⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Hayato realized that the mysterious being in the cave was actually the last fragment of the Demon Lord. Before he could even resist, he was possessed and fainted.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽༓☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
When I woke up, I was no longer in the cave. I found myself in a vast, endless land. The ground was dark, the sky was red, and sharp rocks surrounded me everywhere.
I lifted my head and saw him standing there. A huge man sat on a massive throne, looking down at me like I was the most helpless creature in the world.
I stood up and stepped closer to get a better look. He had long, wavy black hair, burning red eyes, and a broad, fortress-like chest with a striking face. His imposing body made him seem something more than human.
It didn't take me long to realise who he was, the same Demon Lord who had just tried to take my body
It didn't take me long to realise who he was, the same Demon Lord who had just tried to take my body. My anger boiled over, and I couldn't hold it back any longer.
Hayato:
"I knew it! I just knew this would happen! You've taken me… haven't you? What's going to happen to me now? Am I already dead on my very first day—"
Before I could finish my outburst, the Demon Lord swiftly moved his finger from left to right. And my mouth shut tight, like a zipper pulled closed.
Demon Lord:
"Enough. I don't have time to waste, especially not on an insect like you."
He rose from his throne and started walking toward me. When he reached, he bent down, his voice deep and chilling as he whispered in my ear.
Demon Lord:
"Now I will speak, and you will listen. If you dare utter even a single word… I'll erase your mouth completely."
Helpless, I nodded, and he lifted the spell from my mouth. His clawed hand pressed on my shoulder, its weight nearly knocking me to my knees.
Demon Lord:
"I couldn't take control of you. With no mana of your own, I thought your body could hold mine. But it didn't go as planned, my soul entered, but my mana stayed trapped outside."
I turned my head, ready to ask what all of this meant, but swallowed the words at the last moment, remembering his command to stay silent.
The Demon Lord saw it on my face. He returned to his throne as I rubbed the sore spot on my shoulder and continued his explanation.
Demon Lord:
"The process didn't finish. My soul and mana split, one part inside you, the other outside. I think, in some way, our souls have merged… As much as it hurts to say, in a way… you've taken me over."
Hayato:
"W-What?!"
As we spoke, I suddenly felt the endless land around us darkening and closing in, moving swiftly toward us as if to trap us both. Seeing this, the Demon Lord hurried to explain faster.
Demon Lord:
"Anyway, as I said, I don't have much time. Right now, I'm about to be swallowed by your presence, and I have no mana rest to resist it, well, not like I want to. I'm not sure what will happen when it's done… but I feel my end is near…"
After a brief pause, he pointed at me with his finger, his tone sharp and commanding.
Demon Lord:
"And you. I appoint you as my heir. Since you've somehow taken my mana and soul, you must honor it. As the next Demon Lord, you will protect the surviving demons and give them a place to live!"
Hayato:
"W-what? Wait, no! Why are you just deciding this for me without even asking—"
I couldn't deny I didn't expect this. Once again, he sealed my mouth. The darkness accelerated, closing in, and it seemed it would reach us in seconds. Then, unexpectedly, the Demon Lord's threatening tone softened into a sincere one.
Demon Lord:
"I'm asking this of you. I failed to protect my people… I made mistakes, well. But now, I have another chance with you. Please… take care of them for me—"
Before he could finish, the darkness finally reached us. Everything went pitch black, and I lost all sense, including of my own existence.
When I woke up, the cave was empty. I checked myself, even inside my clothes, but nothing seemed strange. My head hurt, my mind was blurry, and I couldn't think straight. I took a deep breath and walked towards the cave's entrance.
Hayato:
"Well… that must have been a nightmare… or maybe a hallucination… yeah, probably. I just want to get out of this cursed place…"
As I came to the entrance, I paused, remembering what had happened the first time I came in. To be sure, I picked up a stone and threw it outside. It passed through without disappearing, and I felt relieved.
I stepped out of the cave, stood there a bit, staring at the stars and the swirling galaxy, feeling the chill of the evening air, then my eyes slightly fell on the giant turtle waiting for me.
Hayato:
"What a wonderful—"
I slowly lowered my head and looked into its eyes. They blazed with anger, and after all this time of waiting, it felt like I had no choice but to face it.
For a moment, we held each other's eyes tensely. The evening breeze drifting between us added the perfect touch, like a duello scene straight out of a cowboy movie.
The turtle suddenly pulled something out its mouth, turned its head to gather some strength, and hurled it straight at me. The saliva-soaked thing smacked into my face and stuck there like a plunger.
Peeling it off and wiping my face, I realized with some effort that it was the book the goddess had given me, the same one I had unknowingly thrown at this turtle before.
Turtle:
"Hmph!"
Then the turtle walked away without looking back. A moment later it hit me, did it just say something before leaving? I wasn't sure, so I shouted after it with all my strength.
Hayato:
"Hey, did you just say 'hmph'? Wait… you can talk?!"