The time in this world isn’t much different from Earth. At around 4:30 PM, Zealot decided to make his way back to the castle, realizing that dusk was approaching and the journey back would take several hours on foot. Fighting in the dark wasn't favorable for him, given that monsters were more active at night.
Upon returning to Zealot Castle, located in the center of the city, he called it a day, recognizing the encroaching darkness. He set about preparing dinner and planned to rest for the remainder of the evening.
Zealot's return to his castle marked the end of a long and eventful day. As he settled in for the evening, he reflected on the challenges he had faced and the victories he had achieved. Despite the dangers lurking in the forest and the fierce battles he had fought, he felt a sense of satisfaction knowing that he had emerged stronger and more resilient than before.
MUNCH! MUNCH! MUNCH! NOM! NOM! NOM!
"Mmm! Delicious! As expected of the high-quality food enjoyed by the Demon Kings in this world," he said to himself.
As he enjoyed his dinner and prepared for a well-deserved rest, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the experiences he had gained in this world. Each day brought new challenges and opportunities for growth, and he was determined to make the most of them.
With a contented sigh, Zealot retired to his underground chambers, the warmth of the fire and the comfort of his surroundings enveloping him like a protective embrace. After locking the door securely, he settled in for the night. As he drifted off to sleep, his mind filled with dreams of future adventures and the promise of even greater triumphs to come.
…
…
At around midnight, Zealot was startled awake by a peculiar voice emanating from the depths of the castle's underground. Initially brushing it off as his imagination, he attempted to ignore it and drift back to sleep. However, the strange noise persisted, continually interrupting his rest. Unable to ignore it any longer, driven by both curiosity and annoyance, he resolved to investigate.
"How irritating?! This is getting ridiculous! Who dares to disturb my sleep?!" Zealot grumbled to himself, his frustration evident in his voice.
As he delved deeper into the castle's underground, holding a fire torch and seeking out the source of the peculiar noise, he stumbled upon a new area known as the “Underground Prison.” Guided by the strange noise, he explored prison cell after prison cell until he eventually found its source.
As he cautiously approached the source of the strange noise, the dimly lit prison cell revealed itself in greater detail. The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows on the cold stone walls, illuminating the cell with a warm, orange glow.
Despite the brightness provided by the numerous torches hanging from the walls, the corners of the cell remained shrouded in darkness, adding an air of mystery to the scene. The occasional drip of water echoed softly in the confined space, creating a somber ambiance that contrasted with the flickering flames.
At this juncture, the peculiar noise had ceased, returning the atmosphere to one of tranquility.
"H-Hello? Is anyone here…?" he called out, but received no response. In the absence of any reply, he couldn't help but entertain the possibility that it might have been a ghost haunting the prison's depths.
‘Hmm, what’s going on? Why did the noise disappear?’ he mused inwardly, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
‘Was it a ghost or a rat?’ he continued, his thoughts racing as he tried to make sense of the eerie silence that now surrounded him. ‘No, it can’t be rats,’ he concluded with a shake of his head, ‘it definitely sounded like a person's voice.’
Suddenly, a mysterious portal materialized before him.
Ding!
[You have discovered a hidden portal!]
‘Hmm, a hidden portal? But what lies beyond it? Should I enter... No, that's too risky. I have no idea what dangers may lurk inside...’ he pondered aloud, his cautious nature overriding his curiosity.
Not willing to risk the unknown, he turned around to leave, only for the portal to suddenly expand like a voracious black hole, its irresistible pull dragging him in with a forceful surge.
RUMBLE!
A startled cry escaped his lips, "Nooo! What the hell is happening?! Why am I being pulled in?!" Yet, his words were swallowed by the deafening roar of the portal. In a blinding flash of light, he vanished into its swirling depths, his voice fading into the void as he was consumed by the portal.
BLINK!
Inside the portal, he hurtled forward at extreme speed, his screams echoing into the unknown, "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!! Noooooooooooooooo!!!" Moments later, he emerged in a whole new world—an expansive, desolate royal palace.
THUMP!
