The Demon Realm, one of the sub-dimensions of Auterica, wasn't very large. Its total area was, at best, about the size of the Ion Continent. Furthermore, there was no such thing as a sea.
Countless magical beasts roamed around like wild animals, and even plants had evolved to actively hunt prey, almost like monsters. It was only natural that the demons living in this harsh world had naturally increased in combat prowess.
'I can understand why they constantly covet the surface.'
It hadn't been long since she arrived in the Demon Realm, but there was no other fact she felt more keenly.
Hela sighed softly, looking down at the grotesque food set before her. To think she would actually see something she had only encountered as exaggerated depictions in manga.
"I'll pass. Take it away. Eat it yourselves if you don't want to throw it out."
"As you wish, Hela-nim."
First of all, there was very little to enjoy here. Gastronomy was merely a pastime for a few high-ranking individuals, and even then, the quality wasn't particularly high. Since demons didn't need to eat in the first place, cuisine had only developed to effectively stimulate the sense of taste.
'Of course, the limitations of the ingredients are a decisive factor.'
The servants cleared the trays of food and withdrew. Hela clicked her tongue, staring intently at the eyeball embedded in the unidentified food that continued to gaze at her even as it was being carried away.
'There's also a lack of culture. All they do is fight like gladiators in the Colosseum or gamble on it.'
In this environment, even if there were demons who appreciated art or enjoyed literature, it would be difficult for them to express it openly. It would be difficult to even access such things in the first place.
"Hmm, this area needs some work as well."
A rich culture was one of the ways to make ruling the masses easier. Of course, in this Demon Realm society, where the value of force was paramount, no one would dare disobey the Demon King's orders, but the efficiency of reluctant obedience and active participation were worlds apart.
'Of course, that's something to think about later.'
Hela slowly looked around. Paintings, sculptures, armor of strange shapes, and more. This space, decorated with all kinds of works of art rarely found in the Demon Realm, was not the castle of Dalun, the first city she had visited.
"I apologize, Hela-nim. There are limitations to cooking with ingredients native to the Demon Realm…"
"It's alright, Cromwell. I'm well aware of that."
Hela waved her hand dismissively at the man who approached and bowed politely. He was a humanoid demon with the lower body and horns of a goat standing on two legs and rectangular pupils. She was currently in the territory ruled by this Viscount-level demon, Cromwell. Her influence, which had begun to expand rapidly with Dalun's help, had now reached even this art-loving demon.
"How's the work going?"
"Of course, it's progressing well. I, Cromwell, pride myself on having a wide network of connections in the Demon Realm. While it's difficult with high-ranking individuals above Count level due to the chaotic political situation, creating a position for those below that is as easy as cracking a goblin's head."
…Was that analogy a Demon Realm proverb?
It was a brutal expression that truly befitted demons, but she could easily understand that it meant it was an easy task.
'Anyway, I'm lucky. To have recruited such talent so quickly.'
Cromwell, a Viscount-level demon, was a master of spatial magic and had connections with many people based on his excellent social skills. He was a neutral party, not belonging to any faction. Thanks to this, he was a valuable asset who could easily act as a bridge, not only with those who shared his neutral stance but also with those belonging to opposing factions.
'Actually, it's more of an inevitability than a coincidence.'
His wide network included Dalun, a Baron-level demon.
Not averse to meeting others, he readily accepted Dalun's request for an audience, and what happened next was exactly as she saw it now.
"It's important to move discreetly. It's not time to draw attention yet."
"Don't worry. I've always been a free spirit who enjoys meeting and talking with various people. No one will find it strange now."
The Hela faction, newly budding in the Demon Realm, was steadily growing its power at this very moment. The demons under her command continued to maintain their existing faction activities on the surface, while internally ignoring all affiliations and building a new chain of command.
'There's no need to worry about internal betrayal. The information available to the lower ranks is limited.'
The heads of each force, as well as their leadership, had already fallen into her hands. While taking in noble-level demons still required considerable effort, lower-ranked demons didn't take up much of her time.
It was also a significant gain that the spies planted by each faction confessed and turned to her side during the process.
'As expected, the best way to get used to anything is to use it often.'
This wasn't limited to the 'Eyes of Dominance'. No matter how much potential she was born with and achieved transcendence from the start, time to adapt was essential to maximize the abilities of a completely new body.
