1.26.

Though tyranny was the ruling system of the demons during the Last Era, such a system was no longer applicable to the current time. Before The Sovereign, only one demon lord ruled over the demons of the continent. It was the biggest advantage and downfall of their era.

Witnessing his father's mistake, the current Sovereign set out to build an empire. He had different ideals, not wanting to be the only monarch. He wanted there to be other demon lords just like himself, capable of making decisions and managing territories. Should he die, there were reserves that could take his place, averting the dark history of the past where the high demons, like humans, fell into a situation of near extinction.

On the continent there were four demon lords including The Sovereign himself, each governing their own territory. Combined as one, they are what people today know as the demon empire.

And Schwii's mother was one of the three demon lord under The Sovereign's ruling–

Vyiella Leviath.

An hour has passed since Sequencee woke up. Schwii explained what happened after he had passed out in chronological order.

He was thrown into a ditch after being beaten. He was fortunate that it was low tide, otherwise he might've been dragged into the sea. Schwii, who had been stalking him quickly pull him out before the water ate into his body.

She didn't have a healing spell, nevertheless, Sequencee's constitution was enough to ensure a speedy recovery. Just as an insurance however, Schwii casted a simple resolution spell on him.

From there, she carried Sequencee all the way to the inn where she met Ro and Lilian. Actually, she had already known about them since their meeting at the capital. This was her first time approaching them.

She told them that she would look after Sequencee. But they didn't permit it so she forced them to comply with her intimidation. Sequencee would have to show up next morning to reassure the two that he was alright.

Similarly, Sequencee added upon the recount by telling Schwii about everything which had led up to his alleged eviction.

"Who is that girl?" Schwii asked since it was closely related to the current situation at hand.

"Which one? Leticia who entered the academy?"

"So her name is Leticia huh? What's your relationship with her? I'll be frank with you, I'm not in favor of you building a harem."

"So that's your preference huh?"

"What? You're interested in having many wives?" Schwii's eyes turned sharp.

"No. It's simply my selfish wish to see her grow up well. She didn't have anyone to depend on."

"Oh, so you do like her huh?"

"Even if that was the case, she'll change her mind once she realizes that I'm a demon."

"As if."

Seuqnecee couldn't comment on that.

"Sequencee, what is your goal? You've been trying to enter Riestallia Academy and got scammed instead. Because you want to be with that girl?"

"That's not it."

"Then?"

'Can I tell her my goal?'

"Schwii, why was your mother punished?"

'Maybe I should know her's first.'

"..."

"You can't tell me that either?"

'There's a lot of missing pieces to her story. I don't know if I can trust her enough to tell her the truth. It doesn't matter that I'm her fiance. Actually, it might just be some unofficial title to lower my guard.'

"I can't tell you that either, I'm sorry."

"Then what kind of punishment was it?"

"She will be imprisoned for two hundred years."

"Imprisoned? Then how about her territory? If she's imprisoned who's taking care of.." it was then that the story clicked in Sequencee's mind.

"Me," Schwii smiled bitterly.

His expression hardened. He felt the pangs of guilt rise to the surface.

"Yes. I'm the proxy of the third demon nation Leviath."

'Even if she's the proxy then is it even alright to be here?'

"I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm using you even though I really am but.. I need your help."

'While I was stuck at the home Schwii became a ruler? She's only 18 isn't she?'

"What do you need me.. to do?" Sequencee asked hesitantly.

"I don't need you to do much actually. I came to you with a goal to win your love." Schwii tried to put on a graceful smile, it looked cracked.

'That sounds really heavy..'

"If you're here, then your territory is being managed by your subordinates then?"

If Schwii, the proxy, was here then who was managing the country?

"Don't worry about that haha– I've killed most of the leeches already. My home should be fine.."

'What do I do here?'

"It's alright! I don't mean it that you have to come to my territory so soon, um, one year. We have one year of honeymoon together ahahaha.." Schwii laughed as if to mask her own feelings.

Sequencee fell silent.

He was torn between two choices.

Would he continue to pursue his meager chances to become the hero's companion, or would he take Schwii's hand and support her territory. He wasn't even sure what kind of role she needed him to be a part in.

It was quite obvious here that Schwii was being considerate by giving Sequencee an entire year to accept her feelings. Moreover, she even came personally to meet him, risking the possibility of a coup d'etat just so she could win his affection.

Did she really need to things to such lengths if all she wanted was Sequencee's hand in marriage? Even if it was for the sake of politics, didn't their goals align? Kill The Sovereign to save Schwii's mother who was being imprisoned..

"I'll go."

"Huh?"

"When do you need to return to your home?" Sequencee resolved himself.

He knew he needed time to ingest all this information. At the same time, he knew that had Schwii's feelings to consider. Though he may need some time to sort out his feelings, he was sure that something will click between them eventually.

"Are you serious?" Schwii stared at him blankly.

"Yeah."

"Y-You don't.. mind?"

"I don't have anything left to hold onto anyways."

'What am I even doing?'

Sequencee lowered his head.

'How about my promise with Leticia? Am I seriously just going to throw away my goal to meet the hero just like that? No. In the first place, becoming the hero's companion is merely a measure to increase the odds of actually killing my father. If Schwii has the same intention, I may not need to depend on the hero..'

The more he thought about it, the more puzzled he became.

What exactly was he chasing?

Kill the dark knight who killed his mother.

Kill his father who ordered the demons to destroy the barony.

Kill all of the high demons in the world to achieve his mother's wish of world peace.

Wasn't it all just wistful thinking? Trying to grab the star when straws don't even exist?

"Sequencee," Schwii called out.

"Yes?"

"We'll talk about it again tomorrow. Get a good night's sleep. You're not in a condition to make any decisions," saying that she stood up from the bed and walked over to the other one.

"..."

It was only now that Seqeuncee realized how she was wearing a naugthy black one-piece, the exact same one she wore that night they met at the inn.

As she was about to turn his way, Sequencee looked away. His face burned.

He heard her chuckle.

"Good night."

"Good.. night."

Sequencee laid back down on the bed. He wasn't used to sleeping so he just shut his eyes and waited. When he got the all clear, he got up from his bed and turned towards her bed.

'She's an entirely different person now.'

When she was younger, she would say so many stupid things. And each time, Sequencee would ball out in laughter. Her voice was cute, her cheerful appearance even more so.

Sequencee quietly made it over to her side to look at her face.

Underneath the shadow of her beautiful face were tears.

His heart twisted in pain.

Knowing that she had cried herself to sleep.