How to Live the Life of a Demon Chapter 29 - What Happens in the Desert (4)

 

They couldn’t understand at all.

 

Why was this young boy in a school uniform emitting such overwhelming energy? They couldn’t fathom what exactly the fear they felt was all about.

 

It felt like a massive sandstorm was raging.

 

A relentless, unstoppable sandstorm.

 

The man chuckled in disbelief, pointing his finger at Lucius.

 

“Hey, Dryad over there! If you keep resisting, it won’t be fun! Your friends have already fallen!”

 

With trembling hands, he frantically searched for his weapon on the ground. As he retrieved the fallen axe, a smirk of satisfaction formed on his face.

 

“If you behave, at least I’ll kill you without causing you pain!”

 

“You’re crazy! Please shut up, Samed! Can’t you see what’s going on?”

 

Thud! Thud!

 

A deep, ominous rumble followed.

 

It didn’t take long before the source of the rumble was revealed.

 

The thick roots of trees are larger than the boy’s frame.

 

As the ground sank, the walls began to crumble weakly.

 

Through the cracks, sand poured in, and streams overflowed from the broken floor due to the intrusion of the roots.

 

Light poured down from the already-collapsed ceiling. The light calmly illuminated the boy, who was observing the situation with a dull expression.

 

“P-please… spare me…”

 

Their entire body trembling under the weight of his icy gaze.

 

Even the desert night couldn’t match the chilling coldness that emanated from him.

 

“Ahh!”

 

“Just one mouth is sufficient.”

 

Crack. Crackle.

 

One of the roots grabbed the man and began to squeeze him hard. Crack, crack. A scream rang out, along with the terrible sound of bones breaking.

 

Before long, the man’s screams ceased.

 

Whether he had passed out or turned into a corpse, the man’s body fell to the ground.

 

‘Someone, please tell me this is a lie.’

 

Gasping for air, the woman’s legs gave way, and she almost wished that all of this was all a dream.

 

The giant root retracted sharply. If something of that size were to cause trouble in such a small space, they would be doomed.

 

Perhaps only that boy will survive.

 

Crack!

 

The roots sliced through the wind. She tightly closed her eyes and shouted.

 

She didn’t need much time to contemplate. The boy’s intentions were clear.

 

“Tariq… it’s Tariq!”

 

At her cry, all movements of the roots abruptly stopped.

 

“He entrusted us with the care of the tree. He asked the dryads to tend to it and, if it bloomed, to bring it to him.”

 

“And if it fails to bloom, you eliminate them and dispose of their bodies in the lake.”

 

“Y-yes.”

 

She bowed deeply. The clearly audible young voice is sharp and threatening, as if it were chopping her limbs apart. 

 

“How interesting.”

 

He couldn’t help but laugh. It was so pitiful and insignificant that it was worse than a desert insect.

 

Lucius silently watched as the underground structure crumbled.

 

The reason Rudd enjoyed abundant water was due to this tree.

 

Spirits drawn to the tree’s pure energy supplied clean water through its roots and stirred the wind through its leaves.

 

If the tree disappeared, the water in Rudd would dry up.

 

The boatman who spent the rest of his life comfortably will lose his job, and the children who used to play in the fountain will no longer be able to play in the water.

 

‘I can’t help it.’

 

As much as Lucius wanted to retract his actions due to the unpleasantness, personal emotions couldn’t cause significant harm.

 

The tree had been planted in response to the ‘order’ of the demon king to help Rudd.

 

“I was trying to handle this quietly.”

 

Swoosh, thud.

 

As he raised his head, thin stems rapidly sprouted, filling the gaps between floor, ceiling, and wall, tightly bracing them.

 

The overflowing water and the pouring sand all came to a halt.

 

The underground, which seemed like it would collapse at any moment, suddenly looked intact as if nothing had happened.

 

Even before she could admire the sight, the woman couldn’t close her gaping mouth at the unfolding spectacle.

 

“What in the world is this…”

 

Woosh!

 

The tree behind the boy began to change.

 

The roots grew thicker, and the trunk hardened, reaching upwards towards the sky like a surge.

