"Heh… He should be in here, that restless old man!"
Having dealt with an Undead Servant guarding the door, Sora's fighting spirit was high, and a wicked arc pulled at the corner of his mouth.
"My King, Marquis Voban is the most difficult opponent among the existing Campiones! Even so, you still have to go, right?"
Although she still wore an elegant and composed smile, facing the legendary oldest and most powerful Demon King, Erica couldn't help but show a hint of tension and solemnity.
"Ah, of course. Although I don't really want to fight him, I must get Yuri back!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Sora replied.
He placed his hand on the door handle, but just as he was about to push the door open, Sora suddenly turned back:
"If one day Erica is also in danger, whether it's a mountain of swords or a sea of fire, I will also go and save you!"
He didn't use a particularly sincere gaze or a solemn tone; Sora simply turned back and smiled slightly at Erica as usual.
Without further delay, he pushed open the door and walked in.
With a stunned expression, Erica remained rooted to the spot.
"Oh my, oh my, he really is a Demon King who can make beautiful girls devoted to him!"
Her emerald eyes sparkled with brilliance, and a warm current continuously echoed in her heart. Stroking her beautiful hair, Erica also followed in without hesitation…
…
Although it was already the age of electricity, they still habitually used candlelight for illumination. The entire room was spacious and luxurious, just slightly dim. Several giant wolves, the size of horses, lay beneath the pillars on one side. Seeing Sora and Erica walk in, they immediately bared their fangs, and cold light flickered in their deep, dark eyes.
"My name is Sasha Dejanstahl Voban. State your name, young man."
From the throne at the head of the room, Marquis Voban still wore that lazy expression, resting his head on one hand, a slight curve at the corner of his mouth.
"My name is Kusanagi Sora. Hello, overbearing old man, may I have my friend back?"
Stepping forward, looking at the old man on the throne, Sora smiled wickedly.
Although he put on a magnanimous appearance, Sora was actually filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred in his heart.
Damn it, this old man really knows how to enjoy himself! Look at that gold-inlaid, jade-plated throne, and then look at that expensive and stylish suit. Tsk tsk, they're both Demon Kings, but this guy is doing much better than him, Sora!
He had wanted to tear down and rebuild the few dilapidated houses at home last time, but Shizuka stubbornly refused. Now, comparing himself to old man Voban, Sora really felt quite shabby. He secretly thought that he would have to discuss it with Shizuka again after returning this time!
"King Sora, is the friend you mentioned that Miko?"
Although he held considerable hostility towards Sora, as a fellow Campione, Marquis Voban was not as overbearing, decisive, and arrogant as he was towards ordinary mortals.
Of course, this was only towards Sora. For example, Erica, who was standing behind Sora, was automatically ignored by Marquis Voban. As for Erica, being intelligent, she naturally wouldn't try to show off her presence in front of two Demon Kings. She obediently stood behind Sora, observing the situation.
"Yes, it's her, Mariya Yuri. I would be very grateful if you, old sir, could return her to me."
Nodding, Sora replied.
He was a bit different from the rumors; this old man seemed quite amiable. It would be great if he could just take Yuri back like this. Actually, Sora really didn't want to fight him.
No matter what, it wouldn't be very glorious for a young man like himself to fight an old man who was several hundred years old, even if he won!
Well, at this time, only a heartless guy like Sora would be bothered by such a problem, sigh…
"Liliana, go and bring that Miko over."
Snapping his fingers, Marquis Voban spoke to an empty space.
Seeing Marquis Voban's actions, the corner of Sora's mouth couldn't help but twitch. This was indeed an old senior; he was so old and still knew how to show off!
No, it seems I'll have to learn from him in the future. I can't let an old man steal the spotlight from us young people! Sora thought to himself.
"Yes, my lord."
A silver-haired girl, a knight like a fairy, Liliana's figure flashed out and respectfully replied to Marquis Voban.
With a complex expression, Liliana glanced at Sora and Erica on the side, then withdrew to carry out Marquis Voban's order.
"King Sora, not long ago I heard from the King of Swords, Salvatore, that you cursed this King. Is there any truth to this?"
While waiting for Liliana to bring Mariya Yuri, Marquis Voban straightened up and asked seemingly casually, though his tone carried a hint of unconcealed anger and coldness.
Erica's eyelid twitched on the side, and her heart tightened. She almost hated Doni, the King of Swords, that heartless guy who always liked to cause trouble for others.
That hateful guy actually told Marquis Voban what her King had said. Damn it, damn it, if I couldn't beat you, I would definitely stab you to death!
Although the fault ultimately lay with Sora, as Sora's knight, would Erica think it was his problem? Of course not. In the girl's eyes, everything her King did was right!
"Curse? How is that possible! Old sir, please don't listen to that bastard Doni's nonsense. That guy is someone who only wants to see the world in chaos!"
"I have always held you, a senior Demon King, in high regard. How could I possibly do something like cursing you, old sir? This is most likely a rumor deliberately created by that guy to provoke a war between me and you!"
With an expression of indignant surprise, Sora took a step back and said exaggeratedly.
Well, Erica, who had been extremely nervous, twitched the corner of her mouth, suppressing the laughter that was about to burst out. A layer of intoxicating blush appeared on her face, making the girl look even more charming.
Although Marquis Voban also noticed the change in Erica's expression, as someone who regarded mortals as ants, he naturally couldn't be bothered to ponder the changes in a mortal girl's expression.
"Is that so? This King was just asking casually. If not, then so be it."
Nodding, Marquis Voban didn't say anything more, but his hostility towards Sora was clearly lessened.
As a fellow King, Marquis Voban disdained lying. Not only him, but other Demon Kings were also like this, because it was a kind of pride and dominance inherent in their status as Kings!
So when Sora said he hadn't done it, Marquis Voban didn't doubt him much. Since the other party said no, then it was no.
Moreover, this young man seemed to respect him, an old senior, quite a bit, unlike those other Demon Kings who were all incredibly arrogant and never put him, an old senior, in their eyes. Not bad, not bad, the younger generation is indeed promising!
Not only did he believe Sora's words, but old Voban even began to appreciate this junior Demon King…
Well, what old Voban didn't know was that this junior Demon King he appreciated was actually a scoundrel!
Those things like a King's pride and dignity were bullshit in Sora's eyes. He naturally wouldn't admit to something that would only create enemies for himself. Not only did he not admit it, but this guy, who had lost all his integrity, even turned around and played a trick on that guy Doni!
Heh heh, anyway, that bastard Doni already had old grudges with this old man and didn't get along well with him. It wouldn't hurt to add a little more hatred between them.
Just as Sora had expected, although Marquis Voban's anger towards him had subsided, he had set his sights on that kid Doni. After all, he didn't know Sora very well, but as for that guy Doni—
Heh heh, he stole his prey four years ago. That kid is not a good person! So Marquis Voban subconsciously was also willing to believe Sora's words, thinking that it was all that hateful kid Salvatore Doni who was making a fool of him!
"After this matter is over, I'll just go and teach that kid a lesson on the way back!"
A cold light flashed in his eyes, and having made up his mind, Marquis Voban thought to himself.
Campiones all have very keen senses. Sora naturally saw the change in old Voban's expression and couldn't help but reveal a wicked smile in his heart.
Doni, Doni, you bastard dared to scheme against me, so just wait for bad luck!!!
Just as Sora was imagining how that unlucky fellow Doni would be abused by the old man until he didn't know north from south, the large door on the side was opened again. The figures of the knight girl Liliana and the girl Yuri walked in…