Chapter 148 - Chapter 28: Demon King (2/2)

However, that didn’t last long. Elaine restored her confident expression and leaned back against her chair.

“This isn’t enough. You have helped resolve a longstanding problem of the lycanthropes. If you have something you want, tell me. If I can do it, I will try hard to give you the appropriate compensation.”

It was a very pleasant speech but confusing as well. In-gong faced Elaine as he started thinking, and the first thing that came to mind was being hit by Divine Beast Authority.

‘Be reasonable, reasonable.’

It was a very attractive reward, but there was no way to convince Elaine. Being hit as a reward… nobody would be crazy enough to make the suggestion.

It was at that moment—

“Do you want to be hit with aura?”

Elaine asked playfully, and In-gong flinched reflexively. Then Elaine’s expression became one of embarrassment.

“Uh, did you really think of that?”

In-gong was equally embarrassed and couldn’t answer right away. Elaine became more embarrassed as he stayed silent.

“Uh, um. Yes. I respect your taste… Yes, I respect you.”

“Ah, no! That’s not it!”

In-gong stood up and waved his hands.

“I would like to learn Divine Beast Authority a little deeper. I would like a spar with Queen Elaine and the leader of your guard. I was thinking about the spar and became surprised when I heard you mention aura.”

Ludwig narrowed his eyes at In-gong’s clarification, and Elaine laughed. As In-gong sat down again, she said,

“Hmm, it isn’t hard, but it isn’t really a reward. You will learn it anyway. A spar with Ludwig is too heavy as a reward.”

Elaine was troubled for a moment, then finally, she sighed.

“It can’t be helped. I will think about a separate compensation. I thought it would be easy, but it has become more difficult than I thought.”

However, there was a subtle pleasure on her face. It seemed like the process of thinking about a present was fun for her.

As the story about the reward came to a close, Elaine pulled out a new topic.

“Shutra, I saw your report to the Demon King’s Palace. Gerard was the Famine Knight?”

“Yes, he said so.”

In-gong studied Elaine’s response. Based on her frown, she didn’t know anything about the Famine Knight.

“I am currently collecting information. Gerard was able to escape from the Grey Tower because he had become the Famine Knight. If I find anything, I will let you know.”

It wasn’t just information sharing. In-gong realized that this was the support he hadn’t received in the past. Maybe the dark elves also had some information to tell In-gong.

“I think it is time to go back. Sorry for breaking into your bedroom.”

“It is okay. Just don’t do it often.”

Elaine laughed at In-gong’s careful answer.

“I really can’t say anything.”

As though it was punishment for the joke, Elaine kissed him lightly on the forehead like he was her own child.

“Oh, and Shutra, can I ask one more question?”

“Tell me.”

In-gong looked up at Elaine. Elaine came closer with a wicked expression and asked In-gong,

“Between Caitlin and Felicia, who do you think is cuter? Well, it makes no difference if they are cute or pretty.”

“Huh?”

Who was prettier? What type of question was this?

However, Elaine was quite serious.

“It isn’t a joke. I’m serious.”

“Uh…”

In-gong was unable to answer. Then Elaine clicked her tongue and increased the distance.

“I am satisfied with just that answer. It is obvious, but I am looking forward to getting to know you better. Then I’ll see you next time.”

Elaine knocked on In-gong’s shoulder and walked out of the bedroom. It seemed like she was going out the front door, unlike when she came in.

Flora was shocked to see her, but saw her off. In-gong apologized to Flora briefly before lying down on his bed.

&

The long day was over, and a new morning shone.

In-gong had gone to bed early and started the day with his usual routine. An informal meeting with the demon king was an extraordinary event, but it was important to maintain his composure.

In-gong postponed meeting Felicia and Caitlin at the Merits Department to the afternoon and left his house with a calm mind. He travelled to the Black Castle, the demon king’s residence, in a carriage.

“I’m nervous.”

Carack said what In-gong was thinking. He had visited the Black Castle every time for the court gathering, but it felt different today. The invitation had only stated that the location was the Black Castle, so In-gong thought someone would come out.

As expected, there was someone waiting for In-gong.

“It has been a while. In the meantime, you’ve become stronger.”

“Sword Duke!”

In-gong had thought a guard would be waiting for him, so he was full of pleasure at the surprise. The sword duke sent him a relaxed smile.

“I heard about your activities. Everyone at the court gathering was astonished.”

The sword duke was suddenly standing right in front of In-gong. In-gong couldn’t grasp the movement and stared with admiration. He still had a long way to go before he would reach the sword duke’s level.

“It is just a little trick, so don’t be surprised. Frankly, Prince is more amazing from my perspective.”

The sword duke had grasped it almost immediately. In-gong’s current strength was no comparison to when he had been at Thunderdoom Fortress.

“I’d like to talk to Prince more, but unfortunately, I have to give priority to my mission. From now on, stay focused as I guide you.”

The sword duke then spoke to Carack,

“Please stay here. You won’t be able to follow any further.”

Carack looked at In-gong instead of replying to the sword duke. In-gong nodded once.

“Understood. I’ll wait here.”

Carack replied to In-gong with a determined expression, but he couldn’t hide his worried gaze.

“I thought it before, but Prince really has a good aide.”

The sword duke laughed before stepping forward. The surrounding landscape changed instantly.

In-gong focused his mind like the sword duke had said to do. In-gong was sensitive to magic and could feel the strong torrents of magic power rushing around like a storm. If he was just a little bit distracted, he would get lost in the torrent of magic power.

The sword duke continued walking, while In-gong triggered his quad-core. This process of moving along with the sword duke seemed like a test to see if he had the minimum qualifications.

Some time passed by.

The surrounding landscape then became fixed.

There was a white building, reminiscent of a temple under a dark blue sky. Other than that, the darkness was so thick that In-gong couldn’t see anything other than the building. In-gong and the sword duke were standing on the stone stairs leading to the building.

“I can only go with you up to here. The demon king is there.”

The sword duke pointed to the white building.

Taking a deep breath, In-gong took a step forward.

Then finally, beyond the staircase, the demon king was there, standing in the middle of the building.