“Who does he think he is? He’s not even a king anymore, but he still acts all high and mighty,” Lord Rüdigers Ahlers grumbled in annoyance as he kicked the base of a tree.

He combed his fingers through his messy titian hair. He recently sent a letter to the King, but he still needed to receive an answer. His only goal was to report Kian’s movements and intentions to him. And yet, for the past few weeks, he only acted as a tourist with the masked man. The latter had dark blond hair with horns of a similar colour. In other words, he was pretty plain. His hidden identity, however, irked him.

The sounds of horseshoes thumping on the soft ground pulled Rüdigers away from his thoughts. He straightened his clothes and hair before standing up straight. The same silly smile stretched on his lips.

Malak stopped the horse in front of him. “Are you ready to present your gift?” he asked the Lord in the same indifferent tone Kian used on him earlier.

The lips of Rüdigers twitched, but he did not break his cover. Instead, he brayed. “Not yet… To be honest, it’s my first time hunting.”

His answer surprised Malak. Then, why did he pretend? “Is there any reason you are still standing here?”

“I was only trying to-”

“Hurry. His Majesty is waiting!” Malak interrupted before galloping away on his horse.

“Brat,” Ahlers muttered, but jumped back on his horse to find something to vent his frustration.

( ◣∀◢)ψ

Within a few hundred meters, Malak reached Kian's position. He pulled on the reins, making the horse stop.

“Don’t make me do this again,” the young demon complained.

“Thank you. I’ll take care of the rest,” Kian smiled apologetically. “You should go back first.”

Malak hesitated but eventually nodded in agreement.

“Do you know the way?”

“I’ll manage. Be careful.”

Kian watched him disappear behind the trees. Keeping an eye out for the possibility that Malak would turn around, he waited a little longer. Ready, Kian cracked his neck before urging his horse into a run with the back of his heels. The animal neighed unhappily, but obeyed the command.

As the horse galloped in between the trees, Kian strained his ears. He did not know which way his prey had gone, but this forest wasn’t vast. The places he could have gone hunting were limited. To hunt a rabbit, you needed to understand his way of life. Lord Ahlers wasn’t the brightest, nor had he hunted before. He will surely head toward the small river, hoping to find an animal to quench their thirst.

A faint sound of water grew louder as Kian approached his objective. Amidst the peaceful sounds of nature, the voice of an annoyed man echoed in the air. Kian jumped off his horse and grabbed his bow and arrows attached to his saddle. As he got closer to the river, he hid behind a thick green bush and observed the rat.

“They all think they can boss me around because my territory is small. They should all go fuck themselves. Do they think they’ll be able to arm their armies without me? I would like to see them buy their weapons overseas. They’ll see how valuable I am…”

Kian rolled his eyes at his rant. Rather than wagging his tail, he should start asserting himself if he wants recognition. Relying on the success of others and not taking risks will not earn you respect.

Kian's ears will bleed if he continues to listen to him. With an arrow pointed at his target, he pulled at the string until the back of the arrow was next to his cheek. Confident that it’ll hit, he released it. In a blink of an eye, it hit its target. Lord Ahlers howled as he clung to his legs, unable to bear the pain.

“Who the fuck-” he cursed with gritted teeth.

“I’m the fucker,” Kian stepped out of his hiding spot as the Lord’s complexion paled.

“Y-your Majesty,” he gasped. “What are you doing here?” Cold sweat covered his forehead.

“I didn’t know I was forbidden to roam as I pleased,” Kian approached the injured man before squatting in front of him. “I happened to be following the trail of a rat and ended up finding you instead.”

“W-what do you mean?” Lord Ahlers attempted a chuckle, but it came out as painful groans.

The red-eyed demon stared at him before trailing his gaze to the arrow. He grabbed it.

“W-wait, wait!”

Kian pulled it out as a scream echoed through the forest. As blood pooled from the wound, it stained the green grass below.

“Don’t worry, you’ll not die from it,” Kian said, uninterested as he threw the arrow next to him.

“T-thank you, Your Majesty…” Lord Ahlers panted as more sweat dripped down his forehead. But a hint of relief brightened his already pale complexion.

“No need. Instead, I want you to relay a few words for me.”

“W-who?”

“To your master, Serik Albimbert.”

All colours drained from his face once more. “I don’t understand.”

“Do you really think I'm that dumb?” Kian smiled coldly. “You underestimate me, child. I know a rat when I see one. Your father would be rather disappointed.”

“Don’t bring him into this!” Lord Ahlers shouted before panting angrily.

Kian shrugged before standing straight. He was always against Lord Ahlers inheriting the title, but the latter’s father didn’t care. Having his eldest son succeed him was always so important to him.

Kian unsheathed his long sword attached to his hips. “Any last words?” he said, with his weapon next to the young Lord’s neck.

“No matter what you do, you will fail! You disappeared centuries ago and think you can waltz back with no consequences? Stop dreaming. A man like you will never understand the pain and trouble of the people. You-”

“And you think the current King did a better job than me?” Kian’s voice pierced the air.

“Heh,” the injured demon snorted. “Not knowing will cause you more pain than any of the answers.”

Kian squinted his eyes and clenched his jaw multiple times. If glaring could kill, the young Lord would be dead a thousand times already. Suddenly, the king gently tapped the tip of his sword on Ahlers’ tense shoulders.

Kian smiled, but his eyes weren’t. “If you gave me an honest answer, I would have spared your wife and child. But it doesn’t seem to be necessary anymore.”

“You coward, they are innocent!”

“And so were the villagers that were indiscriminately killed by your king’s soldiers. What about them?”

The Lord of Ginargzar could only answer with silence. Kian sighed and stared at the sky before lifting his sword. In a swift swing, the steel cut through bone and skin. The head rolled on the ground as the Lord’s body fell heavily to the ground.

( ◣∀◢)ψ

“Welcome back,” Ezrel and the maid greeted Kian at the castle’s gate.

After Kian dismounted his horse, the maid gave the King a towel to wipe away the sweat and splatter of blood.

“Was the hunting successful?” Ezrel asked.

Kian pointed at the cloth bag attached to his horse’s saddle. It was dripping with blood. The maid quickly retrieved the bag before a servant quickly led the animal away.

“You know what to do.”

“Yes, Sire,” Ezrel answered with a playful smile before turning to the maid. “Bring it to my room. Be careful to not let it be seen.”

The maid nodded before walking into the castle first.

“Is Micah back?”

“Yes, he came back safely,” the raven-haired demon replied as he followed his master. “He’s currently in the garden with Mizuki.”

Servants opened the main doors of the castle for them. Others quickly came with refreshments and wet towels. But they were ignored as both red-eyed demons walked toward Kian’s room.

“Good,” Kian nodded. “Don’t let him know about this.”

“But…”

“It’s not like you. Say it.”

“Although you wish to keep him in the dark, he won’t reject you for your actions.”

Kian stopped in his steps. “I know.”

“Then-”

“No,” Kian answered firmly, not leaving any room to argue. “Not a word.”

“As you wish, Sire.”

In front of his bedroom door, Kian put his hand on the doorknob. “Now that the rat is gone, call Lady Drusus for a meeting as soon as possible.”