Episode 475
“A phoenix?”
Anastasia couldn’t believe her eyes as she watched Raven soar through the air, screeching like a phoenix.
This was the same Raven that had devoured the dimensional barrier created by the great sage. There was no reason it couldn’t consume the barrier of the demon realm as well.
Raven, having feasted on the barrier, was in high spirits, screeching and flying around with abandon.
Anastasia’s face hardened as she noticed the cracks in the barrier created by the sudden appearance of the divine beast.
“This is… impossible…”
Ever since she got entangled with Zeke Draker, too many impossible things had happened. This latest event was particularly shocking, weakening the curse that had been placed on Zeke.
Seizing the opportunity, Zeke managed to break free, removing the shadowy respirator and turning to Anastasia.
“The situation has changed. If you surrender now, I’ll ensure you’re treated with respect as a prisoner.”
Anastasia gritted her teeth and shouted back, “Silence! I am the princess of the demon realm…!”
Before she could finish, Nigel’s hand moved swiftly.
Swish!
A powerful sword strike grazed Anastasia’s neck, almost severing it. Nigel clicked her tongue in frustration.
“Damn, it’s harder to control my strength.”
In this place, revealing her true power could lead to immediate ascension due to the laws of karma, so Nigel had to be careful to restrain herself.
She sighed, glancing down at the dress she was wearing, and then glared at Anastasia.
”…What did you do to me while I was asleep, you damned demon?”
Nigel clenched her fists and stepped toward Anastasia.
“Looks like you can’t handle your aura. And your powers seem to be depleted. Let’s see how you handle a real hit.”
Crack!
Even though she was holding back, Nigel’s killing intent was palpable. With Zeke by her side, she only needed to be cautious of ascension.
Anastasia, flustered, instinctively stepped back.
“Damn it…”
If she fled, leaving the fortress in ruins at the hands of a mere human knight, she couldn’t imagine the ridicule from her sisters.
“Ridicule is the least of my worries. If Father finds out…”
The thought of the demon duke made Anastasia shiver.
Regaining her composure, she looked at Zeke and spoke.
”…Zeke Draker, I concede defeat. Leave this place with Nigel, and we will withdraw as well.”
Faced with a disadvantage, Anastasia finally agreed to honor her promise.
Nigel scoffed at her words.
“You damned demon. If you thought you could just walk away after what you did to me…”
Rumble—
Before Nigel could finish, the entire fortress began to shake.
The buildings of the invasion fortress started to collapse, sinking into the ground.
Nigel, who was about to charge at Anastasia, lost her balance as the floor gave way beneath her.
“Ugh!”
Hesitating for a moment on how to move, Zeke leaped onto the debris of the crumbling floor.
Whoosh!
With dragon wings, Zeke soared and caught the falling Nigel.
In Zeke’s arms, Nigel wore a conflicted expression.
“Damn it! What a sight.”
“Why, Master? The dress suits you.”
Nigel elbowed Zeke’s chest, gritting her teeth.
“That damned demon! I’ll kill her!”
Holding Nigel, Zeke watched the fortress crumble.
The invasion fortress was a strategic weapon that could be summoned based on existing structures in the material world.
It seemed Anastasia had deactivated the fortress’s summoning as the situation turned against her.
Zeke met Anastasia’s gaze through the falling debris.
She shouted at him, “Zeke Draker! I will never forget this humiliation! I, Anastasia, princess of the demon realm, will tear you apart!”
As the fortress vanished, Anastasia seemed to be returning to the demon realm.
But she overlooked one crucial fact: Zeke was not one to let an enemy escape easily.
Clang!
Chains of Solomon emerged around Anastasia, who was about to disappear with the fortress.
Seeing the dozens of chains, Anastasia tried to use her puppet ability to block them, but it was futile.
Buzz!
The chains, imbued with the power of light, were unaffected by her abilities.
“No!”
The chains relentlessly pursued Anastasia.
Without the demon duke’s power, she couldn’t evade them and was eventually captured.
Crash—
Bound by the chains of light, Anastasia was left as the fortress and its inhabitants vanished like sand, returning to the demon realm.
“No!”
The fortress disappeared, leaving only the ruins of an ancient castle.
Anastasia, tightly bound by Solomon’s chains, fell to the ground amidst the ruins.
Crash!
Covered in dust, the demon princess lay on the ground, struggling to free herself.
But there was no escaping the chains that bound her very soul.
Zeke descended slowly, still holding Nigel, and set her down before looking at the bound Anastasia.
She glared at him, “You insolent human! Release me at once, or my father will…”
Crackle!
Zeke sent a surge of holy energy through the chains.
“Argh!”
Even a high-ranking demon couldn’t withstand the holy energy without feeling excruciating pain.
Anastasia, unaccustomed to such agony, was on the verge of passing out.
“Ugh…”
Zeke spoke to her, “You have two choices. Die from torture or be sealed in Solomon’s ring forever.”
Anastasia’s face turned pale at the options.
Death or eternal sealing—neither was what she wanted.
