“Oh my··· No, Grand Matriarch.”
“Call me comfortably, Siana. This is not an official occasion.”
“···Yes, Mother. But are you truly okay? Your will is the will of all Dream Walkers, so I have no objections, but I can’t help but wonder if you’ve decided too hastily…”
The private room was filled with decorations uncharacteristic of the Demon Realm.
Understanding why her daughter was speaking carefully, Liliana slowly caressed her lips.
Siana’s apprehension was understandable.
Even though she recognized Hela as the daughter of the 14th Demon King and her own niece, it still changed nothing that they had only met today and conversed for a short time.
Suddenly pledging loyalty must have felt a bit strange.
“Uhuhuh, still immature, aren’t you?”
“Yes?”
But Liliana was certain.
That her decision was correct.
While it might seem like an impulsive choice at first glance, it was a conclusion reached after carefully weighing all circumstances in a very calm state.
“She is not merely a powerful Demon Tribe member. You could already call her a legitimate Demon King.”
“···Demon King? But that means…”
The Demon Tribe and Demon King.
The gap was not merely a matter of rank.
If one were to compare, it was like elves and high elves… no, an even more pronounced distinction was the ‘species’ known as Demon Kings.
“Fufuf— To be a Demon King the instant one is born without even having been to the Demon Realm. I never imagined such a thing could happen. This must be destiny. It’s also the will of the Demon God.”
Being one of the top-tier beings in the Demon Realm, she could feel it.
The instant she saw Hela— her blood, her soul were forcefully drawn to her.
And that was proof that something more than mere attractiveness was at play.
“Ah, so that’s why…!”
The count-level demon Siana gasped.
Only now did she realize why she had been unable to move before Hela, and why even the tremendous Undead King acknowledged her equally.
All previous Demon Kings had been beings born through later developments.
They would only evolve into a Demon King by proving their qualifications and reaching their peak status by earning the recognition of their fellow Demon Realm members.
In that sense, they were somewhat similar to the saints of human sects, but they were not entirely the same since they possessed both authority and actual power.
Unlike other races, demons inherently lacked much faith.
‘Of course, since she hasn’t been formally recognized yet, she hasn’t obtained all the powers of a Demon King.’
In the Demon Realm, a Demon King was a being that possessed a weak divinity, albeit it was still there.
Naturally, it wasn’t just the flesh of a Demon King that qualified one as such.
Fear or hatred was fine, not belief or worship.
If she later stepped forward and received the recognition of her fellow Demon Realm members in any form, only then would she truly become a Demon King.
“But no matter how backwards the order seems, a Demon King is still a Demon King. Moreover, one who has inherited the full power of LeRei. We can’t just let such an opportunity slip away, can we?”
This was insight based on transcendent intuition.
If they followed her, they would ultimately achieve what they desired.
That person would inevitably rise to the top of the Demon Realm someday.
“And one more thing. We don’t have much time left.”
“Ah!”
The tide of the long-standing war had completely swung in favor of the Duke of Beasts leading the ‘Dark Nest.’
The most aggressive faction led by Duke Tumah had already collapsed and been absorbed, while the other two Dukes were sustaining severe injuries trying to prevent lower factions from defecting.
“It’s reaching the limit of walking a tightrope. If things continue like this, it’s only a matter of time before we collapse. In such a scenario, the emergence of a significant variable such as a Demon King, not to mention the essence of a Queen, is more than enough…”
Liliana shrugged lightly as if indicating there was no need to say more.
Understanding her mother’s words, Siana nodded.
She also had a favorable feeling towards Hela, but she thought that deciding the organization’s disposition was a different matter.
“So, Siana? What are you doing right now?”
“Yes?”
At that moment, Liliana, who had been looking at her daughter with a strange expression, casually threw out a question.
Then, before Siana, flustered by the sudden query, could respond, she continued.
“I told you, didn’t I? We don’t have time left.”
“Yes, you did…”
“Then shouldn’t you hurry and lend a hand? How long do you plan to lounge around like this? Your mother is working so hard, but you seem awfully relaxed.”
In Liliana’s hand was the ‘Essence of the Succubus Queen’ granted to her right after pledging loyalty to Hela.
To her, it was akin to her mother’s legacy.
Woo woo—
Of course, for now, it was merely a material being processed with magic to optimize the extraction of power.
For the continuation of the Dream Walkers, which she and her mother had protected for generations.
“Ah! Yes! Understood, Grand Matriarch!”
She hurriedly rushed out, and seeing Siana’s flustered back, Liliana chuckled softly and looked back at the essence.