He landed on the ground with a heavy impact. After a moment, he rose to his feet, scanning his surroundings with confusion, wondering where he was.
"Ugh... What just happened? Where am I?" he groaned, his voice echoing softly in the vast emptiness of the palace.
[Welcome to Zealot Palace!]
“Zealot Palace? Isn’t that my name? Hmm, what’s going on h—?” Suddenly, the mysterious voice that he had heard earlier resurfaced, sending a shiver down his spine.
"Who goes there?!" he called out, his voice wavering slightly with a mix of fear and curiosity.
"Are you Demon King Zealot?" the voice echoed through the empty halls. "If so, please come this way; Demon Queen Terasia awaits you."
Out of nowhere, a stunningly beautiful, colorful butterfly materialized before him. As it gracefully fluttered away, it left behind a trail of shimmering light, guiding Zealot to the grand throne hall where Demon Queen Terasia awaited him.
‘Demon Queen Terasia? Who on earth is she? And what does she want from me?’ Zealot thought, his mind a whirlwind of confusion and apprehension.
Following the butterfly's guidance, Zealot eventually reached the door of the throne hall. After a brief pause, the door swung open, revealing the majestic sight of Demon Queen Terasia seated upon her throne, radiating both beauty and authority. Zealot found himself entranced by her stunning presence, unable to tear his gaze away.
‘Whoa… what a beautiful demon queen.’ Zealot thought.
Demon Queen Terasia was the wife of Demon King Zealot. Amidst the ongoing war with humans outside, he created a small, secluded world to ensure her safety. This realm, known as Zealot Palace, served as Demon King Zealot's sanctuary for his beloved wife.
Inside the throne hall, Demon Queen Terasia was not alone; she was accompanied by at least twelve powerful Demon Royal Knights standing in rows on both sides of the red carpet, positioned beneath the throne.
The throne hall exuded beauty, bathed in sunlight streaming through the glassy windows above and along the side walls. Flanking the hall on both sides stood multiple statues of Demon Kings, creating a breathtaking sight to behold.
‘What a luxurious palace… just as one would expect from a demon royal family.’ Zealot thought.
As Zealot passed through the door and stepped onto the plush carpet of the throne hall, nervousness and fear gripped him. If they were to discover that he wasn’t the real Demon King Zealot, he would undoubtedly be in grave danger. Moreover, given his current level of strength, challenging the Demon Queen seemed impossible, let alone facing off against the twelve formidable Demon Knights.
As Zealot walked forward slowly, he gulped in fear, his thoughts racing with uncertainty. 'This is truly terrifying... I'm not sure why I was summoned here, and I don't think I could escape even if I tried. Damn it, I guess I can only hope for the best for now.’
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Zealot approached the throne where Demon Queen Terasia sat, her piercing gaze fixed upon him with a mix of curiosity and expectation. Despite his trepidation, he did his best to maintain his composure, schooling his features into a mask of calm confidence.
Using his thoughts, he activated his mind-reading skill.
EYES OF TRUTH!
With a swift glance around, he could read their suspicion. It was evident they had already suspected him of being an imposter, rather than the true Demon King Zealot. ‘So they’ve already suspected me, huh? This is bad... I'll have to be careful with what I say from here on out, or else they'll become even more suspicious of me…’
"What's the matter? Why are you so silent, my husband?" Terasia inquired.
In a panicked tone, Zealot stammered, “G-Greetings, Demon Queen Terasia!” as he bowed respectfully before her. “I am Zealot, the Demon K—?!!” Before he could finish his sentence, in an instant and without warning, the twelve Demon Knights encircled him, their weapons aimed at him.
‘Dammit! I screwed up! I was so nervous that I couldn’t keep calm and speak properly. This is really bad! I need to think quickly and come up with a believable story to get myself out of this!’
As the Demon Knights closed in around him, Zealot's mind raced with desperation. He knew that he needed to think quickly and come up with a convincing story to explain his sudden appearance in the throne hall.
Finally, raising his hands in a gesture of surrender, Zealot met Demon Queen Terasia's gaze with a mixture of apprehension and determination. "Forgive me, my queen, but I must confess," he began, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I am not the true Demon King Zealot."
