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The reason the Demon Lords took in humans as servants, even going through the trouble of training them, was because of the Demon Lords’ Magia.
Magia was an energy possessed only by demons and demon beasts—simply put, it was like a pheromone.
It was generally used to seduce an opponent or to overpower and threaten them.
The stronger the Magia, the better, but that wasn’t entirely the case for the Seven Demon Lords.
Low and mid-ranking demons were easily enchanted by the Demon Lords’ Magia, attempting to steal their magic power or audaciously trying to mate with them, which increased troublesome incidents.
High-ranking demons also frequently fainted when overpowered by the Demon Lords’ Magia.
Even the servants who could endure it couldn’t stay close to the Demon Lords for long, so the attendants changed all the time.
Only top-ranking demons like Liefel could remain without being overwhelmed by the Magia or coveting the magic power.
However, top-ranking demons were not very common, and there was a limit to how much the Demon Lords could suppress their power.
Although they had no choice but to be served by high-ranking demons, the service of attendants who changed daily never suited them, inevitably leading to the Demon Lords’ inconvenience.
In such circumstances, the lowly human race became a very good substitute.
Humans were congenitally unable to sense Magia.
It was ironic that those who continually invaded the Demon Realm were helpful in an unexpected way; they weren’t entirely useless, after all.
“Also.”
At Belfegor’s single word, Liefel, who had been lost in thought, raised his eyes.
Belfegor, who tipped his head, causing his long silver hair that reached his thighs to gently sway, spoke with a languid glow in his deep sea-blue eyes.
“If he disturbs me again, I will kill him…”
“I will relay the message.”
The sacrifice before the last one had been particularly clumsy.
He would constantly break or drop things while cleaning, so Belfegor, whose sleep was disturbed, had cut off his tongue.
“Are there any other instructions you would like to convey?”
Despite Liefel’s question, the Demon Lords had already lost interest and took their eyes off the crystal ball.
Liefel merely bowed and offered his farewell before leaving the audience chamber.
‘I’ll just enjoy what I can enjoy.’
With that thought, Hayden, who had been walking through the forest gripping his shoulder, had a poor complexion 30 minutes later compared to his initial brave departure.
The reason was the throbbing headache he’d had since earlier and the memories of the ‘real Hayden.’
‘Seriously, the memories should at least show some consideration.’
Perhaps because he was safe after escaping the wolf and had crossed the boundary point, the memories began flooding in shortly after.
He knew having the memories would be helpful in the future, but it was natural for his nerves to be on edge as his head throbbed with each incoming memory.
Seriously, I transmigrated, and this is what happens.
As soon as I arrived, I was attacked by a wolf, the castle hasn’t appeared, and memories are randomly swirling in my head.
He couldn’t even take a break, not knowing if the Demon Lords were watching.
Hayden let out a long breath and slowly walked, making it seem like the wound on his shoulder was making it difficult.
‘Are the transfers almost complete?’
The memories were steadily accumulating, starting from the real Hayden’s earliest recollection.
The memories that began around age 3 were now flooding in up to the first memory of him being twenty-three.
Considering the season and date from the memories accumulated so far, the memories would soon end.
‘Put him in the carriage, even if you have to drug him.’
‘I am different from Your Majesty! I will never bow my head to a demon or anyone like it. I will definitely, absolutely return, just you wait and see!’
“Hoo…”
The memories ended with the voices of Hayden and his father.
Finally free from the headache that had been squeezing his head, Hayden let out a noticeably lighter breath.
‘That’s strange.’
Still walking laboriously, conscious of the Demon Lords, Hayden chewed over the memories stored in his mind.
However, the more he did, the more anomalies he found in Hayden’s memories.
Hayden’s life was completely different from what he had expected.
The memories began quite normally.
Starting with the perfectly ordinary memory of Hayden, who had three older brothers and two older sisters, giggling while holding his younger brother, the Fifth Prince’s, hand.
The Crown Prince, Second Prince, and First Princess were the children of the first Empress, who died early.
The Second Princess, Third Prince, Hayden, and the Fifth Prince were the children of the second Empress.
Although the number of imperial family members was large, none of them were greatly ambitious for power, and the half-siblings actually got along quite well.
Especially, the relationship between Hayden and the Fifth Prince—the main submissive lead of this novel—was quite close.
‘Teyn, I found something amazing. I’m only telling you this.’
‘What is it?’
‘I can nullify magic.’
‘Huh?’
‘So I’ll use this to protect you. It’s our secret so bad people don’t find out.’
‘Then you’re super amazing, big brother?’
‘Yeah. So tell me if anyone bullies you. I’ll scold them. Because you’re my little brother.’
‘Okay. But you can’t tell anyone either, big brother. Because it’s our secret.’
‘Of course.’
‘Promise, Hayden-hyung.’
At eight years old, Hayden, who possessed a surprisingly useful ability, was smiling innocently while holding the small child’s hand.
Hayden and the Fifth Prince were definitely closer than anyone else.
At least, until Hayden turned eleven.
Strangely, the people of the Imperial Family were exceptionally weak when it came to the Fifth Prince.
Their affection for the youngest, the Fifth Prince, had developed in an extraordinary way even before, but as time passed, they showered the Fifth Prince with baseless affection, constantly coddling him and saying it was fine even when he caused trouble, and were always desperate to be with him.
Around the time Hayden turned eleven, everyone acted as if they were enchanted by the Fifth Prince.
Hayden was the only imperial person who didn’t.
He was originally the child who affectionately cared for the Fifth Prince more than anyone, but around that time, he was busy keeping his distance from the Fifth Prince.
Was it a joke that in a world where people had three eyes, the person with two eyes was considered strange? Hayden was the person with two eyes there.
The only one not obsessed with the Fifth Prince, Hayden gradually distanced himself from everyone, from his family to the servants, one after the other.
He couldn’t help but do so, even if he didn’t want to.
Their world had no need for anyone who didn’t love the Fifth Prince.
The following year, when Hayden turned twelve, he spent most of his day hiding to avoid the Fifth Prince who persistently sought him out.
Hayden no longer liked his younger brother.
To be precise, he disliked him.
Because of the Fifth Prince, he had become estranged from everyone and was left all alone.
There was another reason why Hayden didn’t want to be near the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince was disproportionately often injured when he was with Hayden.
Things like falling down stairs, falling out of a tree, getting lost, or being bitten by a snake.
The incidents, which at first seemed like coincidences, gradually increased in frequency.
The young Fifth Prince was strangely only getting hurt when he was with Hayden.
This earned Hayden the nickname of ‘cursed child,’ caused him to be punished by his family, and made him even lonelier.
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