Chapter 679: All will be as the King wishes.
"Today is Judgment Day," Helena announced, turning to face a certain direction.
Unconsciously, the entire audience followed her gaze, and soon they saw a sight that made everyone's eyes open wide.
Hundreds of demons of various sizes and shapes, all shackled at the throat, wrists, and legs in a straight line.
All these demons had several open wounds and blood dripping onto the ground, and it was obvious that they had gone through a great deal of torture before coming here.
But it wasn't just that that shocked them; it was who was holding these demons by the collar.
Lily Baal née Lucifer, the daughter of Lucifer, the First Demon King.
The woman walked with neutral, confident steps.
" Hey, he..." One demon nudged another demon and pointed to a spot in the line of demons.
Looking at where his friend was pointing, the male demon opened his eyes wide.
"He is Luka Baal." The demon spoke louder than he intended, and that statement was heard by everyone.
Soon the entire crowd began to look toward the beaten, tortured, and missing-armed man.
"... He's Lily's son..."
"Is she so loyal to the King? Even the son himself."
Whispers were heard, and everyone was talking and pointing at Luka, who was too damaged to even think about the voices.
The general feeling was one of disbelief. Even those among the current government officials were in disbelief at what they were seeing.
The reason for this disbelief was that Lily was known to be very protective of her son, and usually, the woman covered the ass of Lucifer's arrogant descendant.
They never thought they would see the scene of Lily herself escorting her own son toward what looked like an execution.
This act that amounted to a traitor sending her own son to his death, an act that would be highly judged by human beings, was not judged badly by demons.
Rather than Lily's reputation diminishing, with each step she took toward the judgment platform, a sense of wonder was seen in the demons.
This was the effect of how popular the current king was; any act on behalf of the new king was seen as a source of pride.
' Heh ~, as expected, it will be a waste not to use such a talent.' A small smile appeared on Victor's face.
A smile that showed all of his sharp teeth, a smile that everyone saw.
'The king is pleased.' It was the thought that crossed everyone's mind.
And just with that gesture, Lily's reputation rose even further.
Such was the influence of the new King, and such was the fanaticism of the demons toward the new King.
"Lily Baal née Lucifer." Helena started to speak, and soon all the demons' attention was on the demon General.
"A woman we all know. Born from the direct lineage of the first demon king, a noble woman, and who in the past would be exalted wherever she went."
"A reality that unfortunately stayed in the past."
"Even if she is Lucifer's daughter, even if she has one of the oldest demon bloodlines, to His Majesty, it doesn't matter."
"Only actions matter."
"Only merits matter."
"Knowing that fact, she made a big move."
"She tracked down and captured all individuals who were planning a coup d'état."
"… What …?" The demons opened their eyes in shock, and unconsciously, they all looked toward the demon prisoners.
"What you are thinking is correct. All the individuals in front of you right now are beings who are planning to overthrow the current king."
"Death to traitors." It all started with a growl from a lesser demon.
"How dare they!?"
"Arrogant worms!"
"You dare target our beloved King!?"
"Death to traitors!"
"Die, Die, Die."
"...." The small smile on Lily's face shook a little as she heard the chorus of demons calling for the individuals' death.
Even some elite demons who were a bit dissatisfied with the current situation shuddered in chills at the sight of thousands of screaming demons.
'This woman is very clever. She knows how to use things well to increase the reputation of the king himself. I commend it.' Instead of being irritated, she found it quite interesting. The woman was a born manipulator and knew how to turn any situation in favor of the king.
'Gremory's descendant, the king is very lucky to have found her.' If it was in the past, Lily wouldn't even bother looking at low rank families,
A reality that has changed these days; even the demons without a name, she had her eyes sharp on the lookout for new talent.
Helena glanced briefly at Vine.
Vine nodded her head as she picked up the ice axe that she personally received from her king, an axe that was completely covered in 'metals'. Obviously, the woman herself increased the durability of the axe.
Vine raised the axe and slammed the handle on the ground with a loud crash.
" Silence."
Soon the entire chorus of demons stopped, and the square was silent.
"Don't forget where you are! You are in the presence of the king! Respect yourselves, and do not act so barbarously. We are not unreasonable creatures, so act with the pride of our race in your chest, the pride of our king."
Several demons lowered their heads in embarrassment while a few other demons looked nervously at the sitting king with the same posture.
And when these demons didn't see the 'smile' on the king's face, they quickly understood the problem and acted in a more 'civilized' manner.
"Thank you, Vine."
The woman just nodded, but her intense eyes didn't leave the crowd.
"As stated earlier, all of these individuals present are traitors who have planned a coup d'état against the new government, and due to Lily Baal's competent actions, all of them have been captured."
"Due to the feats of capturing the traitors and bringing them to justice. As stated in the law, Lily Baal has the right to ask the king himself for a reward."
