Chapter 882
Episode 220: Tireless (4)
Jinma Realm, Dokwang Fortress.
Vice Scarlo, Kukan Ten, Shiker Haitah, Misol Hyuwan, Tilius Biceps, Dailus Claupino, Leila Belgassium.
The seven Demon Kings had gathered at Lagal’s Dokma Fortress.
Until a few days ago, it had been called Dokwang Fortress, but the moment Lagal received the title of “Ma” from Jito, he was the first to rename the fortress.
“Ha ha ha! Seeing you all here like this really makes it sink in that I’m king now. Though I do feel a bit disappointed some friends couldn’t or wouldn’t come,” Lagal said with a sly grin as he looked around the banquet hall.
“You did stay a bit too long as a Grand General, considering your abilities.”
“Ah, Kukan, thanks for saying that. Heh heh!”
“And to receive a title on par with Lord Paelito from Jito himself? I’m green with envy.”
“That’s why I went and half-killed Elona Ziphl, one of the strongest in the human realm, to live up to that name, didn’t I, Shiker?”
“Misol, Misol.”
“Ah, Misol still can’t speak, huh? Well, that’s enough to get the point across, right?”
“Misol.”
“…Congratulations, Lord Lagal.”
“Our poor Tilius Biceps! You’re a king just like us, so don’t be so timid. It’s that damn Bassett who’s gunning for Jito’s back, not you.”
Tilius Biceps was the only Demon King from the ‘Biceps’ faction, the sole force still resisting Jito in the Jinma Realm. Though Jito had recognized his loyalty and abilities, most demons still looked at him with suspicion.
“I’m just grateful for your understanding.”
“You should thank Dailus sitting next to you more. He’s been glaring daggers every day, chasing that madman. Hey, Dailus, have you restored the fortress Bassett wrecked in his last raid?”
“That’s none of your concern.”
Despite Dailus’s stiff response, Lagal smiled broadly.
“Really? I asked out of concern, and you snap at me. If you’re jealous of me becoming a Dokma, just say so—be honest like Shiker.”
Dailus shook his head as if not worth replying to. Still, Lagal was in high spirits now that he was a Dokma.
“Lagal Pun, what is the meaning of this?”
But no matter how good his mood, he couldn’t ignore Leila’s sharp tone. After all, she was Paelito’s sister—the very person Lagal had long envied and resented.
“Oh, this wasn’t meant as an invitation. What’s the problem?”
“The soul gems scattered around this banquet hall. Didn’t you hear Lord Geomma’s orders? He clearly said to halt soul gem production for the time being.”
“Damn it, those kinds of restrictions are only for the underlings to follow. Do you really think a single word from that guy means we Demon Kings can’t even drink as we please? Leila.”
“Even those who have been kings for a thousand years obey Lord Geomma’s commands… Since you became king and earned the title ‘Ma,’ you’ve only gotten crazier.”
“Enough talk.”
Swish!
Leila’s twin swords flashed in an instant, pressing against Lagal’s throat.
“One more time you disobey orders or insult Lord Geomma, and my blade won’t stop like this. Lagal Pun, know your place. You’re well aware I’m no merciful Geomma.”
“Ah, why all this fuss? It’s a good occasion.”
“Come on, let’s not be so harsh just because Lagal made a small mistake, Leila. We’re here to celebrate, after all. We just brewed a little soul gem liquor, right, Lagal?”
“Misol, Misol, Misol.”
With Vice, Kukan, Shiker, and Misol stepping in, Lagal relaxed and shrugged. Then, with a clap of his hands, servants hurriedly brought food into the banquet hall.
Dailus and Leila.
Except for those two, the atmosphere was generally warm and friendly. Still, the other Demon Kings kept a wary eye on them.
Near the end of the meal, one of Lagal’s subordinates rushed in, clutching a crystal orb containing a video sent by Sakiel.
“Lord Lagal, I’ve just received footage from the Chief Secretary.”
“Footage? What is it?”
“It’s said to be a battle involving Demon King Jikalo.”
“Jikalo? He should be securing the land garrison. Could it be the humans struck first?”
“Seems so. The Chief Secretary’s tone wasn’t good.”
“Alright, leave the orb here.”
“Could it be Jikalo lost to someone?”
“Unlikely. Even if he lost, he’d have survived.”
Lagal played the video.
Unsurprisingly, it showed Jikalo being utterly crushed by Luna. The Demon Kings watched in silence, unable to look away.
<If you’re gone, then it’s time to end this. But don’t be too disheartened to die by my hand. You were strong enough, Jikalo.>
As those words ended, a crimson aura spread endlessly across the sky, leaving most Demon Kings agape.
Even after finishing off Jikalo, Luna showed no sign of fatigue.
“What… what is this? Hey, Leila. Didn’t Lord Paelito say the Red Aura of the White Scales had limitations? That guy seems to use that red power without any problem.”
