Toxin Chapter 8

“No, it’s unnecessary.”

“Aren’t you curious about how you look, Your Highness? Although my skills are humble, I want to show Your Highness’s appearance.”

“I don’t need such a self-indulgent hobby with that kind of paper. You, provoking my nerves like cattle.”

Only a beast like you. I forcefully swallowed the voice that threatened to rise. There was no reason to stay here if he was so overtly resistant. Trying to force it might even lead to suspicion, resulting in counterproductive consequences.

Although I had come so close, it seemed inevitable that it would end up like this. No, I can’t do anything more now. He refuses so adamantly, and there’s no excuse to remain here. If I persist too blatantly, there’s a risk of arousing suspicion, so it might backfire. Let’s satisfy ourselves with this; after all, there’s nothing more to do now. As my lips remained sealed, giving up, the Black Demon King’s gaze unexpectedly turned towards me when I last turned my eyes away. Engulfed in the remnants of the night, I peered into the deep darkness of his black eyes, unknowingly.

Those eyes still offered no room for hope. No, I don’t know. How can I read those eyes that are devoid of any mixed emotions? The Black Demon King, without a moment’s hesitation, cut off my gaze and walked out of the forest. His subordinates followed him, muttering complaints, while a refined guard sneered at his subordinate.

“Tsk, tsk…! Our Your Highness is so shy that he doesn’t know what to do when someone looks at him! Well, how could a worthless monster understand Your Highness’s deep emotions?!”

The subordinate changed his expression again, trailing after the Black Demon King. The silent guards behind them chuckled as if mocking the subordinate. The refined guard asked with a puzzled expression.

“By any chance, do you have a face and emotions?”

Raonhilljo turned his gaze towards me and spoke.

“He said he would paint my portrait. Due to some circumstances, it’s still incomplete.”

“Is that so…”

The guards greeted Raonhilljo and halted their steps. Raonhilljo raised his neat eyebrows as he looked at me.

“Well then, can we settle what remains between us? I can start as early as tomorrow.”

“Ah…”

Absolutely, absolutely, it wasn’t something I disliked. On the contrary, I really wanted to repay the debt to Raonhilljo. However, the disappointment that all the plans had gone awry made it impossible for me to speak.

“Do you happen to dislike it?”

Awakening from my reverie at his probing voice, Raonhilljo had a somewhat stiff expression.

“N-no, not at all.”

Startled by the unexpected question, I stumbled in my speech, which was rare for me. My mind was already overwhelmed by the long-gone Black Demon King, making it impossible to articulate suitable words. Raonhilljo gave a wry smile.

“Well, that’s fortunate. It’s too early now, so when the day breaks, come straight to my residence.”

“If it’s Your Highness’s residence…”

“I’ll send someone to escort you, so wait for them.”

“Yes.”

Raonhilljo turned to leave but suddenly stopped, looking at the corpse of the wyvern on my knee.

“That seems to be a wyvern… Are you planning to make something with its wings or skin?”

“No. This will be breakfast.”

It was just a casual remark, but I sensed that it was a slip of the tongue as I noticed Raonhilljo’s mouth slightly tightening.

“Oh, really? So, that was breakfast. Quite…”

‘Looks delicious….’ he mumbled, and his gaze didn’t leave the wyvern’s carcass. Although it was natural for Ime to eat meat, for some reason, his gaze felt awkward.

“Um…”

A woman who had been quietly standing behind urged him on. She wore a stiff ceremonial robe and carried a sword, much like the guards from earlier, but beneath the robe, her graceful figure and serene eyes revealed a sophisticated woman. Who could she be? Before I could solve that mystery, Raonhilljo glanced at me discreetly and spoke.

“But are you going to keep sitting there? Come with me.”

Only then did I realize that I was still sitting on the pile of bushes.

“I intend to sit a little longer. Please go ahead.”

After a brief nod from Raonhilljo, he turned and added, “I’ll send someone for you, so come directly.”

‘That needs thorough consideration.’ Raonhilljo muttered, alternating his gaze between me and the wyvern. He soon disappeared with the woman. If Raonhilljo’s residence was outside the castle, did that mean I would be leaving? I didn’t even think to ask that question. After sitting in a daze for a while, I also got up.

