Chapter 388: Chapter 388

The Demon World, a land of endless conflict and strife, a battlefield where violence and bloodshed were commonplace.

But despite its notoriety, it was still a world inhabited by sentient beings, a society with its own rules and systems.

“What?! I’ll kill you!”

“Bring it on! Let’s settle this once and for all!”

“Ooh! A fight! Hey, make way!”

“Kelok! Show them what you’re made of! Show them the pride of the Marang Tribe!”

Though their society might seem… twisted and barbaric from an outsider’s perspective, it was still a part of their culture.

After all, the Demon World was filled with negative energy, a hostile environment that naturally fostered aggression and violence in its inhabitants.

“Such… vibrant energy. It’s all thanks to the Dark Nest’s recent victories. The long war is finally coming to an end. Ah! And of course, the House of Coatl’s contribution is also significant.”

It seemed like a perfunctory comment, an observation of an everyday occurrence.

‘…Is it really that… vibrant?’

Two demons were fighting in the middle of a crowd, their movements fierce and brutal despite their seemingly low levels.

“Kill him! Kill him! Kill him!”

“What are you doing, Kelok?! Bite him! Tear him apart!”

They were trying to kill each other, their attacks aimed at tearing flesh and breaking bones, blood and gore splattering in the air, the surrounding crowd cheering them on.

‘Is it because demons have regenerative abilities? That’s… quite violent.’

Perhaps this was… cultural difference.

To think such a brutal fight was happening in broad daylight, in the middle of the street… It was a stark reminder that she was in the Demon World, a land of savagery and chaos.

And they didn’t even need to eat, as long as they had magic power. They were practically living weapons, born to fight.

“We’ve arrived. This way, please.”

Her… sightseeing tour of the Demon World ended abruptly as they reached their destination.

A massive mansion in the center of the city.

And as promised, someone was waiting for them at the front gate.

“Welcome. I am Dalun, the lord of this city.”

The city lord himself had come to greet her personally.

It was an incredibly… respectful reception.

‘…He’s being this subservient because I mentioned the House of Coatl…? They must be completely under their control.’

Hella, concealing her surprise, quickly assessed the situation.

It seemed like they had also quickly pledged their allegiance to the Dark Nest, the faction the House of Coatl belonged to, after the balance of power in the Demon World had shifted.

As she followed the city lord into the mansion,

Dalun, the boar-headed demon, suddenly sniffed the air, his brow furrowing slightly.

“Hmm… I wasn’t expecting a visit from the House of Coatl without any prior notice… And I don’t recognize you. Did something happen to the previous representative? Are you… a replacement?”

He was polite, but not overly subservient, as expected of a city lord.

Unlike his subordinates, who had been too flustered to think clearly, he had immediately noticed the discrepancy and was subtly probing her.

‘…He’s quite perceptive. Well, he’s a noble demon.’

He had hurriedly prepared for her arrival, having been informed that a high-ranking member of the Dark Nest’s leading faction was visiting… but the person he was facing was a complete stranger.

It was a natural reaction, even if he was only a Baron, the lowest rank of nobility. After all, in this meritocratic society, achieving such a position was a testament to one’s abilities.

‘…Well, it’s all the same to me.’

Anyway, there was one simple and effective way to deal with this situation.

“Are you… questioning me?”

This was the Demon World, a land of violence and coercion.

A subtle pressure, an almost imperceptible aura, emanated from Hella.

Before Dalun could even respond, he felt a powerful presence surrounding him, sharp fangs bared, as if ready to strike.

It was a power far beyond his own, a Baron-level demon.

He swallowed nervously, his body stiffening, his face paling slightly.

Though it wasn’t visible beneath his thick, boar-like fur.

“So, you’re getting… impatient, huh? You don’t like following orders from a… woman? Is that it?”

“N-no… That’s not what I meant…”

A blatant display of power, a casual dismissal of his concerns, a dismissive tone, crossed arms, a tilted head, and long, flowing hair…

She was the perfect… tyrannical boss.

“Then what? Are you saying I shouldn't be here? Hmm? Is that it?”

“…No, I apologize. It was a slip of the tongue.”

Dalun had no choice but to shut up.

He hadn't done anything wrong, but in the Demon World, questioning someone stronger than you was a grave offense.

‘…At least Earl-level, perhaps even higher. Where did she come from…? Is she really from the House of Coatl? Or did they pull back their forces from the front lines…?’

His thoughts raced, a chaotic mess of fear and uncertainty.

He had to find a way to appease her, to avoid incurring her wrath… and he also had to consider the potential consequences of following her orders.

‘The worst-case scenario is… if she’s from another faction. The war is almost over. If I choose the wrong side and the Dark Nest retaliates…’

He would be doomed, his future bleak and uncertain.

‘…I’ll pretend to cooperate. And then I’ll secretly contact the Dark Nest and explain the situation. Perhaps I can even earn some… brownie points…’

He racked his brain, desperately searching for a solution.

Despite his brutish appearance, he was a cunning and resourceful demon, preferring strategy and manipulation to brute force.

Every crisis was an opportunity. If he could just… exploit this situation…

…a soft chuckle echoed from beside him.

“Why so tense? I was just joking.”

“Ah… Ahaha… I see. You… surprised me.”

“Hehehe, was it fun?”

It wasn't funny at all.

But he couldn’t say that.

After all, it hadn’t been a real joke.

“…This is our reception room. Let’s go inside and discuss this further…”

“This is fine. It’s quiet and… private. Excellent.”

And as he struggled to maintain his composure,

…another incomprehensible statement.

