episode_0023
by fnovelpiaCentral and Eastern.
The land of the Grand Duke, outside the castle-led order.
However, ironically, they were the only force that did not lose contact during the critical period when the king fled.
The relationship that began 1,000 years ago when the first Demon King, born from the Red Horn Tribe, failed to conquer the Green Horn Tribe in the east, has continued to this day. This was the case even though the king who led the heyday of the demon world created the current title and signed a formal vassal contract.
The devils who ruled like kings in the East and preserved their autonomy established their own independent power. They withstood the greed of past Red Horned Demon Lords by having an army that was not restrained by the law. It was the driving force that made it possible to maintain a strange companionship through repeated divisions and negotiations over a long period of time.
Even the Grand Duke of the East, the greatest man in history, was elevated to the throne at a time when the Red Horned Demon King was incompetent.
It was inevitable that the Senate, which had elected the king based on the lineage of the strong, would be divided into two.
“Your Excellency. Responses also came from the East. You can connect right away.”
So the regent put a nail in the door to prevent the behind-the-scenes meetings from leaking out. The antagonism was now at an appropriate level. I couldn’t wait any longer. Since each of his actions could create false rumors, I was planning to cut off the source altogether.
Durin stopped the Dullahan in front of the castle’s communication room. They used force to suppress them so that they could not dare to open their mouths.
With the help of personnel carefully selected and sent by Ludmilla herself, the area in front of it became an impenetrable fortress.
“Grand Duke. Can you hear me? If you don’t mind, please reply.”
In the space created in this way, in the dark room, Durin spoke out. At the same time, the shaman stirred demonic energy to elicit an answer from the other party.
-I’ve been waiting for a long time. I almost froze as I sat there wondering when he would come in.
A voice came out of thin air.
What came instead of greetings was a joke. Just looking at the atmosphere, it felt like close friends meeting after a long time, rather than a meeting between bigwigs.
-Are you okay? Things aren’t going well at the castle, so it looks like you’re having a hectic time.
“The castle is strong. Lucifer. As long as I am, it will never be shaken.”
-You’re still full of confidence. However, if you live like that, you won’t hear kind words from those nobles.
“They say the old senators hate me. It’s natural to make enemies in life, so we should embrace them all.”
-Make enemies. You always wanted to spend your life confronting someone.
“That’s the life of a devil. Lucifer.”
It was a conversation between the two that made them wonder if it would be okay for it to proceed like this if a third party saw it. Even after washing my eyes, it did not seem like a confrontation between the person who held my daughter hostage and the person who could provide a way for the center to survive.
That’s why the Archduke’s words felt even more weighty.
-I think that’s why the current situation occurred.
He was the first to interrupt the conversation. The sword hidden in my chest flashed briefly.
-Are you trying to make me your enemy this time?
“That can’t be right. We are blood-brothers on the continent.”
-The maniac who terrorized his brother’s daughter often says things like that. It would be great if I could tell you what my vassals are saying now.
“I will accept the challenge that comes. But do not forget that it is the path to mutual destruction.”
-I know. Don’t I know that? I’m doing this because I know it all too well.
The Archduke chuckled and said. He had a nice smile that didn’t look like an angry devil.
-So you are the devil who put my daughter in prison. You’d better go ahead and say what you want.
“Do you remember what they said about giving land and power?”
-If it weren’t for this, this meeting itself wouldn’t have happened.
“I will give you land in northwest. I will hand over the rights to all remaining ruins and resources there.”
-under! You’re talking as if the angel settlement is already your land.
It was a laugh. The Archduke did not hide his emotions and lashed out at the Regent.
-I heard that the war with the angels was not far away, so did you still want to join the military?
“The devil has passed over to the human world. The angels are in a situation where they have to send the military there to protect humans, their home turf. The number of troops coming here will not be very large.”
-I heard that the central army has been raised. If we add our troops together, we will definitely be ahead in numbers. But the devil, who knows full well that war is not everything, should not say such things.
“Are you worried about the archangel?”
