Crisis on the Continent?

The air of the human world was so fresh.

Compared to the damp and heavy atmosphere of the Demon Realm, the air here was clear and clean.

The warm energy of living beings enveloped my body, invigorating me.

It was the first time in 5,000 years that I felt the vitality of the human world.

Upon arriving at the Demon King’s Castle, I was greeted by its massive walls.

The castle where Carpe stayed still boasted its majestic appearance.

Tall walls made of black granite, towering spires, and the demon patterns engraved everywhere…

Though time had left its mark with moss and some stones crumbling, its grandeur remained unchanged.

“A fine castle indeed.”

As I pushed the gate and was about to enter, a massive shadow emerged from the darkness.

“Welcome, Abraxas.”

A deep, low voice echoed.

A large demon covered in black scales knelt down.

It was Drusilla, the current ruler of the Great Labyrinth beneath the Demon King’s Castle.

“It’s been 5,000 years, Drusilla.”

“Yes. I heard of your arrival and waited with all the followers of the Great Labyrinth.”

Her concise and polite speech suited her taciturn nature.

Yet, her voice was filled with sincere loyalty.

“Well done. What about Carpe’s personal quarters?”

“We have not stepped inside even once. We preserved them as you commanded.”

“Excellent.”

A satisfied smile spread across my lips.

Indeed, she was a trustworthy subordinate.

“Wait with all the followers outside the castle. I will inspect it alone.”

“Understood.”

Drusilla bowed deeply and stepped back.

Soon, footsteps echoed from within the castle, and several followers quietly exited to the outside.

The corridors, once bustling with demons, were now empty.

Only my footsteps echoed under the high ceiling.

It was a loneliness I hadn’t felt in ages.

Yet, it wasn’t unpleasant.

Rather, it was comforting.

The first place I visited was Carpe’s old study.

The vast room was filled with numerous books covered in dust.

However, one ornate bookshelf stood out.

Books within it were clean, untouched by dust, as if preserved by magic.

Several caught my eye.

「The Basics of Elegant Rhetoric」

「The Perfect Etiquette Guide」

「The Art of Jewelry Appraisal and Valuation」

「An Introduction to Social Circles for Beginners」

“Carpe… you were quite interested in human culture.”

These books differed from the others.

Their worn covers and numerous bookmarks suggested they were read frequently and with dedication.

Margins were filled with small notes.

Opening one carefully, I found comments like ‘important section’ and ‘try this in practice’.

“Fascinating…”

A powerful Demon King so engrossed in human refinement.

A taste hard to associate with demons.

Next, I headed to the bedroom.

An ornate canopy bed, delicate embroidered pillows, and elegant paintings on the walls…

“Here, Carpe must have dreamed of conquering the human world.”

On the bedside table lay a diary.

Its leather cover had a small floral pattern and gold trim.

Lifting it gently, the first page revealed beautiful handwriting.

‘Today, the management of the Great Labyrinth went smoothly…’

Carpe’s daily life was meticulously recorded.

No ambitious plans as expected, but the refined and meticulous side behind the cruel Demon King was evident.

Finally, I arrived at the throne room.

The grand hall featured a massive black marble throne.

Yet, what caught my attention was a small flowerpot beside it.

A wilted rose remained inside.

“You even kept a flower…”

This was another unexpected side of Carpe.

He seemed to cherish life.

Unconsciously, I thought of Lycoris.

She, too, was a flower…

“I mustn’t get distracted.”

I must remember why I came here.

Behind the throne, a hidden passage came into view.

Narrow and dark, it emanated a strong magical aura.

Following the passage, I entered a vast secret chamber.

“Finally…”

My breath caught.

In the center, numerous bones and dried flesh were arranged on intricate magic circles.

Preserved for centuries without decay.

These were Carpe’s remains.

“Five thousand years of effort finally bear fruit.”

These skull fragments… from an ancient dragon’s belly.

Gatron took 12 years to slay the dragon.

These ribs… from the deep sea.

Drusilla and Nis searched the ocean floor.

And this finger bone… found after 30 years of desert excavation by hundreds of followers.

Each fragment was precious.

“Only the soul remains.”

Raising my hand, I cast a soul-tracking spell.

Dark energy swirled from my fingertips, sensing the surroundings.

But…

“What’s this?”

Nothing was detected.

Trying again yielded the same result.

“Strange… I expected to sense it in the human world…”

Until three years ago, Carpe’s soul was somewhere in the human world, faint but present.

Then, it vanished without a trace.

