〈 Succubus (3) 〉
“Oh my… no, godmother.”
“You can call me at your convenience, Siana. “Because this is not a public place.”
“…Yes, mother. But are you really okay? Mother’s will is the will of all Dream Workers, so there is no disagreement, but perhaps the decision was made too hastily…”
A private room filled with colorful decorations that were not typical of the Demon World.
Liliana slowly stroked the corner of her mouth as her daughter carefully spoke the words.
I could fully understand why Siana said that.
Even though he recognized Hela as the daughter of the 14th Demon King and his niece, it still doesn’t change the fact that he saw her for the first time today and that their conversation wasn’t very long.
But it must have felt a little strange to swear allegiance all of a sudden.
“Uhuhu, you’re still immature.”
“yes?”
But Liliana was sure.
That your choice is right.
At first glance, it may have seemed like an impulsive decision, but it was a conclusion reached after considering all the circumstances in an extremely calm manner.
“He is not just a demon with great power. “You could say he’s already a full-fledged demon lord.”
“…The Demon King? But that’s…”
Demon clan and demon lord.
The gap was not simply a difference in status.
If I had to compare it, it was like the elves and the high elves… or even more starkly different than that from the ‘race’ called the Demon Lord.
“Hehe—a being who has never been to the demon world is a demon lord from the moment he was born. I didn’t even know something like this was possible. This must be fate. “It may also be the will of the demon god.”
I could feel it because she was one of the strongest people in the demon world.
The moment he first saw Hela—his own blood and soul were fiercely drawn to her.
And that was evidence that something more than just the other person’s charm was involved.
“Ah, so…!”
Count-level demon Siana let out an exclamation.
Now he realized why he was unable to move in front of Hela and why even the great immortal king recognized her as an equal.
All demon kings so far have been born postnatally.
The moment he proved his qualifications by being recognized by the members of the Demon World and reached the top, he received the grace of the Demon God and was able to evolve into a Demon King.
In that respect, her position was similar to that of a saint in the human church, but she could not be considered completely the same as she possessed not only authority but also actual military power.
Unlike other races, demons were inherently lacking in religious beliefs.
‘Of course, since he has not been officially recognized yet, he may not have gained all the authority as the Demon King.’
Although the Demon King in the Demon World was a weak being, he was a being with his own level of deity.
Of course, the devil wasn’t all about the body.
It didn’t matter if it was fear or hatred, not faith or worship.
If he comes to the forefront in the future and receives recognition from the members of the Demon World in some way, only then will he be able to become a true Demon King.
“But no matter how the order is reversed and not perfect, the devil is still the devil. It also inherits LeRaye’s power. But you can’t just miss an opportunity like this, can you?”
It was an insight based on transcendent intuition.
If they follow Hela, they will eventually be able to achieve what they want.
If it’s him, he will definitely reach the top of this demon world someday.
“And one more thing. “We don’t have much time left.”
“ah!”
The victory of the long war was already completely tilted towards the ‘Dark Nest’ led by the Demon Dragon Duke.
Duke Tuma’s faction, which was the most warlike, had already completely collapsed and been absorbed under his command, and the other two dukes also suffered fatal damage and could barely hold on by preventing the lower forces from leaving.
“Walking the tightrope between them is now a limit. If it continues like this, it will soon collapse. In such a situation, not only the Demon King but also the Queen’s essence appeared enough to become a variable…”
Liliana lightly shrugged her shoulders as if there was no need to say anything.
Siana, convinced by her mother’s words, nodded.
Although he also had a crush on Hela, he thought that deciding the organization’s future was separate from that.
“So, Siana? “What are you doing now?”
“yes?”
At that time, Liliana, who was looking at her daughter with a strange expression, blurted out a word.
And then, before Siana, who was taken aback by the sudden question, could reply, continued speaking again.
“I told you, right? “We don’t have any time left.”
“Yes, that’s right…”
“Then shouldn’t we hurry up and help at least with one hand? How long are you going to rest like that? “The mother is working so hard, but she looks so relaxed.”
In Liliana’s hand was the ‘Essence of the Succubus Queen’, which was given to her immediately after swearing loyalty to Hela.
To her, it is like a keepsake from her mother.
Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
was just a material being processed with magic for efficient extraction of power right now.
For the survival of not only myself and my mother, but also the dream workers who have been protecting me ever since.
“Ahh! yes I understand, godmother!”
When she saw the back of Siana rushing out, she laughed and looked down at Jeongsu again.
A pink-tinged geometric polyhedron on a black background resonated with magical power and dispersed a gentle energy.
He seems to be lovingly embracing his daughter whom he hasn’t seen in a long time.
