100. Victory Celebration Banquet (1)
Ardena Valencia's pristine white cheeks flushed a delicate pink with excitement. Everyone had showered her with compliments on her beauty, saying it perfectly suited the companion of the Diablo Slayer. The high elf maiden had hurried her steps, eager to show off her dress to Yushin first and foremost.
Navigating the corridor in unfamiliar high heels wasn't easy, but the thought of Yushin's stunned expression gave her feet even more strength.
"What the hell is with that outfit?"
The person Ardena ran into by chance in the palace hallway was a blue-haired knightess. Allen Rocksfield. Dressed in noble, elegant formal attire, Allen came face-to-face with Ardena in her gown. They both scowled, exchanging awkward, displeased looks.
Both were heading to see Yushin, and running into their hated rival on the way soured their buoyant moods instantly.
"It's a dress. For the celebration banquet."
"I can see that. I'm asking where you're going right now."
If a ball were to be held... she wanted to timidly ask Yushin to escort her. But she could hardly say that to Allen. So Ardena turned her head away, evading the question.
"To see Yushin."
"Look at you, chasing after him like a lovesick puppy."
Glaring daggers at each other, the two bickered as they crossed the corridor and arrived at Yushin's guest room. They opened the door.
Ardena had meant to knock first, but Allen barged in without hesitation, leaving her no choice but to follow without knocking.
"Whoa, what's up... and both of you together?"
Yushin had just showered, his body wrapped in a white bath towel. Maybe from the hot water, but despite the fierce wind howling outside, his window was flung wide open. The breeze from the parted curtains whipped Allen and Ardena's hair.
After scanning the two beauties, Yushin spoke up.
"Sorry, I was in the middle of washing up."
"No, it's our fault for barging in so rudely without knocking."
Ardena shot Allen a sidelong glare as she replied to Yushin.
Sniff sniff. Allen wrinkled her nose like a drug-sniffing dog and spoke.
"Smells sweet in here."
"Sweet?"
Yushin's shoulders twitched faintly at Allen's sharp remark, but he quickly regained his composure and played it cool.
"Lemonade...? Nah, it's sweeter than that. What the heck is it?"
"Probably from the elf maids who come in to clean. Or maybe I spilled some drink."
Allen nodded skeptically at Yushin's smooth excuse but let it slide. It smelled familiar. Elf perfume? No, not quite. She'd caught this scent on an elf who wasn't the perfumed type.
"Doesn't it seem odd...? It's been ages since I last wore a dress."
Ardena awkwardly lifted the hem of her dress with an unnatural gesture, trying to look like a lady at a ball. But with no experience since childhood, every motion felt stiff and forced.
"You look stunning. It suits you perfectly. Must be those killer proportions."
"I'm glad you say so."
Ardena's cheeks warmed to a rosy glow. She smiled awkwardly at his genuine praise, twirling a lock of hair around her finger. How could she not be thrilled? She wanted to track down the tailor and thank them profusely. All the effort dressing up, the hesitation before standing before him—it felt rewarded by that one compliment.
"And me, oppa? How do I look?"
"Obviously suits you too. Like I said earlier, you're a total babe when you shut your mouth. Just fix that nasty temper."
"Hmph, quit with the unnecessary jabs..."
Still, Yushin's praise pleased her. Even hearing it twice, she puffed up her chest proudly. No way she hated it. The outfit was restrictive as hell, but if it earned compliments, the discomfort was worth it.
"The star of this celebration is none other than you, Yushin. Unprecedented Diablo Slayer who took down the Tyranny Demon King and now the Raging Flames Demon King too. Foreign envoys will show up for sure. Tons of people will wanna cozy up to you."
"Everyone obsessing over me... Alonne would've cracked under that."
"Alonne...? Yeah, she's super shy."
"Don't worry. I ain't planning to leave for another country."
Ardena nodded at Yushin's words, but shyly averted her gaze. I can't live without you. You've made me that way. She seemed wary he'd overheard her inner thoughts.
As a sweet-and-bitter atmosphere flowed between Yushin and Ardena, Allen wedged in.
"Wherever you go, I'll follow you, oppa. So pick whatever you want."
She grumbled curtly, tugging at his collar while whining at how gently he treated the high elf.
