The Damned Demon - Chapter 823

Arthur stepped stiffly into the Judge's well-lit office, his demeanor slightly anxious yet determined.

Across from him, the Judge sat behind an expansive wooden desk, the weight of his presence making the room feel smaller than it was.

The walls were lined with old books—a stark contrast to the sterile, metallic architecture of Mars' Infinity Tower.

The Judge's face was carved with the lines of a life spent behind justice.

His piercing dark eyes locked onto Arthur with quiet authority, scrutinizing him in a way that made Arthur feel as if the man could see straight through him.

There was no need for introductions.

The silence between them stretched, thick with unspoken understanding.

Then finally—

"Sit down, young man." The Judge's voice was steady, deliberate.Arthur hesitated before lowering himself into the chair before him, his posture still stiff, as if his body refused to relax.

The Judge folded his fingers together on the desk. "You've been through much, haven't you?"

Arthur's breath hitched ever so slightly, but he didn't answer.

"Betrayal. Loss. Deception." The Judge continued, his voice neither pitying nor sympathetic—simply stating facts. "Everything you thought you knew has crumbled around you, leaving you standing on unsteady ground."

Arthur swallowed. His hands clenched into fists on his lap.How much did this senior know?The Judge exhaled softly, his eyes glinting as if he already knew Arthur's thoughts."There are dark forces in this world you easily cannot go against." He leaned slightly forward, his sharp gaze never wavering. "These forces have built a world where they hold the strings, where even justice must tread carefully."

Arthur knew he was talking about Derek and clenched his jaw. "Are you saying you won't help?" His voice was tight, a mix of frustration and exhaustion.

The Judge remained silent for a moment before he spoke again, "My hands are tied... to an extent despite having a some good people who are loyal to me."

Arthur's eyes flickered. "To what extent?"

The Judge's lips barely curved into what might have been a ghost of a smirk. "I cannot act openly yet, nor can I fight this battle for you." He leaned back in his chair. "But... I can make sure that you are ready."

Arthur's breath stilled.

"Ready?"

The Judge nodded, "I have been watching you, Arthur. Not as the world sees you—a decorated and gifted Hunter, a young man with potential—but as someone who has yet to truly grasp what he is capable of."

Arthur frowned slightly, but the Judge continued before he could respond.

"Sometimes evil is not just an opponent you can fight with raw strength. It is a force that must be dismantled piece by piece. If you are to stand against it, you must reach the height of your true potential."

Arthur's heart pounded.

Training.

For so long, he had lamented his lack of experience and training and never got the time to improve himself after everything that was going on. He liked how his father trained him during the time they were together but now he wasn't here and he still had a lot left to learn.

But now, this man was offering him the very thing he wanted.

"Why?" Arthur asked after a moment, his voice low. "Why risk helping me?"

The Judge's expression didn't change, but his eyes softened ever so slightly.

"Because I always believe in justice." He said simply. "And because there are too few of us left who are willing to fight for it."Arthur's lips parted slightly, but he found himself unable to speak.

For so long, he had felt alone. Betrayed by those he trusted, misled by those he respected. But here was a man—someone with power, with authority—who was willing to risk everything to help him.

Arthur lowered his gaze briefly, his emotions swirling within him.

Then—he lifted his head, his eyes burning with newfound resolve.

"I accept."

The Judge nodded once, satisfied.

Then, his expression turned grave.

"Understand this, Arthur. We have limited time. The forces that lurk in the shadows will not remain idle, and I cannot hold back evil for long. The day will come when all will be laid bare, and when that time arrives, it will be up to you—and those who stand with you—to be prepared for the aftermath."

Arthur immediately understood.

That Derek was going to do something even more worse was coming and it... would be soon.

Arthur's fists tightened.

"I'm ready," he said, his voice firm.

The Judge gave him a long, searching look before nodding and called out, "Evelyn."

One of the doors in the room clicked open as Arthur saw an old woman in neat, tailored clothes stepping out with an assertive look in her eyes.

Arthur was surprised to see a council member like her walking in. Does this mean she was working for the Judge?

"Hello, young man. We have been waiting for you to come around on your own. Fortunately, it's not too late yet," Evelyn said as she took a seat beside Arthur.

Arthur gave a respectful nod before saying with a confused look, "I uh..."

