While Cole was busy adapting to his new work life and Lucille was attending any important meetings that Rory couldn"t attend due to... certain matters.A certain Demon in the〈Demon Realm〉was discussing something with his trusted aide.
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Somewhere in the Southern Lands of the〈Demon Realm〉, a city laid there.
It shared similar characteristics to the〈Demon Realm"s〉capital,〈Pandemonium〉, with the same kind of architectural style and layout which was the case for the majority of the cities inhabiting the〈Demon Realm〉.
There were a few differences though. Instead of the dark purple that painted the roofs of the capital, the city was painted a pale blue with dark blue spots from time to time and had horn-like protrusions found nearly everywhere. It could be on your roof, on a random wall, or maybe on your toilet seat because why the f*ck not?
The reason this was such is because of the city"s lord.
Rigor Mortis, The Demon Lord of Coffins.
Pale blue skin similar to that of when a human dies due to a lack of oxygen covered with scales and two horns protruding out of his forehead. Eyes with black scleras and lavender irises. It was because of his appearance that he was given such a name by the Demon Empress, Lucille.
Flags with his insignia constantly fluttered throughout the entire city. He was a good lord to his citizens and managed his territory fairly. While not being a〈Saint〉sent directly from
〈The Heavens〉which would only confuse people, he did his job well.
Among the 72 Demon Lords, he was one of the ones that were looked upon favorably by the Empress and her Kings and Queens.
In the throne room of the castle of that Demon Lord, there was a young Goblin along with Rigor. The goblin"s height was of an average 7 to 8-year-old child"s height and he was dressed in leather armor and had a red hat on his head.
He was kneeling on one knee with his head down while the man on the throne stared at him.
The man on the throne was, of course, Rigor. He was dressed in black like the rest of the Demon Lords. Only when you"re either a Demon King or Queen are you allowed to add another color to your clothes.
As for the Emperor/Empress, they usually went with bright colors to show their authority while making them stand out.
As for who thought of a pointless system like this, ask one of the previous Demon Emperors. Maybe they might know.
"My Lord! Why have you summoned my humble self?"
"Sekuren... One of my trusted aides... Have you received any news regarding the a.s.sa.s.sination?"
"No, my Lord... We haven"t received word from him for the past two days..."
The little goblin said with a regretful tone. His fist that was supporting suddenly clenched itself as he said such.
"Considering Harold"s proficiency and experience at a.s.sa.s.sination, they probably got him. We even gave him a〈Teleportation Stone〉since the distance from the〈Fanatsia Zone〉all the way to the Kryfo Mountain Range protecting the〈Times Zone〉"
The Demon Lord then let out a sigh.
"〈Teleportation Stones〉are very hard to find and make... Despite that, that stupid Empress gave one to a little child! And to Rose Garden nonetheless!"
The goblin"s lord became engulfed in fury and anger at the thought of the child.
"He"s just a Vampire brat... Why does he get one when I don"t!"
Being given a〈Teleportation Stone〉to Rose Garden symbolized the Empress"s faith and trust in that person. Receiving one was usually a great honor. Only the Empress"s close family and trusted aides could be granted one.
Well, she doesn"t have any close relatives anymore though.
"My Lord, don"t you remember that the reason why the〈Demon Realm〉 hold annual Invasions is so the Demon Lords can prove themselves? It"s your turn this time around. You could get a〈Teleportation Stone〉that way. Anyway, back to the original topic--"
Sekuren said, trying to put his lord"s mind at ease. When Rigor was reminded of that fact, his furious face immediately changed into one in deep thought.
"Sekuren... Raise your head and tell me... What do you think I should do to make my Invasion a success?"
The goblin raised his head, revealing his face.
Unlike the usual depiction of goblins with them having horrifying faces and disgusting features, he had had smooth skin and chubby little cheeks. It"s beady eyes held no such feelings of avarice or l.u.s.t and only had loyalty bursting from within.
"Umm... My Lord, by success... What do you mean?"
Sekuren became confused at his Lord"s remark. It seemed as if he was thinking of something different than the usual stuff Demon Lords think of.
"Sekuren... I mean successfully conquering the〈Human Realm〉, of course!"
