Shadow Demon's True Name

At first, Lily was a little confused.

Why does Miss Shadow Demon act like she's never seen him before? But he's absolutely certain it's Miss Shadow Demon...

Iver had used the Shepherding Method to transfer a portion of the Shadow Fiend's power to Lily. Due to the proportions, the Shadow Fiend might not have any particular feelings towards Lily, but Lily could clearly perceive the existence of the "Mother."

Even if he encounters other Shadow Fiends due to his level 3 Shadow Affinity, he can easily distinguish whether they are the ones signed by Iver.

Fortunately, Lily's instinctive response made Miss Shadow Demon hesitate. It followed Lily's words, inadvertently revealing its true identity.

The question "When did you get here?" sounds vague enough, implying that you know the person the other person is talking about, while also indicating that you know nothing about them.

The fact that she could come up with such a response in an instant and remain calm and composed is enough to demonstrate Miss Shadow Demon's intelligence.

But it's still not good at lying.

Because this statement alone has already revealed its identity.

The Shadow Fiend couldn't possibly be unaware of how they arrived, because it had been clinging to Iver during the ceremony and even in the waiting hall. Lily deliberately said, "We were captured," but the Shadow Fiend didn't immediately deny or mock her, indicating that it genuinely didn't know it was an Promotion Ritual.

Its identity is then self-evident.

It was indeed the Shadow Fiend who signed with Iver —but this was before it met Iver.

Compared to the Shadow Fiend of centuries later, who is cold, arrogant, and monstrous with murderous intent, the Shadow Fiend of this era still retains human characteristics. When it speaks of the Child of the Moon, it grits its teeth, filled with hatred, yet also seems to be reminiscing about something, and feels a sense of sadness.

Its emotions were so rich and complete. It didn't seem like a demon, but rather more like a human who had just become a demon.

—If we consider the future powerful, cold, and aggressive Shadow Fiend as its mature form, then the Shadow Fiend currently residing in its shadow is its juvenile form.

So Lily's mind raced, and she immediately took the initiative to question the other party's identity:

"Are you really Miss Shadow Demon? Why do I feel that your emotions are so intense?"

Lily's goal was to guide Shadow Fiend's thinking.

He wanted it to believe that Lily had a companion—who also kept a Shadow Fiend. But to do this, he couldn't just offer it himself; if the other party was even slightly suspicious, they would remain doubtful. So he took a more aggressive approach, trying to gain the upper hand.

Having spent so much time with Iver, he gradually learned to lie as well.

His spider silk is a creation of the Gray Angel, who controls lies; the more solid the lie, the stronger it becomes.

"I don't know if he ever told you," Shadow Fiend replied slowly, "I have an irreconcilable feud with them."

"Betrayal?" Lily answered softly.

"... He even told you something like this?"

Shadow Fiend's tone was clearly somewhat surprised.

—At that moment, Shadow Demon must have begun to doubt whether it really had a master.

"Those who have fallen from grace, or the righteous who have been betrayed and framed. Marked with the wrath of the Fallen Angel by their resentment, they embark on a vengeful journey at the cost of becoming shadow demons who can never see the sunlight again..."

Lily said slowly, "Shadow Fiends are all like this, aren't they?"

"...I see."

The Shadow Fiend was silent for a moment, then suddenly felt relaxed and murmured, "That's how it is..."

"You really aren't the young master's Shadow Demon."

Lily gently persuaded her, no longer emphasizing the "Miss Shadow Demon": "You came to me because my Shadow Affinity level is high enough, right? But in fact, that's the power that Shadow Fiend bestowed upon me."

Shadow Fiend remained silent, neither confirming nor denying.

But when Lily questioned its identity, silence was tantamount to acquiescence. And it acted this way because the other party demonstrated an extraordinary ability to recognize the Shadow Fiend, causing it to suddenly lose the confidence to conceal its identity.

