Last Updated:
2024-10-29 19:42:56
AriathrosThese days are heavy and you're still reading. It's already February 26, and war is currently ongoing. Let us pray for Ukraine and those innocent people that will be caught in this tension. May God keep us safe at all times.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 16. Study Sessions 2
Majiro, Rimi, and I were seated in front of the coffee table facing each other in my freshly cleaned room. It was awkward because we could only stare at each other. The reason? Behind a mask, a creature lurks at the door watching our activities. We had been silent for five minutes as we could only communicate with gestures as to who would initiate the conversation. I nearly died earlier when Risano bought my explanation of the study session. I can't hit a person in front of my sister yet, that is why I'm still tempted at a time she would avert her eyes. A moment later, Majiro initiates a conversation, but the recipient isn't at the coffee table. "Oh, little sister, did you know that your brother, Ritake, has been famous for being intergalactic…" My hand, as heavy as a meteor, falls directly on Majiro's head. He screams in pain as his scalp grows a huge lump. "Oh, I'm sorry. There's dust in your head. I hate dust." "Why did you stop me? Isn't it cool to be called INTERGALACTIC…"
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 17. Gamble Every Single Second
Thursday, the exam day. We took the written exam. Luckily, no one failed in the three of us, not even Majiro. We usually spent the same lunch break but I ditched them at dismissal. I need to settle this matter quickly. After the crowd gathers, she seems to disappear quickly! Still, I can't create a commotion in this room. It will be another noisy chaos. I'm tired of gossip. I wandered around the parks, the cafeteria, and the school buildings but I didn't see a fragment of her face. I headed to the administrator's room as a last resort, but Miss Chiho wasn't there. I have no choice but to ask the co-director about this matter. I rammed through the door as I was rushing. "Sir Takio…" I breathlessly hunched. And I thought I could inhale the stamina lost in me. I didn't expect to cough in a foggy room with almost zero visibility. I saw the silhouette of the co-director near the open window. "Sir… Are you smoking?" I asked. I heard a silent chant. Instantly, the window, which emits
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 18. Closure
There are six branch cities surrounding the central city of Xenos. These six are the sites of demon universities. Yruiburg is one of the branch cities, and it's not just an idea. Being a branch city is vital to commerce and politics. The economy of the whole continent runs here. What exactly makes a branch city special? The lights! People will choose to walk in the streets instead of taking a carriage. The glow of the store lights contrasts with the night sky. Every building I pass, there's undoubtedly a store in it. Combined with people on the streets, it's the most ideal spot not to miss. It makes me miss Earth when I see the lively view. Xenos, on the other hand, is a very fascinating city. That city is said to have an extremely elegant appeal and architecture. That's where the demon lord of every continent currently resides. I haven't been to that place yet, and I'm not interested in doing so. But even though the cities radiate beauty on the outside, there is no way to escap
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 19. A Couple and a Third Party
On my tenth weekday, Friday, at Crutiara, Nazuno was still the same as ever. Her eyes were fixed on the board as usual. Her involvement in some commotion yesterday was difficult to discern.Due to a caffeine craving, we changed the location of our usual strategic lunch meeting to the second floor of the cafeteria.Initially, I thought something strange was going on with Rimi, but she's just building up the courage to ask me. "Ritake-kun… Did you… Uhm… succeed?"Majiro clacks his tongue as he waves his finger. He smirked like an all-knowing god."Even better! In public, at night, after the beloved and climatic scenery turns dramatic, Juliet's eyes rain while Romeo confesses his love to her."I can't help but hit Majiro's head. "You're misleading an innocent person, idiot!""So…" Rimi stutters as she looks away. "What exactly happened?""There are two things," I replied, and filled in the missing scenery in her mind. My storytelling skills made her feel like she was at the event in just
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 20. Untangled Knots
