I Was Supposed to Be the Demon King, but They Made Me Save the World

It had been a long and grueling journey for Baldwin, having deliberately broken his own leg and injured his hand to sell his deception. Now, limping and staggering through the woods, he finally spotted a group of people in the distance. With a dramatic sway, he let his body falter, pretending to collapse.

The moment his knees buckled, the people rushed toward him, catching him just before he hit the hard ground.

"Phew! Good thing they caught me—I'd rather not deal with real injuries on top of this act," Baldwin thought to himself, still keeping his eyes shut and breathing shallow, feigning unconsciousness.

Some time passed, and as he subtly assessed his condition, he realized his wounds had mostly healed—though not entirely. Judging by the dimming light filtering through the trees, it was already late afternoon.

Deciding to keep up appearances, he let out a weak groan and forced his eyes open, blinking as if dazed. His crimson eyes darted around in feigned confusion before widening with manufactured fear.

"Where… Where am I? What happened?!" His voice trembled. "The—The Children of Leto! They're coming!"

"Calm down, kid! You're safe now!" A firm, authoritative voice reassured him.

Baldwin turned his head toward the speaker—a middle-aged man clad in navy-blue attire, adorned with a sky-blue insignia on his chest. A soldier of the Ranch Republic.

The man studied him before offering a nod. "I'm Alex, Colonel of the Ranch Division. Can you tell me where you live?"

Baldwin hesitated, lowering his gaze, as if still in shock. "I… I live with my mom… in the village," he mumbled, his voice trembling just enough to sound convincing.

Alex sighed, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Alright, kid. Rest for now. We're heading back. Mr. Smith and his daughter will be with you. Next time, don't wander into the forest alone."

With that, Alex signaled to the soldiers, and they began moving out, leaving Baldwin nestled among them, his act a complete success.

"Kid, what's your name?" Mr. Smith asked, his voice steady yet laced with curiosity.

Baldwin hesitated for a moment before answering, as if reluctant to revisit the events that had just transpired. "...I am Baldwin."

Mr. Smith let out a low whistle, nodding in approval. "You're strong! Facing that many beasts alone and making it out alive… Truly magnificent."

Baldwin lowered his gaze, clenching his fists as if trying to suppress emotions. He furrowed his brows, his lips trembling just enough to seem overwhelmed. "No... I'm not strong. I was arrogant," he murmured, his voice laced with frustration. He blinked a few times, as if holding back tears.

Mr. Smith gave him a reassuring pat on the back before gesturing toward his daughter. "I think it's time for a proper introduction. This is my daughter, Bellona. She's sixteen, about the same age as you."

Bellona stepped forward, offering a polite nod. "Thank you for saving me, Sir Baldwin."

Baldwin's expression stiffened. Wait… same age as me? He stole a quick glance at his hands, then at his reflection in a small puddle nearby. I thought I had transformed into a ten or twelve-year-old, but it seems I'm actually sixteen... His thoughts trailed off before fixating on something else. And what a weird name—Bellona? Sounds like… balloon.

"So, what are you thinking about, Baldwin?" Mr. Smith's voice broke his train of thought.

Baldwin quickly composed himself, shaking his head as if dispelling lingering memories. "Oh, sorry. I was just thinking about how helpless I was before the mighty Children of Leto." His voice carried frustration, his expression darkening as if burdened by failure.

Mr. Smith chuckled. "It's alright, Baldwin. Being weak isn't the end—there's always room to improve, you know?"

"Yes! I will return for my revenge!" Baldwin declared, his voice filled with conviction.

"That's the spirit!" Mr. Smith smiled warmly before his expression softened into something more thoughtful. "So, where do you live? And what's your mother's name?"

Baldwin hesitated briefly before answering. "Oh, I live on the outskirts of the village. My mom's name is Velisara."

The moment the name left his lips, the warmth in Mr. Smith's smile vanished. His expression hardened—his once open demeanor turning unreadable, dark.

"Oh, I see… so you're living with Velisara."

Mr. Smith's voice was steady, his words measured, but something had changed. The warmth in his tone had cooled, replaced by something unreadable. His lips curled into a smile, but it was empty—forced. The kind of smile a man wears when he's hiding something.

Baldwin met his gaze, pretending not to notice.

Evening had fallen by the time they reached the village, and just like before, Mr. Smith extended his offer. "Shall I take you home?"

But Baldwin declined.

With that, he parted ways and made his way back to the hut. As he stepped inside, the comforting scent of burning wood and herbs welcomed him. Velisara and Olivia turned to him, their expressions a mix of relief and curiosity.

"You're back," Velisara said, her voice soft but firm.

Baldwin gave a small nod before reaching into his cloak. When he pulled out the beast crystal, the room fell silent.

The crystal shimmered faintly, catching the dim candlelight, its surface reflecting a thousand fractured colors.

Olivia's breath hitched. "That's… amazing."

