LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 16.1
“Kuh!”
The demons, disguised as guards, were brutally slain.
As their bodies fell to the ground, the human-like skin transformed into monstrous forms.
And that wasn’t all.
The remaining demons were also mercilessly dragged into the shadow that seemed to be alive and moving.
The first ones to be pulled in were the demons approaching the Skeleton King, as if there was an outrage at the audacity of anyone daring to target him.
In some sense, they were taking care of the enemies for the paladins and the Skeleton King.
Naturally, the demons were bewildered.
They sensed the identity of their adversary.
“Ack! Why on earth! To your own kind… Kuhh!”
As if to silence them, the demons were sucked into a black hole-like shadow, screaming.
Even the weaker demons were dragged away like toys.
At this sight, the Skeleton King sneered, realizing the identity of the shadow.
‘That’s a Shadow Lich.’
It was the high-ranking demon that had been resurrected from the totem that the Bishop had not long ago.
Having been put in his place and fled, had he been pursuing ever since?
One might wonder how it could follow without being detected by the priests, but the Shadow Lich was a being that moved through shadows.
By concealing his magical energy, he became unable to use any power, but it had a remarkable ability to hide that even high-ranking priests could hardly notice.
It’s plausible that he could have followed without being detected so far, but it’s annoying.
Not it, but this one.
‘Hey. Detection magic. Why didn’t you tell me about that?’
When it had detected 88, he was sure it noticed that one as well.
Whisper tilted his head at the hint that the youngster wasn’t doing his job properly.
[Master, you told me to detect enemies, not those who bear goodwill.]
Look at this guy?
Even though it was outrageous, in fact, what Whisper said was correct.
From the Shadow Lich, not a bit of hostility towards the Skeleton King could be felt.
No, rather than hostility…
[I will eliminate all who target that child!]
An ally…
[Don’t touch that child with your filthy hands!]
“Cough!”
Hmm, affection…?
[Don’t even look at that child with your filthy eyes! I’ll pluck your eyeballs out!]
Khuh!!
…It seems like the problem is that there’s too much overflowing affection.
No, honestly, at that level, it’s so obsessive that it’s scary.
Therefore, the Skeleton King couldn’t help but frown.
Why is a high-ranking demon behaving like this? Did he gain some deep insight from the mental suppression he gave him?
‘So he was the one who eliminated the 88 demons.’
Anyway, it was a considerable high-ranking demon.
Why such a being would protect a human suckling like himself was unclear, but thanks to him, he managed to get by without having to lift a finger.
There’s no way he wouldn’t like it.
However, there’s one problem…
“Um… Sir Lilai.”
“How should we interpret this situation?”
It was the knights of Eshua, just watching the situation with their swords drawn.
Even they, as the frontline blades of the Holy Empire, who wouldn’t bat an eye at ordinary events, seemed to find this situation absurd.
Their eyeballs, sweating heavily, were busy rolling left and right.
“The demon is protecting young master Isaac…”
The Skeleton King frowned as if that was the problem.
Even though it’s a demon, protecting a human child crossed a line. If these guys aren’t idiots, it’s normal to suspect…
“It’s not protection, they’re fighting each other. They want to be the first to kill him.”
“So, if it doesn’t take care of the Saint itself, it’s meaningless. So, is that why it’s protecting young master Isaac?”
Idiots, these guys.
“All of the Skeleton King’s minions are like that.”
“Well, serving the undead from the start isn’t sane anyway.”
These idiots have a long tongue, though they are a blessing in disguise.
At this point, isn’t it rather fortunate?
Because of the prohibition, there shouldn’t have been any demons within the Holy Empire.
If they used high-level magic, they would obviously be exposed at once, and they thought there would be extreme restrictions on their actions. But these guys have come all the way into human territory?
‘Demons might be able to use their magic more freely than I thought.’
Of course, there were surely some who weren’t idiots among the knights.
“Sir Lilai. Demons don’t designate specific humans to pursue. Especially a Shadow Lich, which doesn’t follow anyone, wouldn’t chase to this extent, there must be something about young master Isaac.”
It was the knight commander who had blown off the Bishop’s arm and vocal cords.
Her expression was a bit serious, which made the Skeleton King raise his eyebrows.
She is a high-ranking paladin, so he hoped she didn’t have any dangerous suspicions.
“An existence that even the undead instinctively feel danger from. They said he wasn’t, but young master Isaac does have the qualifications to be a Saint candidate…”
Right, that’s it. A bit far-fetched, but good.
It would have been more perfect if she said he was a Saint, not a candidate, but still great.
The Skeleton King grinned.
It was clear to him that he didn’t have a strong position within the family.
No other than the Emperor’s actions.
No matter how greedy, how dare he suggest taking a child from a Duke’s family to the imperial family? It was undeniable that he made such a proposal knowing that the child was not important to Eshua.
Therefore, if people around him started calling him a Saint, it would be the best thing for him as the Skeleton King.
And as a Saint, he could swallow this Duke’s family whole while receiving extravagant treatment.
The Skeleton King chuckled at that pleasant thought, but…
“He’s just an ordinary little kid, not a Saint. Even if he were a candidate for Saint, he should be able to exude holy power as naturally as a Saintess, but I can’t feel any power.”
The Skeleton King’s eyebrows twitched as if hit by a truth.
Indeed, a lineage of the Saintess.
Well, okay.
It’s embarrassing, but he doesn’t know how to extract holy power directly yet.
The sacred technique is within the unconscious realm, but his brain is so used to unfolding magic that there was a need to consciously pierce that door.
And indeed, the lineage of the Saintess was quite perceptive. But they probably can’t even imagine that the Demon King still doesn’t know how to use the sacred technique!
However, his uncle looked at the Skeleton King with pity.
“More than anything, there can’t be a ‘boy’ born in Eshua with the special power of a Saintess.”
“!”
At that remark, the knight commander seemed to be at a loss for words.
Instead, she changed the subject with murderous intent pouring out of her eyes.
“So, did those demons rush over just by the command of the Skeleton King? He’s just a powerless child, isn’t he? Just how cruel and petty can this Skeleton King be?”
The Skeleton King, who had become petty in her eyes, looked on as if he couldn’t believe it.
However, the uncle shook his head.
“No, the Skeleton King is much more insidious and ignoble than you think.”
Wow, the uncle really adds fuel to the fire.
The Skeleton King glared at his uncle, but the uncle just stared back at the Skeleton King’s body instead of replying.
His blue eyes under silver hair narrowed.
Memories of the past crossed his mind.
-My Lady! Another child in Eshua has died. It’s because of the curse.
-Damn, that damn Skeleton King’s curse again…!
-When will this incessant curse of the Skeleton King disappear!
“Sir Lilai?”
At the voice of the knight commander, the uncle, lost in thought, quickly drew his sword.
“It’s good to be kind to the child, but don’t get too attached.”
“Yes, yes?”
“He won’t live long.”
“…Yes?!”
At that moment, the uncle swung his sword towards the demon. In response to his signal, the paladins also activated their holy power.
And while the Knight Commander seemed the most flustered by the uncle’s words, in reality, it was undoubtedly the Skeleton King who was most taken aback.
No, you bastard uncle!
What kind of situation is it to suddenly announce a time limit?
You should explain before you go!