“Kids these days just have no romance.” The voice was mixed with giggles as they approached. “Don’t you think so? They’re always trying to weigh the gains and losses, fighting only the battles they are certain to win. They’re so weak-minded, but they glamourize their selfish ideals as generosity with conviction.”
Eugene glared at Noir GIabella with cold, subdued eyes.
“Did I sound like an old woman whining?” asked Noir.
“Well, you are old,” responded Eugene.
“My, my. You shouldn’t say such things to a lady. However, I’ll let it go since it’s you. And you, of all people, should understand how I feel, right?” asked Noir, coming to stand on equal footing with Eugene. She smiled brightly while pressing down on her chest to help with her overflowing emotions.
“My Hamel.”
Eugene had prepared himself to be caught. However, hearing the words My Hamel coming from the lips of the Queen of the Night Demons was truly awful, causing his expression to become distorted.
Mer immediately hid in the crevice of Eugene’s cloak when she felt the rising tension. Raimira, who was still clinging to Eugene’s arm, trembled as soon as she met Noir’s gaze.
The demon's identity was not lost on her, and she recognized the face instantly from countless appearances on the palace's television screens. Noir Giabella, the Queen of the Night Demons, was a well-known celebrity and noble who had captured the public's attention for centuries. She was a shining star among stars.
In addition, she was the demon Raimira most admired. In fact, she had imagined asking for a picture and an autograph if she had the chance to meet Noir Giabella through her connection to the Black Dragon.
Yet, seeing Duke Giabella in person was an entirely different experience. Her beauty and terror were magnified tenfold. Raimira couldn't bring herself to look up, let alone ask for an autograph or photo, as an overwhelming sense of instinctual fear gripped her.
“W-where… are you going by yourself? T-this lady wants to come in, too…,” stuttered Raimira.
“What are you talking about? You couldn’t come in even if you wanted to. This is Mer’s room,” responded Mer, slapping the back of Raimira’s hand without showing any mercy and preventing the hatchling from attempting to follow her inside the cloak.
But it was inevitable. Mer could only take shelter in the cloak because the familiar magic was engraved on Eugene. Even if she wanted to, Raimira could not enter the space inside the cloak.
“You didn’t really think that I wouldn’t recognize you, right? Ah, actually, I think I would be prouder if you did think that since it would mean that I know you even better than you imagined,” said Noir.
“I did think you would notice,” responded Eugene. He had no intention of going along with Noir’s theatrics. He suppressed his killing intention before spitting out his following words. “As long as you weren’t a complete idiot.”
“Hmph. Maybe I should have pretended not to notice then. I think it would have been quite flattering to be treated like a dummy by you,” responded Noir, intentionally tying herself in knots and blushing. “A dummy blinded by love. Isn’t it quite romantic?”
“Crazy bitch,” Eugene said curtly.
"Why did you fight with Jagon?" Noir inquired, ignoring his earlier outburst. After three hundred long years, she was at last reunited with Hamel. The encounter kindled a flame within her heart, yet at the same time, she couldn't help but feel perplexed. Until just a few days prior, Hamel had concealed his true identity, masquerading as Eugene Lionheart.
“Because I thought I needed to kill him today,” answered Eugene. He had not been surprised by Noir Giabella’s intervention.
Eugene had stepped in, fully intent on engaging in combat with Jagon. He had succeeded in killing Jagon and sending the Dragon Demon Castle hurtling toward Karabloom. Eugene knew he couldn't claim that he hadn't foreseen Noir's arrival since he had not left the castle quietly but instead had become embroiled in the heated battle.
Right from the start, Eugene had braced himself for Noir Giabella's attention. He understood on a logical level that his decision was a mistake, but neither he nor Noir were very rational beings, to begin with.
Eugene's actions had not been solely driven by his emotions. He had assessed Jagon as a menacing creature, recognizing the genuine danger that such a talented and belligerent demon posed. Eugene knew that Jagon's strength had the potential to escalate rapidly, potentially becoming extremely difficult to contain in a short period of time.
Eugene had lost count of the number of times he regretted not having dealt a fatal blow to his enemies when he had the opportunity. Even after being reborn into this era, he still felt pangs of remorse when facing foes from three hundred years ago.
So Eugene had resolved to end Jagon’s life and followed through with his decision.
“Aha.” His answer had been curt, but Noir understood what Eugene was saying. “So that’s what it was. Jagon was the weakest today, so today was the best day to kill him.”
The battle had been Count Karad’s to take, and in the end, he would have taken the Dragon Demon Castle and Karabloom as trophies of his victory. As a result, most of the demonfolks residing in the Dragon Demon Castle would have become food for Jagon.
Afterward, the honor of having struck down the Dragon Demon Castle would have allowed Count Karad to advance to the capital, Pandemonium. Moreover, since the contract between Count Karad and Jagon was valid until the appearance of Raizakia, the Black Dragon, Jagon would have remained at the side of Count Karad.
