hotmtlnovel Page 12
Page 12
This is a characteristic unique to demons.
Mino's expression suddenly turned serious: "Could it be..."
In an instant, Mino thought of a tragic love story between a human and a demon: tormented by the lack of acceptance from the world, both parents died, leaving behind Mia, the fruit of their love. But with only half demon blood, she was left all alone in the Demon King's castle...
Mino was instantly moved to tears.
"I see, so we're all just lonely people!"
He bent down, hugged Mia tightly, and shouted hoarsely, "Don't worry, I will definitely take you with me when we escape!"
Whether you are human or demon is up to you!
“…Huh?” Mia looked at Mino with a blank expression, but soon her eyelids drooped, her face pressed against Mino’s chest, and she looked sleepy.
Mino looked at Mia, who was fast asleep in his arms. It was getting late, so he decided to explore the exit of the Demon King's Castle another time. He was determined to take Mia away from this "prison" of the Demon King's Castle with him.
Therefore, even if it means becoming an enemy of the Demon King, he is determined to do it!
……
Kleidina slowly stepped up the stairs and stood in the cool moonlight.
"Where did they go..."
She had searched almost every floor, but still couldn't find the person who should have been in the room.
Suddenly, two even breathing sounds caught her attention, coming from the cells deep in the corridor.
A hint of disbelief flickered in Kletina's eyes as she approached the cell door.
In the blankets, in the arms of the sleeping hero, a small white head poked out restlessly.
Could it be...? Kletina transformed into a shadow, slipped through the crack, and arrived at the hero's bedside, carefully picking up the creature curled up like a ball.
Sensing the faint fragrance, the little head stirred again, revealing a sleepy face, and murmured in its sleep:
"Ting...Na?"
Kleidina let out a soft breath and said respectfully:
"My Lord Demon..."
The words fell.
Transforming into a shadow that enveloped Mia, Kletina disappeared from the cell, descending to the lower hall, where she gently placed the still-sleeping Mia on the throne.
Looking at the Demon King, curled up like a kitten on the throne cushion, Kletina sighed:
"A thousand years..."
A thousand years have passed. Since the hero from a thousand years ago and the former Demon King came together and their life force came to an end, leaving only Mia and a few demon officials, enough time has passed.
But the Demon King still can't grow up.
Kleidina knelt before the throne and gently took Mia's hand.
The next instant, a wondrous light burst forth throughout the entire hall.
The ripples in the air seemed almost tangible, spreading outwards continuously, and in the windless space, subtle magical energy formed pathways.
Within Kletina's body, countless streams of magic surged in like a flood. The next moment, the roses on her body faded, turning into pure white as snow. Her dress grew outwards, the white and sacred skirt covering the entire hall.
Behind her neck, countless strands of hair turned silvery-white, shimmering with a fluorescent glow as they danced in the air.
Kleidina opened her white eyes, which were swirling with terrifying energy, her expression serene like that of a god.
On the throne, the demonic horns on Mia's head, which were originally white, gradually faded away, and her hair turned into soft black hair. She pursed her lips in her sleep, seemingly sleeping even more soundly.
It lasted for about half an hour.
The energy flowed back, and Kletina wiped the sweat from her forehead, returning to her original state.
She touched Mia's face.
Although it wasn't outwardly apparent, Kleidina knew that the Demon Lord had grown a little more.
“A thousand years,” Kleinna thought.
The Demon King is a collection of desires. Each Demon King has different desires for the world, but when their desires are exhausted and their lifespan comes to an end, they do not mind dying under the sword of the hero.
But the Demon King hasn't grown up yet...
A thousand years have passed, and Mino, the strongest hero in history, has emerged among mankind. Even if we kill him, how many more years will pass... Kletina sighed softly.
In her sleep, Mia seemed to be dreaming about something, uttering soft murmurs:
"Bang... bang..."
This time, what flashed through Kletina's mind was the scene she had just witnessed: a little girl being protected in the arms of a strong human, with two demonic horns clearly visible from her hair...
"Perhaps you are the most respectable hero, but neither you nor I can end this war."
"So even if you're unwilling, Mino, the torture will continue."
Whispering echoed within the Demon King's castle.
……
The next day.
