After returning from the basement, the two remained silent for a while. Lara agonized over Demian's fate and he was silent out of consideration for Lara, who was lost in thought.

It was already deep into the night. No one was awake except for the knights guarding the abode outside. Lara took Demian into the bedroom that Konny had cleaned up. Then, she suddenly asked.

“When are you going to leave?”

“As soon as possible. It will be easier to attack before they build their power.”

“Listen carefully.”

Lara searched the High Priest's desk and found a map. It was a map that recorded the location of temples throughout the continent.

“My memory is not very accurate. Foolishly enough, I was not interested in anything in the world in my past life. I was just busy filling in my selfishness.”

“Lara.”

“If I knew this would happen, I would chase the Prince around and get the information about the war in detail…”

“Lara, it's okay.”

“Anyway, I will tell you roughly what I remember. I don't know where and how the massive battle that was stirred up by the demon worshippers started. But I know that the black sorcerers intervened in the conflict between the Tarragon Empire and the Eastern Union.”

Demian's face became serious. He stared at the Eastern Union border, which Lara pointed with her finger.

“I don't even know the order. However, I do remember that a herd of demonic beasts appeared in Western Gorgon, and that demon worshippers constantly sought out the lawless zone.”

“Are you talking about the land that I took over and became king at?”

“Yes. That place has always been the fiercest battlefield.”

Lara's finger was pointing to the lawless zone this time. She kept saying.

“You always won.”

“I guess so.”

“No matter who you fought against on any battlefield, you always came back with a victory. Remember, you were an immortal warrior, an undefeated king.”

Demian nodded. Lara's words sounded like a pledge to herself.

“So bring me victory.”

After killing all the demons that will appear in this land, let's go to hell together.

Demian's sleeping face was beautiful. His beauty was devastating, her heart ached for no reason when she looked at him still. As she kissed the shadow of his long eyelashes and swept his near eyebrows, it was already dawn.

Lara could not sleep all night. The word of God that the demon lord was born to kill the saintess remained in her mind, causing her to not sleep at all. Perhaps Demian led an unhappy life because he could not kill the saintess, and instead, fell in love with her.

Demian spent time with Lara who stayed up late. Then, he held her in his arms and fell asleep, drunk on her body temperature.

His body felt warm under the blanket. His skin was soft, and if she brought her nose against his body, a sweet odor flowed, making her mouth water. His chest went up and down evenly, and when she put her ear to it, she felt so happy that it did not feel real. Even if deep despair and a mountain-like tragedy waited outside the door, that night with him had made her like an endlessly reckless child.

I can start worrying tomorrow. Because loving you is more important now.

Lara's long hair ran down her shoulder and touched Demian's face. Demian woke up to the tickling sensation and slowly opened his eyes, smiling softly before doing so.

Lara.

Demian said as if he was sleep talking.

Lara rolled up her hair on Demian's face. She put it behind her shoulders and lowered her head to kiss him.

Her swept-back hair fell all at once. A smooth, white back and a softly curved nape were exposed. Demian pulled his arms out of the blanket and hugged Lara's waist, gently stroking her back. His fingers, touching her bare skin, moved delicately as if striking a musical instrument.

The sun would rise soon. Lara kissed him deeply and looked out at the window where dawn had faintly risen.

It was still dark but it would soon brighten. It did not please her. She thought it would be good not to have the sun rise today. Lara got out of the bed and closed the half-open curtain.

The room got dark again. Only the candles scattered subtle light, swaying dangerously as if they were going to go out. Returning to bed, Lara gathered her long hair to one side and told Demian.

“Don't wake up.”

Demian reached out to Lara while lying down. He wrapped his hand around Lara's neck and rubbed his fingers behind her ears where it led to her hair. Lara's thin hair curled up between his long, rough fingers.

Demian's fingers moved along her ear as he came out of her hair. As if painting along the round line of the earflap, he moved very carefully.

Demian said.

“If you tell me not to wake up, I won't wake up forever.”

Lara grabbed his hand and took it off her ear. Then, she laid her fingers between his and lay down narrowly as if she was about to touch his body.

“Then, don't wake up forever.”

“Lara.”

“When the morning comes, I will let…”

Lara could not conclude her sentence. Demian raised his head and swallowed her lips. Trapped between his lips, Lara's lips were pressed gently, and a sweet sigh came out between them.

It was okay.

Lara thought so at that moment. It was okay for him to be the demon lord, and it was okay even if he killed her. She was confident that she would not regret dying with him. If she could keep this man in her arms and enjoy the time she had, then, for now, everything would be fine.

Chapter end