Chapter 35

Anyone listening to that story nowadays would laugh in the face of whoever was telling it and assert that it's such an absurd lie that the person wouldn't even bother trying to make it remotely believable.

With all the tents destroyed, there's nothing above their heads but the moonlight and the starry sky.

On one side stand the knights still well enough to fight, though they know it's utterly futile in such a situation, while on the sidelines are the rest, those incapacitated by injuries from participating in any potential battle.

And on the other side stretches the demonic army, those still alive and able to fight, of course, while those injured wait back at the campsite.

The pressure on that place is palpable, visible mostly on one side, with the Camelot knights trembling and fear evident on their faces, as they are the ones at a complete disadvantage in the whole situation.

The demons exude confidence in front of the Camelot knights, knowing that most of the kingdom's supposed mightiest are before them, including the leader of the knights, the hero's current assistant, and the hero himself, all taking the forefront in the situation.

But despite being pleased with their undeniable superiority over the Camelot warriors, the demons feel a slight and obvious discontent with the situation.

For those three, killing them would be so simple and easy, that's undeniable, as even the Camelot knights are fully aware of it. So why do they need to put themselves in such a situation, after so many of their comrades died before their eyes?

Why do they need to sit with the leaders of the Camelot knights and discuss peace?

They haven't had that option from the start, so why give it to those who plunged them into such pain and suffering?

Their hearts are filled with doubts and anguish as they watch those who should, first and foremost, protect them, sitting at a table with the enemy.

As this is a direct order from Ethan, did the fact that they are of the same race speak louder?

In such a crucial moment for all of them present and for all the others desperate throughout the kingdom... has he... switched sides...?

However, it wasn't only the demonic knights who felt unhappy with the situation, as not even Clovis and Carlos understood what was happening and why Ethan was doing that.

Especially Carlos, who sees all of it as a waste of time. In his view, killing them would be much quicker, and then he could return to his training, after all, unlike Ethan, ascension doesn't come easily for everyone.

"What's the purpose of all this, Ethan...?" questioned Clovis, looking at the commander and Elizabeth with an obvious look of indifference. "Many are injured right now..., now isn't the time to play with these... with these people."

"As I said when I announced I was coming here, I want this to stop..." replied Ethan, sitting in the central chair, alongside Clovis and Carlos. "And first..., I would prefer it to happen peacefully."

"First..." reflected the trembling commander, avoiding looking directly at Carlos at all costs. "..., that means he's just pretending to give us an option... It's basically 'accept what I say or die.'"

The demons couldn't believe what they were hearing.

And their known and dead friends? Did they all die in vain?!

No! Absolutely they wouldn't accept something like that quietly.

With his heart broken, a man took the first step forward, standing in front of the entire demonic army, and questioned;

"And what about those scattered across this field, sir...? Those they spread out!?"

The flaming arrows fall, targeting the entire battlefield. He still remembers it vividly, as before his eyes the lived image of the moment is present.

His brother, who had already lost one arm in that damned inferno, beheading a harpy with his dagger just before being struck in the back.

His inability to do anything as the flames consumed him turns into hatred at this moment. His eyes bursting and his body melting from the inside out, how could he forget such a scene that made his anger reach new heights?

Since that moment, he wished in the deepest and coldest corner of his heart and with all his soul, that each of those living in Camelot would suffer the same way.

So... how could he accept a decision like this...?

"And my brother...?" he muttered, as his tears hit the ground one after another.

And then, after hearing him, no other demon remained silent.

The complaints didn't pause, causing the various voices to overlap multiple times in succession, but no one commanded them to be silent.

How could they? After all, they were the ones who suffered the most in that place. If any objection is valid at this moment, it is certainly that of all those people.

Ethan knows this, and that's why he allowed them all to express their frustrations however they wanted.

However, another group that knows about this fact are the Camelot knights, who trembled when the first demon stepped forward. Even worse was the reaction to the complete refusal by all the other demons, after all, it's an undeniable fact that they are only alive so far thanks to the will of the hero of the demonic kingdom... But what if he changes his mind?

What if he's convinced by the demons' words...?