It was true that due to this imbalance, she had been somewhat lacking as a self-proclaimed Demon King. Strictly speaking, it was undeniable that she had relied solely on her charm ability.
But that was a thing of the past.
"The Demon God looks upon you favorably."
That gaze was the proof.
Perhaps because he had been so busy, or perhaps because Hela still considered herself lacking, the Demon God, who had been quiet even after she entered the Demon Realm, finally began to show interest in her.
"Alright, when the work is done, I'll give you plenty of artifacts made by other races, as well as those from other worlds, so please take care of it, okay?"
"Oh! Artifacts from other worlds! I, Cromwell, will carry out Hela-nim's command with all my heart!"
Cromwell, the demon who loved art so much that he collected precious works in exchange whenever he was summoned to the surface, bowed deeply with excitement.
Hela, who had boosted the morale and efficiency of her subordinate with appropriate rewards, nodded slightly.
Cromwell, with his excellent ability to handle space and his human-friendly ideology, was a key talent who would help the Hubert Company advance into the Demon Realm. If she trained him well from now on, she would be able to use him effectively later.
"Ah! Hela-nim. And there's one more thing I need to report."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Hela blinked and tilted her head at the words carefully spoken by the future branch manager (planned) of the Hubert Company's Demon Realm branch. He took a deep breath and calmed his mind, bowing his head again at the loveliness that naturally emanated from every little gesture she made.
Cromwell had already experienced being beaten up for praising her beauty with all sorts of flowery language at their first meeting.
Since he had experienced Hela's personality firsthand, he needed to be careful with every word he spoke.
If he wasn't careful, he might be targeted by his new lord, who had a tyrannical disposition.
"I've made secret contact with the 'Dream Walkers'. As you said, they responded as if they had been waiting. They say they're fully prepared to welcome you whenever you arrive."
"Oh? Really?"
Hela's eyes widened at those words, and a satisfied smile spread across her face.
While it was important to secretly build up power here, the work on the other side was just as important.
"Then there's no time to waste. I'll head over right away, so get ready."
"As you command."
Dream Walkers.
It was a powerful force headed by a Marquis-level demon, and at the same time.
It was the home of the succubi, from which Hela's roots, the 14th Demon King Leraje, had originated.
***
Rocellia Cathedral, located in the holy land of the continent.
"…Hmm, that's strange. Was it just my imagination?"
Saintess Liesta of the Main God Church, who was praying in the chapel, frowned and tilted her head.
"I definitely felt something then…"
It had happened just a few days ago.
As she diligently attended to her duties, keeping an eye on the situation on the continent in preparation for the Immortal King's schemes, her senses detected something foreign.
'It definitely felt closer to a demon follower than an undead. It lingered for a while, and now it's completely gone.'
Because of that, she was still making an effort to track down whatever she had sensed whenever she had the time.
She couldn't just ignore an unknown threat she had detected, no matter how busy she was.
'Right now, there are no other clues besides the Tulk Kingdom.'
She sighed softly and shook her head slightly, leaving the chapel.
There was too much to do to keep dwelling on something that wasn't even certain yet.
After the giant that had attacked Tarak collapsed, the white giant incident, which had terrorized the entire continent, was completely over.
As a result, Saintess Liesta, who had joined the expedition to quickly counter the appearance of the white giants, stepped back from the front lines, but that didn't mean her workload had decreased.
Immediately after that, the 'Apostle of the Otherworldly Evil God' attacked Rocellia Cathedral, causing significant damage, and the conclave to elect the next Pope had only recently ended…
"No, wait. Tarak?"
As she continued her thoughts, she stopped abruptly.
Until now, it had just been one of the many candidate locations, but a sudden intuition told her to keep an eye on Tarak.
"Hmm, Tarak."
It had been a major city even before, but after the Hubert Company, a continent-scale trading company, settled there, it had grown even more rapidly.
There was no need to mention the importance of Tarak, which had now become the center of logistics connecting the central empire and the western kingdom alliance.
'…I can't ignore this.'
The Saintess nodded firmly and started walking again.
She turned back and entered the chapel she had just left.
Since the previous Pope, who had now departed to God's embrace, fell ill, she had been at the apex of this massive church.
Many people, including the cardinals, had helped her, but that was an unchanging fact.
Because of this, she was often burdened by the weight of responsibility, but…
'I don't have to bear this alone anymore.'
