The Baby Villain Dreams of Conquering the World

Chapter 58

Episode 58

Athanas stood before the knights. Then he spoke calmly.

"I see fear on all your faces."

Despite the clearly visible emotions, the knights remained silent, as if frozen. Athanas knew the hearts of his loyal Lucifer knights well.

That's why he had no choice but to reveal his honest feelings to them.

"To be honest, I am also afraid."

A brief, intense silence fell around them, so quiet you couldn't even hear breathing.

"I have never faced a demon before, never fought one head-on, so I don't know how strong or cruel they are. Isn't fear of the unknown an emotion anyone can have? It's natural, so there is no shame in it."

At his words, the rigid atmosphere loosened, if only slightly.

"If you feel afraid during the fight, it's okay to run away. This is also not a shameful thing. No one will blame you, and it's fine if everyone runs."

Athanas took a deep breath, then grinned.

"As your lord, I will protect you. That is my mission, my resolve. So, no matter what happens, trust me."

Watching this silently, Benio found himself thinking without realizing it.

'He's cool.'

Even though his body was covered in scars and he had even lost an eye, making for an unsightly appearance, it strangely seemed as if a halo was emanating from behind him.

'I think I understand why Flora asked me that.'

Benio had thought that things like magical beast subjugations and divine power verifications were what proved one was a Lucifer.

He believed it was the duty one was born into as a Lucifer, accepted it as a given, and carried it out.

'The word 'duty' was a simple expression, but its meaning was completely different.'

The duty of a Lucifer wasn't a forced obligation, but rather holding a firm resolve and unwavering conviction deep in one's heart.

All Lucifers had upheld the Lucifer name by protecting their strong beliefs under the name of duty, all to protect their precious family, territory, and its people.

'What my heart yearns for is the true mission of being a Lucifer.'

Athanas had shown his conviction, vowing never to lose what was precious again and to protect everything.

'Someday, I too......'

Without realizing it, Benio clenched his fists tightly, burning with passion.

In the resolute atmosphere, the knights gripped their swords tightly.

No one ran away.

Instead, they became brave knights who had cast aside their fear and waited for their lord to lead them.

As if in response, Athanas drew his sword, pointed it towards the full moon, and shouted.

"Today, we will slay the demon of this forest!"

His powerful cry echoed throughout the forest.

Captivated by the intense force that drew everyone's attention, the knights looked up as if enchanted.

The moonlight reflected off the tip of the sword was exceptionally dazzling. Like a brilliant light blessing their path ahead.

These were knights born in Lucifer territory, raised in this land.

They became knights to protect their friends and family, underwent grueling training to survive the threats of magical beasts and demons, and became excellent knights.

All for this very moment!

"Uoooh!"

The knights raised their swords high, following their lord. Empowered by their fierce battle cry, Athanas shouted even more vigorously.

"To behead the vile demon who kidnapped my daughter and for the peace of our territory!"

"For that cause!"

Athanas took the lead, commanding the knights and advancing unhindered.

Not long after, the surrounding air grew noticeably colder, and as if waiting for them, a massive Ice Castle appeared before them.

Unlike the dark forest where the knights stood, the area near the castle was subtly illuminated by beautiful, crimson lights.

"The gate is open."

Thanks to the bright visibility, assessing their surroundings was easy.

"What shall we do, Father?"

"Is there any need to ponder? If they're welcoming us in, we should naturally enter."

Athanas's eyes shone sharply. Seeing the anger contained within them, Benio simply nodded instead of saying more.

He, too, was burning with rage.

'An Ice Castle? Does the one who kidnapped a child even realize she's just a little girl?'

The thought that Flora, who hated the cold, might be shivering inside made his anger surge even more.

"Advance."

The order was given. Leaving a few to guard the castle perimeter, the rest of the knights entered.

Unlike the bright outside, the long corridor inside was shrouded in deep darkness.

But accustomed to the dark, they walked forward without hesitation.

About thirty minutes passed.

