Chapter 387: Chapter 387

The Immortal Fortress, the stronghold of evil, located in the Northern Mountains of the Ion Continent.

Siana, the succubus in charge of the Immortal Army’s internal affairs, hurried through the fortress.

She had been busy with her work when she received a sudden summons from the King.

‘What is it this time?’

Like all the executives here, she had a lot on her plate.

She was practically a maid, handling all sorts of miscellaneous tasks.

What kind of internal affairs were even necessary in an organization composed mostly of undead?

Those immortal beings didn’t need food, water, or even… air. They could even survive in the abyss, a dimension where time and space were distorted.

Undead were essentially… tools, stored away until needed. Her main duties were managing the human dark mages, who were practically slaves, and keeping an eye on the captured Crown Prince.

In that sense, managing the trade with a human company was one of her most troublesome tasks.

The rare materials found only in the Northern Mountains were easily acquired with the help of the undead, but discreetly trading them was another matter.

Well, she was the only one in the Immortal Army capable of handling such delicate tasks, so it couldn’t be helped.

‘This Immortal King is different from the previous ones, who only relied on brute force. He’s pretending to prepare for an all-out war while subtly taking over the continent’s economy. He’s practically won before the war even began!’

Siana, having gleaned some insight into the Immortal King’s grand plan through her work, couldn’t help but be impressed.

His seemingly passive actions, the three-year truce, the… games he had played… it had all been a carefully orchestrated setup.

It sent shivers down her spine.

‘I didn’t realize it at the time, but now I know. The Immortal Army’s attacks have significantly contributed to Hubert’s Trading Company’s growth.’

War and trade were inseparable.

Hubert’s Trading Company had been the most active and successful supplier during the Immortal Army’s attacks, rapidly expanding their influence.

How many people knew that the Immortal King was behind it all?

‘…Such a sharp mind, not relying on brute force. He’s not just… handsome, he’s also… intelligent!’

Siana, conveniently ignoring the fact that there was… nothing inside that skull, blushed and giggled, a dreamy expression on her face.

The Immortal Army was a terrible place to work, a black company with a brutal work schedule… but having a handsome and intelligent boss was a… perk.

It was enough to distract her from the unsettling news she had received from her homeland.

“Um… My King? Who is this…?”

So, she couldn't help but be confused when she saw a stranger in the Immortal King’s chambers.

He was… with a woman!

[“Hmm— A business partner, I suppose. Or perhaps… a rival. Kkuk kuk.”]

“Don’t tell me you’re interested in this continent now. I told you I’m not.”

The woman was conversing casually with the Immortal King.

She had long horns, black wings, and crimson eyes, their pupils glowing like rubies… she clearly looked like a demon.

Siana felt a surge of jealousy… but it didn't last long.

“Hello there, pretty lady. I’m Hella. Nice to meet you.”

The beautiful woman smiled, her voice melodious and captivating, and Siana felt a strange… warmth spreading through her chest.

A sense of… affection, its origin unknown.

‘…Impossible. This level of charm…! Who is she?’

Siana was a succubus.

A member of a prestigious bloodline, renowned for their ability to charm and seduce, arguably the best in all dimensions.

Even vampires, sirens, lamias, and other similar races were no match for her… and she was practically immune to such abilities…

‘…Ugh, I… I can’t… I’m not… attracted to women! I don’t have that kind of… preference!’

But her logic and her… sexual orientation were irrelevant in the face of Hella’s overwhelming charm.

She could probably even seduce a golem.

Siana gritted her teeth, a thin trickle of blood flowing from her lips.

[“Enough playing around. We have work to do.”]

Fortunately, she had managed to resist, her willpower strong enough to withstand the onslaught… until her opponent finally relented.

She wasn’t sure what would have happened if it had continued… but the Immortal King couldn't afford to offend his guest, not in this situation.

Siana, sighing in relief, glared at Hella.

‘…I’m sure of it now. That power… she’s one of us…’

She had been momentarily confused, as Hella’s aura was… different from a pure-blooded succubus… but she was certain now.

They shared a common origin.

‘But that’s irrelevant.’

Her curiosity about Hella was a separate matter.

She couldn’t just ignore the insult to her pride, even if the Immortal King was present.

She looked at Hella and spoke, her voice soft and shy, despite her defiant gaze.

“Um… can I… call you… unnie?”

It was embarrassing for a succubus to be swayed by another’s charm… but if it was her ‘big sister’ from the same clan… it was perfectly acceptable!

Hella, smiling sweetly, replied,

A single word, firm and resolute, a clear rejection.

Siana’s face crumpled, her shoulders slumping in disappointment…

…and then the meeting began.

To resolve the chaotic situation in the Demon World and install the true Demon King.

The ‘Demon King Rescue Operation’ was underway.

Cross-referencing information was essential.

Even if the source was reliable, there was always a chance of… misinformation.

In that sense, Siana’s testimony, following Ken and Frances’s reports, was incredibly helpful in understanding the situation in the Demon World from multiple perspectives.

After all, her faction was enemies with the other two demons’ factions.

‘And her faction is currently losing.’

The situation in the Demon World was more complicated than he had initially thought.

After the 14th Demon King, L’rei’e, was defeated during his invasion of Auterica, the selection of the 15th Demon King had proceeded smoothly.

Of course, the process hadn’t been peaceful, as anyone, regardless of their background or methods, could claim the throne, as long as they were strong enough.

But they had eventually reached a consensus.

The problem began when the 15th Demon King suddenly vanished shortly after his coronation.

The demons, not exactly known for their sense of responsibility, hadn’t been too concerned at first, assuming he was just… taking a vacation… but as his absence continued for decades, then centuries, the situation escalated.