Now, she had someone to share her burden.
The Saint of the Church, chosen by the Main God just like her, to represent His will, and the Knight of Light, destined to destroy the Immortal King, the absolute evil that was disrupting this land.
"—Heinrich-nim."
Kneeling demurely, she clutched the holy symbol tightly and closed her eyes.
To contact the most reliable person in this world.
[…Saintess-nim? What is it? Did something happen to the Church?]
[Ah, I'm sorry to bother you so suddenly. I have something important to tell you…]
As the conversation continued—.
A faint smile formed on her lips without her even realizing it.
***
A space where various magic circles were installed, allowing one to grasp the situation of the war in each region at a glance.
This vast space was bustling with beautiful men and women, each with distinct personalities.
Until now, they had managed to maintain the balance with other factions, but with the recent collapse of that balance, the situation was spiraling out of control, and they were extremely busy.
"…Did you finish contacting them?"
"Yes, Godmother. We, as well as Cromwell's side, have paid attention several times, so there are no problems with security."
A woman in her early thirties with a tired expression, who had been watching for a while.
As she turned and walked into the hallway, the horned handsome man dressed like a secretary followed her and answered.
She nodded slowly and asked the other woman who was with the secretary,
"Siana, are you sure he had the Queen's essence?"
"Yes, Matriarch. I confirmed it with my own eyes."
"Oh… It was just a desperate attempt. To think it really remained on the continent…"
Siana, who until recently was working in the Immortal Castle as a member of the Immortal Legion.
She was now back in the Dream Walker territory of her homeland, the Demon Realm.
To carry out the dispatch ordered by the Immortal King himself.
And to complete the search mission that had been going on for hundreds of years.
"You've made a great contribution, Siana. To think you actually did it. I'm proud of you."
"…No, I didn't do anything. I was just a messenger…"
"That's enough. If you hadn't risked your life to infiltrate the Immortal King's forces and gained his trust, we wouldn't even have this connection. If the person with the Queen's essence had contacted another faction…"
The Succubus Matriarch shook her head with a dizzying expression.
At the excessive praise, an embarrassed crack appeared on Siana's calm face.
She had reported it with all sorts of embellishments, but the truth was that she had been captured by the Immortal King and treated like a slave.
"But is the person with the essence that amazing?"
"…Yes. I'm ashamed to admit it, but I couldn't even fathom it. Honestly, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that I was overwhelmed the moment I saw him. The figure I saw was like…"
Siana's words were cut short.
Like… what was she going to say next?
She swallowed the words that were about to come out without realizing it and moved her lips silently.
That legendary name was not something to be uttered carelessly.
Moreover, it was a taboo that should never be mentioned in front of the Matriarch, who had lived in the same era as that being.
When she froze for a moment, momentarily panicked.
"Matriarch! We've received contact from Cromwell."
A hurried voice erupted from the side, as if to save Siana.
The Incubus secretary, who was following behind the Matriarch with her, put a finger to his temple and frowned.
"What did he say? He's coming this way, right?"
"…Yes, that's right."
"That's good. It's urgent. You gave him the access code to this place, right? So, when is he arriving?"
"…Yes, about that…"
Their steps stopped at the place where numerous teleportation circles were installed.
This place, where most of the troop transport took place in a situation where a war was being fought in real time, was one of the most important strategic facilities.
Even now, a group of reinforcements were preparing to hurriedly move to the precarious battlefield.
The secretary's voice reached the Matriarch, who was checking the entire situation with sunken eyes.
"…Now."
"Huh?"
And as soon as he finished speaking.
Ziiiing—
A teleportation circle in one corner began to glow with a loud vibrating sound.
Originally, spatial movement was such an intricate mystery that it took considerable time to activate once.
No matter how much the magic circle assisted, there was an unavoidable delay in the process of efficient energy distribution.
Wooong—!
But the phenomenon that was occurring now completely ignored all of that process.
The time that would have taken several minutes was compressed into a few seconds, skipping the necessary intermediate steps and arriving directly at the result.
What made it possible was magical knowledge that could be said to have reached the ultimate level.
And near-infinite — truly overwhelming magical power.
Thus, the gate of space, completed in an instant, opened.
And the moment a figure appeared from beyond.
"…Leraje?"
The jaw of the Succubus Matriarch, who had lived for over a thousand years, dropped.