The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

The Modern Founding Chronicles of the Returned Demon King

Episode 48: Doppelganger (10)

‘…What on earth is this guy doing?’

Facing the motionless man, Iris raised a question mark.

Judging by his imposing presence, he was undoubtedly a skilled individual, but she couldn’t easily deduce his identity.

If he were one of the king’s guards, he would have taken action immediately upon witnessing this scene. But mere guards couldn’t exude such an aura.

“What? How did she see it well?”

And, most importantly, the language that person is using.

The concise sentences and clear pronunciation were unmistakably Korean. Well, she could speak Korean too, from the beginning.

“Oh, if I speaks, the stealth will be revealed. But I have to report to your Majesty, so I can’t stay silent. Isn’t this called a dilemma? Ahaha!”

But did such a hunter exist in Korea? Judging by the appearance, he doesn’t seem to be Lee Seo-jun.

“Well, then, can’t I report after distancing myself for a moment? Indeed! I, a humble Shayen, cannot possibly keep up with your Majesty intelligence!”

And Lee Seo-jun clearly always wears a black suit. Of course, he could change his attire, but the skin color was different.

Moreover, there was no such person following Lee Seo-jun among the demons.

“…Your Majesty, if you keep cursing like that, I’ll be hurt even if I’m just me. How can I catch up with your wisdom?”

Iris glanced at him for a moment.

‘Just a moment.’

Could it be that Lucifer herself sent this demon?

Even if we assume that, many questions remain, but the repetitive use of the word ‘Your Majesty’ and the non-human skin color somewhat explain things.

…If I ask, I might get an idea of his identity.

“Are you… by any chance, here for me…?”

The moment she asked him in fluent Korean.

“Just shut up. I’ll deal with you later.”

Overwhelming energy emanated from him. Just raising his index finger on his lips overwhelmed the momentum.

‘…Is he really a demon sent by Lucifer?’

If so, the intimidating aura makes some sense.

Of course, why he specifically speaks Korean is still unknown,

…Darn it. If that person really sent a demon from Lucifer, it’s a big problem. Let’s just shut up for now. Action can be taken even if it’s later.

Even if one were to die here, it wouldn’t be a true death.

“Oh, you misunderstand. Your Majesty! How could I tell you to shut up! Darn it, because of that woman…”

As his sharp gaze momentarily focused here, Iris quickly lowered her eyes, treating him like an absolute.

“Yes, yes! I apologize for your understanding! …Yes, she attempted to assassinate the King of England but failed due to my appearance.”

That person extreme attitude… Could Lucifer himself be beyond that person?

I’ve never been so confused due to ignorance of information.

After conversing with someone for a while, he said,

“Hey, arrogant girl.”

“…Yes?”

“The information I’ve gathered indicates that the old man is the king of England, but why would his people try to execute the king?”

“…Before answering that, may I ask who you are?”

“Shut up. I never allowed you to ask me questions.”

Faced with his firm attitude, Iris bit her thin lips.

…The time for choices has come.

Whether he is truly a demon sent by Lucifer or if he’s a demon hidden by that guy Lee Seo-jun.

The latter is also a valid hypothesis. That person is currently using Korean, and he doesn’t bear the demonic sign of crimson red. However, that pressure remains unexplained.

Even if Lee Seo-jun is strong enough to survive the siege of the Seven Deadly Sins, his subordinates alone couldn’t possibly overwhelm me with just their presence.

For that reason alone, the former seemed more plausible.

“Based on your answer, His Majesty will decide your fate.”

And above all, if that person is truly Lucifer’s demon, there’s no turning back.

The tower built to have audience with him, one couldn’t afford to collapse it with a single mistake.

‘Why am I facing such a trial…’

Upon closer inspection, it stems from her rashness. Trying to execute the King of England was purely by chance.

‘Is this Lucifer’s way of dealing with pride.’

But if one simply thinks of it as Lucifer sending a demon, it’s natural for her to show bewilderment at his independent actions.

…A decision has been made.

Honestly speaking, even if he is under Lee Seo-jun, there’s no danger to her life.

Considering it as Lucifer’s sent demon is the most plausible and least risky choice.

Thus, she kneeled on one knee.

“I wanted to kill the fake king and serve the true king, Lucifer.”

“…What?”

“And I thought this place would be enough for you to stay comfortably, so I wanted to clear it neatly before your arrival.”

It was an undeniable truth.

While it might be considered presumptuous for other Seven Deadly Sins, Lucifer, who had been trusted so far, might even be satisfied with such arrogance.

So, confidently lifting her head, she faced him.

After a moment, he pressed two fingers against his ear.

“…Your Majesty, this person is strange. When I asked why she tried to execute the king, she suddenly said it was to serve the true king, Lucifer?”

“…..?”

A speech that seemed to know nothing, she was momentarily stunned.

“You can’t be… A presence as powerful as you is under Lee Seo-jun’s command?”

…Then how strong is the Lee Seo-jun that person follows? Is he really as powerful as the Seven Deadly Sins, if not surpassing them?

As various thoughts swirled in her mind, he looked in her direction.

“Indeed, Your Majesty insight is always excellent.”

An endlessly cold gaze settled.

There was nothing there but intent to kill someone.

