She was staring intently at Deimon’s face. Tilting her head this way and that.
"How is it, girl? My mug is quite hideous, isn't it? You must have completely lost your appetite."
But Yuliana’s answer completely overturned Deimon’s expectations.
"It’s passably worth looking at, I’d say?"
"......."
"Honestly, among the three faces I’ve seen so far, this one is the best. Especially compared to that girlish appearance from just a moment ago, it is much better."
Deimon stared at Yuliana’s face with a blank expression. So flustered was he that he even stuttered.
"A-are you in your right mind?"
"Of course. My mind is perfectly clear. Looking closely, it’s an even better face, you know? Not only is it uncommon, but its distinct character makes me like it even more."
Deimon was currently in a state of utter confusion.
‘Damn it... What the hell is going on? Did that unpredictable girl finally lose her mind? Could she actually think this face is okay?’
Wondering if something had gone wrong with the Reverse Body Transformation technique, Deimon used magic to project his face into the air. But the reflection in the air was none other than his all-too-familiar old appearance. Slanted, narrow eyes and a grotesquely crooked hook nose—a face so repulsive that even Deimon himself felt bile rising as he looked upon it. To think that such a face was okay.......
A strange light arose in Deimon’s eyes. He had decided to test Yuliana’s sincerity.
"Then can you kiss me right now?"
A triumphant smile appeared on Deimon’s face as he finished speaking. He thought that no matter how wilful Yuliana was, she wouldn’t dare go so far as to kiss him. But Deimon’s expectations missed the mark yet again.
"*Smooch.*"
Deimon’s eyes flew wide open at the sensation of soft lips pressing against his suddenly. Strength drained from his entire body, and even his mind grew hazy. Feeling something soft force its way between his lips, Deimon shoved Yuliana away abruptly.
"S-stop..."
Feeling as if the sky was spinning, Deimon shook his head dazedly. In all his 500 years of life, he had never felt such absurdity. After collecting himself a moment later, Deimon glared fiercely at Yuliana. Her face was flushed red as well, perhaps from embarrassment.
"You damn wench. What the hell are you up to?"
At Deimon’s roar, Yuliana put on a sulky expression.
"What a strange fellow? You asked for a kiss, so I gave you one. What is the problem?"
At a loss for words, Deimon remained silent for a moment. Soon, a smile hung at his lips.
"So to conclude, you’re saying you like this face?"
Having finished speaking, Deimon activated the Reverse Body Transformation technique without delay. The hideous appearance of Dokgo Seong vanished, and soon the handsome face of Alcaris appeared. Deimon looked down at Yuliana with a triumphant expression.
"Heh heh heh. Did you think I’d fall for your scheme so easily? Girl. I intend to go around wearing the face you hate the most. At the very least, you’ll never see the mug you like, even if you die."
Hearing those words, Yuliana bit her lip deeply. For an instant, surprise flashed across her face.
"Oh my?"
She was staring intently past Deimon’s shoulder.
"W-what?"
Sensing a presence, Deimon turned his head. Coincidentally, a figure cloaked in a black robe was standing behind him, glaring sharply at Deimon. A light of welcome flashed across Deimon’s face.
"Schreckheimer, you’re he—urk."
But he couldn’t finish his words. A pain suddenly surged up near his anus. Deimon instantly collapsed to the floor and began thrashing about.
Bubbling.
It was easy to see that he was feeling unimaginable agony, watching him flail mindlessly while foaming at the mouth. Behind him, an endlessly sharp voice rang out.
"Hmph! The nerve of this old geezer... You’ve completely lost your mind wanting to die."
Yuliana, her eyes blazing fiercely, was glaring at Deimon with intensity. A moment later, she turned her body sharply.
"If you want revenge, do it later. I’m willing to take as much as you can give......."
But Deimon couldn’t hear that voice. Because having been kicked squarely in the Huiyin acupoint, his consciousness was completely flickering in and out. In simple terms, he had taken a precise kick to the rear.
"Deimon is truly a master of many fields. Be it magic or romance."
"D-don’t mock me, Kasim. Ow, ow, it hurts."
Deimon groaned with a face scrunched up like a dried persimmon. But the pain from being struck squarely in the Huiyin acupoint didn’t easily subside. It was a vital point where nerves were extremely concentrated, so he couldn’t even walk properly. Sudden anger welled up in Deimon’s eyes.
"You damn wench... Urgh."
But the moment he tried to get up, the extreme pain surging through him made Deimon fall on his rear again. Kasim handed him a pouch with a pitiful expression.
"Please endure, Deimon. It’s not like we’ve suffered this for just a day or two. We’ve become chronic victims by now. Well, we deserved it, but I never thought even you would fall victim, Deimon."
Behind Kasim, the mercenary group members were huddled together with ashen, terrified expressions. The fact that even Deimon, whom they had firmly believed in, had fallen victim left them in a state of extreme despair. Seeing them, Deimon furrowed his face in displeasure.
"That wench is naturally gifted as an assassin. To think she could launch such a perfect surprise attack. Urgh. B-by the way, what is that?"
When Deimon pointed at the pouch, Kasim grinned.
"It is an ice pack. Unable to bear your pathetic plight, Lady Kartroi created some ice for you. She said to at least apply a compress."
"Hand it over right now."
Deimon snatched the pouch away abruptly and sat down on it. Normally, he wouldn’t have given it a second glance, but right now, suppressing the pain was the most urgent matter. Perhaps thanks to the effect of the ice compress, the agony was gradually subsiding.
"Whew. Now it’s bearable."
