Within the Demon King’s Castle grounds.
The exploration team that had just ventured into the black mist stumbled back out once more.
Though there were no casualties or injuries, each person had been affected in some way.
Some looked perfectly normal but their eyes were filled with madness.
Others were paranoid, clutching their heads and weeping uncontrollably after emerging.
Yet about half the militia remained relatively unaffected, hoping only to avoid venturing deeper into the black mist.
It was clear that their confidence from before entering was completely gone, replaced by lingering fear and hesitation.
Only Sig, exhausted and worn out, wore a face full of helplessness—after all, he was the one who truly suffered.
Damn it. He had thought these people could handle the job, at most assisting him, but in the end, he had to do everything himself.
What a bunch of useless idiots. From now on, training had to be stricter to prevent this from happening again.
Might as well add venturing into the black mist to the regular training schedule.
At that moment, the silver-haired girl beside him spoke up at just the right time.
Like a kindred spirit, her rosy lips parted slightly, voicing what had been on his mind.
“Why don’t you include venturing into the black mist as part of our daily training? That way, situations like this won’t happen again…”
Indeed, she felt some disappointment and guilt about the situation. She couldn’t always rely on Sig.
Once or twice would be fine, but if it happened repeatedly, it would undermine the whole point of building Demon King’s Castle.
Her delicate pink fists clenched tightly, unwilling to accept it, silently vowing to make him witness the growth and purpose of the Demon King’s Castle next time.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s do exactly that—I’ll leave it to you. I won’t interfere.”
He nodded without objection, granting the girl authority, while also nodding towards the prisoners in the nearby cage cart.
The knights inside looked utterly drained, on the brink of death.
Under the dual torment of imprisonment and the black mist, their eyes had lost their former luster.
They were no different from walking corpses, just like Fat Tiger—only on the surface, no one knew if they were pretending to lower their guard or truly giving up.
“I understand. I’ll make the arrangements right away.”
Amelia showed no objection. She nodded steadily, like a devoted wife to her husband, revealing a faint, sweet smile.
In her arms, she carried a heavy cloth sack filled with all sorts of strange plants—some even bore sharp, tooth-like thorns.
They were edible types, but highly poisonous to humans.
There were even mutated varieties… but with careful cultivation, there would eventually be results.
At least the food situation was looking up. Water sources had also been easily secured.
She lifted her gaze slightly and looked toward the nearby restored water supply.
A wave of relief washed over her—this was truly wonderful.
Our Demon King’s Castle is thriving. It won’t be long before…
With that, the two prepared to attend to their respective duties. There was plenty to do within their territory, and staying together reduced efficiency too much.
They planned to have a proper discussion and review their experiences later that night.
Just then, Sig seemed to think of something and called out to the girl who was about to leave.
He might have been considering future sustainable development, even though it was still too early.
Unable to suppress his excitement, his trembling hand gestured to get her attention before politely easing into the topic.
“By the way, Amelia, are you planning to awaken the Chosen One next?”
“Yes. I originally planned to awaken before entering the black mist, but things happened, so I had to stop the process.”
Amelia didn’t argue, instinctively tucking a stray strand of silver hair behind her ear.
Her hair fluttered in the breeze as she honestly explained the reason, a little uncertain but sincere.
The reason for the early departure was, naturally, that she had to search for food within the black mist.
Normally, she wouldn’t have set out until a few days later.
It was clear the intent was elsewhere. Sig’s expression turned serious as he brought up the real matter, pulling out his hand to ask for something—the true path was always through money.
“Wasn’t there that guy who claimed to be a prince? Let me see the relics he left with you. I haven’t looked at them closely yet. Maybe there’s something valuable that can help cover household expenses.”
“No problem. I’ve kept them safe all along.”
The girl carefully produced an old, yellowed letter, opened countless times, and a finely carved pendant, seemingly a proof of identity.
Beyond that, there was nothing else.
Sig’s excitement quickly evaporated.
He frowned as he took the letter, opening it with reluctance.
He had expected to inherit some farm or ranch back home.
Instead, the first line read, “Our family has fallen from grace…”
It was a thunderclap on a clear day.
What the hell is this? Is it even legitimate?
Suppressing his unease, he forced himself to keep reading.
The letter spoke of a fallen prince—so that was plausible enough.
Wait, what’s this about saving a sister and being robbed of the throne by some noble?
He skimmed over that part, only noticing the word “money.”
A country’s king should have plenty of money, right?
