The Demon Among The Knights-Chapter 50 - 47: The Vikings, the Demon, and the Deadly Tea Party
Luci dusted his hands off with a casual flick, as though he’d simply swatted a fly and not extinguished a would-be god-king. Around him, the garden still steamed from the lingering heat of the battle. Flower beds had turned to ash. Marble statues had melted like wax. The once-beautiful royal courtyard now looked more like a battlefield from ancient hell.
Christian let out a long breath, adjusting his loosened collar. "Well, at least the guests got a show..."
Brianna, standing beside him, frowned. "They also got a crater, half the west tower is gone, and I’m pretty sure the koi pond just turned into a hot spring."
Christian snorted. "So? Now it’s fancy."
Luci walked toward them, stretching his arms slightly. The chains around his wrists rattled faintly, but they looked looser now—thinner. Even the iron ball tethered to him seemed a little lighter.
Brian crossed his arms, still watching Luci carefully. "That crack in your chain... it’s not from the king’s power, is it?"
Luci stopped in front of him. "Nope. That was me. Getting a little excited."
Christian blinked. "Excited?! That was just you getting excited?!"
Luci tilted his head, then shrugged. "I still had one hand in my pocket."
Brian rubbed his face with a groan. "We’re so screwed if you ever get serious."
Daniel came running over from the banquet hall, carrying a slightly charred roasted chicken. "Master Luci! I saved your drumstick!"
Luci’s face lit up. "Daniel, you’re a hero."
He took the chicken like it was an artifact of divine power and bit into it with a satisfied hum. "Mmm... smoky."
Christian stared at the boy. "You’re really eating right now?"
Luci gave a thumbs-up with the hand not holding food. "Fighting makes me hungry."
As the knights slowly began to recover from the surreal battle, a few of them hesitantly approached the ruins of the garden, weapons drawn—just in case. But what they saw wasn’t a demon wreaking havoc or a corrupted king rising again.
It was just Luci, sitting casually on the edge of the crater, eating his chicken.
A moment later, the Grand Seer of the castle—a tall, elderly woman with robes that shimmered like fog—hurried into the scene, her face pale.
She looked at the unconscious king being carted away and then at Luci.
Her voice was sharp. "What happened here?"
Christian raised his hand like a student. "So... the king drank demon blood and tried to ascend to godhood, but he kinda went full monster and got his royal butt kicked by our guest from Hell."
The Seer stared at him.
He added, "We think he’s fine though."
The Seer turned to Luci. "Is it true? That was your blood he used?"
Luci licked his fingers. "Yep. Not my best batch either. Probably spilled it after the bathhouse fight. Honestly surprised he didn’t melt the second he drank it."
She stepped closer, peering at him with eyes that glowed faintly. "Demon blood... should not be compatible with human vessels. Not without invocation. That’s ancient law."
Luci raised an eyebrow. "Funny. I didn’t vote on that law."
She frowned. "This is no joke. The bloodline magic of the kings is sacred—if corrupted by demonic essence, it could unravel ancient wards protecting this realm."
"Ohhh," Luci said, mock-serious. "So I broke your magic fence?"
Christian chuckled behind her.
The Seer narrowed her eyes. "What else have you broken?"
Luci grinned. "How long do you have?"
Daniel raised his hand cheerfully. "He broke the wine storage too!"
Luci coughed. "Accident."
The Seer sighed and turned toward Christian. "You realize this guest of yours just defeated your king, broke a sacred bloodline, and cracked divine barriers around the castle, yes?"
Christian opened his mouth, paused, then slowly said, "...Yes, but... he also made the feast really fun?"
The Seer closed her eyes and mumbled a prayer to the gods.
Just then, an armored knight raced into the garden from the opposite direction, panting. "Lord Christian! Lady Seer! We have a problem—huge one!"
Christian groaned. "Don’t tell me the mages figured this out already."
The knight shook his head. "Not mages. Worse. It’s the Valkyrie Raiders. The Vikings."
Everyone froze.
Brianna muttered, "You have got to be kidding me."
The knight continued, "Scouts say a full warship just arrived off the western cliffs. No warning. They’re demanding audience."
