DKIE CH29: The Wrap

His young age was the key point.

Luka blinked, trying to nod. That’s right, he was still a child!

Suddenly, a whooshing sound came from the distant sky. An arrow tore through the cold air, and the barrier shattered on impact.

The Quill Pen was standing outside the circle of ice at some point. The frost in the air was used against itself, turning into several ice arrows. Holding a longbow, the Quill Pen had arrived in a single step.

Looking at Luka under the dragon’s claw, he coldly emphasized, “He’s still a child.”

Luka: “…”

To think the Saint used the same excuse to clear his name.

Are they the ones who should be a family of three?

Shocked that the Quill Pen would openly use his power, Luka hurriedly explained, “This Dragon Lord has no intention of harming me.”

The Quill Pen glanced over. A moment later, he put away his longbow. “My apologies. Before I came, the Holy Lord sent a special message for me to pay more attention to his safety.”

So he was also using the Saint’s authority as a shield.

As Luka secretly raised an eyebrow, the Snowflake Dragon’s naturally cold voice drifted between heaven and earth. “You are from the Holy Court?”

The Quill Pen nodded without changing his expression.

Amidst the biting frost, the Snowflake Dragon fell silent for a moment before saying, “They say the will of the world no longer favors the Holy Court, but it seems the younger generation has not completely declined.”

By now, Luka could also feel the dense power of the light element in the air. Although he didn’t know how Alex, this suspected necromancer, could wield the light element, from the Snowflake Dragon’s reaction, it seemed he had no intention of pursuing the matter of the arrow.

After a brief exchange, both their gazes fell upon Luka.

An unexpected blizzard brought the other dragons over one by one. The Green Crystal Dragon had sharp eyes and was the first to spot the source of the frost.

He was somewhat surprised. “Grover, after sleeping for twenty years, you’re finally awake.”

Many dragons who knew him followed with greetings.

Grover preferred his dragon form. Shrinking his body into the size of an ice sculpture, he responded gently to each of them, “It has been many years. I feel I have deviated from the dragon race’s aesthetics.”

He scanned the surroundings and said softly, “I hear you all have recently taken a liking to literature about ‘I am the true young master who was finally brought home, but everyone dislikes me and makes things difficult for me’.”

“…”

The dragon race never feared slander, but if you were going to spread rumors like this, they were terrified.

The snowy weather caused night to fall early, so today’s sunset scene couldn’t be filmed. Grover had good relations with the other dragons, so to welcome his awakening and also to avoid the previous topic, a banquet was specially prepared for him on the island.

Luka marveled at the benefits of a long life. You wake up from a nap, and there’s a welcome banquet waiting for you.

At the banquet, Luka saw all sorts of strange dragon species. The iron-like dark clouds overhead and the bonfires below complemented each other. With the outside merchants temporarily stopping their sales pitches, the dragon race returned to its tranquil, overseas paradise.

As the star of today’s banquet, after putting himself in the “true and fake young master” setting, Grover began to sincerely question the Demon King’s intelligence. When he looked at Luka again, he couldn’t help but observe him a little more closely.

There were countless pitiful people in the world, but this was the first one who could move Leo. What was so special about this child?

“Because you were treated unfairly, you specifically made a movie to vent your dissatisfaction?” Grover asked curiously.

Luka shook his head. “No, the movie is a stepping stone.”

“To knock on whose door?”

“The Return Hunt.” Under the gazes of all the dragons, Luka coolly stated his grand ambition in a calm tone. “I’m going to participate in the Return Hunt.”

Looking back at the history of the Return Hunt, besides being able to enjoy the maximum share of resources plundered during the Demon King’s pilgrimage, the winner could also make one request to the Demon King. Under the rules of the starry sky, the statutes set by the original Demon Ancestor were no different from a contract; even the Demon King could not defy them.

Setting aside the Quill Pen’s earlier instigation, he had to participate in this Return Hunt, if only for the future release of his movie.

The island fell silent once again. This sounded less like a bold statement and more like a fantasy.

After a moment, the Snowflake Dragon chuckled. He didn’t question his strength but asked, “How do you plan to register?”

The Return Hunt sounded very civilized, but in the end, it was a popularity contest. But its essence was a hunting ground for the heirs. These highnesses had to display their individual strengths like peacocks showing their feathers to attract the demon electorate. The demon populace had long forgotten the existence of Iliad.

Luka said shyly, “Actually… the registration has been ongoing.”

“…”

While it snowed on Dragon Island in June, flowers flew in the Holy City.

The Ten Thousand Realm Gathering was nearing its end. Today was the closing ceremony.

On the square spanning tens of thousands of square meters, thousands of cannons fired, and ten thousand beasts roared in unison. Almost every prominent figure was present. The entire scene was even grander and more magnificent than the opening ceremony.