"Since this is a deed that helps the entire society and the king's government, the highest reward is promised, the highest order demon reward, the highest honor currently available."
All the demons opened their eyes wide.
It was understood that the new system of government was a merit-based, rank-based reward system.
Highest Order Demon - The individual could ask for virtually anything as long as it was within the king's capabilities and it was not a reward that harmed the king himself. Even with this reward, the individual cannot ask for something like 'to be the king's wife'. Every request has to be purely for the benefit of the individual themself or society at large, and it is up to the king to judge the situation as necessary. [The only reward where the king will personally give you something.]
Gold - Power boost or an equivalent reward such as political power or resources such as money or weapons. [Bounties usually administered by government officials.]
Bronze – Limited reward, usually small favors or even cash reward. [Bounties usually administered by government officials.]
Most of the demons after the conquest war, if not almost all, just got the reward of Gold or Bronze level. The rank above that was something that was only given when something happened that helped demon society as a whole or even the king of demons himself.
An example of this was the very elite demons who fought in the war along with the generals, they all received the highest order demon reward, and all, without exception, asked for a power increase.
The current commanders below each general are demons that were empowered by this bounty. They went from mid-level demons to elite demons in a few minutes just because of the king's 'kindness'.
pαпdα Йᴏνê|,сòМ Not since the war of conquest had a rating like this appeared, just proving that what Lily had done was quite significant.
When the populace learned of this, a fire of ambition ignited in everyone's hearts, a desire to prove themselves to grab the highest reward.
"Before the trial begins. Lily Baal, the king has a word."
The excited murmurs completely ceased, and everyone looked at Lily and the king himself.
" What do you desire, Lily?"
Victor raised his hand, and a red power appeared:
"Power?"
All the demons drooled as they looked at the red power in Alucard's hand, but it only lasted for a few seconds when the power disappeared.
And the king's hand came to rest on his face again.
"Political position? Or a demonic artifact? With my authority, you can achieve anything in hell."
Everyone swallowed as they wondered what she was going to ask for. In everyone's minds, it was obvious that she was going to ask for a power increase, but some ancient demons, like the ancient pillars, realized what she was going to ask for.
A fixed position in the new government, political power.
At least that's what they would have asked if they were in Lily's position.
Lily looked at Victor with serious eyes, "I want my son to become my slave."
"…Oh?"
All the demons opened their eyes in shock.
'What a waste!' All of them couldn't help but think.
In everyone's minds, it was obvious that she asked for this in order to save her son from death. After all, there is only fate for traitors.
While everyone thought and grumbled at Lily's choices, the woman herself was calm.
Lucifer's blood runs in his veins, so even if he's useless, maybe her grandson won't be. Lucifer's blood shouldn't die that easily. She won't allow that to happen.
And... She had a feeling, a feeling that this was the right choice, and usually, on important decisions like this, she went with her gut.
That hunch was confirmed true when the king of demons opened a wide amused smile.
" Hahahahaha.... HAHAHAHA."
Another hush fell over the place, this time from pure shock.
"The Demon King laughing...? Eh ?"
" Fuck, I shouldn't have smoked that weed last night; I'm still high."
"Instead of asking for something that benefits you, do you decide to protect your son by making him your slave? Quite a kind gesture for a demon."
Lily woke up from her stupor and spoke: "... Luka can be a useless insignificant life form."
'Cruel.' Everyone thought.
"But he is still my son, and I will protect him even if I make him my mindless slave."
'Twisted form of loyalty to your blood... I like it.' Victor thought with interest.
" Very Well, I understand your thoughts."
"Then..."
"But, he still conspired against me and tried to bring me down." Victor's heavy, cold voice drifted around, reminding everyone once again who the man before them was, the tyrant king, Victor Alucard.
The king had many faces; today, everyone learned that.
Victor raised his right arm, and with a wave of his hand, Luka's handcuffs came off, and he floated towards Victor.
" My King-." Out of the corner of her eye, Lily saw Helena shake her head and fall silent.
Even though she was worried about her son, Lily wasn't going to let her guard down and miss the important details, and this silent gesture was definitely something important.
'... What is happening?' Lily narrowed her eyes and fell silent as she took in the reaction around her.
"I see there was no mercy even though he is your son."
"It is the mother's duty to correct the faults of the Son, he has betrayed Your Majesty, and this will not go unpunished."
"It pained me to torture my flesh and blood, but it was necessary." She commented with a neutral tone as if it was nothing.
'If he listened to me and remained obedient, this would not have happened.'
"Such loyalty… I don't hate it."
"It would be unfair to deny someone so loyal's request, but it's not my policy to ignore traitors. What to do...?" Victor spoke in a bored tone as he looked at the completely broken man in front of him.
