Chapter 394: The Aspects of Master and Servant

Arche, the Devilish Reigning City. At the royal palace.

On the throne of the royal palace, where the original owner disappeared, the Controller, Drigman, was staring at the half ring. He remained seated in the throne chair while feeling that precious heat in his fingertips.

A magic tool given to him by the Bastion Beast Zebrililith in the past. It was the embodiment of a myth that depicted the will of the almighty.

The ring, infused with the miracle that allowed it to control humanity and its subspecies, continued to shine with an unchanging brilliance. Except that it lost the other half.

Drigman opened his eyes with searing anger and confusion. Even though it was right in front of him before, he didn’t realize that the ring had been cut in half.

How would one react when something that should be impossible was happening right in front of one’s eyes? Should he be surprised or confused? Drigman’s state of mind was in turmoil.

But it was okay. Soon, the other piece would come back to complete the ring.

After all, Drigman could feel that the other half was now moving closer to him without any rest.

A curse was placed on the ring. Once, on the verge of being snatched away by Altia, a spell was cast to tie it with his body.

This ring was destined to come back to Drigman. A determined fate could not be changed no matter what happened.

When Drigman finally put the incomplete ring away with a stiff face, Velg, the demonic beast with the lower body of a horse, beat his hoof and opened his mouth. Apparently, he had been waiting until his master regained his composure.

「When the sun rose, humans from outside the city began a small-scale offensive. We have already sent our troops to respond to that attack. I wonder if our troops will be sufficiently capable of responding to that threat.」

Drigman answered yes to Velg’s whimpering voice. Then, Drigman continued speaking. At least to Velg, it didn’t sound like his master was dealing with a crisis, but rather as if he was speaking with deep emotion.

「Humanity has become stronger. It’s worth the surprise. 」

To be honest, Velg was at a loss of words. He didn’t know what to answer. Should he respond by saying that was true, or should he talk about the aspects of warfare?

Seeing Velg, whose expression was unusually sluggish, Drigman let out a wry smile and said that he didn’t want to cause him trouble. He proceeded to speak.

「It’s not just the body. The soul has become strong too. Back in the day, I never imagined that a human would lead an army and fight against us.」

There was a time when demonic beings roamed the earth freely. At that time, there were not many people who could think for themselves, let alone lead an army.

They were livestock, toys, and sometimes food. Everyone accepted that fact. Most humans would never have thought of rebelling against demonic nature.

It was natural for humans to be deprived and oppressed. The demonic side also understood that their cruel behavior was natural.

In such a peaceful and happy time, there was only one human who took up arms, chanted magic, and showed its fangs to the demonic nature. She was the only woman who, as if guided by divine will, made all demonic beings bow down by establishing the rights of humanity.

…The Humankind’s Hero Altia.

Drigman’s eyebrows twisted as he muttered in his heart the name of that disgusting woman. Then, he let out all the emotions that had arisen in his heart and let out a sigh.

There were many things on his mind, but he couldn’t just ignore what was right in front of him. In order to reach Altia’s neck, he had to overcome all kinds of difficulties and defeat the human race. This was just the prelude to a long journey.

「I can read their minds. Most of the humans making a fuss outside are probably acting as a diversion. There will always be a side force. I believe they want to ravage this city’s palace in order to shake up our side.」

Velg nodded slightly in response to Drigman’s words. He couldn’t decide whether or not that was the right thing to do, but he trusted Drigman enough to accept it.

「We’ll crush them one by one. You should lead your troops and attack those outside, Velg. What you’ll do will be very important. Suppress them to the point where everyone won’t get second thoughts.」

Velg responded to his master’s words while strumming his horse’s hooves, and then opened his mouth in response.

「Understood. Well then, Commander, I’ll prepare the soldiers. Since there’s a separate group, the only person they’ll be targeting is you.」

Diversion and a separate hidden group. If those things were prepared, even Velg could guess what the humans thought. Or rather, his wits had gotten better under this master’s care.

Those humans were trying to somehow kill the leader of these demonic beings.

Velg knew that such a thing couldn’t happen. However, there was no guarantee that the humans wouldn’t come up with some disgusting plot to hurt Drigman. Besides, there was also the other magical devilish being who coughed up blood and ran away forcibly.

In that case, this royal palace, which stood out too much and should no longer be their main base.

Although its structure was better than the other buildings, there was little point in continuing to stay here since many soldiers had left.

As Velg explained and moved his hooves, Drigman said in a firm voice.

「…I won’t do that. I’ll intercept that side force right here. Velg, I won’t allow you to interfere with the humans heading to the royal palace. You should only suppress those who are trying to wreak havoc on the city’s outskirts.」

For the first time Velg couldn’t agree with Drigman’s words. He just couldn’t understand what those words meant.

However, Drigman’s words were powerful enough to compel him to obey. His dignified appearance stared at Velg with a strong expression. Naturally, there was no joking tone.

Why? The enemy was clearly trying to target the core of the demonic beings.

If that was the case, all they had to do was use their soldiers to divide the road to the palace or disrupt it so they couldn’t reach it. As time passed, this side would have an advantage.

There was no point in rushing the attack. All they had to do was let the enemy fall on their trap. Desperately suppressing the words that were about to fall from his tongue, Velg asked him the reason why in a small-sounding voice.

Drigman curled his lips slightly and said, This is the first time you’ve asked me why.

「…This throne has been built for the Bastion Beast Zebrililith. In order for him to regain his sanity, we cannot allow this to be taken away.」

Even as he said this, Drigman’s voice didn’t contain much enthusiasm. It sounded to Velg like a reason he had made up for this moment.

It was true that Drigman had some kind of magic mechanism that helped him somehow, but it wasn’t something that humans could easily break down. So what was the problem? At best, there would be just some concern that humans would vandalize the royal palace.

Therefore, Velg thought that this place was perhaps his favorite.

「Also, there’s Jewel. She’s a woman who will not change what she has decided to do, even if it means putting a curse on herself. She won’t change once she has done that. That’s what a jewel is. Therefore, once we’ve become enemies, the only thing that will end this is when either I or she dies.」

…Jewel Bar Agathos is a master at fighting against the majority and against the army. She is good at killing, but that’s also her weakness. The more soldiers she kills the merrier.

Drigman said, lifting the glass in his hand and touching it with his lips. At that point, Velg finally realized what his master was trying to say.

At that moment, Velg reflexively opened his mouth. The roar of the demonic beast engulfed the royal palace.

「Lord Controller, that’s…no, my soldiers and I are not afraid of losing our lives. Even more so if it’s a meaningful death! There’s no way we’ll portray the cowardly face! 」

Velg spoke emphatically that all demonic beasts were like that. Drigman could see that his eyes were atrophied in a way that had never happened before. Velg couldn’t directly go against his master’s words, but he could at least say his thoughts.

Drigman said without changing his expression, but with a slight change in tone.

「Thank you. Your words are a great honor to me. However, Velg, my orders to you remain unchanged.」

There was a force in that voice that made Velg’s words sink in. There was even a faint sense of power that precluded any opposition from appearing before his eyes.

「No matter where I go, I can only be the Controller. And since that’s the case, I have a duty to properly control you. Even if Jewel comes here, I won’t die. But you will die. I won’t forgive you if you allow yourself to die.」

I won’t say this again. Do as I say, Drigman said. Velg slammed his hoof on the floor three times. He didn’t say anything anymore. He bowed his head and obeyed the Controller’s words.

There was only the bond of master and servant exchanged in silence. Drigman put his lips to the glass again and narrowed his eyes.

Then, he felt the remaining half of his ring move closer to the palace.

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