The unprecedented disappearance of a Demon King.

It had naturally led to chaos.

Various factions rose up, vying for the throne, while those who still supported the 15th Demon King fought back.

That was the centuries-long war they had mentioned.

‘But there has to be more to it.’

Wars weren’t uncommon in the Demon World, a place where conflict was a way of life.

Most of the previous Demon Kings had ascended to their positions through similar power struggles.

But for a war to escalate to this extent, right after the previous Demon King’s disappearance…

‘…It’s too much of a coincidence. There must be some kind of… external influence.’

And that was the source of his unease.

‘If something big happens in Auterica, it’s always a good idea to suspect him first.’

It had been several years since he arrived in this world, encountering and resolving various incidents.

He had learned from experience.

『Divine Fragment of the Imprisoned XXX (15,500,000)』

‘It was 30 million when I first saw it, and now it’s almost half that.’

And most of the previously unreadable text was now decipherable.

Well, the remaining word was… obvious.

‘And the price dropped significantly when I arrived here?’

It had been gradually decreasing as he clashed with the Master of Heaven’s Turn Society, but the most recent drop, almost half its original value, had occurred just a few minutes ago.

“This is… unsettling. It feels similar to “Heavenly Demon’s World”.’

Hella looked up at the sky.

It was daytime, but there was no sun, only a faint, purplish glow illuminating the land.

And in the middle of the sky, a dark, jagged scar, like a tear in the fabric of reality, revealed a glimpse of the Milky Way beyond.

“…Is that… a sword mark?”

A dry wind, carrying the Demon World’s unique energy, brushed against her skin as she stared at the sky, mesmerized.

The energy invigorated her body, but it felt… insignificant compared to the grandeur of the scene before her.

‘…A magnificent sight. I’m glad I came here.’

She smiled faintly, then turned and walked away.

Towards a distant wall, made of black stone, barely visible on the horizon.

A barren wasteland, stretching as far as the eye could see, its black earth devoid of any vegetation.

…was the Demon World, the demons’ homeland.

…And soon, it would be hers as well.

Hella, her eyes narrowed, stared at the gate before her.

‘I have to find out where I am first.’

Coming to the Demon World hadn’t been difficult.

After all, with the combined power of an Immortal King and a Demon King, a mere dimensional barrier was no obstacle.

The problem was that she couldn’t choose her destination.

This was her first time here, after all.

‘It would have been easier if I had come with the others.’

She hadn't planned to be alone.

She had two locals and one immigrant who could have guided her… but they had returned to their designated locations as soon as they crossed the dimensional barrier, leaving her alone in this unfamiliar place.

‘I thought it might be different if I traveled with them…’

Unlike her, a Demon King who was a first-timer in the Demon World, they had arrived through proper channels.

Naturally, they had designated return points, and they had been automatically transported there as soon as they entered the Demon World.

‘Well, it can’t be helped. It’s not my first time being stranded in another world.’

And she had more than enough power to handle herself.

She shrugged and confidently walked through the gate.

The demons near the gate turned to look at her, their gazes filled with curiosity and… something else.

A frog-like creature, a giant over four meters tall, a quadrupedal dinosaur, a figure made of smoke…

A diverse and… unusual group.

‘They look… interesting. Like a zoo.’

There was no need to disguise herself here.

Acting timid would only make her look more suspicious.

She straightened her back and continued walking, her movements confident and deliberate.

‘It’s fine. I’ve disguised myself.’

It was one of the effects of 「Beauty Beyond Compare」.

A ‘nation-toppling beauty’ had to be appealing to all tastes.

She could only transform into a beautiful woman, but it was enough to conceal her horns, wings, and eyes.

‘And thanks to my practice with Siana, I can control my charm.’

As long as she suppressed her inherent allure, she would just be another… pretty demon in this world filled with all sorts of strange creatures.

Like a cute puppy or a kitten.

“Wait! Please wait a moment!”

But it seemed like she had underestimated her own… appeal.

A Doberman-headed demon, who seemed to be the guard captain, approached her quickly,

…followed by several other demons.

“Welcome to Dalun’s territory, from the House of Coatl. We haven’t received any prior notice of your arrival.”

He spoke to her with a strange mixture of respect and… nervousness.

She discreetly scanned the surroundings, but there was no one else there.

‘The House of Coatl… That’s one of the leading factions in the current war, isn’t it? Why does he think I’m one of them?’

She had vaguely heard the name while gathering information.

It was a powerful faction, even within Ken and Frances’s group.

She quickly assessed the situation, trying to understand the reason for their misunderstanding.

They wouldn't address a complete stranger without a reason.

And then, as she remained silent, the Doberman-headed demon gulped nervously and spoke again, his tone even more cautious.

“…We’ll escort you inside. Judging by your… attire, there seems to be some kind of misunderstanding. Please give us a chance to explain. Just… a moment of your time.”

Hella glanced down at her clothes.

Demonic magic equipment she had retrieved from Horus’s 「Golden Treasury」.

She hadn’t had anything else to wear, and she was going to the Demon World, so she had chosen the most suitable outfit…

‘…Was it from the House of Coatl?’

And it seemed to be a high-ranking combat uniform.

No wonder it was so comfortable and had so many useful functions.

‘They should have told me.’

Anyway, she had to resolve this misunderstanding first.

She sighed softly and looked at the Doberman-headed demon, her voice calm and steady, but with an underlying arrogance.

“…Y-yes. This way. We’ve already informed them, so they should be ready to receive you.”

“Hmm, let’s see how well they’ve prepared.”

Hella, the Demon King who had descended upon the Demon World to conquer it.

She wouldn't miss an opportunity.