Ch.45Blood Feast (4)

Durin walked through the dark corridor.

The world illuminated by the dim lights was divided in two. The lesser demons forming the foundation of the castle waited outside the walls, while the high demons leading them waited inside for their king.

The Demon King’s Castle operated according to the law of the strong. The words of the powerful were absolute law, so everyone followed without doubt or fear. This was the greatest driving force that allowed demons to resist in the face of powerful divine power.

Just as angels offered fervent prayers to their god, demons pledged complete loyalty to higher beings, dedicating their bodies and souls.

But looking at the current situation, everything had turned upside down.

Since when did demons engage in factional disputes and power struggles like mere humans?

Power should be met with power, magic with magic. Each should seize authority based on their honed abilities and inherit the prestige that follows. That would be the natural order in a true demon realm.

So now it was time to drain the stagnant water that had been pooling for hundreds of years. He would remove all demons unworthy of being called high demons.

This was why he had allowed things to fester under the pretext of Serphin’s growth. Because Durin hadn’t interfered, vermin had sprung up like weeds, trying to eat away at the castle. The time had come to harvest those responsible for the era of decline who had all raised their heads.

“Golden Guard!”

Durin, who had moved from the banquet hall to the king’s throne room, shouted loudly. In response, statues that had been standing sentry duty here and there slowly rose to life. Brilliant golden armor appeared through the scattered stone dust. The elite demons, who had been quiet since the southern conquest, once again raised their swords.

“Issue your commands, sir.”

They immediately knelt and paid homage to Durin. Their intense determination to carry out any order was evident. Durin accepted the loyalty of the Golden Guard.

“Lock all the gates of the castle. Ensure that not even a single rat escapes. If anyone resists or disobeys, you may behead them.”

“We will follow your orders.”

“Next is the Royal Guard. Receive your orders.”

As Durin turned around, the captain of the Royal Guard appeared as if he had been waiting. He was already firmly gripping his halberd, looking forward to the coming bloodshed.

“You will accompany me. Arrest all the Red Horn dissidents in the banquet hall and imprison them.”

“Should we take them alive, sir?”

“Like the Golden Guard, kill anyone who resists. I will take everything they possess anyway.”

“Thank you for this opportunity, Your Excellency!”

Let’s go!

The Durahans moved swiftly under the command of the Royal Guard captain who raised his halberd energetically.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

The sound of steel boots filled the dark corridor. The earth-shaking echoes awakened the castle that had been languishing in illness. It was the silent cheer of the Royal Guard, delighted at the thought of catching and punishing the vermin.

“W-what’s happening!”

“What should we do?”

Some soldiers who hadn’t yet left were busy fleeing at the sight of the Durahan march. They were hostile forces connected by blood to the Senate, not lower soldiers to be incorporated into the legion. Of course, they would have been left alone if they didn’t resist, but some bravely stood up.

“We must buy time for Father to escape! Durin will kill us all!”

Dozens of soldiers formed ranks in the opposite corridor, blocking the entrance to the banquet hall. Nearby lay the bodies of several lower soldiers. It must have been bloodshed that occurred during the confusion. Durin raised his flag as if he had been waiting for this.

“They are plotting treason! They have harmed the king’s soldiers! Kill them all!”

The situation had crossed a point of no return, cornering the Senate. The Durahans crashed in like a wave, pushing the Red Horn soldiers against the wall. Resistance was weak. Upon contact with the sharp halberds, they were either crushed or skewered.

The feast for the king was instantly stained with blood. Their rosy dreams had changed only in color. They were all trampled under the anger of the Royal Guard who had endured the era of decline.

“Your Excellency. Let us enter.”

All was quiet. Despite the Royal Guard captain gripping the firmly locked door handle of the banquet hall, no sound could be heard. The tension of the impending battle gradually rose through the thick walls.

Creeeeak-!

The massive stone door opened with an unpleasant sound.

Simultaneously.

BOOM-!

Powerful magic rushed through the slightly opened gap. Some Durahans caught in the powerful aftershock were pushed back.

It was powerful enough to damage the Royal Guard. Only one person in that place could wield such power.

“Killahal.”

Durin repelled all the magical energy with one hand. He stepped toward the wide-open door.

BOOM-!

Magic exploded once more. This time, much more magical energy relentlessly pounded against the armor. There was desperation in it—if he couldn’t push back, he would be pushed.

