Ch.24First Emperor (1)

As the central authority was established and the balance of power gradually stabilized, the castle finally found peace. The addition of another influential figure to the command structure previously divided between Ludmila and Durin proved immensely helpful.

The Judge, who kept the instinct-driven demons in check based on the laws of the demon realm.

The Long-lived One, Grand Judge Matheus was that figure. The legal scholar, who always carried a scripture in his right arm, had such a kind and warm impression that from a distance, one might not even recognize him as a demon. Thus, he was able to comfort the confused demons without causing them to feel a great sense of crisis.

“There are strange rumors circulating in the castle these days.”

However, stability arriving too early became a poison in itself. He was sitting quietly in the great hall as usual, but demons who approached him first began to flatter him. This would have been unimaginable had Durin been present.

“They say the Regent is looking for a new king.”

“Ho ho. I know nothing of this. It could be merely a rumor, or perhaps it is truly happening.”

“Then I should inform the Grand Judge of what’s being said among the common folk.”

“I am truly curious about what you know. I’m all ears.”

“How can you be so modest? This is why one can’t help but be charmed by your character, Grand Judge.”

Words most unbecoming of a demon flowed freely. Something neither power nor enchantment, but something in between. Truly unsightly.

It was from this moment that the Grand Judge’s smile began to fade.

“Enough with the pleasantries. Please speak quickly. This old one has no time to wait.”

“Hahaha. Well, the rumor is that someone is instigating the Regent to search for an heir to the throne. Despite everyone knowing which demon should be crowned according to the laws of the demon realm.”

“That’s a dangerous rumor. If it reaches His Excellency’s ears, there will be severe consequences.”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. Who would dare discuss the throne freely except for the Regent? It’s just that such talk is circulating in the marketplace. To elaborate, they say green-horned demons are secretly plotting…”

The red-horned demon let his words trail off. His intention was so obvious it made him look foolish.

“Haha. How truly seditious, isn’t it?”

“Hmm…”

The Grand Judge held his tongue. He maintained his non-response. This was especially true as he was in charge of order, something ill-suited to the demon realm. Above all, many situations resolved themselves without him needing to speak.

“What nonsense is this!”

A large group entered through the wide-open doors of the great hall. Green-horned demons, dressed in formal attire for the first time in a long while, poured in like a flood.

“Who would say such things? I’ll crush them with my own hands!”

“Stay out of this, nobles of the East. This is a conversation between the Grand Judge and us.”

“Isn’t it ridiculous to involve us in such nonsensical talk? The king has fled, and it seems everyone has lost their minds.”

“How insolent!”

“You were the first to show insolence, weren’t you?”

The eastern nobles looked at the red-horned demons with smirks. They were ready to fight in the heated atmosphere, but there was no response from the red-horned demons.

“Birds of a feather. The favor of the first Demon King is gone, and only such incompetent ones remain among the red horns… The Regent is to be pitied.”

This scene perfectly illustrated the current situation in the castle. Ironically, after Durin’s surprise purge of traitors, power had shifted to the East. Initially, it seemed he was killing those from the East to centralize power, but the situation had developed differently.

After his secret meeting with the Grand Duke, far from driving out the eastern nobles, he showed no signs of even touching them. Durin focused solely on nurturing the southern warriors he had personally trained. Compared to the efforts the central red-horned demons had put into promoting the Regent as king, this was a meager reward.

Moreover, since a red-horned bearer had abandoned the throne and fled, they were inevitably at a disadvantage in terms of power. With their expectations for the Regent now dashed, only one lifeline remained.

Of course, even that didn’t come easily.

“Hmm. Both sides are raising their voices in this sacred hall. Perhaps everyone should exercise some restraint.”

When Grand Judge Matheus intervened, the heated atmosphere immediately subsided. As the old demon fingered his scripture, a heavy weight pressed down on the hall. This was the authority he held as Grand Judge.

The weight of years belonging to the longest-surviving being in the current Demon King’s castle was imbued in the law. Unlike the tyrannical Durin and the enchanting Ludmila, he was of a different caliber. In some ways, his power resembled the dominion wielded by past Demon Kings, which was why the demons had no choice but to close their mouths without protest.

“The choice will be made by the Regent and the High Sorceress, who will determine the castle’s direction. We are here to listen to their decision and offer guidance on whether there might be a better path. Isn’t that right?”

Matheus looked around. He demanded an answer.

An invisible, immense pressure forced everyone to look at the ground. The Grand Judge was pleased with the scene before him.

