Chapter 24. The Hope of All Demons

The loud crash had stipulated Willow's senses.

She turned her head back to look down the hallway, but the arena was long ago beyond her sight. "Willow?" A call had brought back her attention.

Down the hallway was Augustine; the goddamn reincarnator/butler of Duke Rubius.

His attire showcased his ripe muscular figure, and had only made his cold face appear even more handsome. "What are you doing here? Where is Lucilline?"

Willow's eyes thinned. "Young Master is fighting the demon."

Upon hearing that, Augustine was shocked. An unknown sense of madness had burned at his lungs, as if something was choking him by the neck. His blue and purple veins had protruded out from his forehead, with disbelief written all across his face.

By his side, his hands full of callouses had clenched into a fist.

"...why?" Augustine had anger bubbling up his chest. His grey eyes were bloodshot, as he declared, "Why would you leave him alone-"

"He's not alone." Willow snapped. Her facial features had softened, as she explained, "Although I understand where you're coming from, but Young Master is not as weak as you think he is. Ever since he was 10-years-old, I've been teaching him swordsmanship and martial arts. Now, it's been five years. I doubt that he wouldn't be able to defend himself from a demon."

Augustine fell silent.

The maidservant had a point. She was a skillful instructor. If a person like her was teaching Lucilline, then he would be strong. However, Augustine's feeling of unease did not diminish.

"Besides, Young Master isn't alone. Daphnne and Percival are with him." Willow explained.

Hearing that other people were with Lucilline in the arena, Augustine could feel his nerves relaxing. His tense muscular body began to relax, with his cold face slowly thawing in relief. Willow noticed this, but didn't bother to comment.

"I am to make sure all the people escape safely." Willow informed. "Help me in rescuing the people."

Augustine nodded, agreeing swiftly.

The two servants of Duke Rubius had dashed down the hallway, ready to save anyone. They separated when the path split into two. "Let's separate. This way, rescuing the people will be faster." They both agreed.

After some time of separation, a small frown fell onto Willow's lips. She felt a burning sensation right where her hydrangea flower mark laid—on her chest. Could this mean... Young Master is injured?

Willow hurried in running.

*****

Daphnne shivered.

She had withdrawn her sword from the demon's heart, and wiped the folly blood off from her blade with a handkerchief. The heroine could feel the burning temperature of the blood through the fabric, as if they were just inches away from strangling her.

"Good job, Daphnne." Percival praised her. "You were skillful with the sword, and managed to even kill a demon."

Daphnne couldn't bring herself to smile.

She curled up on the ground, next to the body of the demon. "I don't think I can eat dinner after this." She shuddered, hugging her own arms.

Lucilline watched her. He then commented, "You saved me. Thank you, Daphnne."

The heroine paused. She stopped trembling. Her head turned to look at Lucilline, who wore a small smile. That's right. Daphnne understood. It isn't over yet. There is more than one demon that invaded the school. Besides, killing a few more demons is nothing compared to losing my friends.

She stood up from the ground.

Daphnne looked at Lucilline and Percival. "Let's go!"

Although Percival was stunned at her sudden change in attitude, he did not question it. There were nobody else in the arena. All of the noblemen and people had already fled out from the arena, and were making their way all around inside the school. The three teenagers ran down the hallway, keeping their eyes and ears wide open for any strange situations.

"Demon incoming!" Percival warned.

Unlike the earlier 5 metre tall demon that they'd defeated, this demon was the same size as them. Except, this demon was bulkier, with its shadows roaming far and wide. It didn't move on its four legs. Instead, this demon stood like a normal human being.

Lucilline's eyes widened.

The demon also had its mouth sewn shut.

It stiffly moved its head—but its neck wasn't moving. The demon gave a crooked smile, with its shadows flailing wildly. It watched the three teenagers, and didn't move.

Lucilline, Percival, and Daphnne didn't move either.

The two sides were at a stalemate.

A long time passed. All of a sudden, a sharp glint flashed past the air...! Lucilline threw his dagger accurately at the demon's head! However, the demon reacted quickly. It didn't show any signs of fear, as it directly blocked the blow with its palm.

The dagger had cut into the demon's palm, but stopping right in between its flesh.

Droplets of pungent blood had fallen on the ground.

"...go for it!" Lucilline has lost his weapon. Percival and Daphnne both rushed at the opposite sides of the demon. Both of them held a sword, then stabbed at the demon...!

The demon was fast. It dodged, and landed behind Percival.

Without hesitation, it threw a heavy punch at the brown-haired nobleman-

Percival saw it coming, but couldn't move. He quickly defended by throwing an arm in front of himself, with the demon's punch at his forearm. Crack! The sound and pain hadn't even registered in Percival's mind, as he was sent flying into a wall.

He almost coughed up blood from the tremendous strength! His arm that was hit must've been broken from that punch...!

Daphnne was shocked when her target had vanished from her sight.

It was only a second when Percival had been thrown away. Daphnne's small body tensed up, as she tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword. Noo! It isn't over yet!

Taking advantage of the dagger stuck in the demon's palm, Daphnne aimed for the right side of the demon. She gritted her teeth, then stabbed forwards!

The demon blocked her attack with its other arm.

The sword chopped its arm, with the shadow arm disconnected, dropping onto the ground. The demon just blinked, not even flinching from the pain. It stood still. Daphnne felt like as if some unknown force was dragging at her feet, forcing her to stand there and not move.

