Ch.43Blood Feast (2)

The crown for Serphin has been prepared.

In that moment when the moon of the demon realm reaches its full phase, under the red light draped like a curtain, the young demon will ascend to the Demon King’s throne.

“Hurry, hurry with the preparations. We cannot tolerate mistakes at this rare feast!”

The succubi’s footsteps quickened. During wartime, they had little to do besides cleaning and serving as messengers. Just when they were beginning to wonder if they were wingless harpies, a savior appeared like a comet, guiding them to their true identity.

Finally given proper work, they excitedly began carrying food.

“Is today the day of proof?”

From the highest point in the banquet hall, in the waiting room for high-ranking demons, Serphin murmured as she looked down at the scene. She was busy with her appearance. She had discarded the light attire she usually wore for training and donned elaborate ceremonial clothes.

Her reflection in the mirror felt unreal. It seemed like she was attending an ordinary social gathering, but what awaited her was the path to the throne.

She could already see the difficulties ahead—having to secure loyalty before achieving unity within the castle. Without Durin, she would have lived and died as a mere decoration in the reception room.

“I will proudly show him my true self. Durin believes in me.”

She continuously cast this spell upon herself. Though she commanded the Eastern Army, it wasn’t enough, and whenever anxiety crept in, she sought the regent. Whether he helped or not didn’t matter. Just repeating his name calmed her pounding heart.

“I can do this. I possess the magic of dominance.”

Serphin brought her hands to her open chest. From her lightly clenched fist, golden magic began to envelop her body. She closed her eyes and checked once more the power she had been cultivating.

At this feast, if she wanted to be recognized as the ruler, she needed to display her magic as planned. Mistakes were not an option.

Darkness filled her vision. A voice came from beyond.

Serphin recalled the scene before leaving the great hall, when she had spoken with Durin.

#

“Look at this! Haven’t I improved considerably?”

Serphin’s growth rate was undeniably fast. Befitting the Demon King’s bloodline, once she realized the power of dominance, she instinctively knew how to handle it. Even when she hadn’t been aware of it, she could easily devour lower demons, but now she wielded power on a completely different level.

“Now I can suppress not just soldiers but other high-ranking demons as well.”

True to her words, Verdia, who had replaced Durahan as a test subject, was making a pitiful face within the golden magic. She was controlling even the movements of the southern demon who was advancing as a high-ranking demon.

Durin nodded in satisfaction.

“Good. You certainly have talent.”

“I was able to elevate myself this far because I am Serphin. As the rightful owner of the throne, I must prove myself.”

Having erased her previous gloomy demeanor and regained confidence, Serphin spoke boldly to Durin. She eagerly sought praise in her excited voice. Her desire to compensate for her days of weakness seemed great.

Unfortunately, her counterpart was Durin. He ignored Serphin as she subtly drew closer and walked toward the throne.

“This feast is an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities.”

“Isn’t that natural for a celebration before the coronation?”

Slightly offended, Serphin pouted. A hint of defiance raised her head slightly. But when Durin glanced back, it quickly retreated deep into her heart.

“That ‘natural’ thing hasn’t been done for decades. The throne was ascended through the endorsement of the Senate and other high-ranking demons.”

“You could only watch it all happen back then, right?”

“As a warrior who bore duties rather than power, that was natural. I was simply faithful to my role.”

Durin stretched out his hand. He came close enough to touch the dragon-patterned handle. But he didn’t move any closer. He turned around without hesitation and faced Serphin, who was looking up at him from below.

“But a new era has dawned. An era where the legitimate ruler is elected according to law, not the interests of high-ranking demons. Serphin, you must bring a new wind to the demon realm. You must proclaim to all demons that the direction we are taking is right.”

“Isn’t that difficult right now? I spoke confidently, but truthfully, I’m not at such an amazing level yet…”

Serphin let out an awkward laugh. The baseless confidence she had shown to impress Durin came back to haunt her. Seeing him speak so seriously made her feel guilty.

Fortunately, Durin didn’t seem to mind much. He spoke to her as he descended the stairs one step at a time.

“Potential. That’s all you need to show. Plant hope in them so they can endure difficult times with expectations for you.”

Durin stood before Serphin. As he met the eyes of the small woman, his blazing presence subsided.

“But first, let me show you. The power you will possess as ruler.”

“What?”

Serphin asked, momentarily not understanding. Show the power of the king? How?

Before her questions could fade, the surrounding air began to fluctuate.

“!”

A single deep breath. Without any preparation, without any precursory phenomena to gather magic, the world distorted.

Simultaneously, Serphin’s heart beat violently. She also felt a strange sensation, as if her soul was resonating.

Serphin’s body trembled at the intense anomaly approaching her.

A feeling of both gaining and losing power. It couldn’t be explained by the common sense Serphin knew.

“My goodness…”

But she could feel it instinctively. This was indeed the power of the Demon King. It was so powerful that it couldn’t even be compared to the dominance magic she possessed. Did this mean Durin controlled this?

“It’s a legacy sleeping in the king’s hall.”

Durin’s subsequent words denied her question. He clearly distinguished that it was not his own.

“This separated space was prepared by the Demon King before dying in the celestial war. Detaching a part of his soul, he stored it in the great hall, waiting for the Demon King who would someday succeed him.”

It was redder than a red rose. The space made of white marble was dyed blood-red. From everywhere her eyes touched, a suffocating energy rushed in relentlessly. Unable to distinguish ceiling from floor, it felt literally suspended. If she let her mind wander even for a moment, it seemed she might lose consciousness.

