Although I found nothing amiss with Millonia, other than the fact that she got crazy whenever she held her sword, I still thought it was very odd for her, a human, to be in the Demon King's Castle.
I mean, if Ilschevar really had a "certain" fetish, he would have filled his castle with countless of human maids. There must be something special about Millonia—I was very sure about this since day one.
Her unimpressive power aside—this is my opinion after surpassing her in terms of raw power—her skills are something you can't scoff at.
It is very clear that she is an extremely experienced fighter from the way she dodged and anticipated my attack in our "duels." Her skills just don't match with her power, and this fact discombobulated me.
At the revelation—when she said her power had been sealed for all this time, I finally found everything made sense. Still, I need to ask her about the thing that brought us to this situation.
"Why were you sealed?"
I have many theories that can answer this question, but since the person is right in front of me, it is better to ask her instead of speculating.
"Well..." Millonia looks hesitant. "I ... Have a condition."
"Which is?"
"About that," Valeria interrupts. "Let me answer it, so there is no misunderstanding between the two of you."
Turning to Valeria, I lightly shrug. "Please, tell me."
"Millonia has the Seed of Darkness inside her. This Seed is something that is detrimental to any living species in this world," Valeria explains solemnly. "It had once taken over half of her body ten years ago, causing her to almost destroy our Kingdom."
"By sealing her, we are saving ourselves and also the world is what you want to say?" Valeria nods at my question. "Then, why are we playing with fire by loosening her restraint now?"
"Listen, I was not sealed because I couldn't be killed back then; I was sealed because there was, and is, a chance for me to reign over the Seed. What do you think I have been doing for the past ten years?" Millonia puffs her chest in annoyance.
"Being a maid? That's what you have essentially been doing, isn't that?"
"Keuk..."
It seems that my answer hits too close to home. I know she must have been trying her best to take control of her unknown power; but for most of the time, I am sure she thinks about how difficult it really is.
Ten years, after all, is a long enough time to control a seed of power that is born with you. Feeling desperate after a decade of no progress is not something unusual.
"Good for you, then." I lightly smile. "It must be your first time of having your Seal loosened."
Grinning brightly, Millonia nods her head. "Hm!" She is so excited, she didn't even reply me with a word. "Now, let me pay you for what you have done to me. Let's go to the Training Field after this!"
I nod my head lightly, then turn to Valeria. There is still something I haven't asked about—the identity of the Seed of Darkness.
I can just ask Millonia about it, but I doubt she will tell me about it easily. Valeria is the only one who can answer that for me; but unfortunately, she shakes her head even before I open my mouth.
'It is not the time,' her gesture says.
I don't know whether it is out of consideration of Millonia or it is just something that I can't know until the designated time; but whichever it is, I am sure the truth about the Seed of Darkness will play a great role in my future adventure.
...
We ended up spending three hours immersing ourselves in the lake. We talked about many things—mainly about the interesting things happened in my journey—and shared a couple of laughs.
Valeria was considerably more active in the conversation than she had ever been, which made me wonder if she had got closer with Millonia in the two weeks I was gone. With that said, the time spent in the lake is enjoyable.
Clank!
After we finished our bath, we immediately go to the Training Field. It is already around 9:00 a.m., but the Training Field is just as rowdy as when I returned; in fact, it has become rowdier.
Valeria and I have already worn our mask back. Millonia is the only one without a mask on her; but for some reason, she becomes the center of attention.
I am sure it is not because of the Geas in the middle of her forehead, because the people are looking at her nervously. That means, they still remember her for being the disaster that almost wiped Verniculos Kingdom once in the past.
"Oh... It's been a long time since I could see these many people," Millonia remarks.
Although she has never been forbidden from exploring the area around the castle, Millonia said she rarely encountered anyone other than Valeria and Ilschevar due to her condition.
That was one of the reasons why she was so excited when she first met me. I was apparently the first person and human she encountered after ten years of only interacting with Ilschevar and Valeria.
"You can't fight with them," Valeria warns Millonia. "Currently, only Layland who knows how to placate you. If you fight them, you will only get angry and risk breaking the Seal."
"What? Since when did I become the Black Widower for this female Hulk?" I retort.
"What is that?" Both Valeria and Millonia ask.
I merely wave my hand, and tell them to forget what I said. There is no way they will understand that reference.
Upon entering the Arena in the Training Field, we are greeted by the scene of Velucan cutting a Minotaur's foot with a triumphant look on his face. He looks so proud of managing to cut his subordinate's foot.
"Kuhahaha! You see, that's how you fight!"
"As expected of General Velucan—you are the best!"
"I know. Hahaha!"
Weird as it maybe, all of them really enjoy the show. Regardless of who they are—the audience or the "victim"—they look at Velucan with a bright smile, which indicates how happy they really are.
As expected of the Warriors under Velucan's command, they are really different.
I can see Jovenus in the audience seat with some of his Warriors, but none of them even make any noise, which makes a noticeable contrast to the whole situation.
"General Velucan."
At Valeria's call, Velucan immediately stops laughing, and turns to face her. "The Third General of Demon King's Army, Velucan greets the Counselor, Lady Valeria!"
Valeria puts up her hand. "There is no need to be that formal. I just want to let you know that we are going to borrow the Arena for a duel."
"Ah, of course, Lady Valeria, you may use it whenever you like."
"I won't be the one who will use it." Valeria shakes her hand faintly, and gestures at me and Millonia. "These two want to trade some blows."
"... Yes?"
Velucan seems dumbfounded the moment he turns to look at Millonia. He looks like someone who has just found out his girlfriend is his half sister.
He looks at Millonia and Valeria alternatingly as if asking if Valeria is sure of her decision. Valeria doesn't show any response, but Millonia looks annoyed by the way she is crossing her hands.
"Uh... I... Uh... I guess it's fine... Maybe." Velucan looks at me and Millonia hesitantly. Putting his hand on my shoulder, he says, "Just do your best to survive, and don't be ashamed to admit defeat."
Since I am already aware of Millonia's condition, I know that Velucan is just worried about me. I nod my head simply, and walk to the center of the Arena with Millonia following closely behind.
The Arena turns silent the moment we stand in the center and look at each other. Both Millonia and I quirk one of our eyebrows, amused by the atmosphere that has suddenly turned solemn.
"Looks like they are anticipating the fight." Millonia smirks. "You can't let them down, Layland. Do your best."
"Why don't we see who will end up on the ground later?"
"It is not even a question. You will be the one who ends up on the ground."
I say nothing, and summon Rexorem from my Bond Seal. Millonia takes out her sword, then jumps back at the same time I do.
Ding!
Three seconds passed, and the cue for us to start the duel is heard. Unlike our previous duels where we went crazy and rushed at each other the moment the bell rang, we wait patiently for the other side to come at us this time.
I am very good at this game, but the battle maniac Millonia, as I expected, can't hold her urge to cut me for long. After half a minute of inaction, she utilizes her Footwork Technique, and rushes at me.
Dash!
In response, I extend my hand and make a light sweeping motion. The ground trembles briefly; in the next moment, a thick earth spike protrudes out of the ground that she steps on.
Thanks to my heightened Affinity for Earth Eement, doing such a thing is easy even without casting a Spell.
Millonia looks surprised, but she dodges everything smoothly and swiftly. Just by looking at hos swift she moves, I can tell I have to get serious from the get go.
She wasn't joking—she really is stronger than the current me.
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