Chapter 14

The tension in the room felt even heavier, as if every breath I took added to the pressure in the air. I looked up at Junigo who still stood with a firm grip on the poor prince’s neck. His face still wore a feral grin that hinted at nothing but power and cruelty. No one dared to move, even King Domiano just sat still, his face showing no reaction whatsoever to the chaos unfolding before him.

Suddenly, the sound of clanking shoes broke the silence. A middle-aged man with a face as red as the prince Junigo had strangled stepped forward. It was King Breon, the prince’s father. His face looked flushed, as if ready to explode in anger.

Of course, he must have been furious when he saw his favorite son in such a dangerous situation, but even if a king was angry it would not make a Junigo feel any trepidation.

“Junigo!” King Breon shouted, his voice echoing throughout the room. “Let go of my son right now! You have no right to do this!”

Junigo simply raised one eyebrow, seemingly unperturbed by the shouting. He instead turned his head slightly towards King Breon, his eyes flashing with mockery. Indeed, Junigo’s rascal nature cannot be doubted, he felt very free to move there in my opinion, I think so because I did not see the slightest difficulty from the look on his face.

What’s a demon to worry about? Even they have the power to make a human submit to them. And now it was proven by Junigo.

“And what will you do if I don’t let go?” Junigo said in a tone full of sarcasm. “A human like you, what can you do to me?”

King Breon’s face turned even redder, and I could see how his jaw hardened, clearly holding back a burning anger. He raised his hand and signaled to one of his soldiers, a large man in thick armor standing by the door. The soldier immediately advanced, greatsword in hand, ready to act on his king’s orders.

“Attack him!” commanded King Breon, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

The soldier stepped forward decisively, raising his sword high. In my heart, I knew this wouldn’t end well. Junigo wasn’t just another demon. He was a being far more powerful than any human in this room. But before I could do anything, the warrior had already attacked.

I can’t help but think so because it’s obvious that the power he possesses is immense from the way he reacts after getting attacked and he doesn’t seem to have any trouble at all when parrying all the attacks directed at him at the same time.

With one swift movement that was almost impossible for the eyes to follow, Junigo flicked his hand. As if there was an invisible force emanating from the flick, the soldier was instantly thrown back violently, hitting the wall in the corner of the room. The cracking sound of splintering wood and stone filled the air, making a mess of the corner of the room.

My heart felt like it had stopped. I was stunned at how easily Junigo destroyed everything around him with just a simple movement. My fear was growing. If he could do that to the big warrior, what would he do to others? To me?

But then, in the midst of that fear, something niggled in the back of my mind. I knew that Junigo was at least in my last few encounters with him. He may be a powerful and angry demon, but he also has a side that only I can see. A softer side, albeit hidden beneath layers of strength and darkness.

‘Maybe only I can stop him.’ I thought to myself as I watched all the tense events unfold before me.

My jaw open but closing quickly, sweat pouring from my temples, I was slightly gaping, both stunned and scared. But there was an urge within me to stop everything, even though I was also afraid that I would be the victim of the altercation.

With fear running through my body, I stood up from my chair and moved forward. Every step felt heavy, as if my feet were anchored to the floor, but I knew I had to do this. If not, Junigo could destroy everyone here.

I looked around, it wasn’t just me who was tense, even King Domiano with the mainstay soldiers beside him was also feeling trepidatious, I looked at those full of tension intently. They must have also been frightened because they saw Junigo who was very, very angry.

“Junigo!” I shouted, my voice shaking, but I tried to remain firm. He turned his head slightly, looking at me with his piercing red eyes.

“Did the provocation of the humans scare you into attacking blindly like this?” I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. “Even if they wanted me, that doesn’t mean I would agree to an arranged marriage with them, does it?”

My voice was hoarse, I was starting to tremble a little but it was about saving the people who were there that I fought this fear.

It’s an exaggeration, but put yourself in a situation where a demon is rampaging in front of you while doing damage and could risk killing the people it hates. Surely you would be scared, right? That’s how I feel.

His eyes softened slightly at my words. His grip on the prince’s neck slowly loosened, and I could see the prince begin to pant, trying to regain his labored breathing. Junigo looked at me deeply, as if assessing whether my words could be trusted.

“Dean...” his voice was low, almost a whisper, but I could hear the hesitation that was starting to grow in his.

So easily did he weaken to my call to him, I felt quite touched by the way he responded to me, it really was such a contrast between how Junigo treated me and how he treated them.

“I won’t let anyone decide for me,” I said with more confidence now. “Especially not these humans.”

After a few seconds that felt like a lifetime, Junigo finally released the prince completely. The poor man fell to the floor, crawling away with a face full of fear, but I paid him no mind. My eyes remained glued to Junigo, making sure that he was completely calm now.

King Domiano, who had been sitting still, now stood up and stepped forward. He looked at Junigo with a slight tremble on his face, but his voice remained calm as he spoke.

“We don’t need to solve this with violence, Junigo,” he said, his voice full of pleading tones. “I’m sure we can find a solution that works for everyone.”

But before Junigo could respond, a soft yet firm voice followed from behind. I turned my head, and saw Jade standing in the doorway, white wings glowing behind him. The heavenly aura emanating from him instantly made everyone in the room feel a mixture of amazement and fear.

“Do you really believe in the words of humans, Junigo?” said Jade, his tone flat but filled with suspicion. “They often break promises, even promises to gods. Are you sure Dean won’t be betrayed by them?”

I furrowed my brows. ‘What does that mean?’

Jade seemed to doubt everything that humans said, including me. I could feel how his words added to the tension in the room.

Junigo squinted, though his eyes didn’t leave mine. “I know Dean isn’t like them,” he replied shortly, but I could sense he was still a little hesitant.

“But what if they really are trying to take Dean from you?” Jade continued, this time looking directly at the kings who stood transfixed. “I won’t let Dean fall into their hands.”

Is he trying to provoke Junigo? Or is this just a natural expression of anger?

I couldn’t read his intentions completely, but clearly, Jade’s presence only complicated the situation.

Jade stepped closer to the center of the room, standing next to Junigo, though the two of them seemed reluctant to actually come together. They might be of one mind on this matter, but it was clear that the animosity between them still existed. Even so, their auras felt very menacing.

“Humans often break promises,” Jade repeated. “And I won’t take any chances with Dean.”

My eyes widened as I realized what was going on. Jade and Junigo, though not united, were beginning to agree on one thing: they didn’t trust humans. And even worse, they seemed to be starting to consider punishment for them.

Junigo raised his hands slowly, while Jade stood firmly by his side. “Perhaps,” Junigo said in a cold tone, “we should teach them a lesson.”

Jade nodded slowly, looking at the kings with hateful eyes. “Should we eliminate everyone here, except Dean?”

Hearing that, my body froze. I knew this was a real threat. They weren’t just talking empty words. Junigo and Jade were really preparing to eliminate everyone here, except me.

I stared at the two of them in panic. How could I stop this?