How to Live the Life of a Demon

  

“It’s amazing.”

 

Tariq was looking out the window from the mansion at the highest point of the desert city. His gaze was fixed on the tree that had suddenly appeared.

 

It was a sight beyond any miracle.

 

The tree, once withering away, now had life, growing larger than anything in Rudd. A warm glow illuminates the night, scattering through the streets.

 

‘The light was almost disappearing.’

 

Tariq stared at the tree, mesmerized.

 

With a sigh of lament or awe, a gasp escaped his lips.

 

It had been ten years since Lucius traveled through the desert under the orders of the Demon King.

 

That nameless tree was a purifier he had planted in the desert back then.

 

The tree radiated a brilliant glow, visible even in the dark vision of the Scorpion Tribe.

 

Ten years ago, then, and now.

 

“No matter how many lives were sacrificed, it couldn’t be resolved.”

 

How long has it been since the roots of the trees that had been securely standing in the desert were uprooted and locked underground?

 

At first, the Dryads were called in at regular intervals to tend to the tree. But it was futile.

 

Even if they poured out their magical energy until they were exhausted, it was not enough for the tree to grow.

 

So they were punished.

 

Unable to save a single tree, he killed those who claimed to be Dryad and

offered

their flesh and blood.

 

Yet, the tree continued to wither away.

 

‘It was a necessary measure, but surely it angered him.’

 

In the desert, where it was difficult for even a single blade of grass to grow, there was only one Dryad who could exert that much power.

 

He didn’t know how Lucius had come this far, but if he had seen the sight underground, he would have been quite furious. The tree illuminating the desert was a message to him.

 

He will come soon.

 

“When will he arrive?”

 

He’d better be ready.

 

There was no way to hide his excitement. His heart pounded like meeting a first love, and excitement fluttered in his chest. Tariq rang the bell, his hand caressing his cheeks and lips.

 

The butler opened the door and came in, bowing his head.

 

“Our esteemed guest will be arriving shortly, so please prepare refreshments. The pastries should not be too sweet, and it would be best to use fresh tea leaves.”

 

The butler hesitated for a moment, perplexed by his excited master’s demeanor, then bowed deeply and stepped out of the room.

 

* * *

 

‘It feels like death is creeping closer.’

 

The woman, Edith, was not originally from Rudd.

 

Seven years ago, she visited Rudd, admiring Tariq, a master of magic and barriers, and she received an order rather than a request to help him in exchange for his teachings.

 

It was difficult for her to resist the order, even though she was hesitant. The man who was working with her probably had a similar situation.

 

Indeed, Tariq rewarded them well for their work and was a great help. So, she had hoped to stay longer if possible.

 

However.

 

‘I thought he was an ordinary student.’

 

All work was ruined due to an unexpected ambush.

 

She never thought she would stumble like this.

 

It was a good idea to bring in druids or fairies instead of dryads, which had a small population.

 

It didn’t really matter who they were. Tariq was the seventh-ranked demon in the hierarchy, and she could count on ten fingers the number of beings stronger than him.

 

But they’d messed with a demon in the top ten.

 

‘If I run away, will I be able to survive?’

 

She couldn’t be sure.

 

“Ah! Why is he wearing a school uniform? Why on earth?”

 

Edith could tell that a Dryad in a school uniform was definitely not a student.

 

She had never heard of a dryad with such power.

 

‘Maybe all the demons who have seen that Dryad have died, so the rumors haven’t spread. It’s not something that happens often, so I let my guard down. If I had known this would happen, I would have never touched it!’

 

Had she touched something that should never have been touched?

 

Damn, damn.

 

She ripped out her hair. Even though several hours had passed, her legs were still weak.

 

Feeling the urge to shed tears, she was groaning when a familiar voice came from behind.

 

“I kept you waiting.”

 

“Huh!”

 

Edith held her breath. When she carefully turned around, she saw a silver-haired boy looking down at her.

 

She didn’t feel him approaching.

 

Strength returned to her legs, which had been weakly sprawled out.

 

Edith stood up abruptly and did her best to smile at the boy.

 

‘His name was Lucius, right?’

 

When she recalled his name as ‘Lucius’, she felt like applauding herself.

 

“I have arranged for the ‘Flower Blooming Demon’ to be brought to the mansion. You should be able to meet him right away when you arrive.”

 

“Hmm. Shall we take our time and have a chat along the way?”

 

“Yes, huh?”

 

“It seems like you have a lot to say to me.”

 

A gentle laugh and a soothing tone.

 

He exuded a comfortable atmosphere unlike any other demon, yet why did she feel so uncomfortable, as if she were sitting on pins and needles?

 

Gulp.

 

A dry swallow passed down her throat.

 

Lucius gestured for her to lead the way. Edith took two steps forward and began speaking everything that came to mind.

 

Why she came here, how she met Tariq, and what she had been up to until now.

 

Briefly glancing for a reaction, Lucius listened silently without changing his expression.

 

“…”

 

“…”

 

Edith, rather impatient with the silence, shouted.

 

“I’m not going to tell him!”

 

“What…?”

 

Lucius, who had been listening to her story, tilted his head at her sudden words.

