0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 17: The Prelude (3) (Part 2)

The man with black hair handed a necklace to the red-haired girl, and Jacob’s breath returned. He gasped for air.

“Huff! Huff!”

“Wow. You’ve changed a lot since last time. Much better looking. Are humans such changing beings?”

“Is that boy the human who made a contract with the Demon King?”

“Yeah. Hello.”

The man with black hair waved his hand. Jacob snapped back to reality.

“Ah…”

He thought it would be easier since he had seen them before. But that was a misconception. The beings before him were of magic. They were the leaders of those beings. The Demon King, the enemy of humanity.

Jacob bit his lip. Swallowing the blood that pooled in his mouth, he bowed.

“I greet the great Demon King.”

The door closed.

**** ****

“Ho, a human in a proper stance. I like it.”

Bathesia smiled pleasantly at Jacob, who greeted them with a proper demeanor. Karos waved his hand.

“Enough, stand up.”

“Yes.”

Jacob stood up with a stiff face. His pale complexion looked somewhat pitiable.

“Bathesia, heal him.”

“Got it.”

Bathesia readily nodded. This time was different. The boy before her was a contractor, deserving of respect. A Black light enveloped the boy, and color returned to his pallid face. Jacob, feeling more comfortable, cautiously asked.

“Why have you summoned me…?”

“Nothing special. Just have some questions and tasks for you.”

Jacob swallowed. The bitter taste of iron was palpable.

The first command from the Demon King. It must not be taken lightly. Jacob said with a firm voice.

“What do you wish for?”

“There was a daughter of the original lord in your village, right? Tell me about her.”

“Yes.”

He had questions but chose not to ask. Curiosity killed the cat, they say. Jacob didn’t want to die.

“Her name is Irina Astoria, probably in her early twenties by now. She had silver hair and golden eyes, a beautiful person. She was well-regarded by the villagers for her care.”

“She took care of them?”

“Yes. She occasionally set up distribution centers for hungry children and often came down to check if there was anything uncomfortable for us. Many times, those issues were resolved.”

“A rare good noble, then.”

“Yes. She truly was a kind person.”

Jacob had also received her kindness. Enchanted by her beauty and smile, he followed her around for days, though he was caught and scolded not long after.

“And she must have had a good reputation among the castle’s retainers too. She treated her subordinates well, was extremely intelligent, and solved many crises that befell the village.”

“…It doesn’t seem like there was any reason for her to disappear?”

Karos murmured as he listened. If she had a good standing with both the people and the retainers, she must have had some power. She was virtually the center of the village, except for one person.

“How was her relationship with the current lord?”

“…It wasn’t good.”

Even he, a mere beggar, could tell their relationship was bad. Whenever they met in the village, they would raise their voices at each other.

“Then it’s a problem with the lord. Good.”

Karos smiled lightly. A chilling sensation made Jacob shiver.

“Was she killed or kept alive? Even if they were kin, he wouldn’t have easily laid hands on her. If she’s hidden, where? Outside? Or inside the village? Good. Good.”

Karos nodded repeatedly. Bathesia discreetly stepped back at the eerie sensation.

“Tell me more about the current lord. And I’ll give you an order.”

Jacob hastily nodded. And behind him, Soccu tilted her head.

“Silver hair and golden eyes.”

She paused, mulling over. The conditions matched someone she knew.

“Hey.”

Soccu opened her mouth.

* * *

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Water dripped onto the woman’s head, wetting her hair. The clanking footsteps approached her.

“Your meal.”

“Thank you.”

“…Are you alright?”

The soldier looked at the woman with pity. The once radiant silver hair was now dusty and ash-gray, her body emaciated to the point of revealing bones. The soldier bit his lip.

“…I’ll speak on your behalf.”

“Don’t. It won’t change the child’s mind. If anything, you’ll be punished.”

“No. But. Why would the lord, to you…!”

The soldier clenched his teeth with a distorted face. The woman brushed off the dust on the bread and tore it.

“Who knows. My words must have displeased him. Being thrown in here right after he became the lord.”

“This is truly wrong. Not just me, but other soldiers think the same.”

The soldier’s eyes, looking at the woman, were filled with anger and pity.

How beautiful she was, how intelligent. Many owed their lives and happiness to her. Essentially, the territory thrived because of her.

And yet, simply because she was a woman without inheritance rights, she was thrown in here.

The woman tore the bread.

“What is the child doing now?”

“Probably drinking in the village again, claiming it as his own without paying. If he dislikes something, he destroys it, or drags women away for his pleasure.”

Disgust was evident in the soldier’s voice. The woman muttered bitterly.

“He hasn’t changed, then.”

Signs have been there since he was young. Thus, she often advised him. Violence has its limits; be a benevolent leader. Sometimes he seemed to agree, giving her peace of mind. But it was an act. Once he gained power, her confinement here made it clear.

“If only you were the lord!”

“I’m a woman without inheritance rights. There’s no other way. Go back now. It’s dangerous to stay here any longer.”

“…I will visit again.”

The soldier hesitated at her languid reply, then turned away. His footsteps faded. The woman bit into the bread. Her eyes were unfocused.

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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