King's Kou: Do not awaken the knight in the beast

Chapter 35: Real vs Fake

Boota had to look at him for a long time, observing his demeanor in order to verify if he was the real deal. He might have been just another demon posing as their general and if that was the case, Boota wasn't sure if they would be able to live to see the sunrise.

"Is everyone alright?" Kou queried, surveying the scene. There was a large serpent wrapped around the replica of his mutated form. Kou cocked his head and tried to remember if there was any from the 333 viels who were made of the same components as him.

Boota stood, walking to stand beside Kou who didn't appear to be another pawn of the demon lord they were currently dealing with. "Basil is holding him down but I don't think he will last long. We need to hurry. Mammon only gave us until sunrise to beat his game."

Kou nodded. Sparks of pink electricity coruscated around him. He stared at the barrier and then directed his gaze at the approaching Salem, Karma, and Gaku.

"Can you find a way to destroy the barrier? Even if we beat this demon, if we don't do something about the barrier, we'd still end up killed."

Salem inclined his head. "I don't mind, but are you sure you want to entrust such a big responsibility to humans?"

Kou smiled. "Kou trusts you."

Salem smirked behind his mask. "Don't be gullible, viel."

Kou faced his doppelganger, instinctively placing his hand on top of Boota's head. "Kou will protect you and Basil. Do not worry."

The angel looked down, remembering the war they fought together before.

'Kou will protect all of you. We will win no matter what."

He never changed even after they betrayed him.

"I'm no longer a child, you know?" Boota pointed out, still letting Kou's hand remain on top of his head. It was a nostalgic feeling having his hand petting him once more after all this time.

The demon relinquished a wave of tenebrous energy that sent Basil flying away. The image of the gigantic serpent vanished into white sparkles. Basil stared at his sticks, smoke coming out of the tips. His fire had run out. The demon had been sending those waves but he managed to hold them off with the aid of Bashe's spirit, the snake that was made a part of him.

Before his back could hit several trees, he was caught by a flash of pink lightning that boomed followed by threatening rumbles.

"Oh, you shed your skin," was Kou's first comment.

Basil's entire face reddened as a cherry tomato. He looked away, embarrassed of being a child in Kou's arms.

"Put me down, who told you you could get up? You're still injured aren't you?"

Kou gently placed him on the ground. "You were making too much racket, Kou couldn't sleep at all."

Basil grinned; he was amused and at the same time exasperated. Trust this righteous idiot to force his body to heal. Those wounds must have healed superficially. There was no way he could be alright.

"Kou will be right back," he murmured, patting Basil on the head to which the serpent responded with aggravation.

"What are you doing? Gaaah!" he yelled, slapping his hand away.

Kou, being satisfied that everyone was safe, turned to face the demon who was already up on his four feet. He was made aware of Kou's presence and was far from happy about it.

"What's so special about you? You are just a worn down knight with no master to serve. Why even live? I can live your life better than you. Hand over your identity and I promise you'd be amazed what I can do with your name and body," he offered.