“Ho ho ho. I am truly grateful that you all follow this old one’s words. Now, let us prepare for a constructive dialogue.”

The kind smile returned. He clutched the scripture tightly to his chest and gazed at the distant corridor.

Thud- Thud-

“Regent Durin and High Sorceress Ludmila are entering. Everyone, show your respect!”

The bearer of fate and the sorceress who could see his path were approaching together.

Behind them followed a small demon child who, despite trying to look dignified, appeared somewhat dazed.

So it’s that child. That child who will determine the fate of the throne.

“I hope the nightmare of the previous generation does not continue.”

Since his task was to place the present on a solid foundation even if he couldn’t pioneer the future,

the Grand Judge would, as always, support with the law.

#

“Reports about the human realm are coming in steadily.”

The beginning was calm. Though the content was serious, considering the urgent matters that needed to be addressed in the current demon realm, this was about average. When Durin looked at Ludmila, she formed a seal and floated a large sphere in the center of the great hall.

“The Demon King doesn’t seem to be doing anything significant. Rather, it feels like the humans are causing their own chaos and flailing about. Could this also be that woman’s scheme?”

“She doesn’t have that capability. If she had her wits about her, she would have led the demon realm’s forces to crush the human kingdoms instead of fleeing. Not using such strange conspiratorial tactics.”

“That’s why I can’t understand her intention. Our sorcerers are trying their best to reconstruct based on what our informants in the human realm are sending… but it’s not easy.”

Ludmila sighed deeply. Durin could understand her feelings. The moment he saw the various texts and images floating on the surface, he couldn’t find a single connection between them.

[Arrived in the southern desert region. Moving while avoiding major cities.]

[The Pope. Suspects the hero’s disappearance and points to the Demon King. Declares the annihilation of demon-following forces in revenge.]

[Eastern regions destroyed by inquisition. Demon King’s footprints found in western ruin areas.]

[No trace of the Demon King since then. Only an increase in the number of cities destroyed by the inquisition.]

“What on earth is happening?”

“Just the usual in the human realm. They fight among themselves, raising only the fear of death. It’s actually beneficial for us, so it seems best to leave it be for now.”

“That’s true. It seems angels will come to clean up later, so let’s not waste our strength there. Besides, we can’t cross over without a gate, can we? It’s quite laughable, our situation. We’re mere spectators in the grand flow of the world.”

Ludmila gave a hollow laugh. While they could accept this much thanks to demon followers living in the human realm, they were still in the dark due to the lack of other information. Even the hero, who had been given as a reason when she fled, was now unconscious and imprisoned by Durin.

Then for what purpose did she do it?

A sorceress could see the dim flow of fate, but couldn’t completely lift the veil. Only the Witch of Prophecy, who occasionally appeared in the flow of fate, knew that. In a situation where there was no gate to cross to the human realm except for the southern ruin that only the Demon King could use, there was nothing they could do.

“We just prepare as we are now. To stand firm no matter what happens.”

“I guess we have no choice but to trust in that?”

“We will overcome. You do your part.”

“If any other information comes in, I’ll tell you at the next meeting. This is all I have for now.”

The High Sorceress gave a bitter smile. The castle’s power was still too weak for her to exert her full strength. The future belongs to those who can endure all adversities.

Durin focused more on strengthening the internal structure.

“Then let’s move on to the next agenda. I think everyone is aware of this.”

The Regent’s meaningful statement awakened the great hall.

The red-horned demons, who had been depressed by the talk of the Demon King, perked up their ears, while the green-horned demons, who had their eyes on the next reign, brightened their gaze.

“For the demon realm to survive, we cannot leave that throne empty. We need someone to maintain balance.”

If Durin made an official declaration, a legitimate successor would be established immediately.

The final task given to the Regent: to crown the king of the demon realm.

His era, created by force, would set, and a new sun would rise. The future of the high-ranking demons was at stake.

“However, I cannot immediately enthrone someone with just the Regent’s authority for such an important matter. We must discuss and verify carefully.”

“Indeed. We cannot repeat the disaster caused by the previous Demon King.”

Those were the words of a green-horned demon. Their momentum was considerable. This was because Durin had personally brought the Grand Duke’s daughter to the great hall. The outcome seemed predetermined to anyone watching.

“Regent, please make a wise decision to lead our castle.”

“As I just said, I will not hastily enthrone anyone. Shouldn’t the king be someone supported by all?”

“That is so. Through thorough verification, a great demon…”

“I will first select the Council of Electors. High-ranking demons who can properly verify the qualities of a king will choose the successor.”

The Council of Electors. An ancient relic written somewhere in the demon realm’s scripture.

