Chapter 70
Chapter 70
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 70
Chapter Title: The Line Not to Cross
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Everyone has a line they must not cross.
And the First Demon had one too.
Who was it that reached out to her when she was starving to death? The Heavenly Demon. The Cult Leader of the era.
That was why she followed. She had sworn to uphold her loyalty with her life, so she threw herself into every task with utmost effort.
She had worked so hard, yet...
"...Grk."
All that came back was mockery.
She knew what the Leader's intentions were. But knowing didn't make it any easier to understand.
If she wanted to play a prank, there were plenty of other ways. If she wanted to show affection, her usual teasing would suffice.
To deliberately tease her through that guy, knowing full well it got under her skin...
This was as good as crossing the line.
"........."
No. Wait a moment.
There was a flaw in that reasoning.
Got under her skin? As if.
That guy was just a dog. Nothing more.
She had only taken him in temporarily on the Heavenly Demon's advice because he seemed useful. Seeing his eagerness to follow, she had given him a bit more. That was all.
There were no deeper feelings involved. Reflecting on it, that was crystal clear. He was just a toy to use and discard. A tiny bit of attention was all she'd given.
By that logic, there was no reason to be angry, was there? She should have just responded as usual.
...But... even though her words were perfectly logical...
Why wouldn't her heart settle?
It felt like someone had ruthlessly uncovered something she'd been desperately ignoring.
"...Hmm."
The First Demon glanced down at the paper before her. At the tip of the brush she'd used to steady her mind was a single character.
The character for endurance (忍).
Its shape reminded her of someone she'd seen before. That guy, huddled in the corner of the room, focusing solely on writing that character to endure the agony of the Heavenly Tribulation.
"........."
She had received a separate messenger pigeon reporting his departure from the Sealed Demon Cave. He should have arrived by now...
Was he taking a detour? Or, true to form, had he gotten tangled in some mess again?
"First Demon."
"What is it."
A warrior loyal to her whispered from beyond the door.
"He's returned. He just passed through the main gate."
"......!"
The First Demon casually shoved the table aside. She swept the paper away and straightened her posture.
But even after waiting, he didn't arrive. After a full hour, she summoned the warrior again.
"Didn't you say he came?"
"He did... but he suddenly vanished inside the castle."
"........."
At the base of the Demon Hall. In this heart of the Cult, founded at its inception, only one person wielded greater influence than she did.
The Heavenly Demon. The Cult Leader.
She must have made the first move. No one else could have spirited him away right under her nose.
"........."
"F-First Demon?"
"Withdraw."
"Y-Yes!"
The First Demon waited another full day. She spent the night wide awake, and then a small commotion arose at the entrance to her residence.
A familiar presence entered the range of her senses. She knew who it was without even looking.
"First Demon."
She raised her hand. Using only her inner energy, she unlocked the latch on the door.
Void Grasping Technique.
A rare skill that only a handful in the world could perform.
The mask she'd seen in so long was before her eyes. But what burst out wasn't a warm greeting.
"...Why."
Why was she so irritated?
The First Demon asked coldly.
"Why were you so late?"
...
The air was thick. Even exhaling took all my concentration.
It felt like an endless black lake was staring into me.
The Heavenly Demon had been right.
The First Demon was in a foul mood. Just sitting before her made the air heavy.
"I hope you've been well."
"Just answer the question."
"........."
The Heavenly Demon's advice flashed through my mind.
「If possible, don't mention meeting me. Make something up. Normally, word of your arrival would reach her the moment you entered the castle, but right after she holed up in her room, the warriors under her started moving sluggishly. I whisked you away before you fully entered, so she won't know you arrived.」
The First Demon asked again.
"Why were you late?"
Advice versus truth.
I hesitated briefly between them. If the Heavenly Demon had ordered silence, I would have obeyed. It would have been a command, not a request.
But it was just advice. And unless absolutely necessary...
"I met with the Leader."
I didn't want to lie to her.
She was the person I trusted most here.
"........."
The silence deepened. Strangely, the air lightened a bit.
