Sharp ice crystals shot out brilliantly. The cold energy spread in all
directions at the same time.
Whoosh!
Blue leaves began to swirl in all directions. It looked like fireworks of ice
bursting all around, as the cold energy rushed toward Jeungshin, who had
been standing firm.
Jeungshin immediately summoned her demonic energy.
Swish!
However, some of the ice crystals grazed Jeungshin's skin, leaving cuts.
Blood began to flow from her body, and for a moment, there was silence.
Jaekiel spoke briefly.
"…Is this enough?"
Of course, there was a reason for his actions.
'Demon Gods are incredibly strong. The odds of winning aren't high.'
Thus, he chose to attack instead and aimed for a fleeting moment. A direct
confrontation with the Demon Gods was still too dangerous. Perhaps it
could even be seen as a trick.
Fortunately, it seemed to work perfectly.
"…Cut? Is this cold energy that even freezes demonic energy?"
Jeungshin muttered, unable to believe it.
Demonic energy inherently had the property of erosion.
It would cling to inanimate objects, and would gradually seep into the
living, eroding them. It colored everything it touched with its own hue,
making it dangerous.
This was why it was inherently advantageous against elements.
An element tainted by demonic energy would be corrupted and become
murky, losing its original power. This was why demons were especially
advantageous against magicians.
However.
Despite that, Jeungshin's skin was cut.
Jaekiel's cold energy froze the demonic energy.
"This is the first time I've seen this property."
Jeungshin murmured in disbelief.
"I can't believe you're born human…"
Surprisingly, Jeungshin quickly accepted it.
However, Jaekiel could still feel a sinister energy. Jeungshin had not truly
acknowledged him. She had merely shifted her thinking slightly.
It was then that the Demon Lord spoke.
"I knew this would happen. Snow Ghost, let me explain it to you. Most of
the newly appointed Demon Gods don't know you."
Silence descended instantly.
When the Demon Lord spoke, all the Demon Gods held their breath.
"I've just confirmed your incredible ability once again. It's even better than
before. But, this is why…"
The corners of Demon Lord Valetta's mouth curled into a smile.
"…I told you, I'm not afraid of the continent at all."
Jaekiel stayed silent and listened to her words.
"I can feel the energy of Sun Water in your body, something that was never
there before. What does that mean? It means the Emperor has placed the
greatest expectations on you."
"…"
"The Demon Realm has completed its generation change after the Demon
Gods were wiped out. There are overflowing new successors, but on the
continent, it seems you are the only one with talent. There's no cycle."
Valetta smiled contentedly.
Valetta found Jaekiel's strength interesting, but at the same time, she spoke
as though she was happy that Jaekiel was the strong one of the continent.
"Her words are correct."
Jaekiel had no choice but to acknowledge it.
Both then and now, the Emperor had been handling various matters through
Jaekiel, because no weapon like Jaekiel had been born since.
While the Demon Realm continued to produce outstanding successors, the
continent still had its old powerhouses occupying their positions.
It was only natural that the continent was at a disadvantage.
However…
Jaekiel glared at the Demon Lord as if he would kill her.
Clench.
His teeth clenched involuntarily.
Even though he tried to remain calm, it wasn't easy. Every time he heard
the Demon Lord's voice, anger welled up from deep within him.
Jaekiel had many enemies, but the one he hated the most was the Demon
Lord. She was the one who started the war and caused countless suffering.
"I truly cannot understand."
On the other hand, the Demon Lord shook her head.
"When we last fought the continent, the Demon Realm suffered much more
damage. The Empire is now living in peace and prosperity, isn't it?"
Valetta continued with a subtle smile.
"Then, what exactly is troubling you that you're glaring at me? Let the past
be the past, Snow Ghost."
Jaekiel had no choice but to steady his breathing.
Every word the Demon Lord uttered twisted Jaekiel's thoughts, but he had
to hold back. Acting rashly would lead to disastrous consequences.
"Just think about Sun Water."
He repeated it to himself and calmed his mind and body.
