CHAPTER 4 - A brutal new world (3)

[Unknown]

[Jail—Forest]

The outside was now dark.

Only small patches of the iron bars were lit by the dim light of the torches. The shadow of one of the guards was there as per his schedule.

My mind was half awake. I couldn't sleep with the pain going through my body.

My eyes were fixed in the shadow of the guard. Consider it something similar to watching a midnight television broadcast. Aside from being a subject of torture, I would come back to this like a tired salaryman sitting on his sofa watching sports—this is my entertainment for the day.

As I thought of that shadow as the next best thing to porn, it suddenly became a blob and slowly inclined to the ground.

Huh? That... wasn't supposed to happen.

There was a distant moan of pain echoed nearby. Then a soft thud followed and broke the oppressive silence of the cell.

I can hear the clinging of keys as someone opens the metal door. They cautiously looked around and walked towards me.

On this particular night, someone came when no one had come before. Maybe I'm imagining things. It may be due to the awful food they were feeding me that I'm even hallucinating now. Or maybe not? Have I become insane?

Either way, those are irrelevant at this moment. My full attention was on the unknown person closing in on me.

As he came closer, I was able to see more of him.

It was a man in a black mantle. On his head was a horn. His eyes had a golden hue to them and shone with an unsettling glow against the indistinct background of black.

He knelt and looked at me.

When he reached out his hand, I impulsively backed myself away with the little strength I had left. The man paused in his knelt position and cautiously waved his hands as if he were taming a wild animal.

He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a key, then inspected the chains that wrapped around my wrists. The metal was dirty and encrusted with grime.

Leaning in, he whispered in my ear, his voice too low to hear. Then he removed the cuffs from my hands and wrapped a clean cloak around my shoulders.

Carefully, he grasped my arms and poured a violet liquid onto my wounds. When the liquid touched my skin, a burning pain came as it dripped down my elbows.

Strangely, after a few seconds, the pain began to lessen, followed by a sudden wave of drowsiness that spread throughout my body.

I tried to pull my hands away from him, but I was too weak.

I tried to resist it, but I was too tired to stay awake.

My eyelids became heavy.

I slept...

. . .

I felt nauseous. An immense amount of drowsiness clouded my mind. My body was a sluggish mess, and a headache pounded into my head.

Before I knew it, I found myself slumped against the broad back of someone. My surroundings were dark. I couldn't even see a few feet in front of me.

The cold air bit at my skin, the faint rustling of the surrounding trees barely audible over the ringing in my ears. My senses flickered back to life, slowly returning as my vision cleared. The man who carried me noticed I was awake and whispered something—his lips moved rhythmically with each breath. He was huffing out a white mist as the gust of wind hit my face.

Despite my efforts to listen, the persistent ringing drowned out all the words that came out of his mouth.

We stopped at a clearing where the moonlight shone brightly. He sat me on a flat rock, looked around, and regained his breath.

The ringing in my ear slowly lessened.

The man looked at me.

"Are you unharmed, young lord?"

His language. I can understand it.

I hesitantly nodded.

"There are no pursuers as of now, so it's safe to stay for the night. Are you hurt somewhere? I can fix you up if you'd like. Though I suppose I cannot heal your broken bones."

I looked at the man.

He wore blackish armor beneath a dark cloak resembling foliage.

"Who? Who are you?"

"I've come to rescue you."

His words barely registered as I kept my eyes on him.

My mind raced. This is not the jail, and a stranger is in front of me. How should I go about this?

Think...

Instinctually, when faced with sudden threats around me, I'm able to shut down any bodily functions that wouldn't be used to observe my current situation. I killed my breath, lowered my pulse, and all other irrelevant functions of my body. Time seemed to stretch as my mind took full control.

I glanced around, absorbing the details.

Body. Forest. Demon. Rescue. These words circled in my mind.

— Body. My body was barely functional, my wounds still fresh, and it seemed someone had patched me up roughly.

— Forest. From the looks of the dark, swaying trees surrounding us, we were deep in the forest.

— Demon. Judging by the horns on his head, it was safe to assume he was a demon like me. Black armor and a cloak resembling foliage—he's possibly a warrior or a knight.

— Rescue. I can move my body freely now, without the shackles—that means I'm not in the hands of humans anymore.

More questions began to linger in my head. What are his goals? Why did he rescue me?

No answers came.

I'm stuck with a stranger in the middle of a forest and a weak body. That meant trying to escape was out of the question.

From there, I understood my current situation. I pieced everything together. It all fell into place. As I absorbed the last information, my senses returned to normal, and time resumed its usual pace.

"Tsk."

I unconsciously clicked my tongue as a sudden, immense pain resonated throughout my body and brought me back from the far reaches of my mind. Shit. I need to compose myself. Being irritated now wouldn't do me any favor. I took a slow, shaky breath, trying to steady the trembling in my fingers.

