After the Demon Lord departed and his terrifying aura faded, the freezing air calmed slightly. Andrei and Volak sat on the ice, panting heavily as they tried to calm their racing hearts after surviving certain death.
When Volak finally caught his breath, he turned to me with a serious look. "Tell me, how did you get the sword of the ancient Demon King, Andrei? I have never heard of anyone being able to wield it before."
I answered, looking at the black blade with bitterness. "I didn't find the sword; it found me. It came to me in my dreams and spoke to me long before I actually found it. And when I saw it during the Knight Selection Tournament and heard its voice calling my name, I knew it was my cursed destiny."
Volak furrowed his brows in shock. "What the hell is this? Do you know your sword carries the blood of the first demon and the most powerful entity to ever exist? Tell me the truth."
I nodded weakly. "Yes, I know. I never wanted to use it, and I never did by my own free will. I reject it and its power... but, I am nothing without it. It's true that I have only used it once, but what can I do? I need it to survive."
Volak's eyes narrowed, and he asked with suspicion, "Do you mean... you don't possess any magic? You have no mana?"
I remained silent and didn't answer, but my broken gaze was answer enough.
At that moment, Volak slowly stood up, brushed the snow off his clothes, and said, "Then, if that is true, and you need the sword's power to compensate for your weakness, you must learn how to control it so it doesn't control you. Isn't that right?"
I looked at him in confusion. "Ah... yes."
Volak extended his hand to me with a confident smile. "Then, Andrei, will you accept me as your teacher?"
I looked at his outstretched hand and then into his eyes in astonishment. "Hey! Don't you know you are offering help to someone who carries a demonic power inside him? Are you out of your mind?"
Volak smiled calmly. "Yes, I am in my right mind. I don't want to make mistakes again, and I want to atone for my past. So, do you accept?"
I grabbed his hand firmly and stood up, filled with newfound resolve. "I accept you as my instructor! I will rely on you to teach me."
"Yes, rely on me," Volak said, gripping my hand tightly.
He let go and added seriously, "Now, we must leave quickly. The Ice Lord is definitely looking for you for disobeying orders, and believe me... his anger is the worst thing you could ever experience in your life. But descending the mountain on foot will take a whole day."
I asked anxiously, "What do we do then?"
"Hold on to me."
"Ah... why?"
Volak answered confidently, "Because I am going to teach you your first lesson. When you have energy and can fly or jump, why would you need to walk down? Since you don't know how, I will show you how to use the mana around you to form steps in the air."
And with that, Volak leaped into the air, carrying me. The height was towering and terrifying, but he focused the mana into his feet to stand on the wind currents for a few consecutive seconds, descending at an astonishing speed as if walking down an invisible staircase, until we reached the base of the mountain in minutes.
I stumbled a bit when my feet touched the ground and said, "Ah... we really made it down."
Volak smiled. "Yes, that is your first lesson. Now, let's hurry to the headquarters."
The Demon's Stage
When we left, Maurice was watching the entire scene from the mountain peak. He didn't follow us; he stood his ground, a toxic smile never leaving his masked face.
Maurice spoke to his shadow with a voice dripping with madness. "What is this? It seems I am going to enjoy this incredibly! Did you see that?"
Another voice seemed to whisper in his mind: "Yes, I see that your plan failed, Maurice. Everyone united instead of fighting."
Maurice laughed hysterically. "Hahaha! United? Do you think that makes me happy or sad? Did you see the image of that demon who just manifested? He is the Lord of all Demons! This is the best thing that has happened to me since the day I was born; to see the greatest demon to ever exist walking on two feet."
The voice whispered again: "So, are you planning to let him take over that young man?"
"No, at least not right now," Maurice said, his eyes gleaming with a dark spark. "For I have another plan."
"You mean turning the Chief's son, Volak, into a demon? You failed at that too."
Maurice replied with disdain. "It doesn't matter. What use is one demon? He might be defeated easily. I admit that was my first plan, but now... I am planning something much better. I will turn this entire kingdom into demons!"
"How will you do that?"
Maurice smiled widely. "You will know soon enough, no need to rush. And also... that legendary beast sleeping below, I wonder what will happen to the kingdom when it wakes up? Hahaha! What a joy I am about to embark on! My dear Andrei... you and I will be the best villain-and-hero duo, and the melodies of death will be played for us. So get ready, my boy, while I prepare the stage for us."
