I Got a Job as the Demon King’s Toy - Chapter 88

It was then that a sudden interruption occurred.

“Your Majesty! Urgent news!”

A messenger, clearly out of breath, rushed into the room and whispered something into the Emperor’s ear. The Emperor, who had been smirking in amusement moments before, suddenly went pale. He gripped the armrest of his throne tightly and shot a fierce glare at Lucas. Lucas, noticing the shift, asked with confusion.

“Your Majesty? What is going on?”

The Emperor shouted loudly, his voice booming through the room.

“Seize that wretch, Lucas, immediately! And capture the others in the next room—bind them all!”

Lucas’s face drained of color, his shock and fear evident as the soldiers moved swiftly to follow the Emperor’s command.

* * *

Countless shadows of horned demons raced across the vast land at an incredible speed. When a city or fortress appeared in the distance, a herald would ride ahead, raising his voice in a loud warning:

“Flee within the hour. Run for your lives to your Emperor and tell him that Teshiel Pratemos, the King of the Seventh Demon Realm, will not cease his carnage and destruction until Bonita is safely returned to him.”

Exactly one hour later, the demons swept through the cities. Any human they saw—whether adult or child—was torn apart, killed without discrimination. The only exception was if the victim happened to be a young woman. Before laying a hand on these women, the demons would ask a single question:

“Bonita?”

If the woman answered yes or nodded, she was immediately taken before Teshiel. Of course, they were only namesakes, but even after Teshiel shook his head, these women named Bonita were spared. They were allowed to live, simply because they shared the name of the Demon King’s beloved.

Terror and death filled the path wherever the demons passed, and they reveled in the slaughter, finding ecstasy in the destruction, which dulled the pain of stepping into the mortal realm. Just as the herald had proclaimed, Teshiel and his forces destroyed everything in their path as they advanced toward the imperial capital. In the desolate ruins, only one or two women named “Bonita” would remain, crying amidst the corpses.

At first, some towns tried to resist, only to face annihilation. But as word spread that the demons would not pursue those who fled within the given hour, more and more people abandoned their homes to escape.

Women who couldn’t flee in time clung to the one hope of survival. Regardless of their true names, they nodded when asked *“Bonita?”* Mothers claimed their daughters were named Bonita to save them, while dying men shouted that their elderly mothers bore the name to grant them mercy. The number of women claiming to be Bonita grew with each city, but Teshiel never wavered. No matter how different they looked, how old they were, anyone who claimed the name “Bonita” was spared—after Teshiel personally examined their faces.

In the empire, the name “Bonita” became both a curse and a slim hope for survival. In the middle of a city devastated by the Demon King, yet another “Bonita,” with hollow eyes, whispered:

“If the Angel of Death had a name, surely it would be Bonita.”

After five nights and five days of relentless marching, the force that blocked their way was the imperial army. Seeing a figure at the front of the soldiers, whose golden hair fluttered in the wind, Teshiel urged his horse forward until he was close enough for conversation.

Studying the blond man’s face carefully, Teshiel furrowed his brows. He looked just like Lucas, but it wasn’t him. Without bothering to hide his disappointment, Teshiel spoke.

“Did you bring Bonita? The one who looks exactly like you is the one who took her.”

“That fool is my half-brother. His Majesty is currently punishing him as he deserves. He’s the one responsible for bringing the Demon King’s army into the empire.”

The man raised his voice.

“Demon King, will you not withdraw here? As the Crown Prince of this empire, I promise to safely return her to you.”

Teshiel scoffed.

“Why should I believe that? I’ve destroyed so much of your empire already. Do you think your father, the Emperor, would let you make such a disadvantageous decision?”

“Even if you don’t believe me, I understand. But I am sincere,” the Crown Prince replied, pounding his chest with conviction.

Teshiel narrowed his eyes.