"It seems your son is not able to survive the demon corrosion. Grab a cage for his son," Demon Baron Arjit ordered one of the low-level demon guards.
"Yes, my lord," the demon guard bowed, going to get a cage.
"No! It can't be! Kyle! Fight back! I did not raise you to be weak! You have to continue the family name! You are my heir! Heir to the Albert family!" Mr. Albert screamed, trying to motivate his son, but it was useless—Kyle couldn't hear him.
"If shouting could prevent the corrosion, then I believe we wouldn't need any cages, nor would we have demonic beasts," Demon Baron Arjit mocked Mr. Albert.
The guard soon returned with a cage. "Put him in. I don't want to waste my time containing him after he has changed," Demon Baron Arjit commanded.
Bowing his head, the demon guard dragged the cage toward Kyle to fulfill the task he had been ordered to do.
The guard got closer and was about to pick Kyle up, only to be flung backward by an invisible force, colliding with a wall.
"Hmm? That's strange," Demon Baron Arjit muttered. He walked closer to Kyle.
"Hmm, astonishing. His vitals are slowly stabilizing, and the supposed demon corrosion is receding. Very interesting. I guess he is not a failure after all," Demon Baron Arjit said.
After waiting for a couple of minutes, the change in Kyle that had been slow and stagnant immediately accelerated. His skin peeled off at an incredible speed, with smoother and more beautiful skin regenerating and taking its place just as fast. His hair grew longer and darker, his muscles became more refined, and overall, his beauty increased greatly.
"What is going on?" Demon Baron Arjit muttered, finding the situation astonishing. This was the first time a case like this had occurred. For all the times the demon pills had been fed to lower beings to demonize them, they had either turned into demonic beasts or, at best, lowborn demon guards. Their faces would change, becoming more horrific in the process. But seeing Kyle's physique and appearance improve came as a shock.
However, that was not the only thing increasing—Kyle's strength was also rising. From human strength to that of a demonic beast, then to the level of a servant demon, a lowborn demon guard, a highborn demon guard, a demon knight, a demon noble, and then a demon Baron.
Demon Baron Arjit was surprised when Kyle's strength equaled his. At that moment, he felt threatened.
'If I let him grow stronger, he might surpass me. I can't let a lowly human become stronger than me. I have to kill him now!'
Demon Baron Arjit made up his mind before extending his claws toward Kyle's neck, planning to slit his throat and eliminate the threat for good.
"Nooooooo!!!" Mr. Albert screamed, realizing what Demon Baron Arjit was about to do. Although a bit late, he ran toward his son, hoping to protect him. But he was too slow—there was no way he could be faster than a demon Baron.
"Aaargghhhhh!" A scream so loud and sharp echoed through the chamber.
******
Brian had recently been promoted to knighthood by Emperor Augustus Don Clavus of the Grey Empire. After being saved by the Ice Princess, he followed her to the empire, where he met Commander Joshua and later joined the knight training squad.
Through dedication—as well as perseverance against bullies who had nothing better to do than pick on him—he had finally become a knight.
Brian entered the empire's courtroom on orders from the emperor.
"Knight Sword God stands before the sun of the world," Brian said, falling to one knee and bowing his head.
"Rise," Emperor Augustus ordered. Brian obeyed.
"The Supreme Will hosted an event for you Otherworlders, and I have been made aware of a winner. Nemesis, was it? Tell me about him. Is he someone the empire should acquire for its benefit?" the emperor asked.
"My liege, I must say Nemesis is an extremely strong and talented man. Rumors say he is already a god, demonstrating feats beyond what should be possible. But I doubt he will bow his head—he is extremely arrogant. Dare I say, my liege, it will be very hard to make him submit," Brian said.
"His strength is all that matters. No one can ever say no to the opportunity of working for my empire. You are dismissed," Emperor Augustus ordered.
Brian bowed his head once more before taking his leave.
As he walked toward his accommodations, Brian stumbled upon the Ice Princess—the fifth princess of the empire and the least in the succession battle between her three elder brothers and four sisters. Already accepting her fate, the Ice Princess had publicly declared her intention not to participate in the succession battle, choosing instead to join the empire's knights.
"Greetings, Princess," Brian said to his savior.
"You know, you struggle a lot in hiding it, and it's getting infuriating," the Ice Princess said coldly.
"Hiding what?" Brian stammered.
"Now you even try to feign ignorance. My advice to you—give up, Brian. You and I can never work out. My father will never allow it. I will likely be married off for some political benefit," the Ice Princess said.
"So that means you're not rejecting me, right?" Brian asked, his hope rising. "What if I became stronger? Became a general? Then perhaps I could finally be with you," Brian said, trying to assure both her and himself.
"You really are naive," the Ice Princess said, surprised at how gullible a man could be.
"My father will only use you. The stronger you grow, the more empty promises he will give you—until he has wrung every bit of use out of you. Once you have nothing left to offer, you will be discarded. I will advise you one last time—leave the knighthood and the empire. They will only slow your growth. This place is not for you," the Ice Princess said, walking away from Brian.
"Wherever you are, that's where I ought to be," Brian said to the retreating princess before continuing on his way.
"My lord," a man in dark clothing kneeled before the emperor.
"And?" Emperor Augustus asked.
"He has fallen for the fifth princess," the man said.
"Hmm, I see."