The Author's POV

My eyes were glued to Edward's body, which was lying on the ground. In my ears, the noise from the crowd was drowned out.

During that moment, I had all my attention focused on Edward.

It wasn't until I saw his chest move that I finally relaxed.

He was still alive.

As he lay on the ground with his eyes wide open, staring at the red sky of the arena, his body was anything but fine.

Taking a deep breath and inwardly praying, I put the device back in my dimensional space and closed my eyes.

'I hope Amanda does not find out about this…'

If she found out I beat up her father...

Shivers ran down my spine.

'...Yeah, let's hope that does not happen.'

What Demon King?

She would probably finish me before that happened.

Well, I didn't think she would go that far, but I still didn't care to find out what would happen.

Keeping this secret under the grave was a sacred duty.

"Haa..."

I exhaled, and slowly opened my eyes.

As I opened my eyes again, I felt everyone's gaze pause on me. A pin-drop silence filled the arena grounds as none of the spectators spoke.

I then glanced toward the right. Nevertheless, I was surprised to find that the demoness had not appeared yet.

She was usually punctual.

'Where is she?'

I wondered to myself as I glanced around the place. It didn't take long for her to appear, as her figure appeared next to me shortly thereafter.

'Ah, there she is.'

Her eyes alternated between Edward and me as she hung open-mouthed. Eventually, she began to announce the match's result. The look on her face never changed as she spoke.

It was still filled with shock.

[…and the winner of the match is White Reaper, officially dethroning the Blood Prince from his Overlord position, and thereby becoming the new Overlord!]

It wasn't long before her words deeply echoed throughout the whole arena.

During a brief pause, the crowd and spectators digested the information before erupting into cheers.

The stadium started shaking as the cheers grew louder.

It was that loud.

My attention briefly focused on Edward's direction before I turned around and moved toward the metallic gates in the distance.

'My job is done, I should get prepared for the big event that is coming soon...'

It was about time I returned home.

***

"Not bad…"

Duke Azenoch's face was tinged with a faint curl as he watched White Reaper's figure slowly exit the arena.

The more he looked at him, the more pleased he became as he mumbled softly.

"He did not make the same mistake as the other one."

Recalling what had happened with SilverStar, the Duke shook his head with evident disappointment.

He was a good seedling. An obedient one.

he had failed his

hadn't

one isn't

observing White Reaper from above, Duke Azonech's lips opened

glance, he looks

that was merely on the

come to the conclusion that he wasn't one

wanted to

smile on his face deepened as he slowly

"...A pity."

under

choose to kill yourself like

believe that he could escape after seeing what he

lived a few more years, he became greedy and decided to challenge

mistake on

I have to kill

his hand, he proceeded to head out

him to reap his

***

don't

room, the first thing that greeted

It wasn't that I didn't want to, but

one of my movements was being closely monitored, and given that I couldn't speak to him inside of my mind,

aware of my

the other matches that you've experienced.

sight, I subtly nodded

'I know.'

Of course, I knew.

as Edward, he was actually coming at me with the intent of killing me, unlike Edward who came

fully aware of the fact that he wasn't going to be honest with his rank as he

the fight. As if the Duke would ever

the biggest humiliation

your skills are more than enough to fight against the Duke had he been suppressed. With

paused mid-sentence, and silence

his sentence to understand what he was trying to

then that

stand no chance at beating him. Your only choice

direction, I

thoughts were

don't

despite helping me over the course of four months, he had

wasn't doing it for the sake of doing

understood this point as I took

He also knew this.

there was only

was still unclear about his real

rid of his curse? But what

would repeatedly loop for him, or was it

I wasn't sure.

he would always keep his lips

His silence seemed forced.

as though someone or something

the weird chains? This was most likely

of these unanswered questions aside, I still didn't feel comfortable with the idea of him taking over

when you use Monarch's

said those words, I cocked my head forward and gave

know you were the

my thoughts, he

we were in that dungeon. What difference does it make now?... Are you really that confident in defeating a Duke-ranked demon that could potentially

eyes, he paused for a brief moment

want to die, or how many times you die, you will never die.

his ice-cold eyes looked down at

interested in taking your body. But, it is within my best interest that you don't

he pointed his finger

is within your best interest if you

***

Clank. Clank. Clank.

small

"Ukhh.."

a figure standing there. Blinking a couple of times to get a better look