Chapter 115
Chapter 115
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 115
Chapter Title: The Demon's Asylum
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Sein had come to Dante after nearly being assassinated.
On his way back, he traveled under thorough protection.
Sein's subordinate Third Combat Force, his bodyguards Roberta and Derrun.
And others besides.
"It is an honor to escort you."
Even Delan, the guard unit from headquarters, was escorting Sein's carriage as they headed back to the main house.
"......"
Sein gazed out the window, propping his chin on his hand.
"I've gotten pretty used to it now."
He felt as though he had grown accustomed even to the Dark Sanctuary, which he had thought he would never get used to.
If asked what the biggest change in Sein was, it would be that his impatience had vanished.
Sein had always felt a constant burden and urgency lurking in a corner of his mind.
That was why he had shown sights he didn't need to, always sharp and on edge.
But a year had stolen that impatience from him.
Rumble rumble rumble.
The carriage advanced without obstruction.
With its black hue of Demorus, no one dared block its path, and the vanguard scouts ahead were turning back anyone whose route overlapped.
"It's a Demorus procession. Turn back."
Even hurried merchants were no exception.
"We appreciate your consideration."
They even expressed thanks as they retreated.
Thus, Sein's return proceeded faster than anyone's.
But before arriving at Demorus, a problem arose.
"Who goes there?"
Commotion from outside.
"This is your only warning."
Rumble.
Mana potent enough to shake the carriage erupted from outside.
Delan, who had to prioritize security among the vigilant escorts, was moving to eliminate the threat without hesitation.
Sein opened the window and looked out.
He slowly descended from the carriage.
Far off, the figure who had halted the carriage came into view.
"Heir candidate, danger...."
Delan's guards tried to stop him, but it was futile.
"It's fine."
Sein spoke as he advanced.
"It's someone I know."
Even after his words, they kept their guard up, radiating energy.
Sein instead raised a hand to hold them back.
"You think that's a threat?"
Sein's voice.
The distant doll-like figure was drawing nearer.
Its revealed form was.
"......!"
A wretched, pitiful sight.
But what was even more shocking was something else.
"Stand back!"
One of Delan's guards shouted and shot past Sein like an arrow.
However.
Thud!
As if crushed by something, the guard slammed into the ground, groaning.
"Are my words not clear?"
Sein's irritated voice.
"I said stay put."
"But...."
Delan shouted as if to protect Sein even in this situation.
"It's a demon!"
A horn protruding from one temple, dark energy, and the distinctive aura of a demon.
The being approaching Sein right now was unmistakably a demon.
Demons were an evil that the continent had to exterminate.
But they soon saw it too.
"Grooo.... Grooo...."
That the creature whimpering like a beast was utterly wretched.
Sein was right.
Thud.
It was too weakened to call a threat.
Even so, a demon was threatening by nature.
Whoosh!
The aura rising from Sein made the revealed demon look like a firefly before a blast furnace.
"I...."
The demon opened its mouth.
"......!"
That alone was shocking.
The common image of demons was mindless berserkers.
But Sein wasn't surprised.
He knew what would come next.
"Felpero of Immortal... I am called Felpero Immortal...."
"......!"
"Sein Demorus."
With burning eyes, in that wretched state, Felpero spoke.
"To Demorus... I seek asylum."
Amid everyone's shock, Sein alone wasn't surprised.
This situation was a play he had orchestrated.
"Felpero."
Sein responded.
"In the name of Sein Demorus, I grant your asylum."
A grin.
"Of course, verification comes first."
On the way back.
One new companion had been added.
*
*
*
-I'll tell you what you need to do.
Sein had rescued Felpero, who was turning into a demon.
-This is the path for you to live.
He had given such a Felpero a choice.
-The path for you to take revenge.
And Felpero had grasped that hand.
This was the result.
"Everyone seems glad I came back?"
Sein had arrived at headquarters, where Demorus's combat forces, intelligence unit, and guard unit had gathered.
Numerous people had come out to greet him, creating a heavy atmosphere.
"So glad to see me back?"
The playful voice of Sein descending from the carriage rang out.
But all their eyes were turned not to Sein, but to the one beside him.
A steel chain around the neck, connected to Felpero Immortal.
It was safe to say headquarters had come out because of Felpero.
