Ch.23Meeting (3)

# Central and Eastern Regions

The Grand Duke’s territory, free from the order dominated by the Castle.

Yet, ironically, the only faction that maintained contact during these perilous times when the King had 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 of the East, continues to this day. This remained true even after the King who led the demon realm’s golden age created the current titles and established formal feudal contracts.

The demons who ruled like kings in the East while preserving their autonomy built their own independent power base. By maintaining armies unrestrained by law, they withstood the greed of successive Red Horn Demon Kings. This was the driving force that allowed them to maintain their peculiar partnership through centuries of division and negotiation.

In fact, the greatest Eastern Grand Duke in history was elevated to King during a period when the Red Horn Demon King was incompetent.

It was inevitable that the Council of Elders, which had elected kings based on the principle of strong bloodlines, would split in two.

“Your Excellency. We’ve received a response from the East. We can connect immediately.”

That’s why the Regent made sure their underground meeting wouldn’t leak to the outside. The current level of discord was appropriate. He couldn’t allow it to go any further. Since his every action could generate worthless rumors, he intended to cut them off at the source.

Durin stationed Durahans outside the castle’s communication room. He suppressed them with force to ensure they wouldn’t dare open their mouths.

With additional personnel carefully selected and sent by Ludmila herself, the entrance became an impenetrable fortress.

“Grand Duke. Can you hear me? Please respond if you’re able.”

In that carefully prepared space, a darkened room, Durin spoke. Simultaneously, a sorcerer manipulated magical energy to draw out the other party’s response.

-I’ve been waiting for a long time. I was sitting here so long I nearly turned to stone.

A voice flowed from the empty air.

Instead of a greeting, it was a frivolous joke. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed more like old friends meeting after a long time rather than a conference between powerful figures.

-How are you doing? With the situation at the Castle being unfavorable, I imagine you must be having quite a hectic time.

“The Castle stands firm, Lucipel. As long as I’m here, it will never waver.”

-Still as confident as ever. But living that way, you must not hear many kind words from those nobles.

“I hear the old men of the Council dislike me. Making enemies in life is natural, so I’ll have to bear with it all.”

-Making enemies. You’ve always wanted to live a life of confrontation with someone.

“That’s the demonic way of life, Lucipel.”

To an outside observer, their conversation might have seemed inappropriate. No matter how closely one looked, it didn’t appear to be a confrontation between someone who had taken a daughter hostage and someone who could provide a path for the Central Region’s survival.

That’s why the Grand Duke’s casually thrown words felt even heavier.

-I wonder if that’s why the current situation has unfolded.

He was the first to break the flow of conversation. The sword hidden in his heart briefly flashed.

-Are you trying to make me your enemy this time?

“How could that be? We are blood-sharing brother continents.”

-A madman who threatened my daughter speaks such words so easily. I wish I could let you hear what my vassals are saying right now.

“I’ll accept any challenge that comes. But don’t forget that it would be a path to mutual destruction.”

-I know. Do you think I don’t understand that? It’s precisely because I understand it so well that I’m here like this.

The Grand Duke said with a chuckle. It was a friendly smile unlike that of an angry demon.

-So, demon who imprisoned my daughter, you’d better quickly state what you want.

“Do you remember my promise of land and power?”

-If I didn’t, this meeting wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

“I’ll give you the northwestern territory. I’ll transfer all rights to the remaining ruins and resources there.”

-Ha! You speak as if the angel settlement is already your land.

It was mockery. The Grand Duke didn’t hide his emotions as he shot back at the Regent.

-I heard war with the angels is imminent. So you wanted military forces after all.

“The Demon King has crossed over to the human realm. The angels will also need to send their forces there to protect the humans, who are their turf. The forces coming here won’t be that numerous.”

-I’ve heard you’ve built up the Central army. If combined with our forces, we would certainly have a numerical advantage. But as a demon who knows well that war isn’t just about numbers, you shouldn’t say such things.

“Are you worried about the Archangel?”

