Reincarnated As A Demon

Chapter 18 The Three Little Wolves

What should I do? What should I do?

Zerha’s thoughts spun like a storm.

Demon hunters are looking for me! They plastered my face everywhere! I became a bounty target now?!

Panic rattled her chest until she could barely breathe.

Inside her, the Demon Queen broke into laughter so sharp it stabbed her pride.

“Pfff, bwahaha! So this is your fate? What did you do, little worm that made humans put you on their wanted list? How amusing! You, a weakling, chased by mortals, how far you’ve fallen! Wahaha!”

“S-Stop laughing!” Zerha’s cheeks burned red, her fists clenched. I swear, one day I’ll gag that arrogant soul with duct tape.

“I’m not laughing at you, Milady,” Sage said, voice calm.

Zerha blinked, realizing he misread her outburst. “Huh? Ah, r-right. Let’s just go.” Great. Now Sage thinks I’m yelling at thin air. He’s going to start thinking I’ve gone insane…

But Sage suddenly stopped. “Wait a moment, Milady.” He strode over to a stall draped with fabric. A row of travel cloaks and robes hung neatly, their hoods wide enough to obscure faces.

“Seventy NIXXIS,” the merchant demanded.

Sage froze, hand still on one of the robes. His shoulders stiffened. “…I don’t have any silver.” His usual stoic aura cracked into embarrassment.

Zerha facepalmed so hard it stung. Really? He planned to buy something and forgot he’s broke? Sighing, she tapped Foxy’s enchanted storage ring and pulled out two glittering gold stones.

“If you don’t have money, then leave–” the merchant began, but his words died when Zerha held up the gold. His eyes nearly bulged out of his head. He snatched the stones so quickly it was like they’d vanish if he hesitated. “Ah, yes, yes! Two robes, right away, honored lady! Thank you, come again!” He practically sang the words as he shoved the fabric at her.

Sage lowered his gaze, voice apologetic. “Forgive me, Milady. I only thought to buy you one, so you could keep your face hidden under the hood…”

Zerha smiled gently. “You don’t have to feel bad. I appreciate how thoughtful you are. Really. Come on, let’s wear these and keep moving.”

Sage froze a second, stunned by her kindness, before turning his face away. His ears were faintly red. “O-okay.” Inwardly, his chest felt warm.

Milady is… truly kind. Following her was not a mistake.

Meanwhile, the merchant clutched his new fortune, grinning like a madman. But as Sage and Zerha left, something nagged him. Where have I seen that girl before? He scratched his head, then a loose poster fluttered against his face. He yanked it off and gasped. It was the wanted poster of a demon girl, with horns. His eyes darted toward the street where Zerha had disappeared.

“That… That’s her?” His hands trembled. Should I report this?

Then his eyes dropped to the two gold stones glimmering in his hand. His lips stretched into a greedy grin. “Report her? Ha! Why bother? I’m rich now! Let the hunters worry about demons, I’ll enjoy my new life!” He burst into laughter. “Wahaha!”

………

Not long after, two demon hunters patrolling the border noticed Zerha and Sage heading toward the path that left Haria’s bustling heart.

“Hey. Where are you two going?” one asked, hand resting lazily on the hilt of his sword.

Sage answered smoothly. “We’re hunting demons.”

“Just the two of you?”

“Yes.”

The hunter frowned but shrugged. “Well, good luck then. Just don’t go too deep into the f*******n Forest, you’ll run into high-level demons, stronger than you can handle.”

Sage nodded politely, and Zerha kept her head bowed beneath her hood.

As the two passed, one guard whispered to the other. “Are you sure we should just let them through? It’s only the two of them.”

The second hunter, older, narrowed his eyes. “If we try to stop them, we’ll regret it.”

“H-huh? Why?”

“You knew my skill, I can sense danger. My instincts are never wrong. Those two… are not to be trifled with.”

The younger guard paled, lips dry. “…You really think so?”

“They’re suspicious, yes. Hoods up, hiding their faces… There could be instances that they are new demon hunters that don't want to be known yet. If Captain Marcus sees them, he’ll probably recruit them into his squad since those two are strong..”

The first one swallowed nervously. “I… kind of hope he does.”

….

Hours later, Zerha’s legs ached. She dragged her feet through tangled roots and sighed like she was about to collapse. “Oh my gosh… Sage, how much farther? My legs are screaming!”

Inside, the Demon Queen snorted. “Pathetic. You’ve hardly walked at all and you’re already whining? Such a weak demon!”

Zerha clenched her fists. If I argue out loud, Sage will definitely think I’ve lost it. Deep breaths, Zerha. Don’t punch the evil roommate in your head.

Sage glanced back, his voice patient but firm. “It’s still far away, Milady. But once we reach deeper into the forest, we can reveal our original forms and fly with our wings.”

Zerha froze. “…Wings?”

“Yes,” Sage said, tilting his head. “Is something wrong?”

“I… I don’t think I have wings.”

Sage actually stopped walking, his expression cracking for the first time. “What? That’s impossible. Every demon has wings, Milady.”

Inside her, the Demon Queen howled with laughter. “Pffft! HAHAHAHA! You’re not only weak, but you’re a wingless demon? A crippled bird! Oh, the humiliation! Wahahaha!”