 

Her frightened eyes couldn’t even meet his gaze and were trembling uncontrollably.

 

“I mean everything about Sir Lucius.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

When he stopped walking, Edith, who had been walking ahead, also stood still. Looking at her tense expression, Lucius lowered his voice.

 

“Are you… trying to threaten me right now?”

 

“T-That’s not my intention. Absolutely not!”

 

Edith bit her lip hard. Lucius, who had been observing her closely, began to move forward again.

 

Lucius had no intention of blaming Edith for her actions.

 

If it had been Tariq’s decision, it would have been difficult to refuse, so it was understandable.

 

But he had to keep her quiet.

 

While pondering how to silence Edith, she spoke first.

 

“I will handle this situation as quietly as possible. It will be much more convenient for you than taking matters into your own hands.”

 

“Not a bad offer.”

 

Edith’s face lit up.

 

And then she quickly followed Lucius.

 

“I have confidence in handling everything that happens near the desert. So, please…”

 

“Well, there is something that needs to be taken care of.”

 

There was a reason he’d gone through her to visit the mansion instead of heading straight to Tariq’s.

 

Tariq had uprooted the tree and locked it away, and it would hardly have purified the desert’s poison, which was its original purpose.

 

Even if they were to replant it, it would take a long time, and there was no guarantee they could safely pass through the next season.

 

Immediate personnel were required to investigate and manage the desert.

 

‘Moreover, they need someone capable of overseeing the city, at least until he recovers.’

 

Since Lucius had previously handled such tasks in the desert, he was qualified due to his understanding of the city’s structure and the desert’s ecology.

 

“I will provide you with further instructions through a contact.”

 

“Thank you.”

 

Edith nodded lightly with a relieved expression. And her guidance came to an end.

 

As they reached a dead-end alley, a wall disappeared, revealing stairs leading upward. In front of it stood a man dressed neatly in a butler’s uniform.

 

“I’ve been waiting. The master has instructed me to escort you inside.”

 

* * *

 

Upon hearing the news of Lucius’ arrival, Tariq immediately left his office and made his way to the reception room. With an excited heart, he arrived a step ahead and straightened his clothes several times.

 

Is this enough? Does it look okay?

 

After asking the butler several times, he knocked politely on the door. The butler looked at him and guessed the boy’s identity.

There aren’t many to whom the master would pay such attention.

Knock.

 

As the door opened and he entered the room, an overflowing sense of vitality could be felt. Tariq greeted Lucius with a faint smile.

 

“Hello, how are you?”

 

“Thanks to you, I don’t have a day to rest.”

 

Lucius reprimanded and put down his teacup.

 

The calmly submerged magical energy is like the darkness before the storm.

 

“Sir Tariq.”

 

“Yes, please go ahead.”

 

There was a dignity in him that was not present in the student disguise he had recently worn.

 

The fact that he came dressed not in a school uniform but in his white uniform was a reminder not to forget that he was an elder.

 

“You know why I have come, don’t you?”

 

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t.”

 

“Yes, it seems like I have been too lenient with you until now. Don’t you think so?”

 

“Lord Lucius.”

 

Tariq kneeled down in front of Lucius.

 

Lucius didn’t even look at him. He just stared at the shaking tea leaves.

 

“I was wrong.”

 

“…”

 

What kind of excuse will he come up with this time? Unexpectedly, an apology came out of Tariq’s mouth.

 

Tariq seemed genuinely remorseful, his shoulders slumping as if he was truly repentant. His head bowed deeply, showing a sign of reflection.

 

“I apologize for suppressing your tree. Bringing something that should be above the desert underground deserves punishment.”

 

Only then did Lucius turn his gaze toward Tariq.

 

“But.”

 

It’s starting again.

 

As if not wanting to hear it, Lucius raised his hand, but Tariq did not stop speaking.

 

There was a reason why the demons around him, including Hamel and Dummett, kept him at a distance. Every time something happened, he kneeled down and said the same thing.

 

“Although unintentional, in the end, seeing you in front of me confirms that my efforts were not in vain.”

 

Today seemed different from usual, but it turned out that his reflection was only temporary.

 

Tariq’s face was filled with joy.

 

“Stop making me repeat myself. A pledge is not something you can do just because you want to.”

 

“Then there is no choice but to make you my knight.”

 

His demands were always the same.

 

To become the knight of the Fifth Elder Lucius Kendrick.

 

Of course, this was the first time he had made such an arrogant statement.

 

What on earth got into him?

 

As his golden eyes blinked slowly, the surroundings warped. In an instant, a surge of magical energy enveloped them, causing the barrier of the mansion to distort.

 

Lucius casts teleportation magic.

 

They arrived in a desolate and vast location within the desert—a place hidden from the sight of others.

 

Tariq, looking around in surprise, chuckled softly and spoke.

 

“I understand that you don’t see me in a favorable light. So, it’s fine if you don’t accept.”

 

Tariq shrugged with a smile.

 

“I’ll simply have to earn it from you.”

 

“You’re quite arrogant, Tariq Rahawis.”

 

A thick purple mist spread out, and a drop of venom dripped from his black fingernails.

 

“You are the bad one.”