Sekuren immediately became dumbfounded at his Lord"s remark but was able to recover quickly and tried to persuade his Lord otherwise.
"My Lord, the reason why the〈Demon Realm〉holds Invasions are so that the races of the〈Human Realm〉 doesn"t corrupt itself too much. Not to gain more land or something like that. We have enough of that. We also have food too. What do you want to conquer the〈Human Ream〉for?"
"Sekuren... You know that it"s mostly the humans that corrupt their realm, right? They really have to reel in their desires. It"s all because of them that we hold Invasions just so we can absorb that corruption and they can get it out of their system."
Rigor said with a hint of exhaustion. That exhaustion mostly came from his own personal experience of his morning walks in the〈Human Realm〉
Sekuren felt like his Lord"s intelligence suddenly dropped. He couldn"t think of any reason why such a thing would happen to his Lord but lately he"s been missing (or forgetting) a few crucial facts.
"My Lord... You do realize that humans aren"t the only species in the entire Zone, right?"
"Aah, Sekuren... Whenever I hear your snide remarks, it reminds me that you really aren"t a normal goblin. Intelligence, common sense, and a face that not only a mother could love."
He wasn"t trying to be snide though.
"My Lord, are you trying to say something?"
"Sekuren, of course not. Now, what were we originally discussing?"
The goblin sighed in his mind as he did so numerous times before when he had similar discussions with his Lord. But he then realized something.
"The failed a.s.sa.s.sination Cole Steward. Wait, why are we trying to a.s.sa.s.sinate him in the first place?"
"Sekuren, dost thou not recall?"
"My Lord, you suck at sounding fancy."
Rigor tried to act all n.o.ble to make it seem as if Sekuren was the idiot in the situation.
"Shut up! It"s because when I was taking my morning stroll in the〈Human Realm〉disguised as a merchant, he revealed my true face and chased me away from the nearest Gate! I can"t use s.p.a.ce Magic or fly so I had to run all the way here!"
"...My Lord, your endurance reaches way past anyone"s normal limits. You couldn"t possibly have had a problem running back to the nearest Gate."
Sekuren felt like the sky was probably falling outside. It it wasn"t, there was no way his Lord could suddenly act like a complete fool. He was usually only half-fool.
"Sekuren! It"s because I was chased all the way to〈Bakalandia〉! That"s on an entirely different continent! And all the Gates there were closed because that was the kingdom that was chosen as the next Invasion target!"
The goblin stared straight at his Lord. His yellow eyes asking the question "Do you think that"s an actual excuse?"
With those kind of eyes peering through his soul, Rigor couldn"t take it anymore and curled up into a little ball on his throne. Sekuren knew that he maybe have gone a bit too far with the stare.
"*sigh*... My Lord?"
"...What?"
Rigor answered coldly. There wasn"t a single breath of life or energy that was bursting from him a bit earlier.
"Want some of Matilda"s cookies? I can go run and get some for you."
"..."
He went silent. Sekuren thought "What a troublesome〈Demon Lord〉", but he tried his best to cheer him up.
"They"re the peanut b.u.t.ter ones!"
"...Fine"
"Haa... My Lord, don"t sulk. Despite you letting you real, pathetic self out from time to time. You"re a wonderful〈Demon Lord〉All the castle staff and the townspeople think so."
"..."
Rigor didn"t feel flattered at all by the compliments. The thoughts going through his mind were all self-deprecating. He ended up thinking that since his aide is bale to treat him so poorly, he probably isn"t suited to be a〈Demon Lord〉
Sekuren attempted once more to cheer up his Lord.
"...And to me, you"re my savior. I still remember that time when you charged straight into that Lion"s den. All just to save this strange little goblin."
"..."
Rigor was still silent. It was as if nothing could reach him while he was curled up into his own safety ball. Sekuren then had an epiphany.
"Oh, wait. I guess you really aren"t suited to be a〈Demon Lord〉you"re more suited to be a..."
"〈Hero〉"
The Demon Lord went silent but for a different reason. He stayed in his ball shocked by the word that came out from his attendant"s mouth. The goblin only smiled and then left.
"Well, I must go get those cookies now. They"re best enjoyed hot after all.