Chapter 282
Events unfolded with lightning speed.

It all began with the declaration of the Destruction Mark and the Extreme Poison Mark.

“From now on, we shall unite under the banner of the Dark Mark.”

The Dark Alliance had been reborn!

A colossal power was rising.

Before anyone could even process the shock, another wave of horror swept across the entire Magic Empire.

“Our Dark Alliance will expose the crimes the Azure Flow Demon Lord has committed against the Southern Magic Kingdom.”

They officially revealed the offenses the Azure Flow Demon Lord had committed under the Dark Mark, Extreme Poison Mark, and Destruction Mark.

“These are grave sins unforgivable even for a Demon Lord. We no longer recognize Azure Flow as king, and in the name of His Majesty the Demon Emperor, we shall bring Azure Flow to justice.”

They had officially declared rebellion against the Demon Lord!

“Are they really going to raise an army against the Demon Lord?”

“Foolhardy?”

As always, the Central Authority would not intervene.

But why was he the Demon Lord?

The reason the Demon Lord ruled over the Eastern, Western, Southern, and Northern Magic Kingdoms and controlled the noble magic families was solely because of his overwhelming power.

Even the mighty Four Kings’ Castle had to tread carefully around their Demon Lord, the ‘Silver Snow Demon Lord.’

Had the Silver Snow Demon Lord not secluded herself for an extended period for unknown reasons, the Four Kings’ Castle wouldn’t have run rampant as it did now.

“No matter that the Nordian family head has become the Soma King? It’s still not enough.”

There was a vast gap between a 9-star Soma King and a fully realized 9-star Demon Lord.

“Especially since the Azure Flow Demon Lord was the former Fairy King. This isn’t a fight that can be won by sheer numbers.”

Even in terms of power, the three families did not hold an overwhelming advantage over the Azure Flow Demon Lord’s side.

The Obsidian Demon Palace.

A group of fallen elves who had followed her since her days as the Fairy King. Her personal guard, sworn to protect the Azure Flow Demon Lord with their lives.

Beyond that, countless elves who had fled persecution gathered under her banner.

“Moreover, the Azure Flow Demon Lord is the continent’s strongest spirit mage.”

Among the countless Holy Spirit Mages and Dark Spirit Mages across the continent, none stood higher than the Azure Flow Demon Lord.

And a powerful spirit mage could disregard numerical superiority.

“This situation doesn’t harm us.”

“What do you think the outcome will be?”

“It’s hard to say. But even if the Dark Alliance wins, they will suffer near-total devastation.”

This was the Four Kings’ Castle speaking.

They had been secretly preparing for war against the Southern Magic Kingdom, and now this crisis had erupted.

From the Four Kings’ Castle’s perspective, it was a welcome development.

“Even if the heads of the three families unite their forces, they still can’t match the Azure Flow Demon Lord. Even a miraculous victory would be a hollow one.”

The elders of the Four Kings’ Castle looked upward.

There stood a pale-faced man—the castle lord, Pliton.

The legendary Immortal Lich, who had returned to life after death.

“Prepare to raise the army as planned.”

Pliton spoke quietly.

“As soon as the battle between the Dark Alliance and the Azure Flow Demon Lord concludes, we will mobilize.”

Everyone bowed their heads.

Given the situation, taking control of the Southern Magic Kingdom was as easy as flipping a hand.

Yet some harbored doubts.

“Could Grand Duke Christian be so reckless as to act without thought?”

Something felt off.

It was obvious to anyone that a war between the Azure Flow Demon Lord and the three families would result in massive bloodshed, regardless of who won.

Knowing the Four Kings’ Castle was waiting for an opportunity behind the scenes, why would Christian risk such a reckless move?

This was unlike the Christian they had known.

“No, it’s not different. Christian has always acted recklessly.”

That was true.

He had always done foolish things.

But the results?

He always worked miracles.

“Could it be this time as well?”

Meanwhile, those doubts were not limited to a few elders.

“Christian, huh.”

Pliton, the lord of the Four Kings’ Castle, who had also reached the Soma King level like the Nordians, narrowed his eyes.

“This doesn’t feel right.”

Originally, Pliton hadn’t paid much attention to Christian.

He seemed too insignificant.

But his thoughts were beginning to change.

“Hmm. The Mystic Mark is targeting Christian.”

Pliton was one of the rare few who could sense the truth beneath the surface.

He knew the true purpose of the Mystic Mark.

He knew they coveted Idrene for their own ends.

But recently, the atmosphere within the Mystic Mark had shifted.

They still sought Idrene, but Christian had become their top priority.

“They’re waiting for the ‘fruit’ to ripen, since he’s not yet complete.”

Moreover, Christian wasn’t the only one they desired.

“Hmm.”

Pliton tilted his head.

Rising from his seat, he moved deeper into the castle’s underground.

A place so deep only the lord and those granted permission could enter.

A sealing formation was spread out.

Inside was a beautiful silver-haired woman.

Her face was as pure and flawless as freshly fallen snow.

But there was a problem.

Her body was in pieces.

Literally, her head, torso, and limbs were severed and bound by thorny chains.

Even more astonishing, despite this horrific state, she was still alive.

She was not cursed with immortality.

Simply severing her limbs was not enough to kill her.

Because she was the Silver Snow Demon Lord.

Her true identity.

A transcendent 9-star mid-level demon, ranked sixth in the Magic Empire, and ruler of the Eastern Magic Kingdom.

“You… bastard…”

The Silver Snow Demon Lord sent a mental message.

If anyone nearby had sensed it, the overwhelming murderous intent would have caused them to lose consciousness from sheer terror.

