255. Deepening Night
255. Deepening Night
- 1 -
At sunset, in the office of the King of Hysen.
A shadow fell across the map marked with red lines.
"This meeting will now come to order."
Eve's clear voice rang through the office.
My subordinates, save for Shue, Daniel, and Orea—who had gone north to suppress the rebels—filled the room around me.
They were the true leadership of Hysen as it now stood.
"Hysen is to be divided into three parts."
Eve pointed to the center of the map.
On a map far more detailed than current technology should allow, new borders were drawn in red.
Vivid as blood.
These were the new boundaries of the divided Hysen.
"The Ironfield Duchy in the southwest, Hysen in the mid-north, and the Orbis Duchy in the south."
"Indeed."
I let out a laugh that was nearly a sigh.
Power was something so easily carved up by a line drawn on a piece of paper.
"You're all packed in rather tightly."
The Grakheisen region had originally contained only Hysen and the Kiza Kingdom, bordered by mountains to the east and south.
That meant a total of four nations now stood within this area.
Eve let her stiff expression soften into a smile and replied.
"Soon, all of these nations will expand their territories, Your Highness."
"Stop that. I prefer 'Master'."
"Understood. Master."
The other subordinates around us, Yurena included, all smiled, and the atmosphere eased for a moment.
Esther and Ash were busy braiding Yurena's hair this way and that.
With Ash and Yurena sitting side by side like that, they looked like sisters with a great age gap.
Ran sat by the window, and Saya stood quietly at my side. Their black hair swayed gently.
Our shadows overlapped and became one on the table.
"You said you intend to grant Ironfield to someone named Elena."
"Yes. She carried out my orders well."
I nodded at Saya's words.
The hero of Ironfield, who had complied with the unreasonable order to return territory.
Her submission had sown the seeds of distrust toward the royal family among the populace.
In a sense, she had helped create the situation that placed me here today.
"Of course, the credit for making that seed sprout goes to Ash and Yurena."
At my words, pride settled on Ash's lips, and bashfulness on Yurena's.
"Of course, for her to rule that place, she will first have to eliminate those successors—and Frederick."
"Are they not the blood kin of this Elena?"
"That is true, but it is common for nobles to harbor ill feelings among their own blood, is it not?"
Saya gave a bitter smile at my words.
"Human greed."
"Is endless."
I answered with a smile. My fingertips brushed Saya's chin.
"Just like mine."
"I was not referring to you, Master."
"Desire is a vital element that constitutes life, Saya. Just as you desire me."
"...Ah."
Saya's wistful gaze turned toward me.
I touched her lips, then turned my head back to the meeting table.
Eve's explanation, which had paused briefly, continued.
"Thus, the west goes to Elena. The mid-north goes to Lady Yurena. The south becomes your direct dominion, Master. Congratulations, Master. You have seized Hysen—and the lifeline of the Eastern Continent."
"Congratulations."
I looked around the room.
Evangeline, Yuran, Esther, Saya, Yurena.
And the monster officials, including Etna. Talhan and Haley's families, who had entered the royal capital at my summons.
I rose from my seat with a smile.
"The demon realm has entered a new phase."
Tak! The sound of a finger snapping.
Then a projection settled over the map on the table.
From the center, purple—representing my territory—began to spread steadily in all directions.
And upon it, black structures resembling Defense Towers were erected here and there.
"We have now established a foothold on the continent."
I picked up one of those Defense Tower tokens in my hand.
These Defense Towers were among the vital elements that would aid my control over Hysen and the expansion of my military power.
"The integration of monsters and humans. Dominion over the continent. Ascension to the throne of the Demon King. I shall achieve all three."
The shape of the Defense Tower in my hand shifted, soon becoming the image of a floating island rising above Hysen.
It was a piece of land from the Demon Realm.
"You will all become witnesses to this glory."
Before my gaze, as I looked around, my subordinates each bowed their heads in turn.
"Neither humans. Nor the Archdukes of the surface. Nor the Archdukes of the demon realm."
The sunset glow receded like an ebbing tide, driven back by the shadows filling the room.
"Will be able to obstruct me."
In the center of it all, only the gleam of our eyes rose and shone like wraith-fire.
"Let us go. To take the future into my hands."
