The Crown and The Rose
Chapter 39: The Second Day (Part 3.5)

Chapter 39: The Second Day (Part 3.5)

The Crown

There is the worst kind of horror and shock on Seraphina’s face, "H-How guys are still standing on your feet after that explosion?" Her pupils constrict, "There is no way that you guys are still alright after that."

"To be honest, we are indeed not in our best shape." I offer Seraphina her signature smile, "But well, we are not dead. It will take you another hundred years to kill me, Seraphina."

The shock in Seraphina’s eyes is replaced by pure blazing rage. She opens her mouth to counter my words but is cut off by Vermilion.

"I suppose, this is enough for now, Seraphina." He steps forward, his eyes narrowing at Seraphina, "The challenge for the day has ended. If you have anything to take out on each other, then you can take it out in tomorrow’s trial." His eyes flicker over me and I can’t deny the hitch of my breath, "You too. And it seems like you and your comrade have been injured. Drop him to the healer’s camp before you all return to your respective tents." I envy how Vermilion can crush hundreds of demons with his presence and word this effortlessly. His words are like the supreme law. Even if we don’t want to obey him, we must follow him.

Up until now, I was trying my hardest not to look in those ruby eyes. I was doing my best not to let Vermilion’s presence affect me. But just the look in his eyes has fire racing along my skin. I am like damp clay under his gaze, waiting for him to shape me into whatever he likes me to be.

This is... absurd. How can I feel this way toward a demon even after being a human? And over that Vermilion is the demon lord of the southern domain of the demon realm and I am supposed to be his one of the most despised enemies. And the worst case for me is that... I am a man. A man. How can I feel this kind of attraction toward another man?

Oh no, no, no, no. Something is

I avert my gaze from him and fall to one knee, followed by the other demons present, aside from Phillip—who is standing by Vermilion’s side. We acknowledge him in unison. I can sense the tremor in their voice easily. They are all just as nervous and pressured as I am. Maybe even more than me.

Good, good fear him... I don’t want any of you to get closer to My Lord.

Wait. What the hell I am thinking?!

I shake my head in an attempt to clean it. But it doesn’t really work too well. After Vermilion leaves with Phillip by his side, I climb back to my feet and face Erick.

"Is he still unconscious?" I ask, worry contouring my face as I eye Edward anxiously. I can feel Seraphina’s glare burning on the side of my face but I blatantly ignore her.

I know why Seraphina is doing all this. She is jealous and is worried that I might turn out to be way more useful to the Lord than her. She has the same hunger to prove herself to her brother just as me. I empathize with her. But it doesn’t mean I will let myself get killed because of that. Just as I said, the same hunger. This is a competition where we both are the competitors. The one who proves himself wins. It is as simple as that.

"It appears so." Erick sweeps a glance at Edward’s pale face, "His pulses are the normal though."

"We should get him to the infirmary." I suggest and start to move along with the crowd as it dissipates, "Just how much magic power did he use?"

"I think a lot." Erick follows after me, catching up with me with huge strides, "It took him a lot of time to heal you."

I nod in understanding. Healing magic eats up a lot of our magic, which can eventually burn the user out. This is why our mentor at the royal palace always advised us that we should only use healing magic when the odds of the battlefield are on our side. Because using too much healing magic will eventually lead the user to death.

"Hey, Lush," Erick calls out, his voice just audible enough for both of us to hear, "You can use healing magic as well, can’t you? Then why don’t you heal him?"

I shake my head, "I am running low on magic power. And if I use my magic here then be sure that we are getting a whole mob of demons after our backs. Using my magic here is particularly a declaration that I am a human."

"Right." Erick shakes his head, "I think that explosion has gotten to me."

I think so too. Erick is a bit down since I woke up. He hasn’t been talking much as well. We attacked a group and snatched their treasure box at the last moment. None of us was happy with it. But we have to make some sacrifices if we want to leave. And I just did that. This is why Erick didn’t voice his displeasure. It is rare to find a demon like Erick these days, I must admit.

We drop Edward to the healer’s camp and I get my injuries patched up. I have a small cut on the side of my head, from where I was bleeding out eventually. Then I have a hell of a bruise on my stomach, it is almost like an ugly map of some kingdom. I have got a sprained ankle as well.

Since when I came to this school, pains and bruises have been like my daily companion. I am getting used to the pain. And as a crown prince, this is really bad. I should not turn into a masochist. Nope.

"We need to be assembled before the stage." Erick motions toward the stage, "Father is up for another speech." There is a disapproval in his voice.

"You don’t really like your father, do you?" I chuckle and ask.

"Actually, you are right." Erick rolls his eyes, "That old man is a pain in the ass."

I snort and follow Erick to the stage, "Well, not asking about that right now."

"You better now because—" Erick is cut off by a horrified howl.

"There are Abyliths here!"

My eyes shoot wide instantly. Abyliths?!