Chapter 416
Chapter 416
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 416
Chapter Title: Calling the Demon Kings
-----------------------------------------------------------------
The plains were dyed red.
Demons clad in bright red garments, their faces caked in heavy makeup.
Even without revealing their demonic energy or declaring their allegiance, it was clear where they hailed from.
Beljerion muttered in a growling voice.
"You've brought quite the crowd."
A number too vast to take in at a glance.
They had dragged along at least a legion's worth, as if explaining why they were late.
We had a lot to prepare.We planned to crush you.
Beljerion's gaze flicked toward Soo-hyuk and the Heavenly Demon.
'Will they be of any help?'
Demons who claimed no affiliation with the Three Great Ones.
Even Beljerion, well-versed in demonic politics, didn't recognize them. Their role would be crucial in the battle ahead.
Of course, he had no intention of pinning all his hopes on them.
Beljerion leaped down from the rooftop.
The demons of Lust drew closer to the temple. Beljerion approached them and asked,
"How did you even find this remote place?"
He showed no fear before the tens of thousands of demons.
No.
Rather, he unleashed his own demonic energy to intimidate them.
Gooooh—.
"Did you all come here begging to die?"
No matter that they were sent by a Demon King, he couldn't afford to yield in power or presence.
Here, he was the king. If any unruly guests acted out, he needed to crush their skulls without hesitation.
All the more so if they led an army.
Craaaack—.
The temple grounds split open, and from the fissures, a crimson energy like molten lava surged upward.
As Beljerion bared his demonic energy, the Lust demons—who had grown bold from their numbers—faltered.
Surely they wouldn't dare?
Thud—!
Beljerion's demonic energy spread outward, crushing the bodies of nearby demons.
Their forms crumpled and flattened like ground meat. He reached toward those barely holding their ground and snapped their necks with ease.
Just as the massacre was about to begin.
"Enough."
A seductive voice rang out from among the demons.
Beljerion, on the verge of severing another neck, released his grip. He turned to the beautiful woman approaching him.
She was a demon so stunning that anyone would fall for her at first sight. But Beljerion knew those looks hid venomous thorns.
Etasian, commander of the Lust demons.
That was her true identity.
"Your temper is as fiery as ever."
"These vermin didn't recognize me, so it's only natural."
"Our underlings are a bit dim by nature. Please understand."
She showed no agitation or anger at her subordinates' deaths. Nor did she seem inclined to make an issue of it.
The Lust Demon King's army treated subordinates even more expendably than Sloth or Greed did. If one died, it was because they were weak—that was their creed.
Beljerion knew this full well. That's why he had acted so boldly.
"Didn't you bring these fools along?"
"What choice did I have when His Majesty commanded it? I wanted to come alone."
"Commanded? For what?"
"Don't play dumb. It's the Demon God Stone, of course. He wouldn't let Sloth or Greed have it— you've been stirring up quite the fuss."
Etasian sighed deeply and shook her head.
"Anyway, we have to take the Demon God Stone back with us. You understand, right?"
"I'm all for a deal."
"A deal? Oh, come on, don't joke. We don't do that sort of thing."
"Then no choice."
Beljerion didn't back down.
"We'll have to go to war."
As he pushed back hard, Etasian couldn't budge easily.
Among all the demon commanders, Beljerion was the only one who had ever challenged a Demon King. Even Etasian, a fellow commander, had to tread carefully around his strength.
But she couldn't just retreat like this.
And to make matters worse.
"Mind the order of arrival."
Gasgar, who had been lying on his sickbed, inserted himself into the chaos.
"You arrived last, yet you act like this? This is unacceptable."
"I heard you got trampled like a dog by some nobodies."
Gasgar's face twisted at Etasian's words.
How did she know that already?
The answer was obvious.
Somewhere in this temple, Lust had planted a spy.
"The losers were supposed to withdraw, weren't they? You have no claim to the Demon God Stone."
"This isn't a matter for you."
"What? You? A lowly upstart dares—"
"Enough."
Beljerion's voice rumbled low.
"I can't take this anymore."
Grind—.
His teeth gnashed. Beljerion finally snapped.
"Every last one of you—I'll kill you all."
If his earlier kills had been calculated, this rage was genuine.
These damned fools dared to mock him right to his face?
A true fury, long forgotten over the ages, began to creep up. He wanted to slaughter them all without a thought for the consequences.
Quaaake—.
The ground split as Beljerion stepped forward.
Gasgar, who had been brimming with confidence moments ago, went pale.
Etasian, realizing things had gone awry, clicked her tongue and prepared to respond.
Just as Beljerion's demonic energy was about to herald the start of war.
"I have a good idea."
Soo-hyuk's voice cut between the two demons.
Step—.
He even strode right between the two demon commanders. At his audacious display, Beljerion and Etasian alike wore incredulous expressions.
