Chapter 83

Under the blazing sun of the Kahal Desert, some people lived only on camels and tents.

Originally a native of the eastern part of the continent, the poor Demon Blood clan got entangled in foreign rights, were banished, and since then became the living evidence of discrimination and oppression.

Whooosh…

As sandstorms pounded on their tents amid the darkness, their leader’s anguish coursed through the clan’s future.

“This is troublesome, chief. It’s finally begun…”

Captain Zubaekren stared at the dark tornado in the desert, finding it no different from hatred. It whirled around like a never-ending cycle of grudge breeding resentment and resentment breeding hatred.

That cycle would only end with the destruction of either side or the proliferation of harmony and unity.

In an era when the latter was reduced to a mere mirage, he watched the Altar’s movements, knowing full well that the Demon Blood and the Altar’s religion were the same at a glance.

“There are rumors that Professor Deculein is building a concentration camp in Rohalak.”

Disappointed by his passive attitude, the Demon Blood radicals joined the Altar, which ‘seemed’ to have similar religious doctrines, and in the end, committed horrific misdeeds.

“The groups will be taken there.”

Zubaekren nodded.

Deculein.

The Yukline successor defending the Demon Blood at Bercht confused him. Nevertheless, he was grateful.

“I see. He bought us time in Bercht, but since this attack was our clan’s doing, he must have thought we betrayed his good graces…”

He remembered the former Yukline Family head and Deculein’s father, ‘Decalane.’

He was a hunter of wealth and had no mercy, a pitiful man who couldn’t even develop feelings to love someone.

Though more Yukline than anyone else in their family, he was never bound by the yoke of it.

That was why Zubaekren was afraid of him.

“The cost of betraying them has always been excruciating.”

“… Yes. I know. ‘Fear the demon.’”

Fear the demon.

That was the Yuklines’ dictum. It made people aware of the demons’ existence and, at the same time, revealed the tradition and power of their family.

Having been hunting demons since ancient times, the Yukline resembled their targets the most. That was why the ‘demon’ their enemies should fear wasn’t only the devil itself but also the ‘Yukline who would become a demon to them.’

“A gale will soon come, rendering all words we utter into excuses. Even peaceful rallies will be difficult to execute.”

The Demon Blood clan was spread out in groups across a low-lying area, some of them having decently sized populations.

“We won’t be able to control all the new and bloodthirsty groups. If we press them hard, they might leave and cause incidents like the terrorist attack.”

“… That’s true.”

“Don’t let the ‘Cradle of Trees’ handle it. ‘Elesol’ and ‘Carixel’ will be able to lead well.”

He then looked at the distant whirlwind gradually growing larger as it absorbed the sand and mana of the desert. Beyond it, he could see the faces of his long-lost friends.

The sweeping and howling air currents seemed to act as their screams; the grains of sand their blood.

He felt as if they were calling out to him.

“I haven’t been thinking properly until now… But what can I do? The answers I seek aren’t in this world.”