ARC 2: The Purpose

With his mind unable to process what had just occurred in front of his very eyes, Valcres just stood there frozen on his knees. He had sworn to dedicate his whole life into serving under Lord Merck since his younger days. To him Lord Merck was his life and his purpose—the air he breathed. He had wanted nothing but stand beside the greatest creature he had known in his entire life.

The Horlets were originally nomadic beast men. With no definite home to return to, they roam the demon continent freely. Unorganized and without a single creature that could be called their ruler, their numbers continued to dwindle exponentially.

By the first 2 years since Demon Emperor Thanatos assumed his throne as the emperor of the west, the Horlets numbered less than a thousand. The frog-like creatures, combined with their inability to grow crops and livestock, became an endangered species of beast men.

But then Lord Merck came and appeared. By making a contract with Thanatos, he was able to assume the position of Lord of the Horlets. Making full use of the authority of the emperor, he made the other Horlets bond together and made them build a city inside the sea of forest. Immediately, he ordered the Horlets to occupy the human settlements that surrounded the perimeter of their newly founded city.

Strategically using his authority as the Lord, he made the humans give them more than half of their yearly harvest as taxes. Those ‘taxes’ in turn were given towards the Empire’s Capital in order for Lord Merck to maintain the Horlet’s freedom in governing the area.

Using violent methods for submission, he made the city of Hortal prosper by exploiting the adjacent towns of Athelia, Tian and Palamesh. He knew that giving the town false freedom—pseudo government to say, would make the inhabitants more productive, thus leading to better yields and taxes.

The frog-like creature may be beyond a monster in the eyes of the humans, but for the Horlets he was a hero—their eternal hero. If not for the excellent leadership of Lord Merck, the Horlets would have already gone down as history.

But that great leader was now gone. He had seen its death with his own eyes. Unable to accept the reality in front of him, Valcres fell down to his knees, his head hanged low.

“YOU!!!! DARE!!!”

“DDIIIIIIEEEEEEEE!!!!”

Series of shouts were heard as the Horlets that were inside the grand hall charged furiously towards the masked oni. All of the Horlets revered Lord Merck as someone even greater than a God. The six royal guards cladded in full white armor charged towards the oni. With their colossal axes held up towards the heavens, they began to swing towards the oni in an attempt to kill him.

~SLASH

~SLASH

~CUT

~CUT

Multiple strikes were flung towards the black terror. To their surprise all of their attacks had been continuously hitting nothing but the after image of the oni. As if completely mocking them, the oni walked towards the crestfallen Valcres, not minding the furious strikes that didn’t even reach their target.

Upon standing right in front of him, Yuje eyed the soulless creature as if anticipating the upcoming question.

“Why?”

“………………………”

Valcres, with tears flowing down his eyes looked up towards the Grim Reaper and asked. The lifeless captain’s sorrow was so great that he was unable to feel anger, rage or anything else. All that he could feel at the moment was deep agony that seemed to tear at his body from the inside out.

“My only purpose in life was gone. My life has no more meaning. Even revenge wouldn’t bring back the dead.”

Valcres opened out his arms wide and spoke. The shaking figure of the strongest Horlet brought tears to the eyes of the Horlets that saw it. They all knew of the pain their captain was experiencing for they too have sworn to live and die for their Lord.

“I forfeit my life. I have failed to protect my Lord. Kill me.”

With his arms still wide open, Valcres spoke towards the masked oni as if pleading. The oni as if in response to the request of the crestfallen man, summoned his blood sword. Pointing it towards the heavens, he then created multiple series of strikes diagonally, reducing the castle to ruins. With the smoke dust receding after a few moments, only piles of rubble were what remained of the previously majestic structure.

“W-what are you doing?!” Valcres asked aghast. He was shocked and at the same time confused at the peculiar thing that the masked reaper did.

“Do you really need a purpose in order to live?”

That single statement of the oni made time stood still for everyone present that time. It was simple yet, it carried a meaning so vast that it made everyone feel like nothing but a speck of dust inside a vast desert the size of the universe itself. It was a question that did not need an answer, but at the same time it was a question that needs pondering about.

With the dust finally receded, Valcres looked around and saw his world as it is for the first time. The city that was formerly non-existent and was now considered one of the most beautiful was so breathtaking under the moonlit night.

Arrays of dome-shaped houses that towered for several meters glimmered a silver sparkle that complemented the polished diamond-like paved road of the city. If one was to listen carefully, multiple voices from the populace could be heard some distance away.

“What happened? The castle had just collapsed!”

“Lord Merck! What happened to the Lord?!”

“Lord Merck! Let’s go see the Lord!”

“The captain is there with the Lord right? Nothing bad should happen right?”

“Papa! Look! The castle just now!”