-It’s not a matter of being able to overcome it. They have a supreme commander and we do not. Even if you have built up your authority through conquest of the South, you cannot overcome your fundamental deficiency. Is the center united around you? Even now?
The Archduke’s question was simple. Because there is no king, there is no central point.
He was saying that he needed someone who could overcome the powerful divine power and move forward.
“We will soon be united. The center will become even stronger.”
-I hope you prove it with actions, not words. Otherwise, this conversation could end here.
“Lucifer. Do you remember what I said about giving you land and power?”
-Have you really become crazy? You say the same thing I said. Didn’t they say they would give them the rights to the northwest area?
“There is a warp gate there. Excluding ancient ruins, it is the only facility in the Demon World that can be fully operated.”
-You speak so well that it is tempting. Tell me a little more.
The voice became serious. I could feel the invisible curiosity of the Grand Duke flowing from the created demonic energy.
“If you survive the coming angel war and push out this settlement, you will also take the rights to the gate. I’m asking just in case. Lucifer. Do you intend to transfer those rights to your daughter?”
-What do you mean?
“Do you intend to transfer the rights to Seobuk-myeon to your daughter?”
Silence fell into the room. The Archduke could not easily answer.
Do you not know or are you hesitating? Durin had no intention of giving him time, so he pushed ahead.
“The first verse of the Demon World Law says this.”
-He fights against angels and rules over humans.
“In order to rule over humans, you have to go over to their land. Instead of just being stuck in the demon world and complaining like now.”
-Only one person in the demon world can have the will to advance to the human world.
“Archduke of Istria. Don’t you already know who that devil is?”
-Devil.
A loud sound spreads. Because it was a secret meeting, the shaman’s expression, which had been controlling his emotions, cracked.
The two continued talking calmly amidst the shattering waves.
“Your daughter has been given the right to be king. Did you know?”
-If I had known, I wouldn’t have sent it. Regent Durin.
“ Having lost our king, we are living on a castle whose foundation has collapsed. An unstable crack can break us down at any time. That’s why I’m going to make a decision.”
But when it was time to confess, I was more certain than anyone else.
“I will establish Serpin del Istria as the legitimate successor to the throne. So cooperate.”
A strong voice echoed in the dark room as if there would be no withdrawal.
#
Caw-caw-
An eastern crow was making a commotion outside the window. It meant that the communication spell that separated them from the world was over.
Sunlight poured into the dark room again. In the brightened space, there was a gorgeous marble table and the Grand Duke of the East.
Talk… Talk… Talk…
He was in trouble. This was because the meeting, which started off with a light heart, had a big impact.
“King. The devil… .”
The most powerful person in the demon world, which was produced by the Istrian family a long time ago. I remember being promoted by some radical senators who made a decision when the red horn kings in the center were ruining the world with their incompetence.
It was an unforgettable scene for the Devil of the East. A throne occupied by the only one who maintained sovereignty under the rule of the Red Horn, to which everyone had to submit. The nostalgia that made his heart tingle stimulated him.
“Your Excellency. If what the regent said is true… We can get our era back after 200 years.”
Old secretary Alberto’s voice trembled. The devil, who had served the Archduke for decades and always quietly carried out his duties, was revealing his will.
“But why are you worrying? Is there a big problem with the war against angels?”
“That’s not true. The central army will be greatly expanded around the regent, probably approaching 10,000. To be honest, if the angel sends only one army, Susie can easily overcome it on her own.”
“Then I wonder why the regent reached out to us. I don’t even know why he needs a king.”
The secretary expressed his doubts. He expressed his curiosity to his master without hesitation.
“Regent Durin is one of the most powerful men in the demon world. At this point in time when there is no king, he is someone who can easily ascend to the throne, ignoring all opposition. Since the previous king ran away, he will not be stigmatized as a usurper.”
“Durin will never choose that path.”
“Sorry. dismissal. My stupid mind cannot understand his choice.”
“It’s natural that you don’t understand. Because the oath that must go against the devil’s nature is constricting him.”
vow. It would not be something done simply through words or out of loyalty.
