Episode 9
When I stepped out of the castle, my breath came out in white clouds against the cold air. The sight of trees frozen solid gave the landscape a bleak, desolate feel.
It’s supposed to be summer now, but here, it’s always winter.
I stared at the icy walls surrounding the area before moving my feet. Before long, I arrived at a small mountain stream.
“The water’s clean.”
It was so clear that I could see the bottom. When I saw nothing moving within, I created a small shard of ice and dropped it in.
Plop. The shard sank into the water, and from afar, something glowing began swimming toward it.
It must have been drawn to my power.
Looking closely, I realized it was Shaila’s familiar — the same one that had been in the fishbowl during the demon council.
Its shimmering sky-blue scales almost looked like pure light. The little creature circled around the ice crystal curiously.
Then, I took out a radiant pearl from my pocket — one of the items Terio had brought from the storage room.
“It’s something you like.”
When I dipped my hand slightly into the water, the familiar came close and rubbed against my fingers, as if begging for the pearl.
“Fine, take it.”
The moment I relaxed my grip, it swallowed the pearl in one gulp. Its sky-blue scales turned into a rainbow of colors.
“Go tell her for me,” I said.
Tell her I’ll be waiting to meet her.
The familiar seemed to understand. It brushed against my hand a few more times before swimming away.
It was the only way to contact the Demon Lord of Sloth, who could not leave her domain. I had simply followed the method shown in the game — thankfully, it worked.
Once the familiar was gone, Terio quietly approached.
“By now, all should have received Lady Rehel’s message.”
“I wonder how much they all want to kill me right now… too bad I can’t see their angry faces myself.”
The rumor that I was after the crown must have spread among the Demon Lords by now. For someone who had maintained neutrality to suddenly reveal hidden ambition — it was enough to enrage anyone.
They’d soon start trying all sorts of ways to kill me.
“Lady Rehel’s decisions are always right… but still, I can’t help but worry.”
“Worry that I might die?”
“…Lady Rehel.”
Terio looked at me with concern before bowing his head slightly.
After losing his family, I was all he had left. If I were to die, he’d be completely alone again.
“I just…”
“I’m not going to die.”
“……”
“No — I must live.”
Because only if I live can I protect Lian.
“You don’t have to worry too much. I may have lived in the mountains for a long time, but I’m no fool.”
“…Yes, my lady.”
He nodded and stepped aside. Left alone, I closed my eyes and let the cold wind wash over me.
The wind was freezing, yet strangely refreshing. Until I returned to the castle, I didn’t feel the chill at all.
❖ ❖ ❖
The next morning, Lian left his room early, his expression slightly troubled — probably because of what happened yesterday. When our eyes met, he froze for a second, then frowned as he noticed the pile of boxes by the door.
“What is all this?”
“Gifts.”
I’d selected the rarest treasures from the vault and had them beautifully wrapped. In terms of value, even human nobles would drool over them.
“I don’t need them.”
He sighed shortly and brushed past me, heading for the dining room. I followed behind — keeping, of course, a consistent five-meter distance.
“They’re all really expensive, though. You’re sure you don’t want to open even one?”
“……”
He walked ahead without answering, his expression unreadable.
…What? Don’t people usually like expensive gifts?
Far from being pleased, he seemed even colder than before. My shoulders slumped. In the game, raising affection wasn’t this hard — but in real life, the difficulty was insane.
As I quietly followed him, he suddenly stopped walking.
“Are you really this free, my lady?”
“What? Can’t you see I’m busy?”
“……”
“I’m busy trying to seduce you right now.”
Lian’s brows furrowed deeply. He really had a bad habit of wasting that handsome face of his.
“You said earlier you wanted to give me something, right?”
“Yeah, why? Is there something you actually want?”
When my eyes brightened, he answered flatly, “I need my sword.”
“That’s not happening.”
I replied firmly, turning away from his gaze.
To be honest, I wished Lian would stop being a hero altogether.
I liked him as the Hero — but I’d still like him even if he weren’t. There’s no reason he has to be the one risking his life among all people.
His strength only grew through affection points, so I was doing my part… but part of me truly wanted him to stop holding a sword.
“…Why? Do you still want to kill me that badly?”
I tried to sound calm, but my voice trembled a little. I still couldn’t look at him directly.
What scared me most was the thought that he might actually say yes — that no matter how much kindness I showed, he’d never lower his guard.
When I bit my lip, he replied at last.
“Then give me a practice sword. I only plan to loosen up my body.”
“……”
That wasn’t the answer I’d expected. Startled, I blinked and finally met his eyes.
“I’ll have someone bring it to you.”
