I Was Supposed to Be the Demon King, but They Made Me Save the World

"So, where are you going?" Olivia's mother asked, her tone calm yet firm as she caught Baldwin mid-step outside the hut.

Baldwin glanced back, feigning casualness. "I already told you—I'm a traveling beast hunter. What better time to hunt than at night? I'm heading out to catch a few beasts."

Olivia's mother narrowed her eyes, stepping closer. "Listen, I don't know who you truly are, but let me ask you something. Do you have a family? Parents?"

Baldwin froze for a moment before answering, his voice unusually soft. "I... I have a sister." His lips curled into a bittersweet smile. "Just a sister."

Olivia's mother studied him closely, her expression shifting from stern to compassionate. "Hmm, so you have a sister... yet it seems she never taught you proper manners!" She crossed her arms, a stern motherly air about her. "It's rude to leave a house where you've been welcomed as a guest without informing the host! And another thing—children don't wander outside at night! I don't care if you're a beast hunter, an angel, or even some divine child. No family would allow it!"

Baldwin blinked, startled by her sudden lecture. For a moment, he almost laughed. Even after everything she's been through, she still sees me as a kid.

"Look, I—" Baldwin began, but olivia's mother interrupted him.

She stepped closer, placing a gentle but firm hand on his shoulder. Her voice softened. "It's okay. If you don't have a mother... can I be your mother?"

Baldwin's usual sharp tongue failed him. He stared at her, unsure of what to say. "…Uh, yeah… okay, sure," he finally replied, confused by her sincerity.

But before he could process what was happening, Olivia's mother demeanor changed. She grabbed him by the ears with surprising strength and began dragging him back toward the hut.

"Well, if I'm your mother now, no more sneaking out at night!" she declared firmly.

"Ow! Hey, hey, I said okay!" Baldwin protested, half-laughing as she pulled him inside.

Olivia's mother released him and gently closed the door behind them. She turned back to him, her expression softening. "Did I hurt you?"

Baldwin rubbed his ears, smiling despite himself. "No… it's fine."

She nodded, her voice warm yet steady. "My name is Velisara Nath. From now on, I'm your mother. Now, I won't force you to call me that or to stay here with us. I understand if you'd rather leave. But I want you to know you're welcome here. You helped us when we had no one else, and for that, I'll always be grateful."

Baldwin stood silent for a moment, her words hitting deeper than he expected. Finally, he spoke, his voice uncharacteristically tender.

"Really? Actually… I lost my birth mother. She died giving birth to me. Ever since, I've never known what it means to have a mother... what it means to feel a mother's love." He hesitated, then looked up at her with a small, genuine smile. "So, if you're offering… I'd like to accept."

Velisara's face softened into a gentle smile. "Then it's settled. Welcome home, Baldwin."

For the first time in what felt like forever, Baldwin allowed himself to feel something other than burdened. "Home," he whispered to himself, the word foreign yet oddly comforting.

What a strange family I've stumbled upon, Baldwin thought, watching as Velisara busied herself tidying the hut. For the first time in years, a warmth he thought he'd forgotten began to creep into his guarded heart.

--------------------------------------------------

Far away from the village, in the northern reaches of the Red Moon Empire, stood a magnificent castle. Its structure, crafted from ancient blue and white stone, radiated a heavy, intricate design, symbolizing the pride and power of its owners. This was the castle of the Funrer family—the last noble royal family of the Red Moon Empire. They were the keepers of the rare and powerful blue manak. One of the powers of legendary 9.

Inside the grand throne room, a man dressed like an assassin entered cautiously. His attire bore unique blue designs representing the Funrer family seal: four triangles stacked atop one another. He bowed deeply upon crossing the threshold.

"Cerberus! What brings you here?" A commanding voice echoed through the chamber. "You know I'm enjoying my meals."

Cerberus raised his head to face the speaker. Sitting on the throne was a man of striking appearance. His muscular frame was on display, half-naked, as he lounged amidst a group of trembling women. His navy-blue eyes glinted with a cold intensity, and his long, equally navy-blue hair cascaded down to his neck.

"Lord Asmodeus, it's the request you asked—" Cerberus began.

Before he could finish, a blue bolt of lightning struck him, flinging him against the wall with a deafening crash.

"Oh, what now? What? You dare to call my name?" Asmodeus thundered, his voice brimming with rage.

He stood, brushing aside the woman on his right with a backhanded slap. Slowly, he descended from his throne, his piercing gaze fixed on Cerberus.

"You've committed a grave sin," Asmodeus hissed. "You dared to call me by my name. *My name!* I am Asmodeus Funrer!"

Demonic energy crackled in his hand, ready to deliver the finishing blow.

"Now, tell me," Asmodeus demanded, his voice a low growl. "What brings you here, Cerberus?"

Cerberus struggled to his feet, his voice trembling. "It's about the demon king, Katz Baldwin. He… he's left the capital."

Asmodeus paused, the energy in his hand flickering. "Oh? Really?" His tone shifted, curiosity replacing some of the anger.

"Yes, my lord! The king has left the capital!" Cerberus repeated in a panic.

Asmodeus's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Hmm… interesting." Then, without warning, his demonic energy surged back to life.

"Now die!" he roared, hurling the power straight at Cerberus. The ball of raw energy consumed him, leaving no trace behind.

Turning back to the room, Asmodeus eyed the women, his so-called playthings. Their faces were pale with fear, their bodies trembling under his gaze.

"You know his sin?" he said, his voice laced with venom. "He dared to call Baldwin the king in my presence! Baldwin is no king. He's a dog. A filthy street dog!"

Asmodeus's laughter filled the room, loud and menacing. The women, desperate to appease him, forced themselves to laugh along.

But his mood soured further. His laughter ceased abruptly, and a blue orb began to form in his hand.

"I'm bored now," he said coldly. "Yes, you girls are new, but do you know me? My mood is ruined."

The women barely had time to react as Asmodeus hurled the blue energy ball toward them. Their screams were cut short as the light consumed them.

"I shall prepare to travel to Torsara. It must be hard for Abyzou to control herself with the entire throne to manage. It has been centuries since I last visited the capital of the Red Moon Empire. First, I shall take a bath," Asmudeus said, a smug smile curling on his lips.

As he spoke, his body began to dissolve into water, a pool forming beneath his feet. The water rippled unnaturally, swirling upward as it consumed him. Within moments, Asmudeus vanished entirely, leaving behind nothing but the faint echo of his laughter.