The green-horned demons, who thought Durin would make an immediate declaration, were taken aback.

“S-select the Council of Electors?”

“You heard correctly. To select a more definitive king, I will adhere to the method of selecting a Demon King as written in the scripture. Grand Judge, does my statement violate the law?”

“It is lawful. Wasn’t the first Demon King also selected in this manner, creating the demon realm as we know it today? In these chaotic times with the king gone, it rather carries the meaning of a fresh start. As the castle’s legal scholar and maintainer of order in the demon realm, I support the Regent.”

Grand Judge Matheus also joined in. The eyes that had been fixed on Serpin, who was sitting blankly in a corner, scattered at once.

Given the past actions, it seemed inevitable that support would gather for the East. But looking at the direction he was now setting, it appeared that demons from other continents could also have a chance.

Of course, if the East were to become king without any unexpected events through this selection, it would establish a golden tower with both legitimacy from having produced a Demon King before and now following a proper procedure. But having some possibility was better than none at all.

“The method of selecting the Council of Electors is simple. We will accept volunteers from the top two demons from each of the five continents, including the central region. We will place those with the authority to elect a king in that position, and once all positions are filled, the throne will be opened for claims.”

Durin looked around. For now, only the divided red and green horns were visible.

However, once this news spread, powerful figures who had been observing from various regions would emerge.

“So find them. You can directly support and establish the king you desire.”

The small breeze ignited by the Regent.

It was the beginning of a storm that would inevitably transform into a massive wingbeat.

#

“That child is causing quite a stir again.”

After the meeting ended and the nobles dispersed, Ludmila looked around cautiously as she spoke. Her red eyes were specifically directed at Serpin.

“Weren’t you planning to proclaim her as king right here? That’s what I thought.”

“Rushing matters often leads to trouble.”

“I didn’t expect you to stop here after even making a deal with the Grand Duke. I thought the Grand Duke would lead his army here and declare her as the heir to the throne.”

“Something similar will happen soon.”

“…What?”

Ludmila lowered her voice. But a scream that wasn’t completely suppressed leaked out. Some nobles who were leaving stopped in their tracks and looked at the two, causing Ludmila to cover her mouth with her hand.

“The Grand Duke’s army is coming here?”

“Yes. I permitted it in exchange for imprisoning his daughter.”

“Wait, wait. Normally, I would have interrupted you here and asked what you were thinking.”

Ludmila composed her emotions. She replaced her racing heart with an exaggerated gesture.

“But I’m different now. I’ve been closely observing your actions.”

“You’ve put in a lot of effort.”

“Thanks for the compliment, but I’m feeling a bit scared right now, so it’s not really registering.”

She displayed a somewhat broken expression.

“According to what you said, to form the Council of Electors, you need to bring strong figures from each continent. But the problem is that the West and North have cut off communication with us since the king fled, right?”

“Even the few nobles we sent all fled. It was regrettable that I didn’t have the capacity to catch them then.”

“Right. So those friends can’t participate in this Demon King selection. Even if they want to send armies, they can’t easily withdraw them because they share borders with angel garrisons.”

“If they do… they’ll die right there. No, even if they come, I will stop them.”

“So there are three continents left?”

Central, East, and South.

“But if you think about it carefully, the South is Durin’s land, essentially yours.”

“Well, they are demons with free will too.”

“Don’t say such nonsense. The East will definitely put forward that child Serpin because you’ve made a deal, and the Central… they’ll support someone, but as I said during the southern rebellion, there’s no successor. There’s no red-horned demon with such capability.”

“They were all killed by someone.”

It was an old matter from the past. It was somewhat related to the context of why red-horned demons, despite having produced kings for generations, currently lack power.

“So in the end, it will flow into a battle between the powerless Central and the East with your support.”

“It’s not even a battle to begin with. The gap is too large. Wouldn’t it flow more smoothly?”

“The problem is that’s not what you want. You’re thinking about seeing blood again.”

Ludmila trembled. It seemed like past memories were resurfacing.

“The Central will eventually find potential candidates for the king and make them claimants to the throne. They’ll obtain information about those who have been waiting silently.”

“……”

“You’ve already decided on the king you want to support in your heart, and you hold a list of those who might threaten that position.”

So the High Sorceress had to ask the Regent:

“Are you planning to eliminate them all?”

Purge.

The bloodshed that always followed to strengthen power.

Durin did not deny it.

“If necessary.”

Instead, he smiled with his red eyes from behind his helmet.

“I must eradicate them all. Before the angels come.”