Demon King of the Royal Class-Chapter 674

The Immortals had begun their indiscriminate massacre, but thanks to Scarlett and Connor Lint, who moved swiftly across the battlefield to neutralize them, the damage they inflicted was ultimately minimal. However, the Allied Forces had still witnessed the Immortals turning on them.

No one else in the army had been able to clearly see the fight that had unfolded deep within Diane. Even those fighting nearby only knew that a series of extraordinary events had taken place there, but not the details. As a result, the outcome of the final battle and the events leading up to it remained a mystery to all.

No one had witnessed what happened after the Dragon of the Otherworld vanished.

Even the monsters avoided going deep into Diane. It was Olivia Lanche, wielding the power of death, who finally conquered the skies, exterminated the remaining monsters within the ruined city, and delved into the heart of Diane.

There, she found Reinhart, unconscious and cradling Ellen in his arms in the middle of the battlefield.

Despite the devastation, the two of them had somehow survived, untouched by the monsters. Olivia carried them onto her dragon and returned with them.

The Immortals were wiped out. Every warp gate in Diane lay in ruins. The surviving monsters had either scattered or were hunted down by the Allied Forces.

The rain had ceased.

The war had ended.

***

Crackle... crack.

Smoke curled skyward, rising from the burning corpses strewn across Diane.

The Gate Incident had finally come to an end. Though countless monsters still roamed the continent, no more would spill in from the other world.

Humanity had survived.

Yet, the atmosphere among the Allied Forces, which should have been full of hope, was shrouded in darkness and chaos.

The sacrifices in this battle had been greater than in any previous conflict.

The army of Immortals, who had been such an asset to the war effort, had morphed into a double-edged sword in the final battle and turned against the Allied Forces.

It felt as though the Allied Forces were being punished for their swift progress. This betrayal caused chaos, distrust towards the Empire, and widespread anger.

Adding to the confusion was the sudden appearance of the Demon King’s forces, who fought harder than anyone else. Not everyone on the battlefield had seen the Demon King in action, but those who did, even from a distance, witnessed him luring the Immortals who sought to kill him away from them while desperately slaying monsters to escape.

There were also murmurings that the Demon King had been involved in the mysterious events that had taken place within the heart of Diane, which included a final battle with an unknown monster.

The Allied Forces, caught between distrust toward the Empire and uncertainty about whether to trust the long-hated Demon King, were mired in confusion even as they set up camp.

At least there was some improvement within the command structure for the Allied Forces.

Before this final battle, those in positions of command had known that the Demon King was involved with the Allied Forces, and some even supported him. After the battle, even those who had opposed the Demon King realized they had no choice but to back him.

The Empire’s betrayal of the Allied Forces at such a critical moment made it clear that it was no longer on humanity’s side. The Empire had intended to wipe out the Allied Forces rather than let them fall into the hands of the Demon King. That was how everyone involved interpreted the events of the Battle of Diane. As a result, the Allied Forces’ command had come to fully support the Demon King.

Consequently, the Demon King’s highest-ranking commanders could enter the main command tent without fear, despite the wary glances, and take their seats near the head of the table. Ironically, although all the commanders had turned their backs on the Empire, the person who occupied the highest seat of command was rather unexpected. Someone who was no longer a part of the Empire, who more closely resembled a demon, yet was still undeniably human...

“Have the casualty reports from each unit been compiled?”

Charlotte de Gradias found herself at the pinnacle of the Allied Forces, representing the Demon King’s forces in place of the Emperor of Vertus. It was a peculiar development. It felt like a significant shift in power, but also as though nothing had changed.

***

Access to the main command tent was strictly limited, and the perimeter was heavily guarded. The presence of certain individuals who were better left unseen necessitated this restriction, even as the campaign to eradicate the remaining monsters continued. Eventually, though, the truth would come to light, and the leadership of the Allied Forces would be entirely supplanted by the Demon King’s followers.

“Shouldn’t you be at the meeting?” Harriet asked, her head tilted in curiosity as she observed Olivia perched on a wooden box near the tent.

“I can’t stand those headache-inducing discussions,” Olivia replied with a sigh.

“But aren’t all the tasks ahead going to be just as troublesome?” Harriet countered. “What are you going to do if you already dislike it this much?”

“What can I do if I hate it...? Just let it slide for today.”

“Hmm... If you put it that way, I have nothing to say...”

Olivia was in charge of reforming the Holy Order and handling all future matters related to it. She had more on her plate than Rowen, the commander of the Order of the Holy Knights, who was deeply involved in the discussions occurring inside the tent. Yet, despite her responsibilities, she had slipped out of the meeting, sighing deeply and offering Harriet the feeble excuse that she hated using her head. To Harriet, it only made her seem irresponsible.