Honestly, I was surprised. I’d expected him to jump at a chance to kill me, not ask for a training sword.
He nodded and walked away again. I stayed there for a long while, staring after him.
❖ ❖ ❖
Inside the castle was a training ground open to anyone. Even demons under the Demon Lord’s protection needed to maintain their strength, so it was always busy.
After finishing a silent breakfast with Rehel, Lian entered the training yard.
The moment the demons saw him, their laughter froze.
“The human hero…”
“I’ve never seen his face before. He’s kinda good-looking.”
“He’s that guy who’s always glued to the Demon Lord, right?”
But none dared approach him — the Demon Lord’s command was clear: No one is to touch the human hero.
“This is a practice sword. The edge is dull, but it’s still a real blade. Please handle it carefully.”
“Understood.”
Following Rehel’s orders, Terio handed over the sword with a frosty expression before stepping aside. To him, Lian was nothing but an unwanted intruder.
The blade was dull, but good enough for warm-ups. When Lian swung it lightly, the sound of slicing wind filled the air.
“…So he really is a hero.”
“I’ve never heard a sword cut air like that before.”
“Let’s not get cocky. I’m going back to my magic drills.”
The demons who had shown interest backed off, unwilling to risk trouble with a human.
That left Lian free to train in peace.
His graceful swordplay soon drew eyes again — even the demons paused to watch.
“I think I get why the Demon Lord keeps him around.”
“Why?”
“He’s pretty. Humans can be pretty too.”
“Are you insane? I’m way prettier!”
Despite their idle chatter, Lian didn’t react. He looked deeply focused on his practice — though in truth, it wasn’t the training that held his attention.
It was Rehel.
—Try loving me.
He recalled her pleading expression vividly.
‘What the hell is she thinking?’
Nothing she said or did made sense. The way she spoke — as if she’d known him for years — was unsettling.
And yet… the memory of her trembling voice still lingered.
—Why? Do you still want to kill me that badly?
She had no idea how her expression had looked then — trying to seem calm while her eyes betrayed fear.
‘Kill her? The Demon Lord?’
It was supposed to be his destiny as a hero — something he should do without hesitation.
But the more they spoke, the more foolish he felt.
The more he thought about her, the harder he swung his sword, as if trying to cut away the thoughts themselves.
“Haa…”
Sweat dripped down his neck, soaking his white shirt until it clung to his skin.
“Oh my!”
One demon squealed, covering her eyes — though she peeked between her fingers.
They may have hated humans, but beauty was beauty.
Word spread fast that the “human hero” was training in the yard, and soon the place was packed.
It was around then that Lian lost his focus.
“Hey, human.”
A demon who had been watching from the corner approached. With two curved horns and sharp features, he was striking even by demon standards.
“Fight me.”
He raised his practice sword toward Lian.
“…All right.”
Lian accepted easily — sparring was nothing new to him. The only difference this time was that his opponent was a demon.
The two stood apart, taking their stances as a crowd gathered around.
“Is that guy crazy? How’s he gonna beat a hero?”
“Who knows? Maybe the hero’s not all that.”
“But didn’t the Demon Lord say no one’s allowed to touch him? Someone should tell her before this gets ugly.”
The demons murmured among themselves, unable to look away. The outcome seemed obvious — yet they couldn’t stop watching.
“Human, I don’t know why you’re by the Demon Lord’s side, but you’d better not get any ideas.”
“I’m more curious about something else — why your Demon Lord can’t stand being apart from me.”
“You little—!”
Lian had genuinely meant it as a question, but it only enraged his opponent.
Their swords clashed with a ringing metallic clang!
Each of the demon’s furious attacks was met and deflected effortlessly. The ease of Lian’s defense only made the demon angrier.
“How dare a mere human—!”
Driven by fury, the demon half-transformed into his beastly form to boost his strength.
The sound of their blades striking grew harsher, echoing through the yard.
Then, during another clash — crack! Both swords broke at once.
One shard grazed the demon’s cheek. The other flew toward a young girl in the watching crowd.
“Kyah!”
Frozen with fear, she couldn’t move.
In an instant, Lian lunged forward, pulling her into his arms. The fragment sliced across his arm and embedded itself in the wall.
“……”
Silence filled the yard. No one could process what had just happened.
‘So… who won?’
No one dared speak first.
Then — footsteps echoed from the entrance.
Just hearing them made the demons’ skin crawl.
Rehel entered, her icy gaze sweeping across the training ground like a blade.
Her expression was deadly as she spoke — eyes locked on Lian, who was holding the girl in his arms.
“…What exactly is going on here?”
