Families in the demon world were no different from human families.

In the demon world, there were parents who loved their children very much.

In the demon world, there were parents who were willing to do anything for their children.

But, unfortunately, Regulus was not blessed with such a blessing.

The demon was not born into a family filled with laughter and love.

He was also not born into a normal family where the love he received was not too much, but not lacking either.

Regulus was born into a family at the bottom of the class.

A family where if his parents were not satisfied, he would be beaten and cursed.

— Why did I give birth to a child like you!?

"I'm sorry…"

— Why don't you die, you son of a bitch!?

"I'm sorry…"

— I should have killed you the moment you were born!

"I'm sorry…"

Being cursed and abused by his family had become an indispensable part of Regulus's day.

And every time it happened, the demon could only curl up and mumble a meaningless apology.

But, that apology wasn't for his parents.

It was for Regulus's older brother, Pochi.

A great older brother, although not very smart.

Why?

Because whenever his parents were about to beat Regulus badly, Pochi would always use his abnormally large body to protect his younger brother.

Even though Pochi's back was covered in scars…

Even though Pochi's back was severely infected…

He still did not hesitate to shield Regulus, protecting his younger brother.

And in order to not make his little brother feel scared, Pochi always tried to force a reassuring smile.

"I will always protect you, Regulus."

That was what Pochi always said to Regulus.

"It doesn't hurt, Regulus. I have a very strong body, after all."

Pochi said, patting Regulus's head, and smiling affectionately.

He always said that.

But, deep down, Regulus knew that it was all a lie.

If Pochi wasn't hurt, then why would he curl up on the floor and sob like a child every time he was beaten?

If Pochi wasn't in pain, then why were there blue veins popping out all over his body?

If Pochi wasn't in pain, then why did his body tremble every time he was beaten?

Regulus knew everything.

But, the demon couldn't do anything.

Part of it was because Regulus's power didn't allow it.

And the other part was because every time Regulus tried to do something, Pochi would be beaten more and more severely.

…

"Don't worry about me, Regulus."

Pochi smiled gently, looking into his younger brother's clear, teary eyes.

"I'm an idiot, so being your shield is the only thing I can do as a brother."

Pochi patted Regulus's head.

"All you need to do is focus on studying, training, and trying to escape from this place as soon as possible."

Pochi hugged Regulus.

"You always wanted to save me, right? Honestly… I don't need you to save me or anything. For me, the only salvation is for you to have a better life."

Pochi's hug became tighter.

"Don't let everything I've put in go to waste, little brother."

"Yes…"

That day, Regulus made a promise to himself.

That day, Regulus swore that he would leave this place as soon as possible.

And then, one day, he would come back to save Pochi.

…

But, the very next day, both brothers were killed.

"…Eh? What the hell…? Why… am I lying here!?"

Regulus, lying beside Pochi's stiff body, looked up at the sky that was as dark as his fate.

The ground was cold.

Regulus's body hurt.

Snow began to fall, covering the entire world in a blanket of white.

Slowly covering the bodies of both Regulus and Pochi.

"…I… will die?"

If nothing changed, Regulus and Pochi would definitely die.

"Why…?"

Both of them were killed by their own parents.

"15 stabs."

Those were the stabs Pochi endured for Regulus before closing his eyes and collapsing.

"I will always… protect you, Regulus…"

Those were Pochi's last words.

On the other hand, Regulus had a worse record, as the demon could only endure 4 stabs.

"The world is so cruel…"

Slowly, the demon looked to the right, looking at his brother.

Pochi's body stiffened, and it was cold.

"…Brother…"

His face and lips were pale, without any color left.

"…Don't die…"

Normally, no matter how deep he was in his sleep, as long as he heard Regulus' voice, Pochi would definitely sit up.

But this time, things were different.

"Brother… don't wake up anymore…"

Just like that, tears started flowing from the corners of Regulus's eyes, mixing with the blood on his face.

It could be his blood, or it could be Pochi's blood.

Regulus didn't know either.

With no reason left to live, the demon's eyes slowly closed.

"I hope I can die peacefully…"

— You won't die.

That was the moment Regulus met him.

— You will live, because I am interested in your talent and strength.

"…"

— Your path is still long ahead, you can't die now.

"…Who are you?"

— Demon King.

"…Demon King…?"

— Do you want to live?

"…My brother… my reason for living is dead…"

— I can revive him, but in a different form.

"Really?"

— Yes.

"...It sounds far-fetched… but it's worth a try…"

— That's a wise choice…

"But wait… can I… make a wish?"

— Feel free.

"My brother… suffered too much in his previous life… so this time… I want to take on all the pain he had to endure… Is that… okay?"

— Of course.

Snap!

***

"…What's going on…?"

Regulus slowly opened his eyes.

And what greeted the demon was the blue sky.

There wasn't a single cloud in sight.

"Did I… just have a dream? A dream about the past…"

"Are you awake?"

Suddenly, Hans' voice rang out, but Regulus couldn't see him anywhere.

"…Human…"

Regulus wanted to sit up, but then he realized that he couldn't do so anymore.

He had lost contact with his body.

"What… happened to my body…?"

The demon asked weakly.

And Hans naturally responded to his answer:

"Perhaps your brain couldn't handle the pain, and so it stopped working."

"…"

"That means your body is completely paralyzed, death is just a matter of time."

"…"

"To put it simply, I won."

"…So I lost?"

Regulus didn't feel sad though.

Because the demon had something else to worry about.

"Where is Pochi…?"

"Dead. I chopped that giant worm into hundreds of different pieces."

"…"

"Hey, are you crying?"

"...I'm sorry… big brother… I… couldn't protect you again…"

The tears were really salty.

But at this moment, Regulus only felt bitterness.

The pain he was feeling now was greater than any pain he had ever endured before.

— Regulus…

Pochi's tired voice suddenly transmitted directly into the demon's brain.

"Big brother!? Where are you!?"

— I'm sorry… I couldn't protect you… just like that time…

Pochi didn't answer Regulus's question.

"No, this isn't your fault! You did a great job, big brother!"

— I'm sorry…

— I'm sorry…

— I'm sorry…

Those words kept being transmitted into Regulus's brain.

And no matter what the demon said, the voice and words didn't stop.

They only became weaker.

"Brother! Brother! Brother! Don't die! Please! I am begging you!"

Regulis's cries grew louder and louder.

Unable to bear it any longer, Hans let out a deep breath, then raised his sword high.

[Sword Saint.]

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