"What's the matter, young lord? You sound upset."

Young lord...

For a moment, the thoughts in my head became clear. I thought about the absurdity of my current situation. Trapped in someone else's body, burdened by bullshit I never asked for.

A bitter laugh threatened to escape my throat. How did it come to this?

Wallowing in regret wouldn't do a thing. No, if I was going to survive, I needed to adapt. If I recall correctly, I'm a Demon Lord's son—someone of importance.

Yes...

Despite my reluctance, I'll use that influence. It's the only thing I'm currently able to leverage on.

The second the decision entered my mind, a strange calm settled over me. If this was the role I was forced into, then I'd use it to my advantage.

I let out a small sigh and composed myself.

Alright. I'll play the part... I'll act like some shitty, noble brat.

My lips were dry. I opened my mouth.

"You."

First questions. His goals. Assert authority.

"Knight. Why did you save me?"

The man looked me in the eye.

"I was simply following orders, young lord."

"Orders? By whom? Tell me, which bastard sent you?"

His eyebrow twitched—a subtle reaction. There was a slight pause in his words, as if he were weighing out how he was going to respond.

"I was given orders by Lady Barbatos to rescue you from this predicament."

Barbatos? A familiar name. I've heard that before—another Demon Lord.

"Demon Lord?"

His expression shifted—surprised. It was as if questioning whether Barbatos was a Demon Lord caught him off guard.

"Barbatos, you say? Why would an esteemed Demon Lord even want with me? A mere child. Are you joking? Is this a joke planted before me?"

He paused again. The creases of his eyebrow now became more prominent. He cleared his throat and spoke.

"I am Seekth, a knight of Her Highness, Demon Lord Barbatos, and I have taken you out of your imprisonment as per the lady's orders. It is fair if you were to doubt me. I am merely doing my duty, and that is to get this young lord out of there and bring him to the lady."

He bowed his head.

He's saying all this openly—there is a possibility he's only complying because of status, but on the other hand, he might have different motives, or rather, whoever Barbatos is. I expected him to brush off my blunt questions, but it was worth the attempt. If my words can get even a faint response, that means I can influence him.

Either way, I'm not in immediate danger. Good. That was enough. I'll deal with whatever comes next when it arrives.

But for now, I want confirmation. I need to probe deeper. For that, I'll use one of the most easily exploitable emotions.

Sympathy.

If I could play the part convincingly enough, I might uncover if he's still hiding something.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheeks, letting blood pool in my mouth. Once it had gathered enough, I let out a pained, wet cough, covering my mouth and parting my fingers just enough to show the blood.

The moment the man saw it, he rushed toward me without hesitation.

I noted every tiny detail about his actions as he tried to unbuckle the silver flask strapped on his hips. His hand movement, his glances, his body language, his frowns, and even the slightest nudge. I observed it all.

When he faced me, I turned my head down despite the pain gnawing at my ribs and coughed again.

He reached out his hand, trembling slightly.

"Here, some water."

He handed me his flask. I took a sip. The water carried an earthy, bitter taste—something I recognized from the putrid water they forced on me in that wretched jail. I almost gagged on it but swallowed it down.

"This—I thank you," I said hesitantly, and a single tear welled in my eye before I quickly covered my face.

His gaze softened. I could see the sympathy there as he leaned in closer. I shoved him back, keeping up the act, but careful not to overdo it.

"Don't look."

"My apologies."

He turned his head away.

After a brief pause from crying quietly for a while, I spoke again.

"Well, I suppose I should commend you for not being as brutish as those humans."

"I suppose, young lord."

"My actions seemed to have scrutinized you too much."

There was a faint smile on his face.

"That is not worth your apologies. Our current circumstances may have only provoked you to do so. I have not taken offense."

I hadn't expected to influence him this much. It was almost refreshing—proof that I haven't lost my wit from all the bashing they did to my head.

Now, onto the last step. A reward.

Simple, but effective. If I dangle something enticing enough, I can draw him in further, depending on how he responds. I don't know if I truly have any place within the hierarchy, but it's a gamble I'm willing to take.

"Treasure."

"Yes?"

"If you'd like, I can award you treasure if I can come back alive and request it from my father. I will give you a handful."

I forced a smile.

"No, young lord, I—I do not deserve any."

He hesitated for a second. He presented his hands somewhat frankly and spread them.

A gesture of weakness—humility.

Even if he didn't accept my reward, it only cemented my authority. As of now, I can use him. He's my way out of here. I need to make the most of this opportunity. Still, I can't let my guard down. I can't afford any mistakes.

I've made up my mind. For my freedom and to settle that bastard's debt, I'll play along. I'll orchestrate the greatest play for a chance to savor that revenge. How will he look till then? I can't wait. I'll savor it... slowly.

I can feel a smile creeping up my mouth as I drink the bitter water.

"I simply suggested."

. . .

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