Thwak!
Sharp ice crystals shone brilliantly as they shot forth. The chill spread in all directions at the same time.
Swish!
Blue leaves began to swirl around. The scene looked as though ice fireworks had exploded everywhere, and the chill fiercely surged toward the God of Hatred, who stood his ground.
The God of Hatred immediately summoned mana.
Zing!
However, some ice shards grazed and left cuts on his skin. As blood trickled from the God of Hatred’s body, a brief silence followed.
Ezekiel spat out a short reply.
“…Is this enough?”
Of course, there was a reason for acting this way.
“The demons are incredibly strong. The odds aren’t in my favor.”
Thus, he chose to attack instead and waited for a fleeting moment. A direct confrontation with the demons was still too risky. It could be seen as a bit of a trick.
But fortunately, it seemed effective.
“…Did I cut him? A chill that even freezes mana?”
The God of Hatred muttered in disbelief.
Mana inherently has a property of erosion.
It clings thickly to inanimate objects and seeps slowly into living things, consuming them. It colors everything it touches in its hue, making it dangerous.
This made it advantageous against elements.
Elements that absorb mana become eroded and murky, unable to demonstrate their full power. This was the reason why demons held the upper hand against mages.
However.
Despite that, the God of Hatred’s skin was cut.
Ezekiel’s chill froze the mana.
“…This is a property I’ve never seen before.”
The God of Hatred muttered in disbelief.
“I cannot believe a mere human’s existence….”
Surprisingly, the God of Hatred quickly acknowledged this.
But Ezekiel still felt an overwhelming aura. The God of Hatred did not sincerely acknowledge Ezekiel. He had seemingly changed his thoughts a little.
It was then that the Demon Lord spoke.
“I knew it would come to this. Ice Ghost, let me explain. The newly appointed demons mostly don’t know you.”
Instantly, silence descended.
As the Demon Lord’s voice echoed, all demons held their breath.
“I just confirmed your incredible abilities once again. You’re even more remarkable than before. But, that’s why…”
The corners of Demon Lord Valetta’s mouth curled into an arc.
“…I don’t fear the continent at all.”
Ezekiel quietly listened to her words for now.
“I can feel the essence of Sun Elixir from your body that wasn’t there before. What does that mean? It means the Emperor has the highest expectations of you.”
“…”
“The Demon Realm has completed a generational shift since the demons were slaughtered. With new successors overflowing, conspicuously, no one else from the continent seems to match your caliber. The cycle is broken.”
Valetta smiled with satisfaction.
Though intrigued by Ezekiel’s strength, she also seemed glad that he was the strongest in the continent.
“The words themselves are true.”
Ezekiel had to acknowledge that.
Now and in the past, the Emperor had been handling various affairs through Ezekiel. Simply put, no other powerful weapon had been born since him.
While the Demon Realm continuously produced remarkable successors, the continent still had the previous stronghold hold onto their positions.
It was only natural that the continent was disadvantaged.
But….
Ezekiel glared menacingly at the Demon Lord.
Crack!
His teeth clenched involuntarily.
Even though he tried to remain calm, it wasn’t easy. Each time he heard the Demon Lord’s voice, anger welled up from deep within.
Ezekiel had many enemies, but the most hated was the Demon Lord. She was the one who ignited the war and caused countless suffering.
“I truly cannot understand.”
Meanwhile, the Demon Lord shook her head.
“When we last fought the continent, the ones who suffered greater losses were us, the Demon Realm. The Empire is enjoying a semblance of peace now, isn’t it?”
Valetta continued with a sly smile.
“So, I wonder, what exactly makes you uncomfortable enough to glare at me? Leave the past in the past, Ice Ghost.”
Ezekiel had no choice but to steady his breath.
Each word the Demon Lord spat twisted his insides, but he had to endure it. Acting rashly wouldn’t yield beneficial results.
“Let’s only think about the Sun Elixir.”
Repeating this in his mind, he regained his composure.
Pretending to fit well into the Demon Realm while gathering precious information would surely increase the amount of Sun Elixir he received upon returning to the continent.
That was why he desperately restrained himself.
“Ice Ghost. Now, let’s loosen our anger and chat for a bit since we coincidentally met again.”
Valetta spoke with her deep voice.
“Okay, is showing my true self a matter of courtesy?”
At the same time, the atmosphere in the space shifted dramatically.
Thud!
It felt like his heart had plummeted.
“Hmmmm~”
The Demon Lord let out a languid voice, and those nearby found even breathing challenging. It took a great deal of effort to blink even once.
“It’s been a while since I revealed myself.”
A woman, shedding her old attire, began to walk.
The most striking features were the horns on either side of her head, distinctly different from draconic horns. They twisted like a ram’s horns.
On her gray skin, a translucent cloth barely covered her body, displaying almost everything. Only the key parts were slightly opaque.
Though her exposure was bold, it was far from vulgar. It showcased her supreme and lofty existence.
“…I see the true form of the Demon Lord.”
All the demons knelt on one knee in unison.
None dared to meet the Demon Lord’s gaze, but only Ezekiel observed Valetta’s face.
Her lips, as crimson as though she had just consumed someone’s blood. Skin that resembled a mysterious blend of gray and white.
Her eyes, tinged with chaos, held darkness itself, while her black hair, smooth as if combed with shadow, was topped with a golden crown.
That figure was truly, the embodiment of evil.
“…Demon Lord.”
The demons collectively praised.
Demon Lord Valetta.
A presence that sent shivers through the demon kind merely by existing, that was the Demon Lord of the Demon Realm.
“…Is she going to make an unreasonable demand of me?”
Ezekiel thought inwardly.
Though Valetta claimed to show her true self for courtesy, Ezekiel knew better. She was trying to establish an overwhelming presence.
He still couldn’t grasp the reason.
He could only speculate that it was for an unreasonable demand.
“Now, shall we speak face-to-face up close?”
Click-clack.
The sound of high heels rang.
An immense weight pressed down all around.
That was the reason no one could run against the Demon Lord. The moment one got caught within that pressure, they became unable to move as if their feet were glued to the ground.
Cold sweat trickled down the faces of the demons.
They understood better, as those who could wield mana. They knew how remarkable and unattainable this realm was.
Click-clack.
Finally, Valetta stopped in front of Ezekiel.
“…”
The demons, still kneeling, remained silent, their heads bowed as if they could barely lift them.
But Ezekiel was different.
He continued to face Valetta.
“Hmmmm~”
The Demon Lord let out a peculiar sound.
“You’re holding up well, Ezekiel. Just like that day.”
It was a provocation like no other, but Ezekiel maintained his composure.
“So, what do you wish to talk about?”
“It’s nothing much.”
The Demon Lord smiled faintly.
She neither looked down on nor belittled Ezekiel. It was more akin to how one would treat an intriguing creature.
“It seems you’re the Emperor’s only hope, so you’ve come to visit the Demon Realm. What expression will the Emperor make if you side with the Demon Realm? I’m curious.”
“…What, are you planning to torture me or something?”
“Of course not! You see me as a mere peasant?”
Valetta laughed as if it was ridiculous.
“As the bride of the Goddess, I came to the Demon Realm, passing the trial, and now I deserve a corresponding reward. Yes, I will only grant you a reward.”
“….”
“Bring it forth!”
Then shadows on the floor began to rise into human form and hurriedly transport something. One chest was large enough to be difficult for one person to lift.
At the same time, Ezekiel recalled Arcne’s words.
—The Demon Realm holds various mysteries.
He had thought it was merely one of those things to gain Ezekiel’s favor, but now he realized those words were true.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Chests continued to pour out.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
…It seemed there was no end in sight.
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