Chapter 73: Even a Great Fire Starts from a Small Spark

A room within the royal castle of the Demon Kingdom.

There, the intelligence agents who had fled from Kenta reported back to Mekido, the Demon King of the nation.

“So, you’re saying that ex-intelligence officer woman might be hiding out with Kenta Maya?”

Upon hearing the report that Mona might be with Kenta, Mekido crossed his arms and began to think deeply.

Meanwhile, one of Mekido’s close aides berated the intelligence agents who had fled.

“Still, to run back here with your tails between your legs without even striking back once. Aren’t you ashamed of yourselves?”

Hearing these words, the agents wanted to shout, “Then why don’t you go and try it yourself!” but couldn’t dare say such a thing aloud. After all, their critic was a high-ranking official in the kingdom, and they, as mere foot soldiers, had no power to oppose him. They could only grit their teeth and endure.

At that moment—

“Then you go and do it.”

A voice rang out.

For a second, the agents thought one of their own had finally snapped and spoken up. After all, the voice echoed their exact thoughts.

But who? As they looked around, they realized that the one who spoke was none other than the king himself, Mekido, who was now glaring coldly at the aide who had made the earlier comment.

“Y-Your Majesty?”

“What’s the matter? Didn’t you say they were pathetic? Then go and set an example yourself.”

The aide’s face turned pale at Mekido’s words.

This aide, though capable of some minor magic, was a bureaucrat with no combat experience whatsoever. The idea of facing Kenta, who had defeated the Demon King once hailed as the strongest in history, was nothing short of suicidal.

“H-ha-ha. Your Majesty, surely you jest. There’s no way I could do such a thing.”

“Then shut up.”

Mekido shot a sharp glare at the aide.

“Listen. These guys are many times stronger than you. And yet, they couldn’t even land a single hit and had to retreat. Think about what that means.”

Though Mekido was said to lack political acumen, when it came to matters involving combat, his insight was razor-sharp.

Now, too, he supported the actions of the intelligence team, who had prioritized returning with vital information over engaging in a futile fight, and scolded the kingdom’s upper echelon instead.

The intelligence agents, deeply moved by the king’s words, felt tears welling up in their eyes.

Some had doubted Mekido’s qualifications as a ruler, but his willingness to listen to those on the front lines swiftly earned their support.

However, Mekido himself seemed uninterested in the emotional reactions of his subordinates. His focus remained solely on the information they had brought back.

“So, you couldn’t confirm anything concrete?”

“Correct. There was no such woman there, or if there was, they completely denied it.”

“…Was he always that arrogant? He gave me a very different impression when I fought him before.”

Mekido had once crossed swords with Kenta during the battle where the Demon Kingdom’s previous king was defeated.

Though Kenta’s overwhelming strength had forced Mekido to yield back then, Kenta hadn’t displayed the kind of arrogance described by the agents.

Mekido had heard that Kenta had fled his home country after being falsely accused, but he hadn’t realized the incident had left him so embittered.

“Yes. Having studied Kenta Maya as part of my work in the intelligence division, I also feel that his demeanor has changed significantly.”

“I see. But it’s definitely him, right?”

“Yes, without a doubt. That overwhelming magic power…”

At that moment, the agent seemed to recall something and shuddered.

“Even now, just remembering it sends chills down my spine.”

“If a human can project such magic power that even demons feel that way, then it must be him.”

After saying this, Mekido fell into thought again.

“That woman was a former intelligence officer, wasn’t she? Maybe they met during the last war and secretly fell in love.”

The agents exchanged glances at Mekido’s speculation and then nodded, offering additional information.

“About that woman, Mona… She was the lady-in-waiting to Princess Meyleen during the last war.”

At those words, Mekido’s eyes widened in shock, and he sprang to his feet.

“What did you say!? Why didn’t you mention that earlier!?”

“I-I deeply apologize! I thought it might cause unnecessary trouble, so I hesitated…”

“Hesitated!? That’s incredibly vital information! If that woman, my sister’s former lady-in-waiting, is possibly residing with Kenta Maya, our enemy, then…”

Mekido grimaced as he spoke.

“My sister might be with Kenta Maya…”

After uttering those words, Mekido sank back into his chair, clutching his head in frustration.

“My sister betrayed us by siding with Kenta Maya and helping him kill our father. They’ve already met. Afterward, both of them were exiled from their respective nations. Considering their similar circumstances, it wouldn’t be surprising if they eventually crossed paths, hit it off, and started traveling together.”

As Mekido spoke, he glanced at the desk calendar on his office table.

“…It’s been over two years since my sister was exiled… This could mean…”

The worst-case scenario flashed through Mekido’s mind.

“It’s possible… My sister and Kenta Maya might have a child together.”

Those present in the office didn’t react with exaggerated shock—they had already considered the possibility. However, all of them gulped nervously in unison.

“A child born of the Demon Kingdom’s princess and the most infamous otherworlder… If such a being truly exists…”

One of the aides, choosing his words carefully, began to speak, but Mekido cut in and finished the thought.

“That wouldn’t just be a spark—it would be an inferno.”

The idea of a being with both the bloodline and abilities of such parents was something Mekido could not overlook.

“We can’t let this situation continue unchecked.”

Mekido stood, looking out the window as he spoke.

“I’ll go. To where Kenta Maya is.”

Thus, the Demon Kingdom’s decision to intervene in Kenta’s affairs was made.

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