-Market place-

"Did you hear what happened at Cliff Side?"

"Where the Duke's residence used to be?"

"Yes."

The woman shook her head, telling the man he was correct.

"What happened?"

"Well, they say a knight commander and a Demon brawled for dominance of the territory."

"What?! I thought there weren't Demons in the area anymore, didn't they leave after taking over?"

"I reacted the same, but I guess not. They said the Demon was a newly admitted Demon Lord and he came because this territory is now under his control or something."

"He's going to all the cities in the territory, to put forth, some of his plans on revitalizing the territory."

"No way a Demon, let alone a Demon Lord would give two shits about humans or their territory's economic well-being. Why would this one be different?."

"I don't know."

————-

-before-

"Since I introduced myself, it would only be proper for you to do the same."

"Alright, my name is Sir William Rift. I'm the commander of the knights sworn to protect this territory."

"Aren't you going to draw a weapon?"

"Aww, are you showing concern for the Demon you were just defacing? That's so nice of you."

"Shut up. I'm just trying to even the odds for you."

"I'm fine with just fists, but if you want to use your sword please go right ahead. This will only prove my point even more."

"And what is that point?"

"That I may be young, but I'm still stronger than you."

"You egotistical brat."

William's expression became annoyed and angry. The two looked at each other and moved.

Leon pounced forward at incredible speed. Dark red mana moved from his feet and started illuminating his entire body.

He aimed for Sir Willian's head. Leon liked to end things quickly.

But Sir William predicted his move. He moved to the right, turned his body, and swung.

Leon jumped back, escaping the slash.

Will's sword started forming a veil of light blue. He stared at Leon's smirking face.

"You're pretty good, just being able to last a couple of minutes is a feat."

"Your power isn't as strong as a demon's, but your intuition and skill when fighting are on point. You might be good enough to beat a demon lord. Well, not me but.."

"Just shut up. You're in the middle of a fight."

This time Sir William made the first move. He charged forward with his sword at the forefront of his momentum.

The knights around the two cheered for their commander.

He drove up his sword and swung it down. Leon backed up a bit.

Sir William continued his rampage, swinging in every way possible at Leon.

Eventually, a laceration formed on Leon's body.

"What, your sword didn't hit me, yet how?"

William grinned and continued his rampage. His power was no match for Leon's, but his technique slipped past Leon's defenses.

'I need to end this quickly.'

Leon jumped up, landing behind William.

The knight noticed and turned his body.

Leon seeing an opening, took the chance and made a single punch into Will's side.

Leon's fist covered in a glowing red slowly dispersed as the knight fell to the ground.

His sword fell just out of reach, he tried grabbing it but Leon had him.

Leon grabbed the sword and pointed it at William's neck. He stared down at him with a stern face.

"Surrender or parish. If you surrender you can continue to be the captain of the knights, though you'll be under my command. Which do you choose?"

Will moved his eyes to his son, off to the side.

Then he looked at Leon, he closed his eyes in shame for a moment.

"I yield."

Leon smiled in victory, taking his other hand and holding it out to the knight.

William reluctantly grabbed Leon's hand, struggling to get up.

His son rushed over to his side to help hold him up. William held the spot where Leon punched.

"I have a question I need you to answer for me."

"What?."

"If you have sworn to protect the territory, why are you here? Why not a more populated area?"

"This is Azeron's center of operations. Duke Falta's, late Duke Falta's mansion is right here so it would only be right to have his guard as well as the territory's knights and soldiers' base of operations here as well. Cough cough."

William continued coughing. Blood eventually came out of his mouth.

"Father, are you alright."

"Yea, I'm fine, just need to rest for a while."

"Whatever your name was Demon Lord, this is my son Jesse. He'll show you around since you seem pretty interested in the place. Cough, cough."

"Sure, sorry about that, I didn't intend to hurt you that bad."