The Saint personally attended, seated in the main seat of honor. The Demon King, Beastmen, and other major clans were seated not far from him. Alec, dressed in dark, textured clothes today, sat to the Demon King’s left. He showed no signs of weakness, as if unaffected by the explosion a few days prior. A wide battle cloak covered the arm that had been blown off; he had temporarily commissioned the dwarves to make him a mechanical one.

Karen and Lilian had come with the Lord of Boulder City’s contingent and were now staying together. During this time, the Lord of Boulder City noticed that Lilian’s expression was off; it was clear she had done something mischievous.

“I heard Luka wrote to you.”

Lilian mumbled a response.

The Lord of Boulder City immediately became more suspicious, but until the end of the closing ceremony, nothing went wrong.

The next morning, the Lord of Boulder City led his team on their return journey. Just as the convoy was about to depart, he noticed from a distance that people were lining up to buy newspapers. Such a scene had not occurred since Luka’s escape.

“Wait.” The Lord of Boulder City halted the beasts that were about to take off. Amidst Lilian’s hesitant gaze, he bought a newspaper from a passerby who had already finished reading it, paying double the price.

The headline was shocking.

“Shocking! Iliad Officially Announces Participation in the Return Hunt”

This demon heir with a sensitive identity, after a long disappearance, made a strong comeback at the Ten Thousand Realm Gathering and now wants to participate in the Return Hunt. Is someone pulling the strings from behind?

Or is a demon prince trying to prop up a puppet to restrain the Demon King?

__

By the time the Lord of Boulder City finished reading, the news had already spread with the crowd of buyers. The streets were abuzz with discussion. Even the law enforcement officers who came to maintain order couldn’t help but glance at the newspaper.

Amidst the clamor, the Lord of Boulder City looked at Karen and Lilian. Karen seemed to know nothing, but the Lord of Boulder City was sure that both of them were involved.

Under his intense gaze, Lilian was the first to raise the white flag, voluntarily confessing, “I just published the truth. Luka is indeed going to participate in the Return Hunt.”

The Lord of Boulder City stared at her. “How many newspapers published this report in total?”

“All of them.” Lilian coughed lightly. “Some places already published it yesterday.”

It was definitely too late to retract it now. In fact, even if it were only published in the Holy City, it would be too late to block the news. As the various clans returned home one after another, this news spread like a storm. Even those least interested in gossip would be subconsciously shocked upon hearing it and then share it with those around them.

The demon princes had many spies planted among the humans and had long received this outrageous news.

“Iliad is actually still alive, and he wants to participate in this Return Hunt?!”

After the initial shock, the newspaper’s speculation about a demon prince propping up a puppet made them wonder if a colleague was really trying to do so. The princes, each with their own schemes, sent their subordinates to confirm the authenticity of the news. In the process of verification, the news spread like wildfire, and the whole event began to ferment further.

Whether they knew him or not, the first thing demons would say to each other was, “Have you heard? That long-lost prince is going to participate in the Return Hunt.”

For a time, the explosive news of Iliad’s participation in the Return Hunt completely blew up. His participation was announced via newspaper, and the extent of his participation was spread entirely by word of mouth.

On Dragon Island, Luka was methodically explaining his personal plan.

“Unless the Demon King personally revokes my eligibility, everyone will assume I am participating in the Return Hunt.”

The Return Hunt was ultimately a war among the younger generation. The Demon Kings of the past had always been spectators. Although he had been thrown into the land of exile, no official crime had been pinned on him.

“I need to rightfully lift the cultural blockade the Demon Realm has on me.”

One had to have dreams. If he really did win, he could make a request to the Demon King like all the past victors.

What a “cultural blockade.” Some of the dragon elders, including the Snowflake Dragon, did not blindly side with their own. In a way, if it was a culture of “true and fake young masters,” they could understand not just a blockade, but a complete ban.

The filming proceeded normally for the next few days, with the plot becoming more and more outrageous each day. No matter what the true young master tried to do, he would be despised. Coupled with his inferiority complex, sensitivity, and poor communication skills, he would just hide in a corner and lick his wounds when wronged.

It snowed three more times on the island in June.

Although he didn’t need to work on memorizing lines, Luka was still as busy as a whirlwind. During breaks, he not only had to go out for location scouting but also had to edit the footage.

Just as his eyes were about to go blind from staring at the Recording Stones, a dragon’s tail swished in the sky, and several Recording Stones fell down.

Luka caught them accurately and looked at Grover in confusion.

“Bought them from the merchants outside.”

Luka activated them and found they contained campaign declarations.