Velisara studied it with a knowing gaze before looking at Baldwin. "You've done well."

Dinner followed—a simple meal, yet strangely comforting. The quiet clatter of wooden bowls, the occasional flicker of candlelight, and the soft murmur of conversation filled the small hut.

But as the night deepened, silence settled over them. One by one, the household drifted into slumber.

Baldwin, however, remained awake.

Then he heard it.

A sound—so faint it barely stirred the air.

His red eyes snapped open.

Carefully, he turned his head. Velisara and Olivia were fast asleep, undisturbed. The sound had come from outside.

A lesser man might have ignored it.

But Baldwin was no fool.

With the stealth of a shadow, he rose to his feet and moved toward the door. The night air was cool against his skin as he stepped outside, his senses sharpened, his instincts coiled like a predator ready to strike.

He wasn't expecting to see anyone.

But what he found waiting for him in the darkness was another matter entirely.

At the same time, in the Soulless Continent, deep within the royal castle of the Red Moon Empire, the air hung heavy with an oppressive stillness.

The throne room—a vast and haunting expanse—was dimly lit by crimson torches, their eerie glow casting flickering shadows across the cold obsidian walls. Intricate murals of long-forgotten battles and massacres decorated the chamber, their stories carved in bloodstone and gold.

At the center stood two thrones—one grand and imposing, the other smaller yet no less significant.

The larger throne, sculpted from black iron and adorned with deep-red gemstones, was the Demon Emperor's seat. Its jagged edges mirrored the cruelty of its past rulers, a seat meant for an absolute monarch.

Next to it sat a smaller throne, crafted with delicate silver engravings, a stark contrast to the Emperor's brutal design.

This seat was not meant for a ruler.

It was originally built for the Queen Consort, a position of honor and respect, meant for the chosen companion of the Demon King. Yet, throughout history, no Demon Queen Regnant had ever existed.

No woman had ever ruled.

Yet now, seated upon that very throne, was Abyzou—the First Demon Lord, the Empire's Governor, and a force of pure dread.

Her slender figure, draped in robes darker than midnight, sat with effortless dominance. Her piercing silver eyes, cold as the void, bore into the man before her. The torches flickered wildly, as if even the flames feared her presence.

Seated upon the Queen Consort's throne, Abyzou, the First Demon Lord and Governor of the Red Moon Empire, let out a long sigh. Her red eyes, sharp as blades, flickered with amusement as she regarded the figure standing before her.

Dressed in black-brown robes, the man exuded an aura of quiet dominance. His crimson eyes gleamed with intelligence, his every movement refined yet dangerous.

A vampire—a noble from the Xing Fu Empire.

And not just any noble.

Athan Smith.

The First Family Leader of the Xing Fu Empire. A name feared and respected in equal measure.

Despite the suffocating tension in the air, Athan merely smirked, unfazed by the eerie silence of the throne room.

"So... where is my friend, sis Abyzou?" His voice carried a casual arrogance, as if he were speaking to an old acquaintance rather than a demon lord feared across continents.

Abyzou sighed, rubbing her temple as if dealing with a persistent headache. "Oh no, not again... You've really grown up, haven't you?"

She leaned back in her throne, crossing her legs. "Your 'distraction buddy' went on vacation—to investigate the source of a man-made epidemic."

Athan's smirk faded. His crimson eyes narrowed.

"Wait... Homa is actually man-made?" His tone was laced with disbelief. "How is that even possible?"

Abyzou's gaze darkened. "What else did you expect? It's been nine years—people are still dying, falling into comas, and only a handful have recovered. Someone is spreading the epidemic, Athan."

Athan clicked his tongue. "Tch. So Baldwin is off having fun with the humans without me? That's cruel of him. Alright, I should head out too."

Abyzou narrowed her eyes. "Wait a minute—what about your empire's agreement with the humans? So the Xing Fu Empire really wants to temporarily halt the war?"

Athan shook his head. "Wrong. We want to end the war permanently. But neither side listens to the other. So, for now, because of the epidemic, we're calling for a full ceasefire."

Abyzou studied him for a moment before asking, "How much time do you have?"

"About 100 to 110 days—and it's not a vacation. It's an official task for the Xing Fu Empire." Athan turned, already preparing to leave. "Alright, sisi, I'm heading out."

Abyzou let out an exasperated sigh. "Do you even have any idea where Baldwin went?"

Athan shrugged. "Nope. But that's not a problem—I'll find him soon enough."

Abyzou raised an eyebrow. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"

Athan flashed a sharp grin. "Our friendship connection."

Abyzou scoffed. "Hah. If you don't return after 110 days, I'll report you to the Vampire King."

Athan let out a soft chuckle. "Go ahead. You always do things your way." He waved a hand dismissively. "Besides, the agreement's already signed."

With that, the First Family Leader of the Vampires strode confidently out of the throne room, leaving Abyzou to deal with the endless political turmoil of the Red Moon Empire.