< Succubus (1) >
The size of the Demon World, one of the subdimensions of Outerica, was not very large.
Even if you look at the entire area, it would be at most the size of one continent, Ion.
Besides, there was no such thing as the sea in the first place.
There are countless beasts roaming around like wild beasts, as well as plants that have evolved to be closer to monsters and actively hunt for prey.
It was only natural that the fighting power of the demon race living in this harsh world would increase.
‘I can understand why they are always eyeing the ground.’
Although it had not been long since I had come to the Demon World, there was nothing that I felt more urgently than that.
Hela looked down at the bizarrely shaped food placed before her and let out a small sigh.
Who would have thought that I would actually see something I had only seen in exaggerated scenes in comics?
“I’m done, so clean it up. What’s the point of throwing it away? You can eat it.”
“Understood, Hela.”
First of all, there wasn’t much to enjoy here.
Food and drink were merely a pastime for a few high-ranking officials, and even then, the quality was not very high.
Since they are a race of demons that do not need to eat in the first place, cooking has developed only to effectively stimulate the sense of taste.
‘Of course, the limitations of food ingredients will be a decisive factor there.’
The servants cleared away the trays of food.
In the meantime, Hela clicked her tongue, staring intently at the eyes of the unidentified food that was staring at her.
‘There’s also a lack of cultural life. At best, they fight like gladiators in the Colosseum or gamble with it.’
In this environment, even if there is a devil who likes art or enjoys literature, it would be difficult to reveal it openly.
It might be difficult to even come across something like that in the first place.
“Hmm, I guess this part needs some attention too.”
A rich culture was one of the means of making it easier to rule the masses.
Of course, in this demon world where force is the most important value, no one would dare to ignore the Demon King’s orders, but wouldn’t there be a difference in efficiency between following reluctantly and actively stepping forward?
‘Of course, all that is a problem to think about later.’
Hela slowly looked around.
Paintings, sculptures, and armor of rare appearance.
This space, decorated with all sorts of art pieces that were hard to find in the Demon World, was not the castle of Dalun, the city she had first visited.
“I’m sorry, Lady Hela. I guess there are limits to what you can cook with ingredients that grow in the Demon World…”
“It’s okay, Cromwell. I know that too.”
Hela waved her hand roughly at the man who approached her and bowed politely.
A humanoid demon with the lower body and horns of a two-legged goat and square pupils.
The place she was now was the territory ruled by that demon, Viscount Cromwell.
Her influence, which began to expand rapidly with Dalun’s assistance, soon reached even the demons who loved this art.
“How’s the work going?”
“Of course. I, Cromwell, am proud to say that I have the widest foothold in the Demon World. Because of the chaotic situation, it may be difficult for those above the count level to make room for those below that level, but it’s as easy as breaking a goblin’s brain to make room for them.”
…Is that metaphor a proverb from the demon world?
Although it was a grim expression that naturally brought up the word “devils,” it was not difficult to see that it was an easy task.
‘Anyway, I’m lucky. I was able to recruit such a talented person so quickly.’
Cromwell, a Viscount-level demon who is a master of space magic and has connections with many people thanks to his excellent sociability.
He was a neutral person who did not belong to any faction.
Thanks to this, he was a valuable resource who could easily build bridges not only with those who shared the same neutral stance, but also with those belonging to opposing factions.
‘Actually, I think it’s more of a fate than a coincidence.’
Because that wide network even included the Baron-level demon Dalun.
He, who was not afraid of meeting others, accepted Dalun’s request to meet him without much thought, and what happened next was as you can see now.
“It’s important to move stealthily. It’s not time to attract attention yet.”
“Don’t worry. I’m just a person who enjoys meeting and talking to different people. No one will find that strange now.”
The Hela faction, which had just begun to sprout in the Demon World, was growing its power smoothly even at this moment.
The demons who came under her command continued to outwardly maintain their existing factional activities, but internally they ignored all affiliations and established a new command structure.
‘There’s no need to worry about internal betrayal. There’s a limit to the information that the lower-level officials can know.’
The leaders of each force, as well as their subordinates, have already fallen into her grasp.
Although it still took a considerable amount of effort to collect nobles, the demons of lower rank did not take up much time.
In the process, there was a considerable harvest of spies planted by each faction turning themselves in and turning over to this side.
‘They say that the best way to get used to something is to use it often, right?’
This was true not only in the “Eye of Domination” but also in other aspects.
No matter how much potential he had been born with and how much transcendence he had achieved from the start, he needed time to adapt to his completely new body in order to fully utilize its abilities.
