Page 155 of I Ran Away to Evil
“Then why?”
“I might askyouwhy you have your class skills active while in my home?” Derilla crossed his arms.
She shrugged. “I used it en route and never bothered to deactivate it. And assassins are everywhere these days. Though I wasn’t expecting the notification to warn me aboutyou, General Vane.” She stared pointedly at the arachne.
“He wants to be king of the Dark Enchanted Forest,” Keith explained. “He hasn’t figured out how to kill me or rule without needing to take a nap in the cold. Oh, and I’m justmore powerfulandbetter at fightingthan he is.”
“For now.” Derilla gripped a fist and pointed a finger at Keith. “I may rest in the winter, but you have stagnated while I grow stronger. As you tinker with toys, I train in darkness. I will drink your blood and feast upon your corpse until Chloe wrestles it from my [Mana Drain Web].”
“He’s also fun at parties,” Keith deadpanned. That particular perk had been an inconvenience the last time they’d fought. “And keeps his hospitality. He won’t kill us while we’re visiting, but every few years, he challenges me for the kingdom.”
“Can justanyonechallenge you for the kingdom?” Ria let go of the hilt of her blade and turned big eyes on Keith.
“Technically?” Keith shrugged.
At the same time Derilla said, “No.”
“Anyone from Nilheim may challenge me.” Keith pushed up his glasses. “During the winter solstice.”
“It’s most inconvenient.” Derilla Vane sighed, then waved the two of them over to the veranda door. “I am at a disadvantage. But the higher my level, the easier it is to ignore my physiological needs like torpor.”
Keith took Henrietta’s arm again and escorted her outside. A light rain had rolled in, dripping off the curved roof overhang above them. A merry fire flickered in a brazier, providing enough warmth that the cool air wasn’t uncomfortable. There was a short table with cushions laid out around it, and Keith let Ria take a seat first before he plopped down beside her.
“What levelareyou now?”
Derilla smiled, revealing all his sharp, pointy fangs. “Seventy-one.”
Henrietta started and stared at their host over her shoulder. Keith raised an eyebrow.
“Congratulations.” He took off his glasses to wipe them as they fogged up from the cool damp. “I suppose we’ll be seeing you at the castle again this solstice?”
“Count on it.”
Keith enjoyed the misty afternoon aesthetic and settled in for some moon-shaped floofpoof egg cakes and lotus tea.
He had his mouth full of the dessert when Ria asked, “Will I be fighting beside you this winter … or do I get to compete?”
CHAPTER 93
Miss Hammerwinkle’s Axe-Throwing Tea Party
Henrietta
I thought it was a reasonable question, so I was surprised when Keith started choking on his pastry.
Derilla just stared at me for a moment before bursting into deep-throated laughter. “I see the rumors are true, then?”
I shrugged. Keith had rejected my proposal, so this was going to be on him.
“Youcouldcompete.” The Dark Lord composed himself and shot her a soft half smile. “Do youwantto compete to become queen of the Dark Enchanted Forest?”
“One way or the other.” I flashed Keith a sly look.
“Good to note that I have some decent competition this year.” Derilla refilled my small teacup. “Maybe we can have a friendly bout beforehand?”
Keith voiced, “I wouldn’t—”
“I’d love to.”
