Rachel lifted the miniature glass.

“Let’s make a toast!”

She shouted energetically and gulped down the grape juice in the glass.

“Ahh! That’s the taste!”

“You’re being dramatic over juice. Someone might think it’s soju.”

“Hero, you don’t know anything!”

Rachel glared fiercely at Choi Hyun-seok’s sarcastic comment.

“It’s about the mood! The mood!”

“Yeah, yeah. Sure.”

Choi Hyun-seok nodded halfheartedly and moved away from Rachel.

It was fine if she wanted to play around like that, but he didn’t particularly want to join in.

“Maybe I’ll try some too.”

Choi Hyun-seok, seated in a suitable spot, picked up an elegant glass.

Inside the glass was dark red wine.

“Oh, this is good.”

So this is what the king drinks, huh?

Even Choi Hyun-seok, who knew nothing about alcohol, could immediately tell it was high quality from its taste and aroma.

As he continued sipping the wine.

Choi Hyun-seok fell into a quiet thought.

‘The end of war… It’s been long.’

A few days ago.

The Holy Empire of Gatren officially declared the end of the war.

The holy war was over, and all troops in demon territory had withdrawn.

Finally, the war that had lasted over 500 years had ended.

Where to draw territorial boundaries, how to handle compensation for damages, and so on.

While many headaches remained to be solved, it was better than fighting and shedding blood.

“To peace!”

“Hurrah-!”

And this gathering was a party to celebrate the end of the war.

Many nobles gathered in the Mariette Palace banquet hall to make toasts.

Choi Hyun-seok drank alone in a special area set aside for honored guests.

Below in the hall, he could see Abelson Mariette talking with the nobles.

“Why are you alone in a place like this instead of enjoying the party? Lord Choi Hyun-seok is practically the guest of honor.”

A familiar voice came from behind.

Choi Hyun-seok smirked without turning around.

“Why did you come to a place like this yourself?”

“I’m somewhat shy. I’d rather not run into people I know.”

It was Duke Orlaben Grimier of the Drason Empire.

As usual, he had appeared at the banquet hall alone.

Though he came without an invitation, no one would turn away an Imperial Duke.

When Choi Hyun-seok gave a slight nod in greeting, he naturally sat down beside him.

“No matter what anyone says, Lord Choi Hyun-seok is the hero of this party. The war ended thanks to how well things were resolved in the Kingdom of Chersi.”

“Is that so?”

“Of course! To think you directly summoned the Demon King to make a peace treaty! What an innovative and bold solution! I had thought Lord Choi Hyun-seok was just a hero, but it seems I was mistaken.”

Sincerity showed in Orlaben Grimier‘s expression.

He seemed genuinely impressed by Choi Hyun-seok’s solution.

However, Choi Hyun-seok shook his head indifferently.

“I didn’t summon Demon King Sidriel. She just suddenly appeared.”

“Hahaha! Thorough until the end. That’s right. The Demon King appeared suddenly, and we had nothing to do with it.”

Orlaben Grimier laughed heartily as he spoke.

This is the Mariette Palace banquet hall.

Though it was practically Choi Hyun-seok’s home ground, his cautious attitude of watching his words actually increased his likability.

“However, the conclusion was somewhat disappointing. If you had given us a heads up, we could have wrapped things up more elegantly.”

For just a moment, Orlaben Grimier‘s eyes gleamed.

Choi Hyun-seok noticed but maintained his calm demeanor.

‘The conclusion…’

The conclusion of the Kingdom of Chersi.

He probably meant how all the nobles with connections to both empires had died.

Certainly, Choi Hyun-seok had intentionally excluded the Drason Empire from the proceedings.

Even now he thought that decision was right, and if he went back, he would have done the same thing.

“I didn’t want to create variables. After all, Drason was involved too.”

“Hmm, certainly. That’s true.”

Orlaben Grimier stroked his beard.

