Whoosh─!
The Demon Lord Valetta tossed the orb high into the air, as if it were nothing significant to him.
Ezekiel moved quickly. He positioned himself right where the orb would land and snatched it up.
The Demon Lord gazed at Ezekiel with a look of interest, as if he had expected nothing less.
Ezekiel asked first.
“…Eternal life?”
“Indeed, it seems you can’t help but be curious. However, I haven’t spoken a lie. You will gain eternal life the moment you consume it.”
Ezekiel stared at the small red orb, noticing the dark crimson energy wriggling within, like a liquid.
Then it happened.
Thump, thump!
Someone began to thump Ezekiel’s heart. It was the elemental of the Sun Elixir.
For some reason, a girl’s image popped into his head. The girl was shaking her head vigorously.
‘Don’t eat it?’
The girl nodded. She then opened her mouth and pointed to her fang with her finger.
He instantly understood what the girl was trying to say.
‘While it’s true you’d gain eternal life, you would need to periodically take lives and drink blood… So you were hiding that principle, huh?’
In simpler terms, it was an orb that would turn him into a vampire among demons. He would gain eternal life but would have to live by killing humans for life.
Ezekiel thought that the Demon Lord wouldn’t just hand over something so precious without a catch. However, he had no clue what kind of malice he was hiding.
That question vanished thanks to the elemental of the Sun Elixir.
“Are you saying I should become a vampire?”
Ezekiel countered towards the Demon Lord.
“Are you suggesting I should live by killing other humans to survive? This is perfectly in line with how the Demon Realm operates.”
“You must realize that your life has value far beyond that of an ordinary human. What does it matter if some worthless beings die for that?”
The Demon Lord Valetta grinned.
In that moment, Ezekiel caught a glimpse of a similar emotion he had seen in Arcne. A gaze that regarded humans, other than Ezekiel, as mere trash.
‘The Demon Realm truly doesn’t suit me at all.’
Ezekiel felt that deeply.
However, he was not foolish.
If he pretended to accept the Demon Lord’s proposal, he could gather an endless amount of information about the Demon Realm. In simple terms, he had an opportunity to become a spy.
“…For now, I understand.”
Ezekiel said, putting the orb away.
Who knows? Perhaps he could trade it for a few drops of Sun Elixir later with the Emperor. Anyway, he definitely wouldn’t be eating this anytime soon.
The Demon Lord looked satisfied.
“Exactly, exactly… You must have no choice but to agree. It would be such a pity for a man of your talents to lead a short life, wouldn’t it?”
Afterward, Valetta flipped his palm and gave a nod with his finger. It was a gesture for Arcne to rise.
“I shall grant the authority of the city of Atra, dedicated to the Goddess, to the Ice Ghost as well. You two shall whisper sweet nothings and strive to govern the city together. That’s an order.”
“…My Lord! I’m deeply moved! Thank you so much!”
Arcne nodded with tears welling in her eyes.
The fact that she would be operating a city in marriage with Ezekiel seemed to bring her immense happiness.
On the other hand, Ezekiel thought.
A lord of a city in the Demon Realm…
He imagined it would indeed be an excellent opportunity to play the spy. Was there a better place to get firsthand information about the Demon Realm? It worked out perfectly.
In the meantime, he didn’t feel any concern for his life.
Arcne, one of the demon entities, was harboring feelings for Ezekiel, and since he easily passed the test set by the Demon Lord, he figured he would be okay for a while.
Just then, the Demon Lord opened his mouth again.
“There is a part I must explain regarding the Ice Ghost’s authority.”
“What is it?”
“Your time spent in the Demon Realm is still far too short, so the information you can access will be limited. As time goes on, I will gradually grant you more authority.”
The Demon Lord said calmly.
“In other words, access to the records will be restricted.”
It was a signal to quickly drop any thoughts of being a spy.
“Ice Ghost, do you want me to make it easier to understand? For the first few years, you’re basically just a decorative husband. Spend your days fulfilling Arcne’s desires.”
Laughter burst out among the demon entities.
“Hahaha! Just be a decorative husband, they say!”
“…Can a human even handle Arcne’s desires? I’m afraid he’d end up as a wood log the next day.”