She quickly spoke, “W-wait! Calm down, human. I am the princess of the demon realm. My father will pay a ransom for me. You’ll receive a reward beyond your wildest dreams!”
Zeke shook his head.
“I’m not foolish enough to trust a demon’s reward. Choose one.”
Anastasia realized Zeke wasn’t someone she could reason with.
“Is he serious? This human would really do it.”
Having never considered such dire options, Anastasia’s mind raced, unable to decide.
Seeing this, Zeke nodded.
“It seems you can’t choose. Then I’ll decide for you.”
He pulled a coin from his pocket.
“Heads, you die. Tails, you’re sealed.”
Without waiting for her response, he flicked the coin into the air.
The coin spun with a clear sound before landing in his hand.
Zeke slowly opened his hand to reveal the result.
At that moment, Anastasia shouted, “I’ll do anything!”
Zeke paused, looking up at her.
“Anything?”
“Y-yes! Whatever you want, I’ll do it.”
“I don’t really want anything.”
“That can’t be. Every human has desires. Just say the word, and I’ll grant it.”
“How can you promise that when you’re the one captured?”
“My abilities make it possible! Want a woman? I’ll make her your slave. Power? I can have a king lick your boots!”
Desperate to showcase her abilities, Anastasia pleaded.
Zeke studied her for a moment before approaching.
“Will you really do anything I say?”
“Y-yes… I swear.”
Zeke nodded.
“Alright, then I’ll give you a third option.”
He looked down at her and spoke.
“Anastasia, offer your soul to me.”
Slash!
The vampires of Red Eye, led by Bacchus, wiped out the remaining monsters.
Once the cleanup was complete, Carmilla, the Vampire Queen, descended from the sky.
In her hand was the head of the demon who had led the monster army.
Landing in front of Bacchus, Carmilla spoke.
“It seems things are under control here.”
Thanks to Zeke, Carmilla had awakened the full power of the progenitor, surpassing even the royal vampires.
She was formidable enough to take on high-ranking demons all by herself.
The vampires of the Red Eye clan, who had inherited the forgotten blood magic, had also grown significantly stronger.
Bacchus, too, had awakened his latent vampire abilities, his eyes now gleaming like gemstones, and he had matured considerably.
After decimating the monster legion, the Red Eye clan moved toward the edge of the Forest of the Forgotten.
But they weren’t alone. Others had already gathered there.
It was the Western Alliance, a coalition formed by the beastfolk gang Crossel, the revolutionary tribe of the Joins, and the centaurs of the western plains.
The leader of the Western Alliance, Song of the Crouching Flame, had the head of a slain demon hanging from his belt.
Crossel and the Red Eye, long-time adversaries, eyed each other warily, maintaining a tense distance.
Amidst this charged atmosphere, something plummeted from the sky at great speed.
Boom!
Zeke made his entrance.
“Your Majesty!”
Carmilla and Bacchus were the first to kneel before Zeke.
The other vampires quickly followed suit, showing their respect.
From the Western Alliance, Song of the Crouching Flame, Crossel’s field commander, and the centaur chieftain approached Zeke with reverence.
“It’s been a while, everyone,” Zeke greeted them.
Carmilla raised her head and spoke, “By your command, we have eradicated the impudent monster horde.”
Song of the Crouching Flame added, “Same here. We’ve wiped out the monster scum.”
Thanks to the efforts of the Red Eye and Crossel, dealing with the monster legion and the gates had been relatively smooth. Zeke nodded in satisfaction.
“You’ve all done well. I’ll ensure you’re rewarded for your efforts.”
He led them to the central camp established by the Highlanders. However, the centaurs, wary of superstition, refused to enter the forbidden Forest of the Forgotten and were stationed nearby instead.
With the monster legion defeated and the invasion fortress returned to the demon realm, the Highlanders stationed at the central camp were preparing to return to their posts.
Zeke entered the central tent and communicated briefly with Nabu, who was guarding the seal.
“How is the master doing?”
―“He’s resting now. Wearing that dress was quite a shock for him.”
“I can’t imagine why it was so shocking… Anyway, it’s a relief we protected the Black Star from them.”
―“Yes, we need to discuss that. Once Nigel wakes up, we’ll talk. Come over once things are settled there.”
“Understood.”
Just as Zeke ended the communication with Nabu, Bacchus entered the tent.
“Your Majesty.”
Zeke waved off Bacchus’s formal demeanor. “It’s been a while, Bacchus. No need for such formality here. Relax.”
“It’s instinctive, I suppose. Seeing you fills me with awe.”
“Probably because of the Blood King’s power I absorbed. Enough of that, come and have some tea.”
Bacchus nodded and took a seat. Zeke poured a warm cup of tea, which Bacchus accepted with grace.
After taking a sip, Bacchus set the cup down and looked at Zeke. “Your Majesty, I have something to tell you, not as a subordinate, but as family.”
“What is it? Speak freely.”
Though he had come with something to say, Bacchus hesitated, finding the words difficult. Finally, he spoke slowly.
“Our father, Arthur Draker, has passed away.”