Frilian: This Demon Isn't So Cold

The next second, Sylvia felt a powerful impact on her body. Carlos had somehow managed to press his elbow against her chest and pinned her against the tree behind her.

"I originally intended to spare your life, but since you've harbored inappropriate thoughts, I have no choice but to kill you here." Carlos's voice carried an unfamiliar chill.

Sylvia was pinned down by him, her frail body in great discomfort, but she still stubbornly said:

"You...wouldn't do that, you're not...that kind of person."

"Of course I am. I am a demon, and demons are born to eat people." Carlos's tone remained icy. "You should know this very well. Have you ever seen a demon who doesn't eat people?"

He pressed down even harder, and Sylvia felt as if the bones in her chest were about to be crushed.

"They...all saw me come out with you," Sylvia said haltingly. "If I...disappear, they...will definitely...suspect you."

"Who said I was going back?" Carlos said. "Even if I did go back, I could easily find an excuse to hide your disappearance, and then take advantage of the trust I've built up during this time to kill them all without leaving a trace."

"As long as I take advantage of the opportunity to get close and eliminate Celie and Vlame, the rest of you will be no match for me. That's why I've been so good to you all this time."

"Thank me, so that you can be a wise ghost after you die."

However, after hearing all this, Sylvia slowly closed her eyes in front of him.

"How can you give up like this? Think of your father, think of your master. They could have lived much longer, but because of you, they are about to die."

Carlos relaxed his strength slightly to allow the other person to speak more smoothly.

"You can do it now." Tears welled up in Sylvia's eyes, leaving streaks on her cheeks. "If I can die by your hand in the end, I'll think it's quite a good thing."

In the deserted forest, they stood motionless under the same tree, as if blending into the background.

"I give up." After a long while, Carlos released his grip, freeing Sylvia from his control. "I really don't know where you get your confidence from. I might have actually made a move just now."

"Cough cough cough..."

Sylvia held his shoulder, coughing heavily, and after a long while, she finally spoke:

"Because I don't think you're that kind of person... or rather, a demon. Do you think I wouldn't see it?" She looked up at Carlos, a smile playing on her tear-streaked face. "How long do you think we've been together?"

"Furthermore, if you really wanted to attack me, you could have given me as many opportunities as you wanted before. Why did you have to tell me so much?"

"Don't you know that some demons also enjoy watching humans beg for mercy before they die?" Carlos still couldn't accept it.

"You don't need to worry about that. Besides, I've never even seen that kind of demon. Even if they exist, they are them, and you are you. You are different."

Her manner of speaking and tone made it seem as if she had forgotten what had just happened.

Upon hearing this, Carlos felt that there was definitely something wrong with Sylvia.

"I'm going back." He turned and left, deciding to pretend that what had just happened never happened.

"Aren't you afraid I'll ambush you from behind?" Sylvia was stunned. How could this person just leave like that?

"You're too weak," Carlos said without turning his head.

"Even if it's true, I'll still get angry if you say it like that!" Sylvia grabbed his hand from behind.

"I've tried my best to break up that atmosphere. Are you sure you want to do it again?"

Carlos looked at his left hand that was being held and said softly.

"Because I haven't heard your answer yet."

"Is this what you want—for me to stay here?" Carlos didn't turn around. "Even without Vlamé's dream, I would probably change my mind and leave at some point in the future."

"No, I don't care about them." Sylvia shook her head fiercely behind him, not caring whether Carlos could see her or not. "I only agreed because this reason would help me get closer to you. My master is much more important to me than them."

"I really don't like you." Faced with such a stubborn person, Carlos could only say helplessly.

"Have you ever had a crush on anyone?"

"……No."

"So maybe it's just that you don't understand the feeling of liking someone. Why don't you give it a try with me?"

Even without Carlos turning around, he could imagine the expression on Sylvie's face when she said those words.

It's probably the kind of smile with curved eyebrows that evokes memories of youth.

I'll say it again, I don't like you.

"I don't mind."

"But I mind, do you know how long I can live? I don't even know the answer myself!"

Carlos had never even heard of a demon who died of old age, and the Demon King, in particular, had lived for thousands of years.

Human life is far too short.

"You're giving up for that reason? I don't accept it!" Sylvia took two steps forward, stood on tiptoe, and looked directly into Carlos's eyes. "Can't you just say I hope to leave an impression on your life?"

Carlos looked away, realizing he could no longer treat Sylvia as his daughter.

A young girl's face, a young girl's nose, a young girl's lips, a young girl's flawless face... This was the most beautiful time of her life.

Did I feel a slight flutter in my heart just now? Was it just my imagination?

"If... you still have the same idea three years from now, I can give it a try."

"Only 3 years?" Sylvia exclaimed in surprise.

"..."

Carlos felt he had been tricked; perhaps three years was too short a timeframe?

But they've only known each other for a little over a year!

"When I said three years, I meant I wanted you to use that time to calm down, not that you should wait three years before confessing your feelings to me again!"

"Is there a difference?" Sylvia tilted her head, looking puzzled. "You just have to wait three years, it's that simple."

"..." Carlos couldn't hold back his breath. "I've changed my mind. I want 10 years."

This was actually just his thought, but he blurted it out at that moment.

"Ten years..." Sylvia murmured.

"What, so you've finally realized you're scared?" Carlos felt his words had had an effect.

"No, I was just thinking, if it's 10 years, I won't be able to dedicate the best years of my life to you. You won't dislike me then, will you?"

"..."

"You win." Carlos was defeated; in this matter, he was no match for his opponent.

"Yay!" Sylvia jumped up, heading towards him, and Carlos instinctively reached out and caught her in his arms.

How come I didn't feel anything before? At this moment, Carlos only felt that the person in his arms was a little hot to the touch.

"By the way, did you tell your master and grandmaster your true identity?" Sylvia snuggled into his arms, her voice sounding muffled.

"Putting Vlame aside for now, aren't you underestimating Selene a bit?" Carlos expressed doubt about what Selvig had actually learned. "I was just kidding. My master's methods are endless. How long do you think she's lived? Her methods are unimaginable. I'm just a Muggle in front of her."

"And aren't you pushing your luck a bit?"

"Really?" Sylvia, who was in his arms, raised her head, tilted her face up, and stuck out her tongue at him.

"I really don't understand you. How can anyone think that demons are good?" Carlos sighed.

"I'll tell you a secret," Sylvia whispered in his ear, "Actually, when you revealed your identity to me just now, even though you were keeping quiet, I was secretly very excited because I felt my chances had increased a lot."

Why would you think that?

Carlos didn't quite understand. This was one of the best ideas he could think of, but it seemed to make things more hopeful when it came from the other side.

Sylvie explained with a smile:

"Because think about it, since you've been so honest with me, even revealing such a secret, isn't that just your way of using this identity to scare me into giving up? Doesn't that just prove you're really a great prospect?"

"..."

At that moment, Carlos, listening to Sylvia's words, subconsciously thought to himself, "Simps never get a good death."

Wait, so it was licking itself. Oh, never mind then.

It feels pretty good.