He seemed to have something he wanted to say but instead raised his glass.

“Anyway, today is to celebrate peace, so I hope you enjoy it. No matter what anyone says, Lord Choi Hyun-seok, you contributed the most to achieving this end to the war. Aren’t you practically a hidden hero?”

At the words ‘hidden hero’, Choi Hyun-seok smiled bitterly.

This is a false peace built on blood.

If making this kind of peace makes one a hero, then it would be a false hero.

Choi Hyun-seok raised his glass again and wet his throat with wine.

“True peace is still far off. In fact, isn’t this just the beginning?”

“Hmm… You’re not wrong.”

Orlaben Grimier crossed his arms and continued.

“Giving up the war with the demon race. In other words, this means we’re focusing on human affairs. My thinking is that soon Gatren will begin to make moves in earnest.”

The continental conquest by the Holy Empire of Gatren.

The first step was to eliminate the demon race.

It was risky in many ways to attack fellow humans while leaving the demons as a common enemy.

But suddenly Gatren abandoned the demons and withdrew their troops.

This was like a declaration that they would now focus on human affairs while simultaneously dealing with their noisy internal matters.

“They will focus on taking over small kingdoms while moving to turn public opinion. They might even destroy a city or two and make it look like the demons did it.”

Destroying cities.

Thousands, tens of thousands of people could die.

However, Gatren was more than capable of doing such things.

As they were being increasingly cornered, it wouldn’t be strange for them to use extreme methods.

Just as Choi Hyun-seok was deep in thought, suddenly the communication crystal in his chest began to glow.

Woong…!

“Don’t mind me, go ahead and answer it.”

Though Orlaben Grimier turned away as if to say don’t worry about it, Choi Hyun-seok didn’t answer the call.

‘This is the communication crystal connected to Sidriel…’

A message from Demon King Sidriel.

It felt somehow uncomfortable to answer it in front of Orlaben Grimier

Choi Hyun-seok quietly stood up.

“I’m sorry, but we’ll have to end our conversation here for today.”

“Ah, must be an important message. Can’t be helped then. It was enjoyable talking with you, Lord Choi Hyun-seok.”

Choi Hyun-seok nodded and left the room.

Orlaben Grimier watched his retreating figure.

His eyes sank deep in thought.

***

Leaving the banquet hall and returning to his room, Choi Hyun-seok immediately activated the communication crystal.

“Sidriel.”

-Is that Choi Hyun-seok.

“Yes. What’s wrong?”

-We have a problem.

At the word ‘problem’, Choi Hyun-seok’s head tilted.

A problem at this time.

The war had ended and the holy army had withdrawn.

At a time when they should be enjoying the joy of peace more than anyone, what kind of problem could have arisen?

-Do you know Dorithugs?

“Dorithugs…? Ah! Acorn!?”

Demon King’s Army 1st Corps Commander Dorithugs.

Because his name was difficult, Choi Hyun-seok and Rachel called him Acorn.

-Acorn? What’s that?

“It’s nothing. Dorithugs. I know him. He’s your 1st Corps Commander. What about him?”

-Yesterday. Dorithugs suddenly declared independence.

“Independence?”

-He says he’s gathering his forces to create a separate nation.

“Hmm…”

His head was already starting to hurt.

Creating a new nation.

Just as the war ended, the prelude to a new war was about to rise.

‘I heard he’s some kind of demon supremacist, but his actions are no different from humans.’

Dorithugs leads a high noble family that produces demon representatives.

In human terms, you could say he’s from the highest noble family.

Values bloodline more than anyone.

Lives thinking that demons, specifically his clan and family, are superior.

It was quite funny how he resembled the humans he despised most.

“So what are you going to do?”

-Demons must never be divided. If one force splits, the outcome is predetermined.

“War?”

-Yes. Either the original force perishes. Or the new force perishes. One of the two.

“Ugh… What about just living separately without fighting…”

Choi Hyun-seok shook his head while speaking.

