Ch.171Resurrection Ritual (3)

Light overflows.

Gold, the color only a king can possess.

I could understand why the Witch of Prophecy said only those with qualifications could ascend.

“……”

A moment of confusion came, but Serphin quickly regained stability.

She spread her magic of dominance and covered herself with it, restraining the volatile emotions typical of a young demon.

“Haaah.”

As she took a deep breath, her vision returned. When she closed her eyes and opened them again, her mind cleared.

Now she felt ready to make judgments as a king and move forward.

Splash, splash.

She carefully took steps forward. A strange sensation of treading on a golden Milky Way could be felt on the soles of her feet.

The path ahead had no particular destination. She simply followed where her instincts led her.

The Witch of Prophecy had told her that she would watch over Durin.

As she said, this stage was not for Serphin. To see directly, she needed to move.

“…Is it that way?”

How much time had passed? Simply following where she was drawn, she eventually reached the edge of the Milky Way.

Beyond the rippling golden waves sat a shining star. It was the king’s memory that the sorcerers had once spoken of. A being that holds history and whispers past events to those who reach for the future.

-You’ve come, child.

Serphin heard the voice too. It wasn’t the solemn voice of a ruler. It was warm like a mother embracing someone in her arms. The young demon found herself unconsciously drawn in.

“Please tell me your name. Which era’s king were you?”

-I am not a king. I was merely a demon who lived in that era.

“If not a king, why are you here? Isn’t the Milky Way a cradle for kings?”

-A star represents a king, but it is also a space where demons who achieved great feats rest.

“Then you are…”

-You must see for yourself to understand, young king.

The voice faded. At the same time, the light intensified. It shone brightly as if a star was being born, making it impossible for Serphin to keep her eyes open.

-Enter that era and discover who I am.

The world shook. It felt like her body was being sucked in.

-Then you will learn why Durin led you, a young one, to become king.

It was the last greeting from that benevolent voice.

#

Darkness arrived.

The place where the sparkle had disappeared was extremely dark.

It became one with the night sky without moon or stars. The perspective of fate looking at the demon realm sky. Thick ink-colored clouds floated about. Serphin’s soul swam between them.

-A decision must be made.

A voice from the past was heard. An illusion created by inherited memories. The inherited magic of dominance told her so.

-Indeed, it is time to make a decision. The only surviving offspring of the Primordial bloodline is just an infant. The Red Horn can no longer fulfill the role of king.

The era was during the Green Horn dynasty transition. The exact dialogue recorded in the scripture was heard.

-But we cannot put forth a horn other than the Primordial as king. The legion will not pledge loyalty to anyone else.

-What if there’s a way to make the legion side with us?

Silence followed. If it reached someone’s ears, it could be heard as treason.

A voice broke the silence and summarized the situation.

-We can promise the throne to the Red Horn. Until then, it’s enough to say we are acting on their behalf.

-Who would believe that? You should rather accept the position of regent.

-Regency won’t do. The moment it’s recorded in scripture, the Green Horn will forever remain just a regent.

The darkness gradually began to lift.

-The time has come to fulfill our wish, why should we refuse?

-Then…

-Let’s create it. The day when the great Istria dynasty rules the demon realm.

Light tapped on Serphin’s eyelids.

#

“Miss!”

Huh?

“Wake up quickly. You must see the coronation ceremony!”

Serphin rose from bed. It was an unfamiliar bed. Though the style was from the East and familiar, it was a fashion she had never seen in her lifetime.

Simply put, it was old-fashioned.

“Miss?”

She turned her gaze toward the voice that kept calling from beside her. A succubus maid was wearing a troubled expression.

“Are you feeling unwell? I’ll call the court physician.”

“Ah, no. That won’t be necessary.”

“Hmm. Are you sure? I truly hope so. Today is such a special day.”

The maid withdrew, humming a tune. Serphin was puzzled but decided to go with the flow for now.

The golden Milky Way had said it would show her that era. That meant this place was the past.

According to the faint voices she heard, it was during a dynasty transition.

The coronation ceremony the maid mentioned must be related to this. If so, whose body was Serphin inhabiting in this era?

“Miss!”

That question didn’t last long.

