Five people lay inside their own bedrolls with their eyes closed.
One of them lacked the ability to sleep, the second one suffered from deep trust issues, while the third one was unfortunately stuck between these two problem children.
So technically, only two people were sleeping.
Heiter and Eisen.
Frieren silently opened her eyes and held her staff by her side.
She was lying in the same room with a demon who couldn't even sleep.
It was uncomfortable.
She couldn't get herself to relax. Those centuries of battles, deaths, and betrayals were something clearly written in her memory.
But even so, the fact that she was even trying to sleep in a room with a demon proved that she had agreed Sukuna was different from other demons.
'I hope I am not wrong...'
The image of her dead master and clansmen killed by demons passed through her mind.
Frieren let out a small sigh, her mind filled with complex emotions.
Sukuna, on the other hand,
was thinking about the new magic he had been developing recently.
It was inspired by another fellow traveler, and since he also knew the principle, he was already very close to creating it...
Heh, it'll surely give Demon Qual the fear of a lifetime!
Just then,
a soft voice reached his ears.
"Sir Sukuna, you're awake, right?" Himmel said while turning his head to look at Sukuna, who was on his right side.
Sukuna silently opened his eyes and looked back.
"What's up? Having difficulty sleeping beside a demon?"
He asked with a knowing smile on his face.
Himmel lightly smiled and agreed.
"Yes, it is my first time seeing a demon, so I hope you'll forgive me, as I too am affected by the rumors..."
"Oh? What rumors?"
"That demons are cold-blooded monsters who kill any humans they come across..."
"Those rumors are correct."
"I see."
Himmel nodded, calmly accepting Sukuna's words.
"Sir Sukuna, can you... tell me more about demons?"
"Demons? Well, they are ruthless individuals who don't understand most human emotions except for anger, fear, and pride..."
Himmel listened in silence.
"Even a newborn demon has greater mana than a human, since they are pretty much born out of mana itself. Oh, they also disappear into mana after you kill them. Kind of ironic in a way..."
"Have you ever killed a demon, Sir Sukuna?"
"Yes, I killed one after he attacked me."
"Hm, please continue."
Sukuna touched his chin and said,
"Apart from the negatives, demons do have quite a few advantages over humans—long lives reaching near immortality, and they are natural-born mana spell researchers, able to dedicate years to their magic..."
Sukuna kept speaking and Himmel kept listening.
Finally, he stopped and said while pointing at Frieren,
"You want to learn about demons? I believe that elf companion of yours can tell you more than I can."
"I know you're awake, elf. Drop the act."
Frieren's long ear twitched as she opened her eyes and turned to her right side, facing the two of them.
"How can an elf know more about demons than a demon himself?" she said in a complaining tone.
"Because you're not just an elf, but also a thousand-year-old hag."
"...Old hag? That's rude coming from a demon who has lived for centuries himself..." Frieren said with an upset look on her face.
"I'm nowhere near your age, old hag."
"...Call me that again and you'll face the consequences..."
"You overestimate your abilities."
Himmel quickly interjected to divert the topic.
"Sir Sukuna, can you tell me about yourself? How did you end up becoming the lord of a city?"
"That's a long story..."
"Ah, if it's inconvenient then—"
"Fine, I'll give you a small summary."
Sukuna looked at the ceiling, then started speaking under Himmel and Frieren's curious eyes.
"I saved a village which was being attacked by a monster... then killed a dragon..."
"I healed them up... conquered a dungeon on the hill, then built a city using my magic."
He only gave a general outline, leaving out crucial details here and there.
'An institute for magic research?... it reminds me of the method my teacher used in the Empire...' Frieren thought with a reminiscing look in her eyes.
Himmel listened to everything with shining eyes before saying,
"Sir Sukuna, you are amazing... you gave those people a new home... educated them, helped them learn magic. You even paid them for their services..."
"What's amazing about it? It's just the basics of being a city lord," Sukuna replied with furrowed brows, as if he truly didn't think what he did was anything truly special.
Seeing his reaction, Sukuna's respect in Himmel's heart only increased.
Even Frieren was a little taken aback.
"I would love to visit your city one day," Himmel said in a calm tone.
"You can come anytime. Don't forget to pay the entry fees though."
"There's an entry fee?..."
"Yes, how else will the lord make money?"
"Ah, can we at least get a friendly discount?..."
"Sure, I'll give you 0.1% off. Be grateful."
"Puff. Yes, Lord Sukuna, thank you for your generosity."
The more they talked, the more relaxed the atmosphere became.
Finally, after some time, Himmel said goodnight and fell asleep.
Now only Sukuna and the 1000-year-old hag were left.
Sukuna looked at Frieren's drooping eyes and suddenly said in a calm tone,
"After you go to sleep, I'll shave your head bald."
Frieren's eyes shot wide open.
She stared at him with an accusing gaze.
Sukuna ignored her and closed his eyes.
Heh, since she didn't trust him, she better stay awake the entire night!
Frieren suddenly imagined herself with a bald head and shivered unconsciously.
Demons... truly a terrible race!
----
Next morning.
Sukuna and the hero party left the village, following the clues they saw on the way.
