TOAD – Chapter 68

TOAD – Chapter 68

“A trial for my sins? Isn’t that a bit ironic for the role of a demon?” I asked, a slightly amused expression on my face.

“It was humanity who gave us the name demon. You should know by now that the only sin we’ve committed against humanity is being born. As for the trial, it is intended to select someone capable of leading the demon race. We’re a race marked by the sin of our birth. If we wish to move toward our futures, isn’t it preferable that we chose a leader capable of overcoming their sins?”

“Alright, you took it... then explain it to me.” I grabbed a nearby seat and sat down.

If anyone else had done this in front of the Demon King, it would have been considered extremely rude. However, he didn’t seem to mind my actions at all.

“There is a doorway...” He began.

“The artifact?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, an artifact... when you step through it, you do not end up on the other side, but rather another world.”

I tensed slightly at those words. It was rare that I heard things about other worlds. Other than tidbits coming from this supposed hero, there was nothing else known. Was there a chance that the world of sin was another world like my own? Unfortunately, his next words immediately dispelled that theory.

“It’s a world created from your mind and experiences.”

“I see... an illusion.”

“Calling it an illusion doesn’t do it justice. What happens within that doorway feels real. I was unable to distinguish it from reality.”

“I see...” Although that was what he said, I wasn’t so convinced.

I had many skills adopted from my time with the Cambions. I was an illusion master. I could fool anyone into seeing what I wanted them to see, although the one I liked to fool the most was myself. The world in my dreams was always so much more bearable than reality. Yet, no matter how good my ability to make illusions, I was always aware I was in them. I had a feeling this so-called world beyond would be something similar.

“Do not take this world lightly. As I stated before, I am the only one who has made it through that world and returned. It is a world of temptation. It draws you in and holds you there. The other nine... not all of them died within the trial. Many of them chose to stay of their own volition. That is how tempting this world is.”

“Does it matter? When the result is being trapped or killed, it seems like any temptation could be thrown away.”

One might call me lustful, but I wasn’t an idiot. If I knew having sex would get me killed, I could resist the urge. Despite my many vices, when my life was on the line, I could think things through clearly and make the obvious choice. I didn’t understand anyone who would stay.

“That’s not necessarily true,” Oberon responded. “There is no proof that the world is temporary or you’d be killed. It’s possible that the world would remain even after. Presumably, you could live the rest of your life there.”

“And what? You live to death imprisoned in a false world?”

“Isn’t eternal bliss worth the exchange of your life?” He suggested.

I bit my lip, not sure how to respond. I had been looking for a home for so long, and I didn’t care where that home was. I was already sent to a strange world that seemed like a fantasy. If I traded this world for another, what did it matter? If I thought I could find happiness in a colony of monsters, or as some kind of breeding stock in a laboratory, then why couldn’t I find happiness in this world of sin?

“What are the temptations?” I asked.

“The temptations change based on the person. However, you will be tested with each sin. Pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath, and sloth will all exist within your scenario. If you chose to succumb, then you will become trapped in that world for all eternity. All you need to do is make it through the scenario presented to you and escape. The door will present itself to you when you reach the end, and that’s the point where you will be able to leave. Whether you have the strength and desire to leave, that is the question.”

“You still don’t seem to realize how important you are.” Oberon shrugged.

“But, if I returned in such a method, wouldn’t they claim I had failed this trial?”

“It would be ideal if you succeeded in the trial.” He sighed. “This is just my backup plan. They will naturally complain and argue that you failed, but there is nothing written that says you have to come out of it on their terms. As long as you enter and take it, you’ve already done what is necessary to be queen. Even if they chose to create trouble after that point, I will deal with it. You should merely worry about doing your best.”

“My best... which you’re certain I’ll fail?” I responded bitterly.

“It isn’t an insult to you. Nine others have sought to take this challenge, and they have all failed as well. The only way to survive is to be certain of your path.”

“And you know your path?”

“I do... since the moment I became the Demon King, I have been clear on the direction I must travel.”

“And marrying me is part of your path?” I asked in amusement.

“It is. Marrying you is the only way.” He spoke with such determination and sincerity that I couldn’t help but blush for a moment, although it was still only me acting as expected. “Do you have any other questions?”

“When?”

“Tomorrow morning.”

“So soon?”

It was already late. The celebration happened in the evening, and after everything, it was already past midnight. This meant I’d be losing sleep.

“Lord Tigon doesn’t want to give me time to prepare you. Since the entire council is currently in the city, he has convinced them that we should get it done before anyone leaves. Although he did this for his benefit, this will ultimately be his downfall, because we can have you ratified as my wife officially before leaving the city.”

“He didn’t know you had this.” I lifted the bracelet.

“He doesn’t know of its existence, and even if he did, he wouldn’t think I would be willing to use it for this case.”

“So, it was yours originally.”

He nodded before turning to the door. “Get some sleep. One way or another, you will be queen.”

He left with those words. I watched him leave silently and then looked once again at the bracelet on my wrist. It was loose since it had once been his. It fell down my arm as I lifted it. It couldn’t be understated just how much of a lifeline this was. One could probably call it a national treasure, absolutely priceless. He had given it to me all so I could become his queen.

“Just what am I to you?” I asked to an empty room.

The Demon King had a plan, and I was an important part of that plan. I just had no clue what it was.

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