A Demon Lord’S Obsession

Chapter 168: Present Part 4

Chapter 168: Present Part 4

-Hugh’s POV-

It’s been a week since Luke the former bandit leader joined my guard. He hasn’t tried running or using

a weapon in defiance, which is a good sign. At the moment we are sitting around a campfire, eating

and resting. The sun was going down and we knew the horses needed some rest. Only a day's ride till

we would reach the capital.

Some of my men were conversing others were sleeping, until one of my men, Milt began telling of his

promiscuous encounters.

This led to an almost competition between some of them. I just sat back on a log covering my eyes with

my arm. The other arm hung free. I didn’t much care about the semantics of their conversation. My

mind was set adrift in thoughts of how Sylphy might have changed. I left for the continent before she

came last year, but this year I won’t miss her visit. Just a few more months till she comes.

I let my arm fall away from my eyes and as I opened them to the bright starry sky above, my ears

started hearing the current state of the conversation. Their words indeed ruined the mood, and I

reluctantly continued listening.

Red: “Val is the most uptight person to ask, don’t even try bringing it up.”

Val: “I was raised to respect women as well as my dignity. I’m not going to spout nonsense like you

all..”

The noise went quiet and I sat up, rubbing my face as I did so. Luke sat across the fire, Val sat close by

me and red stood close by Luke.

Luke: “Then what about you, Your Highness?. I bet the Demon King would put everyone here to

shame.”

Everyone there except Luke knew the answer, they all watched me as I replied.

Throughout my time sitting up, my attention wasn’t focused on the men standing around the fire. I

wasn’t looking Luke’s way. However, once asked my awareness and drive to join the groups'

conversation was triggered.

I lightly giggled, looking down. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

Hugh: “Haha, no there’s only one girl for me, and we’ve only shared a single kiss.”

I smiled thinking of her.

Luke: “Let me guess she’s a princess from another kingdom, possibly a bordering one?.”

He said it as if it was mandatory or obvious, which was a correct assumption, but I doubt he realized

which one.

Red: “It’s not close to the Empire, but it is a large Kingdom.”

Jasper: “You might know of it more than us, Luke.”

Jade: “Want to take a guess.?”

Luke: “Not the Elven Princess, Sylphy?”

I looked in his direction and smiled.

Hugh: “The one and only.”

Luke then laughed in encouragement.

Luke: “Ahoho, then you do put us all to shame, even if you haven’t taken her as your own yet, still

having any chance with Elven royalty is a crowning achievement in itself. You’d be the first person from

another race to ever to pull it off.”

Brant: “He is the Demon King, the strongest and most feared man in the world. Every kingdom would

gladly take the opportunity to have someone as notorious as him as an ally.”

Hugh: “It’s only been a little bit over a year since I’ve become the demon king, I don’t think I’m that

notorious, not yet anyway.”

Red: “The Ascension competition was planned so that you could show your strength. Then the long

ride around the empire straightened out the Demon Lords. Now it’s just hunting all those who posed a

threat to the Empire.”

Val: “Most citizens within in area praise you for your help in making their lives better, but you could tell

they would be fearful to anger you.”

Hugh: “At least they like whose ruling over them, even if fear is an underlying note within their image of

me.”

———-

Murderous, a devil, cold-hearted. That’s only because I’ve gathered the strongest individuals within the

empire and if anyone caused problems then we dealt with them accordingly.

Luke’s bandit organization was the last of the major problems plaguing the empire. So finally after

weeks of being away, we’ve arrived back at the Capital.

We rode our horses up the main street to the castle.

The citizens weren’t cheerless of their King riding into town. Some people cheered and waved, others

continued their business. My men occasionally smiled and waved to appease the crowd, however, I

didn’t feel a need to.

I continued my path, I moved my eyes around the street. The building seemed cleaner, the people

didn’t seem malnourished.

I’ve tried my best over the past year to bring the Empire’s state of being and its people's lives up to my

standards. My father did a good job as Demon King. I doubt this place would be as successful without

him building up and refining the foundation. With his guidance and help along the way, I’ve grown into

someone who strives for better.

I lightly smirked seeing the improvements. One striking thing was that no one could look me in the eye.

Not even my men could match my gaze without feeling something.

I don’t know why but it felt good, as if on top of the world. I couldn’t say whether I enjoyed it because of

my own free will or my Demon instinct of domination was kicking in.

Whichever it was it didn’t bother me, my men and I just continued till we reached the castle.

———-

I’d get letters regularly from my family, they always asked for me to visit.

An empire that was growing brighter each day and a loving family.

The only thing missing was Sylphy.

I haven’t been able to see her for a while, but she’ll be visiting the mansion soon.

I’ll catch up with her then, let’s hope she isn’t afraid of me. I bet she’s heard of my exploits as the

Demon King.

Just a few more months and I’ll go back home to be with my Sylphy.

——

To be continued