Book 2: Chapter 32

The Palace of Versailles is a world-class feat of architecture that can be found in the city of Versailles, France.

This palace, which was a symbol of absolute monarchy and a representative work of baroque architecture, remained in relatively good condition when compared to the other ruined buildings in the city.

There was only one reason for that. 

Because that was where the Demon King lived. And from the moment he occupied it, it had become the Demon King’s Palace.

It was a place where only high-ranking noble Demons were even allowed to enter.

It was a place where there were rarely any gatherings, but today was different. A much thicker aura of demonic energy was swirling around the palace than normal.

The beings who were gathered in this place were those who stood at the peak of countless Demons.

The Five Dukes.

“It’s been a long time since a Duke died.”

“That makes three. The humans are pretty impressive. But who died?”

“Sandro.”

“Ah.”

A deep voice was heard after.

The Vampire Duke, Gullard, sighed.

Rose and Ugkas didn’t seem to understand the severity of the situation yet.

On the other hand, Azazel, the most powerful of the Five Dukes and practically the representative of the Demon King, was different. He opened his mouth and spoke with a serious tone.

“This case is different from Ludmill or Goubal’s deaths. He wasn’t slain by the humans’ numerical superiority.”

“Then…?”

“I would say that it was closer to an assassination.”

Laughter sounded out.

It was Rose. Her raid hair fluttered around her despite the lack of wind, giving off the impression of a sea of blood.

“You’re saying a Duke was assassinated? Not only that, but it was Sandro who could control shadows? Haha. That would be impossible for even the Three Great Demon Hunters. In fact, I don’t even think Sandro is dead. I think he just doesn’t want to see us right now.”

“Watch your mouth, Rose. This is the King’s summons. There is no way that Sandro would ignore such an order.”

“…”

Rose closed her mouth.

This was because she silently accepted that her previous statement was wrong. Nevertheless, she still wasn’t convinced.

“Sandro had a lot of slaves. Some of them shared their lives with him.”

“So?”

“All of those slaves are dead.”

“…”

Rose had no choice but to become serious at that.

“And the slaves who were supposed to be put on display by the Chester Company escaped. Among them was Lee Jong-hak.”

Even the Five Dukes knew who Lee Jong-hak was.

“Where is Lee Jong-hak now?”

“Recently, it has been reported that he’s been active around Europe.”

Suddenly, Ugkas, who had been silent up until that point, finally spoke.

“Then let’s conquer Europe.”

This Demon, who had the bizarre appearance of a steel statue, spoke in a strange voice that sounded like clanging metal.

“There isn’t a lot of land left there anyway. If we really made up our mind, it would take less than a month to completely capture Europe.”

“Only the Demon King can determine a conquest for territory, Ugkas.”

“…”

The rest of the Dukes froze slightly at Azazel’s words.

“Where is the King now?”

“He has gone into training.”

“Mm.”

Again? 

All of the Dukes had this thought, but none of them expressed it.

The Demon King. 

He was the only being in the entire world for whom all Demons would lay down their lives without hesitation, and he had their utmost loyalty. But even the five in this room, who could be said to be the closest to him, couldn’t tell what he was thinking sometimes.

It was the same at that moment.

The Demon King rarely appeared in public. This was because he thought it was better to increase his demonic energy than waste time sitting on the throne.

Even Azazel couldn’t understand the Demon King’s obsession with training. 

To put it gently, even if all the Dukes in this room worked together, they still wouldn’t be able to defeat the Demon King. To some extent, he had already transcended the realm of mortals, and he himself had to be aware of that.

Nevertheless, that didn’t stop his desire to grow stronger. No. Instead, it seemed he pushed himself even harder as a result.

‘…however, even if the King is absent, we can’t stay silent after the death of a Duke.’

Black light fluttered within Azazel’s eyes.

It was time for a counterattack.

* * *

Lukas was contemplating how he would move forward. But before that, he remembered his fight with Sedi.

“Nodiesop is a disgusting guy.”

Sedi spoke after spitting out a mouthful of blood.

It had only been a short fight. 

Neither of them fought with their full strength. And for them, their bodies were nothing but a shell. Even if it was damaged, repairing it wasn’t a problem.

This was true even if their heads were cut off or their hearts exploded. 

Any attack was meaningless unless it was powerful enough to reach their core, their ‘essence’. 

So this fight was a simple warm-up.

“He’s nasty, cruel, and smart.”

“So he’s the most annoying type of enemy to have.”

Lukas replied while brushing dust from his body.

Sedi nodded.

“The fortunate thing about this misfortune is that he’s also incredibly rational. So he won’t break the balance of this universe by unleashing his powers as an Absolute. Maybe…”

That would be Lukas’ biggest advantage. But he couldn’t help but worry slightly at her last word.

But the words that Sedi said next were even more significant.

“He said he wants to see your downfall.”

“…downfall?”

“I don’t know what he means. It’s not like we’re close.”

Sedi shook her head.