What could hide Carpe’s soul so completely?

Carpe was the core of my plan, the final boss Lycoris would defeat…

“Even without Carpe, the plan can proceed.”

Just then-

Ding!

A sudden sound, and a selection window appeared.

『 1. Grant Serelia a revelation for 1 minute. (Consumes 100,000 divine power)

  2. Do nothing.

  ※ Current divine power: 2,371,503 』

“It appears again.”

The divine power required to grant Serelia a revelation was surprisingly low.

Perhaps due to her immature language skills.

She can’t form proper sentences yet.

Thus, the revelation’s complexity is limited, and so is the divine power cost.

Choosing option 1 in the quiet underground chamber.

『 Revelation granted. 』

The fourth time now.

Focusing on Serelia’s consciousness.

Her pure and innocent mind greeted me once more.

“Serelia, can you hear me?”

『 Abraxth! 』

Still unable to pronounce my name correctly.

Yet, her joyful voice filled with purity brought a smile.

“Are you well?”

『 Oof! New house is so good! So sparkly! 』

She likes her new place.

She must be at Frostia’s lair in the Kingdom of Genes.

I was amazed by the massive construction project in the Demon Realm.

“Your joy brings me joy. Are Frostia and Nis with you?”

『 Woo~! Grandma and Auntie are nice, but Mommy is pretty and tells secrets! 』

“Grandma and Auntie…?”

Perhaps referring to Frostia and Nis.

『 Oof! White is Grandma! Dark is Auntie! 』

Remarkable titles indeed.

More importantly, “pretty mommy and secrets?”

Does it mean Lycoris is having an important conversation with someone?

“Serelia, time’s up. Farewell for now. I’ll grant another revelation when possible.”

『 See ya! Bye! 』

“Truly… my apostle is lovely.”

Disconnecting from Serelia, I shifted my consciousness to Serenade Academy’s brooch.

Vocies of a young girl and Lycoris emerged.

“Miss Lycoris, isn’t your true form a flower with hundreds of eyes and tentacle-like roots that devour people?”

“What nonsense! I’m a beautiful flower! I’ll show you later! What other rumors?”

Rumors?

Investigating her own rumors, it seems.

Not important.

“Miss Lycoris, there’s a rumor you drink people’s blood immediately upon meeting them…”

“What!? I like blood, but I don’t just drink it!”

“And a rumor you appear in villagers’ dreams at night, causing nightmares…”

“No! I don’t have that ability!”

“Also, a rumor you tried to eat the prince, making His Majesty kneel…”

“Ugh…! I saved this kingdom! Why the rumors?”

‘Foolish humans, ungrateful.’

I shook my head.

Lycoris had eliminated my hidden followers in the Kingdom of Genes, saving it.

She blocked their minds and averted the crisis, yet…

“Oh! Have you heard that I’m best friends with Abraxas?”

At the mention of my name, I tensed.

“You mean the famous Evil God?”

“Yes! Him!”

“No, I’ve never heard of him.”

“Sigh…”

Don’t worry, my precious friend.

Your secret is safe for now.

It will be revealed after you become humanity’s savior.

Then, humans will feel betrayal and despair…

Yet, hearing Lycoris’s innocent complaints, a strange pang struck my chest.

‘No, focus.’

Returning my consciousness to the Demon King’s Castle.

Back to the dark chamber with Carpe’s remains.

Carpe’s soul not being detectable in the human world was an unexpected variable.

Yet, the plan’s core remains unchanged.

First, make Lycoris humanity’s savior.

Carpe can wait as the final boss.

Leaving the secret chamber, I headed outside.

At the gate, Drusilla and the crowd stood in orderly formation.

Massive demons and human followers from across the continent.

“How was it, Abraxas?”

Drusilla asked cautiously.

“Proceed with the plan.”

All eyes focused on my words.

“Send appropriate threats to each kingdom. Not too strong, not too weak.”

“What level of threat do you mean?”

Drusilla’s deep voice inquired.

“Challenging for ordinary adventurers, but defeatable by a special being.”

“Understood.”

“Ensure no trace of our involvement remains. Make it seem like natural monster appearances.”

The followers nodded without question.

“They merely followed my orders.

“Drusilla, handle the two empires; Valen, the Eastern Kingdom Alliance; Morgan, the elves and dwarves.”

Assigning roles to demons and human followers.

“Understood!”

All responded in unison.

“Prepare appropriate threats but avoid excess.”

They need not know my full plan.

“I head to the Dragon Kingdom.”

A dragon would make a fitting final boss.