That Must Sting Quite a Bit, Your Highness

The Demon King's lingering thoughts remained in my mindscape.

It was pretty bewildering, but I wasn't about to complain about a good thing.

It wasn't as though the Demon King's lingering presence was harmful.

More importantly, I had subdued a great yokai without shedding a drop of blood, hadn't I? So it all worked out for the best.

"I'm benefiting quite a bit."

I placed my fist against my chest. The regular beat of my heart traveled through my hand.

Defeating the Ashen Demon King had been a once-in-a-lifetime stroke of luck.

I cautiously stroked the Blood Grudge Sword.

The feel of the scabbard, which had scratched at my palm when I first grasped it, soon became smooth. This, too, was an act of submission.

In my mindscape, the wolf crawled along the floor with its tail tucked between its legs...