Alec was giving a speech somewhere in the Demon Realm: “To become a great tree, do not compete with the grass. My opponents have never been the other heirs, but the better development of the Demon Realm. Next, I will join forces with the dwarves to focus on the construction of the Dark City…”

Luka didn’t listen to the rest and activated another one. Compared to Alec, the Fourth Prince was more low-key and graceful. Unfortunately, like the Fifth Princess Alicia, he was too low-key and lacked fame.

Speaking of Alicia, she had some connection to the original owner of his body. She was very much loved by the original’s grandmother, and it was said her magical power was no less than Alec’s.

Her speech had a clear theme: “If I become the winner of the Return Hunt, in the lands I govern, I will increase the current number of troops, create twelve more elite special forces teams, and invest more resources into truly capable demon generals…”

Grover spoke in a naturally refined tone, “These are their stepping stones, clarifying the class they intend to woo and please.”

Then, the tip of his tail tapped Luka’s Recording Stone. “This is your stepping stone.”

In the edited footage, the true young master was being framed for stealing, saying indignantly and stubbornly, “I didn’t steal it.”

It was like being hit with a club.

Luka thought for a moment and said seriously, “They have only pleased a certain class. I am different.”

I can displease all classes.

The filming progress was faster than imagined. Luka’s operations became more and more skilled. The dragons, who had been poisoned by the “true and fake young master” culture for days, finally saw the plot arrive at the true young master’s counterattack.

Finally, finally, revenge!

The snow on Dragon Island even stopped, just waiting for the protagonist to awaken and mercilessly crush these people.

On this morning, amidst the dragons’ eager anticipation, the magic crystal stopped burning.

Luka solemnly and excitedly announced, “Thank you all for your support during this time. I have good news to announce. We—have wrapped!”

Where is the applause, where are the flowers!

With a smile on his face, Luka looked around. The next second, his smile gradually froze.

It was snowing again. Not only was it snowing, but it was accompanied by a thunderstorm.

Luka looked up and was met with rows of beautiful, cold faces. Among them, the closest Green Crystal Dragon’s horns popped out from its forehead on the spot.

Luka sucked in a cold breath and quickly looked at the Quill Pen. The latter’s fake silvery-white hair was indistinguishable from the white mist. The Quill Pen reached out to catch a snowflake from the air and said softly, “You really know how to write a story.”

“…”

Luka swallowed. “Actually, this is just the first part. The revenge part is in the second part.” He tried to explain, “We need to solve the screening issue now. We can only start filming the second part after everything is settled.” Otherwise, filming would be for nothing.

After speaking, Luka took out the red envelopes he had prepared long ago from his storage ring and handed them out one by one. “Happy wrapping, thank you for your support.”

He was genuinely happy. Now, all that was left was editing and post-production music. A major project had been declared complete.

These dragons, who had lived for hundreds or thousands of years, were receiving a red envelope from a junior for the first time. It had to be said, the feeling was quite novel. Each red envelope symbolically contained a gold coin, a short extra scene, a Q-version author-drawn cub, and a preview of the first chapter of the second part.

When it came to feedback gifts, Luka was never perfunctory. “When we film the next part, I hope to have everyone’s continued support.”

The Green Crystal Dragon, who had been trying to scare him, retracted its horns. Looking at the red envelope in its hand, it suddenly understood Leo’s joy. Raising a child at home, you get infuriated from time to time, but after getting angry, you think, he’s still a child, he can be forgiven. In the end, as long as the child behaves even slightly, you feel he’s being good.

Question Leo, understand Leo, denounce Leo.

On the other side, Berlanie and Alice’s gazes shot over like crossbow bolts. If their cunning companion hadn’t returned to Dragon Island first, this child should have been brought back by them.

Leo didn’t pay any attention to them. He walked over to discuss the screening issue. “The opera houses in other places are easy to secure. There’s only one exception.”

Luka guessed it. “The Demon Realm.”

Leo nodded slightly. “The Return Hunt is imminent. Even if most of the heirs don’t see you as a threat, they won’t give you a chance to show your face in the Demon Realm.”

Luka pondered for a moment. “I’ll figure something out.”

No one can shelve me!

Leo, who had been waiting to enjoy being begged for help: “…”

Seeing his plan fail, Berlanie on the other side let out a mocking laugh.

Luka insisted on ‘establishing his own sect,’ and it seemed the screening issue didn’t trouble him. After returning to his room, he went back to his cultivation as usual.

The Quill Pen, using his identity as the Saint’s appointee, openly came and went with him.

“How strange.”

While cultivating, smoke billowed from Luka’s head. More than worrying about becoming strong and bald, his previous question resurfaced. His power progression was too slow.

His relationship with the dragons had clearly improved, and the daily faith income was considerable. In the last two days, after his eyes, the contours around his ears and the bridge of his nose had all lit up on the little figure inside him. Under normal circumstances, he should have undergone a qualitative change long ago.

