Episode 582
The mirrors reflecting the other archdemons trembled violently at Mephistopheles’ words.
A piercing sound echoed through the air as the voices of the Abyss’ rulers, the “Ruthless Sovereign” and the “Unyielding Lord of Rigidity,” boomed.
“Reviving Babel, are you?”
“What madness are you planning now?”
Babel, the first city of the demon realm, was created by the Arrogant Savior. It expanded its unstable domain until it began to collapse under its own weight. After the Arrogant Savior was sealed away, the collapse accelerated, forcing the demons to expend great effort to stabilize their crumbling world. As a result, the demon realm was divided into four regions, maintaining its current form.
Yet, the world remained unstable, and demons had to constantly expand their domains and clash with others to protect their territories.
Mephistopheles gazed into the mirror and spoke.
“The reason we are locked in endless conflict is because this world is unstable. But with the power of the Arrogant Savior, we could create a stable world, like Babel once was!”
The master of Gehenna, the “Unyielding Flame,” responded.
“Babel couldn’t handle that power and collapsed. Do you really think the Arrogant Savior’s power can stabilize the demon realm now?”
Mephistopheles shook his head.
“That was because the Arrogant Savior kept expanding the realm with fragments of forgotten time.”
He paused, a look of regret crossing his face.
“The Arrogant Savior was as arrogant as his name suggests. He wanted to save every perishing civilization, even those not worth saving.”
His eyes glimmered with a violet hue.
“The new Babel won’t be as reckless. It will be a more stable world than what we have now.”
The other archdemons fell silent, intrigued by the prospect of a stable demon realm. However, the fact that the proposal came from Mephistopheles, the demon lord, made them wary.
Then, the “Master of the Abyss” spoke up.
“So, demon lord, what’s your plan? Capture the human who inherited the Arrogant Savior’s power and use it to create Babel?”
Mephistopheles shook his head again.
“The Arrogant Savior’s power doesn’t work that way.”
He paused before continuing.
“I propose we elevate the successor to the rank of archdemon.”
The mirrors vibrated violently once more.
“A human as an archdemon?”
“That’s madness! Absolutely not!”
Despite the uproar, Mephistopheles grinned.
“I’m not asking for immediate acceptance. We can convene an archdemon council and meet the successor in person. If he doesn’t meet our standards…”
His eyes gleamed with a chilling intent, which was transmitted through the mirrors to the other lords.
The “Unyielding Flame” was the first to respond.
“Very well, I agree. We’ll judge him at the council.”
The “Ruthless Sovereign” and the “Unyielding Lord of Rigidity” also agreed, ready to tear the successor’s soul apart if he proved unworthy.
Finally, the “Master of the Abyss” spoke.
“Let’s accept the demon lord’s proposal this time.”
With the decision to hold an archdemon council, the shadows in the mirrors faded away, leaving Mephistopheles alone in the room. He raised a glass of wine, crossing his arms with a mysterious smile.
“A new archdemon for the demon realm.”
His eyes flashed with an indescribable array of colors.
Zeke prepared to attend the archdemon council with Mephistopheles. The archdemons, who maintained the unstable demon realm with their power, had to make thorough preparations before leaving their domains, as their absence could destabilize the realm.
Once ready, Zeke sat in a grand carriage drawn by six dragon-like dimensional beasts, casting an uneasy glance at Mephistopheles seated across from him. Mephistopheles had possessed an automaton with the appearance of a noblewoman with violet hair.
Sensing Zeke’s gaze, Mephistopheles smiled alluringly.
“Your gaze is quite intense.”
Zeke replied, “Your automatons and everything else about you… you’re a dangerous being in many ways.”
Mephistopheles waved a fan dismissively.
“Don’t misunderstand. I simply have a natural affinity for beauty. Besides, constellations have no gender.”
Admiring the automaton’s face in a mirror, Mephistopheles continued, “What do you think? This is one of my favorites, based on a legendary beauty from a lost civilization.”
Leaning closer to Zeke, he asked, “Isn’t this beauty enough to capture your heart?”
Though the automaton’s appearance could have captivated any ordinary man, Zeke was unfazed. He pushed Mephistopheles away, annoyed.
“Get away from me. It’s creepy.”
