I Saved the Demon King Who Was About to Commit Suicide – Chapter 12

The next morning.

Evan rose from his bed holding a cup filled with aromatic coffee instead of a dagger.

Thanks to that, he hadn’t dreamt of the nightmares that had tormented him every night since that day.

“What a refreshing feeling this is.”

Though it was still early, far earlier than usual, he couldn’t help but grin at how refreshed he felt.

The pleasantly cool morning breeze wafted through the window, ruffling Evan’s black hair.

As he enjoyed the sensation while sipping his tea—

“You woke up early today.”

A voice came from behind him.

It was Bephyr.

“Whoa! You could’ve knocked, you know.”

“I developed that habit thanks to you trying to stab me with a dagger as soon as you wake up. I always have to be on standby, and at this hour, you usually sleep like a log.”

Fair point.

Evan nodded slightly.

“Yeah, I woke up a bit earlier than usual today… Just make sure to knock in the mornings from now on. I won’t mind if you wake me up.”

“Sure. By the way, I have news.”

“What is it?”

“I found the healer you mentioned yesterday.”

“That was faster than I expected.”

He spoke in the calmest tone he could muster, but he couldn’t hide the excitement rising on his face.

“Is their skill up to par?”

“Yes. They say they’re from the Barna family, so there shouldn’t be any issues with their ability.”

The Barna family.

The best medical association in the Empire, composed of 50 healers.

They were experts who could treat even the most grievous wounds without leaving a scar, focusing more on saving lives than money, which made Evan think it would be impossible to recruit one…

‘Who would’ve thought it would unfold like this?’

A laugh escaped his lips.

‘I can make that damned woman suffer even more cruelly.’

To avoid revealing his joyful feelings, Evan covered his mouth with his hand and asked Bephyr, “So, when will that healer arrive?”

“They’re already here at the mansion.”

“They got here quicker than I thought. Ask them to wait about 10 minutes; I’ll be down shortly.”

*

As he descended the staircase, he spotted a woman with rare brown hair sitting down, uncommon in the Empire.

Evan’s eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and awe.

‘Younger than I expected…’

She looked quite young.

They say it takes an average of 50 years for a healer to join Barna, but this woman looked to be in her late 20s to early 30s at most.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kerena Gawain.”

“Evan. I was curious what kind of person the healer from Barna would be, and I must say, you’re much younger than I expected.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Kerena smiled sweetly, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Well then, let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the point. You said you need a resident healer for the mansion, right?”

“Yes. However, I need you to ensure that everything done here stays confidential.”

“That would be a troublesome case if the patient’s identity was exposed.”

“Yes. This applies to you even if you decide to quit.”

“Alright. Do you have any other requests?”

“Not really. If I had to say, I hope you can stay for a long time.”

“Of course. I want to work here for a long time as well.”

Kerena nodded vigorously, reflecting her eagerness.

After all, a job that guarantees free time on off days, provides meals, and pays well like this doesn’t come around often.

For her—a constantly broke doctor—this was a job she had to seize.

“Sounds good. Then let’s sign the contract right away.”

Evan handed her the contract.

The terms were the same as mentioned before.

Kerena quickly signed her name and returned the contract to him.

“Here you go!”

“I’ll verify it. Now let’s get to work.”

Evan, with a beaming smile, led her down to the basement.

A door, clean with no signs of an escape.

As he opened it, a woman handcuffed and lying within came into Kerena’s view.

Though covered in blood, she was breathtakingly beautiful, almost too stunning to be real.

If it weren’t for the horns on her head, one could mistake her for an angel descended from heaven.

If someone were to tempt others with that appearance, even those of the same gender might fall for it.

Lost in her thoughts, Kerena stared blankly at Lucia when Evan’s voice broke the silence.

“Get up.”

Evan kicked Lucia hard in the abdomen.

“Gah…!”

The pain coursed through her body, making her spit blood as she gasped for air.

“What are you doing to the patient…?!”

“She’s not a patient yet.”

Evan didn’t stop there; he grabbed her thin wrist.

With a squeeze, he broke it.

Crack-!

“Aaaah!!”