After some hours, a big mana signature appeared in their detection range.
"I sense a huge amount of mana ahead..." Frieren said, silently staring at the forest ahead.
"It's him." Sukuna affirmed the identity as he was familiar with Qual's mana signature.
At the same time, the mana signature moved as a demonic figure floated up from the forest.
Elder Sage of Corruption, Qual noticed their group and turned towards them.
"Hm?"
Instantly his gaze was fixed on Sukuna.
Floating down, he stepped on the ground.
"Ryomen Sukuna, is there anything you need from me?"
He asked while looking interestingly at the hero party around him.
"You've disturbed the trade between my city and the royal capital, Demon Qual." Sukuna folded his arms and said in a calm tone.
Hearing his words, Qual touched his beard in confusion.
"But I'm not really harming your people?..."
"You destroyed a trading caravan of the royal capital which was coming to my city. Just because you spared my people doesn't mean you're not putting our interests at risk."
"It seems I made a mistake. I apologize for the trouble. Rest assured, I will change my hunting ground altogether..." Qual quickly apologized.
He had experienced firsthand the terrifying amount of mana Sukuna possessed.
That's why he had a subservient attitude from the start.
Unfortunately for him,
Sukuna didn't come here to act reasonable.
"It's not enough."
Sukuna said in a calm tone, making Qual stop.
"Submit to me and serve me. That will be your punishment."
"Submit?"
Demon Qual narrowed his stitched eyes.
Becoming subservient to Sukuna, who was as strong as the demon king.
It wasn't impossible.
"Is it similar to Solitar?" Qual asked.
"I'll have you study and research magic like Solitar." Sukuna replied.
"That is very appealing. I also offered my service before, alas you refused at the time..."
"So you agree?"
"Yes."
Sukuna nodded, then walked away with Qual while telling Himmel and the others to stay put.
"I wonder what they're talking about..." Heiter muttered, looking at Sukuna and Qual in the distance.
Himmel smiled and said.
"It should be some small talk, no need to worry. Sir Sukuna is a good person—"
"Wait! They started fighting!" Heiter exclaimed.
*Boom*
"..."
A blank look appeared on Himmel's face.
On the other side, Demon Qual fired several Zoltraak at the same time, as if to completely envelop Sukuna.
But before they could hit him, a hexagonal shield covered Sukuna, instantly blocking all those attacks.
"Same as before..." Qual muttered, remembering the shield surrounding Dawn City.
Raising his hand, he was about to fire another shot when Sukuna suddenly covered the sky with magic swords, raining them down on Demon Qual from above.
*Gush*
Several swords pierced through his large body, one almost ended up severing his neck.
Sukuna, with his arms crossed in a relaxed manner, said to the injured Qual in a plain tone,
"I will not say it again. Submit to me or die."
Qual silently stared at Sukuna while quickly balancing the pros and cons of the situation.
After a few seconds, he reached the only logical conclusion.
Survival.
"I submit..."
He landed in front of Sukuna and lowered his head, showing his attitude.
Sukuna, as if he had already seen the outcome, made him sign a binding vow before healing him.
Going back to the hero party, Himmel quickly asked him,
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine." Sukuna replied.
Frieren kept remembering the hexagonal magic shield Sukuna used to block Qual's attack.
"That was a very well-made magic shield..."
"I know, it was researched in my Dawn Institute of Magic after all."
Well, it was mostly developed by Solitar.
She did most of the work as Sukuna was busy crafting his Inverted Spear of Heaven.
"Sir Sukuna, is everything under control?" Himmel asked while looking at the silent Qual, who had attacked Sukuna out of nowhere.
"Yes, he has decided to follow me."
Frieren glanced at Qual then suddenly said,
"Qual is a true demon unlike you. You should be careful not to trust his words."
"I know, Frieren."
Sukuna took out 100 gold strahl from his pocket and handed them to the surprised Himmel.
"Sir Sukuna, we didn't even help you in battle..."
"Think of it as an investment for the hero party."
A demon-killing hero party was being supported by a demon.
Damn, what kind of situation was this?
Still, it's not like Sukuna was an ordinary demon.
Himmel nodded, then took the gold bag and said in a serious tone,
"We are grateful for meeting you, Sir Sukuna. You showed us a side of demons I never could have imagined existed. Truly, thank you."
He paused before smiling and continuing.
"After we have completed our mission, we will definitely come to visit your Dawn City, Sir Sukuna."
"I have a feeling it won't take long..." Sukuna nodded.
Suddenly he turned towards the silent Frieren and said something unexpected.
"Himmel loves you. Do what you want with it."
Not waiting for them to even react, Sukuna flew into the sky with Qual carrying his horse, leaving the stunned group behind.
Frieren tilted her head in confusion before turning to the shaking Himmel and asking him,
"Is what he said true?"
Himmel's face flushed red as he quickly waved his hands and denied,
"O-of course not!"
"I see." Frieren nodded, thinking Sukuna had some misconception.
Heiter and Eisen silently looked at each other and sighed at the same time.
"What a missed opportunity."
"Hopeless idiot."
----
P.s: Will get admitted day after tomorrow :v