"What else did you hear?"
"That you were angry."
"Did you hear the details?"
"No. She just warned me to tread carefully since you were upset."
"...Hmm."
The air around the First Demon softened even more.
"How did your trip go?"
"I obtained the precious swords. The three we agreed on. Didn't the Blood Snake Bird return with a letter?"
"It did. So I know the rough details. Can you wield them yet?"
"Not yet. But they've rebelled a bit less. It depends on how I handle them from here."
"I see."
The conversation paused. Though the air had eased, she still maintained her displeased demeanor.
So I began unpacking the gifts I'd brought.
"I received a lot while in the Sealed Demon Cave. First Demon. And most of them were for you."
"........."
"Would you like to see?"
"Bring them out."
While staying inside the Sealed Demon Cave, I'd bought a few eye-catching items.
Even my new acquaintances there had handmade things they said women would like. So the haul was much larger than the original gifts I'd planned.
I started with the cute bunny plush doll.
"I thought it would suit you, First Demon."
"...Do you see me as some infant right now?"
"I'm sor-"
"I told you not to bother buying gifts. But since you went to the trouble, it would be rude to discard them."
She snatched the bunny plush.
I laid out the rest.
"These are daggers... these are hair ties. I got some hairpins too. I thought you might need them, but I'm not sure if they'll suit you. These are clothes... I didn't know your exact measurements, so I went by eye. Of course, they're not as fine as what you wear..."
"Hand them over."
"Yes."
I gave her all the miscellaneous items. After emptying everything else, I placed the final gift on the floor.
"...And this?"
"The others were recommendations... but this one I chose myself. For some reason, I thought it would suit you perfectly..."
"........."
The First Demon lifted the pink-tinged glass tea set. She examined the teapot, then the cups and saucers, before glancing at me once more.
"You thought this would suit me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I looked at all the other sets, but this one drew my eye the most. The pattern and color appealed to me, but what struck me deepest was..."
I smiled faintly.
"Its bold color and style stood out without blending in. It seemed more special than anything else, so I bought it. For you, First Demon."
"........."
"Um... may I ask why you were angry...?"
"No need. Come closer."
I crawled toward her. She scanned my body.
"You cut off Jin Wi-ryang's right arm?"
"He crossed the line, so I drew my sword."
"Why not his head?"
"I thought that would suffice."
"If you're swinging a sword, don't hesitate at the fingertips. The world of warriors is ruthless. If you strike, see it through. I can handle the backlash from the Shin Won-jin Clan myself."
"I'm sorry."
"I didn't say that for an apology. I heard you went through some trouble because of the Black Snake Clan's younger generation."
"I did it because I thought it was right. It helped my training a little, but..."
"Helped your training? Please."
She eyed my clothes, then turned to the precious swords.
"Is that one of them? What happens if you draw it?"
"Ghost Valley Night Smith said to focus on one at a time when taming them. Otherwise, all your efforts could go to waste."
"If the creator says so, then it must be. If just anyone draws it rashly, it'll go berserk. What about the transformable sword?"
"I haven't unfolded it yet... but I think I can once it's tamed. I felt the yin energy inside me stirring in response to the precious swords' aura."
"You have a long way to go. But you've found the path, so you'll get there eventually."
The First Demon placed her hand on my face. She removed my mask.
"...Hmm."
"Is something wrong?"
"Tell me, Red Cloud. Why did you bring so much? I clearly said I don't need gifts."
"Ah... well..."
Don't all gift-givers feel the same?
They just want the recipient to be happy.
"Didn't I say before? I want to do something for you, First Demon."
"........."
"It's the same. It's not something as valuable as the North Sea Ice Palace manual... but I still wanted to do something for you..."
"Same."
"Pardon?"
"In value."
The First Demon cleared her throat awkwardly.
"I learned the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Not the complete version passed down intact, but parts taught directly by the Leader. Considering only the Heavenly Demon can learn the full art, it's as good as inheriting exceptional privileges."
"........."
