Neither denial nor confirmation. Just a cold, emotionless gaze that lingered for a moment on the ashes left behind by Wargon, then passed over them without the slightest hesitation, as if the death of a brother was nothing more than a spent piece on a board.
"Send someone to my father. Report that the humans secretly sent assassins. They killed one of his sons, a thousand soldiers, and even a general." Then the Crown Prince spoke in a calm but absolute voice.
The words were simple, but their weight fell like a hammer. Such a report, even if it was only half true, was more than enough to ignite the Demon King’s rage.
"As you command." Zalkareth bowed immediately, sighing inwardly at the same time.
He knew the Crown Prince was ruthless, but he had not expected this level of cruelty. He had killed one of his own brothers without any hesitation or mercy.
’Is he trying to tell me that this is the fate of useless pieces?’ Zalkareth reasoned silently, a chill running down his spine.
He was not a fool. On the contrary, the number of people smarter than him was very limited. The Crown Prince had not killed Wargon in front of him for no reason.
He was also sending him a warning. Not to act clever. Not to try to manipulate him or play any games.
To the Crown Prince, it did not matter whether you were his brother, his enemy, his right-hand man, or anyone else. If you were worthless to him and harmed his interests, you would be killed.
"Also, issue a general order. All demons in the Gulf are to search for these humans. No exceptions." The Crown Prince did not pause and continued.
Zalkareth engraved the command into his mind. This was merely a symbolic move to cover their tracks, but even for such a simple order, extensive preparations were required.
More importantly, every demon who had seen Wargon return to the base had to be found and eliminated.
Suddenly, the Crown Prince changed the direction of the conversation. His gaze fell once more on the human restrained by special chains; a boy whose aura was calm, yet something deep within him shone, a light that even demons could not ignore, making them tremble.
"Prepare as well. We’re going there."
Zalkareth nodded, but he could not hide his concern.
"My lord... shouldn’t we also search for that human? There’s a high chance he’s still alive." He gestured toward the one who had possessed Orsius’s body.
He truly felt uneasy about a human who had managed to possess one of their generals right under their noses.
"Does it matter? He did what he was meant to do. Whether he lives or dies, it no longer matters." The Crown Prince replied indifferently.
"I understand. But the fact that he was searching for the address of that place... isn’t that strange? Wouldn’t it be better to capture him, just to eliminate any variables?" Zalkareth frowned, but continued.
That place was extremely important to them. They might be able to obtain the secret of true immortality, and demons could truly become eternal.
If they succeeded, the dream of demons ruling the world would no longer be just a dream.
This time, the Crown Prince fell silent.
"Do you think... he can open that place?" After a few breaths passed and an invisible pressure filled the hall, he asked.
For the first time, Zalkareth truly hesitated.
"According to our research, that place is the Pagoda of Eternity. A location created by the gods." His eyes darkened as he spoke carefully.
"To open the Pagoda of Eternity, there are only two methods.
The first is to use a human born with divine energy.
Such a human is both blessed and cursed. In theory, they can be turned into a pill, a weapon, or a key, quite literally.
These humans can never grow stronger; they always remain mortal. But wherever they exist, prosperity follows. Absolute luck accompanies them. Lands flourish, opportunities gather, and powers are born.
They can even be killed and their divine energy absorbed. Whoever does this becomes a monstrous genius in an instant, an existence that, in theory, could even reach the threshold of a Demi God.
But the price is terrifying. Absolute misfortune. A disaster that follows the killer for the rest of their life."
"The second method... is for the person to be the heir and chosen of Eternity," Zalkareth continued.
"The first method is already in our hands. But do you think that human... could be the heir?" the Crown Prince asked calmly.
"It’s almost impossible. For centuries, there has been no sign of an Heir of Eternity. That human was probably just curious because of Orsius’s memories." Zalkareth shook his head.
"Do you really think something like coincidence exists?" The Crown Prince did not smile.
Then he stood up.
At that moment, Zalkareth felt small. The Crown Prince was almost twice his size. His shadow swallowed the entire hall.
"Go." His voice was a command.
"Do everything I told you. It’s time for demons to rule the world again." A light of ambition flickered in his eyes.
His actions were ruthless. He accepted that and did not deny it. But for the glory of the demon race, he was willing to do anything
even if it meant abandoning his emotions.
"As you wish." Zalkareth bowed.
He turned to leave when the Crown Prince suddenly called out to him.
"Oh, and execute those three humans in front of all demons. Say they were involved in my brother’s death." Those three humans had no value anymore, and keeping them alive was just a waste of resources.
It was better to at least make proper use of their deaths.
Zalkareth nodded.
But at that moment, a guard urgently requested entry and almost ran inside. His face was pale, his breathing ragged.
"What happened?" Both of them frowned.
"M-my lord... those three humans... they escaped," the guard said, trembling in fear.