Chapter 208: The Tragedy of the Past
Ryder’s words were Successful in igniting the fire in the Dukes’ hearts. Even the High Dukes couldn’t help but praise Ryder’s words in their mind, which showed the dignity of the ruler of the Demon Realm. That’s what they expected.
High Duke Magna had already prepared himself to warn the Vampire King since he expected that Ryder wouldn’t say anything, but he was pleasantly surprised to see Ryder react and get serious.
"Also, Someone will need to stay close to you so that we can make sure that you don’t harm our citizens and don’t scheme against us. We can’t let anyone stay in our region, especially not someone as strong as you. I trust you, but I have a responsibility for my people as well. Think of that person as your escort. They won’t interfere with anything that you do. They will just keep a watch on you while you do whatever you want."
" Do you accept that offer? I’m sure you can understand my plight. You’re also a leader of your people. I’m sure you can’t let a demon roam in your land without governance," Ryder told the Vampire King.
The Vampire King nodded his head, but he didn’t say anything.
Ryder looked back at the High Dukes before he came to a decision.
"High Duke Eston, I might need to trouble you to accompany our guest. Do you mind?" Ryder inquired.
"Not at all. In fact, I would love to accompany him. I have been fascinated by the culture of the Undead Region. I might be able to broaden my horizons if I stay with him," High Duke Eston responded with a smile on his face.
"Good. You can stay near him then," Ryder said to the High Duke.
The Vampire King didn’t say anything else as he turned back and left. He flew outside the Palace of High Duke.
"I’ll see you guys later. Enjoy the celebration," High Duke Eston said as he followed after the Vampire King.
’He wouldn’t harm any demon’s, but he will keep searching. As long as he doesn’t use his skills on the ones that know about this and as long as none of us bleed before him, it should be fine. I have finished the mission, but I can’t relax. I should just leave this area and begin touring the Dukes’ Lands since I believe that he would spend his time searching here. Better stay away from this place,’ Ryder thought.
"Should we send him alone, or would it be better if two people were to keep an eye on him?" Ryder inquired as he looked towards the exit after High Duke Eston left.
"Eston’s going to be fine. He’s pretty strong. He might even be stronger than people expect," High Duke Mila replied as she smiled.
"That’s good then. Anyway, since the problem is solved, we can begin the competition that you guys were talking about," Ryder said to them.
Since it was more like a tradition, Ryder knew that he needed to have that be finished.
High Duke Oris told a servant to go and bring Felina and the others back. In the meantime, Ryder and the others resumed drinking,
After some time, Felina and the others came back to the great hall.
The battles began, and the events followed as last time—the final battle once again between Felina and Nomag.
Before the starting of the battle, Ryder once again told Nomag not to use any skills that could endanger others; the only difference was that he was more specific this time.
Ryder said the name of the skill and straight away told Nomag that the use of that skill was banned unless he could prove before everyone else that he had mastered it.
High Duke Magna was quite shocked at Ryder’s knowledge. He hadn’t expected Ryder to know that his son had started learning it, let alone the fact that he had comprehended a little of that skill already.
Ultimately, it was decided that Nomag wouldn’t use that skill.
The battle began, and Nomag followed the rule as described this time. Since the specific skill was banned, he didn’t use that skill. The match ended with Felina’s victory, but Ryder knew that in real life battle conditions, the winner would’ve been Nomag. There was no banning in real life, and he knew that Nomag’s half mastered skill was enough to wound Felina seriously.
Even though that was what he believed the real-life battle to go, it was a fact that Felina had won in this battle, no matter the disadvantage of Nomag.
The High Dukes praised both of them for their amazing battle before they started giving them their rewards.
In this timeline, Ryder hadn’t declared that he would award anyone, but he still had both of them rewarded. The rewards were just jewelry that was precious in the Demon Realm only. On the outside, this jewelry had no value, and it had no buffs either. Even though he should’ve rewarded only the winner, he gave the reward to Nomag as well since he was the one that gave him the handicap.
After the battle ended, the party resumed again. It was the time of a ball. Music started playing in the great hall, but the Dukes and the High Dukes weren’t dancing. The dancers were the professional demons that were invited to perform.
Surprisingly, the dance they were performing had a lot of similarities with the ballroom dance that he had experienced in the Modern World. He had also learned ballroom dancing for the prom of college since it was the theme.
As the music started playing, Ryder felt like dancing as well. He was happy that he was out of the Time Loop, but there was another reason for his desire to dance. He wanted to partner up with Devilia, who was looking at the dancers. He could see that she wanted to dance, as well. He also wanted to use this opportunity as a thanks for her help.
Ryder stood up, and it attracted the attention of everyone. People stopped looking at the dancers and started looking at Ryder. The dancers and the music also stopped since everyone felt like something was wrong.
While the Great Hall had pin-drop silence, Ryder started walking ahead. His footsteps were clear.
Even Devilia was looking at Ryder, but she was surprised as she saw him coming towards her.
Ryder stopped before Devilia as he looked in her eyes.
Devilia also stood up.
"Miss Devilia, would you like to have a dance with me?" Ryder let out as he reached out his hand.
"I..."
Devilia’s mouth opened and closed constantly as she struggled to say anything. She hadn’t expected this to happen, and she was having a hard time responding.
High Dukes also were shocked, but they started smiling.
"Looks like His Highness has started to take an interest in women," High Duke Mila chuckled.
Since the Hall was silent, these words were heard by everyone, which made the atmosphere awkward for Ryder.
"It’s a casual dance to celebrate the good day," Ryder replied as he smiled wryly.
"Why did the music stop? Start playing," Ryder let out.
The music started playing again.
"Is that a yes or a no?" Ryder inquired as he saw Devilia not responding.
He was about to lower his hand, but Devilia held his hand.
"I would love to have a casual dance with his highness to celebrate this good day," Devilia replied, using Ryder’s own words.
Ryder took her to the center and started the ballroom dance with her. The other dancers moved to the side to allow them space.
While Ryder danced with Devilia, he couldn’t help but feel the happiness. He remembered the time of Prom in his college. He had learned the Prom Dance with a friend so that he could dance with the girl he liked. He had also invited the girl for the prom, and she had said yes. That day was going to be the best day of his life. A day of happiness that hasn’t appeared since his parents left the world, leaving his heart filled with sadness.
The Day of Happiness turned into a day of sadness, though.
The girl that had agreed to enter the Prom with him had come to the prom, but not like he expected. She was holding the hand of another man. She walked past Ryder, who was standing at the entrance waiting for her without even glancing at him.
Ryder had a Flower bouquet in his hand, which he threw to the side as he left the place.
"What are you thinking? You look sad," Devilia said as she looked in Ryder’s eyes.
"Nothing. I just remembered something from the past," Ryder replied as he shook his head.
Since the music was playing now, they could talk without letting others hear them.
"You look really beautiful today," Ryder complimented Devilia.
"Don’t I look beautiful on other days?" Devilia inquired with an amused smile on her face.
"You look beautiful always, but you look super cute today," Ryder replied as he smiled.