Zerha’s eyebrow twitched dangerously. One more laugh and I’m going to exorcise you with holy water!

“If you don’t have wings,” Sage said seriously, “then I will carry you.”

Her eyes went wide. “H-huh? No, no need!”

“I insist.” His voice was resolute. There would be no negotiating with him.

Zerha sighed, defeated. I forgot that Sage is a stubborn demon…

All of a sudden, a low growl split the air.

Zerha stiffened. Ahead of them, a massive wolf padded out of the shadows. Its fur was pitch black, its fangs long enough to gleam even in the dim light. It snarled, eyes glowing faintly red.

Zerha’s stomach flipped. What the actual f**k is that?! That’s not a normal wolf! It’s a huge wolf!!

Sage spread his stance protectively. “Stay behind me, Milady. I’ll deal with it.”

But Zerha’s gaze caught something strange. The wolf’s legs trembled. Its breaths were ragged. And then, from behind, three tiny cubs stumbled out, barking weakly.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

“Wait…” Zerha’s heart clenched. “…She’s a mother.”

The great wolf swayed, then collapsed heavily onto the forest floor. Her cubs rushed to her, whining desperately.

“Milady, wait! The wolf could attack you!” Sage reached to stop her, but Zerha dashed forward anyway. She knelt by the fallen beast, placing a hand against its side.

The cubs yipped, tails wagging as though they understood she was trying to help.

“I think… she’s dead,” Sage said after examining her.

“But there wasn’t any blood or wounds on her body.”

Sage's voice was grim. “Poison. Look here, the marks on her neck. Someone chained her, maybe hunters. She must have broken free, but the poison was already in her veins.”

Is this the same poison that poisoned Foxy?

Zerha tried to heal the wolf with her acquired healing magic, desperation swelling in her chest. “Come on… please…” But the wolf didn’t stir.

Her vision blurred with tears. She looked at the cubs, three little bodies trembling, pressing against their unmoving mother.

If we leave them here, demons will kill them.

“Come here, babies,” she whispered softly. Surprisingly, the cubs wagged their tails and nuzzled into her hands, climbing into her lap.

Sage stiffened. “Milady, careful, they could bite you. I will immediately get them away from you.”

But then the cubs turned their wide, innocent eyes on him. Their ears drooped, their little faces unbearably cute.

Sage froze. His stoic expression cracked as he looked away, ears burning. “I-I… guess they are not dangerous.”

Zerha bit her lip to hold back laughter. He’s blushing. Sage is weak against cuteness. Adorable!

The Demon Queen, however, hummed curiously inside. Healing powers… strange. This girl has more secrets than I thought.

Zerha cuddled the cubs. “I’m thinking we should bring them with us, but if we bring them to the Demon Kingdom, they’ll be killed on sight.”

The cubs whimpered as though they understood.

Sage frowned. “Perhaps we should leave them here and retrieve them later, Milady. However, I am not sure whether no one will attack them…”

The cubs trembled after hearing Sage, they didn't want to be left behind. They want to go with them.

“You are right Sage, maybe we should just leave them in the less dangerous place.”

Just as she finished talking, the cubs suddenly vanished into thin air.

“Huh?!” Zerha nearly dropped them. “W-Where’d they go?! But I feel like I can still feel their weight!”

“I can also still feel their presence,” Sage muttered, confused. The cubs were just a moment ago but suddenly vanished?

After a moment, the cubs reappeared, wagging their tails proudly.

Zerha’s jaw dropped. “What just happened?”

“I think they have the ability to turn invisible, Milady.”

“They can… turn invisible?! Wow amazing! My little cute furries, can you do it again? Turn invincible?”

“Woof!”

“I didn’t know wolves had such an ability. That’s interesting.” Sage remarked with a puzzled expression.

Then the little wolves turn invincible again.

“Then it’s settled! You can come with us, my cute little furry babies!” Zerha cheered.

Two cubs scampered up onto her shoulders, nuzzling her cheek. The third climbed atop Sage’s head like a hat.

He froze. “….”

Zerha covered her mouth, shoulders shaking. Pfft. Hahaha! Sage looks like a stern statue… with a puppy hat.

“…Let’s keep moving,” Sage said stiffly, ears red.

“Pfft. Alright,”

…..

Deeper into the forest, Sage stopped. “This is far enough. We can reveal our original forms here.”

Zerha’s chest tightened. Original forms… huh. Except mine is defective.

Dark energy surged as Sage transformed, his body glowing faintly before vast black wings burst open behind him. He strode forward, powerful and regal, feathers glinting like obsidian.

Then, without hesitation, he scooped Zerha into his arms bridal-style. She squeaked, face flaming.

“Wait! W-What are you doing?!”

“You cannot fly, Milady. I will carry you.”

“A-Alright…”

“I’m a demon… right? Then why don’t I have wings?” Zerha muttered.

The Demon Queen whispered inside her. “Because you are a weak little demon! whahhaha!.”

“If yo

u are just going to mock me, just shut up!” she muttered.

The demon queen only chuckled.

Zerha tightened her grip, the forest wind rushing around them as Sage’s wings carried them higher into the sky.

….