Chapter 6
Chapter 6
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Demon Realm # 5
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"What an unusual child."
A child with such a peculiar personality.
Duchess Kerasis, the great duchess of the Demon Realm, had laid countless eggs and raised just as many children over the years, but this was the first time she'd encountered one with this kind of vibe.
All her children followed her blindly.
The five dukes of the Demon Realm. She held one of those seats because she had children willing to throw their lives away for her sake.
Of course, Duchess Kerasis was strong even without her children. She was one of the strongest in the Demon Realm. But raw strength alone wasn't enough to divide and rule the Demon Realm as one of its dukes.
Absolute power was necessary, but so was something that transcended it.
"Hmm."
The blind loyalty of her children.
She didn't sense that kind of devotion from the boy named Qlus. What was going on? Was it because he was a failure?
More than that.
"Where on earth did that personality come from?"
It was utterly alien.
"Curious as I am."
It piqued the interest of the great duchess.
"I can't do anything cruel to my beloved child."
She had no intention of grabbing him for interrogation or dissection to probe further. He was still her lovable son. They'd only just met for the first time, but that bond never changed.
They'd even had a pleasant chat. With the ritual requiring his participation anyway, she wouldn't resort to such measures.
"I wonder if he'll do alright."
Thinking of her son dying in the Middle Realm made her heart ache. The duchess clutched her chest, feeling that sorrow. She'd lived so long her emotions had dulled... but denying the pain would be a lie.
"Poor thing."
His face was new to her today, and affection played no part, yet how could sending off a child like this not hurt?
But.
That was all.
She loved her children. It grieved her to see them die. Yet she wouldn't reverse her decision for it.
Even now, among her countless offspring, those in the slave class toiled mercilessly, but the duchess didn't free them. Recalling her children living as slaves pained her heart, but nothing more.
Likewise, countless children died in desperate battles against Great Heaven's angels on the Demon Realm's front lines, and that hurt too—but there was no helping it.
It was simply what had to be done.
To the duchess, her children were such beings.
Tools used by utility, living to carry out her commands until their end. She felt pity, but never halted it.
Of course, even the duchess found her own mindset a touch puzzling.
"If I bore a real child, would it feel different?"
She lowered her gaze to her lower belly.
—Swish.
And stroked it gently.
"Hmm..."
If she truly conceived from another being's seed... might it feel different? But it never had. Duchess Kerasis had never once accepted a male's seed.
"The Descent Festival."
An antiquated ritual no demon took seriously anymore. One stripped of meaning, used only for other ends.
In ages past, Great Demon King Ozvalka Phallos had invaded the Middle Realm alone, subjugating, ruling, and reigning over that world.
The demons who seized the Middle Realm shone brighter and grew stronger than ever.
Praying for such a being to return, demons held the Descent Festival and performed the ritual.
"..."
Her body grew hot.
"Haa... haa..."
Could such a great existence appear again?
If a true Demon King descended to the Middle Realm... yes. A demon like that would make a fine husband.
"Hehehe."
The thought made her flush a little.
She was a demon too—a cruel, mighty, ruthless lord of the Demon Realm. Yet "Great Demon King" stirred something deep in her chest. From girlhood, long ago, she'd yearned for one.
"Haa..."
Of course, it wouldn't happen.
No demon had ever yielded real results across countless festivals. That's why it became a relic. No gains meant inevitable decline. Now it served other purposes over praying for a Demon King's descent.
"The Demon Realm will decline too."
Great Heaven's angels, fully united under the Holy Angel King, their absolute sovereign. Demons, splintered after their Great Demon King's death, squabbling among kin.
For the Demon Realm to endure, a Demon King must arise.
Everyone knew it, yet the ritual meant to summon one languished like this. Only a sigh escaped her.
"...Shall I turn in early tonight?"
—Fwoosh.
With a gesture into the air, a sinister gate materialized. Rising from her throne, the duchess stepped through to her bedchamber.
—A space shrouded in pure darkness.
Before she knew it, the duchess stood nude.
Breasts swollen fit to burst, a cinched waist. Vast hips and buttocks in stark contrast—seductive, maternal, sensually ripe in every curve. A body to drive any onlooker's lust to madness, proof she mothered legions.
Not even darkness could veil her beauty. She climbed onto the bed, reclined against the headboard, and parted her legs slightly.
"Haa... haa... Eut, uuung..."
Time to lay her eggs.
The sole respite for the Demon Realm's ruthless duchess.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Crazy bitch...!"
Despair!
"Psycho bitch!"
Only curses spilled out!
"Cruel...! Brutal! She's treating me like a pet she's putting down!"
The duchess had gazed at me with gentle tones, calling it regrettable, her heart aching, speaking with true sorrow—but that was the psychotic part!
What mother in the world coos sweetly to her child while plotting their death!
Crazy fuckers!
Truly insane!
Demons were crazy to begin with, and the one clutching ultimate power? Bound to be deranged!
"You demon scum...!"
I'd hated them since reincarnating! I loathe you all! Can't forgive a damn thing!
I'm fucked! Totally fucked!
"Kuhk...!"
No cap—I've got jack shit, and now I'm headed to the Middle Realm to play Demon King against my will!
If they hadn't played nice, pretending to be mom, I never imagined the cold shit she'd spew! That stings worse!!!
"Someone save me...!"
No escaping. I'd scraped by nearly ten years in the Demon Realm—flight was impossible. Had to descend to the Middle Realm, no two ways.
Injustice driving me mad, but that's the weak's lot. Can't defy it.
"Gotta make it work somehow."
Still.
She'd dropped hopeful words at the end.
"If you achieve results... you can return."
The duchess said it plain. Show promise in the Middle Realm, and she'd sneak me back.
Honestly, returning to this madhouse Demon Realm felt off, but ten years here made it home.
You know that army night march vibe? Barracks peek into view on return, and bam—home sweet home. Exactly.
Dying in the Middle Realm beat it by a hundredfold. I'm a demon anyway. Fish gotta swim; demons gotta Demon Realm.
"To pull that off... survive at all costs!"
Down to the Middle Realm, bust ass as Demon King or whatever!
Honestly, Demon King felt like overreach. Squad leader? Mid-captain? Maybe. Demon King? Way too steep.
"No choice though."
For survival, anything goes.
"Information."
Gotta gather intel, whatever it takes.
That's my lifeline.
No whining in despair. That's death sentence. Can't croak like this...! Died unjustly over bullshit, reincarnated—not ending up the same!
"...!"
Luckily, palace stay approved. Ritual confirmed, so duchess's clout works for me. Ask, and they'll grumble but answer.
"But what the hell does a Demon King even do?"
Clueless. Total blank.
First up: scope the Demon King Descent Festival. How's it run? Recognition criteria? And me, demon Qlus—how to amp demonic power, combat strength...
"You there."
Lost in thought, someone called.
A female demon with stylish horns. Beauty hit for a sec, but fresh off duchess audience? Just average.
Still... stunning.
"Mother Duchess's orders. I'll guide you."
"Yes."
Here to escort, huh?
Better follow.