A Strange Return and an Impending Punishment
Volak and I headed toward the Ice Knights' headquarters. We approached the back wall, and I whispered, "Listen, Volak, can you sneak in quietly?"
He looked at me with disapproval. "Ah... and why, you fool?"
"Didn't you hear? We were ordered to stay inside until the negotiations were over to avoid any misunderstandings. By leaving, I have disobeyed the Commander's direct orders! Do you understand the trouble I'm in now?"
Volak sighed helplessly. "Ah, right. Fine, I will try to open one of the windows."
Before we could do anything, the back door suddenly opened, and Iris appeared, crossing her arms.
Iris said coldly, "Instead of starting to use your empty skull, why don't you just use the door? We all already know you escaped."
I tried to justify myself quickly. "Hello, Iris! He... he wasn't trying to sneak in, he was just..."
Volak interrupted me simply. "No, he tried to sneak in."
I looked at Volak in shock. "Huh?! You confessed on me that easily, you traitor?"
Volak coughed awkwardly. "Ahem, yes... sorry. Should I apologize now?"
Iris sighed and gave a faint smile. "It's fine. Since we have made peace with your tribe, Volak, it's fine for today. And also... welcome back, Vice-Captain."
At that moment, Oliver opened the inner door, rubbing his eyes. "Ah... what is going on outsi— Volak?!"
Oliver turned around and screamed at the top of his lungs into the hall, "Guys! Volak is here!"
"Ah... what?!"
The entire squad rushed out the door at the exact same moment, trampling poor Oliver, who had fallen to the ground from the shoving.
Oliver screamed from beneath their feet, "Ah! At least go easy on me! Why do I have to get trampled every time?!"
They gathered around Volak happily. Someone said, "Volak! Welcome back! We missed you, you bastard!"
Volak was touched and said with a shy smile, "Guys... after all the hostility and the harsh words I said to you, you still welcome me like this?"
Henry said as he patted Volak's shoulder, "Of course! We had a disagreement, but now that we've made peace and the tribes have reconciled, we have nothing left to fight over. So, why don't you return to the squad?"
Volak stuttered, "Guys... I don't know what to say."
Julian interrupted them, walking out of the hallway with his usual smile. "Just say yes, and take the Vice-Captain position back from me."
Volak asked in astonishment, "Julian... you give away your position that easily? How naive are you!"
Julian laughed. "Actually, I am giving you a headache! Our squad causes more headaches and disasters than natural calamities."
Everyone complained at once, "Commander, that is harsh! At least say it when we aren't here!"
Julian replied slyly, "What? And what are you going to do while you are here listening? Does anyone have a word of objection?"
Everyone fell completely silent; no one dared to reply.
Julian smiled triumphantly. "So I am right. Oh, and by the way, Andrei... the Commander wants you to go up to your room. He is waiting for you there."
I swallowed hard and asked in terror, "Ahem... is he angry?"
Julian replied with cold amusement, "You're asking me? Go see for yourself and try to stay alive."
I climbed the stairs feeling as though I was climbing to my own gallows. I was doomed!
I opened my door slowly to find the Ice Lord, Hyuga, sitting on my bed. He was holding his ice sword, and his gaze radiated a pure, terrifying killing intent that froze the blood in my veins.
Hyuga said in a low, scary voice, "Andrei... come in. We have a very long talk ahead of us."
I tried to back away. "Listen, sir, I have a very important and vital reason for why..."
He interrupted me with a firmness that shook the room. "I do not care! I gave you one order: do not leave the room until the treaty is over. Isn't that right? And what did you do? You disobeyed the order!"
I shouted defensively, "It was an urgent mission concerning my life!"
Hyuga stood up, frost covering the walls of the room from the sheer intensity of his anger. "An urgent mission more important than my direct order? Then... let me remind you the hard way which order is the most important."
"Commander, just calm down so we can expl—"
While everyone downstairs was chatting and laughing with Volak, they suddenly heard the sound of my loud, agonizing screams shaking the entire headquarters.
Oliver looked up at the ceiling and asked innocently, "Should we start digging Andrei's grave now?"
Julian answered as he calmly sipped his cup, "No. Wait a bit, the Commander isn't done punishing him yet."