When I returned to the feast after dragging my legs, the chieftain was asleep. Placing the wyvern on the clean floor, I leaned my head against the wall. Although I had brought it, the appetite that had surged a short while ago completely vanished. Did I underestimate the Black Demon King too easily? No, did I consider everything too lightly? I closed my eyes, swallowed the bitter saliva pooling in my mouth.

***

Eventually, as the day brightened, the morning sun poured in through the feast window. The subordinates were delighted at the prophecy that the Black Demon King would send us off, and the chieftain nodded silently. The interior, filled with an unpleasant smell, was where pigs were sleeping in every corner. In one corner, the chieftain and subordinates were absorbed in serious thought. Since Ime had to follow the formal procedure to leave the tribe, the administrator eagerly awaited our departure. When I conveyed Raonhilljo’s proposal to the chieftain, he showed a somewhat hesitant expression.

“Coming to collect taxes from the Ime Village every month. Although he has an identity, how much help would a mere low-ranking official be? Whether he’s an easy person for that person to approach is also unknown.”

“But judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like he had a friendly relationship with the Black Demon King.”

“Well, if they can share a drinking party without hesitation until that time…”

“Hmm…”

The chieftain fell into deep thought. At that moment, a loud sound of the door opening reached us, attracting everyone’s attention. The administrator standing at the door pointed at me.

“You. Come with me.”

Unaware that I would be summoned early in the morning, I hastily grabbed my drawing tools. Following the administrator in a fluster, we arrived at a splendid residence, dazzling enough for the eyes. It confirmed that Raonhilljo lived inside the castle. Turning around a corner and entering the entrance, a vast veranda unfolded, adorned with towering pillars and rare decorations hanging on the walls. It was a grand interior, almost too luxurious for words. Following the administrator, we arrived at a place in front of a door on the veranda.

The guards and palace maids guarding the door gasped and held their breath as they looked at me. A man, identified as a subordinate, gave me a disapproving glance. A subordinate of the White Cliff. Following his subordinate’s gesture, two guards approached and began searching me. Suspicious items, including a firestarter, a pouch with white powder, and anything dubious, were all confiscated. My mother’s firestarter being taken by someone else left a bitter taste in my mouth.

“That, give it here.”

“I’ll return it when you leave; just leave it here.”

Who exactly was Raonhilljo to have such strict security? The suspicion about him intensified. Reluctantly, I entered, and I was greeted by a spacious room that didn’t seem to have an end in sight. It had a different atmosphere from the outside scenery, yet it exuded a cold and solemn aura, imposing enough to be intimidating. The White Cliff subordinate gestured for me to sit at the entrance. As I settled in, scanning the surroundings, there was no sign of Raonhilljo.

“Where is your lord?”

“Hush! Shut your mouth, lock it up with a muzzle, sit properly, and wait! Merely stepping foot in this place is an honor to the family! Well, a measly insect like you might not understand the grandeur of it. Hem!”

I couldn’t hide my confusion. I thought he was just an ordinary official collecting taxes, but perhaps he was not the low-ranking official I had in mind. Thoughts entwined in my mind. At that moment, the door opened behind me, and I heard a refreshing sound of footsteps. It was the moment I turned my head to greet Raonhilljo that my mind collided with a massive cliff. If my eyes were not deceiving me, the author was undoubtedly…

“Oh~ Your Majesty! Where on earth have you been?”

The White Cliff subordinate rushed towards the Black Demon King, who had just entered from behind. The Black Demon King discovered me frozen in place and raised an eyebrow.

“What’s this?”

“Oh~ Your Majesty. Didn’t you order me to bring him?”

The White Cliff subordinate seemed completely unperturbed. Sweat streamed down the subordinate’s face.

“Did you forget? This morning, Your Majesty suddenly ordered me to bring him after having a sip of water. The guards also heard it clearly.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! Yes! Your Majesty! How dare I lie about any safety?! You clearly ordered it! When you sipped the water, you ordered me to bring him. Thinking it might be urgent, I brought him without hesitation!”

