I Saved the Demon King Who Was About to Commit Suicide – Chapter 49

A thick darkness blanketed the early dawn.

Evan, who had decided to stay at the seaside inn for a day, gazed deeply at Lucia, who was soundly asleep in bed.

It was about Lucia’s punishment.

Once everything was said and done, she too would have to face the consequences of her actions thus far.

Originally, Evan had thought about killing Lucia, but as they journeyed together, that idea began to waver bit by bit.

It was true that Lucia had killed many people.

However, from her perspective, it was understandable.

The corpses hanging along the stronghold were all victims of the trade in female demons with their horns cut off by those wishing to profit.

It was said that her rage came from a number of repeated evil deeds she had turned a blind eye to before.

While it was hard to forgive her for killing her comrades, from Lucia’s viewpoint, it was also understandable.

We, who had fixed her as a villain, attempted to wipe out all demons in the Demon Realm, and yet we sought to kill her too…

Moreover, the current Lucia was acknowledging her wrongs and was apologizing.

Even when I responded without a word, she continued to apologize.

To admit one’s wrongdoing and seek forgiveness from others requires great courage.

After all, the other party might criticize or refuse to forgive you.

Yet, seeing her continuously apologize, it seemed that Lucia genuinely regretted her past sins.

‘Is it really right to demand the death of someone who sincerely regrets their past sins as a consequence?’

Lucia had lived her life branded as a villain simply for being a Demon King, despite not having done anything wrong.

To kill someone who has lived like that without even giving them a chance to repent… I thought it was an unjust action, aside from any ideas of revenge.

Even if she herself wished for death.

‘I should check if my unconscious mind thinks the same.’

Evan drew the dagger from his pocket and pointed it at the sleeping Lucia.

If his subconscious rejected the thought, he would stab her without hesitation.

He raised his arm to thrust the dagger into Lucia.

However, Evan’s arm stopped just before piercing Lucia.

An obvious rejection.

Deep down, Evan seemed to not wish for Lucia’s death at all.

Even if there was no necessity for her to pay the price.

‘Then what would be an appropriate price for Lucia…?’

With the dagger back in his pocket, Evan turned and plunged into thought.

It was a fact that she had killed his comrades, so he hoped Lucia would receive punishment for her sins.

However, he wished for that to be realized differently, not through the loss of her life.

So what would be good, he thought, as a good idea popped into Evan’s head.

‘Since Lucia wishes for her own death…’

Instead, allowing her to live.

It was similar to what he had thought when he initially tortured her, but this time it had a different meaning.

Unlike his initial thought of subjecting her to a life so painful she’d want to be killed, now he hoped she would face her sins and regret them in her life.

So that she wouldn’t just live a broken life mired in regret, but could reflect on her mistakes and live as an ordinary human, not a villain.

He wanted that kind of life as the price she would pay.

*

As the deep thoughts of dawn faded, the sun rose on an early morning.

Having slept late into the dawn, Lucia left Evan, who was still asleep, and headed to the beach.

The sunlight breaking on the clear water surface.

The sound of gently crashing waves.

It was indeed a view that brought a calming peace to her heart as she quietly watched it.

Splash-.

Lucia took a step and dipped her feet into the seawater.

Though it was still morning and the water was cold, she felt nothing but joy.

The sound of splashing water.

The breathtaking beauty of the scenery.

The footprints left in the sand with every step she took.

These were all things she had never experienced while in the Demon Realm, and she found them delightful.

‘Perhaps this is all thanks to Evan.’

Because he had cut off her horn.

Because he had joined her on this journey.

Perhaps it was because of him that she could see all this beauty.

As such thoughts floated to her mind, her gratitude grew even more.

“Lucia.”

As she sat on the beach lost in thought, a voice called to her from behind.

It was Evan.

“I came to check on you since you weren’t up, and I found you here. When did you wake up?”

“I got up around 7. I seemed to be in a deep sleep, so I didn’t want to wake you… Were you worried I might run away?”

“Of course not. I know you have no intention of escaping.”