A geometrical polyhedron with pink hues shimmering against a black background pulsed with magic, radiating a subtle energy.
As if embracing the daughter she hadn’t seen in a long time.
Like praising the Grand Matriarch who had splendidly defended their homeland through long struggles.
*
After the entry of the Dream Walker, the speed of expansion had exploded.
Though currently they found themselves in a position of being sandwiched between powerful factions, they were a notable lineage that had produced a former Demon King and had a current Duke-level powerhouse as its leader.
Regardless of whichever faction they switched to, they could receive a grand welcome, and if they seriously planned their moves, contacting the high-ranking demons that had been hard to approach until now wouldn’t be that difficult either.
‘Good, I can say we’ve rooted ourselves in every stratum of the Demon Realm.’
The largest force, Duke of Beasts’ ‘Dark Nest,’ along with the absorbed Duke Tumah’s ‘Burning Inferno.’
Setting aside pride, both the Duke of Darkness’s ‘Demoniaq’ and the Duke of Beasts’ ‘Abnormal,’ alongside other minor factions.
For now, they were all moving according to existing directives while hiding their true intentions, but should Hela’s command drop, they could rise up at any moment, with continuous active coordination occurring beneath the surface.
However, as their size increased, so did the drop in security levels.
Eventually, this covert movement would inevitably be discovered by outsiders.
“Contact with Parma has been cut off. According to intel, an elite unit from Dark Nest suddenly swooped in and captured all the executives…”
“Kilawn doesn’t seem to be in a good situation either. Fortunately, as soon as he realized he was being watched, he took precautions, leaving no evidence behind, but it’s as if he is deliberately probing for information.”
While they managed to coerce the organization’s leader and executives, there were limits to controlling the entirety with just them.
Warriors engaged in active battles with their lords were sensitive to the movements within their ranks, so it was fair to say that having held out this long was impressive enough.
“Hmm, that’s a pity. I thought we could eat a bit more of them.”
Yet when the time neared, feeling regret was unavoidable.
As Hela grumbled at the bad news coming from the operation room, Siana, who had been nearby like a secretary, chimed in.
“Others aren’t fools either. Still, the results haven’t been bad. At least, the other Dukes’ factions should be able to face off against us directly.”
It wasn’t particularly good news considering that even if those other two Dukes combined forces, they could not contend with even one Dark Nest.
Let alone assuming that they were even weakened from Hela gnawing at them little by little.
At this rate, when would they be able to subjugate them all?
“···Hmm, I suppose there’s nothing we can do about this.”
Hela, who had been resting her chin and deep in thought, gradually nodded.
She appeared resolute as if she had made a decision.
Siana eyed her anxiously.
“Excuse me, Hela? May I ask what you’re thinking…?”
“Fufuh, there’s only one way to deal with this situation, right?”
Hela smiled sweetly.
Though her smile was radiant enough to brighten the surroundings in an instant, the meaning behind her beautiful voice was far from cheerful.
“—Show of strength.”
A chilling sensation settled as if blood was about to drip.
Then, she rose smoothly and breezed past the gulping Siana.
While it would usually be best to bide time and fish for opportunities, they could no longer hide now that their existence was exposed.
What they were now was the sudden intrusion of the unknown.
Not only from the overwhelming Dark Nest but also from other factions that would definitely not tolerate variables that gnaw away at their strength.
‘It would be better to strike first while they are off guard. A dagger’s worth is revealed when it is hidden.’
Not everyone who had switched sides to their side had been revealed yet.
If she herself took the initiative and attracted attention, it would buy them a bit more time.
That brief interval could be the key to completing their tasks comfortably.
‘Well, besides, this level of force is more than enough. It wouldn’t be wise to linger too long over this matter.’
Alluringly curling her lips, Hela made light steps, with black magic blooming like flowers at each step.
Following that signal, elite demons began to trail behind her one by one.
Regardless of the factions established in various regions, they had been gathered for immediate mobilization.
“Hm~ Which faction is the closest?”
The faction closest to the Dream Walker’s territory.
In other words, the faction that had harassed them the longest.
“···It’s Abnormal, Hela.”
“Right, that’s it? One of the Dukes is that fellow, Beast Duke.”
“Yes, but… are you really planning to strike them first?”
Given their supreme capabilities and proficiency in magic, demons had fewer distance constraints compared to human warfare. Yet proximity still meant they would inevitably draw eyes more than once.
Though it had calmed down recently with Dark Nest gaining ascendance, Abnormal had been the number one culprit draining the blood of Dream Walkers for eons.