Of course, Olivia’s past achievements spoke for themselves, allowing her some leeway. She had saved countless lives by resurrecting a legion of monsters to fight on humanity’s side against their former brethren, and taken to the skies to do battle on the back of an undead dragon.

The sight of a dragon, resplendent in its radiant glory, soaring past and breathing life into the dying had been so awe-inspiring and miraculous that it had left a profound impression on everyone, Harriet included. The Saintess on the dragon... Her tale was already being widely circulated within Allied Forces.

They were safe, and it was a miracle. Despite having fought in the most perilous places on the battlefield, none of the Demon King’s closest aides had been killed or injured. Each of them had played a vital role, leaving a decisive mark on the outcome of the battle. The absence of even a single vital member of the Demon King’s army during the Battle of Diane could have easily resulted in tens of thousands more casualties. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

Among them, Harriet, Riana, and Scarlett had the most significant impact. Without Scarlett, the Allied Forces might have been decimated by the rampaging Immortals.

Olivia, her eyes heavy with fatigue, glanced at Harriet. “Hasn’t Reinhart woken up yet?”

“It seems not,” Harriet replied.

“What on earth happened?”

“I have no idea.”

Even those who had played pivotal roles in the battle were in the dark about the strange occurrences deep within the heart of Diane.

The appearance of a monster with overwhelming power, and its sudden disappearance almost immediately after...

By the time Olivia had reached the site, whatever that had happened was already over.

She had found Ellen and Reinhart safe and brought them back to friendly lines, but the mystery of what had transpired remained unsolved.

“What about her?” Olivia asked, her voice tinged with concern.

Harriet shook her head, a hint of frustration in her eyes. “She doesn’t seem to remember anything.”

They were talking about Ellen, of course.

“Is everything really okay? Where did the thing that possessed her go? If it was destroyed, then that’s fortunate, but how could that have happened?”

Ellen’s memory was blank, and Reinhart lay unconscious. It felt like something had come to an end, yet it seemed an unsettling conclusion, which left a sense of unease hanging in the air.

“Still... It’s a relief that everyone is safe,” Olivia mumbled, her voice carrying a hint of genuine concern.

Harriet was taken aback by Olivia’s sincerity, despite it sounding more like a grumble. “Yes, it is a relief,” she agreed.

Olivia’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she pouted slightly, avoiding Harriet’s gaze.

***

In a tent near the main command post, Ellen sat quietly on a chair beside a makeshift bed, her eyes fixed on the unconscious Reinhart. No one knew when he might wake up.

“Ellen...?” Harriet called softly as she entered the tent, studying Ellen’s expression.

“Yeah,” Ellen replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ellen understood what was troubling Harriet. When Ellen had first come to her senses, Harriet had wept so intensely that it had taken a long time for Ellen to finally soothe her.

“It’s okay,” Ellen reassured softly. “It’s gone. I can feel it.”

“That’s such a relief...” Harriet let out a sigh, her smile returning as she wrapped her arms around Ellen’s neck.

She had never imagined they would have a moment like this again. Yet, against all odds, here they were—able to hold each other without fear.

That moment had returned.

Harriet, overwhelmed by the weight of it all, began to sob once more. Ellen gently patted her back, offering silent comfort for what felt like an eternity.

Ellen still did not know what had transpired. It was critical to know what happened in the last battle, yet Reinhart was unconscious, and Ellen’s memory was blank. Olivia had discovered them sprawled in the middle of the battlefield and had brought them back to safety.

After that, Ellen learned about the events of the Battle of Diane. The Immortals had disappeared, been redeployed, unleashed chaos and turned on humanity, then were ultimately annihilated.

It wasn’t difficult to foresee what lay ahead. The Empire had crumbled, and would be rejected by all. The Demon King was destined to rule over humanity.

“Let’s stay together from now on. It’s all over now... All the sad things are behind us... Just like before. Okay?”

Ellen held Harriet’s arms tightly and nodded slowly. “Okay.”

Neither of them could change the past. Neither could they promise there would be no more hardships. But there were things they could reclaim, and some things could be brought back.

Ellen gazed down at Reinhart, who seemed peacefully asleep. She wasn’t sure what he had done, but she knew he had saved her somehow. Her memory was hazy, yet she distinctly remembered a desperate voice reaching out to her through the fog of her fading consciousness.

Reinhart had probably fought a fierce and desperate battle, which explained the deep slumber that he was in.

