CHAPTER 40………………………………………..
Marbas finished his preparations without paying any attention to Eligos, who had come to see him early in the morning. Eligos, too, seemed to have no particular intention of starting a conversation and simply stood there quietly, keeping his place.
Only after draping his robe over his shoulders did Marbas finally turn to look at him.
“Why?”
“Are you sure it’s all right for you to go?”
It was a rather obvious question.
“It’s not like this is my first or second time.”
He had gone down to the human world countless times before. It was a pointless question.
But Eligos clearly didn’t think so.
“This time, you’re going for a slightly different reason.”
Marbas replied casually.
“I don’t think I’m going to lose my reason now.”
The time when he might have ruined things by acting on emotion had long since passed.
“It’s been too long, hasn’t it?”
Marbas let his gaze sweep over Eligos’s unlined face.
“Don’t act like such an old man.”
Though Eligos looked about the same age as Marbas, he was a demon who had lived several times longer. Thinking of the fact that he had long surpassed several hundred years, Marbas added,
“It may have been a short time for you, but it was a long time for me.”
But Eligos didn’t seem reassured by such a light attitude.
“That’s precisely why I’m worried. Feelings left to stagnate can fester.”
At Eligos’s unchanging, rigid expression, the faint smile vanished from Marbas’s face.
Eligos was asking whether the emotions Marbas claimed had faded over a hundred years might instead have pooled and turned poisonous. Marbas answered firmly.
“There’s nothing left.”
Neither emotions—nor the person.
With a flawless expression that clearly signaled the subject was closed, Eligos fell silent for a moment before looking out the window.
“Why didn’t you tell Xenia?”
Ah, Xenia.
Marbas recalled her face, dark circles staining the skin beneath her eyes.
“There wasn’t any particular reason. I just…”
He smiled coolly.
“It’s more fun this way.”
The look in her eyes—complaining that he was the one going on a business trip, so why was she being buried in work—had been amusing. The expression that practically spelled out curses, as if to say she could manage perfectly well without him.
The face she would make when she discovered him today would be entertaining, too.
When Marbas looked at Eligos with a mischievous grin, the latter let out a quiet chuckle. Seeing his expression lighten, Marbas checked the time and added,
“Anyway, hold things down while I’m gone.”
Fatigue already touched Eligos’s face.
“I recommend that you return as quickly as possible.”
Even if matters had been handled in advance, there were always demons who caused trouble. Eligos would have plenty to deal with. Marbas smiled impishly.
“I’ll try.”
Even so, he really did need to come back as soon as possible. It would be better if the anti–Demon King faction didn’t realize that he—the Demon King—was absent.
Of course, it was fine for those traveling with him to know.
Remembering a pair of complicated violet eyes, Marbas turned away.
“Well then.”
“Safe travels.”
It was a little earlier than the appointed time, but if he stayed any longer he would only have to endure more of Eligos’s nagging. Receiving the servants’ bows, Marbas headed toward the room containing the magic circle.
His footsteps were not loud, yet they echoed down the corridor as he passed and entered the familiar chamber.
The moment he stepped inside, he was met with Leraje—who looked utterly shocked at the sight of him.
‘Damn.’
The surprise on Leraje’s face quickly transformed into growing delight. Marbas instinctively took a small step back, only to be caught.
“Your Majesty! How are you here—!”
“I’m going with you.”
“To think I have the honor of accompanying Your Majesty—what joy!”
Leraje’s booming voice filled the already spacious room, making Marbas’s ears ache.
With a tired expression, Marbas hoped the person he was waiting for would arrive quickly.
Fortunately, he didn’t have to wait long. He sensed someone’s presence. Leraje seemed to notice it as well.
As the door slowly opened, Marbas suppressed the smile tugging at his lips and looked toward the newcomer, who entered with a stiff expression.
Beyond the door stood Xenia, staring at Marbas with an uncharacteristically blank face. The question—Why are you here?—was written all over her expression.
“Are you kidding me?”
And what about the words that slipped out before she could stop herself?
A laugh threatened to escape him. But the corners of his mouth, which had begun to curl upward, vanished as if they had been a lie when he noticed the presence behind her—eyes gleaming like a beast’s.
Right. You were here too. The one who had been clinging annoyingly to my territory for the past few months.
Daring to stand beside my person.
‘I was the one who found her first.’
The way he bared his teeth, as if Marbas were coveting something that belonged to him, was laughable.
If Marbas hadn’t allowed it, he wouldn’t even be standing there.
The amusement drained away, replaced by an arrogant, authoritative expression tinged with boredom. Marbas met those insolent blue eyes without looking away.
The fool, oblivious to his place, seemed to flare up as if he had been waiting for this.