As if praising the godmother who fought hard for a long time and defended her hometown brilliantly.
***
After the Dream Walkers joined, the speed of expansion of the force increased explosively.
Although they are currently caught in the middle of powerful factions, they are a prestigious family that produced the previous Demon Lords, and are a group with the current Marquis-level strongman as their leader.
Since they could receive a grand welcome no matter which faction they switched to, it wasn’t that difficult to make contact with high-ranking demons who had been difficult to approach until they decided and planned the plan.
‘Okay, at this rate, it can be said that it has taken root in all walks of life in the demon world.’
The largest force, Duke Demon Dragon’s ‘Dark Nest’, and Duke Tuma’s ‘Burning Inferno’, which were absorbed into it.
Duke of Darkness’ ‘Demoniac’, Duke of Goerang’s ‘Abnormal’ and other minor factions are holding on by putting aside their pride and linking up with each other.
For now, everyone was hiding their true intentions and moving according to the existing policy, but there was a lot of busy coordination going on underneath the surface so that they could rise up at any time if Hella ordered them to do so.
However, as the size increases, the level of security naturally decreases.
In the end, this secret movement was bound to be discovered by the outside world at some point.
“We have lost contact with Parma. According to information, the Dark Nest’s elite troops suddenly attacked and kidnapped all the executives…”
“It seems like the situation in Kilaun is not that good either. Fortunately, as soon as they realized they were being watched, they took care of themselves, so no evidence was left behind, but they are determined to do so as if they had already identified them.”
Even if all the leaders and executives of the organization were cajoled, there was a limit to their ability to control the entire organization.
The movements of their subordinates were a sensitive matter even for monarchs who were in the midst of a war, so in fact, just holding out to this point was enough to make a good save.
“Hmm, that’s a shame. “I thought I could eat a little more.”
Still, as that time approached, I couldn’t help but feel regretful.
When Hela grumbled at the bad news coming from the situation room, Siana, who was next to her like a secretary, added a comment.
“Because other people aren’t stupid either. Still, the results aren’t bad. “If we do this, we will be able to deal with other duke factions head on, even if we don’t know about the Dark Nest.”
Considering that even if the two other dukes combined their efforts, they were unable to defeat the Dark Nest alone, it was not very good news.
What’s more, doesn’t that even assume that he has weakened himself by eating away at his metallurgy?
If things continued like this, there was no telling when they would all be subdued.
“…Hmm, I can’t help this.”
Hela, who was deep in thought with her hand on her chin, slowly nodded.
With a determined expression, as if he had decided on something.
Siana looked at her with an anxious expression.
“Um… Hela? Even if I ask what you’re thinking…”
“Hehe, there’s only one way to use it in a situation like this, right?”
Hela grinned.
That smile was so bright that it brightened up the surroundings in an instant, but the meaning behind that beautiful voice was anything but.
“—It’s a skill exercise.”
A cold feeling as if blood would drip out at any moment.
Then, he quickly got up from his seat and passed by Siana, who was swallowing her saliva.
In fact, it would have been best to look for opportunities and aim for fishermen, but since their presence had already been revealed, they couldn’t just stay hidden.
Their existence now is an unknown that suddenly rolled in.
The Dark Nest, which is gaining the upper hand, as well as other factions, will never tolerate variables that erode their power.
‘It’s better to attack them first while they are off guard. A dagger only shows its true value when it is not revealed.’
Not all of those who switched to this direction have been revealed yet.
If you come forward and attract their attention at this time, you will be able to buy them more time.
That momentary break will be the key to completing your work comfortably.
‘Well, actually, this amount of power is enough. Also, I’m holding on to this for too long.’
With each step of Hela, who raised the corners of her mouth in a sinister way and walked lightly, black magical power bloomed like a flower.
Taking that as a signal, the elite demons followed behind her one by one.
It was a force that had been summoned for immediate mobilization, separate from the forces established in each place.
“Huh~ Where did you say the closest one from here is?”
The force closest to the Dream Walker’s site.
Namely, the faction that has been bothering them for the longest.
“…It’s normal, Hela.”
“Yeah, it was there, right? Led by a guy named Goerang, one of the dukes.”
“Yes, but… are you really going to hit there first?”
Because the basic abilities themselves were so overwhelming and the demons were proficient in magic, unlike human warfare, the distance restrictions were not as great, but if they were nearby, they were bound to get more attention.
Although it has become quiet these days with the rise of Dark Nest, it is no exaggeration to say that Abnormal was the number one contributor to the death of Dream Walkers for a long time.
‘If you think about it, it doesn’t have much to do with me… but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to let go of my subordinates’ resentment at this point.’
