The Bewitching Welcome of the Demon Realm
With every step into the Demon Realm's illusion, the clouds beneath my feet grew damper and darker. It felt like trampling over an old, musty quilt. As I neared the boundary between the gray and black clouds, the air grew heavier. Breathing it in felt like swallowing something sticky and viscous. It was a bit hard to breathe, but strangely, rather than suffocating, it sharpened my senses like sipping rich wine. All the colors of the world grew more vivid, every sound crisper. Even the touch of the wind on my skin felt ten times more alive than usual.
Miel buzzed around me nonstop. She didn't seem fazed by these creepy clouds at all. In the darkness, her wingbeats glowed brighter than ever, flickering like beautiful blue neon lights.
A red mist still rose from the sword at my waist. Crimson Bind seemed in a good mood—the mist was thicker now. Wrapped in it, vague fear gave way to an odd confidence. The Night Veil cloak dragged annoyingly on the ground, but its weight straightened my posture, letting me stride with dignity.
"Hng... but it's so uncomfortable..."
I tried pulling the cloak up by hand, but after a few steps, it dragged again. I nearly tripped countless times over the endless black fabric. After repeating this a few times, I gave up.
"Eh, whatever. Just let it drag."
Miel flapped her wings irritably, circling me as if to say she disapproved. Her expression screamed, 'You're gonna step on it and fall.'
Miel nags too much sometimes...
But the next instant, her premonition hit the mark. As I lifted my foot, something snagged.
"Ack!"
I'd stepped on the dragging cloak. Losing balance, I tumbled across the gray clouds.
"Ow ow..."
It didn't hurt, but landing on the wet clouds soaked my clothes. The cloak spread out hugely around me, making me look like I was floating in a black puddle. Miel hovered right in front of my nose with a smug 'Told you so' look. Seeing that just annoyed me more.
It's not like my clothes won't dry quick thanks to Lady Nis's gift!
"Hey!"
A bit pissed, I swiped at Miel, but she dodged effortlessly. Her graceful flight only made me madder. I straightened the cloak and stood, gripping the hem tightly this time and walking slowly.
Moments later, Miel darted ahead in a direction I hadn't noticed. She spread her blue wings wide and hovered silently in the air. A strong blue glow radiated from them, scattering light like a blinking neon sign.
What's she doing?
Miel looked like she was communicating with something. Her wings quivered faintly as she traced strange patterns in the air, signaling some invisible presence.
Is she snitching to Lady Solaris...?
Suspicious, but right now, bigger priorities loomed. Standing on the threshold of the Demon Realm, I needed to find the path fast.
Something faint appeared in the distance. What's that?
Closer up, it was a huge signpost. Black background with elegant red script.
≪ The Demon Realm welcomes you all! Tap the crystal orb below, and we'll guide you to the safe zone! ≫
Wh-what is this?! A surrender sign?!
Beneath it sat a purple crystal orb, so pretty I stared for a bit. Violet light beams crisscrossed inside, creating a dreamy haze.
Absolutely not touching it! I'm sneaking in!
But suddenly, for no reason, the orb lit up.
Eh...?
A voice flowed from it.
"Anyone there? If you hear me, say something~"
The voice was honey-sweet, seductive, wrapping around my ears. Without thinking, my mouth moved on its own.
"Yeth."
Ugh! Why did I answer?! It was so shocking that my own reply had popped out automatically.
The light inside flashed brighter.
"Oh? Someone's really there. I'll be right over—wait just a sec~"
"Yeth."
Uwaaaack! I answered again!
Miel flapped wildly in front of my face, then smacked my lips with her tiny legs.
No! I didn't wanna say it!
That enchanting voice forced the reply out. Definitely an evil god's power... What do I do...?
Should I bolt before whoever's on the other side arrives, or wait? Fleeing might spread rumors of a suspicious intruder, drawing more evil gods after me. That could be riskier... Better play it straight.
Soon, footsteps echoed from afar. Soft and sprightly.
The voice came again from the darkness.
"We set up this sign and orb for Heaven folk, but you're the first actual good god to cross over. Never gotten a signal since we put it up."
I'm not a good god though...
The voice's owner came into view.
Seeing her made my breath catch. Ink-black hair cascaded to her hips, gleaming like silk, dancing elegantly like an ebony waterfall. Her jet-black gemstone eyes held centuries of depth. Her skin was porcelain pale under moonlight, her crimson lips like fresh rose petals.
Like Heaven's gods, her outfit was thin fabric—but black, with silver trim accentuating her perfect curves. It was daring; as the cloth fluttered in the wind, glimpses of skin teased, almost deliberate.
Whoa... I've never seen beauty like this. Everyone I'd met was stunning, but this goddess embodied beauty itself. Grace and allure infused her every move.
"Oh..."
She looked surprised at me.
"Could you be... an evil god?"
I hesitated, unsure how to reply. Honesty? Lie? Trust my SSS-rank cloak!
"...Yes. I'm an evil god."
A smile spread on Bellona's lips—so beautiful I stared, entranced.
"Liar~"
She laughed, fingertips brushing my cloak. Black energy flowed from her into it. Unbelievably, the cloak shrank to perfect fit!
