Chapter 13

  Drakkel released the man and took a step back as whispers erupted from among the Demon Lords.

  “He’s really back?”

  “So that’s where he’s been!”

  “That traitor!"

  “We should strip him of his position, then kill him!”

  Drakkel quieted them all and spoke to the man, “Ah! So you’re the eighth demon lord, Demon Lord of Malice, Malikai?”

  The man laughed. “Since you know it already, why are you asking me?”

  Drakkel sneered, but a wide unbothered smile still sat on the man's face.

  “Malikai, since you’ve been the assistant of Lorian Adore, I can assume the eighth demon division is with him as well, correct?”

  Malikai appeared as if he was thinking, but he still didn’t reply to Drakkel's question.

  However Drakkel already knew the answer, so he continued, “Why did you let yourself be caught?”

  With his power, Malikai should have easily been able to escape while they were running away from the Sword's Clans.

  Malikai looked at Drakkel as if he were stupid. His face said, “Why do you think I did?” But his mouth said nothing.

  Seeing this, the demon lords couldn't stand it.

  “Show some respect to our prince, Malikai!” Riyuk spat.

  Malikai smiled and turned his head to face him, “He’s your prince. Not mine. My one true King was Demon King Fael. This man…”

  He looked Drakkel up and down. “When compared to Demon King Fael's magnificence can only be called a dog.”

  He paused before laughing. “Or perhaps a puppy would be better!”

  “Malikai, you..! Riyuk was angry. He stepped forward, but Drakkel put a palm to stop him.

  Looking down at Malikai with a cold expression, he knew he must have been the cause for the demons showing up at Shadowy Ridges, Lunala Isle, and outside Joyous Encounters.

  “Fine." He said. "I understand. You couldn't escape or you may have revealed who you were. After all, you were made to be only an assistant to Lorian Adore and you haven't been one for long. If you had martial prowess, no one would expect it to be great. If it was great, they might start to suspect you.”

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  Malikai laughed. “It seems the puppy does know some tricks.”

  The demon lords gave Malikai stony glares but it was as if he didn’t notice, or perhaps care. He still sat in his position, appearing very comfortable.

  Drakkel couldn't help but think. If this man was so laid back, how strong could he be?

  “Forget it.” He said. “We won't get anything more out of him. Bring him back to the dungeons and tighten his security.”

  “Wait.” Malikai said. “Don't you want to know if I killed them?”

  One of Drakkel's eyebrows went up.

  “Firo Fieren, Som, and…”

  A playful smile formed on his lips as he said, “Your master.”

  Drakkel clenched his fists and stormed back to the man, grabbing his throat.

  “Ha! Struck a nerve?” Malikai asked.

  Drakkel ignored him.

  “Continue,” he growled.

  Malikai seemed to be enjoying himself. Instead of answering the question, he stated, “Rillian Adore. I had him copy the papers and then forget, using a demonic spell.”

  Drakkel's hold on the man’s throat tightened. He had gotten mad at Rillian Adore for no reason.

  Although he struggled to breath, Malikai still continued.

  “What... did you get angry at him?” He said. “You don't even know what he went through while you were in hiding.”

  Drakkel shook his head. The man was only trying to distract him. “I won’t believe a thing that comes out of your venomous mouth! So don't—”

  Malikai didn’t stop talking. Instead, he interjected. “Even someone like him couldn't stand the torture. Everyday, they would ask him what the Demon Lord had done and everyday he would say nothing. So, every day he got beaten. Beaten till his flesh ripped and his skin turned purple. Beaten until his tears dried and he could no longer scream.”

  Drakkel's heartbeat quickened.

  “Beaten, because of you.”

  “Stop!” Drakkel shouted. He didn’t want to hear anymore.

  Yet, Malikai didn't stop. He only kept going. “Even when they starved him for hours on end and he lay on the floor, enduring the pain. Even then, he didn't blame you.”

  Drakkel’s hands began to tremble as Malikai smiled.

  He whispered just low enough for only Drakkel to hear. “And you know the saddest part? He endured for you but while this was happening, you didn't even try to save him. You didn't try, even though it was all your fault.”

  Although he tried to ignore them, Malikai’s words cut deep and as he finished, all he felt was despair.

  He let go of Malikai and punched the bars of the cage in anger. But because he still hadn't healed, doing so shot a jolt of pain through his hand and he immediately became dizzy afterwards.

  Aurien Wavel ran up to him and caught him, supporting him in standing.

  At the same time, he commanded, “Take him away!”

  Malikai laughed as some demons rolled his cage out. “It's true! It's true! I killed them. But in the end, what can you do? You can only sit there like the weak and cowardly puppy you are! You could never compare to our true King! Our Leader! Demon King Fael!”

  Those were the last words anyone heard before Demon Lord Riyuk took him away with other demons in tow.

  As he did so, the man's laughter echoed through the halls for all to hear.

  Drakkel's heart felt as if it had been lit aflame as Malikai’s confession rang through his mind. He clenched his fists, until his nails dug into his skin, drawing blood. He needed him to confess to others, so he could only have the demons take care of him.

  Still standing, he shifted his body out of his Senior Brother’s grip.

  After standing helplessly for a moment, he finally decided what to do. He steeled himself and began to leave the room.

  He heard his Senior Brother call out to him, but he ignored him. Dismissing the demon lords, he exited in a hurry.

  He didn’t wait for understanding or approval. He left everyone behind as he rushed out, heading for his new destination.

  He knew it now, he had to go see Rillian Adore.