Here's one great idea I have. The moment I knew Nazuno aimed to be a demon lord candidate, I realized the things she needed to become one. With a cooperative partnership, I can become someone who can help her become the Demon Lord Candidate. A cooperative partnership is a contract between two parties that permits them to train together legally. Using this method, I can get close to Nazuno without any doubts… or so I thought. Today, I asked Rimi for advice, but I did not expect her to be proactive in counterarguments. I aimed to form a contract with Nazuno so that I could gain her trust. However, Rimi said that it works the other way around. To form a cooperative partnership, I need her trust. A stalker would be upfront creepy if he asked her crush, a stranger, for a wedding proposal. This makes me lose focus on my goal when I think about it. Instead, I'm thinking about how I will face Sensei. But an angel fell upon us on the last day of class when she assigned us to our groups. As
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 21. Greater Pain in the Ass
Today is Saturday, and…"You are a liar, a cheater, a piece of shit!" I shouted. "Your rotten cobra tongue should have been cut since birth!""Really, huh?" Majiro replied with a smug smile. "You're just a financial sucker, a bankrupting tool, who thinks you can get away with everything you do! WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, SON!""I don't hear a word you have said, Majiro! I don't care about you, but I will take Rimi with me!"Rimi's face was flushed as she stuttered, "Ritake-kun...".Tsuki, on the other hand, picked up the Monopoly board. "We should stop playing now, don't you think?""Y... Yeah... yeah... we should... st..." Rimi stuttered much more than before."Rimi-san, are you fine? Did you catch some disease?" Tsuki asked as she put her hand on Rimi's forehead."I… I… I'm f… fine… really…"I said, "Maybe we should let her rest a little bit. She seems tired from all the work she did.""I'm… really fine… don't worry…"Tsuki inserts, "I still can't believe she's working as a cleaner
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 22. Into the Performance
It’s currently Monday. As I walk down the hallway, I'm still surrounded by eyes.Our meeting last Saturday didn’t last. Tsuki was fetched by her co-worker who is also an idol. I thought she would have a pleasant free time with us but…Our report is incomplete. We can only give them their respective sections. Tsuki knows hers, but I didn’t inform Nazuno about it yet.The presentation could be embarrassing for our group, but I have another thing to do today. Tsuki gave me this chance, so I must not let it pass me by.It is imperative that I procure Nazuno by all means in order to complete our presentation and our group.It is also to protect her from an unwanted future.At the end of today’s class, Tsuki gave a folded paper to Nazuno. “I’m looking forward to being in a group with you,” she said with a smile.Everyone squints their eyes as she leaves the room together with the guards. Nazuno presses her lips as she reads the content of the paper.I wonder what Tsuki wrote on that paper.
Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born 23. The Heart will Never Betray You
The huge stadium made my neck twist upward as I stepped off the carriage. It’s a huge circular stadium, but even the outside is flooded with people.We lined up at the entrance to the stadium and prepared our tickets. Then I remember…“Nazuno,” I said and looked at her. She already had her ticket out though. “Wait… Didn’t you tear it? Did you have the power to turn back time?”“Mom gave me this," she replied."You are braver than a superhero," Risano told her. “Not even a rich person can create confetti through a ticket.”“You can, though. I’m not even rich.”“You’re the most awful influencer!”But it’s better than Miss Chiho having a backup plan. Tsuki directly asked Miss Chiho for her cooperation. Nazuno can’t decline an invitation from her mother.The demon realm had discovered forms of entertainment by the time ‘boredom’ was defined. Boredom causes a person's mind to be caged in their limitations.Entertainment transcends not only limitations but expectations as well. Forms of art
Latest Chapter
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
29. Farewell
The crack reached the bottom and causes the amethyst to break. A flow of liquid aura circulated around it and formed a figure of a monster. Its head and claws depict a wolf and its body is a well-built titan. It has nothing below its waste as it floats. The pressure in the air became heavy. Its body absorbed most of the cave rocks until it materializes. Then, it made a roar that resonated throughout the cave. It screamed the same way he did in my head. "SHOW YOURSELF, ARGOS! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! I SMELL YOUR PRESENCE YOU PEST!" "Argos? What a lame ancient name for an easily forgettable character," I murmured. "I don't mind such jokes," Nazuno replies. "Moreover, it is speculating how it got activated." "Do you know anything about forbidden gems?" "Usually, they contain swarms of monsters detained for periods of time. Most of the monsters contained in it are evil ones that became refugees." "Un," I nodded.
