Reincarnated As A Demon

Chapter 19 Demon Kingdom 1

Sage descended slowly from the sky, his wings folding in with silent grace. The moment his boots touched the dark, grassy earth, he gently set Zerha down on her feet, careful not to jostle her or the three wolf cubs.

He pointed ahead, his voice even but with a hint of pride. “Over there is the Demon Kingdom, Milady.”

Before Zerha could even take in the view, one cub leapt from her shoulder and scampered across Sage’s arm, climbing up until it was perched like a fuzzy crown on top of his head. The other two cubs stayed with her, one draped across her shoulder, tail flicking lazily, and the other balanced on top of her head like it was the most natural seat in the world.

“T-That’s… the Demon Kingdom?” Zerha’s eyes widened. She had expected something imposing, yes, but not this! It is even bigger than the Haria Kingdom!

The horizon was dominated by a sprawling fortress-city that seemed to drink in the light around it. Towering black spires pierced the clouds like fangs, and the main castle, larger than anything she had seen in Haria, loomed over the city below like a dark god watching its domain. A low hum of power hung in the air, and even from this distance, waves of dark magic rolled outward from the heart of the kingdom. The pressure was enough to make her skin prickle. Somewhere in that massive structure, countless powerful demons waited.

Her gaze wandered lower. High, fortified walls encircled the city, and beyond them she could just make out the winding streets, the faint glimmer of enchanted lanterns, and the faint sound of bustling life. It wasn’t just a fortress, it was alive.

“I’ve been meaning to ask you, Milady…” Sage’s voice broke her trance. “Why did you choose to stay in the Haria Kingdom? You would only be placing yourself in danger there. You are a demon. Once they learned your true identity, the humans would try to kill you.”

Zerha blinked. Oh right… Sage doesn’t know that I was a human in my past life and got reincarnated here.

She bit her lip. Of course I didn’t choose to stay in the Demon Kingdom. I was terrified of the idea! I was just a normal high schooler back then, and then, bam! I woke up in a new world as a demon. And yes, I screamed. A lot.

Still… she remembered her first time seeing demons here. She hadn’t felt as much fear as she expected. Is it because their faces aren’t that scary? Except the fact that they are quite aggressive, their physical appearance isn't that horrible to see.

She forced a casual laugh. “I just don’t like staying in the Demon Kingdom.” Yeah, who would in their right mind staying in the demon kingdom when I am just a human high schooler in the past?

Inside her mind, the Demon Queen gave an audible ‘tsk’. Zerha could almost see the scowl. “Yet you chose to live among humans, our enemies? Hmph, such a fool. Let’s go. What are you waiting for?”

Zerha exhaled slowly. “Let’s keep moving, Sage. Oh, and you furry babies, stay invisible, okay?”

“Woof!” The three cubs barked in perfect unison before fading out of sight.

I can’t believe they actually understand me… She shook her head. Then again, this is a different world. I should probably stop being surprised at this point.

They started walking. The moment they passed through the massive gates and into the city, Zerha’s jaw dropped again.

She had expected snarling monsters and streets soaked in blood. Instead…

Demons lived here like humans. Not exactly the same, but close enough that it felt strange. Merchants shouted from their stalls, haggling over goods; children with tiny horns chased each other through the streets; elderly demons sat on stoops, chatting in deep, rumbling voices.

The air smelled faintly of iron and smoke, with undertones of spices she couldn’t name. Buildings of black stone and carved obsidian lined the streets, each adorned with symbols glowing faintly with magic.

She noticed something else. The demons’ horns varied wildly. Many had the standard small, curved set she’d always pictured. But then there were others, that has a deer-like antlers horns, spiraling ram horns, jagged shell-like ridges, and horns that looked like a crown of twisted branches.

Weird… I haven’t seen anyone with big horns like mine. Zerha pulled her hood lower, hiding both her face and her telltale horns.

She risked a glance at Sage. His horns, sleek and regal, were unlike any others she’d seen here. Imperial horns… If I remember what Foxy told me right, they’re a mark of royalty here. Movies make them look ordinary, but in this world? They scream ‘important.’

“Is something wrong, Milady?” Sage’s voice was calm, but his eyes were searching.

“Ah, no…” she muttered quickly. If I start asking about horns, he’ll probably ask more and more questions. Like, why I do not know about it or if he asks if I came from a different world, he’ll also probably ask why I came here or something. And I’m way too lazy to go through the whole reincarnation explanation again.

Inside her mind, the Demon Queen, Alice, made a low, thoughtful noise. “Many things have changed in the Demon Kingdom…”

Zerha frowned slightly. I wonder where her original body is now… I thought that looking for her body would be easy but it’s not!!! This kingdom is f****ng huge!!

