Three days had passed since Zaygar and the mysterious swordsman had fallen into their deep slumber. When their heavy eyelids finally lifted, the first thing they saw was the calm yet stern face of the nobleman—the one who had taken the role of their guide throughout the journey.
With a voice that carried both authority and excitement, he said:
"It is time… our next destination is the Land of the Half-Demons."
Zaygar, still feeling the weight of sleep in his eyes, raised his head and asked,
"The Land of the Half-Demons? What kind of place is that?"
The nobleman paused for a moment, as if carefully choosing his words, then replied:
"It is a land where all races live side by side. Demons, devils, elves, dwarves… all together. Unlike most parts of this world, that land is at peace. You can find extraordinary warriors there, unique skills, and even rare treasures. Sometimes, even mythical beings appear there… creatures that resemble humans."
At that last part, Zaygar's eyes lit up. His heart beat faster, and he spoke with almost childlike excitement:
"What an amazing place! We must go quickly—I want to see it with my own eyes."
By midday, they had reached the borders of the Land of the Half-Demons. What spread out before them was beyond imagination: houses built of dark stone and enchanted wood, markets where elves traded with devils, and even dwarves teaching swordplay to the children of fiends. It was a place where contradictions blended together, forming the strangest harmony possible.
But the very moment Zaygar stepped foot into that land, he felt something stir deep within him. A sense of familiarity, like a hidden bond pulling at his soul… something that whispered he was not alone.
In a small inn near the main square, they gathered around a wooden table. Zaygar spoke of the strange feeling in his chest. The nobleman leaned back, eyes narrowing as if confirming his own thoughts.
"I felt it too. As though something is boiling in my blood… something that feels just like you."
Zaygar clenched his fist.
"Then I need to investigate. I must discover where this feeling comes from."
He sought out a local adventurer and asked carefully. At first, the man kept silent. But after Zaygar bought him several drinks, his tongue loosened.
"There's a girl," the adventurer muttered. "She lives deep in the southeastern forest. No one knows what she truly is. She doesn't resemble any known race. People just call her… the Strange One. Few dare to approach her."
Zaygar leaned forward.
"Where exactly?"
The man sighed.
"South-east. Where the monsters roam. She lives in a lone cabin, far from anyone else."
Zaygar returned to his companions, determination flashing in his eyes.
"I need to go there."
The swordsman and the nobleman immediately said,
"Then we'll go with you. We can't split up now."
Zaygar hesitated, then nodded.
"Alright. Together."
The journey into the forest began. The deeper they went, the heavier Zaygar's chest felt—as though an invisible thread was pulling him closer and closer.
At last, they reached the clearing. What they saw stunned them into silence: a girl with flowing blue hair and sapphire eyes, her blade gleaming as she fought off monstrous beasts. Her movements were graceful yet deadly, each strike precise, each dodge flawless.
The nobleman froze in awe, but Zaygar… he felt something far stronger. His heart trembled. This was not admiration. It was something deeper, sharper—love.
Unable to control himself, he blocked the nobleman's path with a menacing glare.
"Where do you think you're going?"
The nobleman stammered nervously,
"N-nowhere… I was just going to take a walk."
Zaygar smirked coldly.
"A walk, huh? Maybe you should try walking in paradise instead."
The nobleman swallowed hard, realizing it was wiser not to answer.
When the girl finally finished her battle, she did not turn around. Instead, she spoke with calm certainty:
"I know you're there. Come out."
Zaygar and his companions stepped forward. He smiled faintly.
"We only came to greet you."
The girl narrowed her eyes.
"To greet me? No… it feels like you came for something else."
Zaygar's voice grew firm.
"You're right. Not we—I came for you."
The girl tilted her head slightly.
"And who are you supposed to be?"
Zaygar turned to his companions.
"Please… give us a moment alone."
Once they were gone, Zaygar lifted the spell concealing his true nature. His real self appeared before her.
Tears welled in the girl's eyes as she whispered,
"Then… who are we?"
Zaygar stepped closer, his voice gentle.
"We are humans. Both of us."
Her tears spilled down her cheeks as she shouted between sobs,
"You idiot! Why didn't you say it earlier? Why didn't you come for me sooner?"
Zaygar chuckled softly and reached out to hold her trembling hands.
Meanwhile, from a distance, his friends watched in secret. They stifled their laughter until their stomachs hurt. But their giggles caught the attention of Queen Celia, who stomped over furiously.
"And what do you think you're laughing at?!"
Without waiting for an answer, she smacked them each on the head with her fists.
The blue-haired girl, who finally introduced herself as Selene, wiped her tears and looked into Zaygar's eyes.
"Will you truly take me with you? Will you never abandon me?"
Zaygar answered without hesitation,
"I swear, wherever I go, you will be with me."
Selene's lips curled into a smile, but she suddenly drew her sword.
"Then prove it. If you want to be my future husband, you must defeat me in a duel. I refuse to love someone weaker than me."
Zaygar laughed confidently.
"Fine. But don't regret it when I win."
The duel began. Selene's sword flashed like lightning. Zaygar dodged her strikes and summoned his Knight Lord. Yet with overwhelming skill, Selene shattered the knight's defense and cut it down.
Zaygar only smirked.
"Not bad. But now… take this!"
With a stroke of his magical pen, he unleashed power that forced Selene to her knees. Before she could fall, Zaygar rushed forward, grasped her hand, and pulled her close into his arms.
At that moment, General Allen's eyes glistened with tears. He muttered to himself,
"When I return home… I'll marry a beautiful girl too."
But before anyone could laugh or speak again, the sky above the forest turned blood-red. A terrifying roar echoed through the trees. From the shadows, a monstrous figure slowly stepped forward, its eyes burning with unholy fire.
And in that instant, all of them realized—this was only the beginning.
End of Chapter 9.
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