Chapter 57: 57 — You Are a Demon!
Content Warning! Read at your own risk.
It was undoubtedly warm and humid outside the cell. However, his body shivered. The inside of the dungeon was cold, as if he had been thrown into a well, ice covering his entire body.
Yuang’s body stung from the whipping, blood dripping from his wounds. He gasped for air, barely able to breathe.
With the remainder of his energy, he tried to summon a spell strong enough to escape this hell.
He knew the General was kind only in name.
"At the end of the day, he is a demon," he muttered.
Just then, he spotted a pair of black boots in front of him. A harsh hand struck his cheek before he could see the person’s face, stinging like fire had been thrown onto it. His eyes burned, tears forming around them.
He blinked rapidly to clear his vision. Slowly, the blur around Zayden’s face disappeared, sharper than ever.
"G-General?"
He managed to whisper—only for his other cheek to be struck, harder than before.
Ren stood behind, mouth slightly opened as he watched Zayden.
The moment he heard the word ’demon’, Zayden entered the cell and began striking the man harshly, as if he had committed treason.
Chill ran down Ren’s skin. He could have been in Yuang’s place.
He had also once called him a demon on their very first meeting.
Yet why hadn’t Zayden done the same to him?
He couldn’t wrap his mind around the reasoning—it was too peculiar.
Ren’s chest tightened. He could feel the warmth of Zayden’s presence even from afar, and yet... the cruelty chilled his bones.
Why did he not strike me back then?
His hands clenched into fists. He swallowed hard.
Long ago, he was in Yuang’s place, beaten for the smallest mistakes. But it couldn’t have been as bad as the General’s harsh treatment right now.
Yuang spat blood on Zayden’s boots, staining them with the red liquid.
"You think this will do something?" He sneered. "I’ve heard from the Duke that you hate it when people call you a demon. But that’s what you are!" He cried, glaring at the man. "You are a demon, no matter what!"
A sharp blow struck his face, and he fell to the ground, panting. His body stung, and blood poured from every corner of his body. Yet, the only thing he was certain of was that Zayden wouldn’t kill him.
But his eyes widened when Zayden pulled out his sword from the scabbard. The cold steel brushed against his neck, hovering there for a moment.
"Y-You can’t be serious!" He forced a laugh, eyes wide with fear. His fingers trembled, curling faintly as he tried to muster the strength to roll away.
"Look, I made this magic spell," he pointed at the golden seal under him. "If you try something, I will blow this place!"
Zayden grinned, his red eyes glimmering in the dimly laminated room, though a fire still burned in his veins.
A sharp shriek echoed in the room. Soon, Yuang’s body lay in a pond of blood, lifeless.
Pulling out his handkerchief from his pocket, Zayden carefully cleaned his blade. Then he dropped the cloth on the muddy floor.
Ren watched the scene. At first, he was surprised to see this side of the General. However, now the demonic strings around him made much more sense. He was no saint.
Ren knew it from the start. Imperial General Zayden was the man who had fought against the Temple for five consecutive years without surrendering. The war had come to an end simply because the Temple decided to sign a peace treaty. However, Ren didn’t know the content of the agreement.
Zayden stepped out of the cell, his gaze lingering on Ren. The servant hadn’t said a word. He didn’t ask Zayden to stop, nor did he tremble in fear.
With all his strength, he fought the urge to ask: Why are you not afraid? How are you not terrified of me?
"Let’s go," he announced, exiting the dungeon.
Ren simply nodded without uttering a word, following Zayden closely, matching his pace.
The dungeon seemed quieter now, the air mixed with the smell of blood.
The sky had turned dark, although it wasn’t night yet. As soon as they stepped outside, rain poured down as if they were standing beneath a heavy waterfall.
The cold drops soaked through Ren’s clothes, sticking against his skin like glue. Each step reminded him of past punishments. He bit the inside of his cheek, forcing himself not to tremble.
The sound of rain deafened him. He wanted to run. Far from this place.
The smell of blood still lingered near the General. However, he simply couldn’t stop himself from following. It had become a habit—standing close to this man, regardless of knowing his most cruel and inexplicable acts. Even if it was the first time Ren witnessed this side, he knew deep down what the General was capable of.
Right. He is just as I thought. But... Why didn’t he do the same to me? I also called him a demon.
He pondered, once again searching for answers he couldn’t seek from the man in question.
Servants hurried under the eaves, whispering as they watched the two emerge from the dungeon. None dared approach, not even with an umbrella. The storm itself seemed to bend around Zayden, as though even the weather bowed to his presence.
Ren risked a glance at him.
The General walked unbothered, water running down his sharp features, a faint smile tugging at his lips as if the rain only amused him. Ren couldn’t tell if it was the smile of a protector... or of a predator.
"What are you all doing?! Bring an umbrella!"
Finally, one of the guards shouted. Paul rushed to the mansion, returning quickly with an umbrella and a cloak. He extended the umbrella over the General, shielding him from the rain. After that, he offered the cloak to Ren.
Just then, Zayden grabbed the cloth, wrapping it around Ren with strangely casual movements, as if he had done this countless times.
Ren looked up at him, confused. Why cover him?
"If you catch a cold," he paused, taking the umbrella from Paul, "Eiran will get sick too." He turned. "Let’s go."
Ren’s jaw tightened. How long will he be kind to me?
When he learns the truth, I will be no different than the man he just killed. Would I?