“No. This would be worse.”

Demons splitting into two wasn’t such a good idea.

While Sidriel said she would live peacefully with humans if the demons led by Dorithugs opposed that.

If they were to invade human territory.

Forget war, trust in all demons would plummet again.

This was no different from giving another opportunity and justification to the Holy Empire of Gatren.

“This has really become a headache.”

-That’s why I want to ask for your help.

“My help? Is there something I can do if I go there?”

-I’d like to discuss the details in person. Can you help?

Choi Hyun-seok scratched the back of his head.

‘I don’t have a choice.’

They couldn’t let the demons split.

It was a crisis that could potentially undo everything they’d worked for.

‘After all that hard work, we can’t let that happen.’

Having made his decision, Choi Hyun-seok nodded.

“Alright. I’ll come tomorrow. Let’s meet and talk to Acorn’s face.”

-Thank you. I’ll be waiting.

Just as the communication was about to end.

Suddenly Sidriel asked a question.

-By the way Choi Hyun-seok. What is an Acorn?

“It’s this thing. Something delicious.”

-If it’s delicious… Can it go to heaven?

“Uh…”

Choi Hyun-seok dragged out his words.

He rolled his eyes around thinking, but didn’t know how to answer.

-Why aren’t you answering? Can’t it go to heaven?

“I guess not…?”

-If it’s delicious why can’t it go to heaven?

“That’s, well…”

That day, Choi Hyun-seok had to break a sweat explaining about delicious food and the concept of heaven until late at night.

***

The next day.

Choi Hyun-seok finished his preparations to depart early in the morning.

“Our hero. You’re so busy.”

“How is your body doing?”

“Well, more or less okay.”

Park Hyun-a’s treatment was progressing smoothly.

The crisis was now over, and she had entered a stable condition.

While still far from normal condition, they say time would naturally resolve this.

“Will you be alright without me?”

At Sara Dunphy’s question, Choi Hyun-seok shook his head.

“You don’t need to come, Sara.”

“I heard this enemy is strong.”

“It’s not like I’ll be fighting alone anyway. Besides, if both Sara and I leave, who will protect this place?”

Choi Hyun-seok would be much more comfortable with Sara Dunphy’s help.

She had mastered all sorts of magic, and above all, she is strong.

While he didn’t know how strong Dorithugs was, with her help, dealing with him wouldn’t be too difficult.

However, that would leave the Mariette Kingdom empty.

Park Hyun-a still couldn’t fight.

The military power of Abelson and the royal knights alone wasn’t enough to shake off the Holy Empire of Gatren’s covert activities.

“Having reliable support at home helps people feel at ease when they go out.”

“That is also true.”

“I’ll leave this place to you, Sara.”

“Alright. Go without worry.”

Sara Dunphy gave a faint smile.

Choi Hyun-seok nodded and stepped into the magic circle.

“Then, I’ll be going. If anything happens, contact me right away.”

“Goodbye, everyone! Don’t be too heartbroken without Rachel!”

As Rachel waved her hand energetically.

There was a flash of light and the two disappeared.

They had moved to the coordinates Sidriel provided using magic.

“Phew…”

Sara Dunphy sighed after using the magic.

Park Hyun-a turned to look at Sara Dunphy.

“What’s with the sigh?”

“It’s nothing.”

“What is it? Tell me.”

Sara Dunphy shook her head.

“Just feeling fatigued from using magic, that’s all.”

Park Hyun-a’s brows furrowed deeply.

‘This monster is tired from just spatial transfer magic?’

That couldn’t be.

When it came to magic, Sara Dunphy could be called the best on the continent.

For someone like her to show such fatigue from a single spell.

There must be another reason, but Park Hyun-a didn’t press further.

‘Well, I’m sure she knows what she’s doing.’

It hadn’t even been a full day since then.

When they heard the news that Sara Dunphy had left the Mariette Kingdom.

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