The next morning, Leon woke before sunrise.
"You're restless," Satan commented.
Leon sighed while straightening his clothes. "I can't help being restless, Lord. His Majesty Zephyr said that person has been waiting for me for a long time. But I have no idea who he is."
"Perhaps someone from your past?"
"My past?" Leon laughed bitterly. "My past only consisted of taunts, kicks, and living as a useless low-class demon. There was no one waiting for me there."
Satan was silent for a moment.
"Or perhaps... someone waiting for me."
Leon stopped. The hand straightening his collar froze.
"What do you mean, Lord?"
"I don't know for sure. But my intuition... someone in this palace knows about my existence."
Leon swallowed hard. "But... you said it was a secret."
"Secrets can leak, boy. Especially after you showcased Necromancy in front of everyone."
Leon bit his lip. He couldn't deny it.
---
Afterwards, breakfast at Belphegor Palace was still a strange experience for Leon.
A long table with dozens of dishes. Servants at the ready. And at the end of the table, Zephyr sat comfortably while reading reports.
"Good morning, Leon," Zephyr greeted without lifting his head. "I heard you've fully recovered."
Leon sat in his usual seat. "Thank you, Your Majesty. Thanks to King Aerion."
Zephyr nodded. "He returned to his kingdom last night. Urgent matters."
Leon breathed a sigh of relief. One mysterious person was gone.
But before he could think further, the dining room door opened. A young elf entered—shimmering silver hair, sharp green eyes, upright posture. At his waist, a long sword was elegantly sheathed.
Zephyr looked up. "Ah, Prince Feyar. Good morning."
Feyar smiled faintly, his eyes shifting to Leon. "So this is the young demon everyone's been talking about."
Leon stood, giving his respects. "A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness Prince."
Feyar chuckled softly. "No need for formalities. I'm Feyar, son of King Aerion." He approached, staring at Leon with curiosity.
"My father told me about you. About your severe wounds that healed in such a short time. About... your ability."
Leon was silent. Unsure how to respond.
"Be careful," Satan whispered. "This elf... is different. His eyes are sharp."
"You don't need to worry," Feyar continued, as if reading Leon's hesitation. "I won't ask about your secrets. At least, not now." He smiled warmly, but there was something beneath it. "I just wanted to see firsthand the demon who piqued my father's curiosity."
Leon nodded awkwardly. "Thank you, Your Highness."
Feyar stared at him for a few more seconds, then turned to Zephyr. "Uncle Zephyr, I'm going to the library. There are some documents I'd like to read."
Zephyr nodded. "Go ahead."
Feyar walked away. But before the door closed, he glanced once more at Leon. His smile was still the same—friendly. But his eyes... there was a strange glint there.
"Remember his face," Satan whispered.
"This elf... will play an important role in your future."
Leon frowned. "What do you mean, Lord?"
"Just a hunch."
---
After breakfast, Leon walked through the corridor towards his room. Suddenly, a servant blocked his path.
"Lord Leon, His Majesty Zephyr requests your presence. Someone wishes to meet you at the training ground."
Leon tensed. This was it.
"Calm down," Satan whispered. "I'm here."
Leon followed the servant through the corridor, out of the main building, towards the training ground on the west wing.
The ground was larger than Leon had imagined. Surrounded by white stone fences, with several different training areas. But that morning, there was only one person there.
The figure sat in the middle of the field, back turned. White hair. Broad shoulders. Beside him, a giant hammer was embedded in the ground.
The servant stopped at the entrance. "Go ahead, Lord Leon."
Leon stepped forward, alone.
Each step felt heavy. Not from fear—but from curiosity. Who was this person?
Five meters. Three meters. One meter.
Leon stopped.
"You're Leon?"
The voice was deep, heavy, yet sounded friendly. The figure rose and turned around.
The demon before him was taller—perhaps 2.5 meters. Glowing blue eyes, not threatening, but filled with curiosity. A body covered in scars. And his smile was wide, sincere, slightly mischievous.
"I'm Raiden." He extended his hand. "Raiden Belphegor."
Leon accepted the handshake. His grip was strong, but not painful.
"Le—"
"I know your name." Raiden interrupted, laughing. "Zephyr has told me a lot."
Leon was silent. Unsure what to say.
Raiden stared at him for a long time. Then suddenly—
BAM!
Raiden's fist shot out. Leon barely managed to raise his arm—but the force of the impact sent him flying five meters back.
"HEY!" Leon got up, angry. "WHAT—"
Raiden burst out laughing. "Still able to get up? Good!"
From behind the fence, Zephyr appeared with a resigned expression. "Sorry, Leon. He's always like this."
Leon growled. "Like what?!"
"A FIGHT LOVER!" Raiden was already charging again.
---
The battle was intense.
Raiden attacked mercilessly—but Leon began reading his movement patterns. Raiden's movements were fast, but had a rhythm. In between, Leon launched counterattacks.
THUD! Leon's fist landed on Raiden's solar plexus.
Raiden stopped. His eyes widened. Then—
"HAHAHAHA!"
He laughed joyfully. "It's been so long! SO LONG SINCE SOMEONE HAS STUCK BACK!"
Leon gasped for breath. "Are you done yet?"
Raiden stopped laughing, grinning widely. "For today, enough." He patted Leon's shoulder. "You're amazing, kid. I like you."
Leon frowned. "But... who exactly are you?"
Raiden glanced at Zephyr. "You haven't told him yet?"
Zephyr shrugged. "Let him find out for himself."
Raiden laughed. "Alright." He looked at Leon. "I'm Raiden Belphegor. Firstborn son of the previous Demon King Belphegor. The eldest brother of Zephyr, Sylphine, and Sylvaine."
Leon's eyes widened. "Brother... of His Majesty Zephyr?"
"More precisely, the eldest brother." Raiden stretched his body. "I left this kingdom fifty years ago. Wandered, fought, searched for worthy opponents." He stared at Leon with a strange look. "And now I've returned, and immediately heard news about a young demon who can summon the dead."
Leon was silent.
"Don't worry." Raiden suddenly turned serious.
"I won't ask about your secrets. But I want you to know—" he stepped closer, staring at Leon up close, "—the power you hold within you... that's no ordinary power."
Leon jolted.
"He knows," Satan whispered.
But Raiden had already turned, waving at Zephyr. "I'm going to the city. There are some old friends I want to greet."
Zephyr sighed. "Don't cause trouble."
"Me? Cause trouble?" Raiden laughed. "Never!"
He shot away.
---
Zephyr approached. "Are you alright?"
Leon nodded, though his body ached all over. "Is he... always like that?"
Zephyr smiled faintly. "Since childhood." He paused. "But he rarely praises anyone. The fact that he said you're amazing... that means something."
Leon didn't answer.
"Lord Satan," he called in his mind.
"Yes?"
"What did he mean about my power?"
Silence.
"I don't know for sure. But he knows something. We need to find out."
Leon bit his lip. "Tomorrow I'll look for him."
"Don't rush. Let him come to you."
Leon sighed. He looked at the sky that was beginning to brighten.
Outside the palace gates, in the distance, a figure with silver hair still stood on the library balcony. Feyar.
His eyes followed Leon as he walked away from the training ground. His smile was still the same—friendly. But behind it, there was something unreadable.
"Leon Astaroth," he murmured softly. "You're interesting."
He turned, returning to the pile of ancient documents on the table.
=== CHAPTER 7 END ===