“It’s been a few weeks since we entered this world. Depending on how you think about it, that’s either short or long. But unlike me, who’s been idle, Nodiesop has probably prepared something already. Soon, he will approach you in some form.”

This meant that Lukas would have to make his own preparations.

He nodded.

“Who is the last Absolute?”

Sedi had said that three Absolutes had entered this world. Aside from her and Nodiesop, there was still one more.

“I don’t know who it is. I only sensed their presence as I was entering the world…”

Sedi frowned.

“I don’t know who it is, what their goal is, or where they are right now. But do you need to care about them right now?”

Unlike her, who had called Lukas by scattering her presence across the continent, and Nodiesop, who was definitely manipulating the scene from the shadows by now, the third Absolute didn’t seem to be doing anything.

“In any case, the one you need to worry about the most right now is Nodiesop.”

-After recalling Sedi’s words, Lukas came back to his senses.

“Hoo…”

Nodiesop.

Sedi said that she didn’t know where he was.

However, unlike Sedi, whom he had successfully persuaded, and the third Absolute, who didn’t seem to be doing anything, Nodiesop was currently acting in the dark.

‘He wants to see me fall.’

The first move.

What was the first move that Nodiesop would show Lukas?

Of course, he couldn’t know. And he wouldn’t be able to find any clues by agonising over it. 

Lukas didn’t know anything about Nodiesop. And there was a limit to the amount he could infer from Sedi’s piecemeal information.

He couldn’t help but feel that it was unfortunate.

If he had met him even once, then he might have been able to guess what method he would use.

‘It can’t be helped.’

Since that was the case, Lukas did not know what he could do to prevent Nodiesop’s actions.

It seemed that he would inevitably have to suffer the first blow.

And perhaps in the near future.

‘…it would be nice if he took his time.’

It would be good if Min Ha-rin and Leo were good enough to help him at that time.

However, he had a feeling that things weren’t going to be so easy.

* * *

“Thank you. Thank you so much…”

A very old man bowed deeply while tears poured down his cheeks.

“Take refuge in the shelter. Leave this place to us.”

“M-, my grandson is still here. He’s only 7 years old…”

Lee Jong-hak’s expression hardened slightly.

Then he smiled reassuringly at the old man.

“I will save him even if it costs me my life.”

“P-, please, please…”

“Don’t worry, sir.”

Lee Jong-hak sighed after the old man disappeared into the distance with a worried expression on his face.

It wouldn’t be as easy as he made it sound.

This land, Germany, had already lost most of its territory to the Demons.

Lee Jong-hak looked at the fluttering flames. The entire city had been swallowed by fire.

“Don’t tell me you’re going to jump in there.”

It was Drisa who spoke.

Since they had escaped, the two found that they got along with each other, so they started taking missions together. To be precise, Drisa had chosen to follow Lee Jong-hak.

At first, he just wanted the benefits that came from being beside Lee Jong-hak, who was a proven hero, but now, he was different. Drisa truly had a feeling of respect for Lee Jong-hak.

‘If there really is a person who could save this world, it would be this man.’

That was how convinced he was that Lee Jong-hak was an upright and straightforward man. He had only seen him lose his composure once.

‘…mm.’

The blonde man named Lukas. When he remembered him, Drisa couldn’t stop the complex feelings that filled him.

The ‘saviour’ who supported mankind from the shadows. To be honest, he still thought that half of it was a lie. If it wasn’t for Nina’s guarantee, he would have taken Lukas for a fraud.

Lee Jong-hak kept looking at the fire as he responded.

“There are people who haven’t been rescued yet.”

“There are also more Demons.”

“You don’t have to come. I’ll go alone.”

“…how could I do something like that?”

Drisa sighed.

He wouldn’t let him go alone. After all, two was always better than one.

Lee Jong-hak smiled.

Just as they were about to enter the city.

“Reinforcements have arrived!”

One of the hunters who was on the rescue mission with them shouted.

Drisa tilted his head to the side.

“Reinforcements? I don’t think the German Branch has anyone left.”

“They’re not from Germany. They are hunters from the East Asia Branch.”

Lee Jong-hak furrowed his eyebrows at those words. He couldn’t hide the shock on his face.

Those who came were all big names who couldn’t be treated as mere reinforcements.

“Wow. As expected, the European night scene is very hot.”

The young man in the middle spoke in a frivolous tone.

It was someone whom Lee Jong-hak didn’t have a good relationship with.

“Kim Go-hyuk.”

“It’s been a while, Human Dragon. You look pretty good for a guy who almost died.”

When the Heavenly Dragon, Kim Go-hyuk, said those words with a smile, Lee Jong-hak could only smile bitterly.

“I guess it wasn’t my time to die.”

“You’re still so old-fashioned.”

“I didn’t expect you to come here as reinforcements. Did the East Asia headquarters allow it?”

“…ah. That’s because we have an emergency situation. The situation required us to move personally.”

“What are you doing here, then?”

“We’re looking for a person.”

Kim Go-hyuk’s eyes shined slightly.

“And I thought you might know him.”