People have always envied dragons. for being God’s most loved creature, but many had forgotten that before dragons there were demons, creatures who were loved first, creatures who were given every power possible. Before God took all that affection away, creating dragons.

“Your Majesty, it seems our gargoyle was discovered.”

“Is it that Magnilda again?”

“I am unaware who killed it yet since there are many knights in the north.”

“Ugh, I think it is to visit my brother.”

“I will inform the duke of your visit.”

Darius Ryker Forneus, former demon king who had reined peacefully for thousands and thousands of years until he was dethroned by the current empire.

Walter Forneus was left to rein the next one hundred years and, unlike his brother, Walter was not okay with the wasteland that God gave them after taking Uyilleozia for dragons who were now his loved creatures.

With Waler’s struggle to invade Uyilleozia, Darius, the now duke, sits in his mansion and takes care of his growing garden.

“Darius Ryker Forneus greets his majesty the emperor. Oh, great demon king, what brings you to this humble peasant’s home?”

“You know why I am here, brother, the Duchess of Quica, is troubling me again. I need you to take care of her.”

“I apologize to your majesty, I am a mere week duke, I cannot invade the north.”

“Do not play with me, you were a king for decades and you have invaded the north countless times, even after I dethroned you, you still visited.”

“But since the war you started, the North has enforced their barriers. The Archimage did that himself. You know that old geezer is older and wiser than us.”

“Has the throne made you soft? Darius, you did not even participate in the war that could have given us the glory we deserved.”

“I do not think I care for my Citizens’ lives are soft, the war took more than it gave, we lost lives and livelihood that could have helped us feed our children.”

“Are you calling me an unfit king? old man.”

“You are just the same age as I am. Darius, if I am an old man, so are you. And I did not call you an unfit king, I just criticized your bad decisions that are causing us lives.”

“This famine is because of that hag that took about half of our fertile soil.”

“On the war you started, Walter, you started a war knowing we were outnumbered and at a disadvantage, but cries when we lose?”

“Coming here was a mistake; I should have beheaded you when I took the throne.”

“You know you are not strong enough to behead me. I let you live and be the emperor at my own will and now I regret ever giving you the throne 100 years ago because it brought my country to ruins.”

“I am going to take over the country that was taken from us by those filthy dragons, you just stay there and be useless.”

Darius could not help but have a heavy heart. He himself knew that this country was already in ruin. He had tried for centuries to ally with Uyilleozia. He had grown tired of the dragon’s stubbornness. But he still feels a heavy heart about being a mischievous demon who deceived a human into searching for the dragon’s heart, causing a massacre for generations to come.

‘What will come of this world?’ he thought to himself. Because even after creating such a disaster, he still left a heavy heart in the north which was only habitant to the thief who stole said heart at the time.

“Your Majesty, what bring you in the library?”

“Are you dumb Lady Neferpitou? I have classes for my succession. What brings you here? Aren’t you supposed to be chasing some monsters?

“Such vulgar words your majesty, mph” she pouts, “if you must know, I am on probation so I cannot hunt or train.”

“Ah, so you came to the library. Is there a specific thing Ms. Azura would like?”

“No, I already have books that I took out.”

“Azura, are you on probation again?”

“Oh, hey Jalen, yeah, I got sick this time.”

“You never learn, do you?”

“You two know each other?”

“Oh, yeah, Azura was my swordsmanship tutor.”

“Is she that good?”

“Her training is a bit brutal” Jalen sheepishly explained, “but it is worth it.”

“Um... Is Lady Azura willing to add another student?”

“Do you want me to teach you swordsmanship, Your Majesty?” she smirks, even as angry as he was, he really needs her help. He had heard how she hunts monsters and how strong she is. Though he could have any tutor he wanted, he was curious about how Azura teaches.

“Well, if Lady Azura is willing, But if you are too busy, I understand.”

“I have conditions, your highness should call me master for the duration of the lessons.” A proud girl who will not weaver no matter who the opponent.

“That is absurd. I would never call you do such a thing.”

“Then find another tutor your majesty.”

‘Walking away smug, had she always been this smug? Of course she has. She is a proud woman, a beautiful proud woman who has unwavering confidence.’

“You Majesty?”

“Ah, did you say something?”

“Maybe you should ask the duke for help, I am sure they will appoint a good person to be your tutor.”

“I will think about it. Anything to make that girl eat her words.”

Jalen chuckles as he follows his master, Maybe it is because he knew what would come a few days later.