Chapter 2: A Demon Lord Should Not Be This Hungry

Starvation.

No, starvation was something lesser beings experienced. Something mere mortals succumbed to in times of famine, war, or poor financial planning. I was Leonard Nightfall, the Demon Lord of Eternal Night—I had never known such weakness.

And yet, as I sat slumped against a wooden bench in the middle of this pathetic little village, my stomach let out another wretched growl.

This was blasphemy.

Me? Hungry? The once-feared ruler of darkness, the eternal scourge of mankind, reduced to a… to a broke and jobless vagrant?

Unacceptable.

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to remain calm. No, I would not be defeated by something as trivial as hunger. I had survived worse—holy smites, divine curses, even a particularly vengeful war goddess. Compared to that, this was nothing.

…But also, I really, really needed food.

I glared at the tavern across the street—the same cursed establishment that had fired me within five minutes of employment. The innkeeper had made it very clear that I was banned for eternity after "reckless soup-based destruction." Tch. That wasn't even my fault! The table was clearly unstable. If anything, that was their problem, not mine.

But logic meant nothing in this absurd world.

Another growl from my stomach made my eye twitch. I needed a plan. Food did not simply appear from the ether. In my previous life, all I had to do was raise a hand and demand a feast. But here?

I glanced toward the marketplace, where vendors shouted their prices, selling bread, fruit, and—

Wait.

I narrowed my eyes.

A cart full of apples.

Perfectly ripe, glistening in the morning light. Untouched. Unclaimed.

Could I… simply take one? A single apple wouldn't be missed, surely. And it would be pathetic for a Demon Lord to beg for food. No, if anything, claiming what was rightfully mine would be expected. A show of dominance, a reminder to these people that I was no mere commoner—

I took a single step forward.

And then—

"HEY! YOU GONNA PAY FOR THAT OR WHAT?!"

I froze.

The vendor, a burly man with arms the size of tree trunks, was already glaring at me. A few villagers stopped to stare.

…Wait. Why was everyone staring?

I blinked, realizing that—at some point—I had already grabbed an apple.

Ah. A minor oversight.

I coughed, adjusting my cloak. "Fret not, peasant. This is merely an inspection."

The vendor raised an eyebrow. "An inspection."

"Yes." I gave a knowing nod, as if this was a completely normal explanation. "A quality check. I have high standards, you see. Can't be consuming just any apple."

I took a bite.

Silence.

The vendor's eye twitched.

I chewed thoughtfully.

Huh. Actually, this was pretty good.

I nodded approvingly. "Yes, acceptable. You may continue selling these."

"YOU THINK THIS IS A CHARITY?!"

Ah. Right. Money.

A trivial concept, one I had never personally needed to concern myself with before.

Unfortunately, my complete and utter lack of currency appeared to be a problem for these people.

Before I could explain how this was clearly a misunderstanding, I felt a strong grip on my collar.

And just like that, I was thrown into the dirt.

"I don't care if you're some fancy noble," the vendor growled. "You steal, you pay."

I sat up, mildly offended.

Me? A common thief? The very idea was absurd! I was a conqueror of realms, a demon lord of untold power! I did not steal, I claimed. These mortals should have been offering me food in tribute!

Before I could explain this, another voice cut through the air.

"OI, OLD MAN! PICKING FIGHTS WITH THE WEAK NOW?"

Weak?!

I snapped my head toward the newcomer, already prepared to incinerate them for such an insult—

And then immediately paused.

A young man stood before me, arms crossed, grinning like he was the protagonist of some second-rate hero's tale.

Messy brown hair, a stupidly confident smirk, and a sword strapped to his back.

Ah. A warrior type.

I knew this kind well. This was the face of a young upstart looking for a fight.

The vendor scowled at him. "Mind your business, kid."

"I would, but you just threw this guy into the dirt." The young man tilted his head toward me. "Kinda unfair, don't you think?"

My eye twitched.

"...I am not weak," I muttered.

The kid ignored me. "How about this? I'll pay for the apple, and you let him go."

The vendor grumbled but accepted the money. "Fine. But if this guy steals again, I'm kickin' his ass myself."

With that, the merchant walked off, leaving me alone with this foolish warrior.

He grinned down at me. "You okay, man?"

I glared.

Did he not understand what had just transpired?

This was humiliating. Me, a Demon Lord, rescued like some pathetic commoner by a kid who probably wasn't even twenty yet?!

Unacceptable.

I stood, brushing myself off with dignity. "Tch. I had the situation under control."

The kid raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? Didn't look like it."

I scowled. "And who exactly are you?"

"The name's Finn!" He grinned. "Finn Eldor. Adventurer, swordsman, future legend."

…Eldor?

I froze.

Eldor… as in Eldoria? The kingdom of heroes?

A spark of realization struck me.

This idiot was related to that lineage, wasn't he?

A descendant of the Hero.

I slowly exhaled through my nose.

"Fantastic," I muttered. "A hero's brat."

Finn grinned even wider. "Oh? You recognize the name? I knew it!"

Knew what?!

This was already a disaster.

Not only was I broke and starving, but I had already crossed paths with the descendant of my mortal enemy.

And worse?

He didn't even know who I was.

"…Tch," I muttered, shoving past him. "I have no time for your nonsense."

"Aw, c'mon! You look like you need help. What's your name?"

I hesitated.

If I told him my real name, it would surely trigger some reaction. But if I lied…

"…Leo," I said after a pause. "Just Leo."

Finn shrugged. "Alright, Leo! You seem like you need a job. Why don't you join me? I'm heading to the guild right now!"

I stopped walking.

A guild.

A place filled with adventurers, warriors, and opportunities for wealth and power.

…Perhaps this wasn't such a disaster after all.

Slowly, I turned back toward him. "Hmph. Fine. But only because I deem it convenient."

Finn grinned. "Great! You're gonna love it."

I doubted that.

But if it meant getting closer to rebuilding my power, then so be it.