“As promised, I have saved your retainer, demon. Now, are you more willing to listen to me?” Shin slowly repeated himself but the two children ignored him. Akito was slipping in and out of consciousness due to the exhaustion. Even Inoue too was exhausted and would fall asleep any moment now. Using the Hans dynasty's secret technique repeatedly drained her of all her strength. Further, the shock of Akito succumbing to the poison and then joy of him recovering - a roller coaster of emotions that took a toll on her energy levels.

“These country bumpkin children…” Shin muttered in an irritated manner. “Do they not realize the trouble that has followed them….and they dare to fall asleep in the presence of their saviour and lord, Maou-sama!” Two veins popped up on Shin’s forehead as he recollected the recent past. Wasn’t this the same as putting the cart in front of the horse? He helped them and he got nothing in return….next time always collect the payment first.

Of course, neither Akito nor Inoue were ungrateful children. However, Akito’s energy had been severely depleted by the poison and Inoue’s energy had been depleted while trying to save Akito. They both were exhausted to the point neither one had any energy to continue staying awake. Furthermore, they were only children – no older than Shin. They had no experience in staying awake all night.

However, how could Shin let the situation be! He did not understand how these children could sleep so peacefully in a situation as dangerous as theirs. Did they not have brains? Danger did not sleep and could strike at any moment. The unscrupulous humans were probably waiting for an opportunity like this….no their current situation was no better than handing themselves on a silver platter to the enemy!

“Wake up!” Shin cried out. “I order you! This is disrespecting your supreme Lord!”

The pair continued to doze away on the floor; Akito rested on Inoue’s lap and Inoue was resting against the bed with her mouth wide open. Inoue even had a bit of drool hanging out from the corner of her mouth…

This is getting out of hand…Shin massaged his temples as he noticed his words had no effect on the pair.

Inoue felt a strong pull against her shirt – which stirred her consciousness slightly however she did not wake up. She was quite literally drained of all her energy. She however did have an acute sense of what was happening around her.  Inoue could see a fuzzy outline of a boy dragging her from the collar and taking them towards a closet. 

Why Shin? Where are you taking me?

She wanted to ask but her mouth felt too heavy to open. The words that came out were nothing more than a slur of mixed sounds.

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If Shin had done this before saving Akito – Inoue would have thought that Shin was trying to kill her. However, she knew better. The boy in front of her was not her enemy. So if he was dragging her away then he had his reasons. She didn’t know why but when she saw the blurred outline of Shin’s back – she noticed that it was really big for a boy; she could trust in him…everything is going to be okay…

Akito woke up when his head hit the floor. His comfortable pillow lap was being dragged away by the small boy. The curious situation of Shin dragging away Inoue was further complicated with the grim and sinister smile Shin had (as imagined by Akito) as he dragged away Inoue.

“I knew it…” Akito muttered. “What are ….you doing ….to Hime-sama.”

Shin ignored Akito and continued to drag Inoue towards the closet. He opened the closet door and pushed Inoue inside.

“Hime-sama…” Akito cried out in alarm. His mind and body, both were not working properly. No matter how much Akito struggled, he could not move his body. Even though Hime-sama, had told him Shin was not an enemy, Akito could not trust those words easily.

Just as Akito was about to shout out again, Shin turned around and glared at him furiously. “Are all demon children stupid as you! Do you want to save your her or kill her!” Shin spoke in a stern yet hushed voice.

Akito opened his mouth but he had no reply to give– he was confused. Save Hime-sama? What is he talking about?

“Silence!” Shin whispered as he glared at Akito. “She is completely unconscious. Without her ‘midnight-persona’, those who are asleep will wake up if disturbed….”

Akito’s eyes widened in surprise when he heard the last bit. How did this child know that Hime-sama has such an ability? At night, Hime-sama’s presence can put others to sleep and those already in sleep would go into a deep slumber.

Shin ignored Akito’s stupid expression and turned back to stuffing Inoue into the closet. Once she fitted inside, he pulled down a few jackets and covered her from head to toe with them. Shin seemed to be awfully pleased with his work – hiding the girl under a pile of clothes. However no matter how one looked at it; it was too obvious there was something living and breathing under the heap of clothes. Nonetheless, Shin couldn’t help feel proud – this is a great strategy.

Akito quietly watched everything. He didn’t quite understand what was going on. At first he imagined, Shin was going to do something horrible to Inoue. However, that no longer seemed to be the case. The boy’s actions clearly seemed calculated – it was not something random. Clearly, he was hiding Hime-sama….but hiding her from what?

It then dawned upon him. Akito’s gaze quickly shifted from Shin to the door.  Akito cursed himself as he tried to move himself. It made sense, if the boy did not do anything to him that means someone else did….and that someone was the enemy!!

How could I be so stupid! In this weakened state, I can’t protect Hime-sama.

Seeing, the Neko boy struggle to move on the ground, Shin approached him and placed his foot on his face. “Don’t move.” Shin ordered him. Shin could have used his hands to stop Akito from moving…but that would have required him to lower himself to the Neko boy, this was unacceptable. After all, wasn’t the Neko boy from some country side branch? Also wasn’t the Neko boy, trying to harm him before? Also, this felt oddly satisfying to Shin. The Neko tribe were proud demons. To be able to plant his foot on the face one – the feeling was refreshing.

Akito’s eyes bulged out from their sockets. How dare this brat step on my face!

Akito was mumbling something but Shin pressed down his foot harder.

“Silent fool. Let this great one think.”

Akito tried struggling with all his might as he heard Shin’s words. It stinks!! It stinks you fool!!! Move the damned foot!!

Shin's lips curled upwards as he realized Akito's predicament - the plight of those with a sensitive nose. Shin's eyes widened momentarily as he suddenly realized something from this situation.

Shin smiled and spoke, "Neko boy, this one time Maou-sama will forgive you. We can still salvage the situation. Are your blades as sharp as your claws?"

For some reason, against the backdrop of the moonlight, Shin's smile expressed more something more than the joy of a six year old - it revealed a cold, murderous and cruel smile. Akito shuddered as he saw Shin's smile and heard his words. 

Is this really a six year old boy?