I knew exactly what the elven monarchs' escape plan would be. If I killed them as I intended, they’d just be reborn through that last resort method of theirs. It made sense—if I had a tool that convenient, I’d use it too. That’s why I had to make preparations. I had to ensure they died properly. Their existence couldn’t be allowed, just like they never allowed the existence of monarchs who shared their affinities.
That’s why the Aurian capital became my first destination. And here second. But in the Umbryan capital, there was no need for me to do anything—it had already been handled.
As we descended to the palace, the one that obviously belonged to the former Umbryan Patriarch, it wasn’t him who welcomed us. Instead, a tall, familiar figure stood there, flanked by twin demonesses.
He was tall, his hair unnaturally white, and his red irises against his pale skin highlighted exactly what he was. There’s a saying: ‘Elegance is not bound by light nor virtue.’ It couldn’t have felt more accurate. The demon who greeted us was dressed in what could only be described as elegant.
He came to a halt in front of me, silent, and extended his hand. I reached out, and he bowed, pressing his forehead against the back of my hand.
“It’s been a while, Ma’am,” Lucy greeted.
“Indeed,” I said with a wide smile, watching him raise his head. I reached out, touching a face I hadn’t seen in nearly seventy years. He looked like a young man in his mid-twenties—maybe even younger with his smooth, beardless skin. But he’d lived for over two hundred years. I knew that because I was there during his most vulnerable years, just like I had been for Goblin, Blondie, Bortz, and Charlie.
As the seconds stretched, Lucy, whose face I was still holding, asked, “Ma’am?”
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
“What?” I chuckled. “Getting embarrassed being held like this now that you’re a big boy?”
He pulled back slightly. “No,” he denied, then added in a much lower voice, “It’s just that I’m an Archdemon now... As a monarch, I must project fear.”
I laughed at that half-truth, half-excuse, letting go of the Archduke of Hell—a monarch among the demon race. I waved hello to the familiar two demonesses behind him.
“I noticed the city is intact,” I remarked, stepping back.
“Patriarch Linh turned out to be a very reasonable leader. He understood that fighting would ultimately lead not only to his demise but to the suffering of his people.”
“It seems he truly was. I wish the Aurian Matriarch had been as cooperative.”
At that moment, as he slithered up to him, White greeted Lucy too, unleashing a flurry of snake sounds. “I’m not sure what you’re saying, but if it’s that you missed me… I missed you too.”
“Oh, and what about me?” a Goblin asked, stepping forward in his adult form.
Lucy stared at Goblin, eyeing him up and down with an expression that clearly wondered, “What’s that form?” It made sense, this form is one that Goblin just very recently taken the habit of taking. Not commenting on it, Lucy closed on Goblin then whispered, “I missed Blondie. I missed Bortz. I even missed Charlie and Frank. I missed everyone but you.”
Being spat those words practically on his face, Goblin spat back, “I didn’t miss seeing your face either.” Then he suddenly pushed his forehead against Lucy’s, laughing as he clung to him like a drunkard.
“Hehehe, just kidding. Of course I missed you, Lucy. I almost cried when Ma’am told us you wouldn’t join us for this.”
“Well, I wasn’t sure I could make it, so… can’t really blame her for not predicting it.”
“It’s so good to have you back, dude,” Goblin said with teary eyes as he clung to Lucy, completely tarnishing the image Lucy had claimed he was trying to project in front of his two subjects.
“Well, with everyone joining in, it would’ve been a shame for me not to do my bit,” Lucy said, glancing at Bortz, Blondie, and Honey before adding with a self-deprecating chuckle, “I didn’t do much compared to all of you, but at least I did something.”
“And that’s with plenty of obligations already,” I commented.
“Charlie and Frank would’ve been thankful for just your presence alone.”
Lucy nodded, then glanced at Honey and Aquaflora. “I see new faces. I’d appreciate introductions, but this isn’t the place. Please, follow us in. I had the locals prepare a banquet to welcome you all.”