“Please hurry before the Grand Duke scolds you.”

“Scold me?”

“Yes! Today is truly an important day… You haven’t forgotten, have you?”

When Serphin tilted her head, the maid’s expression turned to shock.

The succubus finally burst out in frustration.

“It’s the day our family finally ascends to become the imperial family! Lady Azmosa.”

“Ah.”

The exclamation of realization came from both Azmosa and Serphin. Being a demon king, she immediately understood who she was.

A scene from countless history books passed by, and the figure standing on that stage flashed before her.

Belial del Istria, the first emperor of the Green Horn dynasty.

His younger sister, Azmosa.

That was the name Serphin had received from the golden Milky Way.

#

“Hmmmm.”

Serphin examined the family tree drawn on the wall. Demon nobles typically engraved their greatness on the walls of their mansions, making it very convenient for understanding the situation.

“Why was I dropped here?”

She racked her brain. The Milky Way had spoken of a king’s duty.

It had instructed her to watch over Durin and find what she needed to do.

“That means Durin is also in this memory.”

It was a ray of hope. It seemed she could easily resolve this by following his actions and finding her mission. If only she could find him…

“No! That’s not right. I promised to be Durin’s shield, what am I thinking!”

Serphin steeled her resolve. A weak child had no place here. She was in the golden Milky Way. Having entered with a king’s qualification, it was truly pathetic to be whining.

“Let me think again. What is the star’s intention?”

It wouldn’t have thrown Serphin into a past memory without purpose.

This was a testing ground to talk about duty, and it wouldn’t be so flimsy. Moreover, this was the stronghold of the Green Horn Istria, the most prosperous family in the demon realm. Having received the excellent name of Azmosa, she had been granted plenty of agency.

Serphin filled herself with confidence.

“I just need to find out. It’s not that difficult. I am a daughter of Istria, both in the past and present.”

As she clenched her fist, she felt her will becoming full. She would overcome this challenge and emerge as a true king!

Whoosh!

Serphin turned away from the family tree. She intended to enter the mansion to find new clues.

“M-miss?”

Oops. She had forgotten about the maid.

The succubus asked Serphin with a bewildered expression.

“What exactly are you trying to do? The coronation ceremony is right around the corner.”

“According to the schedule, it’s in the afternoon. We still have time.”

“No, we don’t! We need to change clothes, check your conduct, and prepare the maids who will accompany you—we barely have enough time even if we move right now! If we’re even a little late, the head of the family will be furious.”

“…I imagine it would be worse than just fury.”

That was obvious. Serphin smiled sheepishly. In her rush to build confidence, she had forgotten the most important task. Moving quickly now was the right thing to do.

“Then let’s go quickly. Before it’s too late.”

“Yes, miss.”

She prepared to move on to the next act. She felt anticipation about what characters would appear on the next stage set by the golden Milky Way.

“Oh, by the way, miss.”

The succubus maid stopped her. Serphin halted her steps and turned around.

“What is it?”

“It’s nothing much. But did you just mention Durin?”

“Huh?”

For the first time, Serphin was taken aback. She never imagined she would hear that name here. That’s why she couldn’t respond immediately. Normally, she would have grabbed the maid’s shoulders and demanded to know where he was.

“W-why do you ask? Is something wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing. I just thought you were thinking about that gladiator again. Right?”

Gladiator? Again?

“Well, he is the warrior our family supports the most. It’s fascinating, isn’t it? A gladiator from the Red Horn lineage.”

Istria supported Durin?

“He seems to be of the Demon King’s bloodline, but he’s a lower demon with weak power… Well, I suppose it’s a rather tragic fate.”

The maid giggled. While she thought she was making a joke, it was utter chaos for Serphin.

“Y-yeah.”

In this state of cognitive dissonance, Serphin barely managed to answer. She could confirm Durin’s existence, but not in the way she expected. Or it might not even be Durin. Since this was a fragment of the past created by the golden Milky Way…

Wait a minute.

“Did you say I was thinking about Durin again?”

“Why act surprised now, miss?”

The maid made a mischievous expression. She moved closer and whispered to Serphin, who wore Azmosa’s skin.

“You like him. Durin.”

“Whaaaaat!”