< Demon World Revolution (2) >
Ken Miyamoto, who delved deep into the Dark Nest, quickly established his position.
In fact, if it had been a normal time, it would have taken quite some time.
Even though he has made a great contribution this time, it is true that he had been feeling a bit out of place up until then.
But the current situation Dark Nest finds itself in has made it possible, disregarding all vested interests.
“We’ve been pushed into Otorel’s territory? Wait, if that’s the case….”
[This is difficult. That place is a strategic point among the central gates and serves as a passage for external advancement. We can’t let it be taken away like this.]
“You idiots! How incompetent do you have to be to not be able to stop them even for a moment and be helplessly let through like this?”
A central command center where several high-ranking demons of all shapes and forms gather in one place.
The demons, including the two Marquis-level ones, were chattering noisily as they looked at the three-dimensional map floating in the center.
“The cost of fighting is the worst. If we fight head-on, we can be sure that we will lose.”
“What about the monsters of the abyss? Even with those monsters, we’re still being pushed back like this?”
“Those monsters are a great resource, but they’re not omnipotent. The key to war is strategy. And we’re completely outpaced in that strategy.”
The attacks from this side are blocked by an ironclad defense that seems to have been prepared in advance, the attacks from the other side only exploit weak points, and the traps that were dug with great effort are often used against them.
Since such a situation was unfolding throughout the battlefield, it was natural that we were pushed back helplessly like this.
A Marquis-level demon who had been quietly watching the battle board slowly opened his mouth.
[Insider information is leaking.]
“Yes, and the biggest problem is that we can’t stop the army led by the leader of Helheim himself. Even Tobares, who led the elite troops himself just a while ago to buy time…”
[···They turned over to that side in less than a few days.]
“······.”
The betrayal of a Marquis-level demon, of which there were only four in the Dark Nest.
It meant more than just the loss of one of our key allies.
A heavy silence fell over the room.
It was literally a total mess.
In the current situation, the overwhelming size of Dark Nest’s forces was not of much help.
Rather, as time passes, the number of people who defect to the enemy with information from their allies only increases.
[But now I can finally take a deep breath. Duke Marryong will come forward himself soon.]
“But blocking that side alone won’t do it all. First, we need to change our strategic direction.”
The two marquises looked at each other and took a deep breath.
If inside information continued to leak out, there would be a bigger catastrophe than this one day.
In the end, they had no choice but to take extreme measures, even at the risk of reducing the effectiveness of waging war.
They began to control information going to not only those directly involved in the battlefield, but also all friendly forces in the border areas who were likely to have come into contact with the ‘enemy’.
Strategic planning was the sole responsibility of the central command, and those from areas where spies were likely to be present were not given authority beyond tactical planning.
Even the high-ranking demons based in the outskirts were no exception.
“You may be dissatisfied right now, but there’s nothing we can do about it. We have no choice but to ask for your understanding until we can sort out Helheim.”
[We’re going to be short-handed for the time being.]
In such a situation, it was natural that high-ranking demons with extremely low chances of contact with the outside world would be given more important positions.
Yes, for example···.
Ken Miyamoto, who had been dispatched to the surface not long ago and had been staying in the center of the Dark Nest since returning.
‘As expected of Lady Hela! You must have predicted this in advance.’
He burst into admiration as he tightly wrapped his bean-pod around his neck.
Who could have guessed that!
That he, who had brought valuable items from the earth and offered them, had already changed his flag before returning to the Demon World.
No, the fact is that he was the one who provided the decisive opportunity to drag ‘Hela’, the leader of Helheim who is the problem now, into the Demon World!
He collected information as carefully as possible so as not to arouse suspicion.
Although he had not been particularly interested in the state of affairs in the demon world and thus lacked much prior knowledge, he actively moved forward solely with a loyalty that bordered on fanaticism.
Then one day.
A golden opportunity finally came to him who had been waiting for an opening.
‘The Dragon Duke is away···.’
After gaining the upper hand in the war, Duke Marryong, who had been reluctant to step forward unless something was urgent and had remained in seclusion in his base, participated in the war.
Finally, he could no longer sit idly by as the Helheim army advanced at breakneck speed, and decided to take action himself.
Ken made a plan as soon as he heard the news.
‘I have to check inside it.’
Investigating the underground ritual room that I had visited several times since my first errand.
In particular, the goal of this operation was to check the inside of the door behind where Duke Touma was being held.
‘Even in that secret ritual room, it’s hidden so tightly. There must be Duke Ma-ryong’s weakness or secret in there.’
But even with the Duke gone, problems still remained.
The Marquis-level demon Sodian who lives inside and does whatever he wants.
He had no confidence in winning against a magical enemy who was establishing a territory in his own workshop, even if they were of the same level, and since she was a demon of a higher level than him, he had no chance of winning in a fight.