‘I already know you’re not the real Demon King... Your feeble aura, the way you speak, it's clear you're an imposter. After all, my husband doesn't speak like that. Nonetheless, I'm intrigued to hear about what's been happening in the outside world. So, let's hear what this young man has to say.’ Terasia thought.
Zealot's admission hung heavy in the air, the silence of the throne hall echoing with tension. He pressed on, his resolve firm despite the uncertainty of his fate. "The real Demon King Zealot... he passed away not long ago. Before his death, he entrusted me with a solemn duty—to assume his identity and carry out his will in his absence."
‘I see. That explains why he hasn't visited me these past few weeks…’ Terasia thought.
As Zealot spoke, he could feel the weight of the Demon Queen's scrutiny upon him, her piercing gaze seeming to pierce through his facade. "It was his wish that I maintain the illusion of his presence, to ensure stability within the realm and protect his legacy," he continued, his voice growing stronger with each word. "I have done my utmost to fulfill his wishes, but now... now the truth must be revealed."
Zealot's confession hung in the air, the tension in the throne hall palpable. For a long moment, there was silence, as Demon Queen Terasia and the Demon Knights processed his words.
Finally, the Demon Queen spoke, her voice calm but firm. "I see," she said, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Zealot with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "And what is it that you seek by revealing this truth to us now?"
With a respectful bow of his head and an earnest expression, Zealot spoke, his voice unwavering despite the turmoil within him. "I seek nothing but honesty, my queen," he replied. "It is time for the realm to know the truth—to understand that our beloved Demon King Zealot has passed and that I am merely a humble servant, faithfully carrying out his final wishes."
As he spoke, Zealot felt a weight lift from his shoulders, a sense of relief flooding through him at having finally revealed his fabricated tale.
‘This cold-hearted woman... Even upon learning of your husband's passing, you don't feel any sadness? As expected, demons are truly heartless beings,’ Zealot silently remarked.
Despite hearing of her husband's death, Demon Queen Terasia remained composed. She didn't express sadness; rather, she appeared only mildly perturbed. While she did love her husband, it seemed her affection was not profound enough for his passing to greatly affect her.
Rather than grieving over her husband's death, her primary concern was how to depart from the confines of this palace and escape to the outside world. Unfortunately, for her and her Demon Knights to break free from this confined realm, they required a key—the key being the blood of Demon King Zealot.
It seemed Zealot was the only one who could leave this small world, as he possessed the blood of the Demon King Zealot. However, even without the key, he had the freedom to depart, as Demon King Zealot had only sealed his wife and the twelve Demon Knights here. Zealot himself remained unsealed, allowing him to leave at any time.
As Zealot delved into their minds once more, he discovered that the sole reason why they spared him was because they needed him to fulfill a task. Being the only individual capable of freely leaving this realm, they planned to exploit him to obtain the blood of Demon King Zealot from outside. Once they have the blood key, only then they can escape this confined world and venture into the outside world.
Additionally, Zealot also discovered their plan to kill him after obtaining the key, as they were uncomfortable with the idea of him knowing too much about them and this secret small world.
‘These bastards... You want me to help you obtain the key, only to kill me afterward simply because I know about this secret small world? Phew, that was a close call. If it wasn't for the fact I could read their minds, I might have fallen for their sinister plot by now.’ Zealot thought.
Knowing they intended to eliminate him once they obtained the key, Zealot resolved to abandon them as soon as he exited this small world.
“What’s your name, young man?” Terasia asked.
"Y-You can call me Zealot!" Zealot replied hesitantly. “I understand it may be strange to share the same name as your husband, but if it bothers you, feel free to give me a different name.”
"Alright, Zealot. Since my husband has passed away, you no longer need to fulfill his wishes. From now on, you will serve only me. In other words, I am your new master now. This is an order you must obey." Terasia said.
"Y-Yes, ma'am!" Zealot replied anxiously. He nodded, his gaze locked on Terasia. "Understood, Your Majesty. I will follow your orders from now on." He paused momentarily before asking, "Is there anything specific you would like me to do for you, my queen?"