 

Lush green leaves sprouted from the extended branches. A subtly warm and gentle light flowed through the tree, feeling mysteriously enchanting.

 

And finally, she could see it.

 

The silver-shimmering flowers.

 

The petals fluttered as white as snow. It was a sight unimaginable in the desert.

 

“Make sure to come back here at midnight.”

 

Instead of answering, the woman deeply bowed her head.

 

Even though he looked young and was wearing a school uniform, she could tell.

 

“You know what I mean, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

The boy standing before her was an elder-level demon.

 

* * *

 

“I won’t go.”

 

“We’re almost there, so it doesn’t matter.”

 

Lucius straightened Rayel’s collar and carried him. Hamel, who followed behind, cast a slightly disapproving glance.

 

Apparently, calling Hamel to ride back to his quarters had irritated him because he didn’t like being ridden.

 

Hamel stared at Lucius’ back, then sighed softly. Then he took a step forward and opened Rayel’s door.

 

“Here we are.”

 

In the pitch-black room, where the lights were not turned on, Kian was sound asleep. There was no sign of him waking up, as Rayel had mentioned that he was exhausted.

 

Lucius immediately laid Rayel down on the bed and sat down at the end of the bed. The events of the day passed through his mind like a panorama.

 

“Tariq, that guy…”

 

Although demons were unpredictable, Tariq was particularly enigmatic. His faint smile, as if expecting something, was unsettling, no matter how many times he encountered him.

 

Lucius lightly stroked the sleeping Rayel’s head.

 

If all demons were even half as pure as Rayel, there would be no wishes left unfulfilled.

 

“By the way… did you meet any demons?”

 

“No, but I knew what Tariq had been up to.”

 

Hamel, who was about to curse, barely swallowed his words.

 

Hamel didn’t like Tariq.

 

From the first moment they met until now.

 

There was no significant reason. However, Hamel could confidently say that Tariq also disliked him.

 

To put it in words, it was akin to a hatred for one’s own kind.

 

It was a very instinctive and primal feeling.

 

“What about Mr. Arnold?”

 

“Lipton requested his help, and he rushed out a while ago. He’s probably in the middle of the ruckus now.”

 

Hamel said that and pointed out the window. Lucius’s gaze shifted briefly in the direction he pointed.

 

Through the window, he caught a glimpse of his handiwork.

 

The highest point in Rudd, the spire that once overlooked the city, had collapsed, and a tree had taken its place.

 

The tree illuminated the city, which was shrouded in deep darkness, and its petals sparkled like a galaxy in the desert, embroidering the sky.

 

A transparent blue light flowed through the water flowing throughout the city.

 

The demons, who were shaken by the collapse of the spire, were captivated by the beauty of the tree. Some gazed at the tree from the window, while others admired the flowers beneath it.

 

Mr. Arnold is probably over there.

 

Hamel said, almost scolding.

 

“Is it okay to cause such a commotion? Aren’t you the only Dryad in the desert, Lord Lucius?”

 

“It’s fine. I have excuses prepared.”

 

“What happened? Until now, you would just let things slide, saying there wasn’t enough reason to bother.”

 

“Reason, huh?”

 

Lucius glanced at Hamel. His gaze briefly touched and then turned towards Tariq’s mansion.

 

Hamel held his breath for a moment.

 

The anger of his master was slowly transmitted through the master-servant’s contract.

 

It was very heavy, thick magic that sank deeply.

 

“Deceit against the Fifth Elder.”

 

“…”

 

“Kidnapping and attempted murder of a minor demon.”

 

Lucius recalled the demons who had been sleeping under the lake.

 

Most of them were Dryads, but there were also fairies and druids who had been killed and submerged.

 

“Disobedience of orders, failure to comply.”

 

The mournful sound of the tree still lingered in his ears.

 

“The reason is sufficient.”

 

He got up from his seat.

 

In truth, whether there is a reason or not, it doesn’t matter.

 

Even if he were to kill Tariq right now, no one would reprimand Lucius. The Demon King and the Elders would rather see it as a spectacle and eagerly watch.

 

If a reason was needed, he could attach anything to it.