At the same time, it didn't sense any malice or hostility from Lily. That's why it was willing to stay in Lily's shadow and listen to her continue.

"You must be the Shadow Fiend who hasn't finished his revenge yet," Lily said softly.

"Yes."

The Shadow Fiend's voice was filled with hatred. "I've just crawled back from hell..."

"The newborn Shadow Fiend."

Lily chuckled softly, mimicking Iver's behavior, and gracefully raised a glass of wine from beside her.

He raised his glass high, aiming it at the distant lights.

"Then this glass of wine is for you."

Lily said casually, "To that sweet and intoxicating revenge, may your revenge be successful."

"Respect and revenge."

Shadow Demon replied in unison, "I also salute you and your master, sir."

"Speaking of which, we haven't switched identities yet."

Lily replied, "My name is Alai."

"... I don't know what I should call myself."

Shadow Fiend hesitated for a moment. "I should discard my old name; I haven't thought of a new one yet."

Why must we give it up?

Lily patiently guided her.

A slight smile played on his lips as he leaned against the stone pillar behind him, raised his head, and held the wine glass to his chest.

His posture and words were just like Fox.

A solid lie and unpredictable, inflammatory words flowed from his lips, seeping into the still-confused heart of the newly born Shadow Demon: "Why can't you use it? You have indeed become a demon, but is that your fault? It's less about picking up that name and more about taking it away—taking away what should have been yours."

As Lily spoke, she took another sip of strong liquor.

Feeling the swelling, intoxicating sensation in her mind, she felt as if the world had become brighter.

She felt as if she were overlapping with Iver, and unconsciously revealed a confident smile similar to his, "Now tell me, Miss Shadow Demon... or sir. Do you have the courage to reclaim the 'past'?"

"... You are a very persuasive person, sir."

Shadow Demon sighed, his deep, hoarse voice, like that of a lion, rumbled softly. "I don't know what kind of person could have a servant like you. Or rather, I think it's a pity you're only fit to be a servant."

"My husband is much more capable than me. I'm just imitating a few of his words."

Lily answered calmly.

"... When did such a person appear in the empire?"

Shadow Demon hesitated for a moment. "I said... your master isn't Prince Stuart, is he?"

"Stop guessing, Miss Shadow Demon."

Lily had unconsciously locked onto the Shadow Fiend's gender—although the Shadow Fiend itself has no gender, the humans who became Shadow Fiends did have genders. And from just a few words, she had already sensed that the other party was a woman.

She must be quite young, and brimming with confidence; she's a person who seems aloof yet possesses a calm demeanor. She probably also appears somewhat tired. She's not some aristocratic young lady, but rather a truly powerful and capable woman.

So Lily voiced her guess directly and pressed, "Are you really not going to take back your past?"

"... You already guessed who I am, didn't you?"

Shadow Fiend sighed again, his tone becoming somewhat somber.

I know nothing.

Lily thought to herself.

Of course, if the young master were here, perhaps he would know... but Lily's imperial history isn't that well-documented. Even with such a close look, he still doesn't know Miss Shadow Demon's previous identity.

On the other hand, since things have come to this point, it wouldn't be difficult to uncover their true identities.

Lily then intensified her persuasion. "We're on the same side now, Miss Shadow Demon. I can be the foundation upon which you unleash your power, and my master can help you achieve your revenge—you're both Shadow Fiends, so you should be able to understand each other, right?"

"In that case, whether I guessed it or not... we need sincerity. A sincerity that will earn our approval, and also the courage to stand tall and face the past."

"—Tell me, Miss Shadow Demon. Who were you in the past?"

"... Beard".

Shadow Demon remained silent for a long time before finally uttering the name: "Viennes Emil Zola Bayard of the Bayard Group."

"The Bayard who is still active today is nothing but a fake. He is a vampire who stole my body, my name, my property, and all my relationships."

"I can give up this name myself, but I cannot allow someone to steal it."

"So, I have returned from hell—to kill her."

"So that 'I' can die again."