Demon King (2)
Adelaide bit her lip hard and trudged onward in silence. Ahead of her, light footsteps carried the silver-haired witch—Ailin—along with effortless grace.
The road to Istius was farther and rougher than expected. No horses, just their own two feet. And no mana to ease the way, either.
But the physical exhaustion paled compared to the mental torment gnawing at Adelaide: raw humiliation.
'Master...'
That word she'd spat out just moments ago kept echoing in her mind.
It was to survive. To live another day. A humiliating choice, but unavoidable. She'd spent ages rationalizing it to herself, but her knightly pride had long since been crushed into the dirt.
Suddenly, Ailin glanced back. Her face still wore that innocent smile—utterly mismatched for a brutal butcher.
"Adel, what're you doing? Hurry up."
"...Coming."
"Coming? What's with that tone?"
"I'm coming, Master Ailin."
"Prettier."
"...I'll be right there, Master."
"There we go. That's my good girl, Adel."
Did God exist? Was there truly a divine presence? If so, Adelaide prayed silently that even a shred of mercy might reach her someday.
At last, towering walls loomed into view. Istius. Heart of the Istius earldom. According to Adelaide, it was the kingdom's eastern frontier—a hub of commerce and revelry.
The description fit. Imposing walls, throngs of NPCs milling about. It all looked convincingly grand.
"This is the great city of Istius."
I nodded, eyeing the walls. Tempting to smash them. Not right now, though. I was hungry. Tired, too.
"Hmm, not bad."
"But how do we get in?"
"Get in?"
"It's a border city. Strict controls. No travel pass, no entry."
"Travel pass? Like that exists."
"...We'll get caught at the main gate like this."
Hope flickered in Adelaide's voice. She wanted me stumped. Or maybe praying I'd turn back. Cute, coming from her.
"That a problem?"
"...What?"
"Make one if we don't have it. Or... just walk through."
"...?"
"Kill 'em all, and the path clears."
"No!"
"Why? Faster than inspections."
"This isn't the village! Istius is a major city—tons of soldiers, high-level knights stationed here. Cause a scene and...!"
Adelaide spilled words in a frantic rush. Chaos means hassle, turning the whole city hostile means no rest, no sightseeing. Pitiful, her desperate pleas to dissuade me.
But the intent? Not justice. Purely for my convenience. Intentional? Or genuine? Either way, I liked it.
I pretended to mull it over. She was groveling so nicely—might as well indulge her once.
"Fair point. Got a way in without killing? Handle it, Adel."
"...Need a lax spot. Main gate's out. Follow the walls and... "
"Yeah. Do that."
Adelaide fidgeted anxiously but started circling the walls. She didn't quit as time dragged on, so I held my tongue.
Whatever her motive, she was acting on her own will now.
By the time encroaching darkness settled around us, she halted.
"...Here."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. Signs of a smuggler's passage."
I tilted my head. Nothing visible, no matter how I scanned. But as if she'd anticipated my doubt, Adelaide pressed a spot on the wall. A faint rumble, and underground stairs emerged.
"Whoa... that's actually cool."
"..."
"Good job, Adel."
"..."
"Answer me."
"Th-thank... Thank you, Master."
"Good girl. Down we go?"
"...Yes."
"You first."
Adelaide nodded and descended cautiously. I followed, slipping inside the walls soon enough.
Istius by night. Later than I'd thought, yet far livelier than expected. Crowded streets, raucous noise—and above all—
"Smells good. Adel, check that out. Looks tasty, right?"
The sweet aroma kept teasing my nose. I pointed to a distant stall, and Adelaide nodded with a soulless expression. Lame reaction.
"Oh, right. Hate spending money."
"..."
"Steal it?"
"...Please no!"
"Kidding, kidding."
"Doesn't sound like a joke..."
"Your sense of humor sucks."
I smirked at her horrified face.
"So how do we eat? Getting hungry."
"I have a way."
"Way?"
"Big cities like this hand out relief for the poor. We blend in, get food."
"Hmm..."
Adelaide eyed me warily, face screaming hope this works. I nodded casually.
"Sounds fun."
"Then..."
"Yeah. Let's do it. Good experience."
Following her led to faint bell tolls. We arrived at a rundown temple in the city's slums.
The opposite of the flashy center. Throngs of poor lined up, waiting.
"Whoa... they serve food here?"
"...Yes."
Adelaide's head hung low, voice trembling faintly. It amused me. She was nobility, after all. Vice-captain of the Royal Guard, no less.
Her, slumming it with beggars? Mortifying. Stinging glances from all sides didn't help.
"What're you waiting for? Line up."
"...Got it."
After ages, our turn. A temple priest ladled gruel into battered bowls.
May the gods' blessings be upon you.
Adelaide flinched at the words. She snatched the bowl with shaking hands and scurried to a corner.
"Tasteless."
"..."
"You eat well, Adel."
"..."
Even as she ate, Adelaide's gaze fixed on the temple's front. A massive goddess statue gazed down with benevolent smile.
"Do it."
"...Do what?"
"Pray. You look desperate."
Adelaide froze. She hesitated, then set down her spoon and clasped her hands.
Eyes shut, head bowed—reverent. What was she begging for? Life? Punishment for me? Or that this was all a nightmare?
I watched eagerly as she slowly opened her eyes.
"..."
"Feel better? Any response?"
"...Nothing."
"Figured. Your gods don't exist, Adel. Even if they did, they're just NPCs."
"..."
"The priests fed you. I brought you here."
Her eyes flicked back to the statue. Stone smile now seemed mocking.
"Let's go. Belly full—time for a place to crash."
"...Yes, Master."
"Good girl. Might sleep outside tonight. You okay?"
"...Doesn't matter."
"True, you're used to camping. First time roughing it in a city, though?"
"..."
Adelaide staggered to her feet, following me. Our first night in Istius.