Chapter 101
Chapter 101
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 101
Chapter Title: The Awakened Bone Fragment
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Demons instill fear in humans simply by existing.
Even after long ages of forgetfulness, the moment contact is renewed, the terror etched into instinct revives.
But this isn't solely tied to their appearance.
There are grotesque demons like the Watchers or Flesh Eaters, but also those like Dream Demons that resemble humans more closely.
Infernal aren't repulsive in form. They're pure green flames, after all.
Even so, humans feel an inexpressible dread from them.
It's because they belong to different worlds. Hell itself evokes an inexpressible terror in humans.
Conversely, even those bearing a demon's form and power don't inspire particular fear if they don't belong to Hell.
Black magic is like that.
Since the user is human, even demonic power doesn't create much dissonance.
“Kyaaah~.”
This bone fragment falls into that category.
It's a demon, but it awoke through Damian's power. So it's perceived as a being of this world.
“Kya. Kya.”
The bone fragment darted left and right.
Was it trying to act cute? Most demons were favorable toward Damian, but none had ever acted like this.
‘Does it see me as its parent?’
He knew little of demon ecology. Still, since it awoke from his power, it seemed obedient for now.
The key now was its power. Even at the maximum output Damian could muster, it was considerable firepower.
He'd grown accustomed to the searing pain from wielding Hellfire, but it still grated on him.
If it could wield Hellfire independently, he could employ far more varied tactics.
‘I tried to solve one problem and ended up with a new one.’
He needed to evaluate the bone fragment before heading north, if possible.
“Young master. Did you stay up all night? You can't do that. You must always take care of your health.”
“Don't tell Anna.”
Only now did he notice the cold sweat soaking his body. Awakening the bone fragment had been more taxing than expected.
For now, he needed rest.
‘But where do I store this thing?’
Familiars or undead were typically shrunk and kept in special containers.
The bone fragment wasn't large, so the Subspace Pouch should suffice.
“Kkaak! Kkaak!”
He tried, but it resisted fiercely, unexpectedly. It dodged his hand, scurried about, and finally hid in his inner pocket.
“I'm no expert on familiars, but this is a first.”
Felix stroked his chin as he spoke. He didn't probe further. To others, it just looked like an unusual familiar.
───! ───! Noisy sounds came from upstairs. Soon, a servant rushed in, panting, looking for Damian.
“D-Damian, sir! Big trouble. Prince Arkin has arrived at the annex.”
A name he hadn't heard in a while.
He'd paid little attention since the guy had negligible influence even among the legitimate faction.
‘Did he forget that warning?’
He'd told him not to approach Anna. It essentially meant stay away from the annex altogether.
If that was the case, a reminder would suffice.
He was fatigued from the bone fragment, but he had enough in him to deal with Arkin.
“Who the hell is that bastard? How is a scum like him even stepping on palace grounds?”
“He's a guest of Sir Damian. Permission has already been granted.”
“Ugh….”
Anna and Arkin were facing off. Saliba, standing behind Anna, looked flustered, glancing around helplessly.
“I knew someone would make a fuss.”
“What will happen? Right now, Sir Damian's reputation outshines Prince Arkin's.”
The annex's other guests watched from a distance.
“Permission? Ridiculous nonsense. A traitor's spawn daring to enter the palace….”
“Long time no see.”
Arkin's face twitched at Damian's appearance. His attendants tensed up as well.
He hadn't grown in size, but he seemed even larger than last time. Not physically, but due to the aura Damian exuded.
The Damian who once dueled Arkin was gone. Such a minor incident no longer passed people's lips.
“Y-Yeah. Long time no see.”
Even Damian's casual speech felt more natural now. No one could comment on it anymore.
“Didn't I make it clear back then? If you show up in front of Anna again….”
Clench. Damian thrust his fist forward. Arkin flinched and stepped back just from that.
‘To feel this way toward a wretch like him….’
Months had passed since the duel between Damian and Arkin.
In that time, Damian had steadily grown through diverse experiences.
Arkin, however, seemed largely unchanged. Still the immature 4th Prince.
If Arkin insulted his mother Marian again—honestly, it wouldn't stir much emotion.
The gap was that definitive. A carriage doesn't stop for a barking dog, after all.
‘Damn, damn, damn.’
Arkin felt that disparity more than anyone.
He couldn't avoid hearing of Damian's exploits.
The more he heard, the more pathetic his own existence seemed. He knew his mother's expectations were fading.
Still, he'd made efforts in his own way.
But the gap had only widened further.
It dwarfed the difference from two years ago.
What infuriated him most was the reactions around him.
-Mother. Is it true a traitor's spawn entered the palace?
-…Yes. Apparently, Damian invited him.
-Y-Y-You permitted that? He's a traitor's spawn, a traitor's spawn!
-He's just a child.
-Still!
-Sigh… That's not for you to worry about. Go greet Damian now that he's back.
-Y-Yes, yes, yes—wait, me!? To that illegitimate bastard?
-Yes. You're the same age. It won't hurt to get along now. Apologize for your past mistakes.
-Mother!
-I have other matters. Off you go.
This was too much, even so.
Even if his skill and talent fell short of Damian's, Arkin was legitimate while Damian was a bastard.
That's why he vented like this. If not, he felt he couldn't endure himself.
“Who's this?”
“W-What are you?”
Then Paruzan poked her face right up to Arkin.
Her outfit differed from yesterday's. Not flashy, but an elegant dress. Anna's handiwork, no doubt.
With her pretty face, she could pass for a noble lady based on looks alone.