‘Technically, it doesn’t have much to do with me… but vanquishing them while avenging my subordinates doesn’t sound bad.’
In fact, thinking about the current battlefield situation, it would be most rational to target Dark Nest first in conjunction with the other two Dukes.
But she had no intention of doing so.
This could be seen as quite the golden opportunity.
‘The advantage of surprise from asymmetry in information exists only now. It’s far better to capture a Duke and absorb that entire force than waste the chance attacking the big Dark Nest thugs!’
Confidently, Hela stopped in her tracks.
A crucial facility with teleportation portals for transporting troops lined the area.
Intentionally giving signals and moving slowly, numerous combatants had already gathered and formed ranks here.
Loyal warriors looked at her with eyes filled with fervor, fully brimming with excitement.
As she surveyed them quietly, Hela grinned and called out in a clear voice.
“Finally, let’s set out! Just follow my lead, kiddos! We’re wrapping this up swiftly!”
“Wooaaah—!”
“Hela! Hela! Hela!”
It was the official debut of Demon King Hela in the Demon Realm.
*
One of the last remaining Dukes in the Demon Realm, once only four but now three—Duke of Beasts Sipar.
[What? The Dream Walker?]
The face of the ferocious beast with scars by its eyes twisted as it tilted its head, its lush mane shaking.
[Growl— Are they crazy?]
Following it, a head covered in scales with tusks like a wild boar roared.
[I knew it! I should have wiped them out sooner!]
The beast with its burnt skin and distorted features roared fiercely.
Kurururung—
The massive beast—three-headed Cerberus rose, shaking the air.
A towering body nearly 10 meters tall.
Its long snake-like tail flicked its tongue continuously and writhed.
But just for a moment.
Sipar redirected his attention, leaving the matter to his subordinates.
The reason Abnormal had halted its attacks against the Dream Walkers was not due to a lack of capability.
If there hadn’t been external restraints from other factions, it wouldn’t have taken long at all to tidy them up.
Right now, rather than dealing with those small fry, the Dark Nest was of greater concern.
“Duke! Talav has fallen!”
“Fighting has erupted all around! We’re tied up in a battlefield with Dark Nest and can’t possibly send support···!”
“The fellow guarding the central gate, Galak, has defected! The Dream Walker brats are advancing rapidly through that route, Duke!”
However, the situation flowed differently from what he anticipated.
Defeats were coming in one after another, too significant to ignore.
No matter how much most of the resources were invested in fighting against Dark Nest, this level of speed was clearly beyond any forecast.
‘What the hell did they do? That stupid Liliana couldn’t possibly have such abilities!’
He was already aware that they had been extending their hands toward many lower factions across various groups.
While scoffing at their lowly tactics, hadn’t he issued orders to find out more about it?
‘No, this isn’t something you can chalk up as merely gathering forces.’
His demonic soldiers were not weak enough to be outnumbered as mere cannon fodder.
Something more was clearly at play.
Something he didn’t know.
As he pondered what response strategies to employ with all four of his heads—with the tail’s snake working its thoughts—indeed.
“Duke! They’re…!”
Kwaaaang—!
A large explosion echoed nearby the cave where he had been staying.
Along with it came the distinct scent of battle wafting in.
The Dream Walker’s forces had invaded this place already.
[Hooh…?!]
All of his heads exhaled in disbelief.
The meaning behind what had just occurred was singular.
That they had targeted him from the very start.
In Demon Realm warfare, to prevent rear invasions using spatial movement, they installed portals allowing movement in specific directions within their occupied territories.
However, this current assault could only have come with a speed that would bypass those portals directly leading here.
Of course, that alone was already quite impressive, but—.
[Hehe… What a ridiculous turn of events.]
[Growl— They saw us lightly.]
[Kill! Kihaaha! It’s time for bloodshed!]
Kwaaang—!
With a mighty roar, Sipar shot forth toward the source of the commotion.
The reason he had been holed up here wasn’t due to cowardice.
He simply awaited the appearance of other Dukes or dangerous battle zones, ready to utilize himself most effectively as Abnormal’s best fighting power.
[But they’ve come here on their own volition!]
Furious, he reached the battlefield in mere moments.
The variety of demons tangled in a chaotic melee turned Abnormal’s stronghold into turmoil.
[······!]
However, upon arriving at the scene.
The confidence Sipar had before arriving faltered, and he instinctively bristled all over.
There was something in sight that provoked his instincts.
That was precisely—
“Cerberus? Wait, isn’t that a dog? But why is it a beast instead of simply a dog?”
A brash girl provoked Sipar’s wrath.
“HahaHaha!”
