"Master… masters."
Nox raised a hand to silence the others. He wanted to tell if the voice was coming from close by or from his head. The others looked at him strangely, both confused and intrigued.
Nox's smile faded the mont the voice called again, and his posture shifted from casual to alert without him moving his feet. Jack noticed his reaction and stopped wiping his face, while Eve's eyes swept the area like she expected an enemy to show himself.
The crowd outside the inn also quieted down, because Nox looked like he had just heard sothing that mattered more than Andre.
"Say it again," Nox said, his voice low, and he did not look at Jack or Eve as he focused on the sound in his head.
The reply ca steady and serious. "Master, can you hear . I have urgent news."
Nox held still for a second, then his eyes narrowed. "I know that voice. You're familiar."
The voice answered without hesitation. "It has been a while, master."
Nox's expression stayed calm, but the mory ca back properly. He had heard that tone in the demon empire, back when he was escaping the demon prince, and the only move that worked had been swapping positions with the demon lord he had tad on one of the floors.
It had been quick and necessary, and it had put him out of the demon prince's reach. Hearing the voice now confird the connection was still there.
"Demon lord," Nox said clearly. "That's you."
The voice replied, still serious. "Yes."
Jack stepped forward, confused. "Who are you talking to," he asked, then his tone sharpened when Nox said the words demon lord. Eve did not react much, but her shoulders tightened.
"Explain," she said coldly.
Nox lifted a hand so they would not interrupt, then spoke to the voice again.
"Why are you calling ," he asked.
The demon lord answered, "The succubus Erald wants to speak with you."
"Erald," Nox muttered, then said, "the succubus from the demon empire."
"Yes," the demon lord replied. "She said it is urgent. She ordered to deliver the ssage."
Nox's gaze hardened slightly. "Where is she," he asked.
"In the demon empire. She is waiting."
Nox let out a slow breath, then finally turned to Jack and Eve and said, "I have to go."
Jack's face changed fast, the earlier relief from Andre's defeat turning into worry and anger.
"Go where," he demanded. "We still have the statue, and we still need to spread the beast taming."
Eve's voice stayed cold. "If it is the demon empire, then we move together. You'll need my help."
Nox shook his head. "No."
Jack stepped closer, a frown appearing on his face. "Why do you keep doing this? You always want to do everything by yourself."
Eve's eyes stayed on Nox. "Give us a reason why we should stay back."
Nox kept his tone calm and did not raise it, but he spoke with enough weight that both of them listened. "It's not sowhere I can easily take you to. The way I'm going is tied to a skill I used in the demon empire. It is not a normal gate I can open for multiple people. I can go there and escape easily in case things turn ssy, but the sa can't be said for you."
Jack's jaw tightened. That didn't sit well with him.
He took another step and lowered his voice. "You saved from Andre, and now you're telling to stand here and talk while you walk into demon territory alone. I'm loyal to you, Nox. Let prove it."
"If you die there, who would the future beast tars look up to," he continued. "Eve and I will follow if you allow it."
Nox looked at them. He genuinely liked this feeling and would have wanted to do this with them, but he couldn't take that risk right now.
"It's not because I don't trust you, but because I do." He did not argue with their feelings, he only moved straight to what mattered. "If you want to help , then help the right way. While I'm away, spread the beast taming class."
Nox nodded. Andre is gone for a while, and that ans a vacuum is coming. If we do nothing, soone else will grab it. Use your position and the fear people already have. Tell them beast tars are real, and they are a new path that does not depend on one man. Recruit.
He turned to Eve. "With your undead army mastery, you can help defend the beast tars and our allied kingdom. If soone tries to cause harm, shut it down early."
Eve gave a short nod. "Understood."
Jack's fists unclenched slowly, and he forced himself to et Nox's eyes.
"Fine. We'll do it. But you better co back."
Nox gave a small nod and said, "I will. I will always."
He raised his hand and activated the skill, and the space around him tightened like it was being pulled from the inside. Jack moved on instinct like he wanted to grab him, but stopped himself. Eve stayed still, watching with a mixture of unreadable emotions in her eyes.
In the next second, Nox vanished, and the air in front of them folded once more, then a new presence filled the exact spot he had been standing. The demon lord appeared in his place, his aura alone making the closest people step back even though he did not flare it wildly.
The demon lord's gaze moved from Jack to Eve, and its eyes flashed.
"I didn't expect to see a demon here."
anwhile, Nox reappeared in the demon realm with his boots hitting solid ground, and the dense corrupted mana of the demon empire pressed against him at once. The air slled of ash and tal, and the space around him felt heavier than the human continent.
In front of him stood Erald, twisted horns, arms crossed, and those srizing eyes steady as she watched him with a mixture of excitent and relief.
Nox t her gaze without flinching. "I'm back… though I returned sooner than I expecte…"
Even before he could finish, she spoke.
"I need your help!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)