Ch.63New Era (2)

# 100 Years of Waiting

They had shed countless blood while enduring the era of decline. The Legion’s patience seemed endless.

The devastating victories against the Celestials always brought sorrow.

“Legion. Forward.”

The seeds sown through that pain finally blossomed. After the long winter, they welcomed the spring breeze. The descendants who had defeated tens of thousands of angels and brought hope to this land marched proudly in step.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

Perfect angles struck the ground with each step.

Not even the slightest error was tolerated. Those who had achieved this great victory were flawless.

“March. Proclaim our victory.”

The Demon Lord’s army left the battlefield and reached Downfall, the capital of the Western region.

A massive city nestled within the jungle.

The warriors displayed their majestic presence in this land where demons and lizard natives lived together.

At their head stood Demon Lord Serphin and Regent Durin. They were Great Demons admired by all demonkind. Though Serphin had not yet earned significant acclaim due to her short reign, the Regent beside her received a fervent welcome.

It appeared as if their master-servant relationship had been reversed.

“……”

Some exchanged nervous glances.

They knew how great Durin’s achievements were, but this was enough to shake the hierarchy. If Serphin’s mood were to be disturbed even slightly by this, something terrible could happen.

Of course, such concerns were unfounded.

“Everyone is praising you. It’s overwhelming to see.”

“All this glory should be received by Your Majesty.”

“Don’t worry. Soon I’ll stand above them all. I’ll train relentlessly for that day.”

There was no rift. Rather, Serphin took Durin’s hand.

The generals under them were startled by this sudden action. The Demon Lord enjoyed their reaction.

“This is the Great Demon who led us to victory! Remember this well!”

Serphin shouted, raising the Regent’s hand. The crowd responded with even greater excitement than before.

“Waaaaaaaaah!!!”

“Durin! Durin! Durin!”

“Immortal Commander! Celestial’s Nemesis! Our Savior!”

“All praise to you!”

From black-horned Western bloodline demons to lizard natives, everyone was fired up. The crowd waved their hands, showing their excitement over the victory. The Western continent, where the most fierce battles against angels had been fought in the demon realm—their joy was immense after quenching a centuries-old thirst.

Their cheers soon became motivation for the Legion soldiers.

Demons were born to fight. In battles that crossed the boundary between life and death, they found meaning in their existence.

Usually, this ended with self-satisfaction, but now they could go a step further and receive recognition from the world.

Their blood and sweat could transcend a mere verse in mythology and be sublimated into the respect of demonkind.

“This is the scene we’ve been hoping for.”

Words from one soldier’s mouth touched everyone’s hearts.

The future that the Regent had been shouldering and striving for. It was proven by the scene unfolding before their eyes.

The atmosphere that had pushed the Legion into deep emotion reached its peak when they arrived at the central plaza of Downfall.

At the center of the world where all eyes gathered, Yoannina, the ruler of the West, was waiting.

“Your Majesty.”

The black-horned beast queen reverently greeted the king. She knelt down.

“Your Majesty!”

“All praise to you!”

Like a wave, all demons lowered their posture. The reverence of all gathered in one place.

They had been waiting. The true end of the war. They pleaded to the Demon Lord who would mark the final period.

“Please, the victory declaration…”

Yoannina presented a scabbard with both hands.

It was an ordinary form without special decoration. A sword used by common lower demons on the battlefield.

Serphin carefully lifted the scabbard.

Shing-

Drawing it with her right hand and raising it toward the sky, light glinted under the red sun. Golden demonic energy spread in all directions. The demons beheld the great authority that came from bloodline right before their eyes.

“……”

There was no grand speech that followed. She simply held the sword up in silence.

But that alone was enough. It was already overflowing excessively.

“We have won.”

“Your Majesty…”

“We have done it. And we have claimed victory.”

Serphin’s voice, like a murmur, spread across the plaza. There was no intense impact. It seemed almost faint because of how calm it was.

Yet many shed silent tears watching the scene. Past pain washed away like droplets of water.

They had resolved their grudge.

#

After the victory ceremony, the leadership of the Demon Lord’s castle gathered at the Downfall palace.

They enjoyed the after-party in a splendid banquet hall, endlessly savoring the afterglow of victory.

“Young Majesty. Do you know how much the Western demons have suffered all this time?”

While everyone was sharing achievements and exchanging pleasantries, there was one uninvited guest.