 

The reason he had let Tariq be until now was because it seemed like he wanted a clash with him.

 

He was getting on his nerves, and Lucius couldn’t help but notice.

 

He had deliberately ignored Tariq’s provocations, not wanting to dance to his tune.

 

“So, when do you plan to meet him? You’ve made such a big deal about it. I’m sure he’s waiting for you to come.”

 

“I don’t like that aspect of him.”

“Agreed.”

Hamel glanced at Lucius, who looked extremely displeased, and furrowed his brow. Seeing the dust settle on him, he didn’t feel very good.

 

Moreover, his appearance was quite disheveled. His cravat seemed a bit crooked too.

 

Sighing, Hamel kneeled in front of Lucius and began dusting him off with his hands.

 

“I’ll inform them that I found you, Lord Lucius. If I mention that you fell asleep from exhaustion, they won’t disturb you.”

 

“You seem unusually proactive.”

 

As Hamel was fixing his cravat, his hand paused momentarily.

 

Raising his head slightly, his gaze met Lucius’s golden eyes. In that split second, it felt like a tense battle was waged, akin to a tug-of-war.

 

But even that was brief.

 

Hamel shrugged his shoulders and quickly backed away.

 

“Would you like a reward?”

 

“Why not?”

 

“You think I don’t know you.”

 

Hamel stifled his laughter, ran his hands over his attire, and moved behind Lucius to untie his hair.

 

Silver strands of hair were scattered in his hand. Holding a handful of hair, Hamel bowed his head and pressed his lips to the end of it.

 

As if trying to hide the slightly raised corner of his mouth.

 

“Hasn’t it been quite bothersome for you?”

 

“…”

 

“It must be exciting to pay the price for daring to touch Lord Lucius. Is it strange that I willingly step forward?”

 

“Hamel.”

 

At the soft and gentle call, Hamel raised his head slightly.

 

The proof of the contract with Lucius tingled uncomfortably.

 

“I wouldn’t expect you to underestimate me, would I?”

 

“Of course not. You know me better than anyone else, Lord Lucius.”

 

And yet, he knew that and still made the contract.

 

Hamel’s pupils narrowed. Straightening his posture, he smoothed Lucius’ hair.

 

“I don’t like that aspect of you.”

 

“I’m aware.”

 

Hamel, nonchalantly responding, finished tying up Lucius’s hair neatly and then withdrew his hand.

 

Satisfied, Hamel nodded his head.

 

“I will prepare the attire. Any preferences? Do you have something specific in mind?”

 

“Not particularly.””

 

He was moving as Lucius, the Fifth Elder, not as a student of Cyrus Academy, and he couldn’t wear a school uniform.

 

“White, then.”

 

What Hamel chose was a white uniform with a soft and luxurious shine like pearls. The blue color gave the outfit a very cool feel, but his favorite part was the cape.

 

A dual-layer structure with a white cape enveloping both shoulders and a blue cape covering only one shoulder.

 

He had been eager to wear it at least once, but he hadn’t had the chance since entering the academy. How much he regretted it.

 

Wearing that outfit to confront Tariq…

 

‘It’s a sight I won’t see again; what a pity.’

 

As much as he wanted to follow Lucius and watch over his grandeur from the side, he had tasks to attend to here.

 

Before the situation escalated further, he needed to calm down Arnold, who was frantically searching for students.

 

If he delayed, Arnold might reach a point where he couldn’t act covertly anymore and would seek assistance from the academy.

 

Then, he would have to explain everything, from the kidnapping incident to the spire’s collapse and the sudden appearance of the tree. That would be troublesome.

 

Lucius checked the time.

 

‘There is plenty of time, though.’

 

He briefly considered whether to confront Arnold face-to-face before departing. Pretending to be unconscious in Hamel’s arms wouldn’t deceive him anyway.

 

One person had fainted and collapsed, while the other seemed perfectly fine. It was suspicious.

 

There was no other choice.

 

He would entrust it to Hamel.

 

Lucius nodded at the excited Hamel and spoke.

 

“I’ll be leaving at midnight, so be prepared by then.”