## Chapter 167 – Collusion (12)
Lahart’s sudden words took Number 25 by surprise.
“Work?”
The fact that Lahart, who seemed capable of doing anything with just his aura, had work for him was astonishing.
“Yes, and it’s something only you can do.”
“Something only I can do… what is it?”
Lahart paused, gazing silently into his teacup. The wavering in his eyes was not due to the ripples on the surface of the tea. After a sigh, Lahart finally spoke.
“Have you ever heard of the Outcasts?”
Number 25’s body twitched slightly. There was no reason to lie, so he nodded and replied briefly.
“…Yes.”
“How much do you know?”
Number 25 barely recalled his conversation with Rou. The Outcasts were former heroes who had lost their original forms due to a curse from the Demon King Midar, making them unwelcome to both humans and demons.
He recounted everything he knew, and Lahart listened quietly, nodding with a still-dark expression. This contrasted with the bright demeanor Lahart had shown so far, making it clear that the story to come would not be pleasant.
“You know quite a bit.”
Lahart then slumped back into the sofa, seemingly lost in thought. There was a difference between deciding on a plan and having the courage to execute it. An awkward silence ensued, and just as Number 25 was about to speak, Lahart broke the silence.
“To put it bluntly, would you lend me your strength in capturing the Outcasts?”
Number 25 couldn’t believe his ears. His mind briefly froze at the unexpected request, and then a bewildered, almost scream-like exclamation escaped his lips.
“Huh?!”
“You’re probably taken aback. I’m not comfortable asking this either. It will definitely be difficult.”
“So, living in District 1…?”
Number 25 trailed off. He didn’t want to experience separating from Asel and Charlotte again. As if reading his concerns, Lahart smiled and shook his head.
“You seem to misunderstand. I’m not asking you to come to District 1. I simply need you to lend me your strength when I need it.”
It was welcome news, but Number 25 still couldn’t easily accept Lahart’s request. Above all, wasn’t it dangerous? According to Rou, the Outcasts were powerful enough to easily destroy a district. It was hard to believe that his strength would be of any help in capturing them.
In a trembling voice, Number 25 voiced his doubts.
“I heard that you are very strong, Your Majesty. Even so, you can’t…?”
The words “kill them” didn’t come easily. Lahart, as if understanding Number 25’s hesitation, replied with a slight smile.
“As you think, I can’t kill them with my power. I can neutralize them, but my fangs can’t reach their throats.”
Lahart’s answer didn’t fully resolve Number 25’s doubts. Without delay, Lahart continued.
“But you are different from us.”
“Different?”
“I can’t be fooled. Aren’t you a descendant of the last dragon?”
Number 25’s breath caught in his throat. Only Rou, Asel, and Charlotte knew that fact. It was hard to believe they would easily reveal his secret to someone. Lahart, staring intently into Number 25’s eyes, spoke in a reassuring tone.
“There’s no need to be so surprised. There’s very little I don’t know in this Demon World.”
Number 25 swallowed hard and continued his questioning.
“What does me being a dragon have to do with the Outcasts?”
Lahart didn’t answer immediately, instead bringing the now-cooling tea to his lips for the first time.
“I still remember your mother. She was at the forefront of stopping the Outcast attacks, and I have never forgotten that her sacrifice to protect us until the very end is why we are alive today.”
When the story of his mother came up, Number 25 listened quietly without asking any more questions.
“Haven’t you realized it yet? We can’t kill the Outcasts, but the only race that can approach their origin is yours, the dragon race. The reason is still unknown…”
Lahart put down the teacup and waited for Number 25’s answer. In other words, Lahart wanted him to fight the Outcasts like his mother did. But for Number 25, it wasn’t a very beneficial offer. It would only put his life in danger, and wasn’t he already living a satisfying life?
“I heard that you have been stopping the Outcasts with your power, Your Majesty, so isn’t that enough? Can’t we just continue as we are…?”
Number 25’s words were reasonable. Lahart nodded slightly, as if expecting that answer.
