The Demon and the Healer - Chapter 4- Move on, Hero!

“Is this some kind of joke?! I am going forward and with all of my friends, you get that!”

The fierce glare currently Helios was directing at the demon made even his own teammates shiver in a fret. The bloodlust Helios currently had and the temperament he was enshrouded in, screamed danger.

It was a rare sight for someone as composed as the Apostle of Light who was never even in his worst phase waver from his calm front and rational thought process was now making a decision purely on his impulse and the agitation he held against the demon, not because of his natural hatred for the kind but because that thing was currently holding his Charlotte.

Helios did not have a good feeling about it since the start and hearing the demon’s words Helios got certain that this demon was seeking Charlotte’s body. It was true that Helios was not anything in front of the creature and might get annihilated any second now but to cower away and leave his beloved Charlotte behind was the last thing that the hero could allow himself to do.

Helios could feel the uncertainty in his teammate’s temperament and he didn’t blame them since escaping a near-death situation from an unexpected source must have taken a lot from them and now here he was challenging the same threat to claim his woman was something irrational from a general perspective. But it has been Helio’s motto ever since he wielded the weapon and accepted the status that he would never abandon anyone behind. It would have been the same for anyone in these circumstances and Helios would have stayed for them as well.

“Didn’t you hear what-!!!”

Helios was about to shout his words again in agitation since the demon still had his hand holding Charlotte’s waist but suddenly he felt his throat unable to process words and voice no longer listening to his command.

Helios brought his hand over his mouth only to get even more horrified to not feel any opening there nor he felt his lips either. Like his mouth has been erased from existence just like that.

‘He….can rewrite reality…!! ‘ It was a mythical wizardry that had been only a part of long-lost legends but Helios was not unaware of the fact that in the ancient world there lived an able sorcerer who could alter reality and make impossible things readily available.

Helios had no other explanation for what happened just now other than relying on the knowledge of his history.

“H-Helios?!”

His teammates arrived by his side examining his face and providing not so assuring reaction. The annoying part was that he saw Glain actually suppressing his laughter at the display but that was not something Helios hold regard for as of now.

“Who is the second in charge? Come forward.”

The domineering voice of the demon once again echoes drawing everyone’s attention back to the throne. Helios glared at the demon readying his sword to lunge forward but before he could take any action Charlotte raised her hand in his direction with an assuring look. Helios was reluctant to stay put but considering everyone’s safety he settled back.

(Charlotte’s POV:)

Charlotte sighed in relief when she saw her party leader seemed to be calmed down for now. She has seen different sides of him in past months when they were adventuring together but surprisingly he was behaving quite childish today and had an irresponsible take on the matter which made Charlotte pale in a fret.

The existence of who was embracing Charlotte currently…this demon was anything but those whom they have come across until now.

This crimson-eyed demon general was out of Hero party’s capabilities to subdue and that was proven not once but twice now when the hero got his mouth erased away. Charlotte was not sure what kind of sorcery it was however that was enough proof which brought Charlotte to a decision.

“I am the second-in-command of the raid team.”

Charlotte spoke loud enough for the rest to hear. She has been in this intimate space with the demon for some time now. Other than a slight surprise in the initial phase she now was composed and ready to face anything that has to come. She knew if the demon wanted he could have ended her life over a dozen times by now which concludes that this one was rather interested in something else.

Charlotte remains clueless at times but right now she clearly understood that the demon has taken fancy to her. She had no sense of pride in that feeling of being liked by a high-ranking demon and all she could feel was disgust and loath for the being who must have been the reason for thousands of deaths.

“What should the party do remains in your hand now, woman. However, you will be staying with me regardless of whatever your comrades do.”

Charlotte clearly felt Helios’ growing rage and the unhidden intent flowing from that side but she remained focused on the being in front who held the utmost priority as of now. One single misstep and every human in this room and many out there would meet their end by this monstrosity.

Charlotte already knew this demon was reluctant to let her go but the surprising factor remained in the words which allowed the other members to proceed further even though being the general of the Demon King it must be his duty to protect his lord.

Charlotte didn’t want to take the risk so in a calculative tone she asked the being who currently was holding her like she was his possession.

“Can they proceed inside from here without needing to challenge you?”

“Ah yeah. Until you remain right here I don’t care about demon lord.”

To say Charlotte was shocked would be an understatement since she could never even expect that some satan like entity would leave his lord’s protection just for her presence. Without even looking back she knew all the other members has similar reactions like her.

But were they or the healer going to complain? Obviously no, since if her sacrifice could bring down the long-fought war between the monarch of darkness and the apostle of light then it would be all worth paying the price.

Charlotte has made up her mind.

Looking back at her team she didn’t have to speak a word as they already received her intentions. Everyone except Helios seemed slightly reluctant but the understanding of their duty was so deeply ingrained that the potential loss of their friend just amounted to a sorrowful expression clouding their faces. Nobody raised their voice against the decision and Charlotte was proud of her comrades for that.

Then come Helios who was on the verge of snapping and Charlotte needed anything but a wrong move here.

“Please can I talk to him once? I promise I won’t take long.” She genuinely pleaded looking back at the demon. She knew he didn’t want to separate from her for some reason but under her innocent gaze he huffed slightly and looked away in annoyance.

In normal circumstances, Charlotte would have called the gesture cute but she was not idle for those thoughts as she leaped out of his grasp as soon he let go of her.

Charlotte made her way to her teammates giving them a nod before she faced Helios who was looking at her with a strange gleam radiating in his eyes.

She steadied her breath for a moment before she uttered the words which were required for the hero to move forward.

“Not for our personal feeling but for our people, you have to move on, hero. You have to defeat the monarch and reclaim peace for our people. They are relying on you…on us for a better future and staggering at this step would amount to nothing but naught.” Charlotte paused, happy to see realization flashing in his gaze before she continued, “You have to bring an end to this war even if I no longer remain in the party. If we get to see an end to the Darkness my sacrifice couldn’t get any more proper meaning. So please, I beg you.”

Charlotte drew closer seeing him in the eyes with determination flaring in her gaze as she spoke the last of the words before the hero party departed.

“Kill the demon lord and prove to the world that light always dominates over darkness. I trust in you Helios, not just as a teammate but as a friend as well, so go and do your job.”

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A/N: – Drop a comment~