Dragon King: Throne of Demons and Gods-Chapter 163: The Demon at the Door

Regulus opened his eyes to soft lights and murmured chatter.

He was standing in the middle of a vast theater, golden and red in color, with velvet curtains and glowing chandeliers above. The seats were filled with people, well-dressed and speaking in soft voices. A quiet violin played from somewhere behind the stage.

It looked beautiful. Comforting, even.

Regulus blinked. He didn’t remember walking in.

The usher at the door gave him a polite nod, then turned and vanished behind the velvet curtain. Regulus stepped forward, his footsteps muted on the plush carpet.

Something felt off.

He walked toward a nearby seat but found none of them vacant. The crowd was smiling, nodding gently as if watching something on stage. But there was no one there yet.

Regulus turned, and now the stage had changed. Puppets dangled from the ceiling, their limbs twitching unnaturally. He hadn’t noticed them before.

The curtains drew back slowly. A show began.

A narrator’s voice echoed out.

"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight, we begin with the tale of life and choice..."

Figures walked onto the stage, human in shape, but not quite right. Their movements were jerky, like marionettes controlled by invisible strings. They repeated daily actions: waking, working, laughing, crying.

But everything was exaggerated. Robotico hollow.

Regulus sat, unsure of what to do.

He noticed the audience again. Their claps sounded at the same time. Too perfect. They didn’t blink. Their faces were white, smooth, frozen in expressions of polite joy. Masks?

He shivered. The violin continued, but now it was off-key.

Suddenly, the spotlight turned.

Onto him.

A voice thundered from above:

"A very special guest has joined us tonight! The Sacred Regulus, welcome to Castella’s Eternal Theater!"

Applause rose, louder than before.

Regulus stood, disoriented. The ground beneath him shifted, rising. He was now on stage, in front of everyone.

The audience’s heads turned in perfect unison. Masks. All of them wore masks now. White, featureless. Their claps echoed like bones rattling.

He tried to speak, but no sound came.

Then he saw something above.

Glinting threads in the light.

He followed them up.

A shape loomed in the darkness above the theater. A gigantic torso of gold, like a statue of a man, but skeletal. Its arms were long, its fingers bone-thin. Strings stretched from its hands to the puppets below.

And to the crowd, even to him.

Its mask was a jester’s face, one eye black, the other bright white, its pupil staring straight into his eyes.

Regulus gasped and woke with a jolt, sitting upright in bed, drenched in sweat.

The evening light was just starting to touch the edge of the city.

He sat upright, chest heaving, sweat dampening his sheets.

His hands trembled slightly as he stared at the floor. That dream... if it was one... had felt too real. Every detail, every sound, that chilling mask...

He touched his face, half-expecting the puppet strings to still be there.

Nothing, just skin. Still, his pulse wouldn’t settle.

"What was that..." he whispered, his voice shaky.

After a few more moments trying to breathe evenly, he gave up on sleep. There was no going back to bed after something like that.

Slipping on a loose tunic, he stepped out of his room into the corridor and padded quietly toward the common room of their inn.

He heard voices before he even turned the corner.

"Do you even realize what you did? You disobeyed me, Maël! Completely!"

Aurus’s tone was firm, fatherly, and disappointed. But Maël wasn’t silent either.

"I’m not a child anymore! You want me locked up like a toy? People love me here; they cheer when they see me. Why hide?"

Regulus blinked in confusion, hesitating at the edge of the doorway. Maël? Who was that?

He peeked in. The entire group was there: Airi, Astros, Crest, Lyraen, even Aurus, and with them, a new man. A young man with short blond hair and a theatrical flair, seated on the edge of the table like he owned the room.

"You’re not just some performer, Maël." Aurus continued. "You’re the Hero. The one hope this kingdom has. You went out and told everyone who you were, and worse, revealed yourself to the demons."

Regulus held his breath.

"Wait... what did you just say?"

The room went silent for a moment. Everyone turned to him.

Regulus stepped into the room, eyes wide.

"This guy... who is he?" He asked.

Crest gave a small shrug.

"That guy? That’s Maël. The Hero."

Regulus’s mouth opened slightly.

"The Hero?... Like... our ’hero’?"

Regulus blinked again, trying to make sense of it. The one casually arguing with Aurus, who looked more like a rogue noble than a warrior, was the Hero?

"This... guy? This man right here... is him? he’s the hero? Sir Aurus’ son???" Regulus said slowly, eyes still on Maël.

Airi crossed her arms.

"Yeah, he plays like a clown. But he’s something apparently."

Astros raised a hand, calmly refocusing them.

"Let’s move on. What’s done is done. Sir Aurus, maybe we should talk about the real issue: the demons."

Aurus sighed, his fingers rubbing his temples.

"Right. The attack on the capital. Everyone in my party, except Sylphera and me, is gone. We believe the Demon Lord known as Crimson Bloom infiltrated us by taking a citizen’s identity."

