Free Web NovelChapter 33: The New Lord of the Village...
Nox and Misty walked around the frozen lake.
Ahead of them, Audrey, Tessa, and Claws were waiting.
As they moved along the shoreline, Nox began noticing something strange.
The fishermen looked up as they passed. The merchants watched them from their stalls. Even some villagers stepped out of their homes just to stare.
And they all wore the same expression.
Amazement, respect, and curiosity.
Nox leaned slightly toward Misty.
"Are they staring at me like that because I’m a demon?"
Misty let out a small laugh.
"Maybe. It sounds reasonable."
Nox sighed.
"Great."
"But I think there’s another reason."
"What’s that?"
Misty smiled.
"Because you’re the man who stood up to the tyrant who ruled this village... and won."
Nox blinked, then glanced at the people again and immediately felt uncomfortable.
’This is weird.’
His entire life as Tyler, he had been used to very different looks.
Looks of contempt.
Mockery.
Disappointment.
He had been the adopted son who wasted his father’s fortune on alcohol and women.
The family’s failure.
He had never been someone worthy of admiration.
So he had no idea how to react.
"I preferred it when people ignored me."
Misty laughed again.
"I don’t believe you."
Before she could say anything else, a child came running toward them.
He stopped in front of Nox and stared at him with fascination.
Nox froze.
Children still made him uncomfortable.
The boy looked up.
"Mister Demon."
"Yes?"
"Can I touch your horns?"
Nox blinked.
"That’s a pretty strange request."
The boy immediately looked disappointed.
"...Sorry."
"But of course you can."
The boy’s eyes lit up.
Nox crouched slightly.
The child reached out and touched one of his horns.
He tapped it a couple of times, then smiled.
"They feel like my dad’s knives."
Nox burst out laughing.
"That was not the comparison I was expecting."
The boy laughed too.
A woman hurried over a moment later.
Apparently his mother.
"I’m so sorry."
She took the boy by the hand.
"He doesn’t usually bother people."
"It’s fine."
The woman studied Nox for a few seconds.
Then she shook her head. freёweɓnovel.com
"Honestly..."
She sighed.
"I still don’t understand what someone like you is doing in a place like this."
Nox rubbed his face.
"I think that’s the sentence I’ve heard the most since I got here."
The woman chuckled softly.
Then she looked toward the village, her expression turning serious.
"What are you planning to do with the village?"
Nox frowned.
"What?"
Misty looked at him as well, clearly interested in the answer.
Nox thought for a few seconds.
Then answered honestly.
"Honestly..."
He shrugged.
"I have no idea."
The woman looked confused.
"What do you mean?"
"It’s not like I bought the village or anything."
Misty crossed her arms.
"There’s a problem."
"What?"
"A village without a lord in the Kingdom of Frostgard is a vulnerable village."
Nox looked at her.
She continued.
"Now that Adrien Hall is dead, these lands no longer have an owner."
"And?"
"The Church of Frosthold will send another titled man to take his place."
Nox grimaced.
"That sounds awful."
The demon looked at the frozen lake.
Then at the village.
And finally back at Misty.
"Then choose one yourselves."
"What?"
"The lord."
Misty blinked.
Nox kept walking.
"I don’t want to get involved in politics."
"But..."
"I just want to reach the capital."
Misty smiled.
"What for?"
"To argue with the gods."
That finally made her burst out laughing.
The boy’s mother stared at Nox for a few seconds.
Then she spoke.
"We need someone strong to protect us."
Nox sighed.
"Here we go..."
"Please."
The woman bowed slightly.
"Even if you don’t become our lord."
"Then what?"
"Let us use your name."
Nox fell silent.
"My name?"
"Yes."
The woman nodded.
"No one would want to attack a village associated with a demon."
Misty seemed to consider the idea.
And honestly...
It didn’t sound that bad.
Nox finally laughed.
"Fine."
Everyone waited.
"My name is Nox."
The woman’s face brightened.
"Thank you very much."
"Now do whatever you want with that."
Nox pointed toward the village.
"Tell everyone that anyone who attacks this place..."
A grin appeared on his face.
"...will be picking a fight with the demon Nox and his group of villainesses."
A few seconds of silence followed.
Then...
The fishermen started applauding.
The merchants joined in.
Some people raised bottles.
Others began celebrating.
And before Nox could even process what was happening...
The entire village was cheering.
"For Nox!"
"For the Demon!"
"For the Village!"
Someone started opening beers and handing them out.
Misty watched the scene with a smile.
"Thank you very much."
Nox raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you thanking me?"
"Because now I can travel with you without worrying."
"What does one thing have to do with the other?"
"Everything."
Misty smiled.
"If the village is protected, I won’t have to worry about it anymore."
Nox suddenly had a bad feeling.
"Misty?"
"Yes?" freewebnøvel.com
"Are you sure you want to join my group and go up against the Church?"
The dancer laughed.
"Of course. I have to avenge my village."
"What do you mean?"
"My goal is to make the Church leave my beloved village alone."
Her smile faded slightly.
"I don’t want them attacking it anymore. And I don’t want them sending more men to rule it."
Nox smiled.
Because he didn’t have to convince her to join his group.
And it was precisely at that moment that he heard a familiar voice.
"What the hell happened here?"
Nox turned his head.
Audrey was walking toward them with a fishing rod resting on her shoulder.
Tessa sat atop Claws.
And the massive bear carried several fish inside a net.
Audrey looked around at the celebrating crowd, confused.
"We leave you alone for less than an hour and you’re already fighting people."
Nox smiled.
"If it weren’t for your shot, I might not have won. Thanks, Audrey."
Audrey pointed at the cheering villagers.
"Why are they drinking to you?"
Nox scratched the back of his head.
"Well..."
He looked at Misty.
Then at the villagers.
And finally back at Audrey.
"I think I accidentally became the official protector of a village."
Audrey blinked.
Tessa blinked.
Even Claws looked confused.
And finally Audrey sighed.
"...Of course."
"What does that mean?"
"It means nothing surprises me anymore when it comes to you."
Nox smiled.
And all around the frozen lake, the applause continued for the demon who had defeated the lord of those lands.