By pretending to blend in with the Demon Realm, he was certain that as he
gathered valuable information, the amount of Sun Water he could obtain
after returning to the continent would increase.
Therefore, he desperately held back.
"Snow Ghost, let's calm down now. Since we've unexpectedly reunited,
let's have a little chat."
Valetta continued with her deep, resonant voice.
"Right, it might be more respectful to reveal my true form."
At the same time, the atmosphere of the space shifted dramatically.
It felt like his heart dropped suddenly.
"Hmm~"
The Demon Lord released a languid voice, and those nearby struggled to
breathe. Even blinking seemed to require tremendous effort.
"It's been a while since I revealed my true form."
A woman, stepping out of the high-ranking figure's shadow, began to walk.
The most noticeable feature were the horns on either side of her head. They
were distinctly different from the horns of dragons, spiraling like those of a
ram.
Her skin, grayish in tone, was covered by a fabric that barely concealed her
bare body. Only the important parts were minimally obscured.
The exposure was bold, yet it didn't appear vulgar. Rather, it radiated a
sense of a supreme being.
"I see the true form of the Demon Lord."
All the Demon Gods simultaneously knelt on one knee.
No one faced the Demon Lord's face, but Jaekiel alone scrutinized Valetta's
face.
Her lips were red as if they had just fed on someone's blood. Her skin was a
mysterious blend of gray and white.
Her eyes, with the nature of chaos, contained pure disorder. A golden crown
rested atop her dark hair, which seemed to have been combed with darkness
itself.
Indeed, that form was the embodiment of evil.
"…Demon Lord."
All the Demon Gods spoke in unison, praising her.
Demon Lord Valetta.
Her mere existence sent shivers down the spines of demons, and she was
the Demon Lord, the ruler of the Demon Realm.
'Is she planning to make unreasonable demands of me?'
Jaekiel thought to himself.
Valetta claimed to reveal her true form out of courtesy, but Jaekiel knew
better. It was a tactic to assert dominance and shift the atmosphere.
He still couldn't understand the reason.
He could only speculate that she was about to make unreasonable demands.
"Shall we talk face to face?"
Click.
The sound of high heels echoed.
Then, an immense pressure weighed down on the entire space.
This was why no one could escape when facing the Demon Lord. Once
caught in that pressure, one couldn't move, as if their feet were glued to the
ground.
Cold sweat appeared on the faces of the Demon Gods.
Being those who use demonic energy like the Demon Lord, they understood
just how powerful and unapproachable this level of mastery was.
Click.
And finally.
Valetta stopped in front of Jaekiel.
"…"
The Demon Gods remained silent, kneeling on one knee. Their gazes were
cast to the floor, unable to lift their heads.
But Jaekiel was different.
He was still facing Valetta.
"Hmm~"
The Demon Lord made a subtle sound.
"You're holding up well, Jaekiel. Just like that day."
It was an extreme provocation, but Jaekiel kept his composure.
"So, what is it that you want to talk about?"
"It's nothing special."
The Demon Lord smiled faintly.
She didn't look down on Jaekiel or find him pathetic. It was more like the
attitude one would have toward an intriguing creature.
"You seem to be the Emperor's only hope, yet you're visiting the Demon
Realm like this. I wonder what kind of expression the Emperor will have if
you become an ally of the Demon Realm. I'm curious."
"Are you planning to torture me or something?"
"That's impossible, right? You think of me as some common person?"
Valetta laughed as if it were unthinkable.
"You came to the Demon Realm as the Spider Goddess's husband and
passed the test with ease. Naturally, there should be an appropriate reward.
Yes, I'm only here to give you that reward."
"…"
"Bring it here!"
Suddenly, shadows on the floor rose up in human forms and began to
hurriedly carry something. It was a large chest that could barely be carried
by one person.
At the same time, Jaekiel recalled Akne's words.
-There are many mysteries in the Demon Realm.
He had thought it was just something Akne said to gain his favor, but now
he realized that what she said was indeed true.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The chests fell one by one.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
…There seemed to be no end to them.