Baal had long intended to assimilate Lloyd’s soul into his own. However, unlike the other souls, Lloyd’s resisted fiercely.

For a fragment of a soul, its sense of self was unnaturally strong.

How had it come to this?

‘Why did such a ridiculous, daughter-obsessed fool emerge from the Demon King’s soul?’

After all, Lloyd was originally Baal in essence.

Even before his soul had shattered 500 years ago, Baal had never once harbored a desire to raise a child. The idea of bearing a child with a human was even more unthinkable.

The very thought made him sick.

There wasn’t anyone in the Demon Realm worthy of being his equal, let alone someone in the human realm capable of satisfying him.

Yet this absurd situation had unfolded, and now, the soul of Lloyd was tormenting him—a truly infuriating turn of events.

Uncertain when the agony would strike, Baal refrained from appearing before the demons. This was why the grand banquet celebrating his return had been delayed for half a year.

“Get lost,” Baal growled, suppressing Lloyd’s soul with his demonic power as he left his perch.

It was only a matter of time. The torment would fade eventually, and Lloyd would disappear, fully absorbed into Baal’s essence.

‘Would you still act out if your daughter were dead and gone?’

With a mocking smirk, Baal returned to the Demon King’s castle.

The moment he stepped inside, a young girl with violet hair spotted him and promptly threw herself to the floor.

“Y-Your Majesty, the Demon King!”

“…How did you get in here?” Baal’s voice was icy as his crimson eyes scanned the girl without a trace of warmth.

The girl trembled but spoke clearly despite her fear. “I-I am Rohert Aldred, daughter of Duke Aldred. I encountered humans at my estate recently and wished to discuss the matter with Your Majesty…”

Her heart pounded as if it would explode, and her hands, planted firmly on the ground, trembled violently.

In truth, she had snuck in simply to see him. But now that she was alone with the Demon King, her breath caught in her throat.

He’s so magnificent and handsome.

She couldn’t even meet his eyes. How could she possibly dream of marrying him?

The moment she saw him, Aldred regretted her decision to wait for this meeting. But it was too late to back out now.

Finally, Baal spoke, his voice detached and utterly devoid of interest. “Discuss, you say.”

His tone carried not a shred of curiosity—if anything, it was tinged with annoyance.

Aldred lifted her upper body slightly, desperate to explain herself.

“Y-Your Majesty, I encountered a human girl who claimed to be your daughter. She resembled you so much that I couldn’t bring myself to kill her. I swear I will take this secret to my grave!”

She ended her statement with a small smile.

I met the Demon King’s daughter and spared her life. Surely, he will be pleased with my loyalty.

Sharing this secret with him would surely bring them closer. Perhaps, over time, she could even aim for marriage.

But then—

Boom!

Before Aldred could process what was happening, she was slammed against the wall with terrifying force.

“Urgh!”

Her entire body screamed in pain, and she barely managed to open her eyes. When she did, she was met with the sight of Baal’s crimson gaze burning like a predator’s.

“Who is my daughter?” His voice was a deadly snarl.

Her throat constricted. She couldn’t breathe.

The Demon King’s hand was wrapped mercilessly around her delicate neck.

He’s touching me… I’m touching the Demon King!

Even in the midst of suffocating, such a thought flitted through her mind.

“Who is my daughter?” he repeated, his voice sharper.

“T-The blonde girl…” Aldred managed to choke out, nearly biting her tongue in the process.

But Baal didn’t seem interested in her words. His growl grew louder, more feral.

“I have no children.”

“!”

None?

“Ghhk…”

Blood rushed to Aldred’s head, her vision spinning. Her eyeballs felt like they would pop out. She was going to die—killed by the Demon King’s hand. Yet… would that be so bad?

“Hah!”

Suddenly, the pressure on her throat disappeared, and she collapsed forward, gasping for air. She fell flat on the floor, too consumed by the need to breathe to care about her surroundings.

“Hah… ha… hah…”

Her neck burned where his hand had been.