"Evelyn is a good old friend of mine. I trust her with my life. She will be the one looking out for us while I am busy training you," The Judge said with a tone of confidence.

"You have the eyes of your mother but...you look just like him. If only we weren't so helpless..." Evelyn mumbled with a look of regret and nostalgia as she stared at Arthur's face.

Arthur's eyes flickered with realization as he mumbled bitterly, "Helpless? If you two really knew back then...why not try to stop it from happening?"

Evelyn let out a heavy sigh as she looked at the Judge who looked at Arthur and said in a low voice, "Because your mother told us exactly what we have to do and despite our own misgivings and doubts, we knew we had to follow her words lest all hope is lost. We can't imagine the hell she had to go through to bestow us with such knowledge. But know that it wasn't in vain."

Arthur's eyes quivered as he raised his gaze, wondering what this meant. Does this mean his mother really let his father die? Why? What future could be worse than this? She alone could have stopped Derek if she wanted to.

"We know it's a hard decision to understand. But only she can explain it to you."

Arthur knew he may not understand his mother's decisions until he met her and heard it from her.

"I understand...I want to be prepared."

"Then let's begin."

—

A week had passed.

Rowena stood in front of the tall arched windows of her chamber, the dark morning light casting an ethereal glow against her pale skin. She rested a hand on her belly, feeling the faint yet undeniable presence of life within her.

Her baby bump was now slightly larger, a quiet yet inescapable reminder of how fast her child was growing.

She wondered for the hundredth time how this could be happening.

Igrid's words still echoed in her mind.

"At this rate, Your Majesty, the child may be born within a few short weeks."

She had dismissed it at the time, thinking it to be an exaggeration. And yet, as she felt the subtle change in her body, she realized that he couldn't be more right.

This should have been a joyous moment.

And yet, the heavy weight pressing against her heart did not allow her to feel it fully.

Rowena turned her gaze towards the horizon, watching the crimson sun slowly rise above the desolate lands. The sky was painted in hues of deep red and orange, as if bleeding—a cruel reflection of how she felt inside.

She feared the kind of world her child would be born into.

A world where their people were scattered. Where her enemies lurked in the shadows, waiting for her moment of weakness. Where she had to hide her very pregnancy from her people because she feared what their enemies might do if they found out.

Her fingers clenched against the fabric of her gown.

She had lost too much already.

She wouldn't—couldn't—lose her child too.

But before she could dwell further in her thoughts, a knock on the door pulled her back to reality.

"You may come in."

The door opened slowly, and Merina entered with a soft smile, deeply bowing before speaking, "I apologize for disturbing you, Your Majesty. But Advisor Seron requests to talk to you about something urgent."

Rowena's crimson eyes flickered with a sharp glint.

"He finally returned?" she asked, turning to face Merina. "I was meaning to ask him about his wife and sons. They never turned up dead, nor did anyone see them die. So they must be out there somewhere... but why haven't they returned when we need them the most?"

Merina hesitated for a moment before answering, "I have a feeling he wants to talk to you about it. He was waiting for you to wake up when you were unconscious, but then he left briefly after learning you were pregnant."

Rowena narrowed her eyes slightly.

Seron had always been loyal. He had always stood by his duty through the worst of times. And yet... something about this felt off.

"Lead me to him," she finally said, her voice firm.

—

The study hall was dimly lit, the scent of old parchment filling the air. As Rowena stepped inside, Merina remained at the door, giving her privacy.

Seron was already inside, standing stiffly by the wooden desk.

The moment he saw her, he quickly got up, his expression a mixture of guilt and torment.

"Your Majesty."

"Where were you, Uncle Seron?" Rowena's tone was calm, but there was an edge to it. "I know you were here when I was unconscious. But why did you leave again? Why is your family not here?"

She gestured for him to sit, but instead of obeying, Seron suddenly fell to his knees.

Rowena's brows furrowed in surprise and unease.

"I have committed the worst crime, Your Majesty!" Seron's voice was raw with guilt, his hands clenching into trembling fists against the stone floor.

Rowena's expression remained impassive, but internally, she felt a cold dread settle in her stomach.

"Speak only the truth," she commanded, her tone devoid of warmth. "What did you do?"

Seron took a shuddering breath before forcing the words out.

"I... betrayed you."