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
28. Amethyst and the Boss
Nazuno has been staring at me intensely as we dive deeper into the glowing cave. It bugs me for real."What?" I asked. "You really think I would kill my father and marry my mother?""Yes.""Why didn't you put your saw in my neck?""I will.""Look. I would be long dead if I have that despicable character. There's only a trick in unlocking the gate. Sensei taught me." I lied though. Sorry, Sensei."Liar.""Look who's talking!"She stopped speaking. Moreover, she's pinching her chin as she looks down at the ground."Is it just the difference in mentors? Did I choose wrong?""No. This is not the time to diss anybody.""However, the more I know about you, the greater the reason I shouldn't trust you."I sighed. "I'm just showing you that I have nothing to hide against you. Isn't that what you've said?""That's not what I meant.""A demon like you shouldn't be talking about human tales. I know you're curious but you shouldn't step into deeper boundaries. If the authorities found out that yo
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
27. When the Flowers Bloom
After my first fight with Nazuno at the arena in Crutiara, I had a one-on-one talk with Miss Chiho after. She pointed her palm at my forehead like she's going to cast some transfer to my brain."Please… Hear me out on my selfish request…"Suddenly, the thing that happened in the arena happened again. I lost consciousness, but this time, I saw a vision of Nazuno getting stroked by a mysterious person whose face I couldn't see.It's dark and raining, and there's no one that could help her. I'm only spectating but I tried to reach her as I scream her name.As my consciousness came back again, my palm is trying to reach something inexistent.Then Miss Chiho told me my real mission."From these unavoidable futures… Please save my daughter.""Then you're…" No doubt. She's the one who has shown me a memory of the match. "Whose memory did I see earlier? Who is that girl on the brink of death? Is that Nazuno?"She presses her lips and grabs one of her arms. She made a slight pause before reply
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
26. Show, Don't Tell
I painted a sin in my blood. Its flow drives like a calm wave in the ocean. My obstruction-less breathing makes me feel refreshed.The astral world absorbed me. I'm standing in a white space and the first rule is silence. It's strange yet I feel comfortable in it.Images form through an abstract spiral. It plays a video after being completed. I've set foot in the imaginary slums where I once lived.This place has gained quite old. People from my past kicked me into this bed of trash to wake me up. The broken post light remained unfixed.My eyes wandered with infinite rounds until I saw someone. The first person who passed was an adult malicious person with torn cloth and reeks of alcohol.That person… was me.This is the present I'm going to end up to if the real me didn't wake up in cowardice and truth. This was me if Risano didn't die.Suddenly, another person followed the other me into that alleyway. Her hair shines brightly contrasting the clothing that she had. She already steps
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
25. A Dangerous Magnet
And as I opened my eyes, the roof of the stadium collapsed. People are screaming, and Nazuno is missing.I can see a glowing person in front of the seat area we were in. No. It was Nazuno! As she casts air magic against the falling debris, she is fully focused.The crowd is in chaos, causing a stampede and jamming the exits. Nazuno was the only one who was trying to stop the crisis, but it looks like it’s too much for her to handle.“Risano, follow the crowd! Evacuate to the exit!”“But… where are you going!? It’s dangerous already! Are you an idiot!?” Risano exclaimed with worried wrinkled brows.I responded as I looked at Nazuno, “I’m doing what my Sensei told me to do.”“But…” Risano muttered with tearful eyes and a squirming body. “Promise me… You’ll go back… Onii-chan…”“What!? I can’t hear you! It’s too loud in the crowd!”"Idiot!" she exclaimed with furrowed eyebrows. “You go there and don’t come back ever again! You’re going to cook for a month if you do!”Then she runs her wa
