The moment Adrian crossed the barrier, the atmosphere around him changed… and so did the way he felt. A dark forest, utterly different from the human world. It was said that the demon world existed in eternal night, where darkness itself became a source of life.
There was no sun here. Although they lived on the same land that encompassed the human world, the barrier had blocked its rays from reaching them, leaving this world immersed in unending darkness.
Adrian stood still, gazing at the paths branching off between the trees. Anyone who saw him would think he was a serious and dangerous person, but all he could think about was how to find the right path.
He whispered inwardly, his thoughts dull and lifeless. "How am I supposed to know which path to take… I've forgotten."
He took a few slow steps. "But I think it was…"
He closed his eyes, recalling the moment Asura had brought him back to the barrier. With a little concentration, he remembered the path they had taken earlier.
Adrian continued along the path with complete calm and confidence. He had possessed a strong memory and exceptional concentration since childhood, perhaps as a result of his talent or the alertness he had developed from life on the front lines.
After quite some time, he finally emerged from the forest. He looked up at the sky, where the crimson moon shone with its cold light.
His eyes narrowed in slight annoyance before he lowered his gaze.
"You're finally back?! Eian!!" A surprised voice came from behind him.
Adrian turned around and replied deliberately, "Adrian, not Eian, you snake."
Asura laughed cheerfully. "Hahahaha, I've missed you, boy! Where have you been all this time? I thought you'd met your end while confronting that bastard—I mean, the Emperor."
Adrian replied calmly, "I didn't fight him."
Asura tilted his head curiously. "Hmm?"
Adrian looked at the moon again. "I can't kill him right now. He's stronger than me, but one day, I'll kill him when he can't even defend himself."
Asura fell silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Alright, then you need to become stronger."
Adrian closed his eyes and smiled faintly. "Yes, I do."
He looked at Asura seriously. "By the way, I came to ask you something."
Asura said, "Alright, let's head to my castle first and talk there."
Adrian nodded, and the two set off toward the castle, where Adrian would find the answers to his questions.
After walking for some time, they reached their destination and entered the castle, then made their way to one of the rooms.
Adrian walked over to one of the sofas and sat down. Asura followed and sat opposite him, resting his forearm against the back of the sofa while crossing one leg over the other.
He tilted his head with a polite smile and said, "So, what did you want to ask me?"
Adrian answered without hesitation. "Naraka… I want to know everything about this person."
The moment Adrian uttered Naraka's name, Asura's expression changed, and the words caught in his throat.
He whispered inwardly, "How does this boy know the name Naraka? It can't be a coincidence… Did that bastard Lionel tell him? No, that's impossible. If he'd told him, the boy wouldn't have come here to ask me about it himself… It seems he knows nothing beyond the name. Still, I need to be careful."
He adjusted his tone and said, "Naraka? I think I've heard of him, but why are you asking? And how did you learn about him?"
Adrian replied, "I heard about him somewhere. More importantly, I want to know what kind of person he was."
Asura smiled, his expression devoid of any emotion.
"I don't think I can tell you anything about him."
Adrian asked calmly, with a hint of sharpness in his voice, "Why not?"
Asura answered, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Because a creature like you has no right to know that."
Adrian's eyes narrowed with subdued anger.
Asura chuckled lightly and waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't get angry. Naraka is mysterious by nature. Even I don't know much about him."
Adrian stood up and headed toward the door.
Asura stopped him with a questioning tone. "What? Where are you going?"
Adrian replied coldly, "If I'm not going to get what I came here for, there's no reason for me to stay. Perhaps I'll ask the Lord of Magic about him… He'll surely answer me if it's a wish."
Asura's eyes widened in shock.
"Did you say the Lord of Magic?! How do you know him?! Is he the one who told you about Naraka?!"
Adrian flashed a provocative smile as he turned halfway around. "That's something a creature like you has no right to know."
Then he left and closed the door, leaving Asura to process the shock he'd just received.
Asura laughed as though he were enjoying what was happening.
"Hahahaha, this boy really knows how to entertain me. His rude way of speaking, his arrogant gaze… He's exactly like me."
Suddenly, Asura's laughter faded as he realized that Adrian had already left the room.
"If he runs into someone here, he'll be killed because of his attitude… That idiot doesn't even know anyone here or what kind of place this is!"
He sprang to his feet and rushed out of the room, running around in search of Adrian.
"You stupid bastard!!! Where are you?!!!"
~~~
Adrian had already left the castle and headed off in a random direction.
He thought to himself, "As far as my appearance goes, I look like a demon, so there shouldn't be any problem with wandering around. Perhaps I'll find some clues somewhere."
He continued walking aimlessly until he found himself in the markets.
"How much is this?"
"Woooow, these flowers are beautiful! I'll buy them!"
"I'd like to buy some fruit, please."
Many ordinary demons were shopping here. Adrian found it strange. Were demons really like this? The sight before him made him think about the differences between them and humans. They seemed like people simply living their lives, just like any other creatures, so why were they being persecuted?
"Waaaaahhhhh... Haaahhh... Aaahha!"
The sound of a little girl's crying rang out as she fell to the ground.
Adrian looked toward her, then at the people around her. The atmosphere surrounding her was far stranger than it had initially seemed.
Those around her cast contradictory looks in her direction—disgust, pity, and even hatred—before turning their faces away without a care. The little girl was crying on the ground while the demons around her continued walking without stopping, as though they couldn't see her… or as though they were deliberately ignoring her existence for some reason.
Adrian immediately realized that the girl was an outcast, but he wasn't about to look away from her. That simply wasn't in his nature.
He approached her with steady steps, then knelt down and gently helped her back to her feet.
He looked at her face and asked calmly, "Where are your parents? Are you here alone?"
The little girl answered through her tears, "They're... not here... They left me all alone."
Adrian understood perfectly what it felt like to be abandoned by one's family. He patted her head and smiled gently.
"It's alright, don't cry. Can you tell me your name?"
The little girl stopped crying and wiped away her tears before answering in a trembling voice, "My name is Nina."
Adrian nodded slightly. "Alright, Nina. Is there anyone you know? Perhaps relatives or friends?"
Nina answered sadly, "I had some... but they died."
Adrian felt that something was strange, but he didn't let it show on his face.
He said calmly, "So you're truly alone… Don't you even have a home?"
Nina replied, "I have a home! It's close to here."
Adrian smiled calmly. "Alright, then you should go back home… I'll be leaving now that you're fine."
Adrian turned to leave, but Nina grabbed the edge of his long coat.
"Don't go! Stay with me! Please!" she cried out desperately, pleading with him, while her eyes glistened with tears that had yet to fall.
Adrian stared at her in silence, and an image of Lily surfaced in his mind. He clenched his fist in slight irritation, then sighed softly.
"Alright… I'll at least take you home."
Nina's eyes widened, and she smiled happily. "Thank you, big brother!!"
She began jumping around and spinning in circles around Adrian, who was already starting to feel annoyed.
He thought to himself with boredom, "Haaah… I've gotten myself involved with a child again… Should I have just ignored her?"
He spoke in a steady voice. "Let's go."
Nina stopped playing around and answered enthusiastically, "Okay!"