Chapter 388
Chapter 388
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 388
Chapter Title: Demon Realm (3)
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The Demon Realm—a land of endless strife, where violence and war never ceased.
Yet, despite its infamous reputation, it was still one of the worlds where intelligent beings had built civilizations and societies of their own.
Even if wars had raged for centuries, not every corner could be a perpetual battlefield. Most regions maintained their own systems and rules, preserving some semblance of society.
"What the hell, you punk? I'll kill you!"
"Bring it on! This time, I'll finish you for good!"
"Ooh! A fight? Hey, someone's set up a betting ring here!"
"Kelrok! Show 'em what you've got! Uphold the pride of the Marang tribe!"
Though from the perspective of other intelligent species, their society might seem utterly twisted, it was still a part of their culture.
In truth, given the Demon Realm's environment saturated with negative energy, it wasn't all that strange for its demonic inhabitants to lean toward violence.
"Quite the lively sight, isn't it? This is all thanks to 'Dark Nest' gaining the upper hand, raising hopes that the long-standing war is finally nearing its end. Ah! Of course, it's also thanks to the Coatl House claiming its share."
The Doberman-headed demon guiding Hella inward glanced at the commotion on the roadside and remarked casually.
His response suggested it was just the usual daily scenery—nothing more.
...Is it really okay to just brush that off as 'lively'?
A crowd surrounded them, with two demons at the center now trading blows.
Neither seemed particularly high-level, but the ferocity of their fight was impossible to ignore.
"Die!"
"Kill him! Kill! Kill!"
"What are you doing, Kelrok? Rip him apart and finish him!"
Both sides were going all out to destroy each other's flesh.
Sprays of blood and chunks of meat flew from their genuine killing blows, while the crowd cheered wildly at the spectacle.
For demons, regeneration must be such a common ability... They fight so brutally.
Was this what they called a cultural difference?
The fact that such brawls erupted openly in the middle of the street made the infamous brutality of the Demon Realm feel all too real.
Especially since they didn't even need to eat as long as they had mana—they were living weapons born purely for battle.
"We've arrived. Please, this way."
Hella's absorption with the Demon Realm's reality she had only heard about in stories was short-lived.
Following the guide, she soon reached a massive mansion at the heart of the fortress.
True to the prior notice, someone was already waiting at the main gate to greet them.
"Krhng—! Welcome. I am Dalrun, the lord of this fortress."
The fortress lord himself—the highest authority here—had come out personally.
It was hospitality fit for royalty.
To bow this low just because of the Coatl name... At this point, they're practically vassals.
Hella masked her expression with haughty composure, quickly assessing the situation.
It seemed this group had swiftly aligned with 'Dark Nest'—the faction the Coatl House belonged to—right after the battlefield balance tipped.
As she followed the welcoming lord into the mansion,
the boar-headed demon Dalrun kept sniffing roughly, then frowned slightly and lowered his voice.
"Krhng! That said, I didn't expect anyone from Coatl to show up unannounced like this... Especially someone I've never seen before. Did the previous zone manager have something urgent come up? Seeing you here in their place instead."
True to his position, the lord maintained propriety without groveling excessively—an impressive display.
Unlike his subordinates, who had been too swept up in the chaos, he had immediately picked up on the suspicious elements and was probing subtly.
Not bad. Well, Dalrun here is a noble-grade demon himself.
He had rushed to prepare and greet what he thought was a member of the next hegemonic power, only to face a complete stranger. It was a natural reaction.
Even if he was just a baron—the lowest rank among nobles—reaching that status in this merit-based hellhole proved his own capabilities.
Though to me, it's all the same.
In any case, there was one most efficient and certain way to handle this situation.
"Heh, are you asking why I'm here?"
"Huh? No, I mean..."
Crushing them with sheer power.
This was the Demon Realm, a land rife with violence and coercion.
A subtle pressure began to seep from Hella's body.