Christian turned to Luci. "Hey, how do you feel about Vikings?"
Luci grinned. "Do they have chicken?"
"Probably."
"Then I’m listening."
The Seer, meanwhile, looked furious. "The realm is still shaking from a demonic blood surge, and now the northern barbarians arrive on our doorstep?! This is no coincidence!"
Luci stood up, tossing the chicken bone over his shoulder. "Everything happens for a reason," he said, almost bored. "You all just don’t like the reason when it’s me."
Christian pointed toward the castle entrance. "Let’s go meet the Vikings before they punch someone. Or worse, introduce themselves."
Daniel followed close behind Luci. "Do you think they’ll challenge you to another contest?"
"I hope so," Luci said. "Been a while since I’ve arm-wrestled a bear."
Brian groaned. "That wasn’t a metaphor, was it?"
"Nope," Luci said with a grin.
As the group made their way back into the castle, the broken halls around them buzzed with tension. Knights carried buckets of water to douse fires. Mages tried patching the cracked walls with hurried spells. Servants darted between fallen chandeliers and debris, trying to salvage the feast.
But Luci walked through it all like it was just another Tuesday.
Christian leaned over to Brianna as they neared the war room. "So... Viking invasion right after demonic king explosion. What’s next, dragons?"
Brianna gave him a flat look. "Don’t you dare say that out loud."
From somewhere deep in the castle, a rumble echoed—like something massive stirring.
Christian paled. "...Okay, maybe I’ll stop talking now.
The castle’s war room wasn’t prepared for what walked through its doors.
At the long obsidian table sat three generals, a mage advisor, and the steward of the kingdom—all mid-argument over evacuation routes and kingdom-wide containment spells—when Luci kicked the doors open with a loud BANG, walking in like he owned the place, Daniel trailing behind him.
Christian and Brianna followed close behind, trying not to look like this was their fault. Brian brought up the rear, his expression locked in a permanent scowl of stress.
Everyone turned to look at Luci. No one said anything. Not even the steward.
"Is this the demon?" one of the generals whispered under his breath.
Luci nodded as if responding to it. "Yes, I’m the demon. Now, where’s the Viking who wants to die first?"
The room went dead quiet.
The doors opened again—slower this time—and in stepped the Seer, now flanked by two silent monks and the scent of old magic. She gave Luci a look like she wanted to turn him into a frog and feed him to a swamp god.
But Luci just yawned.
Christian cleared his throat. "Alright, situation report: apparently a ship from the Valkyrie Raiders pulled up to the west docks uninvited. They’re not attacking, yet, but they’re demanding an audience. So..."
He turned to the steward. "Did we let them in?"
The steward, a stiff man with a long beard and veins like tree roots, nodded reluctantly. "They came with a white banner. Honor-bound."
"And... did they say why they were here?"
The steward looked down at his notes. "Their exact words were: ’We’ve come to challenge the demon who broke the earth.’"
Luci perked up. "Oh! That’s me."
Brian sighed. "Of course it is."
The Seer spoke, her voice cold. "You will not accept this challenge, demon."
Luci looked genuinely confused. "Why not?"
"Because you already broke one king today, and the kingdom might not survive if you decide to juggle Viking skulls next."
Luci thought for a second. "I don’t juggle. But I’d be open to learning."
Christian stepped between them. "Let’s calm down. We don’t want to start another war before dessert."
Daniel raised a hand. "Master Luci didn’t get dessert."
Everyone ignored him.
"Let me talk to them first," Christian said. "Maybe we can convince them to go home without anyone dying."
Luci tilted his head. "Do I at least get to watch?"
Christian paused. "...Fine. But no threats, no staring contests, and definitely no fire."
Luci held up three fingers like a scout. "Scout’s honor."
"You’ve never been a scout."
"Exactly."
—
The throne hall was rebuilt hastily for the Viking guests. The giant golden chandelier had been reattached with ropes and hopes, the broken stained-glass windows were replaced with painted curtains, and the guards had all been instructed to smile politely while also not looking directly at Luci in case they fainted.
When the Viking delegation arrived, they did not disappoint.