"Yes!"
Illuminating the dark future of the continent.
- 2 -
"Now. Enjoy yourselves."
As Eve closed the door with a mischievous smile, a bashful smile rose to Ash's lips.
The emotion contained in that smile shifted in the next moment.
"Finally."
After everyone had left the king's office, the Saintess murmured in a low voice.
Her voice was filled with anticipation, longing, and excitement.
"You waited a long time, Ash."
I gestured her closer.
Her blonde hair sparkled in the sunset, and her white eyes trembled as they looked at me.
"Master."
Her voice, as she approached, held a burning emotion.
I lifted the chin of Ash, who knelt before me, and met her eyes.
"You have worked hard. My loyal Saintess."
Her lips quivered.
A Saintess who had betrayed the Holy Kingdom and used divine power for personal desire.
But there was not an ounce of regret in her eyes.
"I was so lonely while I was separated from you, Master..."
"I know."
I stroked her face.
Despite being apart for only a few days, I could see the agony of that time etched deep into her expression.
I wiped the tears flowing down her cheek and pulled her into my arms.
"Dealing with the Holy Kingdom's envoys, interacting with the nobles... even if I kept telling myself it was for you, Master..."
A face trying so hard to remain composed.
But what flickered across Ash's face was killing intent tangled with that agony.
Murderous intent toward the nobles and clergy.
"Still, you did well, didn't you? It was thanks to you that we were able to divert the Holy Kingdom's attention while seizing Hysen."
I caressed her blonde hair. Her tresses scattered softly at my fingertips.
Patting her trembling shoulders, I praised her hard work.
"All of it... was for your plan, Master. If it is for that, I would..."
"Stop. It is enough."
I pressed my forehead to hers.
We drew close enough for our breaths to mingle.
I looked at the affection brimming in her eyes.
Such deep and sincere affection that I doubted whether my own eyes held even a fraction of the same love.
"Now you may stay by my side, Ash."
"Master..."
Tears streamed down her calm expression.
Her heart's pain had not yet healed.
Even being near, even being able to feel each other's presence—perhaps the inability to touch had made it all the more heartbreaking.
"With you here, my plan is complete. Now it is your turn to receive a reward."
Ash's white eyes sparkled with immense joy.
Her hand clutched the hem of my dress tightly.
I took her hand and led her to the window.
The sunset-drenched scenery of Hylash spread out before us.
"You will become my Archbishop. The head of the new temple I shall establish."
At the words 'establish a heresy,' ecstasy bloomed on the face of Saintess Esther.
I placed my hands on both of her arms and whispered.
"Carve new doctrines for me into those who seek you out. Whether human or demon."
I kissed her forehead.
A shiver ran through her—her body trembling with the thrill.
Holding the nape of her neck, I lowered my lips and kissed her throat.
And I spoke.
"Become the light that evangelizes my darkness."
"Yes. Master..."
As the sunset dyed us crimson, the darkness dwelling in the eyes of the Saintess who once served the Goddess shone.
- 3 -
Moonlight wrapped around the citadel.
Having finished my last task, I stood by the window and looked down at the royal castle.
Beneath the deep navy sky, the lights of magic lamps moved like fireflies.
The ladies-in-waiting and maids were on their way to tend to the queen and king, who were still awake.
In the distance, I could also see the guards patrolling along the castle walls.
They kept this peaceful night, unaware that an alien being existed within the castle they protected.
Unaware that their loyalty was directed toward a demon.
Sarak.
Soft footsteps sounded.
It was a sign deliberately made by my 'shadow' as she approached me where I stood gazing at the moonlight.
"Saya."
"Master."
As I called her name, she came one step closer.
Her black hair reflected the moonlight, shining a deep, dark blue.
"Did I not tell you to rest?"
"If you do not rest, Master, how could your servant?"
She placed the tea she had brought down on the table. The familiar scent of green matcha bloomed.
"Thank you."
"Not worth a thousandth of your thanks."
Saya bowed her head with a gentle expression.
Her crimson eyes shone under the moonlight.
Her mind was in a much more stable state now.
Because while Esther had to be somewhat apart from me, Saya did not.
"Let us drink together."
I took her wrist and guided her into a chair.
