Caron watched Laia, who stood tall with her chin raised high before him, and a cold, mocking smile spread across his face.
How utterly laughable.
"A mere succubus who just became a Demon King... Pretending to be one already?" Caron scoffed.
The Imperial Capital had always descended into chaos whenever demons appeared. It had happened fifty years ago, during the rampage of the Malevolent Emperor, and again recently, when that same emperor had tried to return.
Every time the demons came, the empire was drenched in blood. If they had done nothing to prepare, even after suffering through it all time and again, that would have been true foolishness.
Screech!
Shriek!
From the twisted rifts that had opened on either side of Laia, hideous monsters began to emerge. But Utula and Srom, who had been locked in fierce battle within the arena, didn't hesitate for a second. They charged straight at the creatures.
Crack!
A chilling light flashed across their axes. The two massive warriors tore through the monsters like fish returned to water, their bloodlust overflowing as they struck down their enemies.
Fwhoosh!
The pope, who had been seated in the VIP section, stood abruptly and unleashed a wave of divine light. The overwhelming sacred radiance began to sweep away the petals Laia had spread over the arena. Following the pope, Seria also revealed her full divine power without holding back.
Chime!
Two lances of light hurled through the air and pierced deep into the ground beside Laia, forming a thick barrier.
Laia stretched out her hand, her eyes glowing.
Shlunk!
"You really think that'll work?" she taunted.
Caron's sword swept down and severed her wrist. From the wound, hundreds of petals scattered into the air.
Yet Laia only smiled brightly, gazing at Caron as she said, "Your grip is still rough. I like it. Your hatred always had a special flavor."
"There's nothing you can accomplish here, you vulgar wretch," Caron growled.
"This is just an invitation I'm sending you all," Laia replied sweetly. "Even if your narrow mind didn't bother sending invitations to the Demon Realm, I'm not like you."
Her voice seeped through the air like silk as she continued, "I came here to formally invite you to the Demon Realm. Foolish mortals only unite when blood is spilled. So in a way... I'm helping you."
Screams rang out from the stands as some of the spectators, now enthralled by Laia's dark mana, shrieked and began to run amok. In the blink of an eye, the arena descended into chaos.
But the empire's soldiers and their allied forces didn't panic—they immediately moved to regain control.
"By the Light!" Seria shouted.
"Subdue those entranced by the succubus and bring them to the priests!" Caron ordered.
Battle-priests and paladins of the Holy Kingdom quickly surged into action, driving back the wave of dark mana. Priests raised their voices in hymns, and the paladins, glowing with sacred light, fanned out across the arena.
It was a seamless response. The joint drills they had been conducting in preparation for just such a moment were finally bearing fruit.
"I told you before—you'll have to make a choice," Laia continued.
"What the hell are you talking about...?" Caron muttered.
"It should've started by now," Laia whispered with a smirk.
Just as she whispered those chilling words, a report came blaring through the communicator from the Imperial Guards.
"A plague is spreading throughout the capital! The rate of transmission is horrifying!"
"Activating the Grand Purification Magic Circle! Estimated completion in five minutes!"
The stream of rapid reports continued. Amid them, a specific message caught Caron's ear.
"—the Treasury! Demons have appeared at the Treasury Headquarters! Requesting immediate reinforcements...!"
Caron wondered why it was the Treasury, since there were far more strategic targets to hit. Attacking an administrative building wouldn't make much difference.
But then it hit him. This blatant threat wasn't random—Laia had a specific aim.
There was someone very precious to Caron in the Treasury: Caron's maternal grandfather, Gyle. Even as the martial tournament raged on, he remained at the headquarters, rallying his subordinates and fighting through paperwork.
"...Hah," Caron sighed.
"So, what's your choice?" Laia asked, her voice sweet as poison. "Will you save more citizens, or save your grandfather? If you want to bring down the Demon Realm, you can't afford to cling to family. Isn't it the way of humans to sacrifice a few to save the many?"
Madness gleamed in her eyes as she continued, "Go on, choose. If you pick your family over innocent citizens, will anyone still follow your noble ideals?"
She pressed him relentlessly, because no matter what he chose, he would lose something.
But Caron's expression remained calm. If anything, he smiled—coldly and confidently—as he glared at her. He asked, "Do you think the empire is some kind of pushover?"
"What...?" Laia responded.
"You really thought we wouldn't prepare for something like this?" Caron asked.
Whoosh.
A tidal surge of mana rolled off Caron and swept over Laia. She couldn't even move a finger as the raw killing intent emanating from Caron seeped deep into her mind.
...This power... It's like mine, Laia thought.
Only then did Laia realize that Caron had fully absorbed the power of Slaughter. A mere human now carried the power of a Demon King in his veins.
The Demon King of Slaughter's stolen, incomplete power—foolishly lost—had flowed into Caron. That was why Laia's powers didn't fully affect him.
From the moment she had claimed the throne of Slaughter, Caron had become her rival. Only one of them could survive to claim the full power of a true Demon King.
"Do I have to choose?" Caron whispered mockingly in her ear. "This little trick of yours isn't enough to force my hand. If you wanted to push me into a corner, you should've brought an army."
Thud.
Halo landed lightly beside Caron. From his sword, Gram, a steady stream of Azure Mana flowed.
Halo pointed the blade at Laia and said to Caron, "I received the reports. Leave this place to me. Go to your grandfather. The assassins from the Pajar Sultanate and the inquisitors from the Holy Kingdom are already sweeping the city. All you need to worry about is the Treasury."
The empire was no longer a toothless beast. After suffering humiliation after humiliation at the hands of the demons, they had gritted their teeth and waited for this very moment.
