I Was Abandoned by the Demon King I Served for 10 Years

Chapter 12

It was cold. The atmosphere, like a sheet of thin ice, tightened around their throats.

In a space filled with death, rough breathing echoed like a haunting refrain. The Hero, gripping his sword, infused strength into his hands. The pressure emanating from Durin was overwhelming, even for the warrior hailed as humanity's strongest.

"......."

The blowing wind disappeared without a trace. Silence enveloped the surroundings. The sound of blood droplets falling to the ground seeped into the eerie atmosphere.

"Your Highness."

Durin broke the stillness. The Great Demon greeted them from within the darkness.

"It has been a while."

He showed no interest in the humans around him. His crimson eyes were fixed solely on the Black Hood standing at the forefront of the Hero Party. Demon King Lucresia. Once the ruler of the Demon Realm, now a demon left as an object of love and hate. Even in a situation where expressing anger would not have been strange, Durin remained composed.

"Yes. It has been a long time."

Lucresia responded to his greeting with poise. As if it were an everyday occurrence, like family reuniting after a brief separation, she was calm. Yet, the invisible tension between them clashed incessantly. To Kael, the Hero who could perceive the flow of the world, this conversation seemed like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

"I didn’t expect you to chase me this far. You must have done your research well. Did Rudmila help you?"

"I have no interest in idle chatter, Your Highness. Please stop and return to the castle."

"Ugh. Couldn’t you at least answer before getting to the point? It’s suffocating."

"That is exactly what I wish to say. Please respond quickly."

"Hmm. Let’s see."

Lucresia dragged out her words.

The Demon King’s characteristic yellow eyes, visible beneath the Black Hood, were indifferent. The answer was already decided. Though she was looking at Durin, the magic energy flowing from her surrounded the Hero. It was as if she was signaling how she would act if Durin displayed his power.

"I don’t particularly want to go back, Durin."

The Demon King was resolute. She had no intention of overturning the decision she had already made.

"I’m going to the Gate. I want to live my life my way, without being dragged around by that damned duty."

"..."

"So. So, you see, this is truly unavoidable, isn’t it?"

"Your Highness."

"If I’m to send you back, this is the only way."

The softly spoken words signaled the beginning.

Kwaaaaa—

Magic energy erupted into the sky, shattering the quiet night. A dense, violet aura, incomparable to before, engulfed the abandoned temple. It was a greedy, violent force, as if it sought to devour all life in the world. It was the moment the true form of the Demon King, hidden beneath the Black Hood, was revealed to the world.

"I’ll warn you. This is the first and last time."

"That is not possible."

"I told you to step aside, Durin."

Kwaang!

The magic energy shot forward like a bullet and exploded beside Durin. Shards of debris scattered around him as he stood still. Another scratch was added to his already battered, rugged armor. Durin gently touched the small wound.

"I have served and waited for you for a long time. Even without the qualifications, I believed that one day you would possess the authority befitting a king."

He spoke to Lucresia, who was preparing to unleash her magic energy again.

"The Previous Demon King was certain, so I did not doubt. As the castle’s guardian, I vowed to fulfill my duty and watch over you until you grew. That was my oath."

Kaang!

This time, a sharp sound rang out. The magic energy struck Durin’s helmet directly. Yet, no injury was inflicted. Instead, a shimmering aura began to emanate from Durin. At the same time, his crimson eyes burned more intensely than ever.

"But I will give up. Ten years of devotion to someone like you. I believe I have done enough."

Durin gripped his sword. The massive blade, emerging from the black magic energy, was aimed squarely at the Demon King.

"So don’t think you’ll leave here unscathed, traitor Lucresia."

In that instant, the world reversed. The space dominated by the Demon King’s power was pushed back. Durin’s crimson magic energy began to burn everything.

Black and red.

Countless clashes erupted in the sky split in two. The first to move was the Demon King.

"Hero! Prepare for battle!"

The thunderous command jolted the party awake. Snapping back to their senses, they moved swiftly.

With Durin at the center, Kael and the Dwarf Warrior took the front line, while the Mage began casting a large-scale spell. To buy time, the Elf Archer quickly retreated to the rear and drew her bowstring.

Piiing!

An arrow, signaling the start of the battle, grazed Durin’s helmet.

Durin slowly stepped forward. The magic energy surrounding him like mist continuously poured strength into him. As he neared his limit, Durin planted his foot firmly.

Crack—

In a fleeting moment, time seemed to slow. His crimson eyes locked onto his target.

The Demon King in the sky. The Hero and the Dwarf in the front line. The Mage under protection and the lone Elf. It’s that one.

Boom!!

Durin surged forward with a massive explosion. The Demon King and the Hero reacted to stop him, but they couldn’t match his speed.

Fear engulfed the Elf. The Archer hastily tried to draw her dagger but was too late.

"Kyaaah!"

The swung sword shattered the Elf’s bow as it passed. Her frail body was flung helplessly, rolling across the ground.

"Eliya!"

The Hero unleashed his Holy Power. A white aura enveloped the Elf. Without stopping, Kael raised his sword and charged.

Ka-ga-gang!! Kang!

