“So what I’m saying is, it has to be just and Clay.”
Yaphenon, palace corridor.
Athanasia was in the middle of a heated back-and-forth with Syltanaro, who had taken on human form.
“If I’m going to focus, it needs to be the two of us, alone.”
“If you must spend the entire night together, then I’m only asking to stand guard nearby.”
“Nothing’s going to happen, so why are you like this?”
Athanasia’s expression was one of sheer disbelief.
“It’s an extrely delicate process. If soone’s around, I might make a mistake.”
“That’s exactly the problem.” Syltanaro arched an eyebrow, “Didn’t you say you’d need to make direct contact with the Demon King’s skin?”
“Not the way you’re making it sound. I just need to place my hands on his upper torso—where the major organs are—so I can control his body.”
“In the end, it’s the sa thing.”
“Why are you blaming for this? If you don’t like it, go tell Clay directly.”
At that, Syltanaro hesitated awkwardly, “I can’t do that.”
“Why not?”
“Wouldn’t that be rude?”
“…”
Athanasia just stared at her blankly for a mont before letting out a hollow laugh and scratching her head.
“So it’s not rude to give grief instead?”
“I’d appreciate it if you could see it as feeling more comfortable speaking freely to you.”
“Ha… unbelievable.”
Faced with Syltanaro’s unflinching tone, all Athanasia could do was look exasperated.
“Whatever the case, you can’t interfere with sothing I have to do. What do you think Clay would say if I told him you got in the way?”
“I’m not saying you shouldn’t do it. I’m just saying I’ll be nearby.”
“I said no.”
“I’ll stay as still as a stone.”
“No—‘doing nothing’ ans nothing!”
“And what exactly do you an by ‘nothing’?”
A voice suddenly cut in, and both Athanasia and Syltanaro turned their heads.
Standing there was none other than Clay.
“Athanasia, we’re short on ti. I’d appreciate it if you could start soon.”
“Huh? Oh… sure.”
Athanasia shifted uneasily, while Syltanaro glared at her before turning to Clay.
“My lord.”
“Hm?”
“May I remain at your side as well?”
“Hey, you—!”
Even as Athanasia cried out in alarm, Syltanaro pressed on.
“When you’re in a defenseless state, I wish to protect you. I humbly ask for your permission.”
“If that’s the reason…” Clay looked over at Athanasia, “Any objection?”
“No.” Athanasia’s answer was imdiate and firm, “This is a task that requires concentration. If anyone’s presence breaks my focus, it could be dangerous.”
“You heard her,” Clay said, turning back to Syltanaro.
“I can guarantee I’ll remain completely still,” Syltanaro insisted.
“Syltanaro.” Clay placed a hand on her shoulder. “I understand your loyalty, but even without aning to, you could cause the work to fail.”
“Ah…”
“That said, there’s a way around it.” Clay looked back at Athanasia, “If she’s in sword form, she really can’t interfere, right?”
“What?”
“She wouldn’t even be able to cough.”
Athanasia made a reluctant face before replying, “No, even as a sword she can still talk. I’d rather eliminate every possible risk.”
“Understood.” Clay made the decision, “Syltanaro, stand guard at the door. Only Athanasia and I will go inside.”
“Mm…”
“Not happy?”
“N-no, my lord.” Syltanaro shook her head, “I’ll wait outside.”
“Thanks for understanding.”
With that, Clay left him and stepped into the room next door.
“Athanasia, co in.”
“Huh? Oh—yeah.” She followed him in, but glanced back briefly.
“…”
Syltanaro stood there with a displeased look. Athanasia raised a hand slightly, as if to ask for her understanding.
Thunk.
The door closed, leaving Syltanaro alone.
“Impressive.”
In truth, she wasn’t entirely alone.
“I an your single-minded devotion to the Demon King,” said Omni, the ancient god in the form of a crow.
Perched on a nearby window fra, Omni flapped his wings and landed atop Syltanaro’s head.
“I don’t think you need to worry so much. The Demon King doesn’t seem all that interested in that sort of thing.”
“I’m aware.” Syltanaro sighed, her tone edged with irritation, “That’s exactly why I end up like this.”
“What do you an?”
“Because he’s so indifferent, he doesn’t strongly reject it when others approach him.”
“Then isn’t it fine if he just stays indifferent?”
“You never know what might happen.” She glanced sidelong at Omni, “More than that, there’s sothing I want to confirm with you.”
“With ?” Omni lifted off and hovered in front of her, “What is it you want to confirm?”
“Did you make a deal with Yuru?”
At that, Omni abruptly stopped flapping, dropping down to the floor like a falling stone. Without even looking at her, he spoke.
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because it’s strange you ca back unhard.” Syltanaro’s voice was low, “Yuru had complete control over the main archive. There’s no way she’d just let you take a book and walk away.”
