"If you say being a 'villain' condemns me to misery, then I'll simply become a hero."
Sylvie's body became immobile all at once. Recovering its usual green glow.
"Pfffft, HAHAHAHAHAHA," the fairy doubled over laughing, clutching her stomach by reflex. "YOU? BE A HERO!? BWAHAHAHA."
The demon king remained watching the fairy, motionless, while an irrational desire to hit her grew inside him.
What was so funny?
"HAHAHAHA, I can't, ohhhhh," the fairy sighed as she wiped away tears from laughing so much. "You're very funny for a demon king, don't you think? Have you thought about opening a comedy show?"
There was no trace of corruption left in the fairy. Apparently those words had pulled her out of that state.
The demon king couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed. Deep down, he wanted to see what the fairy would become if she corrupted.
Though he surely had more opportunities to see it.
"What's so strange about it? I already defeated the hero and his group. I'm sure defeating another demon king is extremely easy," the demon king commented calmly.
The fairy's golden hair reflected the moonlight as it was moved by the night breeze.
Her green eyes rolled as if the demon king were a child.
"Idiot, things aren't that simple, but you know what? I don't care," she affirmed while crossing her arms. "If you decide to be a hero at least you won't tarnish Alex's image, and if you fail, I'll be able to mock you."
The demon king felt an itch in his hand, as if the way to relieve the itch were by hitting a small flying object.
However, he managed to contain himself. If the fairy wasn't going to be against him, she could be useful.
"Well, then help me. Tell me how to be a hero," the demon king responded.
He wanted to be a hero, or rather, he didn't care either way.
He didn't choose to be the demon king. Good and evil were the same social construct to him.
He just wanted to live adventures and acquire more knowledge.
If the hero had traveled so many paths, it was for a reason. Perhaps being a hero was the only way to be free.
"Do you really think I'm going to help you? Pfft, seriously, consider opening that comedy show. You could be very successful," the fairy commented.
Alexander's shoulders shrugged.
"As you wish, but if you're of no use to me, I'm not going to let you follow me either. It's that simple," he commented calmly.
At that declaration, the fairy's laughter disappeared, replaced by a more serious expression.
"Ohhh, so now you're blackmailing me?" Sylvie asked as she looked at the demon king with annoyance.
Alexander shook his head.
"It's not blackmail. I'd call it more of a fair deal that benefits us both. It'll be better for you if I give the hero a good image, right?" the demon king responded cunningly.
The fairy raised an eyebrow while stroking her chin thoughtfully, reflecting on the matter.
"Mmm, maybe you're right. I suppose it'll be better if I guide you to avoid you messing things up," she finally said while putting her hands on her hips. "But don't think I'm going to help you if you're in danger or anything!"
She added. She definitely wasn't going to save the demon king if he was in danger.
Alexander shrugged.
"I see that as fair. Besides, I don't think you can help me much if even I can't defend myself from something," he added with a certain hint of arrogance in his voice.
It was true. In terms of power, the demon king felt far superior to the fairy.
Perhaps if she corrupted she could reach his level. But it was difficult, since not even the strongest hero in history managed to defeat him with his strongest attack.
He had only managed to corner him.
"Though don't think my help will serve you forever. You're the demon king. You'll never be a true hero," the fairy affirmed. "Dragons in tutus are still dragons. You pretending to be a hero is just that, theater."
Alexander's eyes fixed on her. He felt slightly insulted. It was as if she were laughing at his conviction.
However, it wasn't far from the truth either.
He didn't want to be a hero. He wanted the freedom that came with it.
He wanted to live adventures, discover more of the world, have exciting battles, test his magic.
But he had no real interest in saving the world or helping others.
"If you say so," he finally said with disinterest. His voice still sounded cold, almost emotionless.
His once golden eyes were now black, like two abysses of immense depth, which also reflected no emotion.
The fairy snorted condescendingly.
"Now, we'd need to give you a name," she said as she leaned slightly forward to inspect him. "Mmmm, let me think."
A name?
Alexander raised an eyebrow.
He had never had a name. It wasn't a lie when he said he was born with nothing.
He didn't even have a physical body. He had to figure out how to create one by gathering azoth, the physical essence of chaos.
No one had ever given him a name, and he had never dared to name himself.
What would be the point of giving himself a name if everyone knew him as demon king.
His title was all that mattered. His destiny was all that had relevance.
That was his curse, his ruin, but also his only identity.
However, in that instant, that was about to change.
"Aku, your name will be Aku," the fairy said as she pointed at him with her finger.
"Aku?"
The demon king repeated that name multiple times in his head.
It didn't sound too bad.