Evan chuckled and replied.

“By the way, you seemed to be quite sensitive to the cold last time, so I was wondering if you’d catch a cold from the sea breeze?”

“I can take care of my own body, so don’t worry.”

“Really? The person who said they’d tough it out in Latere ended up collapsing from hypothermia?”

“That’s….”

Lucia couldn’t deny it and bit her lip in silence.

It was certain that without Evan, she would have died from hypothermia.

“Then if you’re going to take care of yourself, do it properly this time. Don’t half-ass it and end up collapsing like last time.”

As he said that, Evan retrieved a scarf from his spatial pocket and wrapped it around her neck.

“I still feel like I haven’t slept enough, so I’ll head back into the inn. Just come back before you catch a cold.”

“…Alright.”

With that, Evan returned to the inn, and Lucia resumed gazing at the beach.

More precisely, she was pretending to look at the beach while focusing on the scarf wrapped around her neck.

It was his original scarf, and she could feel his faint scent lingering on it.

That scent tickled her senses, causing…

Lucia’s cheeks to blush slightly.

‘If only he’d hated me a little, it would have made things easier for my heart…’

Lucia buried her face into the scarf.

She felt her feelings for him growing stronger.

Even with trivial actions, just his belongings sent her heart racing.

She knew she shouldn’t feel this way, but… was it simply human nature to crave such desires?

Despite her earlier resolve, she found herself wishing to be closer to Evan than she was now.

If only he had hated her, that desire might not have emerged, but with Evan getting so close, it couldn’t help but grow.

‘What does he want from me…’

Lucia, who usually disliked deities, found today’s feeling toward them particularly bitter.

For bestowing her such a cursed fate.

She… hated it.

*

After gazing at the beach for a while, Lucia returned to the inn much later.

She quickly packed her bags and spoke to Evan.

“Evan, let’s head to Terra right away.”

Evan, who had been resting on the bed, tilted his head.

“I thought you’d want to stay a little longer.”

“I think it would be better to finish what we have to do and return later.”

“In that case.”

Since their rest was sufficient, Evan got up from the bed, packed his bags, and headed outside.

Thanks to having arranged for a carriage upon their arrival, the two were able to depart right away.

“Do you have any idea how long it’ll take?”

“Maybe around three days, I think.”

“Even though it’s the neighboring country, will it really take that long?”

“Terra has difficult terrain. No matter how skilled the carriage is, it would struggle to navigate there, so reaching the capital will take that long.”

“If that’s how it is.”

Lucia nodded.

“By the way, does that book mention the divine artifact of Terra?”

“I think I saw it last time.”

In response to her question, Evan pulled out the book to check the contents.

“Iron and the dwarven kingdom of Terra. The divine artifact there is the Immortal Shield Derek’s Aegis.”

“It’s the Aegis, the Immortal Shield, isn’t it?”

The Immortal Shield Aegis.

It was said to be a shield that could not be destroyed by any attack and could provide near invulnerability through the will of the user.

“Right. It’s the same shield that supposedly stopped a meteor that fell on the Aisha continent.”

“If the myth is to be believed, its abilities would rank among the strongest of divine artifacts.”

“However, it’s designed entirely for protection, so while holding the shield, one cannot attack—that’s its downside.”

While it had unmatched performance when considering its advantages, unfortunately, no attacks could be made while wielding the Aegis.

This rule also applied to Derek, who created the Aegis.

But upon hearing this, Lucia asked, seemingly unbothered.

“Then couldn’t you just throw the shield to attack?”

Evan looked at her with disbelief.

“Throwing the shield to attack also counts as an attack, so the same rules would apply.”

“But wouldn’t that be possible?”

“Not a chance.”

“How about we make a bet? Whether I can attack with the shield or not.”

Evan, a little intrigued, accepted Lucia’s bet.

“Alright. What happens to the loser?”

“How about granting one wish of the winner?”

“Well, as long as it’s within reason.”

“Then the bet is on. The loser will grant the winner’s wish.”