"Let us cut to the chase and skip the chit-chat. I will do what you want to do, but I have a condition for you," Teanosvera says with his heavy and echoing voice.
"What do you think we want to ask you?" I ask.
"Locating all of the remnants of Iorael's army, am I right?"
"You also need to convince the citizens who are actually wrong," I add. "We need to remove any variables that may spark rebellion in the future."
"Are you telling to go as far as showing myself?"
"That is not necessary. I just want you to let them hear your voice and feel your presence, so none of them argues what we do is wrong."
Teanosvera just looks at silently with his black eyes. I can't tell what he is thinking about, but I am sure he is not thinking about harming us.
A few seconds passed; Teanosvera tilts his head as he says, "That can be done easily. Now, it is ti for you to hear what I want." The mood beca solemn, causing to wait for what he is going to say in anticipation. "Establish a Spiritual Bond with ."
When I hear it, I am as baffled as I am ecstatic. The only reason why I could establish a Spiritual Bond with Luxia was our circumstance at that ti; no normal Forest Spirit will casually ask soone to establish one with them.
I was already glad when I managed to establish one with Luxia, so hearing that Teanosvera wants to establish one with too brings joy to . Still, I show nothing that shows my excitent.
Teanosvera must have a reason and I want to hear it first. As tempting as it is to have a Spiritual Bond with the protector of Amizanima, I can't make him feel superior, otherwise, the Spiritual Bond will be no different than a Geas.
"Hoh? You say so funny things too, huh, Spirit?"
"It is Lord Teanosvera for you, Demon."
"It is Master Layland for you, little Spirit."
Haletha, whose gaze has been planted on Teanosvera ever since we t him, turns her eyes to . I don't need to turn around to tell she is looking at ridiculously.
I am aware of the crazy stunt I have just pulled, but there is a need to take a risk. I am absolute, for so reason, that bowing down to Teanosvera will not make things go as what the two sides wanted.
I don't know what Teanosvera wants, obviously, but I don't think Teanosvera will see that fondly if I just nod at everything he says. Other than that, of course, my pride doesn't allow to bow to the bird that is going to be my subordinate soon.
"I am genuinely asking—what makes you think it is a good idea to establish a Spiritual Bond with ?" I ask calmly. "Are you just curious about how it feels to establish one with a Demon?"
"For a Demon, I must say you are rather humble, Layland," Teanosvera remarks. "I was genuinely surprised you didn't brag about how aweso you were earlier."
"I am the type to show rather than say," I respond, slightly surprised by the fact that he just called my na
"Interesting. Very interesting indeed!" He exclaims. "Do you know why I chose to stay here, Layland?" I shake my head. "It is because I like darkness. This forest isn't dark because of my presence—I am present because it is dark."
He extends one of his wings and points it at . "I am intrigued by the darkness you have in your heart, Layland. As an existence that controls darkness, I want to figure out the darkness that I can't control."
"I believe you are talking about my partner's Corrupted Heart. Is it your first ti seeing one—even after how long you have been present in this world?" I quirk my eyebrow curiously.
"Of course not, child! I know about Corrupted Spiritual Hearts long ago. I have also seen many of them, so none of them attracts my interest any longer," emphasizes Teanosvera. "Your heart, Layland, has very thick and suffocating darkness. I don't know what it is and I want to know."
"Have you ever heard about Demon's—"
"I know everything about your Demonic Essence and I am sure it is not that. There is sothing more than terrifying lying dormant in your heart."
Hearing that, I don't feel surprised at all; I already had a feeling that sothing was wrong when I t Lucifer in my Awakening. I knew he wasn't supposed to be there.
I could clearly rember the ominous aura he was giving off when I first t him. It is simply impossible to forget it.
Talking about the darkness in my heart, I can only think of one explanation for why it is there: the power Lucifer is still hiding from .
"You know what happens, don't you, Layland? I want to know what kind of future you will make with that much power in your hands," Teanosvera says solemnly. "If destruction is what you are aiming for, I wish to be on your side and watch as the world crumble before us."
"What a terrifying thing to hear from a Forest Spirit," I remark in amusent. "Don't you think you should show so care towards the world? That's what being a Forest Spirit ans, isn't that?"
At that, Teanosvera laughs deeply.
"Ku-Ku-Ku… have you heard what the other Forest Spirits used to call ? The Spawn of Doom. I carry darkness with everywhere; I am the only Forest Spirit that is detached from the world. I am the Forest Spirit that shouldn't have been born!"
Teanosvera's heated exclamation echoes throughout the forest. It may sound eerie to most; but, for , the lancholy hidden behind his passionate speech makes it a call for help.
'The Forest Spirit that shouldn't have been born; just like the Dark Elf. Maybe, this is the reason why he chose to let them stay in this forest,' I muse.
Focusing my attention on Teanosvera, I take my mask off. I look at Teanosvera with a smile and extend my right hand forward.
"You sound interesting. Why don't we imdiately proceed with the ritual?"
Whoosh!
Teanosvera jumps from the branch that he has been perching on and glides through the air until he reaches the ground. He stands mightily before , chest pushed forward.
He extends one of his wings and touches my extended hand with it. Foreign yet pleasant energy enters my veins and quickly travels to my heart.
When Teanosvera retracts his wing, my connections with his is already established. I feel a lot closer to him and I can even tell what he is currently feeling—ecstasy.
Much to my surprise, he suddenly bows before and exclaims, "Master, light my way with your darkness!" He sounds so compassionate that I wonder whether I should feel good or cringe.
"Mind your image, Teanosvera. You are still the protector of this Kingdom—it won't end up well for you if they find out what you just did," I warn.
"Kuhahaha! I don't care what others think about . You know what? I am going to announce my affiliation with you. This world shall know that Teanosvera has just found the master he deserves!"
"…"
Knowing how powerful Teanosvera's ability is, I still feel grateful for being able to establish a Spirit Bond with him; however, the fact that he is actually quite eccentric is sothing to feel unfortunate about.
With his personality, I am afraid everyone will know my na, Layland Kleinhaus, even before I beco a Demon King. Of course, I am not complaining.
"Now that it is sorted, I need you to tell us where the remnants of Iorael's army are. We need to locate and take them down as soon as possible."
"Ah, let take care of them. You just wait patiently and expect the result, Master," Teanosvera says casually. "Nothing can escape my darkness."
"Ah, I see. Make sure to tell them who you are."
"Of course."
Teanosvera spreads his wings and grows bigger at an insane speed. At the sa ti, his body is becoming one with the darkness.
Boom!
When he has completely disappeared, an overwhelming pressure descends upon us. I don't feel suffocated at all, but Haletha seems to have a difficulty in breathing due to the pressure.
I imdiately wrap her with my arms and shelter her from the pressure with my Mana. She can breathe normally afterwards, but she seems to be very scared since she hugs my body tightly.
"Do you think it is a great choice to establish a Spiritual Bond with Teanosvera?" Haletha asks calmly, making wonder if she is really scared.
"I gain people's attention, but I gain imnse power. For , it is a fair trade," I answer simply. "Now, I know there are a lot of strong people out there, but even if they co after , I will always persevere. Because of that, I will always get stronger."
Fighting small fry makes bored to death. I can no longer rely on a strong opponent to grow—I need an absurdly powerful opponent.
Upon maturing as a Demon, I realized it is ti to take the risk and go wild. I already have enough cards under my sleeves and it is ti to use them to beco everyone's nightmare.
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