Alice interrupted her thoughts. “Hey, weak demon. Who’s the current demon king? Or is it a queen?”

Zerha’s eyes widened. Oh crap! I don’t know!

She glanced at Sage, silently hoping he wouldn’t press her with too many questions. “Uh… Sage, may I ask who the demon king is?”

Even Sage looked surprised. “I… do not know, Milady. I apologize.”

Zerha blinked. Wait, he doesn’t know either?!

Inside, Alice’s tone turned sharp. “Neither of you know? Where in the hells did you two come from?”

Zerha swallowed hard. She was also wondering why Sage didn’t know.

“My lady, may I ask,” Sage began politely, “why do you not know who the demon king is either?”

Her throat went dry. “…I came from another w-world…” She blurted the first thing she could think of and prayed he’d believe her.

Alice went silent for a beat. Another world? Does she mean another realm? But this little demon is weak.

Sage, however, simply nodded. “Is that so? I came from another realm myself. That is why I do not know the ruler here either, Milady.”

Zerha nearly sagged in relief. Thank goodness. He didn’t ask any further questions! But why? He was supposed to ask where I came from, right? It's not that I wanted him to ask. Well, maybe because he isn’t a curious one.

Alice’s tone shifted, laced with suspicion. “If he’s from another realm, then it could be the Devil’s Realm. That place is filled with nothing but cruel, vicious, and dangerous demons, the kind that makes even I wary.” So that explains why his aura is different from ordinary demons living in this land.

Zerha tilted her head mentally. “You mean Sage?”

“Yes. What exactly is your relationship with this powerful demon?”

“He’s my friend. Why do you ask?”

“Huh? Milady, who are you talking to?” Sage gave her a curious look.

Zerha froze. Can I even tell him Alice’s soul is inside me? Nope. He’ll think I’m insane within thirty seconds.

Alice laughed cruelly in her mind. “Go ahead, tell him. Let’s see how quickly the entire kingdom tries to kill you. Oh wait, humans are already after you. Hahaha!”

“What the? Can you read minds?!” Zerha suddenly blurted out loud. Heads turned. Sage stared, confused.

Alice’s laughter echoed. “No. But if you don’t want people to think you’re crazy, we can use telepathy. I forgot to tell you earlier, I can communicate directly into your mind.”

I don’t think she’s actually sorry though… Zerha sighed inwardly. She then switched to mental speech. “Why can’t I tell anyone you’re inside me?”

“Because I am a threat to them. If the nobles learn I still exist, they will kill me. Before I died, my father betrayed me, and so did the other high-ranking demons. If they wanted me dead then, they will want me dead again now. Noble demons can live far longer than common ones. Even if their bodies died, their souls might remain.”

Zerha frowned. “So after 99,999 years, they could still be alive?”

“Yes. Especially royalty. Which is why you cannot trust anyone.”

“But it’s Sage. He’s–”

“From the Devil’s Realm,” Alice snapped. “Evil demons, all of them. Don’t tell him anything. You are weak. You can’t protect yourself.”

Zerha rolled her eyes. “Fine. But why trust me, then? I came from another world.”

“Trust you? Hah. I don’t. You’re just the body I’m stuck with.” Alice doesn’t want to trust anyone, she’s afraid of betrayal. She doesn't want to experience betrayal again.

Zerha’s teeth ground together. “You keep calling me weak. Then why don’t you find someone stronger to possess? I’ll even help you find your body so we never have to meet again!”

Alice ignored her. “Keep walking. Head for the demon king’s castle. I want to know if my father still rules.”

“What?! Why would I go there?!”

“That is an order from me, the Demon Queen!”

“F-fine!” Ugh, she’s so scary sometimes.

Sage tilted his head. “Where are we going, Milady?”

“To the demon king’s castle.”

“Oh? Are you acquainted with the king? But you don’t even know his name…”

“Not just his name. I don’t know his face either. I just want to take a closer look.”

“…Alright.” Sage’s eyes lingered on her, thoughtful. He had many questions. From the start, Zerha had been… unusual. Why would she choose to live among humans? Isn’t that dangerous for a demon like her? Also why did she travel with beasts and an angel, traditional enemies of demons? Why did she wield magic that wasn’t dark at all?

Sage hadn’t believed her story about being from another world at first. Is there any other place where demons live? As far as he knows, there is only the Demon Kingdom and the Devil’s Realm, the realm where he came from. But her contradictions… made it feel oddly plausible. Still, he kept his questions locked away. If she trusted him, she’d tell him eventually. And until then, he’d wait.

Because the thought of her leaving, abandoning him like he had experienced in the past, was something he couldn’t bear to risk.