Even in her bound and dismembered state, she could project such lethal intent.

Pliton could only smile, imagining the power she once wielded.

“How pitiful. To think someone so just and radiant has come to this.”

“You… wretch…”

“Even the most loyal dog, when abandoned by its master, suffers a miserable fate. It’s a bitter thing to witness.”

The ‘master’ here meant the Demon Emperor.

The once mighty, noble, and just Silver Snow Demon Lord had fallen because of the Magic Chancellor.

The Chancellor wouldn’t have acted alone, so it must have been the Demon Emperor’s will.

“That’s not a bad thing for me. I needed ‘prey’ to ascend to the next ‘rank’ anyway.”

Pliton raised his hand, and the Silver Snow Demon Lord screamed as if torn apart.

Using the power of death, he began to siphon her energy into himself.

Yes.

Pliton planned to use the Silver Snow Demon Lord to strengthen his own power.

‘It would be more efficient to kill her, but I was told not to.’

There were many ways to utilize her while keeping her alive.

Not only by slowly drawing power from her like a living elixir but through countless other methods.

The Four Kings’ Castle’s strength would grow beyond comparison.

Though this was a situation to welcome with open arms, Pliton couldn’t rejoice fully.

“The Magic Chancellor entrusted the Silver Snow Demon Lord to me because of Christian.”

Pliton recalled the Chancellor’s words.

“Ah, why hand Silver Snow over to you? Because it’ll be interesting this way. Work hard and have fun playing with Christian. I’m looking forward to it.”

Though lighthearted, every word from the Magic Chancellor carried deep meaning.

He was watching Christian closely.

And he had ‘deliberately’ let Pliton know.

Why?

“This doesn’t feel right.”

Pliton smirked.

A chilling voice escaped his lips.

“Whether it’s the Mystic Mark, the Magic Chancellor, or the Demon Emperor—I want to kill them all. Tear them to shreds.”

Though allied with the Mystic Mark, Pliton did not share their goals.

His purpose was clearly different.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. In the end, the one who laughs last won’t be the Mystic Mark or the Demon Emperor—it will be me.”

Pliton turned his gaze.

Far off, toward the Dark Mark.

“Excellent. Christian will make a perfect ‘sacrifice.’ If even the Mystic Mark and the Magic Chancellor are paying attention, he’ll be the best ‘ingredient’ for my goals.”

Having made up his mind, Pliton contacted someone through a crystal orb.

Soon, a figure appeared on the other side, and Pliton uttered a startling name.

“Long time no see, Demon Sword King.”

The Demon Sword King!

Head of the Demon Sword Mark and leader of the Western Magic Kingdom’s Triangular Alliance opposing the Holy Empire.

Why was such a figure in contact with the lord of the Four Kings’ Castle?

“The time is near.”

An astonishing message followed.

“Use your sword to unleash a blood festival upon the Dark Alliance.”

This meant the Triangular Alliance of the Demon Sword, Phantom, and Beast Marks had sided with the Four Kings’ Castle.

*    *    *

The Demon Lord’s Castle in the Southern Magic Kingdom.

Nestled within a lush forest, the fairy-tale-like castle was thick with tension.

The elves were preparing for the imminent battle.

Yet something was strange.

Everyone now knew the terrible crimes the Azure Flow Demon Lord had committed.

Still, the elves were steadfastly defending her without a single defection.

They weren’t even part of the Demon Emperor’s central army.

They had all voluntarily gathered under the Azure Flow Demon Lord’s banner, now willing to risk even death.

It wasn’t simply because she was the former Fairy King.

The Azure Flow Demon Lord was their savior.

An unexpected truth.

But a truth nonetheless.

From the very beginning, the Blue Stream Demon Lord had sacrificed her soul to a demon to save her own people.

Back when she was the Fairy King, the elves faced the brink of extinction.

The World Tree—the source of all elf life—had withered and died, and the celestial constellations, bound by the laws of the heavens, had abandoned any hope of reviving it.

Desperate to save her kin, the Blue Stream Demon Lord made a forbidden choice.

She sold her soul to a demon.

Thanks to that, the elves escaped annihilation. Even after ascending as Demon Lord, she continued to protect the elves whenever they found themselves in dire straits.

In other words, everyone here owed their lives to the Blue Stream Demon Lord’s mercy.

Yet, there was a puzzling truth.

How had someone so noble and pure fallen so far into corruption?

“Poor soul.”

Andrea, the lord of the Obsidian Palace—a group of fallen fairies who served as the Blue Stream Demon Lord’s personal guard and steward of the Demon Lord’s castle—wore a look of sorrow.

He knew why the Blue Stream Demon Lord had fallen, or rather, why she had no choice but to fall.

No matter how much the world condemned her, he could only pity her.

Meanwhile, deep within the Demon Lord’s castle, in the Blue Stream Demon Lord’s chambers, an unexpected scene unfolded.

“Ahhh! Aaaah!”

The Blue Stream Demon Lord clutched her body with both hands, crying out in agonized screams.

—Kikik. Kik.

A sinister laughter echoed, mocking her pain.

It came from the chains that pierced through her entire body.

As if alive, the chains’ laughter grew louder, and with each cruel chuckle, the Demon Lord’s screams intensified.

Yes.

These chains were the punishment the demon had inflicted upon the Blue Stream Demon Lord.

She was trapped in endless torment, tormented by the demon’s cruel taunts.

Then, suddenly, a voice spoke.

“Oh my, you look like you’re struggling. What’s the matter? If you fall into Gehenna, you’ll suffer pain far beyond this.”