Because of that imbalance, it is true that he had somewhat of a lacking side to himself as a self-proclaimed Demon King.
Strictly speaking, it cannot be denied that it was a charm ability tool.
That was a thing of the past now.
《The devil looks down on you.》
That gaze must be the proof.
It is not known whether it was because he was busy or because he thought Hela was still lacking, but the Demon God, who had been quiet even immediately after entering the Demon World, finally began to show interest in her.
“Okay, once I’m done, I’ll give you a bunch of otherworldly art pieces as well as things made by other races, so please take good care of me.”
“Oh! A work of art from another world! I, Cromwell, will do my best to carry out Lady Hela’s orders!”
Cromwell, the demon who loved art so much that he collected precious works of art in exchange for them whenever he was summoned to the surface, bowed down in excitement and restraint.
Hela nodded slightly, boosting her subordinates’ morale and efficiency with appropriate rewards.
Cromwell, who has outstanding ability to manipulate space and a human-friendly ideology, is a key talent who will help Hubert Trading Company advance into the Demon World in the future.
If you train it well from now on, it will be useful later.
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“Ah! Lady Hela. And there is one more thing I have to report to you.”
“Huh? What is it?”
Hela blinked and tilted her head at the words carefully spoken by Hubert Trading Company’s Demon World branch manager (planned).
He bowed his head again, taking in the loveliness that naturally came out of each and every one of those small gestures, and tried to calm his mind by taking deep breaths.
Cromwell, who had already experienced being beaten up by a woman after praising her beauty with all sorts of words during their first meeting.
Now that I had felt Hela’s disposition with my whole body, I needed to be careful with every word I said.
I was afraid that I might have been labeled as a tyrant by my new master.
“I have made secret contact with the ‘Dream Walker’. He has responded as if he had been waiting for you, just as you said. He said he is ready to welcome you whenever you come.”
“Oh? Really?”
Hearing those words, Hela opened her eyes wide and smiled happily.
Although secretly growing power here was important, the work over there was equally important.
“Then there’s no need to delay any longer. We’ll get going right away, so get ready.”
“As you command.”
Dream Walker.
It is a powerful force with a Marquis-level demon as its leader.
It was the home of the succubi who produced the 14th Demon King Leleia, the root of Hela.
***
The Great Temple of Roselia, located in the holy land of the continent.
“···Hmm, that’s strange. Was it a mistake?”
Saint Riesta, a member of the Jushin Church who was praying in the chapel, frowned and tilted her head.
“I definitely felt something back then···.”
It happened just a few days ago.
As always, she was busy with her work, but she was also keeping a close eye on the situation on the continent in preparation for the Immortal King’s tricks, and something strange was detected in her senses.
‘It definitely seemed closer to the devil followers than the undead. I felt it for a while, but now it’s completely gone.’
Because of that, she was still working hard to track down something she had sensed back then whenever she had time.
No matter how busy you are, if you detect an unknown threat, isn’t it something you can’t just ignore and move on?
‘As of now, there are no clues other than the fact that it is the Kingdom of Tulk.’
She sighed softly, shook her head slightly, and left the chapel.
There were too many things to do right now to just hold on to something that wasn’t even certain yet.
After the colossal giant that had attacked Tarak was defeated, the White Giant Incident that had terrified the entire continent came to a complete end.
Because of this, Saint Riesta, who had been with the suicide squad to quickly counter the appearance of the white giant, had to step back from the scene, but that did not mean that her work was reduced.
Immediately after that, the ‘Apostle of the Evil God from Another World’ attacked the Roselia Grand Shrine and caused great damage, and the Conclave to elect the next Pope had just concluded···.
“No, wait. Tarak?”
As she continued to think like that, she suddenly stopped walking.
Until now, it had been just one of many candidates, but suddenly, some intuition began to tell me to keep an eye on that tarak.
“Hmm, Tarakra.”
It was already a large city, but it is one of the strategic points that has grown even more rapidly since the continent-sized giant trading company called Hubert Trading Company made its nest here.
Now, the importance of Tarak, which had become the logistics hub connecting the central empire and the western alliance of kingdoms, was beyond description.
‘···I guess I can’t just ignore it and move on.’
The saint nodded her head vigorously and started walking briskly again.
I quickly turned around and went back into the chapel I had just exited.
She has been at the top of this great order ever since the former Pope, who has now passed away in the arms of God, was bedridden.
Even though many people, including cardinals, helped, that fact never changes.
Because of that, there were many times when I was crushed by the weight and suffered without anyone knowing···.