The voices of thousands of Horlets resounded throughout the whole city of Hortal. Each of those voices belonged to a Horlet, alive and breathing. The once almost extinct species of ferocious frog-like creatures were now beaming with life.

“T-this is…” Valcres spoke with a trembling voice.

How could he have forgotten his people? How could he have chosen death just moments ago when there were people that needed him? Just the thoughts alone made him bow down his head in shame.

“You don’t need a purpose in order to live. But if you want one so much, then find a new one. A certain someone told me that as long as you are alive, life will go on. Somewhere along the way, you will find something that would be worth risking your life for.”

That was the answer Yuje came up with after meeting Lord Merck and after seeing the city that the Lord himself had founded. After staring at the teary eyed captain, the masked oni spoke.

“Sleep.”

Crimson-black particulates began to ooze out of the reaper’s body. Surrounding his body like a ferocious storm that blocked out all sounds, it then began to disperse and envelope the entire city.

A tremendous pressure that made everyone fall down with their face flat to the ground came over the entire city of Hortal. Men, women, elderly, and children alike immediately lost consciousness. After a few seconds that seemed like eternity, the entire city was enveloped in perpetual silence. Valcres, the royal guards and the five humans that they had captured were the only ones left conscious after the oni unleashed the bestial pressure.

“W-who are you?”

Valcres, agape, asked the oni in front of him. He had experienced such tremendous force only once before, and that was when Lord Merck was granted audience to the Demon Emperor Thanatos.

“Such similar technique…are you the fifth Demon Emperor Mithra? No, that is impossible. Rumors said that Mithra is a woman.” Valcres mumbled.

The title ‘Demon Emperor’ was given only to the five strongest beings residing in the demon continent. Each of the four demon emperors had their own territories that they govern. Only the fifth one, Demon Emperor MithraThe God Slayer had chosen not to govern any. Some rumors said that Mithra had already left the demon continent in pursuit of the Gods.

They said that she was now at the Valhalla Continent where the dragons and other mythical creatures reside.

Unmatched strength and beauty, Mithra was said to be the embodiment of absolute perfection. She was without a doubt currently the only mortal that was able to match the Gods in strength.

Ignoring the question thrown by Valcres, Yuje walked towards the battered bodies of Taki and the others. Cutting down the chains that bound their bodies together, he then stood in front of the flustered group.

“Are you alright?” Yuje asked while grabbing hold of Taki’s shoulder.

“You...”

Taki’s eyes widened in great surprise. He knew that voice and that technique that made everyone submit to his will without even lifting a finger. Without a doubt, he knew the man that now stood in front of him. The rest of the group also immediately understood who the man behind the oni mask was.

With tears in his eyes, Taki spoke. His voice was filled with a mixture of surprise, joy and relief.

“Still good mate. Just fine I guess. What happened? You seem different.”

Removing the ominous masked, Yuje smiled, his eyes with a subtle glint of relief in it. It was a smile the group had never seen before. If they had not seen it with their own eyes, they would have never believed it. Relief and happiness filled their hearts after seeing the face of the man that had been their pillar and strength after being transported in the abhorrent continent.

“Yuje!”

“Yuje!”

Smiling from ear to ear, the entire group huddled towards the black apparition.

Directing his glance towards Raul, Kath, Mui and Onesa, Yuje spoke. His voice carried unimaginable strength and confidence in it.

“This is a loan. You guys owe me your lives. I will leave this continent and go back to Ruan.”

Finally, with a soft but audible voice, while facing the three moons above the Grim Reaper muttered.

“I will build back the Gashka clan.”

****

The north which was said to be the most peaceful place in the demon continent was under the reign of Demon Emperor Elgaia of The Earth’s Origin along with his seven demon Lords. Using his unparalleled earth magic, the Demon Emperor created a colossal wall that enclosed the entire northern part of the continent. It was a wall that towered a massive height of 300 meters and spanned an astronomical distance of 50 thousand kilometers. Further fortifying the gargantuan wall with iron and steel magic, the wall became known as the impregnable fortress of the north.

A great mountain range that was split in half by a gargantuan fissure encompassed half of the north. Trees that glow bright in silver color were grown on top of the mountain, making the scenery at night resemble that of an array of stars embedded on top of a mountain. The silver glowing trees themselves refract the moonlight from above towards the cities, providing excellent light source for the inhabitants.

During the Great War 300 years ago, the northern part of the demon continent was the only one that refused to wage war with the humans. Secluding everything inside the wall, Emperor Elgaia enforced his rules that respected each race’s rights. Humans and beast men were treated equally under the law. Those that broke the law were executed without remorse. It was a great leadership under an iron cladded fist.

Abundant in resources due to the Emperor of the Earth’s magic, the north flourished and became the most advanced city in the continent. Beast men and humans were able to coexist. Of course conflicts due to the difference in race and culture existed but were minimal.

