Ch.75Fate (3)

In the wake of a fierce oath.

Durin left without saying another word. He couldn’t spare more time because there wasn’t enough for one who carried destiny.

“Your Majesty…”

The Captain of the Royal Guard filled the empty space. He spoke with a concerned voice as he watched the Demon King who was still shedding tears.

“It’s getting cold. Please come inside.”

“I’m fine. I’m truly fine.”

Perhaps she was shocked? Many thoughts crossed his mind, but fortunately, his concerns were unfounded. Serphin was more resilient than expected. She wasn’t swept away by Durin’s emotions.

“Captain of the Royal Guard.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“The meaning of these tears isn’t fear or shame.”

The Demon King wiped her blurry vision. She wanted to face the red moon more clearly.

“This is joy. How could I not shed tears when I have such a loyal subject who would do everything for me?”

“Your Majesty…”

“With him by my side, I can move forward.”

The heaviness in her heart lifted, and so the king smiled.

“I’ve gained a shield to protect me from the storms as I move toward a great destiny. I have no fear now.”

The king strengthened her resolve. Everything the Prophecy Witch had elaborately explained seeped in like melting snow.

Breathe the power of the lost god into the hero.

Advance to the human realm and find the ruins.

Burn the faith meant for the celestials to weaken them.

Any challenge would be fine. Durin was willing to move forward. He had sworn his loyalty to the destination Serphin wanted to see. So there was only one thing she needed to do.

“I will look in the direction Durin is heading. So that the wandering demons can see me and follow. Opening the future.”

That was the duty a ruler must fulfill.

Serphin, who had only been looking at the light that was Durin.

The Demon King could finally find the path the light was heading toward.

#

“This is unacceptable. To treat a hero in such a manner.”

As time passed, complaints arose from certain quarters. This time, they came not from the legions but from the nobles. The battle witnessed at the Eastern Tower had sent shockwaves throughout the demon realm, yet the response was minimal, causing anxiety to spread.

-The Supreme Administrator fought against humanity’s strongest force right before the Demon King’s eyes.

With rumors spreading that he had even exchanged blows with Durin, the strongest, countless conflicting evaluations emerged.

“I heard the hero was missing, but did we fail to imprison him?”

“The problem was sealing someone who could face an Archdemon in a tower in the first place.”

Those newly incorporated into the central order, especially remnants of the Red Horn Senate and northerners, voiced their displeasure.

“Didn’t the Prophecy Witch visit? All these events might be part of a plan.”

“How can mere ministers discuss what the Demon King herself has not yet rebuked? The council will begin soon, and we can understand the details then.”

Eastern Istria supporters and southern forces under Durin’s influence offered words of defense.

Those who couldn’t speak during wartime all poured into the great hall to voice their opinions, making it no different from a marketplace. The hero’s existence was indeed a critical matter.

The long struggle between demons and humans.

Though scriptures recorded humans as beings to be ruled, demons had rarely extended their claws to the human realm. They were mostly busy fighting the celestials, and what few opportunities they had were all kicked away by civil wars.

Rather, the celestials’ influence had reached heroes, causing the Demon King’s castle gates to collapse several times. The memory of those days remained a humiliation that stirred the demons’ anger.

“If matters have gone wrong, we will demand the hero’s execution from Your Majesty. We must firmly establish the discipline of the demon realm that nearly collapsed.”

“How can you dispose of a human brought by the Supreme Administrator himself? What about the future? Have your tongues loosened now that we’ve defeated the celestials?”

“How dare you insult me with such words! As a figure of the Demon King’s castle, I simply cannot stand by and watch this deplorable situation!”

Voices grew louder. As per ancient tradition, opinions in the demon realm were divided.

Hawks and doves, pro-Demon King and submission factions, traditionalists and new military leaders, and so on.

Each built walls and was busy criticizing the other. They condemned each other as if they would die the next day if they didn’t tear at one another.

“…”

Only the Royal Guard watched in silence. They waited for their master. Only high-ranking Archdemons could calm these people.

Boom-

Their patience was soon rewarded. The stone doors of the great hall opened wide, spreading dense demonic energy inside.

First came golden dominance, second came red fighting spirit, and lastly came the primordial light that couldn’t be measured.

The noisy hall was instantly subdued. A chilling and ominous energy sealed the demons’ mouths.

The ministers who hastily rose erased their previous disarray. They respectfully welcomed the great ones who appeared in the hall.

“Captain of the Royal Guard. You’ve worked hard.”

“I am honored, Your Majesty.”

Serphin patted Durahan’s shoulder and sat on the throne.

With the Supreme Administrator on her left and the High Sorcerer and Prophecy Witch guarding her right, the intimidation was such that no one could oppose based on rank alone.

She made all demons take their places promptly.

“I won’t waste time on unnecessary courtesies. Chief Justice, record the treatment of the hero right now.”

“As you command.”

The Chief Justice in the center answered while opening a scripture, and a new chapter unfolded. Letters were engraved on the yellowed ancient book.

The Demon King looked around and began.

“I know everyone is unsettled by recent events. This might even be a matter that could shake the history of the demon realm.”

She didn’t hide anything. She revealed everything to the demons in the hall without omission.

“Hero. It’s true that a descendant of the one who tormented us demons is in the Demon King’s castle. The Supreme Administrator captured him during the southern rebellion and has been detaining him for future use.”

