CHAPTER 51……….
“Just now, when I transferred my mana to Master, I became certain. Your power was leaking somewhere. I had already vaguely suspected it even at the Demon King’s Castle…”
Not only was he perceptive, but Nox was also a demon of the mental realm. His intuition surpassed everyone else’s, so Asterios had expected that he would notice it quickly.
“…While Master and Mephisto were gradually losing power, Her Highness the Princess’s circle actually grew stronger. Even though she was trapped in a cage.”
“Since you noticed it first, it won’t be long before His Majesty notices as well.”
Excluding Asterios, the person with the next-best intuition was Leodian.
Since it was something that couldn’t be perfectly hidden from the start, Asterios began to explain.
“Yes. The one who absorbed the mana wasn’t Mephisto—it was Her Highness.”
Both men who had come into contact with her inside the cage had their own power drained instead.
“The implication is… could it be that the next Demon King chosen by the Demon Realm…”
Asterios narrowed his eyes sharply at his own demon.
“Watch your words, Nox. Nothing is certain yet.”
He knew, however, that this was close to the truth.
Her mana circle was growing, and his own mana continued leaking toward her—proof enough.
Still, he couldn’t speak recklessly.
Roziana was both the Princess of Dreart and known as a Saint in Graham. The idea that such a person might become the Demon King would inevitably cause great turmoil.
“A being with overwhelming power becomes an object of admiration and, at the same time, a source of fear.”
Such beings were more likely to be attacked or exploited.
The Demon King, in particular, had long been considered the root of evil that threatened Heaven, the Demon Realm, and the human world alike.
“If this continues, Her Highness the Princess could be in danger.”
“The best course of action would be to prevent her from becoming the Demon King.”
“But what if Her Highness wishes for it?”
Should her will be respected, then? Asterios fell into a brief silence.
“My plan to give Erica a new body and life containing all three powers was never intended as a request for her to become the Demon King.”
Returning to the past, saving the four witches, and gathering enough strength to defeat Beelzebub together was sufficient. There was no need for Roziana to become the Demon King.
“She probably knew that, too. It’s just that an unforeseen variable occurred.”
And now, she had been chosen by the Demon Realm.
The Demon Realm, like a living organism, sought and attracted the one with the strongest magical power to become its master.
“Why would it choose Her Highness instead of Mephisto?”
“I can’t know all the workings of the Demon Realm, but it’s likely because of one of the powers that Her Highness possesses. Mephisto probably has a vague idea as well.”
“As Master said, Mephisto will never give up on Her Highness. He’ll have no choice but to enter the competition, as Dreart demands.”
“The fortunate part is that the choice still rests with Her Highness… and I hold that influence for now.”
Because his power was linked to hers, if Roziana sought to complete her circle and become the Demon King, Asterios’s cooperation would be absolutely necessary.
“I must continue holding that leverage. Therefore, I will also propose to Her Highness.”
“You intend to join the competition?”
“Because I know exactly what must be protected.”
If she wishes, he will help her acquire the stature of a Demon King. If difficulties arise, they will resolve them together. If danger threatens her, he will protect her himself.
The mistakes he made over 500 years ago, in the name of protecting her, must not happen again.
“Surely… the Emperor didn’t intend for Master to participate as well, did he?”
Before Nox could respond, he brought a tray of food and offered it to Asterios. The aroma of carefully prepared soup filled the room.
Rising from the bed, Asterios took a spoon and began eating.
“You probably guessed that I would participate as a candidate. The current Head Henry is too young, so in His Majesty’s eyes, I am suitable. Besides, the stronger the candidate, the more Mephisto will need to be wary.”
“Mephisto and the Tower Master will surely compete fiercely.”
“Yes, that will happen. Neither of them ever concedes to anyone.”
Roziana’s engagement selection would undoubtedly become an interesting event.
“I wonder if Graham might even send a candidate. That would make the situation similar to the war a thousand years ago, wouldn’t it?”
A thousand years ago, Heaven and the Demon Realm clashed over the human world.
At Nox’s words, Asterios also recalled the distant past: when he, the Dragon God, humbled himself to protect humanity.
“You’re right. It will be similar. Graham’s authorities would never sit idly and allow the Saint to be taken.”
It was obvious that all who coveted Roziana would rush in as potential suitors.
An unprecedented being possessed all three powers simultaneously—holy power, demonic power, and the power of a dragon—so she was irresistibly desirable. Becoming her partner would mean sharing that power.
“Nox.”
Asterios whispered quietly in a low voice after finishing his meal.
“Yes, Master.”
“You will go to Graham and investigate something on my behalf.”
“As you command.”
Asterios recalled the strange dreams he had while teetering on the brink of death these past three days—thinking Mephisto was strangling him, but it was another being wearing his mask.
Was it Beelzebub, whom he had destroyed himself? Or…
Lost in thought, Asterios slowly spoke in a dry voice.
“Records of Gabriel, who was annihilated during Graham’s war a thousand years ago.”
“Gabriel? You mean the Archangel of the Earth, who vanished during that war?”
A thousand years ago, when all three realms were embroiled in war, the Demon Realm suffered the most, but Heaven and humanity also endured great losses. Among the heavenly hosts, the Archangels suffered particularly.
Angels were originally servants and messengers of the Celestial Gods, beings above humans. But in the war waged to stop the Demon King in the human world, many humans and dragons died, and some angels were annihilated or lost their ranks.
Tenebres, the Dragon God at the time, saw no difference between angels and the Demon King. He understood that angels sought to become gods themselves, using humans as tools.
Though names differed, their ambitions were the same.
Human prayers were power for angels, so they endangered humans to become celestial gods themselves.
Thus, the war was both a threat and a source of strength for angels.
“Yes. We must verify it.”
“It will take some time. Graham is a holy nation, so my mental realm magic will not affect certain individuals.”
“Daniel is there, so we just need to be careful of the archbishop and the ruling authorities.”
“Yes, as soon as Master recovers, we will depart immediately.”
“No, don’t wait. Leave today.”
“But your current condition is too unstable. At this rate…”
“I have a plan. I will meet Edwin.”
Understanding his intention, Nox’s eyes widened briefly, then he relaxed.
At that moment, a low knock sounded at the door.
With Asterios’s permission, Nox approached the door.
“Who is it?”
“I have come at His Excellency’s summons.”
Upon hearing the voice, Nox opened the door. One of Asterios’s shadows, Mari, quickly entered and closed the door, bowing deeply.
“Your Excellency.”
“So there are eyes watching us, I see.”
She was skilled enough to enter without being noticed, yet she knocked deliberately. Asterios wondered why.
“Yes. The Tower Master is in the palace. He sent a servant to request a brief audience with Your Excellency.”
Edwin?
“Perfect timing.”
Since Asterios intended to meet him anyway, this was convenient.
However, Nox seemed concerned and voiced his worries.
“What business would the Tower Master have with the Princess’s Captain of the Guard?”
“I accompanied Her Highness to the Demon Realm, so he must have many questions. He’ll be curious about the whereabouts of the cage as well.”
“Is it safe for Master to appear in his true form?”
Edwin, remembering Tenebres from a thousand years ago, would recognize him immediately. Nox was concerned about this.
“It was inevitable. I cannot hide it from Edwin forever.”
Asterios extended his hand to Mari.
“Mari. Did you bring what I instructed you to take from the Duke’s house?”
“Yes, Your Excellency. Here it is.”
Mari produced a white mask from her robes and handed it to her master.
“Do you intend to wear that again? Didn’t you just tell the Tower Master that you will no longer hide your identity?”