“Soon, the Goddess won’t be a virgin either.”
It was a threat that clearly meant not to engage in any foolishness, but Ezekiel revealed no emotion.
The Demon Lord was not letting his guard down. Acting recklessly would easily arouse suspicion.
So, he said something contrary to his true feelings.
“That silly record hall, even if you push me to go, I won’t.”
The demon entities narrowed their eyes at his rudeness, but Ezekiel quietly left the place.
“Dear husband…. dear husband…!”
Arcne quickly followed beside him, her unique fragrant floral smell wafting through the air.
“We’ve been recognized as a couple in the Demon Realm, and now we get to cultivate the city together… Ah, I’m so happy…!”
Her face was glowing with ecstasy, eyes glazed over, cheeks flushed as if reaching a climax.
“Let’s go! I’ll introduce you to the city!”
Even though the Emperor had tried many times to plant a spy in the Demon Realm, he had failed. It wasn’t for lack of skilled candidates, but rather due to the extreme vigilance of the Demon Realm.
‘Guess I’ll do it.’
Ezekiel thought this firmly.
For the sake of the Sun Elixir he’d receive later.
Ezekiel’s concern was whether there was any way to visit the record hall that contained vital information about the Demon Realm.
However, surprisingly, the solution came quickly.
Through Arcne, the Goddess.
“The Demon Lord has indeed restricted your authority, dear husband. He’s quite a meticulous person. But…”
Hanging upside down from a web stuck to the ceiling, Arcne was speaking very closely to Ezekiel, who was simply sitting there.
“…I am here for you, dear husband. If there’s any record you seek, just tell me. Use me as your tool.”
As she said this, her smile was incredibly lewd.
Madness, possessiveness… it all showed on her face.
Whoosh─.
Using her movement as she dangled, Arcne tried to kiss Ezekiel, but he quickly pulled his head back to avoid it.
“Oh my, dear husband… are you perhaps still bashful?”
“Finish what you were saying. Can you disregard the Demon Lord’s command so easily? You are a demon, after all.”
“Hm… The city we will cultivate together is more important to me than the Demon Realm. So, um, what I want to say is…”
Thud─!
Arcne spun around and landed softly.
She settled on Ezekiel’s thighs as he sat cross-legged, leaning in closely to embrace his neck with both hands.
With a breath against Ezekiel’s neck, she murmured.
“…You shall fulfill all your desires, and together we shall fortify this city. One day, we will be able to rule the entire Demon Realm.”
She spoke as if it were a simple matter, but the implications in Arcne’s mind were indeed immense.
‘You mean to say you’d not shy away from treason?’
Arcne’s ambitions exceeded what he had imagined.
With the intent to offer her body, soul, and city… she even harbored aspirations to rule the Demon Realm entirely. A thought that could lead to an immediate death sentence if discovered.
‘This is troublesome.’
His thoughts became complicated.
Arcne’s madness was severe, and while she had committed many sins, he certainly didn’t wish for her to die.
After all, Arcne was indeed the princess who Ezekiel had desperately sought in the past.
A conclusion was quickly reached. He had to make sure Arcne wouldn’t face execution by the Demon Lord.
Just then.
Whirr, whirr, whirr─!
Webs bound Ezekiel’s limbs, pinning him down flat against the ground.
Arcne grasped Ezekiel’s chin and asked.
“…Dear husband, I’m feeling a bit neglected. Why did you avoid my kiss? I’ve been gathering immense energy from maidens just for you. All to please you.”
Her gaze was consumed by madness. It evoked an image of a spider that devours its mate post-mating.
Ezekiel replied calmly.
“Let go. We agreed to check out the city first.”
“…Oh, right. I forgot that.”
Arcne immediately hugged Ezekiel again.
She rubbed her cheek against his chest, enough that it covered his clothes in a fine dust.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t even remember what I said… But every time I’m with you, my body wants me instinctively… Ah, what should I do…”
Ezekiel sighed inwardly.
How had he ended up in the Demon Realm? There was just so much to think about and do.
A significant meeting was being held in the Imperial Family.
The topic of discussion was remarkably simple and straightforward.
Who would go, and how to rescue Ezekiel?
Three princesses were in attendance.
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