The sharp clash of metal echoed. Kael poured strength into his hands, channeling his Holy Power explosively, determined to cut through Durin.

Durin’s magic energy was so dense that it couldn’t be penetrated, but it bought a brief moment. The Dwarf Warrior, who had joined by then, swung his axe.

"Hyaah!"

With a spirited shout, a heavy impact grazed Durin’s shoulder. Twisting his body to evade the attack, the Hero lunged again. Blocking with his forearm and kicking him away, the Demon King seized the opening to engage in close combat.

Boom!!

A fist cloaked in black magic struck Durin. As he slid backward, kicking up dust, the Demon King didn’t miss a beat and followed up immediately.

A punch aimed at his upper body came in. Blocking it, he deflected the black magic targeting his abdomen. Spinning his body, Durin redirected the Demon King’s attack. As their positions switched, the Hero and the Dwarf Warrior charged. Their weapons traced arcs aimed at Durin. But they didn’t connect.

Instead, unable to withstand the force of Durin’s unleashed aura, they were flung backward.

"Ugh!"

"Kael, stay back!"

The moment the space opened, Durin's eyes caught sight of the Mage. A massive Magic Circle manifested. Rune Characters intricately engraved within the enormous circle began resonating with the world. At the same time, the Mage shouted.

"Disappear!"

Kwaaaang-!

Condensed magic energy exploded. The Magic Bullet fired directly engulfed Durin. A blue light illuminated the sky, scattering with the force to obliterate everything in its path. Dust clouds obscured the view. The remnants of magic energy settled as fine particles. Even so, the Mage did not let her guard down.

A Great Demon doesn’t end with just this. Surely...

"Impressive."

From within the obscured view, a hand suddenly emerged and grabbed the Mage's neck. Durin appeared, unscathed. A horrifying and sharp sensation climbed up her throat. The Mage trembled. The fear she had suppressed began creeping back up.

"S-spare me...."

Crack!

The voice leaking from her crushed throat was cut off. With a dull sound, the Mage's body went limp. It was a pitiful end for a member of the Hero Party. When the dust left by the remnants of the grand magic finally cleared, only Durin stood there.

"E-Eily...."

The Hero stammered in shock. The Holy Power that had surged fiercely wavered, losing its direction. His trembling eyes fell on the lifeless Mage. Durin turned to face the Hero.

"Do you feel ready to fight me in earnest now?"

Thud! The corpse fell from the Demon’s grasp. The lifeless body lay motionless. Farewell had come in an instant.

"Durin."

The Hero called the Demon’s name. There was no resolve in his voice. Only a burning heart remained.

"Durin."

He repeated the name once more. The color of the Holy Power changed. The pure white aura was consumed by a crimson energy.

"Durin!"

This time, it was a near scream. The Hero’s power erupted, splitting the ground. The force rivaled that of the Demon King and Durin, revealing savage claws. The Holy Power, consumed by emotion, was unrefined and as violent as a demon.

"Now this is getting interesting."

Durin loosened his hands and faced the enraged Hero. Three remained. Excluding the insignificant Dwarf, the situation had actually improved in terms of strength. That’s why he was pleased. The more the trials foretold by the Prophetess of Oracle intensified, the more the Demon’s instincts stirred.

The joy and ecstasy of standing before a colossal destiny that could only send the King away.

If he couldn’t claim the outcome, he would destroy everything except the King.

#

"What an absurd monster."

The Dwarf Warrior Turan clicked his tongue. It felt like witnessing a war for the fate of the world. The battle between the crimson Hero and the even greater Demon. Though he prided himself as the strongest warrior of his race, he felt more insignificant than a mere foot soldier before these beings of extraordinary scale.

Even deflecting the stray magic energy with his axe was a struggle. Behind him lay the fallen Elf.

"Damn it. This can’t go on."

The Mage Eily was dead, and the Elf was gravely injured. She had barely survived Durin’s initial attack thanks to the World Tree’s blessing. But that was all. Ultimately, the outcome of this battle depended on how the Hero fought.

For now, the fight seemed evenly matched, giving some hope. But the problem was what came next. The Demon Tribe would swarm. The power of the Demon King and the Great Demon ahead had made their presence known throughout the Demon Realm, so it wouldn’t be surprising if an army arrived at any moment.

"At least it’s fortunate we brought the Demon along."

The Demon King would serve as sufficient deterrence. If they prepared to retreat at this moment...

"What the—"

The sensation he felt then was unease. A question arose in Turan’s mind. We were definitely traveling with the Demon King.

They had no choice but to accept her presence, unpleasant as it was, because her power was necessary to use the Gate to escape. He had thought her contributions in the earlier battle were enough to justify her presence.

But now that he thought about it, where was she?

Looking around, the Demon King was nowhere to be seen. Only her distinctive black magic energy lingered, as if she had vanished somewhere. The battle had been left entirely to the Hero.

At that moment, he sensed foreboding. Turan turned his head toward the altar. The temple, now completely half-destroyed from the battle’s aftermath, had a small door remaining on one of its surviving walls. And there, the Demon King was trying to leave. While Durin was occupied with the Hero, she was escaping.

