The sound of hooves echoed through the quiet streets as the stagecoach rolled smoothly along, with Reign, Anna, and Elizabeth seated comfortably inside.
The reason the ride was so smooth was that the stagecoach was crafted for comfort, with its design flawless in every detail—from the reinforced wheels to the finely tuned suspension.
Each component worked together perfectly, ensuring that not a single bump or jolt disturbed their comfort as they traveled.
On the outside, the stagecoach looked both dark and grand.
Its body was made from polished black wood, gleaming in the light.
Gold designs curled along the edges, like twisting vines, adding a touch of elegance to the carriage.
At the front, two horses pulled the coach, their bodies bathed in glowing purple flas. The fire flickered with each step they took, leaving faint embers behind on the road.
Anyone who saw them imdiately lowered their gaze, recognizing it as the property of a Demon King.
The insignia on the side belonged to Elizabeth’s household, a symbol that commanded deep respect throughout the city.
Reign leaned closer to the window, his eyes scanning the street.
Humans walked along the cobblestone paths, going about their work, living side by side with demons without any signs of fear.
"Strange, isn’t it?" Elizabeth’s voice broke the silence, noticing his curious gaze. "Humans live openly here."
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Reign nodded slowly. "They don’t seem scared. For a city full of an eating demons, I expected more hostility."
Elizabeth’s expression was calm but thoughtful. "Demons here follow a strict code. They know better than to cause trouble in the capital. Disrupting the peace could bring the Demon God’s wrath."
Anna leaned over and rested her chin on Reign’s shoulder as she peered out the window. "It’s not like what you thought, huh?"
Reign’s eyes narrowed. "No, it’s not. It feels... off, like it’s all just for show."
Elizabeth smirked at his response. "You’ll get used to it. Demons need humans, and humans need demons. It’s a delicate balance here."
Reign grunted, crossing his arms. "A balance? Doesn’t an it’s natural."
Maybe it was just his twisted view of the world that made such peaceful coexistence feel strange to him.
As they continued, the city began to change.
The buildings grew taller, and the space between them widened, shifting the city from a busy marketplace to a more exclusive district.
The hos and shops gave way to vast estates, each surrounded by high walls and large beautifully kept gardens.
This was the district where the Demon Kings lived. Each mansion was larger than the last, each one more extravagant, with its own unique design .
"Yours will be just up ahead," Elizabeth said, breaking the silence. "It’s not as big as so, but it offers good privacy to keep you out of sight"
Reign raised an eyebrow. "Out of sight? From who?"
Elizabeth smiled faintly. "You’ll know soon enough."
As they neared their destination, Reign could see a large garden stretching out before them.
Neatly trimd hedges and statues stood like silent watchers, adding to the garden’s peaceful atmosphere.
But before they could get any closer, a maze of tall, thick hedges blocked the way, twisting in sharp angles and forming a complicated path.
Reign frowned. "That’s the entrance?"
Elizabeth nodded. "It’s not just for show. The maze is a defense. Only those with the key can get through."
Reign raised an eyebrow. "Why would I need to worry about being attacked? Didn’t you say this place is safe?"
Elizabeth gave him a knowing look. "No place is perfectly safe. Even if other demons don’t challenge you openly, so might try to harm you in secret—especially now that rumors are spreading about a rogue demon without family suddenly rising to such a high rank."
"Does having a high rank make a target here?" Reign asked. "And what about Anna? She also rose in power quite fast, right?"
"Yes, she did .But compared to you, her achievents are nothing. For example, she only got the Colonel rank, while you reached three stars—equivalent to a Lieutenant General in human term."
"That’s because my Reign is aweso!" Anna chid in, beaming with pride as she looked at Reign, almost as if his achievents were her own.
Elizabeth sighed, her tone turning serious. "Unfortunately, others don’t like it when soone gets ahead without putting in the work. It makes them suspicious... and envious."
Reign thought for a mont, the gravity of the situation sinking in. "So, my rise to this rank... it’s more of a problem than a benefit?"
"In so ways, yes. It draws attention, and not all of it is good. You’ll have to prove yourself if you want to keep your position... or even stay alive."
Anna, noticing how close Elizabeth had gotten to Reign, quickly stepped between them and wrapped her arms around his.
"I’ll protect him," she said firmly. "From now on, I’ll stay by his side."
Reign sighed, shaking his head. He wanted to push her away, to keep her at arm’s length.
But part of him saw her value. She could help guard him when he returned to his original body.
"Alright," he muttered, his tone reluctant. "You can stay... for now."
Anna grinned up at him, completely unaware of the inner conflict she was causing. "I’ll stay close! You won’t regret it!"
Elizabeth’s face remained calm, but Anna could see the envy creeping into her gaze.
She had always found Reign attractive because of her current condition, but now, after seeing him stand against the strongest Demon God, earning a high rank, and commanding such respect, her feelings had deepened.
Reign wasn’t just so interesting figure anymore. He was powerful, capable, and there was sothing about him that drew her in.
Anna, sensing the tension, tightened her grip on Reign’s hand.
She wasn’t about to let anyone take her place. Not when she had already staked her claim.
anwhile, Reign remained unaware of Elizabeth’s feelings, his attention focused solely on Anna.
Her constant clinginess was starting to irritate him again. He wondered if bringing her along had been the right decision after all.
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