Son of the Hero King

Chapter 754: Kneeling is an art

In front of the city gate, an old, hunched man with one horn was looking quietly at the citizens entering through the city gate of Lustburg. On their faces, he could see contented smiles, curiosity, and pure joy. It was hard to believe that Lustburg had been embroiled in war not too long ago.

All war brought with it a suffering of the masses that could hardly be lifted in a whole generation, much less the paltry time that had passed since the war, even if they had emerged the victor.

Despite sticking out like a sore thumb, people would just glance at him before going on their way. One might wonder why no one even tried to approach such a sickly looking old man, but people of Lustburg were no fools; they knew what was up here.

They might be unable to feel his power level, as he was just so much more powerful than them that they could not even fathom his depths. However, the simple fact that he was a demon and one who looked old was more than enough of an indicator for even children to steer clear of him.

Beware of the old man in a profession where men die young and beware of old people from long-living races. People of Lustburg would not have been able to live as they did if they had not adhered to some basic rules.

In this world, age might not be synonymous with power, but no one wanted to be the sacrificial lamb on such a beautiful day.

In the distance, the guards were also looking at him with utmost caution but they made no movements. They had clear directives about these matters from the higher-ups— Milia herself, for that matter.

Observe and report. Nothing more and nothing less. Provoking a powerhouse like the old man would only result in useless death.

Coughing a little, the old demon looked at his bloodied hand and ignored the pitiful soldiers who were glaring at him with the resolve that they were about to die any second now.

“You have been observing for some time now. Why don't you enter here?” A womanly voice came forth as a woman with a horn similar to his own appeared from the crowd.

She was surrounded by a few battle maids, and she was wearing a loose gown that showed off her excessively deep cleavage.

The traffic nearly stopped dead as she appeared at the scene. Not only was she extremely beautiful and enticing, but she also seemed to emanate an odor that enticed both men and women regardless of their preference.

Such presence could only be commanded by a powerful succubus and the citizens, understanding this, immediately looked down and started advancing faster along their route.

They could be anywhere but not there, lest they lose themselves in the Succusbus’ allure. A few curious onlookers tried to stay and observe but most people simply wanted to flee from this place as soon as their feet allowed them.

“Good morning, My Queen. Or should I call you princess for now? Pardon me. I am just a tired old man. Entering a den of monsters is a little too stimulating for my poor heart.”

The old demon chuckled as he gave a meaningful look at the tower in the distance.

Weaker people might not have been able to feel just how horrible that place was; however, the prickly sensation on his skin was unmistakable to him.

Though he had been sent as a messenger, he refused to step inside the city for even a single second. He had a feeling that he was facing a deeply hungry beast that was ready to close its maws around him at any given moment.

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“As cowardly as I remember you to be, I see.”

Pandora snickered, but the old man simply smiled in response to her taunt.

“Those who were more courageous than I have all died, yet I remain standing.”

Pandora found herself speechless at the undeniable fact. The old man in front of her was one of the rare remains of the old empire.

Born in an era where the Khan was more or less seen as the ruler of this world. A time when demons were above all beings and looked down upon everyone.

It was an era where demigods and the like were common in the Mortal Realm. It was also a time when blood drenched the world and many powerhouses fell one after the other.

In such troubled times, power was not enough to ensure one’s survival. What was needed was luck and tricks. Or so much power that no one could defy or challenge you anymore. A power so potent that it made practically everything meaningless.

The two demons gazed quietly at each other. Pandora's eyes filled with turmoil while the old demon showed an indifferent calmness born from the knowledge that he could die at any moment.

Death did not frighten him. For he knew from his extensive life that, in this world, there existed fates far worse than death. The thought made him unconsciously touch his broken horn. A phantom pain born from trauma that had haunted him throughout most of his life.

This phantom pain had been acting up since he approached Lustburg. This was another reason why he had been reluctant to enter. Thanks to his experience, he knew that dismissing his instincts would be pure foolishness.

“I understand what you are worried about. Your daughters are alive and well. In fact, outside of that detestable woman, no one knows that you have been absent.”

Pandora did her best to stop herself from releasing a sigh of relief. Since she heard that Envilya was sending a messenger to Lustburg, she instantly surmised that something had gone horribly wrong at her kingdom. She just did not know what that was.

If Sol had not told her not to worry, she would have already lost her sanity by now. She even went ahead to inspect the frontier to see if anything had changed, but the spies she had stationed there had no information to give her.

“What does she want?” Pandora asked. However, the Old Demon looked at her with a deep sense of curiosity in his ancient gaze.

“Despite knowing that your daughters are in her hands, you only show such a level of worry? Strange. The Pandora I know was not such a level-headed woman.”

He was insulting her clearly, but his eyes betrayed genuine confusion. But then, he suddenly looked toward the tower, a meaningful smile stretched his lips as he gave her a knowing look.

“I see. So, despite missing the Father, you did not miss the Son.”

“Shut up.”

“Do not misunderstand. I respect your decision. People who never had their backs against a wall might mock you but I would never be one of those people.”

“I do not need your understanding. Just tell me what she wants in exchange for my daughters.”

“Your abdication.”

“So you want to kill me indirectly.”

As a Blessed, it was impossible for the demons to hurt Pandora. However, the rules of Blessed were clear.

The moment Pandora lost her title of Queen and her daughter became the new Queen, Fate would search for a new Blessed Crown Princess. Which would most likely result in Pandora’s own death.

Of course, this would not happen instantly. It would take ten or even twenty years for her blessing to fizzle out. Perhaps even more than that, depending on her compatibility with her blessing. But such a lapse of time was nothing for demons like them.

This was the kind of plan that could only be pushed by long-living species.

“Your daughter will also stay in her custody until then…” He smiled and began to ask, “What will be your choice?”

The threat was clear. They could not risk hurting her youngest daughter but her oldest daughter, Anastasia, was not a Blessed and as such could be killed at any moment.

Pandora did not doubt that they would resort to torture if necessary.

This was truly a checkmate moment. There was nothing she could do.

Thankfully… She knew someone who could do something.

Taking a sideward step, she lightly bowed.

“I am sorry to disturb you, sire.”

The Old Demon looked at Pandora’s action in confusion for one second, then immediately turned around, ready to bolt.

He was a coward.

It was something he could proudly announce to the world. Whoever Pandora was bowing to, she believed that he was strong enough to change the situation, and he did not have enough courage or stupidity to want to verify whether she was right or wrong.

“Move and I won’t just break your horn this time.”

The Old Demon froze.

This infuriating voice.

This complete nonchalance.

This dark and ominous aura.

Even if thousands of years went by, there was no way he could forget them.

The Old Demon immediately kneeled. No. Not just kneeled.

He groveled before the owner of the voice.

He groveled so low that his forehead touched the ground. There was no dignity or hesitation in his action.

It was so fast and so smooth that it looked like this movement had been trained a hundred times over and was deeply etched in his very bones.

“Welcome back, Your Most Honorable and Eternal Majesty! The Immortal Black Sun that illuminates this world with Darkness! Hail to the Supreme Emperor of Undeath.”