“Iris Yerena.”

Like inscribing a name in a registry, a chilly tone,

“Following His majesty orders, I will kill you.”

In a stately and serene mansion, a fierce moonlight flashed from his waist.

The cleanly drawn trajectory pierced through the neck, and the sight soared.

‘Can’t see him drawing the sword….’

Before fully grasping the unfolded situation, the ‘connection’ with it was severed.

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***

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Shayen swiftly drew back the dagger and observed the woman’s head rolling on the ground.

The smoothly cut section of the neck showed no bones or muscles, and not a drop of blood was visible.

Shayen touched her ear.

“Your Majesty, aren’t creatures in this place supposed to bleed?”

[What are you talking about?]

“I beheaded her, but not a single drop of blood came out.”

[…It’s probably her ability, ‘Avatar’. The main body must be somewhere else.]

“Shall I find and kill her?”

[Can you find her?]

After picking up the mannequin-like woman’s head, Shayen responded confidently.

“I could find her with ‘clairvoyance’ since I just sensed her energy.”

[Then report afterward. Oh, this time, instead of killing her immediately since I can’t see, extract information from her.]

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Shayen responded respectfully before ending the communication.

He then turned around and walked toward the open window.

“Uh, um…!”

The king desperately grabbed Shayen.

As Shayen, with one foot on the windowsill, turned his head, the king expressed gratitude.

“I-I don’t know who you are but thank you for sparing me!”

However, due to the English language, Shayen couldn’t understand his words.

Shayen simply raised his index finger to his lips, leaning his body out of the window.

In a moment when the king blinked, Shayen’s figure cleanly disappeared, leaving only the white curtains fluttering in the wind.

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***

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An abandoned building on the outskirts of London, England.

Moonlight through the broken window cast a faint glow on the things inside the room.

“…Cough!”

Among them, Iris, sitting on the sofa, bent forward, gasping for breath. Saliva still dribbled from her mouth, vividly experiencing the sensation.

Iris trembled hands moved to her neck. A perfectly intact neck.

Only when the flush subsided a bit did she forcefully spit out the saliva.

Seeing the awakened Iris, a devotee rushed over.

“High Priestess! Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay to you?”

Iris glared at the devotee with somewhat bloodshot eyes.

Startled, the devotee bowed deeply.

“I-I’m sorry!”

Ignoring that, Iris leaned back against the sofa, reflecting on the recent situation.

…Clearly, she didn’t even perceive his attack when he swung the sword. She just recognized the height that rose like it would touch the ceiling, thinking her throat was cut,

Even though it was called an ‘Avatar’, it was weaker than the main body, it was a force beyond the norm. Even if it were the main body, the outcome wouldn’t have been different,

But is he really under Lee Seo-jun?

Of course, there’s a possibility otherwise, but considering all the elements, that hypothesis seems the most plausible.

At that moment, the devotee asked.

“But… did you kill the king…?”

“I couldn’t kill him.”

“…What?”

“I said I couldn’t. Damn it. Just shut up.”

“Yes, yes…!”

Iris nervously bit her fingernails. Unless the man was not the demon sent by Lucifer, she had to accept the hypothesis as the truth and act accordingly.

He possessed enough power to surpass the 12 Zodiac, and Lee Seo-jun had even greater strength.

“…This is not the time.”

Iris stood up and walked briskly outside the building.

After Beelzebub, Lee Seo-jun had already been designated as a dangerous figure by the Cult of Great Sin.

However, Lee Seo-jun had far exceeded the expected threat level. She needed to inform other members of the Cult of Great Sin immediately and revise their plans significantly.

“High Priestess, where are you going?”

“Everyone, follow me. Since he’s still in London, we need to move before he catches up.”

Even those with the exploration abilities in the UK couldn’t find her, but if she was here, there was a possibility of finding him. Although it was just a possibility, avoiding danger was preferable.

– Whoosh –

Suddenly, the wind blew, causing the shattered glass of the broken window to tremble. There was complete silence, except for the sound of the wind.

Frustrated that the devotees didn’t follow, Iris turned back nervously.

“Why aren’t you coming—”

Her words stopped abruptly at the sight that met her eyes. The devotees, frozen like mannequins.

“…What are you guys doing?”

Anxiety caused her lips to twitch, and her voice vibrated accordingly.

A faint beam of light appeared in the dimly lit room, emanating from a faintly glowing light.

Next moment.

– Boom –

Countless lines appeared on their bodies, and pieces of flesh and droplets of blood scattered into the air.

The splattering blood, like an erupting volcano, covered the light bulb, plunging the building into complete darkness.

“…Huh?”

The pale yellow light turned into a faint red hue, and the building became entirely dark due to the light that couldn’t penetrate the blood.

Although no footsteps or breath could be heard, Iris felt someone in the thick darkness. An undeniable presence gradually approached her.

– Whoosh –

With a chilly wind, the moonlight penetrated the darkness. In that slanting moonlight, the figure of a man slowly emerged.

Cloth flapping like ghostly robes, eyes like sharp blades shaking, and threads dropping blood from fingertips.

And…

“His Majesty orders are not yet over.”

Two pupils that seemed to swallow everything.

“Iris Yerena.”

There, my physical form was contained.

(To be continued in the next part)