Chapter 676.
Suddenly, Davey’s conversation with Iro was interrupted. So he turned his head toward the voice that came from behind them. Without saying anything, both Davey and Perserque moved. Perserque covered Red Ribbon's eyes with her hands, while Davey covered Blue Ribbon's eyes.
"What? What’s happening?" Blue Ribbon whispered in confusion.
"I can't see..."
With her tiny hands, Blue Ribbon attempted to pry Davey’s fingers away from her face. But he wouldn’t budge and let her move his hands away. Because what appeared before them was a succubus, which was a kind of demon that fed on life essence, and Davey had not expected to come across such a creature there.
"Cover her with a robe, Iro," Davey instructed.
Iro tilted her head in puzzlement and asked, "Why would you say that?"
"She’s revealing too much of herself in front of the children. You don’t think that’s inappropriate?” Davey retorted with annoyance.
“Hmm... But I expose even my bones everywhere. As for a succubus, of course...”
‘Do you really think that’s the same thing? You bonehead.’
Davey knew that she was not normal, but how such a person could become a Saintess eluded him.
Out of frustration, Davey proceeded to kick a nearby table and used a magic spell to grab the tablecloth that flew up because of the impact. He then swiftly wrapped it around the uninvited guest, concealing her provocatively scant clothing. Only then did he allow Blue Ribbon to uncover her eyes.
“Wow... Beautiful lady!” Blue Ribbon exclaimed.
The remark then earned a whimsical reply from Red Ribbon, who said, “No way! Mom is prettier!”
As the kids rambled on, Davey turned to face the succubus, realizing he had encountered her before.
She was with the Queen of Succubus, whom he had defeated before. Although most succubi used veils to hide their faces, which made it challenging to identify them, Davey was still able to recognize her as Yushir, a succubus of Master level or higher and one of the demons whom Davey suspected to be the human Aina was looking for. And as Yushir, who possessed even greater power than the Queen of Succubus, stood before him, looking so beautiful, but it didn’t really matter to Davey..
“So you’re saying that the Demon World is currently in chaos?” Davey asked.
“That’s because of you. It started when you claimed the title of Demon King.”
“Stop saying such nonsense. If you didn’t invade Tionis, there wouldn’t be any problems.”
Yushir nearly lost her poker face. She then replied, “Yeah, okay. I guess blaming you doesn’t make sense.”
After a sigh escaped her lips, she slowly approached. Then, she sat on the chair that Iro provided and said to Davey, “I have come to this underground mountain range, the border between the Demon World and the human world, on behalf of the demons who are taking a neutral stance. Did you have business in the Sanctuary of the Demon God?”
"Isn't the Demon King supposed to have access rights?"
"You're not a complete Demon King."
Davey merely regarded her remark with a nonchalant look. The powers of the Demon King were scattered throughout the Demon World, with the exception of the Void Energy. And Davey had never intended to retrieve them all in the first place, which was why he had left them be.
So was she really going to start nitpicking about it?
Davey’s response was obvious. He said, "Stop beating around the bush and get to the point already."
"You must be aware that the powers of the Demon King have been scattered in the Demon World after you seized the power of the former Demon King." She paused, seemingly frustrated as she fidgeted. She then went on to say, "Can I... remove this tablecloth? It's a bit suffocating..."
"It's common for succubi to feel suffocated if their skin is not exposed," said Perserque.
"You won't see me letting it happen before I am dead and buried."
Hearing his declaration, she abruptly turned her head away.
"Don’t even try to find a place to bury me."
Following Davey's words, she twitched and turned her body, then took a short but deep breath. Right after, she finally answered, "You cannot enter the Sanctuary of the Demon God now. While it’s true that the Astaroth family, who served the Demon King, possesses the key, the path to the sanctuary is entirely under the control of the radical demons."
This meant that if one wanted to reach the sanctuary, one had to get past these demons first.
"A word from me would be enough to make them step aside."
"Not quite, Davey."
The word of the Demon King was absolute. That was why demons could not defy the Demon King under normal circumstances. But that was not the case at the moment.
"This is the sacred Demon Palace, used by the previous Demon Kings. If you intend to create chaos here like a mob, I will personally crush your heads so that your brains will turn into nothing but pulps.” he threatened.
"What did you say?!"
Bang!
If this had happened in the past, Sauron could have easily silenced them. But the meeting hall was filled with beings who each claimed to be a Demon King. And so, the battle of egos among them was unimaginably intense.
"So, when will Astaroth come here, Yushir? I've heard you swore your allegiance to him. Remember that the sole purpose for which we’ve gathered here is to gain entry into the Sanctuary of the Demon God where one can officially become the Demon King.”
Yushir didn’t say anything in response to the boy’s words.
"Remember, we’re refraining from taking any actions because Astaroth possesses the only key to the Sanctuary of the Demon God. Bear that in mind."
Sauron, the young-looking King of Balrog, revealed his vertical-slit eyes and let out a terrifying intent to kill. Still, Yushir chose to remain silent and slowly turned her gaze toward the door of the meeting hall.
Creak...
Everyone’s attention was drawn to the door of the meeting hall, and right at that moment, it opened, revealing a figure who then walked in.
And at the arrival of the figure, the surprise, rage, confusion, and hatred became so evident in everyone’s eyes that they were hard to miss.
"A human?"
"Could it be..."
"The Demon King..."
As murmurs spread, the black-skinned minotaur, Blackbull, surged forward. His movement was swift as he wielded a hammer that was larger than his own head. And as the so-called Demon King charged with destructive power toward the human, the other demons aspiring to be the Demon King only watched with wide eyes. None of them could even dare to look away.
“How dare you come here?! Well, this is great! Killing you shall grant me the title of the Demon King!! Die, human!!"
Among the contenders fighting for the position to become the Demon King, Blackbull was considered one of the strongest. So when his massive and heavy hammer swung down, it seemed guaranteed that it would crush the skull of its target. However...
Crack!!!
Suddenly, Blackbull's arm stopped.
Crunch...
Blackbull's head twisted unnaturally with an audible sound of a bone being cracked. This led to his immediate death.
The other demons in the meeting hall were astounded by the quick elimination of a self-proclaimed Demon King. It caused their expressions to turn pale.
"A human!!"
"How could a human be here?!"
"Yushir, have you betrayed your kind?"
"Astaroth is a traitor!!"
They seemed to believe Astaroth and Yushir had betrayed the demon race, but the reality was different.
Davey’s companion, Perserque, who was perched on his shoulder, looked down at them disdainfully.
Meanwhile, Davey casually strode further into the room and toward his seat as he said, "Now that everyone's gathered, let me get straight to the point. I have no interest in your power struggles, your traditional hierarchical battles, or your fights for influence."
His words reduced the demons to silence as he walked past them to get to the throne.
Leisurely, he sat on the throne and crossed his legs with a relaxed smile. With an ominous tone, he further said, " That's your freedom, and I won't stop you. But leave your soldiers outside of the Sanctuary of the Demon God. You have three days to do so."
"What?!"
"This is my second order as the Demon King to all demons. If anyone dislikes it, feel free to object to me now. Revolt if you wish. But remember, you bear the consequences.”
Sitting on the throne with his legs crossed, Davey looked at them with bored indifference. Yet no one dared to challenge him.
And it was all because Davey was exuding an overwhelming demonic force, which had such an intimidating aura that it was pressing down on all of the demons.