‘A head-on confrontation won’t do. We need to find some other way…’
You never know when you’ll get another chance like this.
Now was the chance to prove his worth.
Ken, who was racking his brain like that.
Then, an unexpected opponent came to him.
“Huh? It’s been a while, Frances. Is this your first time since the mission?”
[“What’s going on, Frances? Didn’t we agree not to contact each other unless it was something really important?”]
Ken, who was sending a mental wave to the old gentleman in a pure white suit while asking after his well-being with a calm expression, twitched the corners of his mouth.
This self-made demon who was sent to the surface with him was the person who served as a bridge for Ken, who had been avoiding contact with the outside world.
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Since all I had to do was convey information, the previous contact had been made in the conscious world using Frances’s psychic abilities, but this time, he suddenly came to me in person.
If this happens, isn’t there a risk that Ken will be implicated if Frances is discovered?
Naturally, he couldn’t help but react sensitively.
“Heh heh— It’s been a while, Ken. You helped me out last time, so I brought you a precious gift as a thank you.”
[“Well, once is fine. After all, we’ve been on missions together before.”]
[“That’s no reason. This place is literally on thin ice. Our meeting just now must have already been reported to the higher-ups. Why did we have to make such a rash contact now of all times···.”]
[“By Hela’s instructions.”]
The secret conversation that had been taking place in a calm manner suddenly stopped.
Now that that name was mentioned, Ken could no longer blame his opponent for his frivolous actions.
He nodded slowly and opened his mouth.
“Hmm, a gift? Well, let me just take a look.”
“I’m sure you’ll like it. I had a hard time getting it myself.”
“Okay, then stop hesitating and just open it quickly.”
Immediately afterwards, the space next to Frances rippled and a box as high as her waist appeared.
Upon closer inspection, I saw that it wasn’t an ordinary box, but an animal cage with a metal cage blocking the entrance.
“···What is this?”
Ken looked genuinely embarrassed.
You said it was a gift, but you gave me a cage that’s only used for transporting animals.
I couldn’t understand what this had to do with Hela’s orders.
As he was so flustered, a creature slowly emerged from inside the iron bars and poked its head out.
His eyes, which had been frowning at us, opened wide.
“What is this?!”
“Hehehe, you recognize me, don’t you?”
Every time I find out.
It was strange that I couldn’t recognize what it was when there were such clear features.
That would be so—.
“Is that a Cerberus cub?”
“You got it right. It was a very difficult thing to find.”
The creature, the size of a large dog, had three heads.
Ken looked at it with surprised eyes.
Although Cerberus is a type of demonic beast native to the Demon World, it is not something you can easily encounter.
A monster among monsters that, when it becomes an adult, has intelligence greater than that of most intelligent beings, and its physical abilities surpass even those of dragons.
The death of Duke Sipar of Gorang not long ago was a clear example of its grandeur.
Even if he didn’t grow to the level of a peacock, he still had a high chance of becoming a high-ranking demon, so if he was raised well and instilled in loyalty from a young age, he was a treasure that would become a great force.
[“Why are you doing this to me?”]
That made me even more curious.
Is this something that needs to be conveyed at the risk of exposure in the current situation?
Unless it was given out of genuine kindness, it wasn’t a very helpful gift for them, who didn’t know what would happen in the future.
[“He said this would help you with your operation.”]
[“This little thing?”]
[“Well, I’m just following orders, I don’t know anything more than that.”]
[“···I see.”]
Ken, crouching in front of the iron bars, looked at the life form inside with subtle eyes.
Since I’ve been organizing and passing on information here from time to time, Hela must also be aware of her situation.
Since it was sent in that situation, it must have some use.
“Thank you, for bringing me this precious thing.”
“With this, my debt has been repaid. Then I will take my leave now.”
The two demons naturally said goodbye and parted ways.
Although nothing in particular could be detected around them, they never let their guard down for a moment.
Because here, at the Dark Nest’s home base, there were endless ways to fool their senses.
“Kukkakakat!”
“Kaha—!”
The Cerberus cub inside us let out a strange howl.
A crying sound that sounds like laughter, but also like someone is feeling offended.
As it dug into his ear, Ken’s heartbeat slightly quickened and he felt a strange sense of discomfort.
‘···Something feels off. Are Cerberus cubs usually like this?’
Of course, since this was the first time he was seeing me, there was no way he would know.
He felt strange for some reason, and with a frown on his face, he carried us and headed to his residence.
Thinking that it was just because I was nervous about the sudden contact.
Meanwhile, the three pairs of eyes inside us, moving comfortably, leisurely scanned our surroundings.
As if exploring a new territory, with eyes sparkling with curiosity.
***
The appearance of that being was extremely dramatic.