Mephistopheles laughed heartily.
“You’re a fascinating human. No wonder you surpassed the transcendent and attained divinity.”
Ignoring Mephistopheles, Zeke looked out the window. The dimensional beasts pulled the carriage through the rift, stars streaming past like flowing light.
“Where are we headed? Isn’t the council meeting place?”
Mephistopheles shook his head.
“Even in a possessed form, gathering all the archdemons in one place would disrupt the demon realm’s balance. It’s safer to meet in a temporary domain within the dimensional rift.”
As they conversed, the carriage entered a new domain, leaving the starry rift behind.
A powerful tremor shook the carriage as Zeke looked out to see a world of endless ocean.
“A unique domain? No… more like a temporary realm stabilized from a fragment of broken time.”
He mused that such a world might have existed in the material realm once.
The dimensional beasts flew toward a lone island in the vast sea, where an ancient castle stood at its center.
The carriage landed before the castle with a thud.
As Zeke and Mephistopheles disembarked, a figure approached.
“Welcome, my lord.”
A demon in a suit and monocle bowed respectfully to Mephistopheles. Zeke sensed a powerful aura from the elderly demon.
“He’s a top-tier demon, no doubt.”
Mephistopheles introduced Zeke.
“Zeke Draker, meet Shamos, the steward of the archdemon council hall. He once served the Arrogant Savior, so you share a connection.”
Shamos looked up at Zeke, his eyes changing as he realized Zeke had absorbed the Arrogant Savior’s soul.
His expression showed disbelief at how a human could absorb such a powerful soul.
Mephistopheles unfurled his fan with a flourish.
“Now, now, steward. You may have many questions, but let’s proceed. The other archdemons will be quite impatient if we’re late.”
Though Shamos seemed conflicted, he maintained his composure and led them into the castle.
The temporary domain housing the archdemon council hall was bustling with staff, all of whom were high-ranking demons.
Zeke observed them, realizing they were likely the Arrogant Savior’s former retainers and followers.
The staff looked at Zeke with surprise, sensing the Arrogant Savior’s aura emanating from him.
Mephistopheles smiled.
“You’re quite popular, Zeke Draker.”
Zeke frowned slightly, finding it difficult to discern where Mephistopheles’ sincerity ended and his jest began.
With Shamos leading the way, the two of them arrived at the grand hall of the castle.
As the doors swung open, an astonishing scene unfolded before them.
“Raaaargh!”
“Yaaaargh!”
On the table in the center of the hall, two muscular demons were locked in an arm-wrestling match. One was a deep crimson, the other a striking blue.
Behind them, a sensuous woman with horns sat with her eyes closed, while across from her, an undead figure with a face wreathed in blue flames observed the proceedings.
‘The
The great lords of the demon realm had gathered in one place.
Mephistopheles, the demon lord, waved at them with a mischievous grin.
“Ah, you all still have those faces that make me want to kill you!”
True to his demonic nature, Mephistopheles greeted them with a boisterous remark.
The
“Demon Lord! What’s with that pathetic appearance of yours?”
“Absolutely revolting! I can hardly stand it!”
These two archdemons, constantly clashing over the Abyss, shared more similarities than they cared to admit.
Ignoring their jabs, Mephistopheles took the most prominent seat, flashing a beguiling smile.
“Come now, we’re all busy, so let’s get straight to the point.”
With a snap of his fingers, a stage and spotlight appeared where Zeke was standing, creating a platform just for him.
Mephistopheles clapped and cheered, “Today’s star! The human who inherited the soul of the Arrogant Savior, Zeke Draker! Hooray!”
The
“Hmm, so you’re the famous Zeke Draker. I’ve heard about you from Gusion, or should I say, the
At this, the
“A human! How dare a mere human aspire to become a great lord of the demon realm! I cannot accept it! I said I’d decide after seeing you, and now that I have, I refuse even more!”
Zeke gazed at the two boisterous archdemons, then slowly began to speak.
“Ruthless Overlord Baal, Unyielding Ruler of Rigidity Agares.”
Crackling energy surged through the air as he uttered the true names of the archdemons, causing a ripple of causality.
Yet Zeke remained unfazed, speaking once more.
“Come forth. I will face you myself.”