Chapter 246

(Jane's PoV)

"Aren't you here though?" I looked up at him with a smile as cute as I could.

Apparently, he didn't expect my answer at all. His eyes wavered but the darkness that had been looming over him -even his sinister aura -disappeared in a flash.

"You won't let me meet this demon lord all by myself, right? Well, I want to tell him that his underlings have acted without his consent. They are spreading bloodlust aura in human realm, probably aiming for a war. If he won't pull them back, don't blame me for burning them to death." I explained casually. What a naïve intention! 

"Jane." He called out softly. But when I looked up at him, he was hesitating. In the end, he turned back and sat on his throne. "Just go back. I'll deal with him." He said.

"So, you do know him." I nodded. "If you say so, I guess I must believe in you." I shrugged. "Then, I'm going now. Fancy meeting you here, er..." I stopped my hand from waving while giving him a look. I didn't know his name! Considering how long we had known each other -even if it included the time when he nearly killed me -shouldn't we, at least, know each other's name?

He looked back at me, as if probing my intention. In a full ten second later, he sighed again. Was it so hard to talk me that he had to sigh every now and then? It was as if I was a troublemaker and he couldn't bear to scold me.

"Nataya." He said, startling me. "My name is Nataya."

"Now go." He said.

"Then, I'm off. Nataya." I said absent-mindedly before I ran out. However, before long, I turned back and peeked inside from the big door. There he was, sitting again like a lost child. He looked so lonely in the spacious room. The mighty and cruel demon was exposing his weakness right now and I had no idea why he would do so.

"I'll come back to visit you again, Nataya!" I shouted at him, startling him from his wondering mind.

"I'm afraid you can't." He smiled. Even though it was far away, but I could still see that he was smiling. Yet, his smile had a hint of sadness.

"Why?"

"You crossed over because the border is weakened. After the border is returned to its original state, it's not easy to cross over."

I grinned. "Not easy, but it doesn't mean it's impossible. See you!" I waved my hand and dashed off for real this time. The image of the man sitting on a throne with desolate air around me made me sure about my decision.

I would surely come back to visit him.

Well then, I needed to return to where Sanji was. I hoped he could still hold on. He had improved himself under the pressure and I had no idea how long he could cope with his new ability.

I didn't find the red devil on my way back. However, the situation was still as chaotic as I left it was. Shadows and ghosts were everywhere. However, upon closer inspection, I could see protective barrier was set around the perimeter, successfully isolated the outside of the barrier from the harm caused by the shadows.

My eyes scanned the surrounding and realized that those shadows and ghosts were circling on one point. Sometimes they would even attack something in the middle of them. Seeing how dense they were and how I couldn't find Sanji anywhere, I had a bad feeling.

Since there was a big barrier protecting us, I didn't need to hold back. Summoning the flame bearer and some of the warriors, I let them penetrate the dense crowd and created a way for me to get in. Just as I saw a small path was finally made, I noticed another  layer of barrier in the shape of an egg was in the middle of the crowd. Inside the egg was a man who was meditating calmly, as if he couldn't hear the noise outside the barrier.

He looked fine to me. He looked like he was waiting for someone while meditating instead of meditating to control the situation.

He had never ceased to impress me. How could he improved himself again this fast?

He must be a genius.

The bad feeling was gone in a minute once I saw him alright.

The men from the army were really working efficiently. In just several minutes, most of the troublesome entities had gone. I could approach the egg-shaped barrier freely and made him realize my presence.

His eyes fluttered opened and I waved at him from outside of his barrier. The look of relief in his eyes stung my heart. He must have been waiting for me. There were traces of fatigue on his face as a result of the continuous action of supplying power to keep the barrier.

"You've done great. Thank you." I smiled at him gratefully.

"Men, you know what to do. It's either you chase them back, or exterminate them." I softly ordered the men around me. "Don't let them out from the mountain range."

"Yes, Milady." The reply came in unison as they shot to chase after the ghosts and shadows in all direction.

"Siji." I called out to my Advisor who had disappeared with my General.

"Yes, Milady." Siji appeared as usual.

"Bring Sanji back to the house to rest." I handed him to Siji. "How is he?" I asked hesitantly.

"The General is doing great, Milady." Siji answered.

I nodded my head. "It's good. Go. Also, bring that kid to me."

Siji bowed his head before he disappeared with Sanji. In his place, a unique boy stood while looking at me with wide eyes.

"We meet again." I tried to smile as warm as I could, but his reaction told me that I might not look as warm as I wanted.