Kkurung—! Kwakwang—!
Suddenly, dark clouds appeared, covering the purple sky and the scar in its center.
A giant creature descended from the sky, piercing through the darkness, along with a thick lightning flash flowing through it.
Phew— Phew—
An overwhelming body that appears to be easily over a hundred meters tall at first glance, with two pairs of large wings fluttering.
The pitch-black scales on its entire body, which seemed to absorb the surrounding light, clearly revealed the ominous nature of that being.
“Wow~ It makes an impact just by appearing.”
“Heh, heh, Lady Hela! She’s here! That’s it···!”
The battlefield was plunged into silence by a sudden change.
Siana ran hurriedly next to Hela, who was muttering peacefully without paying any attention to him.
At the same time, the long neck of the being that was hovering in the sky and looking down at the ground moved in their direction.
Large and small horns on its head, countless thorns that sprouted like mane, and three pairs of eyes that emitted a purple light.
“···Dragon Duke Krushier···!”
An ancient dragon, larger than the statue of the Ancient Dragon seen in Horus’ “Golden Treasure”, roared.
[Koooooooo——!]
The dragon’s roar, which contained a power so great that it was visible to the eye, instantly spread throughout the entire battlefield and disrupted Hela’s energy, which was having a huge impact on the battle situation.
It was a power that even the Marquis-level demons could not do anything about and eventually surrendered to, but it was neutralized with just a single cry.
“Hmm, there’s definitely a big difference. Are you really saying that thing is on the same level as that weirdo?”
“···The Dragon Duke has been a strong candidate for the Demon King position for thousands of years. However, he has had no luck··· and has always been pushed back by a narrow margin at crucial moments, which has left him as the second-in-command until now.”
“Wow… I really had no luck.”
A surprised Hela shook her head, covering her mouth with one hand.
To that extent, wasn’t it some kind of fateful force?
Maybe Mashin didn’t want him to become the Demon King.
‘If that’s true, then it’s worth turning evil. No, even if it was all a coincidence, I would still blame the demon.’
At that moment, the eyes of Hela, who was clicking her tongue lightly, and the Duke of the Dragon floating in the sky met head-on.
Dismissal—!
The habitually activated “Eye of Domination” bounced off something and sparks flew into the air.
Her eyes were slightly frowned.
It was a magical eye supported by skills such as “Gyeonggukjisaek” and “Illusionary Monarch”, but it has this much recoil.
But thanks to that, I was able to learn one thing.
‘Could it be that all six of those eyes were demon eyes?’
The power of the Magic Eye, which forces a specific mystery just by looking at it without the need for magical power construction or formula design.
Hela, who had roughly guessed the dragon’s capabilities through that light skirmish, licked her lips.
Of course, she wasn’t the only one who gauged her opponent’s strength like that.
[The Power of Domination… I was just wondering. Did you inherit Leray’s power? What is your true identity?]
The powerful words of the dragon echoed throughout the battlefield.
The fighting had already long since died down.
Everyone on both sides turned their attention to them.
“Well, even if I tell you, I don’t think you’ll understand.”
Hela shrugged and spread her wings wide.
And with a light flap of its wings, it soared high into the sky in an instant.
The two, who had reached a similar height, met eyes again.
[That’s for me to decide. You just have to answer my questions, mongrel.]
Immediately afterwards, with sparks flying again, her blood began to boil hotly as she prepared for a full-scale battle.
‘A one-on-one fight against such a formidable opponent by yourself?’
It was by no means an easy opponent.
A monster that may be the strongest being in the current demon world.
But even in front of such a strong person, there was only a smile on her lips.
An inexplicable excitement spread from deep within my heart.
‘Isn’t this your first time?’
When dealing with the Gorang Duke, I had no choice but to borrow Harley’s… no, Davidson’s power to finish him off as quickly as possible.
If not, it would have been difficult to completely recover Abnormal, and Dark Nest or Demoniac might have intervened and completely ruined the plan.
‘It’s the same with leading the army up until now. This was the way to end the war quickly while using my abilities most efficiently.’
In the process, the Marquis level did quench my thirst to some extent, but it is true that even then, I still felt regret.
As time passed, her influence as the Demon Lord expanded, and the power she amplified in the Demon World also grew stronger, so now her power had already far surpassed the moment of her first birth.
‘And finally!’
No matter what, the blood of a belligerent demon race flowed in her veins.
When faced with an opponent that he had to fight with all his might, an uncontrollable fighting spirit began to surge forth.
“Okay, there’s no need to talk any longer.”
A red light burst out from within her eyes once again.
Kiiing—
But the target was not the giant creature in front of them like before.
“Let’s have a go, lizard.”
A mouth that draws a wild curve.
And with waves of terribly thick magic power.
The “Eye of Domination” engulfed the entire space.