"Yushin has decided to stay in our Elf Kingdom."
"What nonsense? Oppa never said that. You hallucinating or something?"
"Grr! If you're leaving, go by yourself!"
"Why would I leave oppa? You leave!"
Grrrrr!! Ardena and Allen locked eyes, locked in a fierce staring contest. Was this a catfight? Yushin felt a chill watching these city-wrecking powerhouses trade glares in a petty nerve war.
* * *
News that Yushin Gilliard had slain the Raging Flames Demon King, Sabnack, reached the Valua Kingdom. The kingdom reeled in shock.
The Diablo Slayer from the Holy Empire who felled the Tyranny Demon King, Agares—that enigmatic figure was none other than Yushin Gilliard.
The Valua Kingdom, which had lost its continent's top powerhouse to the Second Prince Alpons's slander and exile, was beyond devastated. Nobles converged on the council daily, decrying the royals' incompetence. The populace, crushed by excessive taxes from endless conquests, seized the moment to ignite massive uprisings, their hatred for the royals boiling over.
"Sir Heinkel, isn't there any way?"
Ankour Duke, overseeing Valua's southern front, pleaded earnestly. The scarred middle-aged man's voice was desperate.
Heinkel shook his head grimly.
"He's gone to the elves' land. What am I supposed to do, drag him back?"
"I understand, but if it's you, Sir Heinkel..."
"You're overestimating me."
Heinkel treated the grizzled frontline commander like a child. Yet Ankour showed no displeasure— he accepted it as natural.
"You're the same as ever, Sir Heinkel. Even when I first came to the palace holding my late father's hand... you were just like this."
"I'm getting old too."
"Yes, I know. No created being can escape the god-ordained limits of lifespan."
"Didn't expect theology from you—the old 'Ankour the Reckless.'"
"...Please forget the past."
Ankour gave a wry, embarrassed smile at Heinkel's tease. His subordinates would've been stunned; the hot-blooded duke who railed against even the loyal king was now humbly deferential.
"Sir Heinkel, did you know Yushin Gilliard was the Diablo Slayer?"
"I did."
"Then why didn't you tell us...?"
"I swore on my sword to him. A sword oath can't be broken."
Ankour lamented that knowing from the start would've prevented the Second Prince's schemes. Heinkel shot back, "Hindsight."
Water under the bridge. Yushin was now an elf war captive in the Liberia Elf Kingdom, hailed as a hero. Bitter for Valua knights, but as a mentor, Heinkel beamed with pride at his disciple's growth.
Threw him naked into a dragon's lair and he'd come back alive. Looks like he's thriving even in a far-off land. Taking Allen with him too... and beating the Raging Flames Demon King? Unbelievable.
Tyranny Demon King Agares. Raging Flames Demon King Sabnack. Heinkel figured this would stir the other silent Demon Kings into action. Two down already—the lords of myriad demons, eternal foes from Geheena.
They'd take interest, intrigue, and rage at the Diablo Slayer threatening their names.
"Georges."
"Yes, Sir Heinkel."
Ankour tensed as Heinkel called his name abruptly, shoulders stiffening. The bear-like brute shrank back comically, gauging his mood.
"Where are Yushin's men still in the kingdom?"
"Near Lumiere, serving as city guards... but basically under house arrest."
"House arrest? On what charges?"
"Fearing they'd defect to the Liberia Elf Kingdom like Yushin, probably."
"Getting harder by the day. This kingdom might be doomed."
Heinkel sighed deeply, muttering, "Might be time to move soon." Too quiet for Ankour to hear—or comprehend, with his mere century lifespan.
"The royals' and nobles' rifts deepen, and massive civilian uprisings rage. Signs of ruin are clear."
"But Sir Heinkel, despite the hardship across the kingdom, can a 200-year dynasty just collapse?"
"Georges. How many nations have I seen fall?"
Ankour swallowed hard. A chill silence fell. Heinkel's words tolled like a death knell for Valua on the brink.
Before Valua falls... I need to see Yushin once more.
Heinkel murmured. He wanted to behold his disciple's face in the elves' land before it was too late. It wouldn't be easy—the elves' guardian would shatter its silence at the border, just like last time.