"......!"
Before Lord Dalrun could speak, an overwhelming force instantly dominated his surroundings, baring its fangs.
Mana far beyond what a mere baron demon could touch brazenly crushed all doubts and suspicions.
Gulp—
The lord swallowed hard.
His body stiffened, his face paling beneath the boar fur.
"Ah, right. Getting antsy just standing there obediently, huh? Like you could squash this wench if you really wanted, but you're forced to play along?"
"N-No... That's not..."
Forced topic shifts, blatant power displays.
A displeased frown, crossed arms, a slight head tilt with hair cascading down.
The epitome of a tyrannical boss.
"Then what is it? Are you saying I shouldn't have come here? Huh? That's what you mean, right?"
"...No, my apologies. I spoke out of turn."
In the end, Dalrun had no choice but to shut his mouth.
He hadn't really done anything wrong, but there was no helping it.
In the Demon Realm, voicing opinions without power was a capital offense worthy of death.
At least viscount-level, maybe higher. Where did this monster come from...? Is she really with Coatl? Unless they pulled back key forces from the front lines now that they have breathing room...
A storm of thoughts swirled in his mind.
From soothing the fury of the mysterious powerhouse beside him to worries about the worst outcomes if he complied with her demands.
The absolute worst would be if she's from another faction. The battle's been decided long ago. If we side with another faction now and Dark Nest retaliates...
It would just be a matter of dying now or later—no future left for him.
A dead-end dilemma.
For now, play along. Then secretly contact Dark Nest, explain the situation properly—might even turn this into merit...
Dalrun racked his brains for an escape.
Unlike his brutish appearance, he was a demon who preferred schemes over blind force.
Crisis was opportunity—if handled right—
"Pfft."
Then.
A soft chuckle leaked from beside him.
No need to say who it came from.
"Why so tense? Just kidding, kidding."
"Ah, haha... I see. You startled me there."
"Hehe, fun, right?"
A truly lame joke.
But he lacked the guts to say it honestly.
It hadn't been a real joke to begin with.
"...This is our fortress's reception hall. We can discuss the details more comfortably inside..."
"Eh, this'll do. Quiet, no interruptions. Perfect."
"Pardon?"
As he struggled to compose himself, another baffling remark slipped out.
And it wasn't just words.
Shaaa—
"What...!"
The atmosphere shifted.
He whipped his head toward the suspicious guest beside him, but his body froze solid.
Not by his own will.
Ugh, my eyes...?
Her eyes had changed.
From ordinary beautiful ones to reverse eyes with ruby pupils gleaming in black sclera.
And he was captivated, unable to tear his gaze from that pair.
"Relax. Resistance is pointless anyway, so let's keep it comfy? We've got a long way to go."
Her horns had changed shape too, but he had no time to examine them closely.
His mind was already sucked deep into those red pupils, trapped in inescapable quicksand.
"Good, good boy, Dalrun. First, summon the fortress's top brass one by one? I'm not used to handling them all at once yet."
"...Yes. As my master commands."
⚡ SKILL ACTIVATED ⚡ Eyes of Domination Dalrun, enthralled by the Eyes of Domination, replied obediently. Hella smiled contentedly and patted his sturdy shoulder.
Who would've thought she'd get a private audience with the fortress lord this easily?
Subjugating a high demon still required significant constraints and time, so an undisturbed environment was a huge boon.
No need to worry if the underlings don't come along. I can supply as many as needed right here.
Local sourcing, straight from the source.
This was the demons' homeworld, the Demon Realm.
A world overflowing with talent fit to serve the Demon King.
Demons grow stronger in the Demon Realm, so their mental resistance will be higher too—but the same goes for me. The more I use it, the more proficiency I'll gain.
Moreover, the Eyes of Domination she used on them wasn't mere mental manipulation.
It was part of the Demon King's authority to command their legions.