Yoannina, the beast queen of the West who had lived for 1,000 years, spoke to Serphin without restraint.

It could have been seen as disrespectful and provoked public outrage, but no one could stop her.

The years she had lived prevented the assembly from moving carelessly.

“I know. Of course I do. I’ve heard much about how hard you’ve worked, Lady Yoannina. You led the Spell Corps and played a pivotal role in the siege, and even went on to occupy the gate after the war.”

Serphin also responded gently, not disrupting the atmosphere.

Yoannina laughed heartily and further heightened the mood.

“Haha. I, Yoannina, am the protagonist who cut off the path to the Celestial Realm.”

“You’re amazing.”

She was an old beast who had lived since the era when the primordial Demon Lord was active. It was questionable why she used such an immature tone after living for so long, but Serphin held back for now. She didn’t want to create problems at the banquet.

“While those damned white-winged bastards can’t target the West, our Demon Lord’s army has built a bridge to the human realm. We’ve excellently laid the groundwork for invasion, so how could we not drink on such a joyous day?”

Yoannina filled her empty cup with alcohol. The aged demon rose from her seat, giggling.

“Come on! Everyone raise your cups. Let’s give all glory to the great one.”

Following her lead, the generals laughed heartily and responded to her. Laughter overflowed. The banquet under the night sky was filled with happiness that had been hard to find during the days of war.

Seeing that scene, Serphin’s heart softened a little.

“Regent.”

Serphin immediately sought out Durin.

She offered a drink to the Great Demon who, unlike Yoannina, did not step forward despite sitting at the place of honor. She preferred to mingle with the taciturn Regent rather than that old beast.

“Did you know that victory celebrations will continue for a week?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“During that time, I’ll attend various schedules to imprint the demonic energy of dominance on the army.”

“That’s excellent.”

“This includes the angels as well.”

Serphin glanced at Durin. And subtly asked.

“Is… is this a good schedule? I tried my best to plan it…”

“Of course.”

Durin affirmed.

“If you try to arrange more than this, you won’t be able to complete everything. It’s perfect as it is—showing the king’s power and strengthening the military forces.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Continue on this path.”

Serphin’s face brightened. An excitement that Yoannina couldn’t raise despite her efforts surged.

Like a child wanting more praise, the Demon Lord moved closer to Durin.

“When I have time, I should visit the Western gate and study about dimensions. As the Demon Lord, I need to prepare to properly handle the power of the Archangel that you mentioned.”

“I was going to talk to you about that after the banquet. But since you’ve brought it up first, there’s no need to worry.”

“Of course. I am of the great Istria’s bloodline.”

Serphin said, pouring alcohol into Durin’s cup.

The Regent quickly showed proper etiquette. The Demon Lord smiled softly and offered the cup.

“But sometimes, please worry about me. I’m still an inadequate Demon Lord. I need your help to match the achievements of my ancestors.”

It was a heartfelt statement. Serphin blushed slightly as if embarrassed. She looked around nervously, wondering if she had said something unnecessary.

“Your Majesty.”

Fortunately, Durin did not refuse.

“I will be with you. May your will be done.”

With those characteristically calm words, he made his vow.

In the midst of the boisterous banquet, another scene unfolded.

Durin and Serphin.

Great Demons who spared no dedication for the demon realm.

Their cups clinked lightly.

*

“What were those memories from that day?”

The next morning.

Serphin, rising from her bedchamber, felt dejected. As the dreamlike days passed, reality returned.

The duties that must be fulfilled as a king.

They never left Serphin at ease for even a moment.

As soon as she opened her eyes, reports and petitions poured in.

Currently limited to the West, but thinking about the volume that would come from all regions of the demon realm after the war already gave her a headache.

“This is why I asked to be together.”

Serphin grumbled. The young demon squeezed her eyes shut in the study where she was left alone.

“How could you just go back to the castle by yourself!”

Among numerous papyri lay a single note.

In Durin’s concise handwriting, it read:

[Your Majesty. I will return to the castle to modify the captured angels and reorganize the army. I will see you again on the day of your return.]

Durin was not in the West.

How could the companion who had promised to be together leave so easily? She wanted to lament, but time would not easily let the Demon Lord go.

“Your Majesty. The Western Legion is waiting.”

“You must decide on the treatment of angels who surrendered in the North and South.”

“The meritorious subjects are waiting for rewards. You must go to the great hall quickly.”

Aaaaargh.

Serphin screamed internally.

War had been better than this.