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
24. Ron and Selene
”The Heart Will Never Betray You.”“Did you know that?” Nazuno asked.I shook my head. I just muttered the title. I don’t even know who they are. “Do you know it, Risano?”“It must be their newly composed song,” she replied with her eyes glued to the stage. Even Risano didn’t know.The lights gradually dim and later Tsuki gets the spotlight. The stadium remained quiet for minutes to fully grasp the emotions of the performance.As soon as I heard Tsuki's voice, my skull opened into a world of universality and horizons of illusion. It is as if she makes us wander through her memories, even if we are sitting here.A lone girl's love story caught my attention. It’s a very complicated life. Their choreography contributes to why everyone feels this type of hallucination.But this isn’t necessarily a negative thing. I’m constantly getting chills thinking about how they portray a girl in the story.It’s a tale of a girl named Selene. She’s a kind princess from a noble family who later ran int
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
23. The Heart will Never Betray You
The huge stadium made my neck twist upward as I stepped off the carriage. It’s a huge circular stadium, but even the outside is flooded with people.We lined up at the entrance to the stadium and prepared our tickets. Then I remember…“Nazuno,” I said and looked at her. She already had her ticket out though. “Wait… Didn’t you tear it? Did you have the power to turn back time?”“Mom gave me this," she replied."You are braver than a superhero," Risano told her. “Not even a rich person can create confetti through a ticket.”“You can, though. I’m not even rich.”“You’re the most awful influencer!”But it’s better than Miss Chiho having a backup plan. Tsuki directly asked Miss Chiho for her cooperation. Nazuno can’t decline an invitation from her mother.The demon realm had discovered forms of entertainment by the time ‘boredom’ was defined. Boredom causes a person's mind to be caged in their limitations.Entertainment transcends not only limitations but expectations as well. Forms of art
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
22. Into the Performance
It’s currently Monday. As I walk down the hallway, I'm still surrounded by eyes.Our meeting last Saturday didn’t last. Tsuki was fetched by her co-worker who is also an idol. I thought she would have a pleasant free time with us but…Our report is incomplete. We can only give them their respective sections. Tsuki knows hers, but I didn’t inform Nazuno about it yet.The presentation could be embarrassing for our group, but I have another thing to do today. Tsuki gave me this chance, so I must not let it pass me by.It is imperative that I procure Nazuno by all means in order to complete our presentation and our group.It is also to protect her from an unwanted future.At the end of today’s class, Tsuki gave a folded paper to Nazuno. “I’m looking forward to being in a group with you,” she said with a smile.Everyone squints their eyes as she leaves the room together with the guards. Nazuno presses her lips as she reads the content of the paper.I wonder what Tsuki wrote on that paper.
- Crutiara: Where New Demon Lords are Born
21. Greater Pain in the Ass
Today is Saturday, and…"You are a liar, a cheater, a piece of shit!" I shouted. "Your rotten cobra tongue should have been cut since birth!""Really, huh?" Majiro replied with a smug smile. "You're just a financial sucker, a bankrupting tool, who thinks you can get away with everything you do! WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD, SON!""I don't hear a word you have said, Majiro! I don't care about you, but I will take Rimi with me!"Rimi's face was flushed as she stuttered, "Ritake-kun...".Tsuki, on the other hand, picked up the Monopoly board. "We should stop playing now, don't you think?""Y... Yeah... yeah... we should... st..." Rimi stuttered much more than before."Rimi-san, are you fine? Did you catch some disease?" Tsuki asked as she put her hand on Rimi's forehead."I… I… I'm f… fine… really…"I said, "Maybe we should let her rest a little bit. She seems tired from all the work she did.""I'm… really fine… don't worry…"Tsuki inserts, "I still can't believe she's working as a cleaner
