Betrayed, I Met The Demon Lord

Chapter 121 - Interloper, Part 3

"I assume you're Pops and Bro," Van said, tossing Bernard aside like a ragdoll.

"And who might you be?" Mardallyone asked, approaching slowly. His chin was raised high, though subtly pulled back in caution as he moved past Doyle.

"Call me Van," he replied, his tone cold. "And don't bother asking why I'm here. I trust you're not so mentally deficient that you can't put two and two together."

Doyle tensed visibly, his unease mirrored by Mardallyone in Van's imposing presence.

"Kid," Van said, turning his attention to Doyle, who flinched ever so slightly.

'He called me... Kid?! He sounds no older than Bernard.. But it feels like there's a second Duke standing there..!' Doyle thought before being cut off by Van's voice.

"You were right. He won't be truthful in the face of an obvious threat." Van's words came casually, his gaze shifting to Bernard, who lay on the ground clutching his arm in pain.

"I suppose it was wrong of me to pose such an ultimatum," Van admitted, almost mockingly.

"...A-and yet, you brutalized him, unable to control your emotions—"

"Don't start." Van cut Doyle off sharply. "Your brother committed a crime, he deserved getting beaten up this way. Speaking of..." His eyes narrowed as he caught sight of something behind Mardallyone's back—a faint, swirling black cloud.

"Seems like you're in on it, too," Van said, his voice laced with disgust.

"I can smell it—the slave crest you're hiding behind your back, old man."

The Duke flinched, his composure cracking.

'How... how did he see it?! Is he clairvoyant?' Panic momentarily seized him before he steadied his breathing.

"Unbelievable," Van sneered. "Trying to guilt-trip me while planning to brand me as your slave. I guess being an absolute dogshit excuse for a human being runs in the family."

'Van...' Melanie trembled where she stood, her wide eyes fixed on his unwavering form.

'He came... to save me?' She clutched her chest, feeling her heart race. A faint sense of relief washed over her, despite the tension in the air. 'Again...'

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"Mother," Melanie said, her voice soft as she walked alongside Lalyn. Their silver hair danced in unison with the cold night wind, the day Van had first climbed his way into the Capital.

"What is it?" Lalyn asked, her tone even as she kept her gaze forward.

"Uhm... You know pretty much every strong person in the Capital, right?" Melanie ventured hesitantly.

"What of it?" Lalyn replied, not breaking her stride.

"Do you... happen to know a 'Van'?" Melanie asked, her voice more timid. Lalyn flinched ever so slightly.

"He wore armor and flung Bernard with his spirit like he was nothing... I-I'm asking because..." Melanie trailed off, looking down and fidgeting with her fingers.

"I didn't have a chance to thank him," she admitted quietly, her voice trembling with sincerity.

Lalyn paused for a moment, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke.

"Hm... I hate talking too much. But I will say this."

Melanie looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity as her mother continued.