“Yes, we are only stopping their intrusions. But if you think differently, we can’t go outside either. I don’t want that. I don’t want to confine everyone in a cage made of fear.”
Lahart stood up and looked out the window.
“Come here.”
Number 25 hesitantly stood next to Lahart. From Lahart’s room, located at the highest point in District 1, the city was visible at a glance. His expression as he looked at his people was kind. Number 25 could feel that he hadn’t become king solely through his great power.
“You have your own life, so I won’t force you.”
Lahart naturally placed his hand on Number 25’s shoulder, pointed outside, and began to speak.
“However, I want to show everyone in this Demon World the light outside. Not the world hidden by the lie of a barrier, but the true light. I want to give freedom to the children who will be born in the future, and to the adults who have experienced war and can’t escape the pain of defeat, I want to return their healing and childhood memories.”
Lahart’s hand on Number 25’s shoulder tightened.
“Of course, we could interact with the humans outside as before, but I don’t want that. They will surely repeat their mistakes. But we can’t just leave the Outcasts, who must suffer eternally, alone.”
Number 25 was now listening intently to the future Lahart was describing. The future he envisioned was also what Number 25 wanted. A future where everyone didn’t have to worry, and the thought of living happily with everyone, especially Asel and Charlotte, at the end of it made him smile.
“To give rest to the Outcasts who have suffered until now, and peace to us as well… I have wanted that since the moment I became the Demon King.”
Lahart stepped away from the window and looked directly at Number 25.
“Until now, it has only been my ideal, but if you help me, we can definitely make it a reality. Will you join me in pioneering our future?”
After finishing his words, Lahart extended his hand to Number 25. It was a beautiful hand without a single scar, but what it sought to grasp was immeasurably vast. Number 25 took his hand, and Lahart smiled brightly, patting him on the shoulder.
“I knew I could count on you to follow my will.”
“I… I may be inadequate, but please take care of me.”
Having formed a kind of cooperative relationship with Lahart, Number 25 thought a lot about the role that would be given to him. It would definitely be a difficult path, but for the sake of everyone, especially Asel and Charlotte, he could sacrifice himself.
Having finished the heavy conversation, Lahart, with a lighter demeanor than before, invited Number 25 to sit down. His tone had also changed from that of a solemn king to that of a close older brother.
“Stay here for a moment. It was boring because we only talked about work, right? I’ll bring out some food soon, so wait.”
“Ah, thank you.”
While waiting for the food, Number 25 pondered what to say. Unlike the other Demon Kings, he was the only male Demon King, and he had no idea what topic to talk about with him.
“Asel’s expression looked very bright when I saw her the other day. It must be all thanks to you, right?”
When Asel’s name came up, Number 25 naturally perked up and showed an active interest. He was always happy to hear stories about Asel that he didn’t know.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, after losing her mother, Asel’s expression was so painful that it was hard to watch. But Asel at the arena was so focused on your match that she didn’t even look this way, and she was playing with the other guys, showing a lively side, so I was relieved.”
“That’s a relief.”
However, he couldn’t be completely happy to hear Asel’s name from Lahart’s mouth. Wasn’t Lahart the rumored fiancé of Asel? If this man decided to, Number 25 had no way to stop him. There was nothing more humiliating than having a loved one taken away before his eyes.
Lahart, seeing a slight hint of jealousy in Number 25’s eyes, chuckled.
“You’re worried about that, aren’t you? You don’t have to worry. It was just a joke between the adults. I have no reason to interfere in your relationship, and I’m not interested in that right now.”
At Lahart’s words, Number 25 let out a sigh, relieving some of the burden he had been carrying.
“I wanted to talk a little more, but we should have the meal later.”
“Yes?”
“You looked so happy talking about Asel… I don’t want to take up any more of your time.”
After finishing his words, Lahart waved his hand without waiting for Number 25’s reply, and at the same time, the scenery began to blur. What began to appear in his wavering vision was Asel’s ferocious chest.