“So you think I made a deal?”
“If it’s a deal that could threaten the Demon King, I can’t just let it be.”
Omni let out a short, incredulous laugh.
“That’s absurd. How does bringing back the book harm the Demon King?”
Thanks to that book, Clay could now obtain an improved body, sothing that could tip the balance entirely.
“I know the Demon King considers Yuru an enemy. But that doesn’t an she’s just a simple foe. And conversely, Yuru doesn’t see him as an enemy.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that the Demon King is uncomfortable with her.”
“Think carefully, Syltanaro.” Omni fixed her with a steady gaze, “Serving a king doesn’t an mirroring his every action.”
Rather, a true attendant had to be able to do what the king could not, for the king’s sake.
“When the Demon King finds sothing distasteful, soone at his side must be the one to make the calculated moves instead.”
“Wasn’t that just an act to survive? Sounds like an excuse to .”
“So… are you going to take back the book the Demon King just acquired?”
Syltanaro didn’t answer imdiately. Omni spread his wings.
“You know as well as I do how much stronger the Demon King could beco if he used soone like Yuru.”
“…If the Demon King knew, he’d never allow it.”
“Then tell him.” Omni’s voice was blunt, “Go warn him not to use what he’s gained from Yuru. If that’s your chosen thod.”
“How ridiculous.” And yet, Syltanaro didn’t go to Clay, “It’s ridiculous that you’ve left with no choice but to act as you say.”
She had, in the end, accepted Omni’s actions.
“The Demon King avoids directly accepting help from the Saintess, too. His only plan is to take advantage of any gap in Krata’s defenses caused by her actions. That’s not a bad approach, but it’s not the most efficient.”
“True, it’s not efficient.”
“But I don’t serve him with efficiency in mind. His will is my will. That said…”
Her eyes dropped to the floor.
“It’s also my duty to ensure the Demon King never loses to anyone.”
For that, Clay had to beco stronger than anyone else—a supre existence not swayed by circumstances or conditions. Syltanaro intended to make that happen.
“Yuru is too strong right now. The Saintess as well. Even our current enemy, Lutan, has divine protection, which will make fighting him troubleso. My first priority is to keep the Demon King alive.”
The thod would be sothing Clay wouldn’t like.
“If you’ve decided to make a deal with Yuru, tell before you give her what she wants.”
“Tell you?”
“I’ll judge for myself whether it harms the Demon King.”
If it posed any real danger to Clay, she would handle it herself. Saying this was both a precaution and a way to pressure Omni—making it clear that even if he worked with Yuru, it had to be within safe bounds, enough only to passively satisfy her obsession.
“You’ve got nerve, threatening a god like this.”
“A half-god, aren’t you?” She gestured at Omni’s head, “Your Halo’s gone, after all.”
“How cruel.” Omni brushed his head with a wing. “Do you have any idea what it feels like to lose what was essentially my companion?”
“I’m not entirely ignorant of it.” She offered an apology, “Still, I am sorry. The loss must weigh heavily on you.”
“Tch.”
“So, will you agree?”
Omni hesitated briefly, then replied.
“Fine. I’ll keep you inford.”
“Good. Then we’re settled.”
Syltanaro inclined her head and extended a hand.
“I look forward to working together.”
“As do I.”
Omni extended a wing, clasping her hand to seal their accord.
♧
“Ha…”
Imperial Palace of Ezer.
Nael sat in her room, clutching her head.
“I can’t figure out what to do.”
She turned her gaze toward the window. By now, Empress Tia of Ezer was likely preparing for war with Krata.
Ordinarily, Nael would have been at her side. Their cooperation was close enough that she felt obliged to help without turning away.
But instead, she remained here—trapped by her own indecision.
How am I supposed to help Clay?
Not long ago, Yelena had died. When Nael heard the news, her heart had sunk. It wasn’t Yelena’s death that shook her most, but the fact that word never ca that Clay had forgiven her.
Forgiveness is impossible.
That truth weighed on her. No matter what she did, as long as the past remained, he could never forgive her.
Not even death had turned him back. Groaning, Nael buried her head between her knees.
She had never known regret could be so painful. Had she known, she would have thrown everything aside and focused solely on Clay.
But it was far too late.
And yet… Clay clearly tried to give a chance.
Hadn’t he sent word telling her to follow him?
It wasn’t forgiveness—more like an invitation to share his purpose. Even if it ant being used, even if it ant carrying her sins, he had told her to co. An outrageous ssage… but one she couldn’t ignore.
Of course, if I do that…
It would inevitably drag other beastkin into the war.
The things she had once tried to protect, even if it ant letting Clay be executed, would be destroyed.
Forget it. Enough.
She couldn’t let herself leave behind more regrets for the sake of that.
“I’m going too.”
Nael gathered her weapons and strode out.
(End of Chapter)
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