Inside the round table conference room in the capital.
With the arrival of Chief Rak of the Round Tower, a solemn meeting was held once again to gather the full strength of the Kingdom of Kur.
Mino's Freebie Conference, Phase Two!
Prince Ota sat at the round table, and his two dark circles under his eyes startled Lak.
"Your Highness, what is this...?"
“Chief Lark,” Ota forced a smile. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve just been a bit too engrossed in politics lately.”
While the fall of the hero Mino was a great loss, it also calmed the Demon King's army considerably, allowing the kingdom to stabilize and giving Ota more room to expand its territory.
Deep down, Ota was secretly thrilled.
All the hard work these past few days has paid off; the kingdom's economy has improved, and his personal savings have finally become full.
What you've lost will come back!
"……All right."
Lak nodded and sat down at the round table.
"Gentlemen, the Demon King's army has recently reduced its harassment of the border, giving us a chance to breathe, but we all know who bought that opportunity."
Otto chaired the meeting and looked around at everyone:
"We have lost our most powerful hero. If we do not unite, destruction awaits us..."
One policy decree after another was discussed and passed at the meeting.
"A memorial ceremony for the hero Mino will be held soon, and my sister Kalia will be the speaker and host..."
"The materials for the selection ceremony of the next hero are almost ready..."
As the meeting drew to a close, Otta suddenly clasped his hands together, his expression unusually solemn.
Those present held their breath, sensing that something important was about to happen.
Ota looked at the chief of the round tower, Lak, who was standing to the side.
"Finally, a devastating event occurred recently. For the sake of the kingdom's stability, I have decided to announce it only within our roundtable meeting, and everything must be kept secret."
A flicker of heartache crossed Lark's dark eyes. His face twitched, but he could only stand up and say:
"The notes in the Round Tower were recently destroyed, and many of the Round Tower's functions will be lost for a long time..."
"The real culprit has not yet been found."
hiss--
Several people gasped in shock, as panic, shock, and anger spread through the crowd.
That's the Round Tower's notebook, guarded by countless mages within the tower. It's under the strictest protection; even demons and rebels couldn't possibly destroy it without leaving a trace!
"That's right, you all probably thought of that too."
Ota's eyes sharpened like an eagle's, and he said in a deep voice:
"There's a traitor among us..."
Chapter 16 The Special Abilities of the Round Table
"The mole?!"
The voices rose and fell, and many people's eyes showed deep surprise and doubt.
Those attending this meeting were representatives of the core power of the entire kingdom, including dukes, nobles, magicians from the Round Tower, the Holy Church, royalty, and ministers. They all wielded considerable influence in the capital. Prince Ota had no basis and could not possibly have made such a definitive statement publicly.
Could it be that the royal family already had further clues?
Judging from the indignant look on Prince Ota's face, he clearly hated the so-called traitor to the core, as if his life had been violated.
Prince Ota takes the safety of the kingdom very seriously.
"That's a bit too absolute, Your Highness Ota." At that moment, a deep, resonant voice rang out.
Everyone turned their heads and saw that the speaker was Duke Moss of the Kingdom of Kur. His residence was located near the Magician's Round Tower, and given his bad reputation for being close to women, they immediately felt that Prince Ota was trying to smear them.
Duke Moss enjoyed the attention he received, shook his head, and then spoke:
"Those mercenary groups chasing money, the thieves lurking in the shadows, even the third prince who defected from the country, could do it too, couldn't they?"
As he spoke, he glanced at Chief Lark of the Round Tower again: "In fact, the owner of this notebook might be the real culprit!"
Caught off guard, Lark's aged face widened in shock.
Chief Lak was really "angry"... Ota glanced at Duke Moss with a hint of disgust.
The kingdom's political parties are fragmented and conflict-ridden, showing no mercy to those with whom they have no vested interests. At least for Chief Lac, Duke Moss of the aristocratic system is a member of the "Round Tower Suppression Party."
Similarly, there are also the "Prince's Party," the "Neutral Party," the "Holy Church Supporters Party," the "Lent Card Players Party," and so on...
Incidentally, the largest groups are "Kalia Singles Party" and "Brave Mino Victims Alliance", the latter of which was secretly founded by Chief Lak.