Chapter 5 – An Unexpected Task

That morning, the inn felt cold. Not because of the weather, but because of a hole in the routine. Seraphine, the girl with a smile as bright as the sun, didn't show up. As a Demon King posing as a hero, this was a problem. Without Seraphine, my facade would crack. I had to find out what was going on.

At the church, I found Priest Gordon. I adjusted my face to look concerned, like a young hero who cared about his companion.

"Mr. Gordon, do you know where Seraphine is?" I asked in a tone I tried to make sound sincere.

Gordon explained that Seraphine and Layla, her friend, had been sent to a village called Terraine for a mission. A mission that, to my ears, sounded like a road to death.

"The village is being harassed by undead creatures. Many believe it's the work of a Necromancer," he said.

Inwardly, I scoffed. Their purification magic wouldn't work. Igor, the Necromancer, must possess pure dark magic. Magic that can only be destroyed, not purified. I couldn't let them die. Not out of kindness, but because I needed them alive to keep my scenario running.

After returning to the inn, I took out a history book. I read about the Demon King Oberon and his generals. The name sickened me. Oberon... he was the reason I had to flee to this world.

Later that afternoon, I went to the forest. I had to test my power again. Not for fun, but to find the minimum limit I could unleash. In the lonely forest, I unleashed a fireball. The ball of fire was supposed to be small, but the resulting explosion almost incinerated the entire tree.

"Damn it. This power... if I'm not careful, it could destroy a city," I muttered. I had to hold back. I had to be a "hero."

I sat on a rock, staring at the sky. Dusk was beginning to fall. The bad feeling grew stronger. I had to move. I couldn't let my pawns die.

"Seraphine, Layla... I hope you're okay." It was a whisper, but also a promise.