-It’s not a question of whether we can defeat them. They have a supreme commander, and we don’t. Even if you’ve built authority through your southern conquest, you can’t overcome this fundamental deficiency. Is the Central Region united around you? Even now?

The Grand Duke’s question was simple. Without a king, there is no focal point.

He was saying they needed someone who could advance while overcoming powerful holy forces.

“They will soon unite. The Central Region is about to become even stronger.”

-I hope you prove it with actions, not words. Otherwise, this conversation might end right here.

“Lucipel. Do you remember my promise of land and power?”

-Have you truly gone mad? You’re repeating the same words. Didn’t you say you’d give rights to the northwestern territory?

“There’s a warp gate there. Excluding ancient ruins, it’s the only facility in the demon realm that can be operated properly.”

-You speak in a way that piques my interest. Tell me more.

The voice became serious. The invisible curiosity of the Grand Duke flowing through the magical energy was palpable.

“If we overcome the coming angel war and push back this settlement, you’ll get the rights to the gate. Let me ask you something, Lucipel. Do you intend to transfer those rights to your daughter?”

-What do you mean?

“I’m asking if you intend to transfer the rights to the northwestern territory to your daughter.”

Silence fell in the room. The Grand Duke couldn’t easily answer.

Was he unaware or hesitating? Durin had no intention of giving him time, so he pressed on.

“The first verse of the Demon Realm Law states:”

-Oppose the angels and rule over humans.

“To rule over humans, we must cross over to their land. Not stay cooped up in the demon realm and spend our days complaining.”

-Only one being in the demon realm can possess the will to advance to the human realm.

“Grand Duke of Istria, don’t you already know who that demon is?”

-The Demon King.

A great resonance spread. It was enough to crack the expression of the sorcerer who had been restraining his emotions due to the secret nature of the meeting.

The two continued speaking calmly amidst the scattering waves.

“Your daughter has been given the qualification of King. Did you know?”

-If I had known, I wouldn’t have sent her, Regent Durin.

“Having lost our King, we live on a castle with crumbling foundations. Unstable cracks could bring us down at any moment. That’s why I’m going to make a decision.”

But when it was time to declare, he was more certain than anyone.

“I will establish Serphin del Istria as the legitimate heir to the throne. So cooperate.”

His unyielding voice, suggesting there would be no withdrawal, echoed through the dark room.

#

Caw- Caw-

The ravens of the East made a commotion outside the window. It meant the communication spell that had isolated them from the world had ended.

Sunlight poured back into the dark room. In the brightened space stood an ornate marble table and the Eastern Grand Duke.

Tap… Tap… Tap…

He was deep in thought. The meeting that had started with a light heart had given him a great shock.

“King. Demon King…”

Long ago, the Istria family had also produced the most powerful being in the demon realm. He remembered being nominated by some radical Council members who made a decision when the Central Red Horn kings were flaunting their incompetence and ruining the world.

It was an unforgettable scene for any demon of the East. The throne claimed by the one who had maintained sovereignty under the domination of the Red Horn that everyone else had to submit to. A nostalgic feeling that cut into his heart stimulated him.

“Your Excellency. If the Regent’s words are true… we could reclaim our era after 200 years.”

The elderly secretary Alberto trembled as he spoke. The demon who had quietly performed his duties while serving the Grand Duke for decades was now showing his will.

“Yet why do you hesitate? Is there a major problem with the war against the angels?”

“That’s not it. The Central forces have grown significantly around the Regent, probably approaching ten thousand. Honestly, if the angels send just one legion, they could defeat them on their own.”

“Then I wonder why the Regent has reached out to us. I don’t even understand why he needs a king.”

The secretary expressed his doubts. He spoke his curiosity to his master without reservation.

“Regent Durin is counted among the strongest in the demon realm. At this point with no king, he could certainly ascend to the throne while ignoring all opposition. Since the previous king fled, he wouldn’t even bear the stigma of being a usurper.”