"Sein Demorus, heir candidate."
The captain of the Second Combat Force addressed Sein.
He was a Kolan supporter and one of Demorus's top powerhouses.
"Is that man Felpero Immortal?"
"Looks like it's not me they're interested in. Kinda hurtful."
"That man."
Serhon, captain of the Second Combat Force, ignored Sein's words and continued.
"Is it true he's Kolan-nim's witness?"
Rooooar!
Serhon was unleashing energy as if ready to behead Felpero right then.
"Answer me!"
As Serhon bellowed, the explosively swelling mana burst forth in an instant.
The moment a storm erupted, sweeping the area.
"You all think I'm a pushover."
The rising storm halted.
"Second Combat Force Captain, Serhon."
No, it was gripped in Sein's hand.
The ferocious mana capable of whipping up a storm was now caught in Sein's grasp, swirling helplessly.
"Are you my superior?"
Sein's voice.
"Keep ordering me around like that?"
No matter his rank as Second Combat Force captain, an heir candidate's status outranked him.
Even if not, it didn't matter.
In the underworld, where power reigned supreme.
"You should answer."
Sein demonstrated even superior mana control over Serhon.
The vortex trapped in his open hand reversed course.
Its target was Serhon.
Moments later, a trickle of blood seeped from Serhon's mouth.
"...I have been rude."
"Yeah. That's more like it."
Sein now cast a glance as if offering another chance.
"We request you hand over Felpero's custody. It's an essential step to find Kolan Demorus-nim's whereabouts, and this is headquarters' business."
Serhon spoke, invoking headquarters' authority, equivalent even without naming the family head.
"Denied."
But Sein refused.
*
*
*
Clang!
The chain pulled taut, lifting Felpero's body into the air.
"Urk!"
It was natural for him to groan in pain.
Though he had gained a demon's resilient body, it was only half-formed, unstable enough that one wrong move could shatter him like brittle cookie crumbs.
"I...."
Such a Felpero opened his mouth.
"What should I say?"
Sein stood before him.
Rather than handing Felpero over to headquarters, Sein had promised to interrogate him personally.
Even headquarters couldn't pressure Sein further without the family head's direct order.
Felpero had sought asylum from Sein, and his position allowed him to accept and proceed.
However, Serhon and Kolan's supporters didn't stay idle.
At this very moment, the family head council had been convened.
At the request of Kolan's supporters, to confine Felpero under headquarters' custody.
"I've seen your will to keep your promise."
Felpero said.
By not handing him over to Demorus, he had confirmed Sein's resolve.
"I'll tell you. What you want."
Felpero said.
"Nothing."
But Sein replied.
"......?"
"I'm not curious about anything from you."
"What...."
Felpero was stunned.
"I needed your existence itself. Not the information you have."
Immortal family?
That bloodline?
He had no interest.
"I'm curious about demonization, but you can't tell me that."
"......"
Felpero shut his mouth.
Sein was right.
His demonization wasn't by choice, but inflicted by something.
"...No way."
Then, flames of suspicion ignited in Felpero's eyes.
"This is your doing too?"
It even seemed like a sense of betrayal.
"Did you make me like this?!"
Demonization.
"The witch! Was it connected to her?!"
Felpero had realized long ago.
The one who had unleashed demons in Contra, wielded demon power.
The one who appeared with the witch and quelled the incident in Demorus's name.
That it was Sein.
"Reasonable suspicion, but you seem pretty worn out mentally and physically."
Sein approached such a Felpero and extended his hand.
"Shut up and sleep now. Talking more will just tire you out."
Demonic power extended from his hand, seeping into Felpero.
"Grk! Graaaah! St-stop! Stooop!"
Felpero writhed in agony but could do nothing.
The chains binding him and Sein's power suppressed everything.
Sein's power rummaged through such a Felpero.
"Endure it."
It would hurt.
Like tiny needles threading through veins, like someone gutting you and stirring your insides.
So what?
"Cough!"
This wasn't pain he deserved to feel.
And finally, Felpero's head lolled downward.
He had passed out from the unbearable pain.
"Interesting."
Curiosity and displeasure crossed Sein's face.
"My power, yet not mine."
Even feeling it again confirmed it.
His demonic energy was involved in Felpero's demonization, yet somehow different.