But contrary to that wish, not a single scratch appeared on Durin’s body. He walked calmly through the rising remnants of magical energy.

“I told you. I would give you a chance to answer.”

In the completely chaotic banquet hall, Durin faced Killahal. Having drawn up and fired all his magical energy, the old demon was breathing heavily. His trembling fingertips were still exerting power, but the end was in sight.

“But it seems you don’t desire mercy.”

“Mercy? How ridiculous.”

Killahal sneered. His piercing eyes glared at Durin.

“Do you think sparing my life is mercy? Just kill me. If I cannot live in an era of glory, I will not beg pathetically.”

“You’ve aged disgracefully. Where is the warrior who once fervently followed the Demon King and led from the front?”

“It ended the moment the king who shared my life died. Our era disappeared the moment angels invaded this demon realm!”

Killahal cried out as if wailing. Unshed bloody tears pooled in his bloodshot eyes.

“Can you overcome it? Are you confident you can hold onto your duty until the end of your life?”

“So that’s all the excuse you have—someone who only looked after his own interests.”

Killahal, struggling at the cliff of death.

Looking at his wretched appearance, Durin felt emptiness. The great demon who should have led everyone was completely broken.

It was like watching a will eroded by time, only screaming in fear. Curled up in stagnant water, he refused to properly face the approaching threat.

“Even mercy is wasted on you.”

Death approached Killahal. Durin’s emotionless red eyes showed no feeling whatsoever. He looked at him as if watching a squirming worm.

That pierced Killahal’s heart. It felt like the pain he had carefully hidden was now exposed. The old demon scraped the bottom and shouted.

“I will watch even in death! Your downfall to the angels…”

THUD!

Durin did not allow him his last words. He looked down at the body of a great demon who had met a miserable end.

Silence fell over the banquet hall. There were many Red Horn nobles subdued by the Royal Guard. Across from them, demons from other continents kept their mouths shut, fearing that calamity might befall them next.

“Then I will ask once more.”

Durin asked, shaking the blood from his hand.

“Is there anyone willing to relinquish power for the sake of the demon realm?”

If they didn’t want to meet the same fate, they should answer properly.

“No, let me rephrase that.”

Durin’s red eyes scanned the surroundings.

“Dedicate yourselves. Obey your master as written in the law. Those who disobey will be severely punished.”

He commanded as the strong. Durin demanded loyalty.

The free life they had enjoyed would no longer be permitted. They were on the verge of witnessing the rebirth of a strong demon realm, a world of warriors constantly being tempered.

“Any objections?”

Choose. Loyalty or death.

There was no other path. The high demons gathered in the banquet hall knelt down. They raised both hands in worship.

They pledged eternal loyalty to Durin and the Demon King who would lead them.

“Lead us.”

“My master.”

#

The moon was always red. Though seen every night, it was always captivating.

Serphin suddenly recalled what her father had said. The Duke of the East would always mutter this while looking at the night sky.

-The holy city, the throne, even the moon—all are red. There is no place for us anywhere.

Words spoken calmly. She hadn’t understood when she was young. The red moon was just a natural phenomenon, so she never even questioned it.

But as she witnessed all the hardships and sought new answers, she could finally see it. Her father’s lament, the sorrow embedded in the color red, and Durin’s choice that had mended it all.

“The King watches over us!”

“Look there. The moon has risen.”

The soldiers’ gazes converged on one spot.

The moon was green. It had changed its attire to the horn color symbolizing the Eastern Dynasty.

If the brightly shining sun symbolized the celestial realm, the moon of the dark night symbolized the demon realm. It was a profound experience to see a story from legend become reality.

“The Creator God made it so, they say. So that both races could continue to watch over humans.”

“But we’re trapped in this wasteland called the demon realm. How could the moon’s color change?”

“This place is still within the Creator God’s power. Not a place of exile, but simply a new land. Our targeting of the celestial realm is a trace left by our ancestors’ longing.”

Grand Magistrate Matheus explained slowly to Serphin. To have dignity as a king, one must know the history behind it. A king raised immersed in joy and pain must envision the day of returning to the celestial realm. It was the duty of those who remembered the law and history as magistrates.

“Go forward. And make your proclamation.”

“Will the era welcome me?”

“Don’t expect a welcome. Demons are always hated beings.”