“Durin will never choose that path.”

“I apologize, Your Excellency. My dull mind cannot understand his choice.”

“It’s natural that you don’t understand. An oath that goes against demonic nature binds him.”

An oath. It wouldn’t be something done simply with words or loyalty.

It must be close to a binding command that even a powerful archdemon must comply with.

The conjecture conveyed by the wisdom of years made the secretary bow his head.

“It seems a transaction unknown to lesser beings has taken place.”

“No one would know. Even the Creator God couldn’t have glimpsed fragments of that day.”

The Grand Duke uttered puzzling words. But he made one thing clear:

If one tried to know more, they would certainly cross a line.

“Then I shall return to my place. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“If you understand, move quickly. The gathered forces have a place they need to go.”

The Grand Duke rose from his seat. The underwater negotiation with the Regent had ended.

Now he just needed to show actions that matched.

“Prepare one more gift that would please the Regent. I will inform you of the destination as soon as we arrive at the training ground.”

“As you command.”

#

Three days had passed since Serphin was imprisoned.

Although not much time had passed, it felt like an eternity to her. While her status as a high noble spared her from having to crouch alone in a dark dungeon, she had to be completely isolated from the world during that period.

Since it was a prison strongly reflecting the Regent’s taste, it was completely sealed off. Without a single window, she couldn’t see outside. Only a small bedroom illuminated by an elegant chandelier was Serphin’s entire world. Once, out of boredom, she tried to secretly peek outside the door.

That small transgression had to be immediately withdrawn upon hearing the heavy voices of the Durahans guarding the front. She was already in a difficult position due to allegations of treason, and if escape were added to that, she could truly be executed like that maid.

“Ugh.”

It was fortunate that she had been unconscious. The last corpse she saw before being taken to prison had its head completely crushed, so she could roughly estimate what had happened.

She needed to be careful.

Serphin composed herself again. She had acted too arrogantly because the Council had praised her as king material. From now on, she would need to be more restrained.

Wait for the right time. If an opportunity comes to rise higher than the Regent…

“I must seize the opportunity!”

Bang!

Just as she was building up her momentum, the suddenly opened door startled her.

Serphin found herself facing an uninvited visitor with her fists clenched.

“You seem energetic.”

Skull Crusher Durin. The very person who had confined her to this room and held her lifeline.

“……”

Serphin quietly sat back down on the bed. Her tightly closed lips held back the scream that was trying to escape.

How long had it been since she made that resolution to be careful? She was experiencing the rare combination of embarrassment and fear.

“That’s right. On a day like this, it’s okay to feel good. Come out.”

“?”

It was Durin’s voice, always frightening. But unexpected words came out. Serphin raised her head sharply.

“Uh…”

“Didn’t you hear me? I said come out right now.”

Saying that, Durin turned and left. The wide-open door faced Serphin. The prison corridor came into view. There should have been Durahans guarding it strictly, but no one was visible. Only a lizard and a blue-horned barbarian woman accompanying him were present.

“Is, is that allowed?”

Serphin carefully lifted herself. No one stopped her. It was the same when she went outside.

Although still inside the prison, just leaving the room made her feel refreshed. Her heart was pounding with excitement.

Finally released! Was it father who got me released? Or maybe Durin had made a deal about me from the beginning!

In her joy, various thoughts raced through her mind, sweeping away all previous concerns. She wanted to enjoy this moment…

“We’re going to the Great Hall together. Don’t act rashly like before and follow quietly.”

Durin left after saying those words. Serphin froze momentarily.

The Great Hall? Does he mean the King’s Great Hall?

Why? What reason could there be for taking me there instead of the reception room?

Another silent scream erupted. But Serphin had no choice.

The lizard and barbarian warrior who had approached her suddenly took hold of her from both sides and escorted her almost like a prisoner.

‘Did the deal fail? Or did father abandon me?’

Following Durin’s footsteps for 10 minutes.

That time would feel more eternal than the time spent in prison.