“Why haven’t I changed?”

The Quill Pen watched Luka deep in thought and almost laughed out loud. He didn’t immediately respond to the topic, instead asking, “How do you plan to break through the Demon Realm’s screening restrictions?”

“Start with the princes. They’d surely be willing to support a puppet. Once we’re all devils on the same rope, it will be too late for them to get off.”

As expected, he’s deviously clever.

The Quill Pen crooked his overly long index finger. “Come here and call me ‘gege’ (older brother), and I’ll help you solve your cultivation problem.”

These past few days of filming, he had been the one calling this little rascal ‘gege’, and he had been unhappy about it for a long time.

Luka could be flexible. He shamelessly leaned over. “Gege, teach me.”

The Quill Pen’s body instantly trembled slightly. A small electric current shot through him, making his gears feel numb and slippery. He unnaturally pushed the other away. “Stay away from me. I told you to drink less beast milk.”

Is it appropriate for a boy to have such a sweet scent?

Luka’s mind was solely focused on the qualitative change, still waiting impatiently for an answer.

Seeing his impatience, the Quill Pen did his best to dispel the strange feeling from before and sighed, “Come here.”

“…” Didn’t you just tell me to stay away?

Since he needed something from the Quill Pen, Luka naturally couldn’t say it out loud and moved closer as told.

The Quill Pen flicked him on the forehead.

Luka felt the pain, confirmed it wasn’t a middle finger flick, and decided to forgive him.

“I say you’re an old soul in a young body, yet you insist on being foolish about some absurd little things.”

“I am not…”

A cool fingertip suddenly touched the skin on the back of his neck, and a similar coolness came from his wrist.

The necklace on his neck was taken off, and the Quill Pen then unfastened the slender bracelet with one hand. As the cheap accessories were removed one by one, Luka suddenly realized he had been wearing a large number of restraining items all along!

Back in Boulder City, in order to act mysterious, he had temporarily asked the Quill Pen to enchant them to create the illusion of his magic being sealed. Later, he got used to wearing them and didn’t pay much attention. During filming, these cheap accessories fit his character’s persona, so there was even less need to take them off.

So he had been training with weights on this whole time?

Luka clutched his chest.

The Quill Pen took him to the sea outside. “Try again.”

Standing on the shore, Luka casually used an attack spell. With one strike, a hundred-zhang-high wave rose, and a rain of seafood fell from the sky.

“Holy… crap.”

His eyes widened. Was he that awesome?

Coming back to his senses, Luka said blankly, “What was the last thing I said?”

The phrase “Gege, teach me” appeared in his mind. The Quill Pen stared at the rolling waves, suddenly feeling a bit parched.

“You said ‘ge’…”

“What’s the point of being a puppet prince? Let’s just go for it.” Luka’s face changed like a Sichuan opera mask. “I’m going to challenge Alec.”

Fake brother, let’s fight!

The Return Hunt would last a full sixty days before the voting began. He wasn’t sure he could win and get to make demands to the Demon King. It was better to compromise. First, use the Return Hunt to successfully screen his movie in some regions, increase his personal prestige, and then slowly plan from there.

“?”

Luka ran directly to find Leo.

First, he said he was participating in the Return Hunt, and now he was publicly challenging Alec. Leo’s brow twitched after hearing it. “What’s your next step, are you planning to become the Demon King?”

Luka’s gaze flickered.

For the first time, Leo felt a headache coming on.

Luka was never vague about important matters. He picked up a branch and drew a rough map on the beach, explaining seriously, “The Dark City that Alec manages is a prosperous commercial hub, just like Boulder City, with unrestricted access. I will issue a challenge on the grounds of competing for the jurisdiction of the Dark City.”

Leo’s tone was unreadable as he asked, “You think you will win?”

Luka retorted, “How can the last place lose when challenging the first place?”

Leo thought he had misheard.

But Luka was very firm. In a magical duel, he certainly couldn’t win with his current strength. At most, he could try to force a draw. But winning and losing weren’t judged like that.

“If I win, I take a city and shock the entire Demon Realm. If it’s a draw, we each take a step back, I get the screening rights, and then I shock the entire Demon Realm. If I lose, I launch my ‘truth cannon,’ tear open a space scroll and run, and after escaping, I’ll market it as ‘Shocking! Iliad Actually Has the Power to Fight Alec!’ and ‘One Month, from Magic Scrub to Fighting Alec Head-on, Could He Be a True Genius?’ and shock the entire Demon Realm.”

“…”

__

Author’s Note:

Excerpt from Luka’s diary:
Even if we are weak, we must embrace each day with sunshine~ @’Gege’
Huh, where’s my gege?

Grover: By the looks of it, his legs went weak.
Luka: ???