She sweated profusely.

The hairs on her back had risen! Daphnne saw the demon stare at her. Its eyes were like an endless void, as if it could suck every single speck of happiness and warmth away.

Then, the demon moved. It raised its arm to swat Daphnne away like a pesky fly.

Daphnne was slapped on the cheek. It was a light slap, but the force behind it was tremendous. Instantaneously, the heroine was slapped across the end of the hallway! Daphnne tumbled past many cobblestones, then slid on the floor. She coughed heavily. It felt like an invisible force was sleeping on her chest, suffocating her to silence.

She spat out a mouthful of blood. Her internal organs were fine. However, her mouth wasn't. Daphnne spat out two teeth—both molars.

Her heart seemed to leap out from her throat at the sight.

"Ahahaha..." She coughed. Lifting her head, Daphnne met the sight of a figure dashing across the hallway! Lucilline did not hesitate, as he picked up a piece of crumbled wall—about the size of a brick. It did not hinder his speed, as he raced behind the demon.

The demon saw him coming, then spun around. It punched at the brick, pummelling it into mere crumbles!

Lucilline gritted his teeth. Taking advantage of the broken crumbles (which blocked the demon's eyesight), he delivered a strong kick at the demon!

The demon took two steps backward.

Both Percival and Daphnne were doubled over from their injuries. However, the demon seemed to be suffering from more injuries. It had lost its left arm, and a dagger was stuck in its right palm.

Lucilline felt like this was his chance to kill it!

He was fast, as he jumped right behind the demon. Lucilline spun around, throwing a second kick at the demon's ankle! The demon was tripped over, collapsing on the ground. Without giving it a chance to breathe, Lucilline pulled out his dagger from the demon's palm! A disgusting hole was revealed, with blood shedding onto the cobblestone ground.

Lucilline pursed his lips.

He directly slammed a foot down onto the back of the demon, holding it down in place! The black-haired nobleman readied his dagger in hand, then sliced at the demon's neck-

As if sensing danger, the demon quickly struggled.

It slipped out from Lucilline's hold, then smacked the dagger out from the black-haired nobleman's hand! The demon seemed to chuckle without even moving its stitched mouth, then reached out its hands to directly dislocate Lucilline's neck-

Time seemed to stop.

The demon found itself unable to move its body, no matter how hard it pulled itself. Slowly, its void-like eyes had wandered to behind Lucilline.

There was a shadow behind the black-haired nobleman.

The demon couldn't make out the shadow. However, it could sense an ominous presence oozing out from it! The shadow formed a mouth, resembling the shade of moonlight walking on glass panes.

It smiled, "Have you forgotten my orders? Are you disobeying me?"

The demon was incapable of talking.

It could only watch the shadow continue talking, "The one in front of you is the hope of all demons. In the future, he will bring downfall to Lydia Kingdom. So you mustn't lay a hand on him, alright?" The shadow was nice with its words, but it sounded like it was capable of crushing the demon with a mere command.

The demon felt pressure drowning itself through all its pores... as if the sun was crashing upon the demon, with air being forced out from its lungs.

It agreed in its mind.

"Good." A chuckle came from the shadow. "Now run like a good doggie. Don't make me any more upset than I am now."

Time continued to flow.

Lucilline noticed that the demon wasn't moving for a long time! It was just about to grab onto the black-haired nobleman's neck, but stopped midway. Lucilline's eyes thinned in confusion. Now's my chance! Suddenly, an idea jumped in his mind.

He grabbed onto the demon's outreached hand. Then with his spare right hand, he aggressively punched into the demon's face!

The demon was thrown far away from the punch!

It collapsed onto the ground, face flat. Slowly, it came back to itself. Without any hesitation, the demon ran away like a coward. Its figure disappeared without a sight.

Lucilline was stunned. How come it ran away?

He didn't have any time to ponder those thoughts though. Lucilline picked up his dagger that fell onto the ground, shoving it in a pocket. He quickly checked up on Percival and Daphnne. Other than suffering from their injuries, they were fine and didn't seem to lose their consciousness.

Daphnne lost two molar teeth.

Percival broke his right arm.

Seeing these injuries, Lucilline frowned. Both of them stood up from the floor, with their clothes dirtied in their own blood.

"Hey! Who's there?!" A cry came from behind them. It was a familiar voice—

Lucilline, Daphnne, and Percival turned around. They met with the sight of two students; Azalea and November!

"Lucilline!" Azalea had raced to check up on the black-haired nobleman. "I just saw a demon run away from your direction! Are any of you guys injured?"

Lucilline shrunk from the white-haired male lead's enthusiasm.

He shrugged, "I am fine, but Daphnne and Percival suffered some losses."

Azalea turned to look at the nobleman and his childhood friend. His heart felt like it was pricked by a thousand needles. He bowed his head.

"I'm sorry."

Percival laughed at that apology. "What are you sorry for?"

Azalea pursed his lips. "I should've been the one to get hurt, instead of you two."

Daphnne was puzzled. "What has gotten into you, Az?"

Azalea huffed. "What I meant is that I will catch the demon who hurt you two! I will make sure that it will get what it deserves!"

In the back, November just shrunk from the group of friends. Should I even be here?