The moment their eyes met—
Time seemed to freeze.
Malvek's expression stiffened.
The prince's pupils shrank.
"…You two?"
His voice carried clear shock.
The princess, standing beside him, glanced between them with curiosity. "You know them?"
The prince nodded slowly, still staring at Nobu. "Yes… that man—" he pointed slightly, "—he saved me from those bandits."
A brief silence followed.
Then the princess stepped forward gracefully, her gaze calm yet sharp.
"In that case… you have my gratitude."
Nobu and Malvek immediately lowered their heads in respect.
"It was nothing," Nobu replied calmly.
The man who had brought them here stepped forward. "Your Highness, these two may prove very useful in the future."
The princess nodded thoughtfully. "I believe so as well."
But before she could continue—
"I want him."
The prince interrupted.
Everyone turned toward him.
"I want that man—" he pointed at Nobu, "—as my personal bodyguard."
The room fell silent.
The princess frowned slightly. "That's not possible."
The prince clenched his fists. "Why not?"
"Because you," she said calmly, "have a habit of getting involved in… unnecessary matters. Assigning someone like him to you would only encourage that behavior."
The prince looked away, frustrated.
The princess then turned her gaze back to Nobu.
"However…" she paused, "if he proves his worth, he could become something far greater."
Malvek's heart skipped.
"…An army commander."
The words hit like thunder.
Malvek stepped forward instantly. "Your Highness! His name is Nobu—and I am Malvek."
He spoke quickly, almost nervously.
"And… Nobu is also the winner of the recent tournament."
The princess raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"The one people are calling a monster?" she asked.
Malvek smiled proudly. "Yes. He's the strongest person I've ever met. There's nothing he can't do."
Nobu sighed slightly at the exaggeration but said nothing.
The princess studied him for a moment longer.
"…We will consider it."
Then she turned away.
"For now, begin your work."
"Clean the entire clan grounds."
And so—
Their first task began.
The vast estate of the Demon Clan was nothing short of overwhelming. Towering structures, wide courtyards, and countless halls stretched in every direction.
And Nobu and Malvek—
Were cleaning it all.
Sweeping.
Carrying.
Washing.
Working like ordinary servants.
Yet behind their simple actions—
A far greater plan was unfolding.
As Malvek scrubbed the stone floor, he leaned closer to Nobu and whispered,
"This is actually perfect."
Nobu glanced at him. "What is?"
Malvek smirked slightly. "That prince. The one you saved."
"…So?"
"He'll come to you again," Malvek said confidently. "And when he does—we accept whatever he offers."
Nobu raised an eyebrow. "Even if it's dangerous?"
Malvek nodded. "Especially if it's dangerous. That's how we gain trust."
Nobu thought for a moment.
Then nodded.
"…Alright."
By midday—
They were finally allowed a break.
The two sat down with simple food in the workers' area.
For a brief moment—
Everything felt normal.
Then—
A shadow fell over their table.
They looked up.
The prince.
Malvek instantly stood up. "Your Highness! We cannot sit with—"
"Relax," the prince interrupted, taking a seat beside them.
"Nothing will happen."
Malvek hesitated before slowly sitting back down.
The prince leaned back slightly, his expression tired.
"I'm only a prince by name," he said quietly. "I don't have the capabilities of one."
Nobu observed him carefully.
"…Something happened to you, didn't it?"
The prince froze for a moment.
Then—
He nodded.
"…Yes."
Malvek leaned forward slightly. "If you don't mind… maybe we can help?"
The prince lowered his gaze.
For a few seconds, he said nothing.
Then, in a low voice—
"I had a wife."
Nobu and Malvek both stilled.
"Three months ago… she was taken."
His fists tightened.
"Bandits."
A heavy silence filled the air.
"I tracked them down," he continued. "They were hiding in a place called Misashi Palace."
Malvek's eyes widened slightly.
"I went there with my clan members," the prince said. "But…"
His voice trembled.
"They threatened to kill her if we attacked."
"…So you retreated," Nobu said quietly.
The prince nodded, his eyes filled with frustration.
"There were too many of them. And… they demanded money."
He laughed bitterly.
"But our clan hasn't had enough funds for months."
"So we came back… empty-handed."
His voice broke slightly.
"I couldn't save her."
A tear slipped down his cheek.
"…If you help me," he said, his voice trembling, "I will do anything for you. I will be in your debt… forever."
Nobu and Malvek exchanged a glance.
A silent understanding passed between them.
Then—
Nobu spoke.
"We'll help you."
The prince looked up instantly.
"But on one condition."
Hope flickered in his eyes. "Anything."
Nobu turned slightly. "Malvek."
Malvek nodded.
Then he began to speak.
He explained everything.
Their vision.
Their goal.
To build something greater.
A force that could stand above both humans and demons.
A new order.
At first—
The prince was stunned.
But as Malvek continued—
His expression slowly changed.
From shock—
To realization.
Then—
Determination.
"…I understand," he said.
"I'll help you."
Malvek blinked. "You will?"
The prince nodded firmly. "I will provide everything you need."
Nobu crossed his arms. "You just said your clan doesn't have money."
The prince smiled faintly.
"The bandits are the reason."
He leaned forward slightly.
"They took control of our trade routes. We used those routes to earn wealth."
"But now…"
"We've lost everything."
A pause.
"Help me eliminate them…"
"And the trade will return."
"…Which means money returns," Nobu finished.
The prince nodded.
Nobu smiled.
"…Then it's settled."
He stood up.
"Gather your forces."
The prince looked at him.
"Tomorrow."
"We attack."
That night—
Inside a small, dimly lit room—
Nobu and Malvek lay on their beds.
Not sleeping.
Just staring at the ceiling.
The silence was heavy.
"…Are you confident?" Malvek asked suddenly.
Nobu didn't respond immediately.
"…I don't know."
Malvek turned his head slightly.
"There are a lot of them."
"I know."
Another pause.
"…But," Nobu continued, his voice calm, "I have a feeling."
Malvek raised an eyebrow. "A feeling?"
Nobu's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…Something will happen."
"And we'll win."
Malvek stared at him for a moment.
Then—
He let out a small sigh.
"…Let's just see."
He closed his eyes.
Slowly drifting into sleep.
But Nobu—
Remained awake.
His gaze fixed on the darkness.
As if…
He was waiting for something.