It's shameful, yes. But the truth is, none of them wanted to die in that place. They all want to return to their homes and families, whether it's their parents or spouses and children. And although the resentment towards the demons does exist, it's not enough to make them oppose the option imposed by that man that would allow them to return home.

"Look back..." said Ethan, after the demons finally calmed down a bit and lowered their voices. "See over how many bodies we had to pass to get here. It's not just demons there. Isn't all of this enough...?"

A deafening silence fell over the place, as no demon would be able to argue otherwise, after all, who would want more of their own to die just to satisfy their own personal desires?

However, to think that the one Ethan thought was most like him in thinking regarding all these senseless deaths in a war that will lead nowhere would be the only one to speak against;

"No." replied Clovis, showing Ethan for the first time a look so serious and without any prospect of backing down. "They haven't paid enough yet."

The Camelot knights trembled alongside the commander, and meanwhile, with her body paralyzed, Elizabeth couldn't utter a single word, but despite the effect seeming to diminish over time, the holy sword continued to glow at her waist, trying to calm her mind.

"Their death toll is as great as or even greater than ours... Are you saying even that's not enough?"

"Yes." affirmed Clovis, completely determined in his own opinions. "They're the ones who got us into this senseless chaos. It's only fair for them to suffer more for it."

On one hand, yes, Ethan is correct. Clovis values the lives of the demons as much as or even more than his own. However, this no longer applies to the other beings.

Except for family members, it was him whom it hurt the most when the bodies passed through the kingdom gates, after all, it was from his mouth that the words were uttered that sent them towards death. And he'll never forget that fact.

"Did we cause this...?" questioned the commander, doubting the movements of his own mouth when the words were spoken.

"Stupid! Where did such courage come from now...?" he wondered.

However, despite the growing fear and the possibility of not even being able to finish his next sentence, the idea that their dead soldiers would be remembered as the ones who initiated a massacre and not as they truly were, those who defended their kingdom with bravery and honor, disgusted and angered him.

"And weren't you?" questioned Clovis, smiling sarcastically. "If not, who was it that attacked the kingdom, burning parts of the Black Forest years ago?"

"That's ridiculous..." replied the commander, his body trembling and powerless. "It was you who set fire to our plantation fifty years ago. How could that be our fault?!"

Something didn't seem right. That couldn't be true, it's impossible.

The story that all demons know is just one, just like the inhabitants of the Camelot kingdom; they were attacked fifty years ago and because of that, they've been defending themselves until today.

The stories are similar and occurred at similar times... Clovis didn't want to believe it, but... one of them has to be false. So... what if it's theirs...?

"And one more thing..." continued the commander. "..., how could we attack your kingdom if it's impossible to reach the demonic kingdom if you intend to harm it? You live there. Shouldn't you already know that?"

"What he said is true..." thought Clovis. "But it was he who said that it happened. He told the people and me, and the Black Forest was indeed burned, it's still like that today. So... this human is lying... or not...?

A tongue click echoed.

"So you're saying we attacked you first...?" questioned Carlos, slowly rising. "Are you kidding me!?"

He drew his sword and placed it next to the commander's neck, causing everyone to become anxious immediately, and even Elizabeth stood up.

The anger in his eyes, whether Ethan or even Clovis, none of them had seen anything like it until now.

His silver-gray eyes shone, and the mana around his body fluctuated, causing his clothes to sway, although there was no wind.

"Wa-wait...!" the commander tried to say. However, that wasn't the same blade or person that had cut off his legs before, he knew Carlos was strong and feared him for it, but the word "monster," despite him being a demon, always referred solely to his strength.

But now he couldn't see the strange joy once present during the fight or the spark of compassion that, in his eyes, despite not liking to admit it, he had shown him by sparing him. There was nothing but hatred in his eyes.

"Damn it, my grandfather died that day, you bastard!" exclaimed Carlos.

Looking at that situation, Elizabeth knew, she had to stop him.

But is she capable..?

Doubt prevented her from acting while, for some reason, Carlos's sword began to glow slowly.

The ambient mana continued to gather around the blade as Carlos's anger didn't cease.