Chapter 28
In the Demon Kingdom, the kingdom owned by Draven known as Moralit.
Within that kingdom, King Draven of the Demon Race had captured more than two hundred humans.
All of those humans were imprisoned in the kingdom's underground dungeon.
Inside that place...
There was no sound.
There was no hope.
The humans trapped there had lost everything. Many of them chose to end their own lives rather than continue living in fear and despair.
Now only one hundred ninety-one humans remained.
Dami dragged the corpse of a human who had just committed suicide.
"Hah... you humans. If you wanted to die, you should've done it yesterday, idiots. You're really causing me trouble."
Roughly, he threw the corpse onto the pile of other bodies in the middle of the underground chamber.
Then Dami turned toward the prisoners.
"Hey! Look at this, all of you humans!"
Every prisoner there was forced to raise their heads.
Their eyes were filled with fear.
Fear.
Resignation.
And despair.
"Fire Ball."
A large ball of fire appeared in Dami's palm.
Wuuusshh!!
DOOOOMMM!!!
The massive flames instantly burned the pile of human corpses into ashes.
The prisoners trembled.
No one dared to scream.
No one dared to resist.
They could only lower their heads.
"Hahahahahaha!"
Dami laughed in satisfaction before leaving the underground dungeon.
Not long afterward, he arrived at the throne room and reported everything to his king.
Draven, who was sitting upon his throne, looked at him.
"Hm? They keep committing suicide?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. There are only one hundred ninety-one humans left now."
Draven smiled with satisfaction.
"Hahaha... a great energy entering humans? What nonsense!"
Suddenly, the temperature in the room became cold.
"Even my older brother told me to stop capturing humans!"
Draven stood up from his throne.
"And look!"
"I've captured far more humans already!"
"But nothing has happened to me!"
"Humans are weak!"
"And they will remain weak forever!"
Dark magical aura filled the entire room.
"IF I WANTED TO..."
"I COULD EVEN INVADE THE ENTIRE HUMAN KINGDOM ALONE!!"
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Tevina, who was bound in the corner of the room, silently watched him.
Dami immediately bowed.
"That is true. Your Majesty could certainly do it with ease."
"But, Your Majesty..."
"Hm?"
"If those humans aren't given food or water, I'm certain they'll all die within the next two days."
Draven frowned.
"Hah? Can't they endure hunger for one month?"
"They are humans, Your Majesty. Not Demons like us."
"They need food and water every day."
"Ck."
Draven clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"And yet they aren't even being tortured or anything."
"But they must not die too soon."
"Because next month, I will be holding that event."
"That event won't work if the humans die."
Dami thought for a moment.
"In that case... why don't we simply capture more humans, Your Majesty?"
"Isn't that Nymph girl still here?"
Their gazes immediately shifted toward Tevina.
However, Draven shook his head.
"No."
"Don't do that again."
"If we capture more humans, I'm certain my brother will notice."
Draven then pointed toward one of the guards.
"You."
Driq immediately knelt.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Find food for humans."
"You're very skilled at disguise."
"Go to the human kingdom and buy a large amount of food."
Draven moved his hand.
Thousands of gold coins appeared on the floor.
"I think this should be enough."
"Now go and return quickly."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
Driq immediately left the room.
---
Meanwhile...
Izumi remained silent while trying to stay calm.
Inside her mind, she continuously analyzed the situation.
I don't know who this man is...
But Rey Renold and Zak are right behind that door.
And I can also sense three more people outside.
Yorn chuckled.
"Hahaha... look at your expression."
"So it's true, huh."
"You're the knight killer from Werenty Village."
---
The night before.
When Rey Renold and Zak decided to simply keep an eye on Izumi.
Zak suddenly came up with an idea.
"But..."
"Master, isn't this the perfect opportunity?"
"For what?"
"We can prove whether she's truly a good person."
Rey looked at his disciple.
"Hm..."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Yes."
"What if we bring Yorn here?"
"Then tell him about this."
"I'm sure that kid can keep a secret."
Rey let out a sigh.
"But that kid's personality is a little chaotic."
"It's fine."
"I'm sure he'll cooperate."
Zak immediately left.
Several minutes later, he returned with Yorn.
"Hey, old man!"
"You better hope this is something important!"
"It's already midnight!"
"Even the king has never ordered me around like this!"
"That's Lord Rey."
"Rey Renold."
Yorn blinked.
"Another old man appeared."
"But..."
"Rey Renold?"
"I feel like I've heard that name before."
"That's not important."
Zak immediately explained the situation.
About the girl from Werenty Village who was sleeping in Rey's house.
Yorn's eyes widened.
"You found her!?"
"Yes."
"She's sleeping in there."
"Wait."
"Weren't you the one who wanted to kill her the most from the beginning?"
"Are you asking me to kill her now?"
"No."
"It's not like that."
Zak explained everything.
About Izumi's attitude.
About how the girl didn't seem like a criminal.
About everything they had witnessed throughout the day.
Yorn scratched his head.
"Hah..."
"What have you two been talking about this whole time?"
"Are you drunk?"
"We're serious."
Yorn sighed.
"Fine."
"Let me see her first."
"I won't do anything."
"I'm just curious."
Eventually Rey and Zak agreed.
The three of them quietly entered the room.
"The door was intentionally left slightly open, huh."
"Yeah."
Yorn entered first.
Then he saw Izumi sleeping.
He fell silent.
One minute.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
Zak began to find it strange.
"Hey, Yorn."
"What's wrong with you?"
Yorn continued staring at Izumi.
Then he spoke quietly.
"Did you get the wrong person?"
"Hah?"
"There's no way a beautiful, cute, and adorable girl like this could kill knights."
"She doesn't even look strong at all."
Yorn pointed at Izumi.
"Besides..."
"Can I marry her?"
Zak and Rey fell silent.
"..."
"..."
---
Back to the present morning.
Izumi tried to remain calm.
She was searching for the best way to get out of this situation.
Yorn grinned.
"Why are you so quiet?"
Izumi let out a long sigh.
"Huuuffft..."
"I'm not your enemy."
"I came here only for revenge."
"The two knights I killed were among the targets of my revenge."
"I'll explain everything if you don't treat me as an enemy."
"But if not..."
Izumi looked at Yorn without fear.
"I'll be forced to fight all of you."
Rey and Zak's eyes widened.
They hadn't expected Izumi to choose such a straightforward approach.
Yorn laughed loudly.
"Hahahaha!"
"So it really was you who killed them."
"Killing knights for revenge?"
"That's not how things are done."
Izumi frowned.
"Huh."
"Killing knights without a trial is the same as destroying the kingdom's laws."
"Do you know the consequences of that?"
Izumi answered without hesitation.
"You think I care?"
Yorn fell silent.
Inside his mind, he thought.
She really is beautiful.
But why does she talk like that?
I was only threatening and teasing her a little.
Yet her reaction is incredibly firm.
She even said she'd fight us.
Which means she already knows that I'm not the only one here.
I've already seen her status too.
She's only an A-Class Adventurer.
Is she really that strong?
At that moment, Rey and Zak entered the room.
"Young Rumi."
"So everything you said was true?"
"Yes."
Rey nodded slowly.
"Can you explain in more detail why you did it?"
"And if I may ask..."
"Where are you keeping that dangerous artifact?"
"And where did you get it from?"
Izumi looked confused.
"Artifact?"
Zak immediately interrupted.
"The artifact you used to kill the two knights I trained."
"Hm..."
Izumi finally understood what they meant.
"I see."
She took a slow breath.
"Alright."
"Before that..."
"I'll tell you everything from the beginning."