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

"I am Veli..." she began, but her voice faltered. She paused, her gaze dropping to the floor as if wrestling with herself. Finally, with a sigh, she said, "My apologies. I am Lola. I'm trying to escape from this place, just like you. I mean no harm to anyone."

Her voice was trembling, but she straightened her posture, trying to appear composed. "I woke up here alone, confused. When I tried to leave, the guards chased me. But... they suddenly stopped, and now I've found you."

She looked at Baldwin and Olivia's mother with a pleading expression.

"So, Miss Lola," Baldwin said, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly as he studied her, "do you know what this place is?"

Lola shook her head, her expression bleak. "No... I have no idea. Can I... can I travel with you? Please?"

For a moment, Baldwin was silent, weighing her words. His gaze flicked to Olivia's mother, who was watching him intently, as if seeking his approval. Finally, he nodded.

Tears welled up in Lola's eyes as she whispered, "Thank you."

Baldwin's expression softened, and he added gently, "You're strong to have held it together this long, but it's okay to cry sometimes."

Lola hesitated for a moment, then ran toward Olivia's mother and embraced her tightly. Her sobs were muffled against the older woman's shoulder as her fragile facade crumbled.

"I was in my room," Lola said between sobs. "I went to sleep, and when I woke up... I was here. I was so scared..."

Olivia's mother held her firmly, her own tears falling as she whispered soothing words. "It's okay, sweetheart. We're here now. We'll figure this out together. I was just like you—terrified, not for myself, but for my daughter..."

Their shared vulnerability filled the air with a poignant heaviness. Baldwin, standing apart, observed them quietly. He could see how hard it had been for both of them—Lola, who had tried to act strong, and Olivia's mother, whose love for her daughter had kept her going.

Humans... they're such emotional creatures, Baldwin thought. For a brief moment, a flicker of something unfamiliar stirred within him—an echo of longing for something he couldn't name.

When their emotions subsided and the group began to compose themselves, they found themselves walking through a dilapidated corridor. The faded remnants of an old church surrounded them, but, just like before, there were no windows or doors in sight.

The oppressive silence of the place gnawed at them. Baldwin's eyes scanned their surroundings, his mind already working on a plan. I'll try the shadow mind door, but I'll need time to prepare it. Meanwhile, I should ask them a few questions.

"So, Miss Lola," Baldwin said, turning to her, "how long have you been here?"

Lola wiped at her face with the back of her hand and sniffled. "I think... a day, maybe?"

"Hmm, I see," Baldwin replied. He turned to Olivia's mother. "And you, Auntie? How long have you been here?"

"I don't remember how long..." Olivia's mother said, her voice trembling. "At first, they kept me in a prison cell. Then they moved me to a royal castle... and later, they beat me every day." Her words hung heavy in the air, laden with pain and exhaustion.

Baldwin's crimson eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Hmm... Miss Lola, you mentioned the guards stopped chasing you. What exactly did they do after that?"

Lola hesitated, fear flickering across her face. "They... they walked around that corridor," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Baldwin tilted his head, processing her response. "I see... so they just walked around."

As he finished speaking, a glint of metal sliced through the air—a sword hurtling toward Lola with blinding speed.

The reaction was instantaneous. Shadows erupted from Baldwin, forming a protective barrier that intercepted the attack. The clash of metal against shadow sent a ripple through the corridor. Everything had happened so quickly that it took a moment for the others to process.

Lola shrieked and scrambled behind Olivia's mother, trembling with fear.

"Well, well, well... look at that. The brat's the troublemaker in this little group," a deep voice echoed, dripping with malice.

Baldwin's gaze shifted toward the source of the voice. "Who are you?" he asked mockingly. "Didn't your parents teach you any manners? Or is your lord some street-abandoned, illegitimate child?"

"Mind your language, child!" the voice snapped. "How dare you insult my lady! Enough—I'll ensure you're punished properly!"

A man stepped out from behind a tree, clad in black and silver armor. Unlike the other guards, he bore a distinctive red badge on his chest, marking him as someone of rank.

He wasn't alone. More guards emerged from the shadows, their presence oppressive. Olivia's mother and Lola trembled as fear gripped them.

The man sneered, his voice oozing confidence. "Now, brat, do you really think you can take us all on your own? I doubt you could handle even one of my men. I am the strongest here!"

Baldwin's eyes glowed brighter as he counted aloud, his voice calm and unbothered. "Hmm... one, two, three... seven, eight, ten. So, you've brought ten guards?"

The man chuckled darkly. "Oh, I see. Trying to act cool, huh? Well, let me tell you—today will be the worst day of your life."

Baldwin's expression didn't waver. His glowing crimson eyes locked onto the man, and his voice resonated in their minds through telepathy.

"So you think your ten guards can take me down? Oh no, my apologies—you're hoping to punish me with your little rats."

The man smirked, his voice ringing out loud and clear. "You're not the only one who can use telepathy, child. As I said—today is your worst day."

Baldwin's lips curled into a sinister smile. "Oh really? Tell me, how strong are you compared to the so-called heroes—the chosen ones of the gods?"

The man's response came swiftly, his telepathic voice tinged with annoyance. "Not much weaker," he admitted, before asking, "Who are you? You're clearly not just a child."

Baldwin's reply was cold and unyielding. "I am the Ruler of the Soulless Continent, the Emperor of the Red Moon, also known as the Demon King."

As he spoke, shadows began to rise around him, swirling like a living storm, coalescing into monstrous forms.

The man's laughter echoed through the corridor, dripping with mockery. "The Demon King? What a joke! Even if he were here, I wouldn't believe it!"

With a flourish, he opened his palm, flames igniting in his hand. The fire cast a flickering glow on his armor, reflecting his arrogance.

Baldwin's crimson eyes narrowed, his expression darkening. "Oh really?" His voice was a low growl, laced with menace. Slowly, he raised his hand, black lightning crackling to life, the arcs of energy hissing and snapping like living serpents.

The corridor seemed to shrink under the oppressive energy that radiated from him. Shadows writhed at his feet, rising and swirling around him like a living storm. The air grew heavy, charged with an unnatural tension.

The armored man's smirk faltered for a split second, his flame flickering uncertainly, but he quickly masked it with a sneer. "You're bluffing, child. You don't scare me."

Baldwin's lips curved into a cold smile. "Bluffing? Then come closer... and test your luck."

As the storm of shadow and lightning grew, the corridor itself seemed to tremble, the oppressive energy suffocating all who stood near. The guards exchanged uneasy glances, their confidence waning in the face of the encroaching darkness.

Baldwin's voice cut through the tension, calm and unyielding. "You'll regret ever crossing paths with me... if you live long enough to regret anything at all."