Episode 585
Zeke couldn’t help but harbor reasonable doubts about Beelzebub’s seemingly moderate and sensible conditions.
“Is that really all there is to it?”
Gathered here were the archdemons, the overlords among demons. Zeke had every reason to suspect there might be hidden motives.
Just then, Beelzebub’s voice echoed in his mind.
[You doubt my words, Zeke Draker.]
Zeke nodded, meeting Beelzebub’s gaze. “It’s hard to trust easily, given I vividly remember you joining forces with the Abyss to unleash an undead army upon the mortal realm.”
Even now, remnants of the undead legion summoned from Abaddon lingered before the Thermo Fortress.
Beelzebub clattered his skeletal jaw as he responded. [I won’t deny it. The mortal realm began to scorn necromancy and persecute necromancers. I lamented this fact. I sought to correct it through force with the Abyss, but realized it only brought greater harm.]
Zeke knew from Richmond that five centuries ago, necromancers were driven underground by the Holy Empire’s persecution.
Before that, necromancy was recognized as a legitimate branch of magic, with research actively conducted by the Mage’s Tower and the Nirvana family.
Hearing Beelzebub’s words, Zeke slowly nodded. “Indeed, necromancy is a field worth studying.”
Zeke was already investing astronomical sums to establish an academy in the southern islands, gathering talented individuals to revive the forgotten art.
Raising necromancers openly, as Nirvana once did, was a meaningful endeavor.
After some contemplation, Zeke looked up and addressed Beelzebub. “If I accept your terms, will you recall your minions from the mortal realm?”
Beelzebub clattered his jaw again. [There’s no need for a recall. I’ll order them to cease their attack. You may also use Nebilos as an envoy for our alliance. Their strength is yours to command.]
Zeke found Beelzebub’s sincerity, uncharacteristic for a demon, to be more persuasive than even Mephistopheles.
“In the past, they said he was a constellation overflowing with love… He’s surprisingly tricky to deal with.”
Zeke glanced at Mephistopheles, who was frowning behind him, then nodded. “Very well, Beelzebub. I accept your terms.”
Beelzebub seemed pleased, clattering his jaw with satisfaction, the flames around his skull flaring higher.
Mephistopheles watched the alliance form with a displeased expression, then turned to the other overlords. “Well, it seems everything’s settled. Let’s acknowledge Zeke Draker as an overlord.”
The other overlords, though reluctant, nodded in agreement with Mephistopheles.
As Mephistopheles extended his hand, Baal and Beelzebub followed suit without a word.
Agareth grimaced, while Asmodeus extended his hand with a suspicious look.
The symbols representing each overlord appeared on the backs of their hands.
A resonant hum filled the air as the symbols merged into one above the table, forming ancient demonic script.
Zeke read the ancient script hovering above the table, interpreting its contents.
“Ancient Babylonian… A pact written in the common language of the early demon realm.”
The agreement detailed how the five overlords would manage their domains after the fall of the arrogant savior and the collapse of Babel.
At the bottom, a new clause was added, recognizing Zeke Draker as the successor to the arrogant savior and proclaiming him as a new overlord, with the mortal realm as his domain.
Once the text was complete, the script shimmered with light.
The letters transformed back into light, returning to the overlords’ hands.
A new beam of light emerged, reaching toward Zeke.
Mephistopheles spoke to Zeke. “Zeke Draker, extend your hand.”
Following his instruction, Zeke extended his hand.
The light seeped into the back of Zeke’s hand, accompanied by a searing pain.
“Ugh.”
As an immortal, Zeke usually healed before he could even feel pain. But this was different, a pain that seemed to etch itself onto his very soul.
As Zeke endured the agony, he sensed the five overlords watching him intently.
“Is this another test?”
Just as he wondered, the pain subsided, and a new symbol emerged on the back of his hand.
A resonant hum filled the air as the symbol of an overlord of the demon realm was completed.
Simultaneously, a message appeared before Zeke’s eyes.
[You have been recognized as an overlord by the five overlords of the demon realm.]
[Your divine status increases due to this remarkable achievement.]
[You have acquired the title ‘Overlord.’]
[A new constellation name is bestowed upon you as an overlord of the demon realm.]
[You have acquired the constellation name
[The new constellation name
[Your divine status increases with the acquisition of a second constellation name.]
Zeke felt the surge in his divine status with the acquisition of the overlord title and the second constellation name,
He tilted his head, puzzled by the new name.
“Why this constellation name?”
His first constellation name,
But the meaning behind
The other overlords’ expressions shifted subtly as they observed Zeke.
“Hmm, for a human to acquire such a constellation name… Quite impressive.”
It seemed the other overlords had also confirmed Zeke’s new constellation name.
Zeke asked Mephistopheles, “Is there something wrong with my constellation name?”
Mephistopheles smiled, shaking his head. “Not at all! It’s a splendid name, perfectly fitting for an overlord of the demon realm!”
