Humans and Elves (2)
Miguel LaMancha hadn't heard about the Demon King Army's invasion because he was stationed on the front lines near the Geheena region of the demon realm, where no external communications could reach. Long-range communication magic was completely banned due to the ominous energy flowing from Geheena's ley lines. Messengers had to deliver news on foot.
By the time a herald from the Holy Empire broke through demons and monsters to inform Miguel of Sabnack's invasion, the Raging Flames Demon King had already been subjugated by Yushin.
"The front lines bordering Geheena... that must be a living hell with the worst survival rates."
"Someone has to do it."
Miguel replied to Yushin's words. Someone had to shoulder that burden. And if so, he would be the one. The noble hero with unwavering pride believed that if his sacrifice brought peace and safety to countless others, that was enough.
"Lucy Vampir is trying to regroup the scattered forces after Agares's death."
"Agares's forces?"
"To wage war against the Holy Empire! The vampire queen craves even more blood. She's starting a war for it."
With the death of the Tyranny Demon King, Agares, the war between the Holy Empire and the Demon King Army had been put on indefinite hold. His Tyranny Power had vanished. The forces who served Agares only because of that power lost their purpose and disbanded upon his death.
Only his closest retainers mourned Agares's passing. Most subordinates deeply resented him for forcibly sacrificing them and their kin under the guise of compulsion. In fact, they were probably grateful to the Diablo Slayer who had slain him and freed them from the Tyranny Power.
"Even Agares couldn't topple the Holy Empire. No way a newbie Demon King can. Even if she got the power, she can't wield it as freely as he did."
"The vampire queen, Lucy Vampir, is a demon of exceptional cunning. She's not only subjugated the orc legions using her kin but has deeply infiltrated the demon realm's power structure, forging alliances with numerous archdemons."
"If she snatched the Tyranny Demon Core in a hellish arena like that, she's no ordinary player."
Yushin nodded at Miguel's words. Lucy Vampir. He committed the name to memory. If the Holy Empire somehow fell to this new Demon King in the worst-case scenario, he might have no choice but to step in.
"Darjeeling, my lord."
The elf maid placed a cup of fragrant Darjeeling on the table with a soft clink. Ardena reached for her teacup first, followed by Yushin and Miguel, who moistened their throats.
"You know quite a bit."
"Being on the front lines near the demon realm let me gather a lot of intel. The Holy Empire is probably already formulating countermeasures against the new Tyranny Demon King based on similar information."
"Who would've thought a vampire would claim the Tyranny Power. Vampires are just mid-to-low tier in the demon realm teeming with all sorts of races."
Vampires excelled only in enchantment and illusion magic; they lacked raw power or unique abilities. In demon society, which worshipped strength, they were relegated to the fringes of power.
For such vampires to succeed Agares as the Tyranny Demon King was an unprecedented upheaval, even for the demons.
Vermut's intel matches this mostly. He mentioned an Another One among Agares's retainers. Seems like the vampires becoming the new Demon King has thrown them into chaos too.
The emergence of the vampire queen was sure to be a major turning point in the power struggle between the Holy Empire and the Demon King Army. An unpleasant unease settled in.
* * *
Miguel delivered all the news and departed Valencia Castle. Ardena and Yushin were left alone in the drawing room.
Ardena cleared her throat repeatedly, sending Yushin silent signals. It was time to fulfill her promise to wear the academy uniform—her embarrassing request.
Asking her to don the academy uniform was surely a prelude to sex afterward. She'd heard men got aroused by "uniforms." He must crave ravishing her in that outfit. No doubt.
So sneaky... Who knew he'd crave me in a uniform so badly. It's hardly honorable, but I can't break a promise.
The high elf beauty glanced at Yushin, flushed with shy excitement. He desired her fiercely. Since their first time in Valencia Forest, another chance had come. This could make them official lovers. Ardena brimmed with strong anticipation, suppressing her eager heart as she awaited the next round.
If Ileina saw this, she'd probably call it "a desperate old maid's pathetic bid to snag a marriage."
"Oppa, whatcha doing here?"
The drawing room door opened. A blue-haired swordswoman poked her head in. Allen's arrival twisted Ardena's face into a scowl. Of all the timings.