"Shut up, I'm not hurt, your the one that's hurt. Just look at you,"

Leon looked down at the blood coming through the lower part of his shirt.

He places his hand over the wound and spoke. 

"This, this is nothing but a paper cut."

——————

~Leon's POV~

I stood there and watched William bark a couple of orders.

Two of his men helped him walk back to his quarters.

They might have taken him to get his wounds fixed up. I didn't know.

I just stood there next to Jesse. The rest of the guards and knights slowly dispersed from the garden.

They probably went back to their posts or whatever job assignments they had to fulfill.

The two of us started towards to mansion's front door.

He was quite large more than a foot taller than me. He resembled his father in looks. 

We kept walking until I started up a conversation with the guy.

I turned toward him and with an inquisitive tone, I spoke.

"Your father, Sir William, said your name was Jesse, correct?"

"Yes, that is correct."

"You seem very young to be a knight, how old are you?"

"Oh, I'm 20. I'm not a knight yet, I'm training under my father to become one. In the future I hope I'll be able to become a full-fledged knight, hopefully, to succeed in my father's position."

"Your father is pretty strong. If you want to succeed him, you'll need to prove that you're just as capable or even more so."

"I'll do my best, Demon Lord Leon."

"You can drop the Demon Lord bit. Just call me Leon."

"What?. That's too informal."

"Trust me it's not, well it's not for me.."

"Okay, but I'll address you formally in front of others."

"Whatever is comfortable for you."

After walking up the steps we made it to the door. Just before Jesse opened the door I spoke again.

"I hope this means we can be friends, Jesse."

"Sure, why not."

Jesse opened the large doors, and we both walked in. The place was relatively empty, yet it seemed to be managed well.

Jesse looked around for a bit, he seemed to be looking for someone.

"Where is he?"

"Who are you looking for?"

"His name is Thomas. He's the head butler. He manages this mansion, as well as other things."

He walked off towards a long hall to the side, he gestured to me.

I followed him a bit until he made it to a large kitchen area.

Thomas was there as well as a couple of maids.

Just before we entered, the maids left, leaving Thomas there alone.

He was working at something on the countertop, he slightly turned his head.

He probably heard our footsteps.

He noticed it was Jesse and turned his head back to continue whatever he was doing.

"Oh, Jesse, how's training going, I heard your fathers been hard on you these past few days."

I don't think he noticed me, if he did then he probably would have had a less calm expression.

"It's been going well. Father's hard on everyone as you know."

"Huh, he's always been like that, even when he was younger he's always been tough."

"Well, I have someone I need to introduce you to. But you need to promise not to freak out."

"What do you mean freak ou..?"

He turned to us and saw me.

"Wha, why is one of them here?!"

He seemed to fill with rage, once he saw me.

"It's okay, Butler Thomas, he here as the new ruling Lord."

"What?. That, that child."

"He.."

"My name is Demon Lord Leon Vanity, I have just acquired this territory as my domain. You must be the head butler, Thomas, it's nice to meet you."

I tried reaching for his hand, to shake, but he pulled away.

"Butler Thomas it's alright, Demon Lord Leon hasn't come to cause trouble."

"Like hell, why would a demon come if not to terrorize us more."

"Please trust me, he's different from the others that came here before. If you don't believe me go ask my father, his life was just sparred."

"What.?"

The two shared a few glances that seem to establish in Thomas's mind that what Jesse was saying was correct.

"Huh, fine, I'll accept this new lord for now.."

He seemed still angry, he probably found the notion of me being his next lord to be unacceptable.

I turned towards Jesse.

"What happened here when the Demons took over?"

"Oh, well, the duke, Duke Falta, as well as his entire family were massacred, Thomas as well as the staff here, they were, um they were forced to watch. So you can see why he might be a little hostile and apprehensive when you came."

"I, I understand, I've been through similar circumstances. But I can tell that after a while he'll accept me being here."

"Yea, I hope so too."

———-

——-

- to be continued