Suddenly, Zealot's stomach growled loudly, signaling his hunger.
GROWL!
"My apologies, Your Majesty," Zealot said, somewhat embarrassed. "This is beyond my control."
Terasia chuckled softly. "Well, it's fine. Shall we have lunch while we discuss?" she suggested.
Zealot smiled with relief at Terasia's suggestion. "That sounds perfect, Your Majesty."
With that, the Demon Knights led Zealot to the grand dining hall, where a meal had been prepared. As they settled at the table, Terasia gestured for everyone to begin eating.
"I appreciate your understanding, Your Majesty," Zealot said as he took a bite. "What would you like to discuss?"
Terasia began explaining the significance of the key to Zealot and instructed him to assist in obtaining it. Although he already knew about the key because of his mind-reading ability, he acted as though he was hearing it for the first time. He listened attentively, maintaining an innocent demeanor to avoid raising any suspicion.
***
After finishing his meal with Demon Queen Terasia and the Demon Knights, Zealot knew he had to take advantage of their leniency to leave this small world. The queen and her knights believed they could manipulate him into obtaining the key necessary for their escape from this confined realm. However, unbeknownst to them, Zealot had no intention of returning to this palace once he leaves.
Before Zealot left the palace, Demon Queen Terasia handed him a small, ornate tube. It was adorned with intricate designs and glowing symbols that gave it a mysterious and magical appearance.
"This tube will serve as the vessel for the blood of Demon King Zealot," Terasia explained, her voice calm and commanding. "You must fill it with his blood to obtain the key we require. Make sure it remains sealed and secure."
Zealot accepted the magical test tube with a polite nod, carefully tucking it away. He knew the importance of this object and the dangerous implications it held. Although he planned to leave this palace and never return, he knew he must tread cautiously to avoid raising any further suspicion.
"I understand, Your Majesty," Zealot replied with a respectful tone. "I will take great care to fulfill your request."
With this, Demon Queen Terasia dismissed Zealot with a calm wave of her hand. "You may leave now, Zealot. We trust you will fulfill your duty to us and return with the key."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Zealot replied with a respectful bow. "I will do my best, so please await my return." He spoke with confidence, masking his true intentions to never return.
With the tube now in his possession, Zealot turned away from the queen and the Demon Knights, making his way toward the exit portal that would lead him back to the outside world.
As he walked through the halls of the palace, he remained vigilant, keeping his mind focused on the task at hand: escaping the palace and leaving behind the queen and her knights. He knew he had to act swiftly and discreetly.
Upon reaching the underground area, he stepped through the portal, feeling the familiar pull as he traveled back to the outside world.
WHOOSH!
He emerged from the portal and arrived back in the underground prison of his castle, finally free from the dangerous grasp of the Demon Queen and her Demon Knights. “I can't believe I made it out!” he exclaimed, wiping the sweat from his brow. “I was certain I wouldn't survive! That was terrifying! Phew, thank goodness everything went smoothly!”
HUFF! HUFF! HUFF!
He paused to catch his breath and reflect on his escape. He knew he had made the right decision by leaving the palace, and now he could move forward without the looming threat of the queen and her followers.
The journey through the portal had left him a little disoriented, but after a moment to steady himself, he found comfort in the familiar surroundings of his underground castle. The sight of it brought him a sense of relief.
Before leaving, he took one final look around the underground prison to ensure he hadn't been followed. Satisfied, he climbed the stairs and exited the underground. Shortly afterward, once outside the castle, he wandered into the garden area and sat on a bench. He gazed at the night sky, taking a moment to relax.
It seemed that the small world and the outside world experience time differently. Although he had been gone for quite a while, only a few hours had elapsed in the outside world. It was roughly 3 AM right now.
"Well, I suppose I don't need this anymore," he said, as he tossed the magical test tube into the fountain. "Finally, I can enjoy some peace and relaxation."
As he relaxed and gazed up at the night sky, he let out a loud yawn.
YAWN!
The peacefulness of midnight soothed him, and before he knew it, he had drifted off into a restful sleep on the bench without even realizing it.