The eyes of the Extreme Villain Demon behind the mask held genuine sincerity.

To say he would follow me no matter what orders came—even if it meant defying the Heavenly Demon’s commands—was a pledge of unwavering support.

By merely saying that, he risked his life. Defying the Heavenly Demon’s orders meant death, regardless of rank or status.

Just now, the Extreme Villain Demon had put his life on the line for me.

Because of that, my gaze and voice trembled toward him.

“This must be why. Why Father met Somma among the Demon Lords first.”

The Extreme Villain Demon silently stared at me, then unexpectedly spoke.

“I hope this matter doesn’t become a personal issue between father and son.”

“What do you mean?”

“That your relationship doesn’t grow distant because of this. Instead, make it a matter between the Sect Leader and the Demon Lords.”

He was worried about the relationship between me and my father.

“You, Little Pill Master, must actively use the Demon Lords. If it’s anything else, maybe not, but if this is war, the will of the Demon Lords is absolutely crucial.”

Even the Heavenly Demon could not unilaterally decide on a war that risked everyone’s lives.

“If more than half the Demon Lords oppose it, even the Sect Leader will have to abandon his intention.”

But would the other Demon Lords gladly side with me like the Extreme Villain Demon? Probably not. Even the Blood Heaven Sword Master struggled to decide.

“Though I’ve grown close with the Demon Lords, making them oppose my father’s will will be difficult.”

“That’s naturally difficult. But to achieve your martial way, Little Pill Master, you must accomplish it.”

I silently nodded and shared my honest feelings.

“Now that we’re closer, it feels even harder. Before, I used flattery and all sorts of words to enchant them. Now that feels more difficult. Is it finally time to return to the basics of flattery?”

Despite my joke, the eyes behind the mask remained serious.

“Do you think the Demon Lords fell for that flattery?”

“No?”

The Extreme Villain Demon replied firmly.

“They fell for your sincerity—the sincerity always present beneath the flattery and flashy words. Your martial way that even seeks to protect a mere tavern keeper. I think everyone fell for that.”

He was talking more than usual because he truly cared for me.

“So be bolder. Whether flattery or coercion, shout that your martial way is this and that and that they must follow you. Don’t worry about the Demon Lords. Don’t worry about burdening them. If they made a decision, it’s because they could bear it and chose to do so.”

After a brief pause, the Extreme Villain Demon added.

“There are eight of us. Even if wounded, the eight share the burden. So don’t hesitate—draw that sword.”

Before the regression, the Extreme Villain Demon was not like this. Now I could see this fiery passion deep within him.

That wish to be friends with me until the last dying moment stemmed from this passion.

“Somma, in this life, let’s go together till the end. Let’s be friends till the very end.”

This was my answer to Somma’s passion.

I respectfully bowed my fists and expressed my gratitude.

“Yes, I will remember well. Thank you for your advice.”

The Extreme Villain Demon bowed his fists to me in return.

“I should be the one thanking you.”

“What do you mean?”

“Thanks to the eternal snow ginseng you gave me earlier, my martial skill has risen a level.”

“Ah, congratulations!”

I was as happy as if it were my own achievement—no, even more so.

But I could not accept such thanks.

“That achievement is not just because of the eternal snow ginseng.”

Just because internal energy increases doesn’t mean martial arts leap to the next stage.

Many factors must have played a role. The ginseng helped, but also the life-or-death battles with me, bringing the bed into the room, and the mental change from studying ledgers.

“My martial arts had been stagnant for a long time. It was frustrating, but now I’ve broken through. Because of that, my martial arts changed significantly.”

He was delighted. Reaching the next level from Demon Lord class was truly difficult.

What he probably wanted most to hear from me was this:

“I look forward to our next fight.”

Indeed, the Extreme Villain Demon’s eyes lit up with a bright smile.

“Well then, I shall take my leave.”

Before I left, he emphasized one fact.

“To stop a war, you must win over at least one of the Eight Demon Lords to your side.”

“Who would that be?”

The one the Extreme Villain Demon had in mind was none other than

“The Poison King.”

I thought the same.

He was the one who would inspire the greatest fear in the enemy during war.

The moment war broke out, he would become the number one assassination target of both the Martial Alliance and the Apostle Alliance. Countless assassins and hit squads would be sent to kill him.

Perhaps he might be classified as an enemy that must be killed before even my father or me. Such was the terrifying power of the Poison King.