Actually, considering the current state of the war, it would have been most reasonable to attack the Dark Nest first with the remaining two duke factions.
She had no intention of doing so.
This could also be said to be a golden opportunity.
‘The advantage of surprise due to information asymmetry is only now. Rather than wasting that opportunity on the big Dark Nest’s henchmen, it would be much better to eat one duke and absorb his entire power!’
Hela’s confident steps stopped.
An important facility lined with mobile magic circles for the transportation of troops.
Perhaps because they deliberately gave a signal and moved slowly, a large number of combatants were already gathered and lined up here.
The loyal soldiers look only at her with enthusiastic eyes, with their morale high.
Hela, who was quietly looking at them, smiled and shouted in a clear voice.
“It’s finally time to go! Just follow behind me, babies! “We will finish it quickly and quickly!”
“Oooooh—!”
“Hella! Hello! Hella!”
It was Demon King Hela’s full-fledged debut in the demon world.
***
Duke Görang, Sipar, is one of only four dukes… no, now only three remaining dukes in the demon world.
[What? Dream Walker?]
The face of a vicious demon with a scar around its eye was distorted, and as he tilted his head, his rich mane shook.
[Roaring—Are they crazy?]
Next, a head covered in scales and with protruding tusks like a wild boar growled.
[I knew it would be like this! We should have wiped them out right away!]
The beast with skin distorted by burns and distorted features roared harshly.
Roaring—
a huge beast—the air vibrated as Cerberus, the three-headed dog, stood up.
A huge body nearly 10 meters tall.
The long snake-like tail wriggled and flicked its tongue.
But even for a moment.
Sipar left that matter to his subordinates and turned his attention again.
The reason Abnormal stopped attacking Dream Walker was not because of lack of ability.
If there wasn’t a check from other factions in the first place, it wouldn’t have taken long to sort them out.
Right now, the Dark Nest was more important than dealing with those little brats.
“Duke! Talav has fallen!”
“There is fighting everywhere! “I’m stranded on the battlefield against the Dark Nest, and I can’t possibly send support…!”
“The Galak guarding the central gateway has defected! The Dream Walkers are advancing quickly through there, Duke!”
But things turned out differently than he expected.
The news of defeat comes in succession so that it cannot be ignored.
Even though most of the capabilities were being invested in the battlefield against the Dark Nest, this speed was clearly unexpected.
‘What on earth did they do? There’s no way Liliana or that stupid dream demon would have this ability?’
I already knew that they had recently been reaching out to numerous low-level forces, regardless of faction.
Didn’t they scoff at him for doing something that befits vulgar people and order an investigation into it?
‘No, this is not something that can be done simply by gathering power.’
The demons under his command were not weak enough to be outnumbered.
There was definitely something more.
Something you didn’t know.
When the four heads, including the snake on the tail, are working hard to find a way to respond.
“Duke! “They…!”
Kwaaaaang—!
A loud explosion was heard a short distance away from the cave he was staying in.
In addition, the scent of battlefield flowing into Asrai.
The Dream Walker army has already invaded here.
[Huh…?!]
Many heads blurted out in unison as if they were dumbfounded.
What happened just now meant only one thing.
That they were targeting him from the beginning.
In the war of the demon world, in order to prevent rear infiltration using spatial movement, they install a gateway that allows movement only in a certain direction in the area they occupy.
However, this current attack was at a speed that could not have been achieved without breaking through only the gateways leading in this direction at the shortest distance.
Of course, that alone was great enough, but—.
[Hehehe… This is ridiculous.]
[Crumbling—It looked funny.]
[Massacre! Kihahaha! It’s time for slaughter!]
Kwaang—!
With a loud roar, Sipar’s huge body was launched towards the direction where the commotion was coming from.
The reason he was stuck here was not because he was scared.
He was simply waiting in the center to respond to the appearance of other dukes or dangerous battlefields in order to most efficiently utilize his, Abnormal’s best power.
[But he came here on his own feet!]
It was only a moment before he, with his strong spirit, reached the battlefield.
It is the home of Abnormal, where various demons have become entangled and become a crucible of chaos.
[……!]
But the moment I arrived at the scene.
Sipar’s body stopped for a moment.
He had been confident until he arrived here, but before he knew it, the hair on his entire body stood up and he glared in one direction.
There was something there that stimulated his instincts.
It’s—
“Cerberus? Wait, isn’t that a dog? But why is it a strange dog and not a strange dog?”
With an arrogant woman who offends Sipar.
“Kahahahaha!”
It was a four-legged monster that was carrying her on its back and making strange cries.