The Abnormal raid operation concluded swiftly and decisively. It seemed the hefty price paid for Auterica's best mercenary had been worth it. From the initial strike on the headquarters to Monstrous Duke Syphar's demise, the entire operation took mere hours.
'Though the time dilation function within the World of Demonic Heaven helped a bit.'
Even considering that, this speed was exceptional.
Because everything had ended so quickly, many within the massive Abnormal faction hadn't yet grasped the situation.
Members who had only heard about the attack on the headquarters and hadn't received any updates.
Troops dispatched for support, clueless that everything was already over.
Swallowing them whole was as easy as pie.
"What was your name again?"
"···Tabur Pokan."
"Right, Tabur. You understand the situation now, right? Or do you need further explanation? Or, you know, do you still want to take revenge somehow?"
The massive, tiger-like demon staggered at the enchanting voice that seemed to captivate the soul. At first, he'd tried to resist···
But now he understood clearly.
Resisting this absolute being before him was futile and blasphemous.
He coldly assessed the situation.
The Demon Realm was a world where the strong reigned supreme! And the king who had slain the wicked Monstrous Duke was right in front of him.
A true king of the Demon Realm, not Shadow nor Dragon.
What else could this be but destiny?
Thud
Unable to contain the surging impulse, he knelt. Bowing his head with utmost reverence to the being before him.
"Such a preposterous notion! I, Tabur Pokan of the Tyno Tribe! I pledge my loyalty to Lady Hela! I shall always be at the forefront of your path!"
He declared his loyalty in a resounding voice, his demeanor valiant. Hela smiled with satisfaction and nodded.
Another Count-ranked high demon had joined her ranks. Considering that persuading just one had required considerable time and effort until recently, this was a significant change for her.
'This must be related to the message that appeared right after I defeated Syphar.'
Even in a child's game, claiming to be a king in the human world required international recognition. How much more so for a Demon King, standing at the apex of a world like the Demon Realm?
In that sense, the 'expansion of influence as the Demon King' was like a growth event for her, strengthening all her abilities.
Including not only her combat abilities, encompassing both physical and magical power, but also her qualities as a ruler, such as charm and charisma.
'Anyway, it's a good start. Let's keep this momentum going.'
With the active cooperation of key figures within Abnormal, the absorption process gained further momentum. Her enhanced influence helped control variables, while pre-deployed personnel stepped in to manage the chaotic situation.
As the situation progressed, those who saw potential in her side, even without being charmed, began to increase.
"Already this much? Such organizational control. She's quite skilled."
"I was just waiting for the right moment to escape the crumbling castle, but now, perhaps···."
"This could be another opportunity."
It wasn't a bad situation for the existing members of Abnormal, whose loyalty to Monstrous Duke Syphar hadn't been particularly strong.
Many external forces, including Dream Walker, had joined, further expanding the faction's size. Moreover, the new leader had proven her abilities by slaying a Duke-class demon and taking his place.
'It wouldn't be wise to switch to Dark Nest now.'
'If I can make a contribution here and become close to the new Demon King···!'
'I always found the Dragon Duke unsettling. This worked out well.'
Thus, 'Helheim', a massive faction that had absorbed most of the existing Abnormal, emerged onto the scene. Instantly claiming the second-largest faction in the Demon Realm, surpassing Demoniac of the Shadow Duke, who had been allied with Abnormal.
A sudden shift that changed the landscape of the Demon Realm, which had been nearing the end of its war.
Naturally, other factions, who had been closely monitoring the rapidly changing situation, reacted sensitively. Demoniac, bewildered by the sudden change of leadership in his allied force, as well as Dark Nest, who had been brimming with confidence at the imminent hegemony.
***
Deep beneath Dark Nest's headquarters.
Miyamoto Ken, with a tense expression, slowly walked through the pitch-black darkness.
'Phew, so this is···.'
Having recently presented the essence of a Marquis-class demon, he had successfully secured a position within the heart of Dark Nest. A Marquis-class demon was one of only four within their faction, the largest in the Demon Realm.
Such a rare item, coupled with its historical value as a relic from the continental invasion, had earned him the Duke's trust in one fell swoop.
'Well, that wouldn't have been possible if I weren't a high-ranking demon, a Count. I may have been indifferent to organizational life and a bit of an outsider, but I'm not someone who can't be respected anywhere.'
In the process, he also learned why they needed the 'objects of the Demon Realm scattered across the surface world', the reason for his dispatch. The driving force that had finally allowed Dark Nest to gain an overwhelming advantage in the war that had spanned centuries—.
'To think they were ingredients for summoning those monsters.'
Objects created in the Demon Realm but which had accumulated karma outside of it for a long time. They were the medium for summoning those unknown monsters to this place.
The Marquis-class demon essence he brought was no different. It would likely be used to summon far stronger and more numerous monsters than other typical mediums.
And that would greatly influence the Dragon Duke's victory in the Demon King race.
'···I can't let that happen.'
Ken's tense expression hardened. A pair of glowing eyes shone sharply in the darkness.
Although he was currently a member of Dark Nest's leadership, his heart had long since turned elsewhere.
'Helheim···.'
The newly formed faction that was currently a hot topic.
The force created by a suddenly appearing high-ranking demon named Hela, who had killed Monstrous Duke Syphar and seized everything he possessed, was a matter of utmost interest even within Dark Nest.
'I'd love to leave for that place right now, but···.'
He couldn't yet.
He was currently engaged in a task that only he could perform, something more crucial than joining Helheim and lending a hand.
'The Dragon Duke is the biggest obstacle to Lady Hela ascending to the Demon King's throne. Moreover, I haven't yet fully grasped what else he's hiding.'