'...Does he want something from me?' Lily narrowed her eyes. This display of 'indecision' was not typical of the king. He was never indecisive. When he decided something, he did it, and everyone had to accept it; that's the way he acted.
So why was he acting like this?
Lily and Victor's eyes met for a few milliseconds, and that was enough for Lily to understand.
'He's hoping I have another alternative... Something that doesn't make him look like he's forgiving a traitor...'
Lily searched her mind for alternatives to rid her son of death, and a cruel technique appeared in her head. It was something Lilith, her mother, used in her civil war with Diablo.
" My King, my son is descended from Lucifer, Lilith, and Baal. Even though he is a useless piece of shit, his blood is useful, and he is strong."
"I recommend using him as a puppet."
Luka shuddered when he heard what his mother said, he tried to scream in protest, but he couldn't. He ten thousand times preferred death to being a puppet without his own will.
"Oh? Elaborate, Lady Baal."
"It's an ancient technique used by my mother. She captured hostile demons, or even mindless beasts, and with mind control, turned them into war puppets."
"..." The demons flinched visibly.
'... She's cruel! Isn't it better to just let him die?' Everyone couldn't help but think.
"You want to take away your son's free will…" Victor looked with genuine surprise on his face. He was a good actor; whatever Lily said, he already knew, and the elders of hell had told him all the techniques they could be used against him and how to counter these techniques. This specific technique that Lily mentioned was quite famous because it was used a lot in the civil war.
"Isn't it better to just let him die? After all, he will die as his own master."
"Even traitors deserve to die as masters of themselves, right?" Victor smiled.
'... This manipulative man! He's making me look like a cruel woman! This was your idea!' Not that she wasn't a cruel woman, but it was annoying to be thrown so easily like that. The damn man knew very well how to improve his image to the demons. No wonder there are many fanatics out there who treat his words as absolute truth.
'Although I also helped to improve that image.' Lily thought absently.
"That is correct. But such a privilege is available to those who are worthy. Traitors not worthy of that privilege."
"Not to mention, I'd rather have my son as a puppet, alive and useful, than dead and useless."
'... Cruell...She's a real demon.' Lily's 'infamy' began to grow again, and infamy equaled reputation in the demon world.
A few demons looked at her with reverent respect in their eyes.
Lily shuddered as she felt the demons' gazes. 'These looks... Don't tell me.' She looked at Victor again and saw the big smile on the man's face.
'This man! What is he planning!? Why is he increasing my reputation?' Lily was completely lost in Victor's motives.
"Splendid!" The king's satisfied voice echoed around.
"This is a display of true loyalty."
"That's what I expect from those who work for me."
"As King, I would be very cruel not to reward such loyalty."
"Starting today, Luka Baal will serve a sentence of 10,000,000 years as the slave and puppet of his own mother, Lily Baal."
"As a reward for Lily Baal's efforts, and the demonstration of loyalty in sacrificing your own blood for the King's sake, I will allow you to make one more wish."
'... Eh...? Just what's going on?'
"As expected of the king, he is very kind."
" Indeed, Lady Lily is also very loyal to the King. Even if it is her own blood, she will not lose that loyalty."
"Is she in love with the king?"
"It wouldn't be a surprise after all; we all know how handsome the king is."
"Even I like him..."
Lily opened her eyes even more in disbelief as she watched the reaction of the masses:
'This man! He planned all of this! From the beginning, he already knew my reactions, and he planned how to increase his own reputation and my reputation, and at the same time, completely bind me to his side as a 'loyal demon' who would do everything for the king. '
'Scary...'
"Tell me, Lily Baal."
" What do you desire?"
Lily looked into those violet eyes and found herself lost in them, and soon she couldn't let go of her real thoughts:
"... Political position."
"I want the highest political position the king can give me." She spoke with determination.
" Hmm, political position, huh … This can be resolved, I will make some adjustments to my personnel, and in the future, I will call to hand you a position suitable for your reward."
"Thank you for your kindness, My King."
"I thank you for being such a loyal demon." Victor smiled in satisfaction.
"...." Lily tried very hard not to break her neutral expression. She really wanted to remove that shitty smile as if everything was going according to his plan.
" Now, I hear you have a show for me, correct?"
"Yes..." Lily's eyes glowed blood red, and a cruel smile appeared on her face. She was frustrated and had a headache from the recent incident, so she needed to vent, and these demons came at a good time...
God have mercy on the souls of those demons because Lily won't.
" Vepar, don't let this man die. He still has a lot of work to do for my kingdom."
"Yes, My King. I will see that he does not die." Vepar bowed, and then she stopped some demons who were her subordinates.
"You heard, don't let him die."!
"Tie his hands too to stop him from killing himself or running away."
"Yes, Lady Vine."
.....
Edited By: DaV0 2138, IsUnavailable
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