Maël’s expression shifted, his grin vanishing.

He looked like he was choosing his words carefully, biting his lips slightly.

"Even Uncle Lloyd...?"

Aurus gave a small nod.

Maël looked down, quieter now. The members of Aurus’ party were parents figures to him.

They taught him to fight, how to live with dignity, how to be who he was today.

No one spoke for a moment, understanding his emotion at the moment.

"We think they’re already here in Castella, not just the Crimson Bloom," Aurus continued. "This city has no divine protection. Anyone could be the enemy. We don’t know their power, so anything could be an attack. That’s why I want you to stay hidden."

Regulus’ mind reacted to this last speech, his dream still fresh in his mind. Strings and masks. Now hearing about hidden enemies, it all felt too familiar.

But it was just a nightmare, nothing about the demons.

Yet...

Maël stood still, arms crossed and eyes thoughtful.

Everyone had spoken, and now they waited for his answer. He took a breath and looked around the room.

"So what should I do now?" he asked. "They already know I’m here."

Aurus frowned, arms folded tight.

"You leave. Get stronger. Disappear before they start moving. When the time is right, we fight back."

But Maël shook his head and gave a small laugh.

"Really? Old man, you really think this is easy?"

He looked at everyone.

"This is my fault. I wandered without purpose. I forgot what it meant to be the Hero. Maybe I never really understood it. But this city... Castella gave me something again. The lights, the music, the people. Here kids cheer for me, dreamers in the streets shout my name. They don’t know what’s coming, and you want me to abandon them?"

There was a pause.

Astros lowered his eyes, deep in thought.

Airi frowned hard.

"You think you can fight a Demon Lord with a smile and a few words? Stop acting like you’re in a play. No crowd will cheer you up if you’re dead."

Aurus nodded.

"We don’t need a performer. We need the last hope for mankind. This city is in danger today, but if you die, the whole world is done. What’s so hard to understand?"

But Maël didn’t flinch. His voice was soft now, almost tired.

"Well, what’s so hard is that ’I’ brought this danger here. I’m the cause, so I’ll face it. If I die, then at least I took responsibility."

The room fell silent again. The words landed deep.

After deeply considering his words, Crest stood straighter.

"I thought you were some kind of player, but it seems like I misjudged you. That’s very noble, and for this resolve... I’ll stay too."

Aurus turned sharply.

"Crest, what’s wrong with..."

"No. I’m serious." Crest’s voice rose slightly. "I don’t know what it is like to be a Sacred, but I know it isn’t about running from fear. It’s about standing for people. Maël’s words may sound reckless, but I felt something. I want to be the kind of people who doesn’t run when it’s hard. And I want to support a man putting his life on the line for his people. That’s a true hero."

Regulus looked torn, then slowly nodded.

"I had a dream. It might’ve been nonsense, but it felt like a warning. If there’s even a chance it meant something, I’ll stay too."

He then looked at everyone, with more determination in his eyes.

"We weren’t chosen for our names, but because we’re strong. Maël may be impulsive, but he reminded me why it’s us and not anyone else. Aren’t we the equivalent of demon Lords? Why are we afraid? If we stand together, maybe we have a chance."

Crest and Regulus nodded, the fire in their eyes clear.

But Airi didn’t move. Her arms were crossed tightly, her posture stiff.

Then her voice cut sharp through the moment.

"You two act like you know what you’re talking about, but you don’t. You’ve never stood in front of a real Demon Lord. You don’t understand the simple idea."

Regulus tried to speak, faltering.

"Um... I-I was there when—"

"What kind of fight did you have? Did you even fight? Nobody knew you were here!" she snapped.

Regulus gulped and shook his head.

Airi’s glare hardened.

"Exactly. You don’t know what it’s like when your brain scream but your whole body freezes, because you know it’s over."

She turned her fury on both of them.

"And what, now you want to play heroes because a stupid oversized baby with daddy issues gave a speech? All you do is talk! Talk! Talk! Talk! Talk this! Talk shit! Talk big ass shit with you fucking mouth!... You think bravery is enough? It’s not! You idiot, it’s called ego. And that ego will get us all killed."

She motioned to Astros and Aurus.

"Look! Look, the only ones who get it are the ones who’ve actually been through it. Or the ones who know better than to act like they understand. That freak who turned your friend into a demon... he was a monster. You can deal with monsters like this? Relax, Crest, I’m not talking to you, everyone know you’ll go protect the citizens at the other side of this fucking town when shit will go down."

No one dared speak.

The air was heavy after Airi’s outburst, too heavy for words.

Even Kardrax paused. Astros stood tensely, hands folded, his lips pressed in a tight line. Regulus looked down, visibly shaken.

Aurus, normally unshakable, wiped at his brow, a faint sheen of sweat there. And Lyraen remembered she needed to breathe to live.

Airi’s anger had torn through the room like a storm. And now, silence.

Maël, however, just let out a breath. He rolled his shoulders and straightened up.