In other words, this subjugation was a legitimate ritual procedure.
First, confirm this place's exact location... Then contact the others. I gave them instructions, but are they following through? So much to do.
Any issues in the Demon Realm were nine times out of ten tied to 'Dark Nest' at the center of the turmoil.
Tracking their movements was the shortcut to the source.
"Lord? Why did you summon me so suddenly...?"
"Come in first. As you know, we have an important guest, so mind your manners."
Then, voices—Dalrun's and the Doberman's—from outside the reception hall.
Apparently, he was the security chief or similar high position.
Hella beamed at them as they entered through the slowly opening door.
At the same time, her ruby eyes blazed red.
The more tasks ahead, the more essential a force becomes.
It was a lesson learned from countless experiences.
Even in this unfamiliar land, solo efforts had limits.
First, swallow this fortress whole.
And after that—.
Thus, a new Demon King faction no one anticipated
quietly and rapidly took root in a corner of the Demon Realm.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ The rear region of the Demon Realm occupied by Dark Nest.
"What the—Ken? Why are you back already?"
"Hm? Ah, Lucy Coatl."
"'Ah'? Explain properly first! Why are you back so soon? Do you know how much it costs to cross the dimensional barrier to the Demon Realm even once? You completed the mission, right?"
Miyamoto Ken's brow furrowed at the shrill woman's nagging voice.
Even if she was the zone manager, jumping straight to scolding upon meeting was too much.
She was just so unlikable.
Tch. If she even resembled Lady Hella's toenail, suitors would line up.
But that was impossible.
How could anyone match that perfect idol, worthy of being called a goddess incarnate?
Aouterica lacked any true goddesses, but Ken was certain his new master was most deserving.
"Are you listening? I sent you because you begged to go, and if you come back empty-handed, even the higher-ups won't let it slide..."
"Don't worry. I got decent results."
"...Huh? For real?"
Ken shot a glance at wide-eyed Lucy Coatl and pulled an item from his bosom.
A pitch-black, jagged polyhedron gem like a starburst.
"The essence of a marquis-grade demon who fell during the 14th Demon King's invasion."
"...Gah, it really is?!"
The mission for those dispatched to the continent, including Ken, was simple.
Recover as many Demon Realm items scattered across the surface world as possible.
Of course, "anything" had varying expectations based on quality.
"No way—this was still on the continent? How'd you manage that? Raid a dragon's lair or something?"
"Hah! Wasn't easy."
"Hmm, trade secret? Whatever. With this haul, you've got bragging rights."
The minimum requirement to challenge the Demon King's throne was duke status.
There were only four in the current Demon Realm—the faction leaders and true rulers of the divided territories.
Marquis-grade were the tier just below, aces on any battlefield.
And if it's from one who died in the last continental invasion...
The karma bound to it would be immeasurable.
Ken was confident.
Unless someone recovered the 14th Demon King's remains or the succubus queen's essence, no one would return with greater spoils.
...Yes, I must live up to the expectations of entrusting this to me.
Eyes gleaming, he watched Lucy inspect the essence in awe.
He wanted to bolt right now and present it to his master, but he had to hold back for her orders.
She had personally bestowed this treasure for that very purpose.
"Lucy Coatl, this should count as ample merit, right?"
"Mm, yeah. Can't deny it. You could cross to the continent ten more times and no one would complain."
"Then what are you waiting for? Lead the way."
"Huh? What?"
Chin raised defiantly, Ken pocketed the essence and declared boldly.
"I need to see Duke Dragon. I'll present this magic stone to him personally."
Fanatical flames burned in his eyes.
Lucy tilted her head—had his loyalty always been this intense?—but nodded, accepting it.
With merits like that, his demand was reasonable.
All for Lady Hella.
Of course, had she known where his faith truly lay, she never would've agreed so easily.
Even if it means burning this body to ash.
The zealot with steely resolve infiltrated the heart of heresy.