[BL] The Darling Villain

Chapter 51. Farrah Umbra, the Inhuman

"Big brother, you're safe!"

A nest of cinnamon brown hair had rustled in the winds, and a boy of small size had thrown himself at the elegantly-poised mage. Jacques managed to catch Hugo in his sturdy arms, his cool and stern face choking out in surprise.

Hugo's face was trampled in tears, the fluids flowing down his cheeks and down his chin. "Waaaah!!!" He sobbed, pulling at his older brother's sleeves. "I was so scared!!!"

A tint of grievance fell in Jacques' light pink eyes.

Lucilline couldn't help but chuckle, resting his fist before his curving upwards lips. Along to the movement of his wrist, the copper bell rung twice. "Look at how badly you've scared your little brother. Shouldn't you apologize to him?"

The sound of cries paused.

Hugo lightly brushed his tears away, the droplets dotting his eyelashes. He pitifully tilted his chin, looking upwards. Before his eyes—the reflection of a heavenly creature laid bare. The black-haired nobleman had instantly brushed away the child's bad mood, the sun shining through the swarm of dark clouds, parting the darkness away.

This brother... is really good-looking. The child couldn't help but stare without shame at Lucilline's face. I don't feel that scared anymore.

Jacques, "..." He could tell exactly what the brat was thinking.

*****

Everyone unanimously decided to leave for the Capital City. After renting a carriage, Lucilline invited Jacques and Hugo to come along.

The little boy was unable to refuse, leaving the mage speechless.

Inside the carriage, two long rows of a mattress bench sat across from one another. Lucilline, Willow, and Augustine sat on one side, while Jacques and Hugo did so on the other end. The long and winding length of a harsh rope had been wrapped tightly in the maidservant's fist.

Willow leashed the captured demon, the latter forced to kneel in the centre of the carriage.

Despite being a Shadow Demon, the bloodthirsty creature was unable to melt away and escape. Jacques—the mage—had casted a "brightness" spell onto the rope.

Light was all of the demons' weakness. Once facing the casting of a light or brightness spell by a mage, all demons are typically rendered helpless.

"Say, why were you able to traverse at daytime?" Lucilline found this issue a problem.

Demons never ventured out at daytime. Only some exceptions were when in overshadowed areas; such as near Kirvin Village, where the trees blocked all the sunlight from the swamp and marshy area. While before in the streets, it was almost a miracle for a demon to appear, especially in broad daylight.

Willow grabbed the rope harsher.

"Hurry up and confess!" She thrashed.

The roped demon bowed its head, still unwilling to open its mouth. No matter how hard Willow tugged on the rope, the demon still did not respond.

"Forget it," Lucilline sighed, his delicate face showing no signs of loss. "We can just deliver it back to the Royal Knights. There, they will know what to do to get the answer."

The demon stiffened upon hearing the last sentence.

Lucilline raised an eyebrow, noticing the small detail, and a smile rose from his lips. He tilted his head, his midnight black hair scattering across his shoulder. "It is your own fault for staying silent so long. I heard that the Royal Knights are the best at torturing the answer out of criminals. When it comes to peeling layers of skin slowly... then unveiling the flesh within... oh," His eyes widened in surprise, "I forgot, you're a demon, so you technically can no skin nor flesh."