A kind smile contrasting with the merciless words. Serphin took courage. Before, there had only been Durin, but gradually more people supporting her appeared. No, they had probably been there before, but she hadn’t noticed them. She had only looked at the Senate and Eastern nobles. The castle was full of loyal subjects waiting for the owner of the throne.

Serphin just needed to trust them and take the lead. That was her duty as king.

Step, step.

Her careful steps led to the platform prepared on the castle wall. Tens of thousands of troops spread out before her, all cheering in unison. They stretched as far as the horizon. Regardless of horn color, they were all the king’s army.

Pure demons who didn’t care about power struggles and political games.

They were the children Serphin needed to gather.

Affection welled up. Any worries about her weakness had long since disappeared. She had confidence. They would be captivated the moment they saw her power.

The magic of dominance was such a power.

“Do you want war?”

There were no grand aspirations. The young king still lacked experience. So she got straight to the point. Like when Durin led the demons, she delved into the fundamentals.

“Angels are right in front of us. The enemies who have oppressed us for hundreds of years are bringing their armies to invade. We must fight back. For this land where we will continue to live.”

Serphin’s voice was calm. Like her father, the Duke of the East, who always maintained composure, she did not strongly express her emotions.

“But I don’t want a war just to defend. Demons are beings who fight. We don’t put anyone behind us.”

She remembered Durin’s path. She recalled the tyrannical road he had walked.

“We must only face enemies head-on. We must challenge those angels who are eyeing us covetously from the northwest!”

Her voice rose a level. Emotions boiled.

She provided an answer to her concerns about her helplessness in the Northern War. Don’t stay behind, step forward.

One must struggle endlessly. Demons must live as demons should.

The magic of dominance consumed her mind. Golden energy swirled around her. The intense wave that spread out reached the horizon in an instant.

The resonance Serphin had felt from Durin. It spread throughout the legion.

“This is war! We will fight against the angels and win! We will slaughter all the white wings that have invaded our land and throw their heads before the God of Light! Humiliate them! Trample them!”

The speech reached its climax. The magic of dominance spread to every corner. The power of the lost Demon King filled the demon realm once more.

Demons, undead, magical beasts, even Serphin herself were intoxicated by the magic of dominance.

The courage dormant within them awakened. Their fighting spirit to stand against angels was revived. They no longer feared divine power.

They sought the battlefield.

“Kill them! Kill the angels!”

“Challenge the enemy!”

“Death is glory!”

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The army stomped their feet. The march trumpet sounded long and loud. The moment the lost king returned, they gained the strength to move forward.

“The era of decline is over. I proclaim revival.”

Serphin shouted with all her might.

“This is the age of vengeance! Let us advance to the celestial realm!”

#

“…Indeed, it’s the power of the magic of dominance.”

When Durin arrived at the castle wall, Matheus greeted him.

The regent’s eyes fell on Serphin’s back as she was caught in the cauldron of excitement with the soldiers. Until just moments ago, she had been merely a young demon, but the magic had transformed her.

The power of enchantment that Eastern demons had honed to counter the Red Horn dynasty.

The magic they tried to engrave directly into their souls to pass down through generations.

It was self-suggestion.

Dominance. It made one into a figure worthy of kingship and authority, even without bloodline.

“The demon realm will recover quickly. The Black Army that disappeared will return, and the lost legion flags will find their way back home.”

“They will be a great force in the celestial war. They will be valuable troops at the vanguard when we go to reclaim our lost heritage.”

“But now there is no one to lead them. The Demon King alone is not enough.”

Matheus looked at Durin. In the old demon’s hands was another parchment besides the scripture.

Durin could sense it the moment he saw it. He knelt down.

It was a posture of worship with one leg bent.

For the first time bowing his head to someone, Durin raised both hands. Matheus assumed his position and spoke to him.

“On behalf of the Demon King who will lead the war, Grand Magistrate Matheus proclaims. Durin, guardian of the demon realm and savior who will reclaim forgotten rights, heed this command.”

Old names from the past flowed out. Durin bowed his head even deeper.

“Having fulfilled your duty as regent, I bestow upon you the right to command the army as Chancellor.”

The opportunity had returned. The moment he had yearned for through long years of endurance had arrived.

To kill angels and settle old grudges.

“Lead the celestial war to victory.”

Durin vowed never to fail again.