Chapter 87: A Hero? You?
The silver hair, long and lustrous, cascaded from the tree branch, swaying gently in the night breeze.
It was beautiful.
Lomond’s aesthetic preferences differed from those of humans. He favored strong, fierce, monstrous females, their bodies covered in fur, their features intimidating. But even he had to admit, this hair was truly stunning.
And it felt familiar… as if he had seen it before.
He didn’t rush towards it. Instead, his curiosity piqued, he slowly raised his gaze, his eyes following the strand of hair upwards. Soon, a familiar figure came into view.
A beautiful woman.
She sat on a branch, bathed in the soft moonlight, her presence ethereal, like a forest spirit.
Her small, white feet dangled in the air.
She wore a long black dress, her face, framed by her silver hair, breathtakingly beautiful, her crimson eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light.
Lomond gasped, recognizing her instantly. He dropped to one knee, his voice a respectful murmur. “Greetings, Lady Witch.”
Shaye Nigulas, the Dark Witch.
One of the most powerful entities among the Demonfolk, her strength rivaling even his father, the Eternal Monarch.
And of all the witches, she was the one who interacted most frequently with the Demons.
Lomond, usually arrogant and boisterous, now stood before her like a schoolboy in the presence of his teacher. He was aggressive, bloodthirsty, but he wasn’t suicidal.
He had only met her once, when she had visited the Demon King’s castle at Nagath’s invitation. He and his siblings had been present.
Among the Demonfolk, strength was paramount.
Power equaled respect.
Several Demons, seeing her slender form, her seemingly delicate features, had underestimated her, their resentment fueled by the Demon King’s lavish hospitality.
One of his brothers, the third in line, had challenged her.
He was far stronger and more influential than Lomond.
Lomond still remembered his brother’s fate. The witch had simply waved her hand, and his brother, his massive form lifted effortlessly, had been suspended from the highest point of the Demon King’s tower, his power sealed. He had hung there for seven days and nights, a spectacle for all who entered or exited the castle, his humiliation absolute.
And their father had simply chuckled, offering no assistance, no reprimand.
From that day forward, the Demons had understood: this witch was not to be trifled with.
His brother’s humiliation had been severe, his reputation tarnished. His followers, sensing weakness, had abandoned him, his power diminishing.
Lomond was surprised to see her. Wasn’t she in seclusion, honing her powers?
And why was she here?
And why was her aura so weak? But he didn’t question it. Her power was beyond his comprehension. It was natural that he couldn’t sense its true depth.
She had seemed equally harmless during their first encounter.
Shaye, her beautiful eyes gazing down at him from her perch, her expression indifferent, spoke. “Rise.”
Her voice, though soft, held an undeniable authority.
This was the demeanor of a true master.
Lomond, his massive form towering over her, stood obediently, his gaze fixed on the ground.
Shaye sighed inwardly, her performance exhausting.
She hadn’t wanted to do this, but Lomond was still useful to Qin Chu, a tool to be manipulated. He wasn’t ready to discard him yet.
Was she spoiling him?
She fulfilled his every request, even going so far as to personally intervene, to chase away Lomond, despite the risk of exposing herself. After all, she was facing a threat from… herself…
But then she remembered that, in her previous life, she had been in seclusion at this time, mastering a powerful, forbidden spell. She hadn’t emerged for two years.
She didn’t know Lomond well. This encounter shouldn’t have any significant repercussions.
She decided to let it go.
“Lady Witch?” Lomond, seeing her silence, spoke, his voice a deep rumble.
“Ah, my apologies, Seventh Prince. I was contemplating a complex magical theory,” she said, her voice calm, her expression neutral.
To be lost in thought, amidst a battle… she truly was a witch. Lomond was impressed.
“Do you require my assistance, Lady Witch? Whatever your command, I will fulfill it to the best of my ability,” he said, his massive fist pounding his chest.
This was his chance to curry favor with her.
Her support would elevate his status among the Demonfolk. And if he could somehow convince her to become his consort… well, the throne would be his. Though her slender, human form didn’t appeal to him.
“Is that so?” Shaye said, her voice laced with amusement. “That’s convenient.”
“Leave this place. Take your troops with you.”
“Leave that one to me.”
Eh?
Her words surprised him. Was she claiming this kill for herself?
But Lomond, though foolish, wasn’t stupid.