Saya sat beside me with an apologetic expression. The pulse at her wrist quickened.
"Did you ease your mind enough while talking with Seolhwa?"
"It seems so. Though I wanted to do more, recalling how she insulted you, Master..."
Saya spoke as if what she had done was not enough.
But contrary to her feelings, the state of Seolhwa I had heard about was serious.
Following Yuran's advice, all her 'tails' had been delicately severed, and I was told her body was now almost no different from an ordinary human's.
She had been left so critically injured that she might die without magical healing to preserve her life.
Of course, I had no need to concern myself with her life.
Seolhwa's life belonged to Saya, so I intended to leave it for her to handle as she saw fit.
"Now that I think of it, there is something to confirm."
"Master..."
As I spoke again, Saya put down her tea, as if ready to listen.
"To revive your clan... you must first find any survivors, must you not?"
Saya's eyes wavered, and her fingertips trembled slightly.
A sense of heartache crept in.
"I searched for a long time but could not find them. They are probably..."
"That would be expected."
I nodded and cut off her words.
"If the Archdukes wished to hide them, there is no way you could have found them on your own, is there?"
"Do you mean..."
"Have you not already heard about Andras and Gaph?"
The two Demon Realm Archdukes who had extended their demon realms onto the Western Continent.
Andras, who occupied the large island north of the Shin Nation.
Gaph, who occupied the sea dividing the Shin Nation, the Han Nation, and the Hwa Nation.
"At the very least, other Tengu are actively serving under their commands, are they not?"
I had heard as much from the old Tengu.
Currently, Andras had a Dog Tengu Count, and Gaph had a Crow Tengu clan Marquis.
If there were any other surviving Hawk Tengu, it was highly likely they were there.
"That is true... but it is uncertain whether my relatives are truly among them."
"Hold onto hope, Saya."
I could guess why she had not thought to search those places.
When she was alone, it would have been impossible to investigate with the status of a subject of the Han Nation, and it would have been difficult even when she was with me in the previous iteration.
Since I was told the 'me' of that time had far less leeway than I do now, it was possible I had kept silent even if I suspected.
Because hope that cannot be achieved is worse than despair.
"But now it is different. I have leeway. And we have gained new stature."
"Do you mean..."
Light began to stir in her eyes.
"Even if they are Archdukes, they will not immediately refuse a request from me in my current position. Also, since the two compete, if one refuses, the other may well accept."
If that happened, it might become possible to lay eyes on the Hawk Tengu clan they might be hiding.
Of course, it was still only a matter of possibility.
"Still, there will be no direct line among them."
"Is that not something we must look into?"
Saya shook her head.
Come to think of it, there seemed to be a method for the direct bloodline of the Cheoneungcheongu to sense each other's presence.
And right now, on this land, Saya was 'alone.'
"We were very close as a family, so we took great interest in each other's circumstances."
"I see."
I could not begin to guess what Saya's heart must have felt, having lost such a family.
For me, the fence called family was a filthy pit where hope and affection gradually rotted away.
But I could imagine it in another way.
If I were to lose Eve or my other girls now.
It would literally be a grief like having my guts ripped out.
"Saya."
Sorrow rose on Saya's lips.
I consoled her, caressing her wrist.
"Think of the future. I shall create a clan for you."
Her pulse began to quicken again.
As if guessing the method, a flush rose to her face.
The sorrow was already nowhere to be seen.
"Though it will not be immediate."
"... Indeed. It takes time to prosper in life."
Saya gave an awkward laugh. The excitement had cooled again, but the blush remained.
I smiled and swept back her black hair.
"First, consult with Talhan and establish the martial force among the shadows. Talhan has an information network, so he will be of help to you."
Moonlight fell on her cheek.
My hand swept that moonlight away.
"You shall become my first shadow, Saya."
A golden light began to trickle from Saya's eyes, which were filled with emotion.
Her lips parted slightly.
"It is an honor... Master."
Her voice was full of joy.
The heart of a shadow warrior, always cold and unfeeling, became stained with deep affection only in my presence.
As blue light shone upon us, I kissed the corner of her eye.
And she kissed the back of my hand.
Even as the matcha on the table cooled, our conversation continued.
The moonlight shone upon the royal castle of the deepening night.