Seven warriors stepped into the hall, all broad-shouldered and soaked from sea wind. Their leader was a woman taller than Brian, wearing a cloak of polar bear fur and a chestplate of what looked like dragon bone.
Her arms were crossed, her chin lifted high.
"I am Brynja Skullsplitter, second daughter of Queen Virdis, Raider of the North Sea, and Slayer of the Frost Worm," she announced, her voice echoing.
"And I have come to face the one who cracked the earth with his blood."
Luci, seated sideways on the throne like it was a couch, waved. "Hey. That’s me. Nice cloak."
Brynja narrowed her eyes. "Are you the demon child who bent flame and shadow in one breath?"
"Yes. I’m also the guy who broke the king and still had time for chicken."
Behind her, one of the Vikings murmured, "He’s cocky."
Another replied, "I like him."
Christian stepped forward, ever the diplomat. "Welcome to the kingdom, honored guests. As you can see, we’re a bit... unstable at the moment. Perhaps this isn’t the best time for blood challenges—"
Brynja raised her hand. "I come not to destroy your halls. I come to test my strength."
Her eyes locked on Luci. "If this demon is as strong as the sea says, then I must face him to know my limits."
Luci hopped off the throne. "Well. You’re in luck. Because I’m very good at limits."
"Especially breaking them," muttered Brian.
Brynja unsheathed a massive axe—its blade engraved with runes that shimmered faintly.
"I challenge you to a duel. No magic. No gods. No tricks."
Luci grinned, cracked his neck, and said, "Deal."
Daniel, now standing with a tray of refreshments nearby, whispered, "Should I get a towel?"
Brianna pulled him back. "Just stay behind me, kid."
Christian turned to Luci. "You sure about this? One punch, Luci. Just one."
Luci gave him a lazy smile. "You’ve got no faith in my restraint."
—
The duel was moved to the arena courtyard. The sun was setting, casting orange fire across the sky. Crowds gathered in the balconies, whispers flying. The knights, still bruised from earlier, stood guard like nervous statues.
Brynja stood barefoot in the sand, her axe held low. Luci rolled his shoulders, the iron ball behind him dragging a small trench through the dirt.
A bell rang.
She charged like a storm.
Luci didn’t move.
Sand exploded beneath her feet as Brynja swung upward, a cleaving blow meant to split trees—and demons.
Luci stepped aside so casually, it looked like he was late to a dance move.
She spun, faster than most humans could follow, and struck again—this time a downward slash. Luci blocked it with his chain, sparks flying.
Then he stepped back and smiled. "Nice swing. You’re holding your breath though."
Brynja didn’t respond. She attacked again—and again—and again.
Each time, Luci deflected or dodged, using the chain like a ribbon, his feet barely disturbing the sand.
The crowd gasped.
Then, Brynja stopped. Breathing heavily, she lowered her axe.
"I yield."
Christian blinked. "...Wait, what?"
Brynja faced Luci and bowed, fist to chest. "You didn’t strike me once. But I could feel your power in every breath. You could have ended this ten times."
Luci looked almost sheepish. "Yeah, but then you wouldn’t have impressed me."
She raised her brows. "I impressed you?"
He nodded. "You didn’t flinch when I smiled. That’s rare."
They shook hands.
The crowd roared.
—
That night, the feast was reset again, somehow. The Vikings joined the table, laughing and drinking with knights, telling tales of sea beasts and frost trolls. Luci sat beside Brynja, sharing stories of Hell’s worst chefs and his eternal feud with flaming pigeons.
Christian, sitting with a half-full goblet, leaned back and looked up at the stars.
"Well," he muttered to Brianna. "No one died. That’s a win."
Brianna raised her glass. "No kings exploded either."
Daniel piped up, "And we got dessert this time!"
Brian grumbled, "I’m never sleeping again."
Luci, somewhere across the table, held up a toast to the whole room. "To chaos!"
The entire hall answered as one:
"To chaos!"
And just as Luci took a bite of pie, a courier ran in, face pale as bone.
He whispered something into Christian’s ear.
Christian froze.
"...What?" Brianna asked.
Christian looked at her. "The eastern border. There’s been a breach."
"Breach? From who?"
He looked across the room at Luci.
"Not who," he said. "What."
To be continued...
---