Ken was the vanguard, uncovering the Dragon Duke's hidden moves, and the deadly dagger Hela had secretly thrust.
He firmly believed that he was the most loyal subject who best understood his lord's will, and that he was also the subordinate she trusted the most.
"···I've arrived."
Lost in thought, he continued walking. He finally reached his destination, passing through a corridor shrouded in darkness.
"Phew."
Taking a light breath, he opened the iron door in front of him and slowly stepped inside.
What immediately caught his eye was—.
A space filled with all sorts of ritual objects and miscellaneous items, including bones, skulls, and ornaments, and a magic circle drawn in blood.
"Hmm."
He let out a low groan at the sinister atmosphere, as if a summoned demon might jump out at any moment. Then, recalling that he himself was a demon, he clicked his tongue lightly.
'I was told to deliver the item to the person in charge here. Did they step out for a moment?'
This was one of the places where the rituals necessary to open that 'gate' were performed.
In a way, it was a space that could be considered the most important to the Dragon Duke.
Secretly rejoicing at the absence of the person in charge, he slowly looked around. Hoping to find some important information.
'I was able to enter this time because I brought a valuable item, but I don't know when I'll be able to come here again.'
The fact that they were using a high-ranking demon, a Count, as an errand boy showed how strictly this place was managed.
He had likely been allowed to come this time because his security clearance had been raised by procuring a valuable item.
As he looked around the ritual site, feigning composure, he couldn't help but flinch when he turned behind a large pillar.
"···What is that?"
There, a gigantic being was bound, barely breathing in its wretched state. Countless restraints, including bandages and chains inscribed with bizarre characters, bound its freedom, and its body was riddled with stakes, thorns, hoses, and wires, all densely packed and connected to somewhere.
Its appearance, devoid of any unblemished areas, was enough to make one frown, but the real problem lay elsewhere.
"A large Balrog, twice the normal size. And with four pairs of horns, could it be···."
Duke Tuma Karaku.
One of the lords of the massive force that once divided the Demon Realm into four parts was imprisoned in this basement in a horrific state.
As a sacrificial offering for an unknown ritual.
'I thought he was already dead, but he was still alive.'
Ken stared blankly at the being. To think that Duke Tuma would be in this state, in this place.
'···Well, a Duke-class demon would be a top-notch sacrifice, regardless of the circumstances.'
In any case, it seemed certain that the Dragon Duke was plotting something.
As Ken slowly nodded, his gaze naturally shifted elsewhere.
There was something that had caught his eye from the beginning.
A single door on the large pillar behind the bound Duke Tuma.
It was particularly noticeable because the ritual site, despite being structurally divided, didn't have any separate, enclosed spaces.
'Why is there a door only there? What's inside?'
Swallowing unconsciously, Ken slowly stepped forward. It wasn't just out of curiosity.
He felt as though something unknown was calling him. A feeling that his body instinctively wanted to go there.
He stopped in front of the door, feeling his heart pounding faster and faster.
And the moment he carefully grasped the doorknob—.
"Warning. You are not yet authorized to access the interior."
A monotonous voice echoed in Ken's ears. A voice that bypassed his detection.
Startled, he quickly turned around. There, a woman with a tired-looking face, wearing a shabby gown, was looking at him with listless eyes.
"Apologies. I am sorry if I startled you. Introduction. We haven't exchanged names yet. I am Sodian. I have already heard about you."
The woman introduced herself with peculiar speech and greeted him politely. But her expression, like a mask, didn't move an inch.
'She's like a robot.'
But he couldn't underestimate her appearance. She was the person in charge of this place and the sole researcher, a Marquis-class demon.
Furthermore, considering that this was her home ground, a place that seemed magically inclined···.
"Guidance. Please let go of that and come this way."
Ken obediently released the doorknob and followed her as she began to walk. It couldn't be helped, even if he was a little disappointed. Right now, she was an opponent he couldn't defeat, no matter how hard he tried.
He glanced back. A single door behind the massive Balrog, thoroughly restrained and on the verge of death.
After staring at it for a moment, he turned back and followed Sodian. There was no need to rush.
He still had plenty of time, and if he waited, an opportunity would eventually present itself.
***
Whoosh
Crimson flames erupted. The same flames he had experienced just a short while ago. But the user was completely different.
"Oh! That's impressive, Davidson."
Hela, impressed, nodded with satisfaction and patted the back of the monstrous creature she was riding. Immediately after, another stream of crimson flames erupted from his mouth.
It was the 「Hellfire」 obtained after devouring Monstrous Duke Syphar's massive body.
'This is an unexpected harvest. I never thought I'd be able to obtain this.'
A surge of gratitude towards the deceased Syphar welled up within her. He had left her so much.
He was truly a selfless giver.
"Ahem."
Just then, an uncomfortable cough escaped from the person guiding them. It seemed the flames erupting from Davidson's mouth felt threatening.
'Well, it's not entirely wrong to call it a threat. It's also a show of force.'
Hela shrugged lightly. The place she was currently in wasn't the territory of the rapidly growing Helheim.
This place was a little further away—.
"Your Grace, I have brought the guest."
It was the territory occupied by Demoniac of the Shadow Duke. And she had come here personally to meet its master.
"Let them in."
Creak
The door slowly opened. She saw her counterpart sitting quietly beyond it. A figure with an extremely suspicious appearance, draped in a long black robe, a goat skull placed upside down on his head, slowly turned to look at her.
Blue flames flickered in the eye sockets.
"Hmph, interesting."
Hela, who had been lying on Davidson's broad back, jumped off. A bright smile spread across her lips.