The Healing Solaris Cleric-Chapter 396: Monarch (4)

"W-what are you doing?" Kai asked back in surprise.

"Just don’t say anything and take it." Angol Moa continued calmly, "If this had been a real battle instead of a spar, I would have lost my life to you."

"Still, breaking your horn like that... I honestly don’t even know what use this would be to me."

"I told you. There may come a time when you need it one day."

"This...?" Kai looked at Angol Moa who had a faint smile and carefully accepted the horn.

[Demon King Angol Moa’s Left Horn]

Grade: Legendary

A horn that drops with extremely rare probability when the Demon King is defeated.

If crushed and mixed in water before drinking, it unlocks the Malice stat and increases it by 1,000.

"Huh?"

Kai doubted his eyes as he read the item description.

This has no side effects...?

The heart of Archduke Kinessa also increased the Malice stat when consumed, but it also dropped affinity with the Order to its lowest. On the other hand, the Demon King's horn had no such side effects.

A Legendary grade... Maybe it’s because it only drops if you’re lucky after killing the Demon King.

From Kai’s point of view, it was only gain. There was no loss.

"You better not go back on your word later."

"Of course not. In fact, I feel grateful to you. You made me realize how pathetic I had become, satisfied with ruling just one world." She gently stroked the cut edge of her left horn. "When this horn grows back, I will be a much stronger being than I am now."

"Uh... well, that’s good to hear."

Though it might not be from Pegasus’s perspective.

"But are you really sure about this? Others might try to take your place if they know you’ve become weak."

"It’s fine. No demon has the guts to challenge me just because I lost a horn." Angol Moa smiled broadly and asked, "Then are you leaving for the Human Realm now?"

"No. I have a companion in the south, so I’m going there first."

"Well, visit again if you get the chance. I want to show you how much I will have changed."

"If I get the chance." Kai nodded and slowly snapped his fingers. "Then see you next time."

Kai vanished from the spot before the words echoing through the air could scatter.

"What an elusive human..." Angol Moa murmured and shrugged.

***

The Southern Liberation Army, no, by now it was a stretch to even call them that. They had grown beyond a small resistance and now had the size and power of a formal army. After uniting several territories in the south, they named their land Elision.

Walking through the hallway of the tallest castle in Elision, Kazura asked while staring at something, "What are you doing?"

"Looking at the sky..."

It was Yoo Ha-Rin, who was leaning against the hallway wall and looking up at the sky through a window.

"Is it raining or something?"

"Perhaps in my heart it is..."

Though she had earned the fearsome title of the Reaper of the South after sweeping through southern battlefields, her occasional moments like this confused Kazura.

She’s certainly someone worthy of respect on the battlefield...

Even though he was a demon of the Liberation Army, the natural admiration of a demon for someone’s strength hadn’t changed. He just didn’t treat weaker demons like insects, that was the only difference. Thanks to that, Yoo Ha-Rin was respected by many demons in Elision.

"Then I’ll be going."

"Wait." Just as Kazura was about to continue on his way, Yoo Ha-Rin turned and called him back. "I have something to ask you."

"What is it?"

"Do demons fall in love too?"

"Hmm." Kazura stopped walking and turned to answer. "Most don’t. But there are special ones who do. Among them are even more special ones who feel love and get married."

"I see. Then hear me out. Let’s say a male demon confessed to a female demon and they became a couple. But after that day, he never speaks to her first. What do you think is going on?"

"Well... I’m not too sure but doesn’t that make it the guy’s fault?"

"I knew it!"

Yoo Ha-Rin clenched her fists and struck the innocent hallway wall. The castle rumbled with strange noises each time she did.

"Even a demon thinks this isn’t right...!"

"Hey... seriously, it feels like the castle’s going to collapse so stop hitting it."

After Kazura’s plea, Yoo Ha-Rin finally stopped and let out a deep sigh.

Just then, a demon from the castle came running to Kazura and said, "Kazura! The Divine Healer has arrived!"

"By Divine Healer you mean...?"

"Yes! The one who healed tens of thousands of Elision’s patients at once last time!"

Kazura turned his head without replying and watched Yoo Ha-Rin’s reaction. As expected, her ears perked up at the mention of the Divine Healer, and walked toward the demon.

"Where?"

At Yoo Ha-Rin's cold voice, the demon stiffened and asked back, "P-pardon?"

"Where is Kai right now?"

"I-in the reception room on the fifth floor..."

Before the demon could even finish speaking, Yoo Ha-Rin disappeared down the hallway.

***

"Kai!"

She had definitely been upset. She had planned to act a little sulky and ask why he hadn’t contacted her, but all her resentment melted away like snow when she saw him smiling brightly at her.

"Is everything finished now?"

She looked like a dog happily wagging its tail after reuniting with its owner.

Kai burst into laughter as he saw Yoo Ha-Rin running toward him with sparkling eyes. "Yes. Thanks to your efforts in the south, I finished up what I had to do."

"Hehe, I’m glad to hear that."

She had helped someone precious to her. She felt happy just from that thought and smiled softly.

"Oh, right." Seeing Yoo Ha-Rin’s slightly flushed face made Kai blush without realizing it as he searched through his inventory. "Would you like to use this by any chance?"

"Th-this is...” Yoo Ha-Rin’s face stiffened as she looked at the ring, but only for a moment.

As tears welled up, she quickly lowered her head and nodded.

I don’t want Kai to see me like this.

She hated the idea of him seeing her with her eyes swelling up in real time.

Yoo Ha-Rin carefully reached out both hands and accepted the ring. "...It’s beautiful."

The silver-based ring had a purple gem embedded in it. The design alone was already beautiful, and its name was also romantic.

Eternity...

Was this a proposal?