“Sel! Breakfast is ready!”

Erika said in a cheerful voice after wiping down the sweat on her forehead. Wearing a white apron that covered her blue frilled gown, she began to pour hot tea towards the green-brown clay cup.

Erika and Sel together with twenty more students had been staying at the northern part of the demon continent since they were teleported. At first they were shocked when they learned that such a place in the feared continent exists. They never knew that the north was a place wherein humans and beast men coexisted. It was never mentioned in their textbooks.

“Delicious! Your cooking had improved a lot big sis!” Sel said while continuously gulping down her food.

“Yeah, Sel is right, who would have thought that Erika knows how to cook. Ha ha~” A male student spoke.

“Who do you think I am? Of course I know how to cook. Hmp!”

Erika, unaware of the continuous stare of the male students that were eating at the table continued stirring the soup.

Back in Ruan Continent she had actually practiced cooking in order to make good food for a certain someone that saved her life.

Who would have thought that learning to cook would be so useful in times like this?...That guy…I wonder how is he? He’s safe right? If it’s him, I’m sure…

~BANG!

The door of the house they were renting abruptly opened. A panting lady with rabbit for ears that seemed to be around her 30s began to speak. Everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the hustled land lord.

“Land Lord.”

“What are guys still doing inside?! Stop eating for now and come outside! Emperor Elgaia’s convoy will pass through the main road! We should go see and greet him as respect! COME!!!”

The students looked at each other. They had heard of the history of the demon continent from the inhabitants. They all knew of the greatness of the Emperor of the Earth. Even though a beast man, they revered Elgaia for his excellent leadership.

Discontinuing whatever they’re doing, everyone hurriedly went outside. They too wanted to see Emperor Elgaia. They wanted to see the sole Emperor that sided with the humans. Upon arriving at the main road, they saw a sea of crowd composed of humans and beast men clustered together. It was a surreal sight, the coexistence of such different species.

After a few minutes of waiting, they began to see the vanguards. The beast men positioned at the front had bodies that resembled a human. With twin tails that was two meters long at their backs, a single green horn that was circular at the end protruded from their forehead. Green eyes with dot-like blue pupils, their hard scaly black carapace covered their trunk and fists. They were creatures called the Mellocks, beast men that were said to be descendants of dragons.

“Look! The vanguards are coming through! Oh~”

“Such strong features! If only I could marry one~”

Series of shouts and murmurs that praised the creatures were heard. The populace greatly revered the Mellocks that was the embodiment of strength in the area. Emperor Elgaia himself was a Mellock. After the vanguard had passed through, a carriage made out of pure gold embossed with diamond ornaments appeared. The carriage was pulled by a massive bear-like creature adorned by a crown-like décor on top of its head. It looked proudly towards the inhabitants that kept cheering for the majestic carriage.

A song with a reggae-like tempo began to play. It was the song that was always sung during the Empress festival which was held every ten years. The entire populace cheerily began to sing alongside the choir.

The north! The north! There’s nothing like the north!

Oh Great Emperor of the Earth!

He who had merged the seven kingdoms into one, oh that blonde hair!

Mellocks of the continent, oh peaceful oh ohohoh~

Cheerfully let’s celebrate the search for the Empress!

Oh great north! We—love the great north!

………………….

………………….

The singing continued for quite a while until the carriage suddenly came to a halt. The crowd began to stir in excitement. Upon opening the door of the carriage, the crowd was in frenzy.

A Mellock with shiny blonde hair that fell till his shoulders went out of the carriage. His green eyes were like a gemstone that glimmered with a faint azure hue. The stout build that complemented his height of 2 meters was like a sculpture of a God. Adorned with a purple-gold cloak that opened at the top showing his bulky abdomen, the Emperor of the Earth walked towards the sea of crowd. Upon arriving at his desired destination, Elgaia stood still—in front of a woman with sapphire-like eyes that shamed her blue frilled gown.

“What is your name?” With intimidating eyes that glimmered with excitement and interest, Elgaia spoke.

“…Erika.” The woman in front of the emperor hesitated before she answered.

“Erika…such a beautiful name! I have decided. Become my wife.” Elgaia, gently smiling, said in a soft but audible voice.

The crowd was in an uproar at the sudden revelation from the emperor. It was every woman’s dream to become the wife of such wise, handsome and powerful ruler. With eyes full of envy, the populace began to cheer excitedly.

“Did you hear that?”

“Oh heavens! That woman is so lucky!”

“Ugggghhh!Why her?!”

“Face it woman. With a face like that, it’s no wonder even the emperor was attracted.”

Gently placing his hands on her shoulder, Elgaia looked fondly towards her sapphire eyes. It was the look of a man that finally had found the one he wanted the most. It was the look of a man that had fallen in love.

