XIII. The Demon King

This man, subjected to Celesty's cruel torture, now stood before me, causing fear to course through my veins.

Memories of the night I first laid eyes on him flooded my mind -  a haunting image of a chained, naked figure covered in bruises and blood. However, in this moment, despite his past suffering, he appeared remarkably composed. 

As a gentle breeze swept through the air, his long, flowing white hair gracefully danced with its rhythm. His eyes, a mesmerizing shade of glowing orange, bore into mine, sending an undeniable chill down my spine that compelled me to take a step backward.

"HA!" He quickly thrust his fist downward, unleashing a surge of magical energy resembling vines that forcefully collide with the roof. 

The impact created a substantial hole in the exact spot where I am positioned, leaving a significant opening. The sheer force behind the entire floor, causing vibrations from the top to the bottom.

Using the ignition ring quickly provided to me, I activated a powerful barrier beneath me, strategically designed to absorb the impact of my fall. From the rooftop, I descended, plummeting down to the ground floor where the crowd had gathered. 

As I descended, debris from the collapsing ceiling accompanied me, but some brave soldiers swiftly employed their protective shields to shield the people from harm. The scene was chaotic, resembling the aftermath of a massive earthquake. 

Among the chaos, large stones, sections of the roof, and even the elaborate chandelier cascaded down alongside my descent. It seemed as though the entire area was in disarray. Interestingly, I fortuitously landed on the same floor where Celesty was positioned, specifically behind me.

The man confidently positioned himself on the rooftop, right at the precipice of a large opening in the ceiling. 

With a single commanding gesture, he captivated the attention of everyone present. Illuminated by the ethereal glow of the blue moonlight shining through the rear, his attire bore an intriguing out of the ordinary. 

The onlookers were overcome with a sense of awe, causing the soldiers and knights to swiftly gather near us, readying their weapons in a show of caution. 

With a daring leap from the rooftop, the man descended to the ground below, causing a resounding crack upon impact. Dust filled the air momentarily, and he swiftly regained his footing, rising from the ground.

Taking a quick scan of his surroundings, his gaze swept across the room, taking in the sight of each individual present. 

Among the crowd, his eyes locked onto the lifeless body of the king, surrounded by a group of medics and soldiers attending to the tragic scene.

Celesty positioned herself in front of me, ensuring my safety as I attempted to stand up back again.

"Everyone stand back!" a soldier amongst the crowd commanded. Everyone slowly pushed back away from him.

The man, determined despite the chaos encoming the suroundings, reached out and firmly grasped the sword amidst the scattered debris.

Its metallic surface, tainted with the remnants of once-flowing blood, beckoned him. 

Without hesitation, he brought the blade close to his lips his tongue tentatively exploring the lingering taste. 

Disgusted by this unsettling act, Celesty swiftly raised her hand, summoning forth the unmistakable signature sword she wielded.

With a resolute gesture, she directed the weapon's sharp tip towards the man, ready to confront him.

"How many times have we fought already? Your kind truly is such a pest. Never the matter, a hundred years for you to track me down once more, I bid your next generation good luck." The man said. 

Who is this man? 

"Azol, the demon king." Celesty said.

He opened a portal right behind him, Slowly, he started walking backward, gradually vanishing into the enigmatic void of the portal. 

The sight left the onlookers what they had just witnessed. Celesty, feeling a sense of relief, lowered her weapon, and through the power of magic, it dissolved in front of her eyes.

As the chaos began to subside, a group of mages stepped forward and utilized their healing spells to tend to the injured and provide care for them.

A demon king?! All this time I have been residing in an affluent mansion situated directly above a hidden dungeon housing a formidable demon king. 

Evidently, this clandestine aspect of Celesty's lineage has been successfully safeguarded from public knowledge until now.

"Where is Kev?" Celesty asks, not even looking back at me.

"He… fulfilled his wish," I said with regret.

As our eyes met once more, a remarkable transformation took place within her gaze. The eyes that had always seemed empty and devoid of emotion suddenly ignited with a fiery passion. 

They quivered and shook, almost as if they were struggling to contain a torrent of intense feelings. 

A glimmering tear formed under her right eye, a poignant symbol of the emotions welling up within her. 

Curled eyebrows emerged above her nose, further accentuating the depth of her emotions. 

Her pupils dilated and revealed a new intensity, an amalgamation of both sadness and anger.

She's showing emotions.

No, Something is different, this anger, this isn't what I'd expect to see along with sadness. She's mad over something else.

I looked down on where my foot is placed at. Suddenly-

"How did you know about the dungeon?" she asks me.

Her Eyes are tearing up, while her face shows madness- over me.

My left foot fell within the scope of her ability to read thoughts. It dawned on me that she had been able to decipher my mind all this while and I had been unknowingly well within her range.

Oh no.

*SWOOOOSH*