>> We walked along the cobblestone road whilst the bustle of the surroundings heeded. Kroni, Eisheth and I ate the Wendigo’s fruit on our way.

The juicy texture is irresistible, I keep craving for it. “Here we are, Master...” Kroni moves a step on the porch and opens the door. From the inside are the semi pitch-black room with candelabras lit.

We entered inside, smell of old books suddenly wafted on my nostrils. Bookshelves arranged accordingly, but it feels like I’m inside the labyrinth.

Piles of books hovered on the floor as well. “Follow us, Master... don’t wander anywhere.” Eisheth calls. “Uh... yeah. Sure.” I nod to respond.

The wooden floor gives a faint creak sound. Each step makes me wondered if the floor would collapse? Reaching the center aisle of the bookshelves, Kroni and Eisheth starts to look and gather books.

“You can look around as well for the meantime, Master.” Eisheth offers as she gets some books from the shelf. “But make sure not to wander around much, okay?”

“Okay...” I nod to answer. The two remains busy getting piles of books, so I decide to turn and look at the other side. “Master, once we gather all the books needed, the table’s over here!” Kroni shouted.

Her energetic smile and wave show up, though, I’m just a few meters away. I wave back to her as well and keep walking. The books are finely made out of leather.

Though, I said that they’re leather covered but the texture is hard-bounded. The bookmakers sure do their job with passion.

Like an ordinary library, the books are kept perfectly in each shelf, though I’m not sure if these books are arranged accordingly to each of their genres.

Through the end of the bookshelf’s labyrinth is a podium wood stand with a thick book open. A bigger book, to be precise, was lying atop. Scribbles of syllabary on their language written.

Out of curiosity, I go to the book and sees the written text. Since I know how to write, I can also read it. “Hmmmm...” looking at the scribbles, I read the story of the Great War fought by the former Demon King Mephistopheles.

A picture drawn at the side, portraying a man in full armor and masculine physique holds a sword. Beside him is the Magistrate Botis and the seven mages.

Also, the word “Legion of the Demon King...” I mumbled. It is said that the time, a Hero was born to save mankind from the disaster the Demon race bestow on them.

“This is chronicle of the Great War.” I mumbled. “Demon King Mephistopheles leads the legion to face the Hero. He never leaves the frontlines, together with the army.”

“And though he knew his power wanes due to having an heir to the throne, he didn’t surrender. He faces head-on the adversaries trying to annihilate the Demon race.”

The text passage carves in my mind, as I imagine the setting of the story. In a vivid memory, a battlefield with lots of cadavers lying around. Thick smoke rises up the sky.

Swords tainted in blood scattered on the red-dyed soil. At the centerpiece of the cadavers lying is a man standing.

His armor tattered. His face shows the exhaustion. His physique, once had the sturdy looks is now a weary one. His cape, once elegantly waving on the wind is now disheveled.

On his hand is the sword that almost battered up. On the other side is another person, with a claymore sword holding. “You’re the Demon King that threatens us mortals to oblivion!”

Under the headgear is a falsetto voice. A woman’s voice. “I am not a threat to your kind. I just want to protect the Kingdom for my family and comrades!”

I reckon that’s Mephistopheles, and the Hero on the chronicles. Beside them are the only remain allies of each party.

“Your Highness, your powers are waning. You shouldn’t fight anymore!”

The old man, who is Botis called out. “You should go back to our Kingdom. Leave this to us Mages.”

“No,” Mephistopheles answered. “I won’t leave everyone here. I did say to stand on this battle till the end. Kroni and Eisheth as their lives to fulfill, and their mission to protect the next Demon King is at stake.”

Everyone knows that Mephistopheles hangs on the remaining strength he has. “Your Highness...” Botis utters.

“Let my Queen, and my princess live a fulfilling life. I know this isn’t something a King must say, but dying for my men and this Kingdom is a duty I must do.”

I heard it clearly. My heart clenched out from those words. Though I know this is just a mere memory, but I feel like I’m a part of it.

“You must live and serve the next Demon King. I am a dead man, anyway. Dying here with the legion is an honor.”

Botis pursed his lips and closes his eyes. Turning back, he then urged the seven mages to follow back to the Kingdom. Only few soldiers stayed, standing alongside the King.

“We won’t leave you, Sire!” they shouted with gusto. Mephistopheles turns his head to gaze at them. All of their eyes are brimming with passion, and desire to fight alongside him.

“Then, we must end this right now.” He grins, and turning to the enemies, a loud war cry heard. The Hero’s party responds as they run forward.

Each step burdens their exhausted bodies. Their voices crying for the glory, or death clamors throughout the wasted land. Clashing of their sword rings thorough, and splashes of blood stained each and everyone of them.

And from there, I stand where the wooden podium stand is, catching my breath from what I’ve learned. “The Hero and Demon King faces their demise at each of the swords stabbed at them. The Demon King’s sword tainted in the Hero’s blood, and the Hero’s claymore with the Demon King’s blood.”

The passage continues, as illustration shows. “Their deaths lead to the Demon and Human race to cease the fight. For the millennia, the feud between the two has never subside. And the one who gains triumph on the Great War isn’t concluded, everything is settled.”

I move a step away from the wooden stand and realized the words of the Queen. The reason she wants me to marry and the goal she wants to imply.

The goal to get along with mortals, and that starts with me.