Chapter 675: Upon the Throne
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 675: Upon the Throne
"By the way, aside from the matters reported by the Underworld, there is one more adjustment I must make now that you are all here."
"What is it?"
"Bewitchment, you are to withdraw from the front lines for the time being. You need not participate in the siege of Dolonslei," Grand Duke Divine Will said.
"Why?"
Grand Duke of Bewitchment frowned slightly.
Though the front line was indeed a loathsome battlefield—and she hated nothing more than having filthy blood splatter onto her person—being absent when that stubborn shell of a fortress was finally cracked would significantly impact her share of the subsequent spoils.
"You were never suited for siege warfare to begin with. Therefore, I need you to find someone for me."
"Who?"
"That one."
Divine Will uttered those two words calmly.
Though such a vague reference might usually mean nothing, coming from the mouth of Grand Duke Divine Will, every Duke present immediately understood the implication.
"That one... escaped?"
"Yes. I underestimated her," Divine Will said, lowering his eyes. "I did not handle this matter perfectly. I apologize to you all."
"Even you cannot find her?"
"It is precisely because it is me that she is so difficult to find."
"Is that so?"
Grand Duke of Bewitchment rested her chin on a slender, porcelain hand, her pose inviting a thousand fantasies. "While this is indeed a matter of grave importance to the entire Demon Race, still..."
"Rest assured, your share will not be a single coin less. I swear it upon my name as Grand Duke Divine Will."
"Giggle... Oh, you make me feel so embarrassed. I am a contributor to the Demon Race as well; how could I let His Excellency Grand Duke Divine Will swear an oath so casually?"
The seductive silhouette rose gracefully from the phantom image constructed of fire, stretching languidly amidst the flickering shadows.
"In that case, I shall certainly do my utmost to fulfill this duty."
"Not your utmost—you must complete it. You understand her importance... Also, I hear a few rats have surfaced in the heart of the Abyss and are causing quite a stir. Deal with them as well."
"Fine, fine. You old fossils who have lived far too long certainly know how to work a girl to the bone."
The green ghost-fire flickered, and the phantom representing the Grand Duke of Bewitchment slowly dissipated.
"And what of the front lines?"
Grand Duke of the Dark Abyss asked:
"You demand we break the fortress in the shortest time possible, yet you withdraw one of our top combatants. Is this arrangement not somewhat contradictory?"
"Do not worry. I will have Collapse take Bewitchment's place. His strength is second only to mine; for the rest of you, this swap actually increases your total combat power."
"I despise the act of besieging," Grand Duke of Collapse said, his voice cold and concise. "I refuse."
"I am not asking you to join the siege..." Grand Duke Divine Will paused for a moment. "But merely to act as insurance."
"Insurance?"
"You all believe the Lion King's son coming to the Abyss is a trivial matter, but I do not share that sentiment."
Grand Duke Divine Will continued:
"While that son of the Lion King is not worth mentioning, I suspect at least one Imperial powerhouse has accompanied him into the Abyss. The Empire truly cannot divert its armies here right now, but they should still be capable of dispatching a single top-tier expert."
"Who?"
"I do not know; it is merely a suspicion." Grand Duke Divine Will shook his head. "Our intelligence regarding the Empire can only be obtained through the Kingdom's channels. It is indeed difficult to speculate on this front."
"Is that so?"
Grand Duke of Collapse pondered for a moment before saying:
"Very well. If this new powerhouse proves worthy of my blade, I will strike."
"I hope he is not worth your effort, and I hope all goes smoothly."
Grand Duke Divine Will let out another soft sigh.
"In that case, let us all strive together. I hope the day we see the light again is not far off..."
*
Grand Duke Divine Will opened his eyes.
The deathly silence and corruption of the Sea of Extinction were gone, as were the arrogance and clamor of the other Demon Dukes.
Wisps of incense rose leisurely from a purple-gold brazier, turning into white silk roads that stretched toward the ceiling covered in ten thousand strange patterns.
"Is this Chaluo Incense?"
"Yes, my Lord."
To his side, a red-skinned Demon maid bowed her head respectfully.
"It smells wonderful. I didn't expect that after all this time, I still haven't forgotten its scent." Grand Duke Divine Will carefully savored the unique fragrance—a scent that could never be found naturally in a place like the Abyss.
"It was presented by Lord Chi Nu Haza. He said it was a trophy from a human powerhouse he slew."
"Heh... To secure that position, he's certainly gone to great lengths with these little favors, even though he knows his hopes are slim."
Grand Duke Divine Will pushed himself up with his hands on his knees.
"Then let him try. With such a drive to climb, perhaps he truly can carve out a chance for himself."
"Yes. I shall go and inform Lord Chi Nu Haza immediately."
The Demon maid turned and left, appearing somewhat happy.
Grand Duke Divine Will shook his head, staring at the pure white smoke for a long time before finally rising. He picked up a nearby lantern and walked down another pitch-black passage.
As the first-ranked Grand Duke of the Demon Race, Divine Will did not possess the majesty or overbearing aura one would expect from his seniority and strength. His back was even slightly hunched, making him look like an ordinary human old man.
Only the small horns on his head and his crimson pupils betrayed his identity as a Demon.
He walked very slowly, each step landing precisely on his previous footprints, following this seemingly ordinary passage for a long time.
Finally, the view ahead opened up. The light of magic stones—extremely rare in the Abyss—spilled out, illuminating a massive space.
Grand Duke Divine Will extinguished the lantern and placed it carefully at the entrance for his return.
One must not be caught in the darkness; that was the rule of this passage, and even he did not dare to violate it lightly.
Grand Duke Divine Will continued forward along a path lined with numerous stone statues.
The statues were lifelike, as if they were real people, but their faces were contorted in agony—a frenzied struggle before death that left one breathless with dread.
Grand Duke Divine Will passed them and reached the very front.
Tiers of stairs extended upward, leading to the place where the light was brightest—
The Throne.
The throne, crafted from obsidian, resembled a massive crown woven from thorns.
It was not adorned with jewels, nor was it built upon a foundation of gold, yet it remained so majestic and solemn that one could not help but kneel.
"I have come, my King."
Grand Duke Divine Will knelt on one knee before the throne and called out softly to the figure upon it.
The light seemed to grow more piercing, illuminating the magnificent feather robe upon the throne.
The robe did not seem to be woven from any material of this era; from any angle, it shimmered with different colors.
These colors intertwined to construct an exquisitely lavish garment, but when viewed from the kneeling position below, this robe—symbolizing power and status—appeared only as a heart-stopping, vivid blood-red.
This was the King's raiment, the pinnacle of worldly luxury and the height of worldly majesty.
And within this raiment sat an existence to which even Grand Duke Divine Will had to bow his head—
A skeleton.
Indeed, it appeared to be nothing more than a skeleton.
The exposed bones were rendered even more pale by the contrast of the brilliant red feather robe. Only the pitch-black, deep eye sockets seemed as ancient as the darkness itself.
The skeleton reclined upon the throne, a hand that had turned entirely to bone propping up a non-existent cheek. It seemed to be gazing solemnly into the infinite distance, yet also seemed to be looking down flippantly at the person before it.
"Yes, she escaped," Grand Duke Divine Will said softly.
"It is only natural that she does not wish to accept this fate. But rest assured, I will bring her back."
"I will complete that matter as well. Everything is proceeding according to plan."
"Yes, yes... I have made all the preparations."
Grand Duke Divine Will finally looked up, a flash of fanaticism reflected in his clouded crimson eyes as he stared at the pale skeleton upon the throne.
"I shall remain here to welcome your return."