"Then leave," he said. "I’m not stopping you. But I’m not moving either."

Airi’s eyes widened in disbelief.

"Aah?!"

"I said what I said," Maël interrupted calmly. "I won’t run."

The tension was already at its peak, then snapped. Instead of talking back, Airi stormed forward.

"Then go to hell with your fucking city, I hope you lose everything!" she shouted, stepping outside.

With a sharp slam, the door rattled in its frame, the whole room falling into a stunned hush.

Everyone stared at the door.

Aurus rubbed his temples slowly, the stress finally flowing freely.

"You’d all think twice if you knew what you were really up against," he muttered, more to himself than anyone.

Crest glanced at the door, jaw tight. He took a breath and stepped after Airi, knowing there were things still left unsaid.

Crest rushed up the staircase, taking them two at a time.

"Airi! Wait!"

She didn’t. She kicked the rooftop door open and stormed outside. The wind caught her coat, flaring it behind her like a cape.

The city stretched far below, touched by the soft, dying light of sunset.

She walked to the edge, her back turned. Her shoulders rose and fell with hard breaths.

Crest slowed at the doorway, unsure. Then he stepped out.

"Airi..."

"SHUT UP!"

Her voice shook the air, keeping her back on him.

Crest swallowed and took a cautious step forward.

"I know you’re angry. But you can’t just walk off."

"The hell I can’t!" she snapped, spinning around. Her eyes burned. "You think you’re suddenly the one giving orders? Since when, Crest? Since when do you decide anything for us?"

He flinched. She was breathing hard, her voice cracked at the edge.

"You gave that speech like it meant something. Like we’d all fall in line because you found some spark of courage. But this isn’t your dream, Crest. You don’t get to drag me into it."

"I didn’t mean to drag anyone," he said, low. "I just said what I felt."

"You never think! You just speak. Like you know what this is. Like you’ve fought like us. But you haven’t. You’re pretending. Playing hero. But this is real. This is war!"

"I know I’m not strong," Crest said, more softly. "I know it better than anyone. But I want to help. I want to fight. With all of you. With you."

She sneered.

"Fight? With what? Your speeches? Your heart? Like the freaking last time? You think demons are only good in politics like you?"

He took a breath.

"I’m not trying to be a hero. I just don’t want to sit on the side anymore. Not while you’re out there. I care about you... About you all. Even if you hate me."

Airi turned her face, as if disgusted.

"You’re the biggest joke of this story," she muttered.

The wind picked up again, brushing through their hair.

Crest watched her quietly, chest tight.

"Airi... why are you really mad?"

She didn’t answer right away. Her face twisted, eyes glassy with frustration. Then she muttered.

"Because you’re a damn idiot. Because you think this is some noble path, and you act like everything will just work out if you believe hard enough."

She turned to look at him, her voice sharper now. "You speak like you know what you’re doing, like your words matter. But they don’t. Not here. Not when demons are involved. You and a nobody, become the same thing." ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm

Crest stood there, unsure whether to push or pull back.

"Is that all?" he asked, trying to hold himself together.

Airi hesitated. Her mouth opened, but the words came out slow, almost pained.

"Forget it, weirdo. You don’t even see what’s changed."

Crest stared at her, the truth dawning.

"You mean Bel?" he said quietly.

The name hung in the air like a drop of ink in still water. She flinched, ever so slightly.

"What?"

He nodded slowly.

"You’re different now, Airi. I’ve seen it in your eyes."

She looked away.

Crest continued, more carefully.

"You’re scared... that the other Demon Lords will be like him."

She turned sharply.

"Who’s scared?! You fucking bastard."

He stayed quiet for a long moment, then said softly.

Her mouth opened, then shut. Her eyes were tight. She looked like she wanted to scream but couldn’t find the breath.

"You’re not mad because I spoke up," Crest said. "You’re mad because someone like him exists. And you don’t know what that means for us."

Airi shook, her jaw clenched, breath uneven.

"It’s so easy," she said, voice shaking. "It’s so easy to talk... but you don’t get it. You can’t get it. That thing... if you could see what I could see with my power..."

Her voice cracked on the next words.

"You have no idea how small we are. But I do. I saw it. I felt it."

She turned her face away, arms tense at her sides.

"What the hell is he even? How could someone moves like that? He wasn’t that strong before, I swear..."

Crest lowered his eyes. The sting in her voice left him quiet.

He wanted to speak, to offer her something, anything, but nothing came.

Her anger wasn’t just fury. It was fear, twisted tight in her chest, and showing through every word she spoke.

Then...

The wind shifted. Their hair lifted, following the path of the sudden wide.

They froze.

Below, in the room, a spark jumped through the air.

Everyone straightened sharply.

"... Ah... What?" Astros murmured.

On the rooftop, Airi and Crest turned slowly.

A voice came, deep and calm.

"Hm? So it was you."

Bel stood in front of them.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on f(r)e𝒆webn(o)vel.com