With a gentle swoosh, Ellen summoned the Cloak of the Sun. She hadn’t realized that the holy relics had temporarily left her side. The once-raging flames of hatred that emanated from the cloak had vanished. It made sense; she had been possessed by a hate-filled entity, and now that it was gone, the flames, fueled by that hatred, had disappeared as well.

Ellen then summoned the Sword of the Moon, Lament, which still mirrored the night sky in appearance.

The hatred was gone, but the sorrow lingered, and the Sword of the Moon, which resonated with sorrow, continued to reflect emptiness.

Swoosh.

After sending the sword and cloak away, Ellen gently touched Reinhart’s forehead as he slept.

The hatred had disappeared, but the sorrow remained. She knew, whether she was reclaimed or not, they could never be together. With eyes full of sorrow, she gazed at Reinhart, who had ultimately saved her but would never see her again. She gently caressed his forehead and hair, as if it were the last time she ever would, her touch lingering endlessly.

“I love you,” she whispered, wishing she could say it in his ear forever. But deep down, she knew that the hero of humanity and a Demon King could never coexist.

They were destined to reject one another. There could be no Demon King In a world where the Hero prevailed, and in a world where the Demon King reigned, there could be no hero.

“I really... really love you so much,” she murmured, her heart heavy with gratitude and sorrow. “Thank you. I love you.”

Ellen whispered those words repeatedly, her voice barely audible.

“I’m sorry...”

Eventually, the dam broke, and she dissolved into tears.

“I’m so... so sorry...”

Gripping her chest in anguish over their impossible love, she cried without end.

***

Night fell, and Ellen carefully emerged from the tent, only to find Olivia Lanche leaning against a wooden box outside, silently observing her.

They weren’t exactly on good terms. They had always been awkward around each other, and there was even a time when they had nearly come to blows. Yet, Olivia Lanche had not only recovered Reinhart, whom she had found on the battlefield, but Ellen as well.

“Thank you for bringing me back from that place—” Ellen began.

“Where are you going?” Olivia interrupted before Ellen could fully express her gratitude.

Olivia’s gaze lingered on the tracks Ellen’s tears had left on her face. She fully understood what Ellen was going to do.

“...”

Ellen couldn’t find the words, so she simply lowered her eyes, while Olivia watched her in silence.

“I don’t know what you’re thinking,” she finally said, “but just stay put. It’s all over now.”

Ellen struggled to lift her head. “It’s because it’s all over... that’s why... I shouldn’t be here...”

Just because something had come to an end did not mean that everything was truly done and dusted. Something new was about to begin, and she would have to journey far down an unknown path.

In this next part of history, which would be written by the Demon King, the Hero should not exist. The Hero’s very existence would spark countless conflicts. Those who opposed the Demon King’s reign would pin their hopes on the Hero. Her mere presence would inevitably sow seeds of division. After all, wasn’t there already a formidable force out there known as the Hero Cult?

No one could claim that the Demon King’s conquest of the world would be a smooth process. A tremendous amount of blood would be spilled, and the Hero’s presence would only add to the bloodshed.

Since she couldn’t discard the life that had been spared, she would have to live in hiding somewhere in the world.

The idea of the Hero and the Demon King joining forces to create a new world was laughable, something no one would believe possible. Humanity would split into factions—those who supported the Hero and those who sided with the Demon King. That would inevitably lead to conflict.

Being the beacon of such false hope would only fracture the world and lead to countless deaths.

In a world where the Hero triumphed, the Demon King should not exist.

In the same way, in a world where the Demon King triumphed, the Hero should not exist.

Just as the Empire had brought about its own ruin, the Hero now needed to vanish.

Olivia knew what Ellen was thinking. It wasn’t that it would be better if she weren’t around. She simply could not be in the world. That conclusion was undeniably true.

“I don’t deserve to be here,” Ellen admitted.

After all, she had betrayed Reinhart. That truth remained unchanged.

“If I’m here... Just being here will only cause problems. And I don’t deserve to be here.”

Being saved was already more than enough. Accepting anything more from Reinhart would feel like a betrayal to those who had believed in him from the beginning. She had no right to reach for something beyond her rightful place.

“It’s not like I don’t understand.”

“...”

“It’s not like I believe it would be good for you to stay with us.”

“...”

“Do you think I’m saying this because I like you?”

Ellen had always been a thorn in Olivia’s side, and Olivia believed that it would only be right for her to embrace Ellen’s departure wholeheartedly. Yet she couldn’t bear the thought of Ellen leaving. She could not let Ellen slip away like this for Reinhart’s sake, since he had been anticipating this moment for so long.

“If it weren’t for you, Reinhart would have died,” Olivia reminded her.