The sound of crushing bones echoed with Lucia’s agonizing scream.

‘What the…’

Kerena was unable to comprehend the spectacle unfolding before her.

Isn’t that woman supposed to be a patient needing treatment?

Why, then, was the person who hired her torturing the woman?

Her mind was having difficulty processing it.

After some time filled with cries,

Evan, watching Lucia continue to writhe in pain, finally spoke.

“Now, heal her.”

“……..”

“Kerena.”

“Ah, yes…!”

Realizing what was expected, Kerena hurriedly enveloped Lucia’s wounds with her magical power.

Instantly, Lucia’s injuries healed.

Finally freed from her suffering, Lucia gasped for breath.

“It’s good to see this kind of sight,” Evan sneered, his hand gripping Lucia’s throat as she lay on the floor, barely breathing.

“Remember, I told you not to think of dying easily?”

“Gu, guh…”

Unable to catch her breath, Lucia’s face turned crimson.

Her lips struggled to produce a desperate sound.

“Revenge is just beginning.”

This time, Evan clenched her finger.

He started slowly, one by one, to break her fingers.

“Urgh…! Aaaah!”

As she got used to the pain, another finger was broken, amplifying her agony.

She bit her lips to suppress her screams, but it only resulted in injuries on her own lips.

A horrific wail echoed without cease.

“You venomous witch.”

Yet even in her suffering, Lucia did not plead for mercy or life, making Evan click his tongue in disdain.

“I thought you would fold under this much… Looks like I was mistaken.”

“It doesn’t matter. The more it goes on, the more your pain intensifies.”

Crunch-!

Evan stepped on the broken fingers.

Yet again, Lucia’s pained whimper pierced through the air.

“Heal her.”

As those cold words escaped, Kerena trembled as she approached Lucia.

She wanted to question the situation, but Evan’s eyes, filled with hatred reflecting on Lucia, made it impossible for her to speak up.

Whirring—.

Magical energy enveloped her fingers, bringing them back to their original state.

“Haah, haah…”

Lucia’s forehead was covered in sweat.

She was gasping for breath after not being able to breathe properly while screaming.

Despite the circumstances, a strangely twisted smile appeared on her face.

“It looks like you find this amusing, huh? Or are you a masochist enjoying the beating?”

“It’s just funny how you called for a healer to torture me like this. If it were me, I would’ve killed you the same way I killed your comrades.”

“…Huh.”

Evan, struggling to keep the rising fury inside, took a deep breath.

If he began torturing her right then, he felt he might completely lose his sanity and kill her in one blow.

“Your life is worth just one. If it were multiple, then maybe I would’ve acted that way.”

“Still, it seems you’re holding up better than yesterday. I remember you smashed into the ground as soon as I mentioned your comrades.”

“I’m trying my best to prevent you from dying.”

“I honestly wouldn’t care if you killed me, just like I butchered your comrades.”

“Shut your mouth!”

In the end, unable to contain his rage, Evan thrust the dagger deep into her clavicle.

Just a bit below the throat.

Had it gone deeper, it would’ve pierced her windpipe.

It was an action he managed to hold back until the last moment.

“You’ll never understand, a vile creature like you. Leaving lives to sacrifice themselves in the hope of a world where people can live in peace and setting off on a journey to stop you, as well as the noble sacrifices they made!”

His hand trembled as he held the dagger tight.

It was because he was desperately trying to stop himself from cutting deeper.

“And you won’t understand the sufferings of those left behind due to your evil deeds.”

Blood tainted her white hair a deep crimson.

“If you hadn’t existed in this world…”

The knights he lost at his hands.

The comrades he lost to her.

And the parents who, grieving their child that set off on the journey, ultimately took their own lives.

“They could all still be alive…”

Hot liquid began to fall on Lucia’s cheek.

It was tears.

Evan was unable to restrain his emotions as tears welled in his eyes.

As he realized this, Lucia finally spoke.

“…So you claim to have embarked on a journey to stop me. Then let me ask you, Evan.”

Her blood-soaked, red eyes intently focused on him as she asked,

“Do you truly think I’m the villain based on when you first set off on that journey?”