Zayn and I slipped out of the collapsing Demon King's castle and vanished deep into the earth—into the hidden sanctuary where I had lived my entire life.
The Underground Shadow Village.
Even after centuries, the place still looked strange and beautiful: an ethereal dark labyrinth carved into the ridges of the world.
Black structures clung to the cavern walls like stacked citadels, layered level above level, connected by suspended bridges that formed a glowing cobweb pattern in the air. The pathways shone faintly with runic light, guiding the lurkers of my clan.
No human could imagine such a place existed beneath the Demon Continent. Some of the highest ranked demons even knew it existed.
The cold bit at our skin as the zephyr snaked through the cavern ridges—but I barely felt it.
Shadows like me thrived in this environment. Zayn, however, shivered violently behind me.
My crimson eyes scanned the village one last time. The neon-blue mage lights—jellyfish-like creatures—floated gracefully overhead, illuminating the darkness with their soft glow. One drifted in front of me, its light reflecting off my eyes.
Soon to be nothing but a memory.
I stepped inside my residence—an obsidian castle built for the leader of the Shadow Legion.
"How did it go, my Lord?"
Melissa greeted me with her usual poised smile, kneeling with the others behind her.
She was beautiful. She has dark hair like a waterfall, flawless skin, and eyes that hid too much behind their gentleness. My most powerful aide.
"It was successful," I replied.
Behind me, Zayn stiffened in shock.
Successful my ass! he must have been thinking. You really came just to steal our treasure! Now the Demon Race has fallen and demons will be hunted everywhere!
I tugged him forward.
"Let me introduce someone. This demon blonde is Zayn—the youngest of Valier's heirs. He'll accompany me to the surface."
Melissa's eyes softened with understanding—and sadness. But at the same time, disbelief. He knew his master too well to know he would just get a kid, even if it was a prince. But there were more important matters.
"So… how long will you stay above? Will you visit us?" she asked quietly.
I paused.
Then I exhaled.
"I've already decided. I've told you all before."
I looked each of them in the eye.
"I am retiring. The Shadow Legion is no longer needed. The Demon King is dead; a new era begins. Our clan's oath to him ends today."
Their faces froze, expressions tightening.
"I am disbanding the Shadow Legion," I continued. "You are free. Live your own lives. Do not follow me. From this day, I am no longer your Lord."
A silence heavier than stone filled the room.
No one cried, but their throats tightened. They had expected this—yet hearing it still hurt.
I produced twelve identical silver rings and placed them in Melissa's hands.
"These will hide your demonic energy. Use them to survive. With these, you could go anywhere. This is my final gift."
I glanced at Zayn who was still exhausted and pale from copying the artifacts on the way, he managed a weak smile. Twelve was his limit—impressive for a high-grade magic item.
With nothing more to say, I turned my back on my old world.
And left.
We surfaced through a forest three days later, emerging onto a dirt path that wound along a high cliff.
"~~~"
From here, the entire northern horizon stretched out—rolling green fields, mountain silhouettes in the far distance, and a sky so blue it almost hurt to look at.
The sunlight hit Zayn's face, making his blue eyes shimmer beneath his blonde hair, the effect of the Ring of Suppression. Right now, we both looked nothing more than normal humans.
I used to do things like this, but then because of the device, things became problematic.
Zayn's breath hitched.
"I… I can't believe it," he whispered. "We're out…Really out."
He stood frozen like someone staring at a miracle.
"There's so much color," he murmured. "It's like I've only ever seen black and brown before."
I remained silent—but I understood him.
Even I felt something stir. The human realm always had a vibrance the demon realm lacked. The underground village was magical, beautiful in its own way… but this?
This felt alive.
"It's like warmth in flesh," I muttered under my breath.
Down the road, several carriages came rushing north.
"Maybe we can hop in," I suggested.
Zayn nodded, practically glowing."Yeah!"
I had never seen him so animated. I almost laughed.
When the carriages climbed up to our position, the first coachman dismounted and eyed us curiously.
"You two are…?"
For some reason, the boy stepped forward with flawless confidence and spoke like he had rehearsed it countless times.
"Good afternoon, sir. We're travelers who lost our way. Could we ride with you to the next town?"
The transformation in his voice was so sudden I rolled my eyes internally.
The coachman looked us over.
Two boys dressed indeed like travelers, suspiciously clean, oddly composed. I could practically hear his thoughts spinning.
Still, he smiled.
"Sure. Do you know which town is next?"
I shook my head with a mild, apologetic smile.
"No, I'm afraid we don't."
My human appearance worked in my favor. I knew I was handsome, harmless, completely ordinary. Thus, I smiled. The man's suspicion faded instantly.
"Well," the coachman said slowly, then grinned. "Alright! Hop in. The more the merrier!"
Zayn exhaled in relief.
I simply nodded.
As we climbed into the carriage and the wheels began turning, I leaned back against the wooden frame.
I was free and retiring into the human world.