Did he have multiple lives to spare?
And his next words would demand a hundred lives, not ten.
"If they want it so badly, tell them to come themselves."
"...What?"
"The Demon Kings. Tell them all to come in person. We'll settle it once and for all—who this land belongs to."
You, telling the Demon Kings to come themselves?
"Who the hell are you?"
"Does that matter?"
"What?"
"Stop acting so high and mighty. If you're scared, back off. Either way, if you lose like dogs here, the Demon Kings will come next, right?"
"You little—"
Clang—.
Etasian stared at the red blade pressed to her throat.
The Heavenly Demon Sword, poised there in an instant.
It had sliced through space, approaching at blinding speed to hover at her neck.
"And what's this?"
Etasian smirked wickedly.
Though Soo-hyuk's arrogance irked her, seeing this move made it all click.
So they took down a legion commander. Impressive skill indeed.
"Seems like the ones flapping their mouths carelessly are on your side."
"Me? What did I say?"
Lick. Etasian ran her tongue over her lips.
"You know, you're kind of my type? The looks, the vibe..."
It was a bewitching temptation no one could resist, even knowing she was a demon commander.
Her gaze and smile carried her unique power.
Most would fall for her utterly after a single exchange of glances, willing to rip out their own hearts.
"I'm not into weak, ugly bitches."
Crack—.
Etasian's face crumpled horribly. Veins throbbed on her forehead—she was furious.
And understandably so.
Weak. Ugly. Those were the two words anyone asking her pet peeves would hear first.
Yet he'd nailed both in one go.
"Now, now, let's not fight anymore. Demons gonna demon, always itching for a scrap."
The Heavenly Demon's gaze pierced him instantly.
Demons? Me?
Ignoring the look, Soo-hyuk continued.
"Back to what I was saying. If you want something here, tell your king to come himself. And you—"
Gasgar flinched under Soo-hyuk's stare.
"If you really want it, bring your king. The so-called King of Greed, sitting back hoping to get what he wants without lifting a finger?"
"How dare you..."
Grind.
Gasgar's retort died even shorter than Etasian's. Having tasted Soo-hyuk and the Heavenly Demon's power firsthand, he couldn't mouth off recklessly.
But beyond the frustration, this was an opportunity.
'I can make up for my failure.'
Having already lost to them and forfeited claim to the Demon God Stone, here was another chance.
Gasgar, quickest to calculate, spun on his heel.
"You'll regret that choice."
Flash—.
Gasgar vanished from the spot.
Once decided, he moved swiftly. No doubt he'd report everything to the King of Greed.
Forgetting the stone was one thing, but pride wouldn't let him stay silent.
"This just got interesting."
Etasian shot Beljerion a heated glare.
"Can I take that as your agreement?"
"And if it is?"
"Then all three Demon Kings will gather. This temple will be reduced to rubble."
Beljerion bared his white teeth in a grin at the prospect of the Three Great Ones uniting.
"Just what I hoped for."
He had challenged a Demon King before—unlike other demons, he harbored no fear of them.
At his confident reply, Etasian glanced back at the Heavenly Demon.
"See you later, handsome."
Etasian turned and gave a curt nod. The order to withdraw rippled through the Lust army.
"Better if we never meet again."
The Heavenly Demon called after her retreating form.
"I won't hold back next time."
"You're something else..."
Etasian trailed off and walked away.
The Lust army ebbed away like the tide. Watching them go, Beljerion asked,
"Are you really that confident?"
Soo-hyuk scoffed back.
"You did this banking only on us?"
"Hardly."
In truth, Beljerion had long anticipated a moment like this.
"We were bound to clash eventually. For my kingdom."
The temple was his fledgling nation. His goal was to build an empire rivaling the Demon Kings, centered here.
A clash that had to happen sooner or later.
If victory was slim anyway, now—with variables in play—was the perfect time.
"We've drawn in Greed and Lust. What about Sloth?"
"Once Greed and Lust move, Sloth will catch wind. If they make it a three-way war, fine. If not, no helping it. Taking out two is still a win, isn't it?"
"I've never seen lunatics like you. Daring to summon the Demon Kings in one place."
"You're no slouch in the guts department yourself."
"Fair enough."
Beljerion's grin faded to a cold mask.
"If you're deceiving me, I'll tear you both apart."
"That won't happen."
For a moment, it seemed he'd say something like we'd never deceive you.
"Because even you couldn't do a damn thing about it."
Beljerion's eyes widened at Soo-hyuk's words.
But despite the insolence, he didn't snap back. No need.
With a snort, Beljerion turned toward the temple.
'Doesn't matter.'
He was resolved to exploit this situation.
Suspicious bunch, but their strength was undeniable.
So.
'Fight among yourselves and drop dead.'