The Black Demon King observed me with an expressionless face. The subordinate, sensing his gaze, bowed slightly and retreated. Once the subordinate disappeared, echoing footsteps resonated through the floor, and a tall figure stood before me. An awkward silence engulfed the room. Hunched over, I peered through the gaps in the Black Demon King’s robe, expecting to see Raonhilljo’s room. Naturally, I assumed it was a meeting with him. Naturally, I thought it was going to be a normal encounter, but how… why was I suddenly summoned? Perhaps he thought of another amusing diversion in this perplexing situation. Without letting my guard down in this bewildering circumstance, I pondered.

After a moment, the Black Demon King’s silky garment cascaded onto the floor, and he sat down in front of me with his characteristic peculiar posture. The stern gaze that reached my forehead made my blood run cold. For a moment, the Black Demon King grabbed my hair forcefully, and simultaneously, his dry face intruded on my vision like a mask.

“What’s your purpose in approaching me?”

His eyes scrutinized me, like dissecting an object. The gaze was intensely piercing and cruel. It sent shivers down my spine, as if my throat were being cut, making the spine chilling. Those who met eyes with him might indeed die of heart failure; it wasn’t just an empty rumor. The nightmare from that day writhed, and venomous blood surged. I strained to squeeze out my voice.

“To paint Your Majesty’s… portrait… ugh…!”

He precisely applied pressure to my bruised arm from the last torture. The pain twisted my flesh, and the pain-wracked voice was stifled.

“Tell me the real purpose.”

Anger surged to my head at his leisurely expression. Gasping intermittently, I managed to open my mouth.

“To… draw a picture. To pledge loyalty to the delivery office…”

“Let’s leave it at that for now.”

The Black Demon King mechanically tugged at one corner of his mouth.

“I heard you have a special connection with Raonhilljo. I never knew he was someone who could draw.”

“…”

Was he checking with Raonhilljo? It was somewhat unexpected. I only thought he would disdain us, not suspect my ability to draw. I had not known him to doubt the act of drawing itself. Without disguising my indolence, I pondered amidst this bewildering situation.

My throat was parched from the chokehold, and I had to suppress the urge to cough. The intense force on my injured arm and the pain as if my scalp were being peeled off made the skin around my eyes turn red. The Black Demon King stared at me with emotionless, pitch-black eyes. His lips parted slowly.

“Fine. Consider this a moment of madness. Or perhaps you’re possessed, or under some spell.”

The Black Demon King muttered to himself, examining my eyes. I couldn’t fathom what he was saying. I perked up my ears.

“If the painting doesn’t meet my satisfaction, I might as well use you for Jincheon Ryei’s performance test.”

Thump, thump…! My heart surged like a torrent. Did I hear it wrong? Or was the current sovereign speaking nonsense…? If I didn’t mishear, then now… he allowed me to paint Jincheon Ryei. The situation felt surreal, and I couldn’t think rationally. Struggling against the force pulling my hair, I managed to speak.

“Then… from when… ugh…!”

Before I could finish my sentence, the Black Demon King ruthlessly twisted my head back. My heart pounded as if caught in a rapid current. Did I hear wrong? Or was the current sovereign talking nonsense…? If I didn’t mishear, then now… he allowed me to paint Jincheon Ryei. The situation felt surreal, and I couldn’t think rationally. Struggling against the force pulling my hair, I managed to speak.

“Then… from when… ugh…!”

Before I could finish my sentence, the Black Demon King ruthlessly twisted my head back. The humiliating posture invoked a surge of life and anger. In the face of this ruthless display, I fiercely controlled the resentment welling up in my eyes. Under the force pulling my hair, I managed to tilt my head forward and opened my mouth.

“Okay… when… ugh…!”

Before I could complete my sentence, the Black Demon King mercilessly snapped my head backward. The posture was degrading, stirring up both life and anger. In the face of this ruthless display, I fiercely controlled the resentment welling up in my eyes. The ruthless force kept my head backward, and I struggled to maintain a gaze that expressed defiant anger.

“I’ll give you a warning. Whether you draw a picture or do anything else, if you ever glare at me with those repulsive eyes again, I’ll cleanly carve out those eyeballs for you.”

His emotionless voice echoed. “Right now, like this.”