Ellen had once saved Reinhart by allowing the spirits that had possessed him to be transferred into her own body.

“You saved Reinhart, and Reinhart saved you. Isn’t that enough? Don’t overthink it. Is that so hard?”

Ellen remained silent.

“Stop being an idiot and say something!” Olivia exclaimed, grabbing Ellen’s arm.

Olivia seized Ellen by the collar, her grip firm and unyielding. It was a gesture Ellen had once used on her. This time, Olivia’s eyes brimmed with frustration.

“Just stay here,” Olivia pleaded, her voice a mix of desperation and determination. “Is that so hard? Just stay with us. The other problems that arise won’t be easy, but we can figure them out somehow, just like we always have!”

Ellen’s voice trembled. “I... I want that too...”

Tears began to fill her eyes, moved by Olivia’s heartfelt outburst.

“I want to be with you all... together... just like before,” Ellen whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.

She longed for those times, even with Olivia Lanche. Despite their constant bickering and how they got on each other’s nerves, Ellen missed those moments.

Olivia watched Ellen, her own heart aching as she saw her junior tremble and sob. She gritted her teeth, feeling the weight of Ellen’s pain.

“But I can’t do that,” Ellen continued, her voice breaking. “Because of me, so many people died... I can’t let people die again because of my selfishness... just because I want to be with Reinhart...”

Some people could be turned into a cause simply by existing.

Ever since the Gate Incident broke out, that had been Ellen’s life. People expected things from her that she never wanted for herself, and those expectations would persist even after the war. Just the knowledge that she was alive could ignite countless new conflicts that could spread uncontrollably like wildfire. Therefore, she couldn’t stay on just because she wanted to be with them.

That was the bittersweet reality. Whether or not Ellen was saved, she couldn’t be by the Demon King’s side, especially since he had plans to conquer the world. If he had chosen to live a quiet life, there would have been no issue. But with the grand ambitions he had, Ellen couldn’t remain with him.

Ellen was the greatest obstacle to the world that the Demon King sought to create. In truth, dying in the final battle might have been easier.

Olivia couldn’t hold her back any longer. She understood that Ellen leaving was the best outcome, given the chaos her presence would inevitably bring.

Deep down, Olivia wanted Ellen to go. But the thought was too painful to bear.

Together, they had accomplished the impossible. Ellen had finally become herself again. Yet, when Reinhart awoke, he would have to confront the reality that Ellen was gone. That couldn’t be allowed to happen. That was why Olivia couldn’t bear to let Ellen leave, despite knowing it was necessary.

“Then at least wait until he wakes up,” Olivia pleaded, feeling she had no other option.

But Ellen, tears streaming down her face, shook her head. “I can’t... I won’t be able to leave if I do...”

She knew that if she spoke even a few words to Reinhart once he awoke, she would fall apart. If she allowed herself to hold him, she feared she would never want to let go. Even at that moment, the thought of leaving was unbearable. If she exchanged even a few words with the awakened Reinhart, she would be rooted to the spot, unable to move.

Therefore, despite the pain, it was best for her to leave. If she didn’t leave right at that moment, she might never get the chance. She had to slip away while Reinhart remained unconscious.

“Ugh, you’re such an idiot...!”

In a burst of anger, Olivia raised her hand to slap Ellen, but a voice from behind made her pause.

“Let her go.”

Olivia froze at the voice from behind her.

“What...?”

Charlotte, once a royal and now the second Archdemon, stood there, her hair as dark as night. She approached the two of them, and gently pried Olivia’s fingers away from Ellen’s collar.

“Ellen is right. It’s not over; it’s just beginning. If we start off on the wrong foot, everything will fall apart before it even begins.”

“...”

“Therefore, we have to let her go.”

The Demon King had only just taken over the Allied Forces. The task of returning to the human lands and uniting all factions under his rule was only beginning.

Even if the Hero claimed to have surrendered and stayed by the Demon King’s side, those who opposed the Demon King would still pin their hopes on her mere existence.

The Hero was too powerful a symbol to coexist with the Demon King. She had to either die or live as a fugitive. Those were the only choices open to her.

Ellen had to vanish if she wanted to survive.

Charlotte gazed at Ellen, both of them knowing that they couldn’t leave Reinhart.

But Charlotte, now in her demonic form, could remain with the Demon King because she had shed her old identity. She had changed too much to be a symbol to rally behind.

“Just as no battle lasts forever,” Charlotte whispered, gently wrapping her arms around the sorrowful Ellen. “There won’t be an eternal farewell either...”

“...”

“Let’s hold onto that belief.”

Charlotte embraced Ellen tightly. It was a promise for the future rather than a permanent goodbye.