I pictured the Poison King alone in the forest. No matter what was said around him, he remained in his own world, staring at poisonous plants and insects.

“He’s the hardest Demon Lord to persuade.”

The Extreme Villain Demon said with a meaningful look.

“The Sect Leader will feel the same.”

After leaving the Extreme Villain Demon’s quarters, I went straight to the Drunken Dream Tower.

Meeting other Demon Lords was important, but first and foremost, I needed to discover my father’s true feelings.

What kind of conversation did he have with the Blood Heaven Sword Master?

Yeobin welcomed me warmly as I arrived at the Drunken Dream Tower after a long time.

“Glad you returned safely, Little Pill Master.”

“Thanks to the Blood Heaven Sword Master.”

“The Blood Heaven Sword Master said you gained much from this trip.”

“I just learned for the first time on this trip how wonderful the Blood Heaven Sword Master truly is.”

When I praised the Blood Heaven Sword Master, Yeobin smiled faintly.

We boarded a boat he piloted and crossed the lake to the Drunken Dream Tower.

Blood Heaven Sword Master was sitting on the railing, staring at the lake. At such moments, I thought of the Extreme Villain Demon staring at a white wall alone.

Even from afar, I could tell he was drunk.

“He’s been drinking continuously since returning from the Sect Leader.”

“Did he come back in a bad mood?”

“No, he’s drinking because he’s in a very good mood.”

The boat reached the island.

Seeing me, the Blood Heaven Sword Master waved and shouted.

“You’re here? Welcome, my brother!”

He shouted excitedly with a slurred voice.

Inside the pavilion, empty bottles were scattered everywhere. He was still drinking from the Binggung sacred cup.

“What kind of rampage is this? Didn’t you promise to drink one cup instead of two when you drank from that cup?”

“It’s a special day, so just this once. I’m in such a good mood ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) I can’t help but drink.”

Had I ever seen Blood Heaven Sword Master this cheerful?

“Did you have a good time drinking with Father? Did you drink a lot?”

“Don’t even say it. We finished all the wine in the Sect Leader’s chamber. I didn’t realize it when drinking, but once outside, the intoxication hit me hard. When with the Sect Leader, I was too tense to even notice.”

I could imagine how nervous he must have been.

“Was this your first proper drinking with Father?”

“I had drunk before a few times—when I first became a Demon Lord and with others. But this was the first time drinking properly with the Sect Leader.”

“How was it?”

“It was good. Really good.”

“What did you talk about?”

“All sorts of things. The Sect Leader remembered all the things from my youth.”

Remembering that again, Blood Heaven Sword Master happily drank.

“The thing that made me happiest was this: the Sect Leader said he was relieved to send you out with me. Oh, I didn’t know he trusted me this much.”

Blood Heaven Sword Master was genuinely moved. Had Father really started managing the Demon Lords? Or was it simply a night spent with Blood Heaven Sword Master?

“It’s all thanks to you.”

“Why?”

“If you hadn’t accepted this Binggung sacred cup, Father wouldn’t have invited me to drink, and the wine tasted so good he insisted.”

“Maybe it’s not because of the sacred cup.”

“Not really?”

“Maybe this is your chance to become Father’s right hand.”

Blood Heaven Sword Master shook his head firmly.

“That’s impossible.”

“Who knows?”

After a brief pause, Blood Heaven Sword Master said,

“I’m not someone the Sect Leader would like. He prefers people like Kwonma or Blood Heaven Sword Master.”

“Judging by your sober judgment, you’re not drunk at all.”

No matter what orders Father gave, Kwonma would follow them without hesitation. That was the deep trust he had.

Blood Heaven Sword Master gazed at the lake for a moment and suddenly asked,

“Why did you come here?”

He had realized there must be a reason for me to come to the Drunken Dream Tower instead of visiting many Demon Lords.

Now was the time to cast a stone into this calm lake.

If I spoke honestly about my purpose, it would dampen Blood Heaven Sword Master’s good mood. The matter was not yet certain. Should I just let it slide?

Sometimes, when you want to avoid annoying and uncomfortable situations under the pretext of consideration, this is exactly that moment. I could have avoided it with a smile if I said nothing. But then it would get serious, and faces would redden.

But this was exactly when I had to reverse the perspective. How would I feel if someone avoided telling me honestly, saying it was for my own good? Would that consideration not hurt?

Putting myself in his place, I felt I would be upset.

Setting aside everything else, was the reason for not telling me directly simply because it would ruin my good mood? That’s not right.