Gasp...! It could do that...?
"Your cloak needs an evil god's demonic power to resize. But you're no good god either—what are you, exactly?"
Bellona eyed me curiously.
"I'm... a flower."
"A flower?"
Her brows arched. Better show than tell—I used Polymorph to revert to my true Thanatos Crown form. Her eyes widened. She approached cautiously, stroking a petal gently.
"Wow... I've never seen a flower like this..."
Her touch was warm, soft—my petals quivered. Moments later, I Polymorphed back to human.
"Incredible! A flower that can Polymorph!"
Bellona clapped in delight.
"Hehe..."
Her cute reaction drew a goofy grin from me.
"So this butterfly... follows you 'cause you're a flower?"
"Yep! Miel's my minion."
"Aww, too cute~"
Suddenly, Bellona scooped me up in a hug. Cradled in her arms like a child, words failed me. She was surprisingly strong.
"We'll talk details on the way. Can't linger in a dangerous spot like this~"
She carried me into the darkness. Dangling in her embrace... Am I really that small? And this position is so embarrassing... especially her chest around my head. What's this soft squishy feel...
Bellona's gaze shifted to my waist. The red mist from Crimson Bind caught her eye.
"That sword of yours... it radiates immense power."
She reached tentatively, touching it. The mist thickened in response, coiling around her fingers, creeping up her wrist.
"Never seen a blade like this... so wicked. Who made it?"
"It's Crimson Bind. Legend says the lich Asterix forged it from blood."
"Asterix...?"
I recited the status window info verbatim; Bellona tilted her head.
"Don't know the name. But it's brimming with powerful curses. How'd you get it?"
"Just... stumbled on it."
She laughed, pulling away—the mist clung reluctantly before retreating.
"And that ring..."
Her eyes moved to the Crimson Circlet on my left hand.
"It... feels like evil god power, like the cloak."
"The ring and cloak were... gifts."
"Fascinating... They suit you perfectly~"
Phew, no more prying!
Bellona's expression softened as she hugged me closer.
"You're such an intriguing being. Flower turning human, wielding rare gear."
Even dodging her questions, she didn't get mad—seemed amused.
"How'd you get here? The human world and Demon Realm are cut off."
Ah... how to explain...?
"Got caught in some weird force and ended up here... Trying to get back to the human world quick."
She cocked her head at my lame answer.
"Weird force? Well, we're almost done building a passage to the human world. I'll take you once it's ready."
"Really!?"
Lady Bellona from now on! Loyalty!
"Yes! But do me one favor first."
"What...?"
"It's a secret for now~"
What kinda favor...? Nothing weird, right? Nah, she seems to like me... Another apostle pick maybe!
Lost in thought, spacing out—Bellona's face lit up like she'd forgotten something.
"Right! What's your name?"
"Ricoris."
"Ricoris? Evokes your flower form. Such a pretty name~"
I...
Gave her my best 'Lady Bellona, what's your name?' puppy eyes.
"Oh, right. I'm Bellona. Goddess of beauty—and virgins."
No wonder... she's insanely gorgeous...
"Lady Bellona, can you tell me about the Demon Realm?"
"Hm, not as beautiful or clean as Heaven. But it has its charms. Way freer than Heaven, fewer rules."
I nodded. Sounded better than expected.
"Might be tough adjusting at first, but you'll get used to it. Took me a while too."
"Huh? You too, Lady Bellona?"
"Yeah. I was originally a Heaven god."
Shocking— a Heaven god coming here? That's why the sign...?
"Why... leave Heaven for the Demon Realm?"
Her face darkened briefly, sorrow flickering in her eyes.
"...Long story. I'll tell you sometime."
Pain laced her voice. I dropped it.
We pressed on through the dark. Deeper in, the scenery shifted. Cloud floor hardened to rock. A black moon hung in the sky; temple silhouettes loomed afar.
Demon Realm... more normal than I thought?
Maybe 'cause I'm in Lady Bellona's arms. But less hellish than imagined—almost peaceful.
The red mist from Crimson Bind thickened; the red tips of my hair brightened too.
Suddenly, Miel fluttered frantically ahead. Her wings blazed blue, tracing odd patterns—like detecting something invisible.
Flap flap!
She flew more wildly, clearly uneasy.
"Miel, what's wrong?"
Lady Bellona eyed her curiously too.
"Your butterfly seems pretty anxious."
"Yeah... This flapping usually means a warning."
Miel's behavior was off. Info from Lady Solaris's sun? Or just scared of the Demon Realm?
Bellona shrugged.
"First time here—needs time to adjust. You'll be fine soon."
In the distant dark, a massive Gothic castle emerged. Towering spires and pointed windows cast a grand silhouette under the black moon.
"That's my temple~"
Pride colored her voice. Dark and imposing, yet elegant and alluring—like Bellona herself.
"Whoa... so cool!"
"Almost there. Rest up, and we'll talk plans."
Hope bloomed. Things were going better than expected. Demon Realm seemed okay.
But Miel's weirdness nagged. She kept fluttering anxiously, "talking" to her invisible sun.