“I refuse. Also, get your hands off me.” Erika said nonchalantly.

She was used to men hovering over her and proposing. To her, it was a daily occurrence. This man in front of her was no different. Really, who would marry a man that she had seen for only a few seconds was what she thought.

The sea of crowd was enveloped in perpetual silence after those words. It was an answer that they would have never fathomed to come out of any woman’s mouth after such a proposal. Their minds cannot comprehend such thoughts.

“E-Erika…w-what are you s-saying?!” The land lord with rabbit for ears spoke. She was agape at the scene that had just unfolded before her very eyes.

“HAHAHAHAHA! Such interesting woman! You are making me fall for you even more! Tell me. What do you desire? Fame?Wealth?Power? Tell me and I’ll grant you anything and everything that you want!”

Elgaia opened out both his hands widely. Closing his fist as if grabbing everything, he openly declared to give everything to the woman in front of him. He then looked expectantly for her answer.

“……………………………….”

Erika didn’t bother to reply. Instead, she walked away from the open-mouthed crowd. She seemed to be intending to go back at the rented cabin.

“Do you have someone special?” Elgaia spoke towards the uncaring woman. He then swallowed before uttering the last words. “A…lover?”

Erika suddenly stopped in her tracks after that question. Turning around to face the crestfallen emperor, she then looked above as if reminiscing a past memory. Subtly smiling, she replied.

“Yes.”

After those words, she went back towards the wooden cabin.

****

“Erika what do you think you are doing?! It was a proposal from the Emperor of the Earth himself! Oh for heaven’s sake!”

The land lord kept bombarding Erika with questions after that incident. She cannot fathom that anyone would refuse such an offer.

“Could you please stop bothering me? You’re becoming annoying Ms. Bit.” Erika said.

Next week after we’ve gathered enough money, we could leave this place. I’ve heard that the other places in the demon continent are not as peaceful as this one. It’s better to be prepared than sorry.

The entire party composed of Erika, Sel and twenty more other students were intending to leave the north after gathering enough rations and weapons. The north was prosperous and beautiful but they were not foolish enough to actually stay there. They all have families waiting for them back home. Those families would surely have been worried about them. Some may even have thought that they had already perished.

I wonder how grandpa is doing. That old pervert has Gaston beside him so everything should be fine. Right? That incurable disease of him… Oh please…

Shaking her head as if dismissing the thought, she then resumed chopping the vegetables.

~Knock KnockKnock

Ms. Bit opened the door after hearing the knock. Upon seeing the figure that greeted her, she shrieked in a loud high-pitched tone.

“KYYYYYAAAAA!!!! Oh~ Oh~ What to do? What to do? P-please c-come inside! Oh I m-mean i-if you d-don’t m-mind!”

Everyone turned toward the source of the commotion and was shocked at what they saw.

It was Emperor Elgaia. The Emperor of the north personally visited their humble cabin. Everyone present inside immediately knew the purpose of the visit. Turning their heads towards the woman with black-silver hair and sapphire eyes, they expectantly waited for an amazing scenario.

“Erika.” Elgaia spoke in an almost pleading voice.

Erika just stood there with her face distorted in obvious disgust towards the man.

“What should I… What should I do for you to like me? Give me a chance. Please.”

Everyone was dumbfounded at those words. One of the five emperors of the demon continent was pleading in front of a woman, and a human at that.

“…You’re not my type.”

One shocking scenario after another kept appearing before their very eyes.

‘What is there not to like on such a guy? It was the Emperor of the North for heaven’s sake!’ Those were the thoughts that run through everyone’s mind as the conversation went on in front of them.

Suddenly a different voice was heard. It came from a figure that resembled Erika. It was Sel.

“How many times does my sister have to tell you? She doesn’t like you! So leave my lovely sister alone! Her heart belongs only to Yuje!” Sel spoke in a fast and blatantly irritated voice. She adored her sister so much. She did not care if it was an emperor or whatever, for her, her sister was top priority.

“Yuje…I see. Is it a human? Such weak creatures shouldn’t be compared to the Mellocks.” Elgaia spoke in a proud voice.

His pride seemed to have been hurt by Sel’s words.

“Yuje isn’t weak! He’s strong! Stronger that even you!” Sel retorted.

Emperor Elgaia’s eyes widened at those words. He was a man of great patience and understanding, but having the pride of the Mellocks, he cannot let such words brush by.

“Stronger than me huh?Interesting.”

Elgaia grinned. Looking towards his men, he then issued an order.

“Find this human called Yuje. Tell him that the Emperor of the North wishes to duel him.”

Finally, turning his head towards Erika’s direction, he spoke in a firm voice.

“If I win, Become my wife.”

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Author's note: Yay.