The Dark Witch held a unique position among the Demonfolk. Mortal concerns, such as accolades and achievements, were irrelevant to her.
“May I ask why?” he inquired cautiously.
“He possesses something I require. I’ll dispose of him after I’ve acquired it. You can claim the credit. No one will question it. He’s a valuable test subject. If you’re curious, I’ll allow you to observe.”
“Unless… you’re unwilling to relinquish him?” Her voice turned cold, her gaze sharp.
A test subject?
Lomond swallowed, his crimson face paling.
Experiments… Ah, yes, the Dark Witch was known for her research.
Nagath had even provided her with a group of strong, resilient Demon warriors. She had modified them.
The details were unknown, but even with the soundproofing and magical barriers surrounding her laboratory, those who passed by could still hear the screams, the chilling cries of agony that made even Demons shudder.
The Demons who emerged from her laboratory were stronger, their power amplified significantly.
But when asked about their experience, they would simply stare blankly, their eyes haunted, their minds seemingly broken, their memories too horrific to recall.
They called her a devil, a monster.
And their ferocity in battle was legendary… They would rather die on the battlefield than return to her laboratory.
One of his sisters, after much pleading, had been allowed to observe her experiments. She had fled the laboratory within half a day, her face pale, her body trembling, her stomach churning at the sight of fresh meat. She claimed that it wasn’t a laboratory, but a true hell, far more terrifying than the abyss the Demons called home.
Lomond forced a smile, his voice strained. “No, no, of course not, Lady Witch. I… I’ll take my leave now. Please, continue your research.”
He wasn’t about to defy her. He didn’t want to spend another seven days hanging from the Demon King’s tower.
He had even considered asking her to become his consort. How foolish he had been! She wouldn’t hesitate to use her own husband as a test subject.
He turned to leave.
“Wait…”
Her voice stopped him in his tracks.
He flinched, his face paling. Was she going to use him for her experiments? Please, no!
“A parting gift.”
Relief washed over him. He wasn’t going to be her next… project…
“A member of the Hero Squad is searching for the First Hero’s soul fragments within your territory.”
His eyes brightened. He had eliminated one Hero Squad member, and now there was another? What a glorious opportunity!
How did she know? But he didn’t have time to dwell on that question.
“Who? Where?”
“Don’t you have spies? Let them find him. I don’t know the details.”
“I understand.”
He bowed, his gratitude evident.
He ordered his troops to retreat.
They were confused. They were about to kill Benson. Why stop now?
“Shh, you fools…” he hissed, his voice barely audible. “The Dark Witch is here. She’s going to use that unfortunate soul for her experiments…”
The Demons shuddered, their gazes shifting towards Benson, their eyes filled with pity.
Poor bastard.
They turned and fled, their fear overriding their bloodlust. After all, the witch had promised them the credit for Benson’s death. There was no need to stay.
They vanished in a matter of seconds.
Benson, confused, stared at their retreating forms. He had been on the verge of collapsing, about to activate his Ability for the final time. Why had they retreated?
What had happened?
He didn’t understand, but their departure was a good thing… right?
He gasped, taking advantage of this unexpected respite, his hands gripping his battered axe, his body aching.
He felt a surge of pride. He had endured Lomond’s assault, the relentless attacks of the Demon horde. He had held out, despite the overwhelming odds.
He pulled out a healing scroll, intending to tend to his wounds.
A twig snapped underfoot.
His momentary relief vanished, replaced by a surge of adrenaline. He raised his axe, his gaze alert. “Who’s there?”
The footsteps didn’t falter. A figure emerged from the forest.
It was a human.
An ordinary human.
His guard lowered slightly. A human, even one whose identity was unknown, was preferable to a Demon. But he kept his weapon raised.
He didn’t recognize the man, but a flicker of hope, of relief, warmed his heart. Reinforcements? Had they arrived with Loseweisse and Ekaterina? Soldiers from the capital?
“Who are you?”
The man smiled, his expression cheerful.
Benson frowned. What was there to be happy about in this carnage?
“You’re Benson, the Immovable Shield, a member of the Hero Squad, correct?”
Qin Chu, struggling to contain his smile, his demeanor carefully polite, introduced himself. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Qin Chu, the Second Hero.”
Qin Chu, the Second Hero?
A wave of disgust washed over Benson.
A Hero? You?
…
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