~CHAPTER 29~
“No, absolutely not.”
Illey shook his head in panic.
I knew better than anyone that he never wished for something like that.
Even so, I asked that question to calm his emotions and shake him a little.
“It’s not like I never thought about going back.”
“I really was trying to find a way to return to the Demon Realm.”
“…Is that true?”
“Of course.”
“Why would I choose to stay here if I had another option?”
Hearing that I had been looking for a way back, Illey’s flaming emotions slowly began to settle.
With slightly calmer eyes, he opened his mouth again.
“Then please tell me.”
“What happened to you all this time?”
“Why are you traveling with humans?”
“Tell me everything.”
Good.
The storm of emotions that wouldn’t settle had finally calmed.
Now we could finally talk properly.
“Well… I was taking a short walk.”
I started explaining the situation calmly.
“I think there was holy power in the cake because my vision blurred and I passed out.”
“When I woke up, I was already in the Human Realm and my magic was gone.”
Of course, I didn’t tell him everything.
If he learned that I overused holy power in my weakened state, I couldn’t even imagine how furious he would become.
“That holy knight met me in the ant nest, so he thinks I’m a human.”
“He felt bad for someone with nowhere to go, so he’s letting me travel with him for now.”
“I… see.”
Maybe it worked because I chose my words carefully so it wouldn’t sound like I had even the smallest attachment to Sian.
I could see Illey’s hostile gaze toward him slowly fade.
I decided to take advantage of the moment and quickly explain the others as well.
“I’m only traveling with the magician because I thought he might help me regain my magic.”
“It’s a long story, but to summarize, the Spirit King gave him to me.”
Silence fell between us.
It was natural for him to be stunned.
“…The Spirit King gave him to you personally?”
“I wouldn’t call it personal.”
“It’s a bit unclear honestly.”
Since it was given through Zahar, calling it “direct” was awkward, but based on Ifrit’s words earlier, it did seem like the Spirit King intended it for me.
Feeling unsure how to phrase it, I scratched my cheek.
It didn’t seem important to him, because Illey simply nodded as if convinced.
“So you’ve been trying everything you could to return.”
“Of course.”
“Once I get my magic back, I’m going home.”
“Even if I don’t, if a portal to the Demon Realm opens, I’ll return immediately.”
“…Understood.”
Illey rose to his feet.
“Then come back with me right now.”
“…What?”
“Your magic will return slowly once you’re in the Demon Realm again, so there is no need to worry.”
“Until then, I will protect you.”
“I won’t let anyone lay a finger on you.”
“W-wait.”
“There is nothing for you to worry about.”
“I won’t leave your side, not even for a moment. I will protect—”
“Illey!”
He kept talking without even hearing me, so I had no choice but to cut him off.
“…Yes, My Lord.”
“I appreciate how you feel, but I still have things I need to do here.”
I needed to meet the World Tree, and I had a promise to keep with Ifrit.
One way or another, I couldn’t return right now.
Illey stared at me, then spoke, confused.
“Didn’t you just say that you would return immediately if you could?”
Damn it, I walked right into that.
No matter which method I chose, both required time.
If I leave now, I can’t accomplish either.
I ran my hand through my hair in frustration.
“That’s true, but things got a little complicated.”
“How strange.”
“Are you saying there is something more important than the Demon Realm’s safety?”
His voice began to rise again, like his emotions were returning to a boil.
Oh, come on.
This is really starting to get annoying.
“Illey, since when did I need someone’s permission to decide where I live?”
The annoyance in my voice wasn’t intentional, but it came through anyway.
Illey shut his mouth immediately.
If he were anyone else, I would never talk like this, especially without my magic.
But this was Illey.
The one person who never betrayed me in all twelve previous rounds.
“I apologize.”
“I spoke out of turn.”
See, even now he bows his head despite clearly being the stronger one.
It made me feel a little guilty for snapping at him… but still,
No, it’s still annoying.
After everything I’d been dragged into, he made me explain myself and defend every little thing.
Anyone would be irritated.
“…I made a promise to the Fire Spirit King.”
“What?”
“You mean with Ifrit?”
“Yes.”
“So I can’t leave until I fulfill it.”
Illey understood perfectly what that meant.
Even a Demon King cannot break a promise made with another ruler-level being.
“I understand.”
Maybe it was because I snapped earlier, or maybe using Ifrit’s name was more effective than expected.
Illey nodded obediently.
“…Return after you finish, then.”
“Return after you finish?”
The phrasing felt strange.
“I’ve never lived in the Human Realm before.”
“But I can’t allow you to stay here unguarded in your weakened state.”
“Illey?”
“Don’t worry.”
“I will adapt perfectly.”
Now he wasn’t emotional anymore; he was fired up with determination.
In that state, no one could stop him.
From his perspective, this was probably already him compromising.
I should back off a little too.
Besides, having Illey nearby would help if something happened.
“Fine.”
“I’ll talk to the others.”
“No need.”
“I will persuade them one by one myself.”
“What? But…”
Even if I ignored Zahar and Latia for now, things between him and Sian were extremely hostile.
How did he plan to handle that?
He looked at me confidently.
“Trust me.”
…Fine, let him try.
If things went wrong, he could come back to me later.
With that, our conversation ended.
The next morning, the shock began.
“I will be using this room.”
“…Do whatever you want.”
He had somehow gotten permission from everyone and immediately chose a room, then began cleaning it thoroughly.
Sian, watching with his arms crossed and an annoyed expression, saw me walk over and quickly escaped the scene.
Still mad, huh?
I remembered how he looked at me last night in the lobby, like he had a lot to say but chose not to speak.
Should I go talk to him?
But what did I do wrong?
I was still stewing in confusion when—
“Ah, My Lord, you’re here!”
Illey greeted me brightly as soon as he noticed me.
Right… about that.
We really needed to fix how he addressed me.
“Illey.”
I closed his open door and stepped closer.
“Say my name.”
“What?”
His eyes widened.
About the same size as when I told him I lost my magic.
“You can’t keep calling me ‘My Lord.'”
“I told you yesterday the others don’t know who I really am.”
“What if someone hears you?”
“But how could I possibly…”
“Illey.”
I cut him off firmly.
“That is an order.”
“…”
“Say it.”
“Jelena.”
“…Jelena… Lord?”
“Without the title.”
“…”
He looked like I told him to swallow deadly poison.
Still, he barely managed to speak.
“…Jelena.”
“Good.”
I grinned in satisfaction.
And just like that, we gained another roommate.