It would be close to a command that even the powerful Great Evil would have no choice but to comply with.
The guess conveyed by the wisdom of time made the secretary bow.
“It looks like there was a transaction that Mi-mul is not aware of.”
“No one will know. Because on that day, even the Creator God would not have been able to catch a glimpse of the convenience.”
The Archduke spit out something ambiguous. Just made sure.
If you try to know more than this, you will definitely cross the line.
“Then I will go back to my place. Please forgive my rudeness.”
“If you understand, move quickly. There is a place where the gathered army must head.”
The Archduke stood up. Behind-the-scenes negotiations with the regent were over.
Now all I had to do was show him the appropriate behavior.
“Please give at least one more gift that will make the regent happy. I will let you know the destination as soon as I arrive at the parade ground.”
“I will do as instructed.”
#
Three days have passed since Serpin was imprisoned.
Although it was less time than she thought, it felt like an eternity to her. Although squatting alone in a dark dungeon was a privilege for high-ranking nobles, they had to be completely separated from the world during that period.
Perhaps because it was a prison that strongly reflected the regent’s tastes, it was tightly packed. There were no windows so I couldn’t see outside. The small bedroom, illuminated only by a luxurious chandelier, was the only world Serpin could travel through. One time, I was bored and tried to sneak a peek outside the door.
The small deviation at that time had no choice but to be withdrawn as soon as the heavy sound of the Dullahans guarding the front was heard. She was already in a difficult position due to suspicions of treason, but if prison escape was added, then she could really be executed like that maid.
“Ugh.”
It was fortunate that I had fainted. The last thing I saw before being taken to prison was that the head of the corpse was completely crushed, so I was able to roughly guess what had happened.
You have to take care of yourself.
Serpin made up his mind again. If I made a move for no reason, something really big would have happened. She acted very arrogantly because the Senate praised her as the king’s daughter for no reason. I guess I’ll have to be a little more self-respecting from now on.
wait for the right time If you get a chance to rise higher than the regent… .
“You must seize the opportunity!”
Jump up!
She gained momentum for the first time in a while, but the door that suddenly opened took her spirit away.
Serpin faced the uninvited guest who burst into the room with his fists clenched.
“I’m in good spirits.”
Durin the Bonebreaker. He is the one who locked her in this room and the judge who holds her life.
“… … .”
Serpin calmly placed his butt back on the bed. Her tightly closed lips blocked the scream that was about to burst out.
It was like this for how long it had been since I made that promise to save myself. I had a rare experience where shame and fear came together.
“Yes. It’s okay to feel good on days like this. Come out.”
“?”
It was always Durin’s scary voice. But something unexpected came out. Serpin raised his head.
“Uh… .”
“Didn’t you hear? I told him to come out right away.”
Saying that, Durin turned and left. The wide open door faced Serpin. The prison hallway came into view. Dullahan was supposed to be heavily guarded, but no one was seen. There was only a lizard and a blue-horned barbarian woman accompanying him.
“Well, is that okay?”
Serpin carefully lifted his hips. There was no one to stop it. It was the same when I went outside.
Although I was still in prison, I felt refreshed just by getting out of the room. I was so excited that my heart was pounding.
You are finally released! After all, my father freed me! Or maybe Durin made a deal with me in the first place!
I was so happy that I cleared away all the thoughts that had passed through my mind. Now, I wanted to enjoy this moment… .
“I will go to Daejeon together. Don’t act rashly like before, but follow me quietly.”
Durin left those words behind and went ahead. Serpin froze for a moment.
Daejeon? Are you talking about the king’s battle?
why? Why should I be taken there instead of the parlor?
A silent scream erupted once again. But there were no options given to Serpin.
Before she knew it, the lizard and the barbarian warrior had approached her and grabbed her on both sides and almost dragged her away.
‘Did the deal fall through? Or maybe my father abandoned me!’
10 minutes of following Durin’s footsteps.
That time was going to feel like an eternity, even more so than the time I spent in prison.
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