The atmosphere in the room shifted, the air growing heavy and oppressive.

He turned to look at the suspicious guest next to him… and froze.

His body wouldn't move.

Her eyes, which had been ordinary, if unusually beautiful, were now… different.

Crimson eyes, their pupils glowing like rubies, their gaze… captivating.

He couldn’t look away.

“Relax. There’s no point in resisting. Let’s just… cooperate, shall we? We have a long way to go.”

He noticed that her horns had also changed shape, but he didn't have time to examine them closely.

His mind, trapped in her gaze, was sinking deeper and deeper into the crimson depths, like quicksand.

“Yes, yes, good boy, Dalun. Now, why don’t you summon the other leaders of this city? I’m not very good at… multitasking.”

Dalun, entranced by her 「Eyes of Domination」, replied obediently, and Hella, smiling sweetly, patted his shoulder.

She hadn't expected to get a private audience with the city lord so easily.

It usually took time and effort to subdue a high-ranking demon, so having a secure and private environment was… convenient.

‘It doesn’t matter that I didn’t bring my subordinates. I can just… recruit them here.’

Local procurement, direct from the source.

This was the Demon World, the demons’ homeland.

A world overflowing with potential recruits.

‘Demons grow stronger in the Demon World, so their resistance will also increase… but that applies to me as well. The more I use my abilities, the more proficient I become.’

And her 「Eyes of Domination」 wasn’t just a simple mental manipulation technique.

It was a part of her authority as a Demon King, a power that allowed her to control her subordinates.

So, this… subjugation… was just a part of a legitimate ritual.

‘I’ll confirm my current location… and then contact the others. I gave them instructions, but I’m not sure if they’re following them. I have so much to do.’

If there was a problem in the Demon World, it was most likely related to the Dark Nest, the current dominant force.

Tracking their movements was the best way to identify the source of the problem.

“City Lord? Why am I…?”

“Come here. Behave yourself. This is an important guest.”

Dalun’s voice, and another voice, echoed from outside the reception room.

It seemed like the other voice belonged to the head of security, another member of the city’s leadership.

Hella smiled brightly as the door opened and several figures entered.

Her crimson eyes glowed.

‘A strong organization is essential.’

She had learned that from experience.

There were limits to what she could do alone in this unfamiliar land.

‘I’ll take over this city first.’

And so, a new Demon King faction,

…began to take root in a corner of the Demon World, its growth silent and swift, its presence unknown to the world.

A remote region of the Demon World, controlled by the Dark Nest.

“Ken? Why are you back already?”

“Hmm? Ah, Lucy Coatl.”

“Cut the crap and explain yourself. Why are you back so soon? Do you even know how much it costs to cross the dimensional barrier? Did you complete your mission?”

Miyamoto Ken frowned at the woman’s sharp, accusatory tone.

She was the one in charge of this area, but it was still… annoying to be greeted with a barrage of questions the moment he arrived.

‘…If only she was even a fraction as beautiful as Hella-nim…’

But that was impossible.

How could anyone compare to his new master, a goddess descended from the heavens?

There weren’t any deities worthy of the title ‘goddess’ in Auterica, but he was certain that Hella was the closest thing to it.

“Are you even listening? I let you go because you insisted, and now you’re back empty-handed? The higher-ups won’t be happy…”

“Don’t worry. I have something.”

Ken, glancing at Lucy Coatl, who was staring at him with wide eyes, retrieved an object from his pocket.

A black, faceted gem, its shape like a star with numerous sharp points.

“The essence of a Marquis-level demon who died during the 14th Demon King’s invasion.”

“…What?! Seriously?!”

His mission, and the mission of the others dispatched to Auterica, was simple.

To retrieve any and all artifacts from the Demon World that had been scattered across the continent.

Of course, there were… expectations, depending on the quality of the artifacts.

“Ha! I can’t believe something was still there. How did you even find it? Did you raid a dragon’s lair or something?”

“Hmph, it wasn’t easy.”

“Hmm, a trade secret? Well, it doesn’t matter. This is a significant achievement. You can brag about this.”

The minimum requirement for challenging the Demon King’s throne was… being a Duke.

There were currently only four Dukes in the Demon World, each one the leader of a powerful faction, the rulers of their respective territories.

Marquis-level demons were just below the Dukes, the strongest warriors on any battlefield.

‘…And it’s the essence of a demon who died during the last invasion.’

The karma associated with it was immeasurable.

No one else had achieved a greater feat than him, unless they had retrieved the remains of the 14th Demon King or the essence of the Succubus Queen, a Duke-level demon.

‘…I have to live up to their expectations.’

He looked at Lucy, who was examining the essence with an awestruck expression, his eyes gleaming.

He wanted to rush back to his master and present his offering… but he had to be patient.

After all, she had entrusted him with this important task, even bestowing upon him this valuable gem.

“Lucy Coatl, is this enough to prove my worth?”

“Hmm, I suppose so. This is… impressive. Even if you went back and forth between the two worlds ten times, no one would complain.”

Ken, his head held high, put the essence back in his pocket and spoke confidently.

“I need to see the Dragon Marquis. I’ll present this to him personally.”

His eyes burned with a fanatical devotion.

Lucy tilted her head slightly, wondering if his loyalty was always this… intense… but then she nodded, accepting his request.

After all, it was a reasonable demand, considering his achievement.

‘Everything for Hella-nim.’

Of course, if she had known where his true loyalty lay, she wouldn't have agreed so easily.

‘Even if it means sacrificing myself.’

A devout fanatic, his heart filled with zeal, headed towards the heart of heresy.