It was obvious that a new, young, emerging noble would have gathered the unwanted attention of many demonfolks. The count could have used Jagon as a hitman, and Jagon would have used Count Karad as justification for fighting against numerous high-ranking demons. These skirmishes would only have served to strengthen Jagon and pave the way for a bright future.
As such, today had been the right time to kill Jagon.
“Aha….”
Noir boasted having great insight into Eugene Lionheart — or rather — Hamel Dynas. Among the companions of the Hero, the Great Vermouth, she had been the most conscious of and interested in Hamel Dynas.
In contrast to his companions, Eugene's background was unremarkable and ordinary. The one who had fought closest alongside the chosen Hero was not the Archwizard reared by elves, nor the mighty warrior of a northern war tribe, nor an artificial incarnation crafted by a group of fanatics. No, the individual who had fought closest by the Great Vermouth's side was simply a mercenary with no notable past.
Noir was privy to the reason behind this. Three hundred years ago, she had invaded deep into Hamel's dreams at a time when the Hero's party was unaccustomed to such attacks. It was also the reason why Hamel harbored such deep-seated animosity towards Noir Giabella, the Queen of the Night Demons.
“It’s already been three hundred years, but some things never change,” commented Noir.
Hamel was a genius. Of course, the same applied to all of Vermouth’s companions. However, even though Hamel was a genius, his limits were made more distinct due to his greatness. He was born weak compared to his talents.
Even so, he fought closest with Vermouth because he harbored the greatest hatred against the demonfolks, more so than any of his comrades.
Vermouth had been chosen as the Hero. Sienna had been tasked with killing the Demon Kings for the sake of the elves' future since it was imperative that the Demon Kings be eliminated. As long as they remained alive, the elves would continue to suffer from the Demonic Disease, and the World Tree would wither away. The massacre of a large number of elves by Iris had further fuelled Sienna's determination.
Molon had been the next tribal chief of the Bayar Tribe and a great warrior. His tribe had been located adjacent to Helmuth, and demonic beasts had trampled over his hometown. As such, Molon had made up his mind to subjugate the Demon Kings for the sake of the future of his tribe and the snowfields.
As the Imitation Incarnation, Anise had been designed from the very beginning as an existence to fight against the Demon Kings to save the world. Regardless of her own will, everything had guided her to the fate of the Saint.
On the other hand, Hamel had not been tasked with the fate of his tribe. He had not been carrying the future of a race on his shoulders, and he had not been chosen by the Holy Sword. He had never been forced into anything as his birthright.
If he had wanted, Hamel could have chosen a different life. Yes, he had lost his family and village, but there were countless people who shared his fate during a war. It was natural for some to crave revenge, while others gave up.
In that aspect, Hamel had been special. He never gave up on achieving revenge and eventually climbed to a position where he could enact his vengeance. He had killed three Demon Kings in a life he chose. He had chosen his fate of wielding his blade against the Demon Kings and the demons and proved himself by massacring them.
Hamel’s wishes had not been grand. He wasn’t out to save his tribe, to save a race, or to save the world. He had wanted nothing more than simple revenge, to kill the Demon Kings.
“In the end, you did what you wanted,” said Noir.
Eugene had wanted to kill all the demons of the Dragon Demon Castle.
He had wanted to cause a catastrophe in Karabloom.
He had wanted to kill Jagon.
Such desires had been the essence of the Hamel Dynas that Noir saw. Although his pure will to kill had been transformed into the desire to save the world later on, the process did not change. He had to kill all the Demon Kings to save the world.
All of Vermouth’s companions had shared the same thought, but only Hamel had taken the lead by burning himself like firewood without care for his own life.
Hamel Dynas had been the most suited to be called the enemy of the demonfolks, more so than the Great Vermouth.
“Still so lovely,” commented Noir.
She had encountered Hamel at the bottom of his dream. Despite being an absolute presence in dreams, Noir had been overwhelmed by the curses and hatred Hamel had displayed, resulting in the dream's destruction. Though Noir had alternated between showing hope and despair with her Demoneye of Fantasy, Hamel's unwavering killing intent had remained resolute.
She could not help but fall in love.
“I have so much I want to ask you,” said Noir.
Her body was hot, and she wanted to take him into her embrace. She longed to express her love for him in every physical way possible, share every intimate moment with him, and explore the depths of his dreams to share the most profound connection.
“Why are you alive when you died three hundred years ago? Why do you have the name Lionheart? A reincarnation? By whom? How? Is the Imitation Incarnation accompanying you really Kristina Rogeris?”
Eugene glared at Noir while remaining silent. But she found the profane, reckless, and spiteful gaze even more lovely.
