Chapter 59 - Cautionary Tale, Part 8

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"So, regarding the giant sword mark that carved through the valley—you certainly went wild, Sir Nickelson," Varlog remarked as they walked side by side. "Intimidating us to such an extent when we came in peace—we couldn't help but kneel and apologize," he added with a casual smile.

As Varlog and Nickelson continued back to the platoon, the pegasus carried Cerille ahead, while Van and Yilla walked together behind them, with Liliac bringing up the rear.

"Hmph," Yilla began, nodding toward Varlog and Nickelson. "Varlog could take on a thousand of that human, yet he elevates him to this extent... I dislike it. I understand the need to appeal to him, but this is just..."

"... A form of boot-licking?" Van interjected, occasionally glancing back at the slash mark he had left on the valley.

"You read my mind," Yilla replied with a sigh.

"Well, flattery won't change their power levels," Van said flatly. "In the end, everyone in the demon realm knows Nickelson couldn't have done it," he continued, his eyes still fixed on the carved valley behind them.

"Besides... Nickelson and the rest of Magus's party are the strongest they have. They need some reassurance that someone strong is defending them," Van reasoned.

Yilla looked at Van intently, remaining silent.

"What...?" Van asked, catching her gaze.

"What are you looking at?" she inquired.

"Oh, just... taking in the scenery," Van replied dismissively.

'... Was that... really 31,000 points in strength?' he thought.

"I see. You seem different," she observed.

Van's gaze snapped back to Yilla. "How so?"

"You seem... aloof, distant; almost." she murmured.

"I don't know much about being aloof, but... a lot happened. I just realized how much I missed you all," he admitted with a deep sigh. "And... with how I left without a word... she's probably upset," he added, lowering his gaze.

"So, I'm a bit out of it."

'... Did he come so quickly because he expected her to be here?' Yilla wondered.

'She...?' Cerille and Nickelson thought, overhearing the conversation. 'Van Hellix met a demonic maiden that caught his fancy...?' Cerille mused, while her father raised an eyebrow, distracted from his talk with Varlog.

"It wasn't until I left that I realized just how much I miss her," Van continued, with Varlog smiling at his words.

"I... honestly can't stop thinking about her," he added with an awkward chuckle.

Unbeknownst to Yilla and Van, everyone had been listening in.

'Ho? Meaty found someone like that? Hmph, it must be some lowly slave she threw at him, considering he's a human... and what a human at that. No one would even glance his way, so it must be someone lowly they can discard, to keep him at bay. Has he begged?' Nickelson thought mockingly, momentarily forgetting Varlog and Van's affectionate exchange.

"Well, good," Yilla said flatly. "Because half the reason we're here is to bring you back. Master Varlog had a message from her majesty... for you," she added. "I don't think he'd mind if I told you," she concluded, as Varlog sighed from afar.

A spark lit up in Van's eyes as he shifted his attention to Yilla, while Cerille, overhearing, glanced back.

'A message from the Demon Lord to Van Hellix...?! What could it be...?' she wondered, as Nickelson's attention also snapped to them.

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