“This is His Highness Prince Arkin von Edbalt. Mind your manners.”
“Prince? Oh, important person. Very important.”
Paruzan, muttering to herself, straightened her posture.
‘Oh.’
She lightly pinched the hems of her skirt and performed a courtly curtsy.
“I am Paruzan. I entered the palace temporarily at the invitation of Sir Damian Renekht.”
He was honestly surprised. No, greatly so.
To teach such etiquette in just a day. He had to admire Anna and the annex staff's skills.
“How dare a wretch like you be rude to His Highness the 4th Prince! Kneel at onc—.”
“Enough. Stand down.”
Arkin pulled back his guards. Then he stared at Paruzan.
‘Paruzan, huh….’
Another guest Damian brought to the palace. Clearly a desert nomad.
‘Not bad at all.’
It eased the anger Damian had stirred. Innocent expression paired with a supple figure. The contrasting traits harmonized perfectly.
A fresh allure, different from the palace girls fawning over him.
“H-Hem. You seem unfamiliar with palace etiquette. If you'd like, I could tea—ugh, uwaaak!”
Sniff sniff. Paruzan clung to Arkin, twitching her nose.
Arkin liked forward women, but this was over the top.
“You pest!”
His guards had no choice but to draw swords. Saliba's issue was forgotten.
Paruzan sauntered lightly toward Damian, unperturbed.
“He smells like it.”
“The smell from the cave?”
“Yeah. But not strong. Probably spent a few hours with the culprit.”
He hadn't expected clues to roll in like this. Solving it before heading north wouldn't hurt.
“Arkin. Who did you meet before coming here?”
“Is that important right now? Your guest just humiliated me. The 4th Prince of the Empire. Time to pay for it.”
At the 4th Prince's gesture, his sword-drawn guards advanced.
Arkin used them as shields to prepare his magic.
“W-What's that? That contemptuous look.”
It was contemptuous. Those in perfect combat stance were trembling.
Paruzan ignored them from the start, and Saliba, now gauging the situation, relaxed his expression.
The annex staff, including Anna and Felix, remained tense—but not worried for Damian.
They feared he might overdo it.
“Oh ho. Can we witness Damian Renekht's prowess here?”
“Calm down, sir. This is the palace.”
The annex guests were excited instead. They never imagined such entertainment in the palace.
“Have you really forgotten?”
Damian let out a hollow laugh and stepped forward.
Just a step. No mana rippled.
Yet those facing him felt their hearts sink.
“Barging into the annex I manage.”
Cold sweat trickled, lips parched.
“And insulting my guest.”
It was the intimidation from the name Damian Renekht.
“Is it reasonable to speak of rudeness?”
Damian did nothing. He simply walked up slowly and voiced his thoughts.
They could retort if they dared. But Arkin couldn't.
“Kyaa?”
In that tense moment, a cute sound rang out. All eyes turned there.
The bone fragment, asleep in Damian's bosom, had crawled out and positioned itself before Arkin.
“Kyaa! Kyaa!”
A small flame flickered. As if protecting Damian.
It was definitely different from the Infernal Damian had summoned before regressing.
No real communication, just burning all life around before returning to Hell.
In that regard, the bone fragment's reaction was uniquely distinct.
“You pest!”
A lump of light shot from Arkin's fingertip.
It was just a familiar, after all—no hesitation in attacking.
“Kyak!”
The bone fragment rolled from the impact. He thought even its flame had weakened.
“Kyaaaak!! Kyaaaak!!”
But green flames rapidly spread, enveloping Arkin's group.
No longer mere warmth. Sweat beaded across their bodies. The flames roared as if to devour them.
Pop! Pop! Pop! Sparks flew around.
Similar to remote ignition through Molech's right arm.
“Uwaaa, uwaaaa!”
“P-Please, spare us!”
Under Hellfire's pressure, Arkin's guards collapsed one by one.
Imperial prince's guards or not, feeling death on their skin turned them into frightened children.
“Ughhh….”
Arkin was no different. He'd overstepped from the start.
What now? Apologize to Damian? No, impossible.
But that green flame hurt. He knew better than anyone, having experienced it.
‘Less firepower than a normal Infernal, but far more adept at flame manipulation.’
Damian ignored Arkin now, focusing on the bone fragment.
‘Can it grow stronger?’
The bone fragment moved by its own power. Not drawing mana from Damian.
Its source was the Book of Hell—Mem—it had devoured. Dozens of tomes burned as infinite fuel.
What if he fed it more Mem? Or extracted it?
He'd research that later.
“That's enough now.”
“Kyaa~.”
Damian picked up the bone fragment, and the Hellfire blanketing the area vanished. Only scorch marks remained on the ground.
No signs of rebellion yet. But demons couldn't be fully trusted.
Once it grew strong, it might defy him.
“You can answer my earlier question now, right?”
“Y-Yeah. W-What….”
Damian shook his head at the dazed Arkin.
No talent, just womanizing and arrogance.
Like a mix of Lucas and Abigail's flaws.
“Gahhh!”
He used Absorption to snap him out of it. Lightning-like pain brought tears, but his mind cleared.
“Answer.”
“I met Brother Dallas….”
“Good. Now get lost. If you want a rematch, anytime.”
As Damian finished, the guards supported Arkin and retreated.
No real issue to escalate. Just gossip fodder for busybodies.
“Dallas? Who's Dallas?”
Paruzan poked the bone fragment as she asked. It stayed surprisingly docile despite another's touch.
“The 2nd Prince. My half-brother.”
Also the faction to watch most warily among the legitimates.