That beastly instinct of hers? Allen always ruined the mood whenever Ardena tried to set it. She showed clear displeasure but didn't voice it. A mere "little sister"—a virgin spinster—couldn't shake her position.
I've shared my body with Yushin. We're not official yet, but I took his first time. I'm the Diablo Slayer's first woman.
Allen Rocksfield, you're unfit to be the Diablo Slayer's mate. Fix that lacking refinement and scatterbrained head first. After a century of training, you might pass as human.
Similarly, Allen shot Ardena a glare and smirked.
Oppa's first was me! You 320-year-old spinster, who you glaring at? Suck on your fingers quietly for life. Wonder if your pussy's webbed up yet.
She sneered at Ardena's overly proper, passive ways. Allen brimmed with confidence, thanks to their first time in some nameless motel. Still dizzying and embarrassing, but beating her rival high elf felt exhilarating.
Dumb high elf. Doofy long ears. While you're playing coy, I've already made oppa my man.
Allen Rocksfield. Stay a virgin forever.
Long-ears, you'll go to your grave with that 320-year hymen intact.
Ardena and Allen glared, cursing each other to die old virgins. Yushin, stuck between them, shuddered— if they learned he'd slept with both, he'd be murdered.
"Lady Ardena."
An elf maid entered the suffocatingly tense drawing room. She addressed Ardena.
"Lady Alonne has returned."
"Got it."
Recalling her sister pouting about going to the academy without her master, Ardena rose from the sofa to greet her personally. She called to Yushin.
"Yushin, come with me."
"Sure. Gotta praise my disciple for going alone like a big girl. She's tough—back in middle school, I'd sing about hating school."
At Ardena's call, Yushin stood. Allen followed suit, trailing Yushin.
Virgin.
V-card sticker.
Even as they headed out, Ardena and Allen glared, trading insults.
* * *
A headless torso had two choices: die with its lost head or find a new one. The tail had to decide between honorable death or ignoble survival.
"So, wanna follow us?"
"Choose wisely. This is your last warning."
"Don't play hard to get—grab the hand we're offering!"
The vampire queen's three daughters giggled flirtatiously, mocking Agares's former retainers with coercive invitations. Invitations? More like demands.
The vampires who seized the Demon King Castle after his death summoned the scattered retainers and ordered them to serve the new Demon King.
"I want revenge for Lord Agares!"
A female demon with snake-like black scales shouted in fury. Others nodded in agreement. Revenge on the Diablo Slayer—the coward who raided the castle in their absence and slew the Tyranny Demon King. They'd make him pay, they roared.
"If you take me as your retainer, I'll pledge unwavering loyalty!"
"Same here!"
While some cried for vengeance, the shrewd and calculating ones begged to join the new Demon King Army's elite under the vampire queen.
"Why's there a human?"
"Marishka, remember? One of the retainers is an Another One."
"Mother said we must recruit him."
The three daughters eyed a man with keen interest, clinging to him. Shockingly, he was human. Not just any human—he wore a short-sleeved shirt exposing his red Stigmata like a boast.
The man had razor-sharp eyes. A natural-born fighter. Proof? He stayed calm even surrounded by the vampire sisters.
He exhaled, pulling a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it with a crude match.
"What do you want? Revenge? Power?"
Eldest daughter Marishka asked. He chewed the cigarette before speaking.
"Revenge? You lot cling to used condoms? Once you're done shooting your load, you toss 'em. Natural."
"What...?"
The sisters froze at the abrupt vulgarity. Condom? What? Unlike their bewilderment, Agares's retainers raged.
"Druin! You bastard!!"
A burly, hot-tempered demon lumbered toward the man called Druin, fists ready. Druin just smirked, unmoved. He exhaled smoke, dropped the spent cigarette, and crushed it underfoot.
"Power? Nah. Born with a dick, can't swear loyalty to pussy. Prefer missionary—don't like 'em on top."
Druin chuckled. His coat flared, revealing dual sword hilts at his waist. A dual-wielder. A master swordsman who spun twin blades with flair. As proof of his skill, the burly demon who seemed ready to charge backed away.
"Revenge or power, your call. New throne's taken. I'm outta here."
The man turned to leave. The sisters bared fangs to rip his throat for insulting their mother, but instinct stayed them. Too dangerous. Not prey worth eating—he'd bite first. Sensing peril, they warned of future reckoning and slunk back like defeated dogs.