‘Now there’s no need for me to suffer alone.’
Now she had someone to share her burden with.
Just like the saint, he is a saint of the church who was chosen by the Lord to carry out His will, and a knight of light who was given the destiny to punish the absolute evil, the Immortal King, who is causing chaos in this land.
“—Lord Heinrich.”
She knelt down slightly, held the sign tightly, and closed her eyes.
To reach out to the most dependable person in the world.
[···Saint? What’s the matter? Is there something going on in the church?]
[Oh, I’m sorry all of a sudden. I have something important to tell you···.]
While the conversation continued like that—.
A faint smile appeared on her lips without her even realizing it.
***
A space where various magic circles are installed so you can see the battle situation in each area at a glance.
In that wide space, handsome men and beautiful women, each with their own distinct personalities, were moving busily.
Up until now, I had managed to somehow hold on while maintaining a balance with the other factions, but recently that has collapsed and the situation has spiraled out of control, leaving me very busy.
“···Did you finish contacting them properly?”
“Yes, my lord. We, as well as Cromwell, have been paying close attention several times, so there is no major problem with security.”
A woman in her early thirties with a tired expression who had been looking at it for a while.
As she turned and walked out into the hallway, a horned handsome man dressed like a secretary followed her and answered her question.
She nodded slowly to him and asked the other woman who was with the secretary again,
“Siana, are you saying that guy really has the Queen’s essence?”
“Yes, Godmother. I have personally seen it with my own eyes.”
“Huh… I was just trying to grab onto straws. Are you saying that it really was left on the continent?”
Until recently, Siana was a member of the Immortal Army and was dedicated to her work at the Immortal Castle.
She was now back in her hometown, the Dream Walker realm of the Demon World.
To carry out a mission directly ordered by the Immortal King.
And to end a search that has lasted hundreds of years.
“You’ve done a great job, Siana. I never thought you’d actually do it. Well done, well done.”
“···No, I didn’t do anything. I was just an errand boy···.”
“That alone is enough. If you hadn’t risked your life to infiltrate the Immortal King’s forces and ultimately gained his trust, this connection wouldn’t have even been created. If someone with the Queen’s essence had made contact with another faction…”
The succubus godmother shakes her head with a dizzy expression.
A crack of embarrassment appeared on Siana’s face, which had been calm at the excessive compliment.
Although I reported it in all sorts of ways, the truth is that I was just captured by the Immortal King and was being treated like a slave.
“But is it really that great that someone with the essence has it?”
“···Yes. It’s embarrassing, but I couldn’t even dare to guess. To be honest, I think it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I was overwhelmed the moment I saw it. The sight I saw was just like···.”
Siana, who was opening her mouth like that, was speechless.
As if… what were you going to say next?
She bit back the words she was about to say and pursed her lips.
The name of that legend was not something that could be brought out carelessly.
Moreover, it was a taboo that could never be brought up in front of the godmother who lived in the same era as that being.
When she was struck by that momentary panic, she froze for a moment.
“Godmother! I have received word from Cromwell.”
As if to save Siana, an urgent voice burst out from the side.
The incubus secretary who had been following her godmother with her put her finger to her temple and frowned.
“What did you say? Are you saying you’re coming this way?”
“···Yes, that’s right.”
“That’s good. It was a time-sensitive situation. I’m sure you’ve been given the access code in advance. So, when are you coming?”
“···Yes, that···.”
Their footsteps finally stopped at a place where numerous transmission towers had been installed.
In a situation where war is fought in real time, this was one of the most important strategic facilities where most troop transport took place.
Aren’t there already reinforcements preparing to move quickly to the dangerous battlefield right now?
The secretary’s voice flowed into the ears of the godmother, who was checking the whole situation with sunken eyes.
“···It is now.”
“huh?”
And just as quickly as he finished saying that.
Jiiing—
The transmission tower in one corner began to vibrate loudly and glow.
Since teleportation itself is a very difficult mystery, it takes quite a bit of time to activate it once.
No matter how much the magic circle assists him, there is bound to be an unavoidable delay in the efficient energy distribution process.
Woohoo!
But what is happening now is lightly ignoring all of that process.
Times that would have taken minutes are compressed into seconds, necessary intermediate steps are skipped, and results are delivered straight away.
It is no exaggeration to say that what makes it possible is the ultimate knowledge of magic.
And it was a near-infinite—a truly overwhelming magical power.
The door to the space that was completed in an instant opens.
And then, a figure appeared beyond it.
“···Leray?”
The mouth of the succubus godmother who had lived for over a thousand years opened wide.