"It builds on the Mixed Origin Demon Art. It doesn't match the Heavenly Demon Divine Art perfectly, but it mimics its power somewhat. I pieced together what I'd learned from various arts to supplement the gaps in my Heavenly Demon Divine Art. An incomplete version, yet its power surpasses anything I've seen. I told you before-manuals like the Ice White Divine Art hold little value to me."
"........."
"Most arts are the same for me. Even the world's top manuals would be redundant; I'd already possess something similar. My Mixed Origin Demon Art, born from comprehending and dissecting countless principles, surpasses all divine arts save the Heavenly Demon Divine Art. Do you understand what that means?"
"No."
"To me, a manual is like rereading a document I've already seen. It merely reminds me of what I know; it has no inherent value. They're all paths I've walked, all things that mean nothing to me. Even the greatest manual in the world holds no special need for me. That's what it means to be the First Demon-and what I possess."
The First Demon pinched and pulled my cheek.
"Still, this one's not bad. That glass tea set is worth more than the North Sea Ice Palace manual I got before. You brought some fine things."
".......!"
I glanced at the First Demon cautiously.
"Are you... no longer angry?"
"What exactly did the Leader say?"
"That if you get sulky, it lasts a while..."
"Sulky...? Hah... I've never been sulky. Not once. I wasn't even angry to begin with. It was all the Leader's misunderstanding."
"I see."
"Yes."
I let out a sigh of relief. The once-oppressive air had returned fully to normal.
So I asked once more.
"First Demon, I hope you've been well."
"Same as always."
"Good."
I stared at my mask.
I gently placed my hand over hers as she toyed with my cheek.
"I missed you, First Demon. I hurried back, but I was still late. I got caught up talking with the precious swords on the way..."
"........."
The First Demon fidgeted with her fingers.
She cleared her throat awkwardly several times, then plopped her hand on my head.
And patted gently.
"Hurry next time. Think of those waiting."
Those waiting.
I nodded vigorously.
"Yes!"
...
The Heavenly Demon rolled her eyes slightly. She looked down at the First Demon, who always came to the Demon Hall during busy times.
There were many new things adorning her body. Starting with the bunny plush at her waist, a dagger peeked from her bosom, and even her uniform had changed.
The waist sash cinching her slightly loose clothes was also something entirely new.
"...Um... First Demon."
"Yes."
"Is your mood better now?"
"I have no idea what you mean."
She extended her hand.
"Work's piled up, Leader. Give me half."
"...H-Here!"
Excellent work, Red Cloud. Whatever you did, you buttered her up perfectly!
The Heavenly Demon hurriedly handed over the documents. As she regained her composure, the backlog began shrinking rapidly.
"Lots of new things. All from the mutt?"
"........."
"He has a good eye. They suit you. Very much so."
"He bought too many useless things, and it seemed a shame to throw them out, so I'm wearing them."
"I see."
The Heavenly Demon stamped a document.
"I got a flower this time too. It was quite pretty."
"How many?"
"Hm? Just a dagger and a flower..."
"I got exactly 26. 27 if you count the special one."
"......?"
---Scribble scribble.
The First Demon sorted the documents.
"I'm thinking of training Red Cloud more seriously."
"Taking him as a disciple?"
"No. I have no intention of doing that. But even so, doesn't he deserve proper rewards to motivate him? If he has a home to return to, he'll work harder."
"Oh? Meaning?"
"Conveniently, I need someone to run errands..."
The First Demon turned her head.
"I'll give him a position."
"A position... Got something in mind?"
"Make him a captain in the Soul-Chasing Pavilion, my direct agency."
"......? Was there such a group?"
"No. But I plan to create it."
Create one? An entire agency?
For a single person?
The Heavenly Demon asked incredulously.
"If you're set on it, making a new agency is simple enough... but you're saying you'll create a whole group for one guy?"
"I'll recruit more later."
Recruit more? She'll obviously keep it as just him.
The Heavenly Demon grinned mischievously. She kept the thought to herself.
He must have really grown on her. Not a disciple, she says...
She's already giving him everything she can.