“Hah?”
Just as their silent battle was about to escalate, Xenia hurriedly stepped between them.
She wasn’t big enough to block the tall man behind her. Xenia, who usually chose to retreat out of fear, had stepped forward to protect him.
The irritation grew stronger. But seeing the tension on her face, he wondered what the point was.
A sudden wave of weariness washed over him, and he relaxed his gaze. Only then did Xenia, looking slightly relieved, ask in a reproachful tone,
“Why are you here?”
“Have I come somewhere I’m not allowed?”
This was the Demon King’s castle, and he was the Demon King—there was nowhere he couldn’t go. At his childish answer, the corners of Xenia’s eyes trembled. She seemed thoroughly annoyed.
Still mindful of watching eyes, she drew a deep breath and asked politely,
“You’re here to activate the magic circle, right?”
He considered explaining that Leraje could handle such a thing alone, but instead chose to be petty.
“Perhaps you’re having trouble with your hearing.”
She must have heard what Leraje said. Marbas glanced at her ear as he muttered—clearly not out of concern, but mockery.
That small head of hers was quite sharp; she surely knew the answer. So why ask such an unnecessary question? To protect that human?
Prodding at her temper, he saw her flush with anger. Forgetting the presence behind her, Xenia stepped closer to Marbas with a disbelieving laugh.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming too?”
Marbas shrugged smugly.
“You didn’t ask.”
“Hah!”
At her sharp scoff, he let out a teasing chuckle.
“No, that’s something you should’ve told me—!”
“Xenia.”
The being behind her grabbed her wrist, asserting his presence. I’m here too. Don’t forget me.
It was so transparent it was almost ridiculous, yet Xenia’s attention shifted backward. And then, like a mother shielding her child, she stood protectively in front of him.
As if he needed protecting.
Meeting those wary eyes twisted something in Marbas’s gut.
‘I’ve treated you well, and you look at me like that?’
He hadn’t even done anything yet. It felt unfair.
With sunken eyes, Marbas looked at Xenia and the human behind her.
Xenia darted her gaze between them, reading the tension. Normally he would have backed down by now—but he didn’t like those blue eyes.
As the standoff dragged on, the one who had been treated like air until now stepped in. The least perceptive—or perhaps the most perceptive—of them all, Leraje, spoke brightly.
“All the beauty in the world has gathered here. Ah, it’s dazzling!”
Clapping his hands together, Leraje instantly drew everyone’s attention and smoothly pulled Xenia from between the two men.
With an elegant gesture, he took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
“Isn’t that right, Xenia?”
As she was pulled along without resistance, the locked gazes of Marbas and the other man finally broke, easing the tension.
Xenia let out a sigh of relief and smiled at Leraje, who winked.
“Of course, the most beautiful one here is you.”
“Thank you, Lord Leraje. As always.”
This time, her gratitude was entirely sincere. Watching them, Marbas snorted softly and relaxed.
But the human behind her didn’t know when to stop.
Striding forward, he snatched Xenia’s hand from Leraje’s grasp. Then he pulled out a handkerchief and carefully wiped her hand.
Caught off guard, Xenia awkwardly let him hold her hand before looking utterly drained.
Yes—he was extremely irritating. Still, Marbas decided to let it pass.
‘It’s almost time anyway.’
As Marbas turned his back indifferently, he heard Xenia sigh behind him.
“…Did you forget? Cut it out!”
Scolding in a low voice, she then apologized to Leraje.
“I’m sorry, Lord Leraje.”
“It’s all right. A little jealousy like that is cute.”
Cute? It was utterly unsightly. But Marbas didn’t bother voicing that thought. Instead, he urged them on.
“Now that everyone’s here, let’s go.”
He stepped into the center of the magic circle filling the vast chamber. Leraje hurried to follow, and behind him came Xenia, her face tense.
This tension was different from before. Marbas watched her anxiety and curled his lips.
“Are you scared?”
At the provocative question, her face twisted. Then, with a stubborn expression, she grabbed the human’s hand and quickened her pace.
“Of course not. Let’s go.”
As if waiting for that, the human laced his fingers with hers. The sight of their joined hands irritated him—but it was still better than seeing her afraid.
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Marbas met the fierce violet eyes that seemed to demand, Well? Aren’t you going? He began channeling his magic.
Crimson energy filled the space.
With a sharp rush of wind, massive wings unfurled behind Marbas’s back. Even if unseen, horns had surely sprouted as well.
Though her hair whipped wildly in the surging wind and magic, Xenia did not close her eyes.
Nor did Marbas blink.
Taking in the resolute expression on her face, he activated the magic circle that would carry them to the human world.