“We knew he escaped with the Demon King. Then the previous king…”

“You should know well that even though he’s an Archdemon, capturing a Demon King is beyond reason.”

When the Demon King snapped back, the old demon who had spoken quickly retreated. Though the Supreme Administrator had been victorious even against the celestials, there was a clear difference. While engaging in battle with her might be possible, capture required overwhelming dominance. Judging by common sense, one had to concede.

“Then I wish to know about that ‘future’ Your Majesty mentioned. For what purpose did our Demon King’s castle capture the hero?”

As the foolish one disappeared, another with questions appeared.

“I know there are many reasons. But we want to see the future Your Majesty envisions. Only a united demon realm can achieve great plans.”

He stepped to the center and knelt before the Demon King on the throne.

“Please tell us. We will help on the path Your Majesty wishes to take.”

“Please grant us permission!”

The demons bowed their heads and chanted in unison. Divided opinions demanded answers before her.

Serphin briefly surveyed the assembly and then turned her head. She met the Supreme Administrator’s eyes.

“Do you all remember?”

Durin stepped forward in place of Serphin. All eyes focused on him.

“The day the king disappeared and rebellions erupted everywhere. Chief Justice, I told you where to look.”

He reminded the old demon of a previous memory.

“I will not forget the first verse of the law. I will oppose the angels and advance to the human realm.”

“You’ve now come one step closer.”

“It’s also a great first step.”

Saying this, he next asked the Captain of the Royal Guard.

“I remember the conversation we had at the observatory.”

“If it’s about the wishes of the headless ones, my heart still trembles at your words.”

“I declared that we would form legions and create an unwavering world with a united demon realm. Didn’t you and I swear to endure harsh storms for the new era?”

“For Your Majesty, I will dedicate everything to protect. Even if it’s a fire pit that burns my soul.”

Durahan struck his spear strongly. The warrior’s firmness was conveyed to everyone.

Durin was satisfied with this and looked back.

“Our blocking of rebellions by shedding blood, establishing a new Demon King, and paving the way to the celestial realm were all achieved through the faith of such dedicated individuals.”

Finally, he turned to the kneeling one.

He asked the demon who was waiting quietly.

“You reported to Her Majesty. That a united demon realm must achieve great plans.”

“That is correct. A unified demon realm will advance without any fear.”

“Can you say the same even if it means embracing the threat of a hero?”

“If there’s a will, we must follow.”

The demon raised his head. He met Durin’s confident eyes.

“If it’s related to the peace of the demon realm, we will gladly move forward. We won’t spare our bodies, just like the Captain of the Royal Guard.”

Strong determination was evident. Looking around, all demons were the same.

Earnest wishes leaked out.

The demon realm had often been divided, but this time was different.

They shared opinions for the sake of steps toward victory. They had moved beyond power-hungry ambitions and held only concern for the demon realm.

“Please show us the way.”

The time had come. The moment Durin had so longed for.

He answered softly.

“Prepare to advance to the human realm.”

The demon who had been shouting fiercely suddenly raised his head. He wasn’t alone. All demons gathered in the hall were shocked. A thrill enveloped them.

“T-to the human realm.”

“Yes. We will use the hero as a guide to reach the previous Demon King who fled.”

Things they dared not dream of flowed from Durin’s lips. The demons began to get excited. Young and old alike. They burned with fighting spirit, looking only at one goal.

“Having reclaimed our path from the celestials, we can now erase the traces of the previous era.”

“Your Excellency!”

“The time for revenge approaches. It’s time to execute those who pushed us into the abyss of decline.”

Durin knelt. He paid his respects to the Demon King sitting on the throne.

“Your Majesty. Please command!”

If Serphin said just one word, the demon realm would move.

She met everyone’s expectations. The young demon who had been sitting gracefully rose. Golden demonic energy spread throughout the area, showing the king’s will.

“Summon the rulers of all continents to the Demon King’s castle immediately. We will deploy all available forces to erase our grudges.”

Click, click-

The king descended from the throne. The Captain of the Royal Guard followed by her side.

Durahan was holding a sword. The noble command sword that only the king could wield. Its rough but sharp blade held the power of the Demon King passed down through generations.

“Supreme Administrator.”

“Command me, Your Majesty.”

“I too remember the first verse of the scripture.”

Then Serphin raised her head and proclaimed to the demons.

“The era of decline has ended, and we will reclaim our destiny with demon hands! Endure any threat in the world! This is my first command to you!”

“We will overcome the waves. We will wait for the flower that will bloom after the pain.”

“Your dedication and sacrifice. All of it is a seed for the future.”

The Demon King raised her sword. Brilliant demonic energy spread throughout the hall. As the golden dominance energy enveloped everyone, the Demon King proclaimed.

“Show the value of those who survived the trials of destiny. I will be with you!”

The abandoned children of the Creator God awakened. They will engrave that his choice 1000 years ago was wrong.

We will be fully compensated for all the years we’ve endured with fighting spirit.

The demons could no longer contain their excitement.

“The time has come to fulfill our wishes!”

“Oppose the angels!”

Though it was just a small echo in the face of destiny, for the demons, it was a heartbeat.

The awakened demon realm shouted for revenge.

They will draw their swords in place of their lost god.