“Why do you have the Moonlight Sword, which has no records in history? Why is the Dragon Duchess alive and in your hands, and what are you planning to do from now on?” Noir suddenly stopped. The pieces — the Lionheart family, the vanished Moonlight Sword, the death of the Great Vermouth two hundred years ago, and the reincarnation of Hamel Dynas — all seemed to click together. “Vermouth Lionheart. Indeed, he had a good eye. Indeed, if he had to choose someone to achieve what he couldn’t…. Hoho, you would have been the right person, my Hamel. I’m sure that the Demon King of Incarceration knows your identity since the two of you even met in person.”
“What is it that you want to say?” said Eugene.
“Nothing much. But can you just answer this one thing? My Hamel, did Gavid Lindman recognize your true identity?” whispered Noir while leaning forward. Eugene felt contempt for her passionate gaze.
“No,” he answered.
“Wonderful…! Then that means only the Demon King of Incarceration and I know who you are in Helmuth, right? Ah, I love it. I won’t ask you anything else. Having some secrets makes it more exciting, right?”
“I’m leaving Helmuth,” Eugene said while tucking away the Moonlight Sword into his cloak with a deliberate movement. “Right now, there is nothing more for me to do in Helmuth.”
“It won’t be easy to leave. My Hamel, you crashed the Dragon Demon Castle, killed countless demonfolks, and kidnapped Raizakia’s only daughter,” responded Noir.
“Then what? Will I be judged according to Helmuth’s law? I guess I reincarnated for nothing since I’m going to die in vain,” spat Eugene.
“Ah…,” Noir moaned, feeling a heartache. How shameless! “My Hamel. There’s no way I would let you die like that. If you really have to die one day, your death must be more valuable and noble than it was three hundred years ago.”
“How?” asked Eugene.
“Either you die while challenging the Demon King of Incarceration,” she paused, then tilted her head. “Or die while challenging a demon equivalent to a Demon King.”
Her words were extremely blatant. With a smile, she flicked her fingers toward Eugene, causing a black casino coin to hurl toward him. It was the same coin she had given him in the snowfield. Although he had tossed it away then, he had no choice but to accept it now.
“Hamel, you will be free from all inspections in Helmuth just by having that coin. Moreover, you should present that coin instead of your identity card at the warp-gate. Even if you’re bringing along hundreds of demonfolks and not just the Dragon Duchess, as long as you have that coin, you should be able to use the warp-gates without any problem.”
“All is good,” said Eugene while tucking the coin away in his pocket. “But don’t call me Hamel.”
“Ah…. Right. This can be our little… secret. I understand. Ah, but the Dragon Duchess has already heard everything. What should we do about that?” asked Noir.
“What else? I’m going to make sure she doesn’t talk,” responded Eugene.
“That would be extremely easy for me. I could even modify her memory such that she will cooperate with you,” said Noir, turning her glistening eyes toward Raimira. Even though she was a dragon, as a hatchling, there was no way she could resist the Demoneye of Fantasy. However, Eugene shook his head and stepped in front of Raimira.
“Don’t do something so useless,” said Eugene.
“Have you become a little more gentle? That’s attractive as well. I understand, my Hamel. I won’t since you told me not to,” responded Noir, withdrawing her Demoneye of Fantasy. “But when the moment comes when I really shouldn’t, I won’t listen, no matter how much you beg.”
“Do you think that only applies to you?” scoffed Eugene.
Noir gently brushed over her lower lips with her tongue. Before parting ways, couldn’t they have a light hug or a simple kiss? It would surely quench her excitement somewhat, and Hamel’s hatred, anger, and malice would be intensified. Wouldn’t it make things much more fun for their next meeting?
‘Hold it in,’ she told herself sternly.
Noir desperately held herself back. This was a fateful reunion with her first love, and the meeting alone greatly excited her. If they happened to touch, she knew she would fail to hold back her urges rather than save them for later.
She could not. This wasteland was too shabby for the climax of their romance.
“Let’s celebrate our end in Giabella City,” whispered Noir with a wink. Giabella City was already perfect and beautiful, but it would become even more beautiful after today.
The moment before the Dragon Demon Castle’s fall, Noir had conjured a curtain of magic to contain the destruction. Moreover, she had evacuated all the night demons in the city, as well as the dwarves in the mine. The destruction of the mine couldn’t have been prevented, but she had robbed Raizakia of the contracts he had with all the dwarves and saved their lives.
Instead of laboring away making goods for Raizakia from generation to generation, the dwarves would now live as architects of Giabella City for Noir.
“It has to be there. Both where you will kill me and where I will kill you,” said Noir.
“Do you think I’m crazy enough to fight you in your territory?” asked Eugene.
“But you are crazy. Hamel, three hundred years ago, you and your companions invaded the territories of the Demon Kings and killed them in their own castles,” said Noir.
“But you’re not a Demon King,” retorted Eugene.
“Do you really think so?” asked Noir with a mischievous smile, spreading her wings wide. “Well, my Hamel, if you really wish for it, I’ll try to build a demon castle in Giabella City.”
“Don’t bother.”
“Don’t say such gloomy things.” Her bat-like wings fluttered, and her body was pushed back, up into the air. “That’s what romance is.”