That’s how powerful the surging magic was.

“Serphin.”

Durin’s voice flowed in like the wind. Gritting her teeth, Serphin struggled to maintain her center and look directly at him.

“This is the weight you will someday bear.”

It carried the wish of a Demon King who foresaw the era of decline that would come from the moment of his death. The demon’s pain, which even sorcerers shook their heads at in the face of a hopeless future, writhed throughout the legacy. It was desperate, like a final struggle.

Her unknown life approached Serphin. Emotions that had to be suppressed in places no one knew came rushing in like waves.

“……”

Serphin forgot to speak. Instead, she accepted.

She was surprisingly calm, even to herself. Was it because she had already handled the magic of dominance?

The throne’s successor tried to reconnect the broken will.

At the same time.

“This is the powerful strength you will someday show.”

She saw hope. If she could qualify to receive the Demon King’s legacy, she could advance to a place far beyond.

She saw a faint possibility that she could grow as a true arch-demon. She could set a destination in a future where nothing had been visible before.

“Remember. You are the legitimate successor to the Demon King.”

……

“I can do it.”

Back to the present.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall intensified, and the succubi’s footsteps became even busier. All the demons in the castle had gathered to chat. In this masked ball where true intentions were hidden, blooming conversations awaited someone.

Serphin Del Istria. The woman who would ascend to the throne tonight.

Leaning on the balustrade of the waiting room, she tried to infer the various thoughts the demons might harbor. From negative emotions like hostility, jealousy, and envy to positive ones like expectation, hope, and earnestness. Factions didn’t matter. After all, they were all demons she had to lead.

She would accomplish everything here today. She would make everyone feel what Durin had shown her.

However….

“I cannot dare to imagine the pain you endured.”

She thinks of a demon who waited for a long time until the Demon King’s successor appeared. The only warrior who steadfastly held up a shield in the face of harsh trials. How heavy must the shoulders have been that bore the weight of the Demon King alone?

She feels both regret and gratitude.

It wasn’t simply because he supported Serphin as the Demon King. It was a sincere feeling she experienced on the path from immaturity to becoming a true high-ranking demon.

“So now I will stand with you.”

He said he would be her shield. A presence that would firmly hold its place even if the waves of the world came rushing in.

Then Serphin would be the sword. If she leads all demons and makes them the sharpest sword, they could cut down both humans and celestials.

So that the years he spent would not fade.

#

“Hahaha. Have a drink.”

The demons were reveling. Though their essence was struggle, what they loved even more was pleasure. They enjoyed festivities more than anyone in the world. True to their instincts, they poured alcohol and swayed their bodies freely.

And if eyes met, they would spend the deep night together.

“How wonderful. That damned war is truly tiresome.”

Chuckling, a red-horned demon with a flushed face was making a scene. Killahal clinked glasses with him to match his rhythm, but inside he was rigid.

How could one enjoy oneself in this uncomfortable place where a green-horned king must be served? Moreover, even the outside forces, which were his insurance, had been tied up. He had gathered all the elites he could, but the numbers were insufficient. This meant that he had little power to raise his voice immediately within the castle.

In this situation where one’s true power had become equal under Durin, the number of soldiers was a precious weapon. Not being able to mobilize them was painfully regrettable.

“Elder, let’s have a drink without worrying for now.”

Beside him, tactless individuals continued to spout nonsense. To avoid showing his true feelings, Killahal continued to accept their invitations while constantly rolling his eyes.

The regent must have used some method. Just looking at the royal guard spread out over there raised suspicions.

Everything must be observed. To empower the young Demon King, the power of the Senate must be killed. In this place, their authority must be diminished…

“Good evening! Killahal. Thank you for coming to this gathering.”

Someone approached with cheerful words. Killahal immediately came to his senses and raised his head, but all he saw was empty space. More precisely, there was no neck. The Durahan Guard Captain had come to him with a glass of wine.

“Despite having horns of different colors, you celebrate together. I’m truly delighted to see the integration of the Demon King’s castle.”

The Guard Captain plopped down in front of him. While the band’s music was creating a lively atmosphere, the red-horned demons tensed up at that moment. His words were essentially spreading Durin’s will.

“On such a joyous day, I couldn’t miss it. After all, I lead the high-ranking demons of the central region.”

“Hahaha! His Majesty was so reassured, saying that just looking at the volunteer army outside shows your strength.”

There was a barb in his words. The two glared at each other countless times while smiling.

“Hehe. Your words make me so honored that I don’t know where to put myself. I would like you to convey that this power will all be used for His Majesty the Demon King, so he can rest assured.”

“Of course. Aren’t those troops all belonging to the castle?”

At that moment, Killahal closed his mouth. He masked his displeasure by downing his drink.

Seeing this, the Guard Captain laughed heartily.

“Not only that, but all demons in this place should show their worth to His Majesty. With a battle against angels ahead, shouldn’t loyalty be clearly demonstrated?”

“Indeed. With war approaching, we must gather soldiers.”

“They will all become legions. What greater honor is there than fighting under the name of the Demon King?”

At that moment, Killahal could understand. Durin’s main purpose for holding the feast was none other than the private armies.

The moment the coronation takes place here, all the soldiers gathered by the Elector Prince and other high-ranking demons will be incorporated into the castle’s army. It was a place to show a strong will not to allow private armies.

If one were to say they couldn’t do that…

“The Regent is entering!”

As the ornate banquet hall doors opened, a warrior in black armor slowly walked in. All demons rose from their seats. None could resist his powerful authority.

Killahal was no exception.