"T-that!"

Was she trying to survive alone while the party was on the verge of collapse?

Turan acted on instinct. His boiling anger screamed at him to forget the battle and chase after the Demon King. Durin briefly turned his attention toward the Dwarf, but the Hero’s charge prevented him from focusing for long.

Bang!!

"Your opponent is here! Durin!"

A massive storm turned the area into chaos. Turan leapt over the crumbling ground and threw himself through the door.

He tumbled several times upon entering, rolling across the floor and colliding with walls and stairs before finally landing. The Dwarf Warrior managed to get to his feet.

He had arrived in a small Underground Cave. Amidst the vibrations caused by the Hero and Durin’s battle, which continuously stirred up dust, the Demon King stood. With her hood pulled back, the Demon manipulated magic energy in her hands, staring at the Gate before her. It was the escape route the party had painstakingly sought to reach the Human Realm. Unable to hold back any longer, Turan burst out in fury.

"Are you trying to escape alone, Demon King!"

He gripped his axe tightly. Whatever was happening outside no longer mattered. With everything already in disarray, even if death awaited him, he wanted to vent his anger. Turan charged forward.

But the gap in power was undeniable. The Dwarf’s rage was utterly insignificant before her.

"What are you doing? This is pathetic."

She merely flicked her index finger. That small, butterfly-like motion brought the Dwarf to his knees. The overwhelming power she exerted now made the magic energy she had scattered outside seem like child’s play. Turan could only writhe, his head pressed against the ground.

"Honestly. I traveled with you, and now you think you’re my equal?"

The Demon King Lucresia snapped her fingers lightly. The Gate began to activate. An alien wave spread through the underground chamber. The space started to distort. The cracks forming converged around the Demon King.

The story was nearing its end. Lucresia smiled.

"Me, in love with the Hero? Did you really believe that just because I said so?"

She looked down at the fallen Dwarf. Her eyes, filled with contempt, regarded him as if he were an insect.

"Did you think being revered in the Human Realm made you something special? Did you think hunting Demons in the Demon Realm meant you could defeat everyone except your master, the Angel? It was all an illusion. You thought it was real because we humored you by playing along."

Heh. A sneer escaped her lips. As if in response, the Gate entered its final stage. A beam of light pierced through the ceiling, shooting upward. A new star appeared in the chaotic night sky of the Demon Realm. The Demon King gazed at the magnificent sight with a smile.

"Hahaha! Thanks to you, I can finally escape. From this cursed continent."

Those were her final words. The pillar of light illuminating the Demon Realm vanished, leaving a long trail behind. The Demon King disappeared with it. All that remained were the fading black magic energy and a few corpses.

The Hero and the Demon both lay collapsed.

#

"She’s gone."

Durin was also watching the scene. The great flow of the world foretold by the Prophetess of Oracle. The destiny arranged by the gods.

The Demon King had left for the Human Realm. She was no longer in the hands of the Demons. Now, everyone would feel it. The throne of the Demon Realm was empty. The void left by her power, on a completely different scale, would render the entire Demon Realm powerless.

He lowered his sword. With the situation resolved, there was no need to fight further. Knowing the outcome, he felt no anger.

Instead, he felt relieved. For once, he had been able to vent his frustrations on someone.

"......."

The Hero’s broken body lay there. The sword left his one-armed body. The artifact that had once radiated Holy Power was now reduced to scraps of metal scattered on the ground. Compared to Durin’s unscathed body, it was a pitiful sight.

Still, he was the strongest warrior of humanity, so he was barely clinging to life. Like his comrades, he looked as though he might cross over to death at any moment.

The mage was already dead, an exception to this.

"Did you help the Demon King escape, expecting this?"

Durin crouched down to meet the fallen Hero at eye level. The blood-soaked face gave no response. However, the faint twitch of his eyebrows revealed the anger that still lingered.

"You must feel wronged. You must have had your reasons for doing this. But you didn’t expect to end up in such a miserable state, did you?"

"......."

"If you’re a Hero, you must act according to the will of the gods. If that’s the case, then your death must be what the gods wanted. A forsaken warrior."

He was no longer the chosen one. No one would look at his grotesque appearance and think of the sacred image of a Hero.

Durin recalled a conversation he once had with the Witch. She had asked him this:

- What would you do if you were faced with a fate you couldn’t resist?

His answer had been simple.

- There’s only one thing I can do when faced with an irresistible force.

- You shouldn’t let the world pass by so easily.

No matter what trials came his way, he would struggle against them all. A determination not to remain idle. That was why he had been able to carve out a new path.

- You said the Demon King is destined to return to the Human Realm.

- That’s right, Durin.

- Then, may I ask if the Hero is destined for the same fate?

- That seems to be something you hold in your hands.

The future she had spoken of unfolded before his eyes. Durin held the Hero’s life in his hands. He could snap his neck right now and turn this Hero’s assault into a tragic finale.

But, as he had said before, he had no intention of ending things so easily.

"Forsaken human warrior. I have something to ask you."

He spoke as he sheathed his sword into the magic energy.

"Do you want to end this story here and now?"