And one more thing. This was not a secret that only I knew; both the Blood Heaven Sword Master and the Extreme Villain Demon knew.

“Did you enjoy enough?”

“What do you mean?”

“Did you fully savor Father’s affection?”

Blood Heaven Sword Master’s expression tightened slightly. He sensed that what I was about to say was related to the drinking with Father.

“Sorry to ruin the mood. But this is something I have to be honest with you about.”

I told Blood Heaven Sword Master the core of my previous conversations with the two Demon Lords.

“It’s not certain yet. I’m only guessing what Father really feels.”

After hearing everything, Blood Heaven Sword Master pondered quietly.

“I thought carefully about yesterday’s drinking, and Father didn’t mention a word about what worries you. Nor did he give any hint.”

Then Blood Heaven Sword Master suddenly gulped down his drink several times. His expression was just like this: Yeah, there’s no way the Sect Leader likes me!

“I don’t know the real story yet. Maybe he was just trying to fix things with you. Who knows what’s really in Father’s heart.”

Refilling his cup, Blood Heaven Sword Master pointed out one thing.

“But one thing’s for sure.”

“What?”

“He asked me to look after you. He said something similar about Somma.”

“He said that to you too?”

Blood Heaven Sword Master nodded. Father had entrusted me again?

“Has Father given up on you and accepted Somma as his own?”

Blood Heaven Sword Master looked indignant.

“Why would he give up on me?”

“What? You’re not on my side?”

Blood Heaven Sword Master seriously replied.

“Little Pill Master, you must separate work from personal matters.”

Half joking, half serious, but mostly serious.

Sure, not only Blood Heaven Sword Master. No matter how close to me, who could refuse Father’s orders? There’s no reason to feel hurt about that.

Still, I wanted to know Blood Heaven Sword Master’s thoughts this time.

“What if that order is to start a war?”

Blood Heaven Sword Master gave no answer. Did he want to rush through the battlefield’s fog? Or did he want to sit here, looking at this beautiful lake and drinking?

He gave no direct answer.

“While fighting those self-destructive bastards recently, I thought: these trash don’t fear our sect at all.”

I could tell he was speaking figuratively.

He wanted to wipe out all the trash.

Of course, that didn’t mean he wanted war, but it didn’t mean he wanted to live staring at a lake like this either.

“So you’re on Father’s side.”

“Whose side is mine or yours?”

“I guess this matter will inevitably become a side-taking battle.”

Blood Heaven Sword Master drank silently.

“When I see Father, I’ll be sure to tell him how loyal you are. Stronger loyalty to Father than our brotherhood!”

Then Blood Heaven Sword Master spoke in a dejected voice.

“Do you think he’ll really like it?”

“What do you mean?”

“I think he might actually dislike it.”

“Why would he dislike following Father?”

Blood Heaven Sword Master drank again.

“You said Father asked you to look after me. Maybe he hopes I’ll side with you.”

Blood Heaven Sword Master looked at me and offered his cup. I drank what he poured, then poured him a drink in return.

“If you know so well, why do you act like that?”

“Because I’m a drunkard.”

Though Blood Heaven Sword Master asked whose side was whose, I could feel he truly wanted to be on Father’s side.

Deep inside, he clearly wanted to please Father, to be better recognized by him.

I don’t know the root of that desire. Maybe because of a long-standing misunderstanding that Father hated him. Or for some other reason.

“Little Pill Master.”

Since the joking side was gone from Blood Heaven Sword Master, I spoke respectfully.

“Yes, Blood Heaven Sword Master.”

“Make sure to persuade the other Demon Lords.”

“I will.”

After respectfully greeting, I added loudly.

“How can I? My brother abandoned me, so who’ll be on my side?”

“Sorry. I had no choice. Even I barely remember the me you knew.”

“When I leave the sect and return next time, I’ll come find my brother one last time!”

I was about to leave grumbling when Blood Heaven Sword Master said,

“Thank you for being honest.”

I calmly looked into his eyes and replied,

“Of course. You’re my brother.”

At that moment, the core of our relationship was clear. I was honest with him, and he was honest with me.

Honesty can sometimes be a double-edged sword that hurts us, but we are the ones who wield it best.

That’s why even if my brother sides with Father, we can grow closer.

“Who’s next?”

Maybe someone who might know Father’s true feelings.

I clenched my fist slowly as I walked down from the Drunken Dream Tower.

“I’ll try confronting head-on. Going to the biggest, toughest cliff.”