A massive door made of ice appeared before them.

Knights stepped forward and tried to push the ice door, but the thick ice didn't budge.

"Step aside."

There was no time to waste fighting the door.

Athanas channeled power into the sword he held and struck the door forcefully.

A diagonal crack appeared on the thick ice, it shifted, then fell to the floor and shattered.

Scattered ice crystals obscured their vision. Benio swung his sword lightly, and the floating ice crystals were all swept away by the wind.

As their vision cleared, a vast banquet hall, as large as the imperial palace's ballroom, appeared before their eyes.

Sculptures shaped like people, made of ice, stood holding hands, reminiscent of men and women about to dance.

"Father, over there!"

"Yes, I see it."

While everyone was bewildered by the unfolding scene, Athanas and Benio spotted the Flora they had been searching for so desperately.

A wide banquet hall, a high staircase about two stories tall, and at its end, the highest seat, an ice throne.

There, Flora lay, eyes closed, sleeping quietly.

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"Flora!"

At the shouts of the two men, Flora unconsciously had to suppress the urge to open her eyes.

'No, why are they so late? Janet and I even finished writing the play script and have been waiting for ages!'

The Ice Castle was cold enough, but sitting on an ice-made throne made her body feel freezing, something they wouldn't know.

Thinking they would arrive soon, they had even quickly set up the stage following the script, but it seemed they got lost in the castle, making them terribly late.

'Sigh, fine. I, being the good one, will endure.'

She really thought her neck would break from waiting.

'Should I peek a little?'

They were far away anyway, so they probably wouldn't notice if she squinted.

'Even if I'm caught, I'll just say I was too scared to move.'

Having thought of a sufficient excuse, Flora cautiously squinted her eyes open and saw Athanas and Benio running towards her.

Seeing them running at full speed, their desperation made her chest tickle and evoked an indescribable emotion.

And the moment they tried to ascend the stairs.

Bang, Crash, Bang.

Giant icicles, shaped like fangs, fell, blocking their path.

"Insolent humans, daring to enter my domain."

The distorted black void that had appeared when Flora was kidnapped earlier materialized in the air, and from within, Janet slowly revealed herself.

"You have lost your fear."

"Who are you?"

"I am the first loyal servant of the Great Demon Mors and the master of the northern Demon Forest. Human, who dares to speak to me?"

"I am the lord of this Lucifer territory."

"Ah, the damned descendant of a Hero."

As she frowned in displeasure, dark energy began to surge around her.

Even though there was no wind, her dark gray hair fluttered as if waves were rippling.

Those who noticed the surroundings darkening due to the demonic power emanating from her body all stared at her with tense faces.

"Foolish humans. I should kill the descendant who took my master from me in one blow, but as I am in a good mood for the first time in a long while, I shall show mercy. If you retreat quietly, I will spare your lives."

But Athanas didn't even pretend to listen to Janet's words and asked her.

"Why did you kidnap my daughter?"

"Daughter? Ah, you must mean this small human."

Janet's body vanished, then reappeared beside the throne where Flora was sitting.

"What's the use of talking? I brought her to be my meal."

She lightly pinched Flora's cheek with her cool hand and opened her mouth as if to devour her right then.

"A small human's soul is more tempting than any food. Your daughter will become nourishment for my power."

"Nonsense!"

Unable to contain his anger any longer, Athanas, who had been listening quietly, swung his sword.

The sword energy emanating from the blade sliced through all the icy fangs blocking their path.

"As expected of a Hero's descendant."

Janet laughed as if intrigued, then picked Flora up into her arms and sat on the throne.

"This is the final warning. Abandon this child and leave, and I will spare your lives."

"If you do not release my daughter immediately, I will kill you right here."

Despite Janet's words, Athanas did not retract his stance.

In response, Janet smiled sinisterly and raised her hand high.

'This will be okay, right?'

In the tense atmosphere, Flora was inwardly worried but couldn't open her eyes.

'I'm counting on you, Janet.'