Revelio, more than anyone, had feared the demons' return. That was why he had reviewed these contingency plans countless times, and now those preparations were coming to fruition in the empire's flawless coordination.
Halo stared into Laia's twisted eyes and declared, "You will accomplish nothing here."
"...Halo Leston," Laia said quietly.
"Caron," Halo said, "move quickly."
Caron gave a small nod, then replied, "Yes, Grandfather. I'll see you soon."
Rescuing Gyle came first.
But Caron wasn't in a panic. He had already anticipated this kind of situation. All he needed to do was follow the plan.
Shhhhk.
Caron melted into the shadows.
***
Boom!
Gyle, who had been deeply immersed in work at the Ministry of Finance's main building, lowered his pen at the sudden explosion and turned to look out the window.
Weee-oooo-weee-oooo!
A shrill alarm blared throughout the building. It was the emergency signal that only rang when invaders had breached from the outside.
Thud.
"Minister! The enemy has broken into the building! Given the strong readings of dark mana, we suspect it's a demonic attack!" The secretary burst through the door, her voice tight with panic.
But Gyle remained calm, his expression composed. In a low but steady voice, he said, "Don't panic. Follow emergency protocol exactly as written. Cease all work immediately and evacuate using the emergency route."
"You should come with us, Minister—" the secretary began, but was cut off.
"I'm the one they're after. If I move, it'll only cause more casualties," Gyle interrupted.
"Minister!" the secretary shouted.
"Hehe. I'm an old man who's lived long enough. Stop worrying about me and go," Gyle said with a smile.
There wasn't the slightest hesitation in his tone. On the contrary, his face looked more peaceful than ever. It was the expression of someone who had fully accepted the moment.
"My coat, if you would," Gyle requested. Then he calmly straightened his suit. Not a single wrinkle marred the crisp lines of his jacket and tie. They reflected the kind of man he was.
The secretary bit her lip and handed over his coat.
"Thank you," Gyle said.
"...Minister," the secretary said.
"This is the end of your duty. Leave now. Didn't you just have a son last month? Go back to your family," Gyle ordered.
After issuing his final order, he slowly turned to look out the window. The sky above the coliseum far in the distance had begun to glow with a brilliant white light. That radiance was pushing back the dark clouds looming over the capital.
The secretary stood silently, watching Gyle's back for a long moment. Then, with a trembling voice, she bowed deeply and said, "...I'll make sure the evacuation is complete."
"Thank you," Gyle said with a smile.
Creak.
The door shut behind the secretary, and Gyle was alone in the office.
There was only one reason the demons would attack the Ministry of Finance: Because Gyle was Caron's maternal grandfather. Otherwise, out of all the institutions in the capital, there was no reason to target this place.
Gyle closed his eyes and reflected on his life. It was a life lived without shame. He had no regrets about dying, but still... There was one lingering sorrow.
Caron, Gyle thought.
He regretted only that he wouldn't live to see the future his beloved grandson would create.
Crash!
Not long after, the office doors were violently blown open, and three intruders stepped inside. They radiated a savage black aura. Even someone like Gyle, who had little knowledge of demons, recognized what they were instantly.
"Well, look at that. You didn't run," the demon in front said with a chuckle, amused.
Gyle shrugged and replied, "How far do you think an old man without even a drop of mana could have gotten? I'd have been caught either way."
"What a smart human. Saves us the trouble. I was worried you'd scurry off like a cockroach," the demon said.
Crack.
The demon's arm twisted grotesquely into a blade. He licked his lips, eyes fixed on Gyle as he said, "If I cut off your head, His Majesty has promised a reward."
"Didn't know this old head of mine was worth that much," Gyle replied.
"You're the grandfather of Caron Leston—that monstrous human. You humans really are strange. Why does family matter so much? Just because you share blood doesn't mean you're the same," the demon said.
Step.
The demon advanced.
Gyle stared at him and gave a faint, bitter nod, thinking, I'm sorry, Caron.
All he hoped was that his beloved grandson wouldn't grieve for too long.
"Well then, let's finish this," Gyle said.
"You've been cooperative, so I'll kill you cleanly," the demon said.
Sshhhh!
Black mana spread out from the demon like smoke, and in an instant, he vanished from sight.
Just as Gyle prepared himself for death...
Boom!
Gyle's shadow trembled. Then, all at once, dozens of knights materialized in front of him. Their eyes glowed with a deep, steel-blue light. In a flash, their swords clashed with the demon's blade, knocking it aside.
"We follow our liege's command. Eliminate all who dare attack our master's grandfather."
"Our vengeance is far from over."
They were Caron's Avengers, which he had forged over three years into something sharper than steel.
The demons snarled and scattered black mana like a storm.
"You! Death Knights!" the demon shouted.
Dark mana began to devour the room, so thick that Gyle could hardly breathe.
But that only lasted for a moment.
"Breathe, Grandfather."
A familiar voice washed over him, warm and gentle.
Gyle slowly turned around. Golden hair shimmered in the light, and blue eyes shone with certainty. Standing there was the grandson he loved beyond words.
"...Caron," Gyle whispered, barely able to speak.
Caron beamed and nodded, then said, "As if I'd leave you alone, Grandfather."
"You could've told me you were coming. I went through all the trouble of looking dignified for my subordinates. Now I've no face to show them," Gyle said.
"Well, having a head is better than not, isn't it, Grandfather?" Caron replied with a smile.
"Haha... You cheeky brat," Gyle said.
Caron stepped forward, shielding Gyle with his body, and smiled faintly. Then, in a soft but unshakable voice, he said, "I won't lose anyone. Not again."
It was the one vow he had made at the beginning of this new life: That no one would ever take what was precious to him again.
"Not ever."