I growled as I stepped out of the summoning circle. I did not like to be referred to as an it.

But Beatrice stopped me before I could replace his spine with his teeth.

"My lord, please do not kill Joost. He helped me. If it were not for him, I would not have been able to summon you in the first place."

I frowned. "Are you sure?"

I did not like this guy at all. But if Beatrice wanted him to be alive this desperately, then he would probably mean a lot to her.

"Yes, my lord. I would greatly appreciate it if you left him alive." She exclaimed with passion. "But if truly want or need him dead, then I will not stand in your way."

I nodded. "Verry well. Then I will leave him be."

The man grinned. "I mean Beatrice, is it like your pet or something?"

I glared at the human that was now fearlessly standing next to me. "Are you sure that he even wants to live?"

She did not answer and looked at the floor in shame.

Now that I had a better chance to look at her, I noticed that she looked a little different. She looked older.

"Beatrice, for how long was I gone?"

She hesitated and I could hear her heartbeat accelerate. "T-three years and fifty days. I… I am so sorry that it took me so long. I failed. Please forgive me."

She fell on her knees and was nearly sobbing.

I crouched down and placed my clawed hand on her shacking shoulder.

"Its okay. I am sure that you did everything you could. And you brought me back in the end."

"But it was not good enough. I should have done it faster. I could have been better, and yet I wasn't."

I sighed. "Why don't you try to fix it by telling me what happened while I was gone."