A low, piercing voice echoed in the ear of Deimon, who was letting out a long sigh.
"So even the Deimon of the world has his match. This is something I never dreamed of."
Deimon glared at Schreckheimer with a venomous expression.
"Schreckheimer. Are you going to keep fanning the flames at a burning house?"
"That was not my intention to tease. As you know, I cannot express emotions anymore, can I?"
At those words, Deimon averted his gaze, but he couldn’t hold back his anger and continued to seethe.
‘How the hell do I kill that wench? Beat her to the brink of death? No. She seems to feel some kind of pleasure when I hit her. That can’t be right. This is quite the dilemma.’
While lost in thought, Kasim’s voice reached him.
"By the way, Deimon. Who is this person? You haven’t introduced him to us yet......."
At those words, Deimon finally came to his senses. Setting aside thoughts of revenge against Yuliana for a moment, Deimon looked at Schreckheimer.
"Where did Theodore go?"
"He went ahead to the Imperial Palace to prepare for the strategy meeting. After guiding me to this place, that is."
"Indeed... One cannot rashly take a Lich like you to the Imperial Palace."
Deimon nodded and looked around at the mercenaries. Due to the pain, his face was still twisted.
"Now, allow me to introduce him. He is an aspirant who wishes to join our Kasim Mercenary Corps."
Schreckheimer was startled by those words.
"A-A mercenary corps aspirant, you say?"
Deimon stared fixedly at Schreckheimer’s face.
"There is likely nowhere else but here suitable for a Lich like you to settle. As you know, undead cannot easily mingle among humans. But the Kasim Mercenary Corps is different. With Death Knights, Bone Dragons, and even Dullahans among us, accepting one Lich is certainly no difficult matter."
"Indeed, that would be so."
The wise Schreckheimer quickly understood the situation. Becoming a member of the Kasim Mercenary Corps was the wisest course of action for him.
But those surprised by those words were rather Kasim and the mercenaries. Having suffered tremendous humiliation at the hands of the Guardians of Berkiss just a few days prior, they felt chills run down their spines at the mere mention of a Lich.
"A-A Lich?"
Deimon silently nodded.
"That is correct. He was originally a vampire, but I transformed him into a Lich just a short while ago. He was originally someone who shared a very close relationship with me during the race war. In other words, he too can be said to be a being who has lived for 500 years."
"G-good heavens......."
The mercenaries’ mouths hung wide open. To think there was yet another person who had transcended 500 years, on top of Deimon no less... Deimon made an awkward expression as he looked at the dumbfounded mercenaries.
"There must be many things hard to understand traveling with me. But it is the truth. He is a 7th-Circle expert and a black magician, so he will be able to pull his own weight."
As soon as Deimon finished speaking, Schreckheimer stepped forward.
"As Deimon explained, I am a Lich by the name of Schreckheimer. It is also true that I was a vampire until recently. But from now on, I wish to become your comrade. Will you please accept me?"
Without the slightest hesitation, Kasim extended his hand.
"How could I refuse someone recommended by Deimon? Please call me Kasim. I currently serve as the captain of the mercenary corps. Though I lack the ability for such a position, I have managed to hold this crucial post thanks to Deimon’s trust."
Schreckheimer took Kasim’s proffered hand with a look of surprise. A bone-chilling cold crept from the hand, but Kasim wasn’t startled in the least.
"Thank you for welcoming me."
"Not at all... We already have many undead comrades, so do not worry. We have already learned swordsmanship from Death Knights and Dullahans. They too are our undeniable comrades."
As Schreckheimer finished shaking hands with Kasim, the other mercenaries extended their hands in turn.
"Pleased to meet you."
"I look forward to working with you."
It was truly unexpected for Schreckheimer. To think the mercenaries would welcome a Lich like himself without any hesitation.......
There was not the slightest pretense mixed in their attitudes. Schreckheimer, who was highly experienced in the ways of the world, could quickly tell that fact.
‘T-to think such a thing could happen.......’
Honestly, due to his experiences during his time as a vampire, Schreckheimer hadn’t expected any warm welcome from the mercenaries. In the past, people would be seized by terror and busy themselves fleeing at the mere sight of him.
‘At first, that was terribly heartbreaking. Though I soon grew numb to it.’
Something welled up thickly in Schreckheimer’s chest. Comrades had finally come to him, who had struggled alone in solitude for so long. He shook hands with every member except Yuliana. Kartroi looked at him with an amused expression.
"Thanks to that damned bastard, I’ve ended up becoming comrades with a Lich. Anyway, welcome. Having the title of Lich, your brain must work well enough. You’ll be far more interesting than those bone-headed Death Knights who only know how to fight."
A strange light lingered in Schreckheimer’s pupils, having shaken hands with each and every member.
‘Their unity is truly at an extraordinary level. Theodore’s words were true. Each and every one of them is someone who would throw away their lives without hesitation when a comrade is in crisis. Splendid, Deimon. To think that after growing stronger, you have even made such comrades.......’
Whether aware of Schreckheimer’s feelings or not, Deimon was rising to his feet nonchalantly.
"I’m thinking of going to the Imperial Palace since I’m concerned about the well-being of those Death Knight fellows. You lot, continue keeping watch by Helten and Bieri."
"Understood. Please go without worry."
At Deimon’s words, the mercenaries nodded their heads in unison. Watching them, Deimon rose to his feet.
"Schreckheimer. You come with me. Those fellows will be overjoyed to see you."
"Will they? I too wish to see them."
The two turned and approached the door. The mercenaries were staring intently at their retreating figures.