CH 72

I thought so too. If Mayer hadn’t decided to have me join the Dark Knights, he would’ve had no choice but to become the second demon lord. If it were me in the past, I wouldn’t have cared for how he ended up. But now, having spent time with Mayer and coming to know of his past even, I didn’t feel comfortable with the thought. If I hadn’t take Mayer’s side, I’d never have discovered his hidden past. I smiled wryly to myself. The worst had yet to happen, and wouldn’t happen in the future to come. Yet the possibility of it alone created a sense of debt. I swallowed back those complicated feelings and comforted Mayer. “So don’t keep testing me. Don’t think strange thoughts either.”

“I understand.”

“And listen well to what I say.”

“I hear you.” Now that he had confirmed that I had no intention of abandoning him, Mayer nodded obediently. His attitude was as docile as sheep, but when I recalled the murderous pressure he cast on me when I entered his office, it only came off as detestable. Mayer pondered over my words for a minute, then frowned as if he had found a problem. “By the way. If you are to use that element conversion spell….”

“Yes. You need to get used to using your demonic power, Captain.” He didn’t respond, so I added, “Do you feel hesitant?”

Mayer couldn’t bring himself to nod or shake his head. He merely gazed down at his hands clasped together on his desk, revealing his feelings of anxiety. He confessed, “Frankly, I still feel surprised that you do not mind my demonic power in the least.”

“I don’t know about the regular members, but I’m sure the elites of our Dark Knights won’t care much either.”

“I wonder about that….” Mayer trailed off, tone doubtful, then continued speaking in a bitter murmur. “Normally, those with demonic power are viewed with cold eyes of repulsion. The elites of the Dark Knights will be no different.”

His eyes grew clouded as if recalling the past. He was most likely thinking of the time before dungeons appeared, back when he was suffering persecution. “I hold no expectation that they will treat me as they did before, without any change, once they learn of my secret. I would be more than grateful if they merely kept the secret safe.”

“I see you’re skeptical about the trust of your comrades,” I pointed out.

“I am not prone to being suspicious, but… as far as demonic power is concerned, yes, I cannot help it. Even my parents rejected me.” He said, and I couldn’t argue against that statement. “You are the only one who was entirely unaffected,” he added.

Mayer gazed at me in silence, his golden eyes filled with what looked like a passionate obsession. Until now, he had been very accommodating of my needs. Or, to be exact, he blatantly favored me over others. I thought this was not only because I was useful, but also because of the memories I had of the first playthrough. Only Mayer and I could share and relate to those. Thanks to this, I could become somebody inside Mayer’s ‘circle’. Even so, there was a wall between us that was impassably thick and high. With today’s conversation, I felt even that wall had weakened a little.

“Even if they do keep the secret, the chances of it leaking increases along with the number of people who know. That would be troublesome.” Mayer talked as if he had never considered the possibility of me telling his secret to others. “Spy of the demon lord, traitor of mankind… All the Dark Knights will be treated as if we plan on joining hands with the demon lord and selling over the empire. Perhaps things would be different after slaying the demon lord. Unfortunately, before we even fight him, nothing good will come of spreading such rumors. Therefore, it is better that fewer are aware.”

“I agree with that,” I nodded.

Mayer frowned, seeming to find my reaction unexpected. “…So I mean to say, I think it will be difficult to use demonic power in a dungeon I am entering with others of the corps. If I am to practice the use of this power… I would have to enter a dungeon alone.” He explained his thoughts.

“That won’t do. It’s too dangerous.” I opposed his idea. I could understand his concern, but he was being ridiculous.

“I just have to choose an appropriate dungeon. One that I can clear by myself…”

“What I’m worried about is your demonic power going out of control, Captain. If that happens in a dungeon with you by yourself, there’ll be no one to help you. Worst case scenario, the dungeon gate will close and you’ll be thrown into the demon realm, just like that.”

“Then I will be able to meet the demon lord sooner.” Mayer grinned broadly, making my face sour in equal proportion. This man had a death wish.