The Broken Halo

[Are you finally done using my name to lie?]

Simon’s expression became strange for the briefest moment.

His brows almost moved, but he returned his face to its usual calmness before Sonya or Akaza noticed anything.

He did not answer though, and a dark, amused chuckle echoed from somewhere deep within his Demon Heart which only he could hear.

[You used me as an excuse when they asked how you became so powerful. You turned me into some generous ancient saviour who changed your strength, your fate, and perhaps your entire miserable destiny.]

Lilith chuckled again.

[How touching. It is the audacity that interests me most. The audacity to use me to lie to your precious little friends.]

Simon kept his eyes on Sonya and Akaza while responding silently.

[I did not use your name. I only told them that the ancient being living inside me was responsible.]

Lilith gave no answer.

Instead, a faint coldness spread through Simon’s heart.

It did nothing to him, but the temperature around his Chaos Flame seemed to fall slightly, making her displeasure impossible to misunderstand.

[I was not merely fooling them either,] Simon continued. [I was protecting them from knowledge that could place them in danger. If a knowledgeable and powerful demon discovered Devour and learned that they knew about it, the two of them could be captured, interrogated, or killed.]

[Bloody liar.]

Lilith’s voice was flat and immediate.

[You lied because you do not trust them.]

Simon paused for less than a heartbeat, and if he could shrug, he would.

[You’re right.] He said indifferently.

[Arrogant bastard.]

The coldness in his heart increased for an instant before fading.

Simon almost smiled.

[Using you as the explanation has advantages. If I have no other choice, I can use Devour in front of them without creating an entirely new lie afterward. They will assume you are responsible.]

[How convenient for you.]

[Very actually.]

Simon ignored the sarcasm in her voice.

[If either of them betrays me and reveals what they know to a powerful organisation, that organisation will believe an ancient entity is responsible. They may become cautious, investigate first, or waste time trying to understand what you are before acting. That gives me time to prepare.]

[Or they could send their strongest demons to kill you immediately,] Lilith replied coldly. [And depending on who arrives, I may not be able to save you.]

[Then I will make sure I am gone before their strongest demons arrive.]

His answer came without hesitation, and Lilith scoffed.

Simon continued.

[There is another benefit. From now on, whenever I perform something extraordinary, obtain another affinity, or grow stronger too quickly, Sonya and Akaza will naturally attribute part of it to you.]

[So I become the explanation for every secret you are too lazy to explain.]

[Not every secret.]

Simon finally allowed a trace of amusement into his thoughts.

[Besides, I can praise you occasionally and make them even more in awe of you. It should be good for your ego.]

[I do not need the admiration of two children.]

[You sound less angry already though. It seems you enjoy being praised and worshiped.]

Lilith released a soft and dangerous laugh.

Simon wisely chose not to continue teasing her.

After a moment, he asked and chose to change the topic.

[Why have you been so quiet recently?]

Lilith’s response came in a lazy, almost bored tone.

[Because you have done nothing worth speaking about.]

Simon raised an eyebrow inwardly.

[You have been planning, hiding, changing faces, whispering into bones, and sneaking around like a rat that believes every shadow belongs to it.]

Her voice carried open disdain, but beneath it was the boredom of someone forced to watch a play whose ending she had already guessed a million years ago.

[You have also been excessively careful. It is tedious and boring.]

[The Furnaceback Centipede was not interesting?]

[A little.]

Lilith sounded as though she were discussing a mildly entertaining insect.

[But I knew you would survive. You had several ways to escape, and the worm was foolish enough to swallow you. There was no reason for me to interfere or waste words stating the obvious.]

Simon accepted the answer.

[The interesting part will begin soon.]

Lilith became quiet.

[I will need your help when it is time to evolve my bloodline.]

[As long as all your planning is worth it and you have not wasted my time.]

Her presence withdrew deeper into his heart, and the conversation ended.

Despite everything they had said, only a few seconds had passed.

Their thoughts moved far faster than spoken words, allowing an entire exchange to occur while Sonya and Akaza were still waiting for Simon’s response.

Simon looked at the cracked floor and the hole Sonya had created in his wall.

"Your efficient option has damaged my room."

Sonya lifted her chin.

"It was already damaged in spirit."

Akaza gave her a baffled look.

Simon released another sigh, then his expression became serious.

"There is something both of you need to know before anyone questions you."

He explained the version of events he had given Korran and Guard Commander Tarvak.

According to what he gave them, he had always been a Supreme Archfiend. An unknown artifact had concealed his true rank and restricted part of his strength until the Furnaceback Centipede threatened his life.

He also told them about the fabricated Abyssal Tortoise Shell Bead and his claim that the Fury Tempest Art had injured the beast from within. He explained that Korran already knew he had obtained a technique from the rock gambling den and that Simon had now identified it to him as the Fury Tempest Art.

The rebel carrier had supposedly died inside the centipede.

Afterward, an unknown Demon Lord had supposedly torn open the centipede underground and allowed Simon to escape.

Simon repeated the description he had given the two officials- the pale-green storm, skeletal body, ashen skin, old wounds, and pale-green eyes he had borrowed from Vhaurak.

"Black Horn does not know that I advanced through the being inside of me," Simon finished. "They don’t know about my earth affinity. If either of you is questioned, do not contradict my statement."

Akaza stared at him.

"Wow. You gave them an entirely different story."

Simon nodded.

"Yes."

Sonya folded her arms.

"Don’t worry, this Honourable would not disappoint you. I am the smartest and strongest demon alive."

Akaza opened his mouth to speak, but before he could continue, an immense presence entered the Pipeline Inn.

The floor gave a faint tremor that only Simon and Sonya could sense. And both of them knew that it was the result of an impossibly heavy step.

Akaza’s expression changed. Sonya turned toward the door, while Simon recognised the aura he had once observed through his ShadowEye.

The presence moved through the inn without hesitation and went straight toward their room.

A heavy knock struck the door a few seconds later.

Simon remained calm.

"Come in."

The door opened, and the Biggest Kev stood at the entrance.

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