As Yoo Ha-Rin sniffled for a moment, a smile crept onto her lips.

"Hehehe..."

Feeling sad, upset, crying, then laughing again. She had felt so many emotions in that short time that she herself found it funny and started laughing louder.

"I’m glad you like it. To be honest, it’s not that great of an item..."

"No, I really love the ring... and for things like this... what matters is who gave it..."

By the end, her voice was as quiet as an ant crawling.

"Thank you for thinking that way." Kai smiled warmly at her response.

She worked so hard in the south because of me, so this much is the least I can do.

Kai looked around and asked, "Are you finished with things here?"

"Yes. We can leave whenever you wish. Oh, right..." Yoo Ha-Rin's eyes widened as if she had just remembered something and asked, "Have you seen the reports? Things in the Kingdom of Rashion are getting really bad... Siris Fortress also fell this morning."

"I did. It seems like everything ended at just the right time. We should hurry back.”

Kazura entered the reception room and asked, "You’re planning to leave?"

"I should. I’ve finished everything I needed to do here."

"If you leave now... will we never see you again?"

"I’m not sure. I’ll probably come back if I get the chance."

There weren’t many places as rich in XP points as this.

"Then I’ll look forward to that day. Serphine also asked me to send her regards."

"You guys act like it’s the last time we’ll ever see each other." Kai let out a small laugh and extended his hand. "You’ve done well until now."

"The real work starts now. We’ve finally built a foundation, so now we must spread the name of Elision even further." Kazura grinned and pointed behind him with his thumb. "If you’re gonna go, why not take a look first?"

"Take a look at what?"

"Just follow me."

Kazura led the two of them toward the terrace on the fifth floor.

Elision was now a territory formed by merging several southern regions. The place where they stood now was the largest city that could house the most people.

"This way." Kazura smiled wide and led them to the terrace railing.

"Well, I guess the view isn’t too ba—"

Kai and Yoo Ha-Rin’s eyes widened as they got closer to the railing without much thought.

"It’s really him! The Divine Healer!"

"And the Reaper of the South is with him!"

"Ahhhhh!"

"Thank you so much for giving us hope and land to live on!"

The roar of cheers shook the air so loudly it rang in their ears. From the terrace, they could see the massive square below. It was packed with demons standing shoulder to shoulder with no room to step.

"W-what is all this... How many are there..."

"At least 100,000. Amazing, right? That many gathered in a hurry just from hearing the Divine Healer arrived."

In Elision, Kai’s reputation was on the level of a founding ancestor. The god of healing who miraculously saved tens of thousands of dying demons in a single day. Additionally, the Reaper of the South was the war hero who made the greatest contribution to seizing the land they now stood on.

"Kai! Kai! Kai!"

"Yoo Ha-Rin! Yoo Ha-Rin! Yoo Ha-Rin!"

As 100,000 demons chanted their names, Yoo Ha-Rin trembled and said, "I-I’ve never experienced anything like this..."

With a face that looked like she might cry at any moment, she looked at the demons, then at Kai, then at the ring in her hand.

Ha-Rin really has such expressive faces.

Watching her with fascination, Kai looked at the ring in her hand. "Aren’t you going to wear the ring?"

"Huh? Oh, um..." Caught off guard by Kai’s question, Yoo Ha-Rin turned her head to look at the demons, then lowered her head as if she gathered courage and said, "I-if you don’t mind! Please put it on for me! Ouch!"

She was so nervous that she eventually bit her tongue while talking. Then she began to cry, tears streaming down, perhaps because of the pain/

Kai unconsciously patted her head. "Hey, you can speak slowly. Are you okay? That must’ve hurt a lot."

"Yeah..." Yoo Ha-Rin lowered her head, clearly embarrassed.

Kai looked at her as if he couldn’t help it and took the ring back. "Give me your hand."

"Okay..."

He gently supported her wrist as she shyly extended her hand.

Her hands... are really soft.

It hit him again that she was a woman. At the same time, his heart also began to race. Looking at the situation itself, it almost felt like he was proposing in front of a crowd of 100, 000 demons.

"Th-then I’ll put the ring on for you."

"O-okay...!"

Both of them were so stiff it was awkward just to handle where to look.

"Uh..."

Just before putting the ring on, Kai contemplated.

Which finger do I put it on?

The left ring finger was the obvious choice for a couple ring, so he considered the pinky.

I saw it on the internet once.

A ring on the left pinky represented change and opportunity. It suited her well as the Knight of Change.

"Should I put it on your pinky...?"

At his question, Yoo Ha-Rin lifted her head. Her long lashes fluttered once, and her clear eyes wavered.

"Ring finger..."

"Pardon?"

"Put it on my ring finger." She said the last words clearly like a news anchor.

"Oh, okay...!"

Overwhelmed by Yoo Ha-Rin’s forceful reply, Kai carefully slipped the ring onto her ring finger. His face looked like it was about to explode from embarrassment.

"Thank you..."

She pressed her left hand gently against her chest and smiled softly, her flower-like smile in full bloom.

Seeing her like that, Kai’s heart started to race as if something had gone wrong. It felt like the heartbeat he felt after finishing a hundred-meter sprint. He quickly turned his head.

"...Congratulations," Kazura, who had watched the entire scene from beginning to end beside them, gave a dry congratulations.

"Oh, uh, thanks."

Kai wasn’t sure what exactly he was being congratulated for, but he responded out of courtesy.

"Ahem, shall we get going now?" Kai asked to shift the mood.

Yoo Ha-Rin, whose mind was still running through a field of flowers, replied, "Sounds good. I’ll go wherever." 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"Alright, then excuse me for a moment." Kai placed a hand on her shoulder and said, "Shadow Shift."