“Mi… Misol…”
“To think Jikalo was wiped out so easily… And he’s not even Siron Runcandel or Elona Ziphl. I heard Luna Runcandel was weaker than them.”
Though not quite on Luna’s level, the battles involving Siris and the Grand Generals were equally shocking.
“That’s Manbing… Could it be Manbing also has a power like the Red Aura that can annihilate Grand General-level demons?”
“Damn it, Shikan…! How dare he touch my bloodline!”
Watching Siris finish off the Grand Generals, Kukan seethed with rage. Shikan, who died alongside Villagul, was a core force of Tenga.
“Losing both Jikalo and Villagul means the Flame Zone and Ramierga are finished…”
When the video ended, Leila looked around at the Demon Kings.
She and Dailus had already seen the footage before arriving at Dokma Fortress.
“This is exactly what the Demon Kings and Grand Generals must do.”
“Leila?”
“What do you mean?”
“Before Jito steps into the human realm… or before the humans invade Jinma Realm, the Demon Kings and Grand Generals must exhaust all of Luna Runcandel’s Red Aura.”
The Demon Kings’ eyes widened.
“You want us to eliminate that?”
“Is this Lord Paelito’s order?”
“No, it’s Lord Jito’s command.”
Leila sliced the air with her hand. A small pocket of subspace opened, and she pulled out black fragments contained within.
“You know what this is, right? This is Lord Jito’s flesh. I’ll distribute them one by one so you can use them when facing Luna Runcandel. But even with Lord Jito’s flesh, never fight one-on-one. Always act in pairs or trios.”
“Ah, that makes sense. No need to fight like gentlemen. Jikalo fought one-on-one and got himself killed. If several Demon Kings wielding Lord Jito’s flesh fight together, it’s doable.”
“But they also have spatial leap abilities. Reinforcements could arrive anytime.”
“That’s why Lord Jito keeps creating rifts to prevent the humans from doing the same. Fortunately, some of our abilities can control spatial leaps.”
“Misol, Misol.”
While the Demon Kings discussed, Lagal quietly pondered.
‘…What’s going on? Not long ago, Jito personally went to Geomma Fortress to warn Paelito after Sakiel used a piece of his flesh. And now he’s handing out pieces to the Demon Kings?’
Of course, Jito had said it was an “acceptable loss if it brought joy,” but Lagal remembered how annoyed Jito had been on the way back.
‘I don’t understand Jito’s intentions. He seemed sensitive about losing flesh because of Ayula’s weakening. Or could these be the pieces Paelito took when he once opposed Jito? Maybe Jito is secretly using the Demon Kings as shields and plans to take credit for their efforts.’
Either way, it wasn’t clear. Lagal decided it was best not to provoke Leila further and to confirm the truth with Jito later.
“If it’s Lord Jito’s order, we must obey. Heh heh, Leila, it seems you’ve already met with Jito. So, which one of us goes to the human realm first?”
“Not you, Lagal.”
“Of course. I just took down Elona Ziphl, so I need some rest. Our Lord Jito can be quite meticulous sometimes.”
“I’ll go first! I must avenge Shikan.”
“If possible, I would like to go as well, Lady Leila.”
It was Tilius. Naturally, he needed to keep currying favor with the other demons. Leila nodded in acknowledgment.
“Kukan Ten, Vice Scarlo, Tilius Biceps, Misol Hyuwan. The four of you will go together. The Sword Demon will carve a path for you to advance within a few days.”
“Oh? If the four of us enter battle at once, each bearing Lord Jito’s flesh, we might not only dispel the red energy but even kill Luna Runcandel.”
“If that happens, you four might receive a new title from Lord Jito, just like Ragal did. But don’t get complacent just because you’re four—no one is stronger than Jikalo when he’s whole. Well, except maybe Misol, who’s close.”
“Misol-sol.”
The Demon Lords showed no displeasure at being considered weaker than Jikalo. Though all Demon Lords are equal in rank, the gap in actual power is significant. Especially Layla—Ragal doubted even if all the Demon Lords here attacked her together, they could win.
“But Layla, why aren’t you going? Even if Dailus is busy with Basset, wouldn’t it be better for you to go alone than to send these four?”
“The Sword Demon hasn’t yet opened a path for me to go. Besides, I have other matters to attend to.”
“Is that an order from Lord Jito?”
“Yes.”
“Can’t you tell me what it is?”
Ignoring Ragal, Layla stood up.
“I’m leaving now. Remember this: the Demon Lords and the Grand Generals must eliminate Luna Runcandel’s red power at all costs.”
The banquet ended two hours after Layla left.
Once all the Demon Lords had departed, Ragal summoned his aide.
“Gero, you said those things were in the Soul Prison, right?”
“Yes, Lord Ragal. This morning, we secretly moved them to our poison squad’s hideout. Would you like to see them now?”
“Good. We need to calibrate them before use. Heh heh, stupid Layla. Does she really think I’m just idly holding onto the Soul Core?”