Zeke felt more uneasy with Mephistopheles’ reassurance.
Sensing Zeke’s unease, Baal rose and patted his shoulder. ”
”…May I ask why you think so?”
Baal grinned. “It means you impart suffering impartially, regardless of who the opponent is. It’s a fitting name for a ruler of the demon realm.”
Hearing Baal’s explanation, Zeke realized why he had received such a name.
”…Is it because I’ve been torturing demons and fiends left and right?”
Zeke had been meting out suffering impartially, extracting information from anyone threatening the mortal realm, be they demons, fiends, angels, or constellations.
His actions, more demonic than the demons themselves, had even influenced his constellation name.
Zeke understood why the overlords had been impressed by his constellation name.
”…Well, I suppose it’s not a bad thing.”
Recognized as an overlord, Zeke took a seat at the table with the other overlords.
Mephistopheles watched him with keen interest. “Now that you’re acknowledged as a new overlord, how about a few words?”
At Mephistopheles’ prompting, Zeke surveyed the overlords and began to speak slowly.
“I know why you’ve accepted me as an overlord.”
His words drew a flicker of interest from the overlords.
Zeke continued, “By recognizing a human like me as an overlord and declaring the mortal realm as my domain, you reduce the causal consumption of ascending to the surface. And if the opportunity arises, you plan to strike me down and claim my soul, making it easier to seize the mortal realm.”
Baal and Agareth didn’t bother hiding their amusement, their lips curling into smiles.
In the demon realm, where the strong devoured the weak, such schemes were only natural.
Zeke looked each overlord in the eye. “But remember this: you’re not the only ones who can strike from behind.”
His words caused the overlords’ expressions to shift subtly.
Though recognized as an overlord, Zeke was still seen as prey, a tempting morsel with the soul of the arrogant savior, baring his teeth first.
Agareth, exuding blue flames, addressed Zeke. “Arrogant human. Do you think possessing the seal makes you a true ruler of the demon realm? Don’t be deluded.”
Zeke replied, “I have no desire to become a wretched demon. I’ve merely used you as well.”
Asmodeus, who had remained silent, spoke to Zeke. ”
Unlike the easily provoked Agareth, Asmodeus sought to understand Zeke’s intent calmly.
Zeke surveyed the overlords and spoke slowly. “I intend to permanently annihilate the soul of the demon king sealed on the surface.”
As Asmodeus listened, his eyes widened in surprise.
At the same moment, Agares and Baal leapt to their feet.
“This human is insane!”
“Complete annihilation of the Demon King? That’s impossible!”
Asmodeus reached out to calm the agitated Agares and Baal, then spoke again.
“Destroying the Demon King’s soul? Such talk is unbecoming of a lord of the demon realm.”
Zeke shook his head in response.
“No, quite the opposite. If you truly wish to protect the demon realm, you should follow my lead.”
Asmodeus looked puzzled, struggling to grasp Zeke’s meaning.
Zeke continued, “There’s someone trying to summon the Demon King’s soul into the mortal realm. His name is Arthur Draker. He’s plotting something with that soul.”
Asmodeus narrowed his eyes. “Arthur Draker, your father, I presume.”
Mephistopheles, standing nearby, shook his head. “Ah, not exactly his biological father.”
Ignoring Mephistopheles, Zeke pressed on. “I don’t know Arthur Draker’s exact intentions, but it’s likely he’s connected with the celestial constellations.”
The mention of the celestial constellations made the other demon lords’ expressions harden.
After all, the greatest threat to the demon lords was none other than the celestial constellations, who held the wheel of fate in their hands.
Zeke spoke again. “Whenever the celestial constellations want to interfere massively in the mortal realm, they break the Demon King’s seal, disrupting the balance of causality. The absolute law of karma, established by the primordial light, cannot be defied.”
The archdemons, once part of the celestial constellations themselves, were well aware of this. They sought to summon the Demon King to break that absolute law.
Conversely, the celestial constellations would use this as a pretext to meddle in the mortal realm.
Asmodeus looked at Zeke. “So, as the ‘Fair Guide of Suffering,’ your goal is to destroy the Demon King’s soul to prevent the celestial constellations from interfering in the mortal realm?”
“Exactly. I refuse to let the mortal realm become a playground for the constellations any longer.”
Asmodeus furrowed his brow. “Your plan has a glaring flaw. It’s a choice made solely for the mortal realm. If that happens, the demon realm will also lose its ability to intervene, and it won’t be able to maintain its already precarious balance.”
Karma was a sensitive issue, directly tied to the survival of the demon realm.
Zeke spoke slowly. “You’re right, Asmodeus. The unstable demon realm might indeed vanish.”
At his words, a murderous aura emanated from Asmodeus.
“Are you toying with me…?”
Just then, Zeke’s eyes flashed as he spoke. “Not the demon realm, but the celestial realm. I’ll send you back there.”