Chapter 123: Forgiveness is something to be earned, not given
The duel--or rather, sparing--didn’t end with the Chief Guard.
After that, the event continued with the elite soldiers, with the human facing several demons at once. Again, there was always a worried expression on his face, but the fluidity of his movement was nothing but veteran material.
For the soldiers of greed that never actually brought their skill to war before, it was an eye-opening experience. Though they hadn’t completely gotten rid of their fear and apprehension toward the sacred weapon, they grew to respect the one wielding such a deadly tool. Especially when they recalled how the human scolded that scary weapon like he would a child.
It was fascinating because when they glimpse upon his visage as he walked through the castle hall these few days, the man looked so innocent and harmless. Especially when he was accompanied by other demons, who were towering above him. Even with the force of nature and the Lord’s mana enveloping him, the human looked as if he couldn’t hurt a fly--which actually wasn’t a reach considering he was also a druid.
But just like everything that belonged to the Lord, the human bore similar trait; never looked as it seemed.
With a weapon in his hands, they were reminded once again who this man was; a war hero, forgotten he might be.
Even those who only watched from below couldn’t help but get excited and watched with rapt attention to pick a lesson or two from the sparing. So focused they were that they didn’t realize their Lord had graced the training ground with his presence until a crisp hand-clapping could be heard from the side.
It was right after the last bout, and the sun had risen to its peak. The day that should be filled with joint training between divisions became free sparing with the Lord’s future spouse. Which, in itself, was miles better than the original schedule.
The human, who had been shedding his outer coat at the third spar, turned to look toward the source of the sound. Immediately, the soldiers kneeled on the ground in the presence of their Lord, as the human walked down the arena with the sentient Spear hovering behind him.
"You did a great job, sweetheart," the Lord smiled and gazed warmly at the human, something that the other demons had never received from him, even the trusted vassals. "Let’s take a break and have lunch before you check on the--"
"Jade," the human, unexpectedly, walked past the Lord while calling out to the little bird who flew toward him with a key medallion in its beak. Wordlessly, he opened the deep green door and stepped inside the chamber, before locking it again.