Baal had already retreated, putting significant distance between them as if her mere presence was repulsive.

“Aldred, was it?” His voice cut through the air.

“Yes—hah—Your Majesty. Yes, I am Rohert Aldred,” she stammered, eager to respond despite her breathlessness.

The Demon King had spoken her name!

Though she could breathe now, the oppressive aura of his killing intent still suffocated her.

“As I said, I have no children. I certainly do not have a human daughter. Therefore, any human claiming to be my daughter must be killed. Aldred, you will kill the girl who made such a claim.”

“!”

Aldred looked up in shock.

Was the girl lying after all?

She had been so certain of the girl’s resemblance to the Demon King. Was someone lying, or was the Demon King simply ruthless enough to kill his own child?

A radiant smile spread across Aldred’s face as she bowed her head low.

“Your command is my honor! I will kill the girl without fail!”

To receive a direct order from the Demon King himself was the greatest honor her family could ever hope for.

She hurriedly left, practically running from the room. As she disappeared, Baal let out a sharp laugh.

“Did you see that, Lloyd? Your daughter is going to die soon. So stay quiet and stop causing trouble.”

He laughed harder.

Hahaha!

Baal’s laughter echoed within him, triumphant.

Once that girl was dead, Lloyd’s soul would surely fade into obscurity. The only reason Lloyd resisted so fiercely was because of her existence.

But then—

“!”

Baal froze, his body locking up.

A searing pain, like his heart splintering into a thousand shards, ripped through him. It was a torment unlike anything he had felt before.

‘Crescent, I’ll protect you forever.’

‘And I’ll protect you forever too, Dad!’

‘Haha. Then my little angel will have to eat lots and grow up big and strong, won’t she?’

‘Yup! I’ll eat a ton and grow as big as you, Dad!’

‘Hahaha.’

‘Heehee.’

‘I mean it, Crescent. I’ll protect you no matter what.’

‘I mean it too!’

Lloyd’s eyes, filled with unwavering resolve, shone brightly with his love for his daughter. His heart brimmed with so much affection it felt as though it might burst.

It was love so profound, so unshakable, it left anyone witnessing it overwhelmed with emotion.

He would protect her—at all costs. Even if it meant laying down his life over and over again.

If anyone dared threaten her, no matter who or when, he would stop them. Always.

‘I’ll protect you, Crescent.’

Lloyd’s voice echoed once more, resolute and firm.

A crack split across Baal’s heart.

One of the souls within him was on the verge of breaking free.

“Gah!”

Damn it!

Baal clenched his fist, using all his demonic power to suppress the escaping soul. He was barely holding it back.

“You… won’t protect her.”

You are a demon, part of the Demon King.

No matter how much Lloyd loved his daughter, it meant nothing to Baal. Such emotions were unnecessary—nothing but an obstacle.

To the Demon King, humans were not something to protect.

And so, Crescent Delight must die.

‘I’ll protect you, Crescent.’

Lloyd’s voice grew even firmer, resonating with an unyielding resolve.

Baal couldn’t comprehend where such a relentless will was coming from.

Thud!

Before he realized it, Baal’s knees buckled, and he collapsed onto the ground.

“Hah…”

In the end, the soul escaped from his heart.

For the Demon King, failing to control even a single fragment of his own soul was an unthinkable disgrace.

The idea that there could be another Demon King strong enough to overcome him was absurd.

And yet, here it was—a situation beyond reason. Another consciousness had infiltrated his own, seeping into his awareness.

The soul, which should have been subsumed and obedient, had invaded its master, challenging his authority.

Now, the boundary between Baal and Lloyd blurred. Baal could no longer distinguish his thoughts from those of the other.

The gleam in Baal’s crimson eyes changed, as if someone else entirely was looking out through them. Gone was the cutting malice and venom typical of the Demon King. In its place was a calm, heavy stillness, cold as steel.

This version of Baal—Lloyd—spoke, his voice steady but filled with restrained fury.

“You dare dream of killing my daughter? Is it ambition or arrogance that makes you so bold?”