"We..."
Locked in place by everyone's scorching gazes, Lyon felt his cheeks instantly grow hot, as if being roasted by an invisible flame.
The silver-haired youth's clenched fists trembled slightly, his knuckles white from the force, and his entire being was shrouded in a "red-hot" state of embarrassment.
The sea breeze swept past the village's low stone houses, carrying a faint salty scent, yet it couldn't disperse the air that seemed to have frozen solid.
Although they had basically no contact with the locals, they were, in fact, aware of each other's existence.
The villagers knew that a guy called the "Zero Emperor" had brought people to the island and stationed them in the ancient and majestic temple at the mountain's peak.
Lyon and his group also knew that there were natives on this island surrounded by dense forests and rocks, but the two sides kept to themselves.
The figures of those natives never appeared on the steep stone steps leading to the mountaintop temple, nor did they ever approach the temple area.
Since the natives were so well-behaved, Lyon and his group naturally wouldn't go looking for trouble for no reason.
The two sides had maintained this delicate and fragile state of peace for a full three years.
"We... are very sorry."
Lyon took a deep breath, as if mustering all his strength just to squeeze out those words. His voice was dry and filled with deep remorse.
Lyon lowered his head slightly, his silver hair falling to cover his reddened face.
Although the "turning into a demon" incident was a blunder, the three years of distorted memories, fear, and anxiety were still their fault.
"You wanted to take revenge on Deliora, yet you nearly became Deliora yourselves."
Looking at the four guilt-ridden and helpless figures of Lyon, Sherry, Yuka, and Toby, Marco's voice was steady and clear, echoing in the silent night sky for all to hear.
"What difference is there between what you've done and what Deliora did when it destroyed your homes and killed your families?"
Marco's words were like a cold dagger, stabbing deeply into Lyon and the others.
The truth was just as Marco had said.
Their actions showed a complete disregard for the locals as people; they hadn't cared at all whether the locals' homes and lives were destroyed.
To the natives of Galuna Island, they were the demon "Deliora" that had appeared on their island.
"We're truly sorry!"
It wasn't just Lyon who wore a solemn expression; Sherry, Yuka, and Toby also bowed in apology with looks of sorrow.
They weren't bad people at heart, just blinded by hatred and foolishness.
'Hah... this is annoying' Marco silently complained in his mind.
It's not the bad people you have to fear, but the stupid ones.
The destruction a villain meticulously plans might not even compare to a fool's sudden bright idea.
Their actions were completely unpredictable.
Releasing the "Deliora" that their master had sacrificed her life to seal, just to defeat "Deliora" and prove they had surpassed their master—that was truly something no sane person would do.
In comparison, the desire of the other victims to completely destroy "Deliora" seemed almost tragic.
Having lost everything, their only thought was to completely annihilate "Deliora" to avenge their loved ones.
"It's alright. At least you didn't truly harm us."
Faced with the apologies from Lyon, Sherry, Yuka, and Toby, the demon villagers' expressions weren't exactly pleasant, but Bobo stepped forward.
With a strained smile, he spoke magnanimously, and what he said was indeed true.
Subjectively, Lyon and his group never intended to harm the natives; the natives weren't part of their plan at all.
And up to this point, no natives had actually been harmed in the past three years, which made reconciliation between the two sides possible.
"We will compensate you. Although we don't know how we can possibly atone for the mistakes we've made, we will do our best to make it up to you."
Yuka looked up, her voice hoarse but incredibly sincere.
Sherry and Toby nodded vigorously beside her, their eyes filled with a desire for redemption.
They had left Lamia Scale to follow Lyon, wanting to avenge their families, but before they could get their revenge, they had nearly become the "Deliora" in others' eyes.
This was a considerable blow to the trio from Lamia Scale.
They wanted to do something to make up for their mistakes, but they didn't know how.
After all, it had been three years.
"How about this: for three years, you will guard the safety of this island." Marco made a suggestion.
This was reasonably fair.
They had caused the people three years of mental turmoil, so they would guard this island for three years.
"No problem." Lyon agreed without hesitation.
They were willing to pay the price.
Sherry, Yuka, and Toby had no objections either.
In truth, this proposal was somewhat lenient toward Lyon and his group.
They were all young, in their late teens or early twenties.
Staying on the island for three years would have no significant impact on them.
It would be nothing more than repeating the life they had lived for the past three years, and it would even be more relaxed since they no longer had to worry about "Deliora."
"Three years from now, I will give you a resolution and completely eliminate Deliora."
Marco's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an unquestionable sense of power.
He had just given them their punishment, and now he was giving them a promise.
Marco understood their desire for revenge but couldn't condone their foolish methods.
Their mistake was daring to mess around so recklessly without having the strength to back it up.
When Marco said he would eliminate this "Deliora" in three years, no one would take it as a joke, because Marco was strong enough.
Besides, when the three years were up, Marco wouldn't be arrogant enough to face this demon alone.
He would directly summon the heroes of the world to join in the grand event, to witness the demise of the demon "Deliora" together.
The main strategy would be a saturation strike.
"R-Really?!"
Marco's words made Lyon, Sherry, Yuka, and Toby snap their heads up, their faces filled with disbelief.
They almost thought they had misheard him, but it was obvious that the four of them couldn't have misheard at the same time.
This reality made all four of them breathe rapidly.
This was a promise from Marco; none of them thought he would be toying with them.
"Of course. Stay here and rest easy."
Marco nodded, confirming that his promise was valid.
This instantly invigorated Lyon, Sherry, Yuka, and Toby.
If they had known earlier that they could just ask Marco for help with this, why would they have gone through all that pointless trouble?
A complete waste of three years!
"We will definitely protect Galuna Island!" Lyon was extremely serious.
All of them would stay and protect this island and these demon villagers with their lives.
"That's... not necessary, Marco-san. We can protect ourselves."
Bobo and the village chief quickly refused this outcome.
They were a group of demons; why would they need others to protect them?
Putting other things aside, they all had wings.
If there was real danger, the entire clan could just flee and take refuge on a nearby island.
"It's said to be for your protection, but it's really for their own atonement."
Marco waved his hand and explained to Bobo and the others with a smile.
Serving as bodyguards on this island for three years was his punishment for Lyon's group.
The death penalty could be spared, but they couldn't escape punishment.
One must always bear the consequences of one's actions.
"Besides, since you're using me as a shield, it's still possible that some muddle-headed, overconfident fools will be drawn here. With them here, they can at least fend off most people."