Returning to the castle with chunks of the decayed flesh from the [Devil's Possession], Alhaitham focused on restoring his magic power as he walked. His expression remained calm, but internally, he was meticulously circulating mana throughout his body.
He even made a casual excuse to his companion, Alpha.
"I just don't want to use magic to rush. The scenery's nice. Might as well take a proper walk for once."
"I understand," Alpha replied with a gentle smile. "It's nice to slow down now and then."
As she admired the surrounding landscape with genuine curiosity, her eyes frequently drifted back to Alhaitham. There was something about this elf that always seemed to draw her gaze.
But Alhaitham had no time to enjoy the view.
His attention was entirely focused on restoring his magic. After all, the treatment for [Devil's Possession] would have to be carried out by him directly—and it consumed a significant amount of mana.
I really need to find a way to increase my MP.
Even though I possess various types of magic, no matter how vast it is, it still gets drained eventually...
Especially when using EA at full power—it requires an astronomical amount of magic energy.
Is there any method to obtain limitless mana?
Hmm… wait... I think I might have an idea.
The corners of Alhaitham's lips curled upward as he walked. He chuckled softly to himself.
I really am a genius.
The thought was enough to spark excitement within him. He couldn't wait to return and begin testing his hypothesis.
Back at the Castle
Upon their return to the castle, Alhaitham had managed to recover enough magic to proceed. He immediately began the ritual to suppress, guide, release, and soothe the chaotic energy within the afflicted girl's body.
This time, the process went smoothly.
"Oh? It's another elf?"
This girl, unlike Alpha, had distinct features—silver hair, deep blue eyes, and a single teardrop-shaped mole at the corner of her eye. Her long, pointed ears confirmed her elven lineage.
Although still a child, it was clear that she would one day grow into a stunningly beautiful elf.
"I… I'm back to normal? It really worked? I've… changed back?"
Overwhelmed, the silver-haired elf broke down in sobs. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she looked at her restored body in disbelief.
Alhaitham offered no words. He simply gave Alpha a glance. The message was clear.
You do the talking.
Alpha nodded, stepping forward with a soft, reassuring smile.
"First, congratulations. You've been cured of your [Devil's Possession] thanks to Alhaitham. Now, allow me to explain everything. The truth is… we are the descendants of the hero who once defeated the demon Diablos. But…"
(Alpha summarized the long historical explanation here—cutting the unnecessary fluff.)
The silver-haired girl stood frozen.
She had no reason to believe such a wild tale, and yet… everything aligned. The transformation, the cure, the strange sensations of dark energy leaving her body—it all proved the truth of their words.
Then, Alhaitham stepped forward, extending his hand toward her.
"Now that you are free, the choice is yours. You can return to your hometown and pretend none of this ever happened… or you can join us."
"…Please!" she cried, falling to her knees. "Please let me be your companion!"
Return home? Impossible.
After she was discovered to be [Devil Possessed], her world had collapsed. Her family and friends all turned on her, labeling her a monster. She was abandoned, ostracized. There was no home to return to. That world no longer had a place for her.
But here—these two had saved her. Perhaps they could also offer her a new purpose.
Alhaitham gave her a calm, noble nod.
"Excellent. Then from today forward, forget your past—your experiences, your pain, even your name. I will give you a new identity, a new life. From this moment, you are Beta, the second seat of the Dark Night Courtyard."
"Yes! I understand!"
Beta bowed deeply, tears still in her eyes. Despite the hardship she had endured, there was now hope, a direction.
And with that, the organization's membership doubled in size.
Alhaitham let out a long exhale, quietly satisfied with their progress.
Not bad. We're moving faster than expected.
He left Beta in the care of Alpha and walked off toward his quarters, knowing that the others—Ram, Rem, or Alpha—were more than capable of guiding the newcomer. He didn't need to worry too much.
In His Private Chamber
"Tired. So damn tired."
Alhaitham collapsed onto the massive, ridiculously luxurious bed in his room.
It was enormous—three meters wide and five meters long. A far cry from the cramped single bed he'd known in his past life. For a seven-year-old like him, it was almost comically oversized.
His eyelids drooped, fighting to stay open.
The composure he had maintained earlier now melted away. In its place, a look of sheer exhaustion and pain twisted across his face.
The toll of using the forced kill system, combined with the magic consumed during the healing ritual, had left him utterly drained. He knew full well that tomorrow he'd probably sleep in until noon.
He didn't even want to move a finger.
Sometimes I really wonder about myself, he thought bitterly. Why go so far just to keep up appearances?
But he knew the answer.
"The king must never appear weak before his vassals. If I look pathetic, those who serve me will feel anxious. The king must always look confident. Always look perfect."
Alhaitham was painfully prideful.
He would never show weakness in front of others. No matter how much it hurt. No matter how tired he felt. The mask of perfection had to stay in place.
But there were two exceptions.
Only two women in the world could make him drop the act. Only two people had earned the right to see him in his most vulnerable state.
----------------------------–-------------------------
Extra chapters available in patreon
patreon.com/Dragonscribe31