On The Other Side: I Quit Being Human

Upon jumping into the Portal, I feel a fierce aura brushing past me briefly. When I arrive on the other side of the Portal—the Barrack, I am greeted by the same fierce aura.

Looking around, I find everyone in a solemn mood. I can tell, however, by their gesture that they are excited for some reason.

Turning to the manager of the Barrack, Ariadne, I am about to walk toward her and ask her what is happening when someone holds my shoulder, thus stopping me before I take a step.

"Let us meet the King first, Layland."

Turning around, I say, "What is happening here, Eliseus? Everyone looks busy." I wonder if there is really another battle that has just occured.

"You will figure it out later. For now, follow me."

Nodding my head, I follow Eliseus, who is also leading the Dark Elves to the King's throne room. None of the Warriors in the Barrack pay any attention to Haletha and the others, so I forgot they were even there for a moment.

They seem to have heard of the situation, so they are not that surprised by Haletha's presence. They don't show any ridicule toward her either, so it is safe to say that they are quite welcoming of her presence.

When we pass by the Training Field, I can hear cheers and steels clashing against each other. The arena is also giving off an intense pressure; meanings, it is currently being used by the Warriors to train.

Turning my head to Haletha, I find her Guardians uneasy. I don't know whether they are worrying about their Queen's safety or they just find our Demonic Mana uncomfortable.

"This place... It's still in the area of the Demon King's Castle, isn't it?" Arieda Whispers to me. "It's so big. Way bigger than the Imperial Garden in Lysimork!"

"I think it's a little bit unfair to compare it to a garden," I respond. "Our garden is not as big the entire area of your mother's castle too."

"No, no. You got me wrong, Layland," she shakes her head. "Our Imperial Garden is different from any garden you have seen. It is so big, you can find any kind of flowers there."

To emphasize her point, Arieda raises her petite hands and make an imaginary half-circle. I don't know since when she is holding my hand, but because of it, she also raises my hand in the process.

"Then, what about visiting our garden later? We don't have that many kinds of flowers, but I can guarantee you will like it."

"Oh, that will be great!"

Our conversation seems to attract Eliseus since I can feel her gaze on me. The moment I turn my head to her, however, she turns her head away, probably to avoid me asking her to explain about the current situation.

Arieda and I continue to talk to each other until we enter the castle. She is too nervous to speak the moment we enter it, and I can't blame her for it.

The aura inside the castle is, after all, fiercer than the outside. There is something definitely going on, because many excited Warriors are coming in and out of the weaponry, which is inside the castle.

I don't know how they usually spend their day when they are not on duty, but I can tell they are not going to train for fun. I am now sure that they are preparing themselves for a battle that just broke out.

"Layland, please step forward."

I am awakened from my thought by Eliseus the moment we arrived in front of Ilschevar's throne room. I have never visited it even once, but unlike the nervous Dark Elves, I can hardly feel nervous.

In their eyes, Ilschevar is the Demon King that the human God despises and all humans fear. He is the mightiest person in this Kingdom that he owns, so they feel the need to behave carefully.

While I don't mean to behave disrespectfully, I can't just picture Ilschevar as the King that I should bow my head to. I have seen his goofy and idiotic sides, so I don't feel the need to watch how I behave that much.

It's rather embarrassing for me to say this, but my view on Ilschevar is that of a close friend that became my boss. I treat him respectfully as how anyone should to a King in public, but I just do that so he doesn't lose face.

"You should open the door," Eliseus comments.

"... I thought you were the one who was going to open it."

"No, otherwise I wouldn't have told you to step forward."

"So, it was for that purpose?" I blink my eyes in astonishment at how indirect Eliseus is. "Why me though?" I mean, it is not that hard to open the door.

"It is the honour of the person who achieved the most to be in the front." Uncaring to my questioning silence, Eliseus motions toward the door.

Shrugging lightly, I straighten up my body, and open the door. The thud of the opened door echoes through the vast throne room, attracting the attention of the people inside.

Velucan and my troop mates from the Conquest Mission are already inside the room. Of course, my gaze is not focused on them; my gaze is focused on the two people who are standing near the throne—Valeria and Ilschevar.

I didn't feel excited when I managed to kill Niles, which was the main objective of the Conquest of Brontes Dukedom; however, upon looking at the small smile the two people are showing me, my heart can't help beating in excitement.

I feel like a child who is about to surprise his parents with his extraordinary achievement at school, and I am slightly embarrassed by this sensation.

"Huuh... Calm down, it's nothing but a congratulation," I sigh softly.

Calming myself down, I walk toward Ilschevar. I stop when I am right in front of him, put my hand of my chest, kneel on the ground, and bow my head respectfully.

"Enough kneeling—stand up, my outstanding Warrior!"

Given the cue, I immediately stand up.

"I have heard of your achievements, and dare I say I am extremely baffled," Ilschevar states sincerely. "You didn't only help us spread our influence, but also managed to establish a friendship with an unexpected individual."

Ilschevar turns his head to Haletha, and I immediately feel her approaching. She stops right beside me, and says nothing until Ilschevar greets her.

"The last descendant of Envenaddle, Haletha Envenaddle," Ilschevar remarks. "I still remember when your father bragged about your birth 800 years ago. What a fine woman you have become. Please, do accept my greeting, my fellow ruler."

"Former Queen of Lysimork, Haletha Envenaddle greets the Ninth Demon King, Ilschevar Verniculos." Haletha puts her hand on her chest, and bows lightly. "I feel the need to correct something, if you don't mind, Lord Ilschevar."

"Pray tell."

"I am not the last descendant of Envenaddle." Haletha turns to Arieda, who somehow is already beside here. "This daughter of mine will continue the line of Envenaddle, even though none of her children carry the name."

"My apology—that was indeed my mistake." Ilschevar smiles. "Well then, before I address the matter of your visit, may I reward my Warrior first?"

"Of course, Lord Ilschevar. As the guest, we know common courtesy."

Nodding his head lightly, Ilschevar turns to me. "Layland, come closer. Let me reward you of your achievements."

I do what he said, and take a step forward. Immediately, Ilschevar extends his hand to my neck, grabs my Rank Necklace, and takes out two steel plates.

"For your outstanding achievements and commendable performance, I, your King, as the Great General of the Demon King's Army, hereby promote you to the Third Wing Rank!"

The promotion came out of nowhere; I didn't expect it, so I can't help blinking my eyes in surprise. The moment Ilschevar lets go of my Rank Necklace, I can see another two curved wings hanging on it.

I thought I wouldn't feel anything, but I still grin proudly the moment I see what I have managed to achieve.

"Layland, may I see what I asked you to bring me?"

"Of course, My King."

Taking out the sword that holds Niles' head together, I stab it into the ground. Ilschevar merely gives me an approving smirk before stepping back.

"For your achievement of creating the first human colony of our Kingdom, I will let my counselor, Valeria Koschinum, decide what to reward you with."

Quirking my eyebrow in interest as I wonder what the two are planning, I watch as Valeria steps forward. She looks untouchable and cold since she is wearing her blind mask; however, I can clearly feel the warmth of her familiar presence.

As Valeria stops in front of me, I notice something different: I am no longer at the same eye level as her. Her head only reaches my eyebrows now. It seems that my Demonic body has been growing taller for the past two weeks.

"Good work, Layland. You are the first Warrior that got a promotion after his first mission," Valeria says with a soft smile.

"Should I consider it as a praise?"

"A commendable achievement it is indeed, yet not enough to impress me."

"Should've done crazier, huh?"

Valeria extends her hand, and takes my mask off. I greet her with a smirk, but it immediately disappears the moment she does the unanticipated.