Chapter 28: Surfacing
“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!” Rolof’s enraged roars echoed through the room, punctuated by the sound of shattering objects.
However, the room was soundproofed with psychic devices; nothing could be heard from outside.
Rolof sat at his desk, panting, his fists clenched, his expression strained as he struggled to control his emotions. The floor was littered with scattered documents and broken objects.
He was a far cry from the composed, disciplined figure everyone knew, his current state one of undignified rage.
After leaving the Shadow Dungeon, he had given instructions to the other three knights, then hurried back to his room, locking the door behind him.
He had reached his limit, unable to suppress the impulses surging through his bloodline any longer.
“Such a pathetic display, Rolof,” a beautiful woman with a seductive, almost sinister aura emerged from the shadows.
She looked at him with disgust, tossing him a vial. “That stench is unbearable. Drink this, then we can talk.”
Rolof took the vial, glanced at it, and drank its contents in one gulp.
His rage subsided, his composure returning, his expression once again the familiar mask of stern discipline, though his face was slightly pale.
The woman’s disgust faded slightly, and she spoke, her voice laced with impatience. “You shouldn’t have involved Leticia. You should have simply covered up the incident and waited for the Imperial Festival.”
Rolof paused. “That’s not how I operate. It would have been noticed.”
He had reported the incident to Leticia because, given his personality, it would have been out of character for him not to report such a strange occurrence to a Legendary Knight.
And Leticia, as a Legendary Knight, wouldn’t have participated in the investigation herself. So, ultimately, he would have been in charge, able to control the narrative, to bury the truth.
But he hadn’t anticipated Leticia sending a little girl to assist him, a girl who was as perceptive as a seasoned knight, making it difficult to hide anything from her.
And now, the situation had spiraled out of control, resulting in the “Sugg Incident,” a complete disaster.
It was as if the world itself was conspiring against him.
“Bai…” Rolof muttered, his brow furrowed.
“It’s just a minor inconvenience,” the woman said dismissively, twirling a strand of hair around her finger. “The important thing is, two demon commanders have arrived in the capital, besides me. They are the real threat.”
“As for that… Bai, just find an opportunity and eliminate her.”
Rolof looked at her, a sneer on his face. “Demon commanders? Do you demons enjoy infighting?”
“Don’t say ‘you demons.’ You’re one of us now, although a rather… inferior, diluted one,” the woman said with a smile. “And is ‘demons’ really the best way to describe us? It’s a bit… general, don’t you think?”
“To humans, all demons are the same,” Rolof muttered, his words seemingly directed at himself.
He was now, even if not acknowledged by true demons, considered one of them by humans.
“The Abyssal Demon Realm isn’t a unified force. We serve different masters, and our hatred for each other is even greater than our hatred for your world,” the woman leaned closer to Rolof, her elegant smile turning sinister. “They are traitors to the Abyss, disloyal to the Abyssal Lord.”
“The Abyssal Lord’s awakening is the Abyss’s chance to rise again, and they want to destroy that.”
Her face twisted in a mask of rage. “If those shortsighted fools hadn’t erased all memory of the Abyssal Lord, we would have conquered this world long ago!”
“Those damned old fools! Cowards, all of them…”
Then her expression softened, returning to its usual elegance. She straightened up, chuckling softly.
“But Rolof, you are a rare, intelligent human. The North Empire’s Imperial Festival is crucial for the Abyssal Lord’s awakening. With your help, our chances of success are much higher.”
“Once the Abyssal Lord fully awakens, you can shed this… pathetic half-breed form and become a true demon, recognized by us.”
“So, perform well. And don’t forget—” she narrowed her eyes. “—how your precious princess became the… grotesque creature she is now.”
Rolof’s fists clenched, and he looked away. “I don’t need your reminders.”
“I’ve found a few… expendable individuals from my clan who have violated our laws. If you need scapegoats, consider this matter… settled.”
She tossed him a small, ornate gem, etched with Demonic Runes. “Use this to find them. They’re within the capital.”
With that, she vanished into the shadows.
Rolof put the gem away, his eyes flickering.
This solution was… messy, full of potential complications… but he had no other choice.
…
“Congratulations, Commander Rolof. The Sugg incident has been resolved. His Majesty is pleased,” the Investigator said, nodding approvingly. “I didn’t expect those Shadow Demons to have such a deep grudge against Sugg’s group, willing to use their sacred artifacts to kill them.”
Rolof remained silent.
The strange Authorities, through some manipulation by the seductive demon, had been attributed to the Shadow Demons and their artifacts.
Blaming everything on demons was convenient, and with their confession, no one would question it.
Perfect scapegoats…
“Rest assured, His Majesty has rescinded his decision regarding your position. You are the only suitable candidate for Crown Guard Commander, Rolof.”
The Investigator, mistaking Rolof’s silence for concern about his position, offered reassurance.
“Investigator, I never doubted His Majesty’s wisdom,” Rolof said, feigning exhaustion. “I’m simply… tired after the all-night investigation.”
“Then please, rest well, Commander. I won’t disturb you any further,” the Investigator nodded, then paused. “Oh, and the execution of the Shadow Demons will be carried out at noon, in the southern outskirts.”
He added, “That… Captain Bai, who assisted you, seems interested in attending.”
Rolof’s eyes narrowed. “At Lady Leticia’s request?”
“No, it was her own request. I’ve granted it.”