Extorting a prince’s identity to get some cash wasn’t out of the question.
Besides, neither the kingdom nor the nobles’ money was clean—using it wouldn’t weigh on his conscience.
…
He was still daydreaming about future opportunities when his expression suddenly shifted.
His pupils dilated as he dropped the letter back into the girl’s palm and silently stared into the distance.
He murmured, grave as if facing a mortal enemy.
“So soon? It’s already recovered… half a year faster than I expected. Plans never keep up with reality. There’s no helping it… so be it.”
But it was clear he had already prepared for the worst.
The hope that had just been kindled was shattered.
Even he found it hard to bear.
If only I had six more months… six months.
But there’s no ‘if.’ Reality marches on, cruel and unstoppable.
Amelia looked on confused, tilting her head, about to ask a question.
But before she could, familiar shouts came ringing in her ears, cutting off her words and making her heart skip a beat.
“Amelia, where are you? I’ve come for you. I’ll take you home. Let’s go home together. You don’t belong here—you belong only to me.”
Above the Demon King’s Castle, Gerard appeared like a god.
He effortlessly broke through the castle’s barrier defense, floating in midair.
The Hero’s Sword in his hand was stained with human blood, his eyes bloodshot, radiating immense pressure.
This was proof of his prime condition, his mouth twisting into a sinister grin.
He shouted the name of his beloved—Amelia—loudly.
No response came.
Only confused looks from the slaves answered him.
Amelia, still unnoticed by Gerard on the ground, quickly realized something was terribly wrong.
Without a word, her expression turned grave and dark.
She grabbed Sig beside her, preparing to leave immediately, to escape the Demon King’s Castle.
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.
As she pulled him, she whispered urgently, explaining the seriousness of the situation.
“With Gerard’s state, he’ll probably level this place to the ground. We have to run while we still can. Sig, as long as the green mountains remain, we need not fear lack of firewood. We still have a chance to rise again. As long as there’s you and me, we can…”
Before she could finish, he covered her mouth with his hand.
With gentle eyes, he signaled her to stop talking and softly shook his head.
A hint of resolve flickered in his eyes as he sighed deeply.
“This is truly a stone against an egg…”
But the fatigue of a century’s hardships, the despair of having no home to return to, and the resulting self-abandonment had all combined to fracture his spirit.
“Run? It’s unlikely that the two of us can escape.”
His complex gaze scanned the terrifying, tightly woven net of traps all around them.
This was entirely the work of one hero, and it was obvious he was determined to get Amelia.
But Hakimi, in his rebellious phase, wouldn’t let the enemy have his way so easily.
It was clear Gerard’s target was singular, and he had come only for one person.
Moreover, he had just shouted her name.
But the interference from so many others had kept him from finding Amelia—so far.
If he did find her, he’d likely pounce like a mad dog. Escape would be impossible unless…
There was no chance. At most, only one of them could run—either him or Amelia.
But he wasn’t the type to chicken out; fleeing was not in his nature.
Feigning nonchalance, he stretched lazily.
Though long prepared to die, now because of this woman, he hesitated.
Sigh. This was something he should have done long ago… only ten years late.
“Again with this? I’m tired too. Maybe it’s fate. This is my last chance to destroy the world and go home. I won’t watch it be destroyed without a fight.
I will die here fighting.
Perhaps I died in Demon King’s Castle ten years ago, and what remains of me is only a lingering obsession.”
He paused, speaking with unquestionable certainty.
“Enough with the nonsense. Amelia, I’ll buy you some time—five minutes at most. You gather everyone and run. Leave this place and don’t come back.”
Just as he was about to engage the enemy, Amelia pulled him back fiercely.
She refused to leave, seemingly having seen through something.
Tears glimmered in her eyes, knowing full well that once he left, he would never return.
“No. We’ll leave together. If worse comes to worst, it’s a new beginning.”
“Let alone whether we can escape together, starting over sounds easy, but I’ve tried countless times. I know opportunities only come once or twice.
But I’m out of chances, and see no hope left. All that’s left is torment.
Amelia, my journey ends here. Let the story of the Demon King and the Hero come to an end.”
For the first time in a while, he showed genuine emotion, gently stroking her silver hair.
“Besides, I don’t want you to fall into Gerard’s clutches—life worse than death.
You wouldn’t want that either.
After all, you’re my woman, and you belong to me and me alone.”
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed the unwilling girl and with all his strength, threw her out.
She broke through the Hero’s deadly net with an irresistible force.