The Demon Palace
Beyond the awe-inspiring palace sprawled a fathomless abyss, where ghostly green flames perpetually rose from its depths, weighing heavily on the soul.
Dark vines coiled across the dimly lit walls, while eerie crimson accents made the palace’s menacing gates jarringly vivid.
For centuries, few Demon Kin dared trespass this hall of death and Demon Aura—save the Four Demon Kings.
Not because of guards or forbidden curses.
Quite the opposite: no soldiers stood watch here, nor any lethal enchantments lingered.
This was simply the sacred ground of all Demon Kin—the Demon King’s domain, His sovereign realm.
They dared only gaze from afar, fearing their defiled hands might desecrate their beloved Dark Lord.
The Four Demon Kings rarely convened here, each preferring their own quarters.
Thus, save for Lolis—the sole attendant who periodically swept and tidied—the palace slowly fell into neglect.
Deep within the castle, the Demon King’s throne loomed fearsome. A stone gargoyle mask, eyes shut tight, was embedded atop its trident-shaped backrest.
After a century of utter stillness, the mask’s stony eyes now slowly opened. Scarlet light bled forth from its hollow sockets.
Joyous cries echoed from the castle’s heart. Even the surrounding deathly aura thrummed with elation as long-dormant Demon Aura surged from the abyss.
They rejoiced—ecstatic, like loyal hounds greeting their returning master with eager howls.
The lifeless castle awoke from slumber, roaring thunderously to welcome its imminent sovereign.
Wild Demon Aura shot skyward from the abyss, twisting the heavens above the Demon Kin’s realm. Howling vortexes slammed into the earth, shaking the ground itself.
At that moment, two obsidian meteors streaked toward the palace, radiating crushing pressure.
Lolis landed first before the main gate. Ignoring the man behind her, she tucked away her black wings and hurried into the hall.
The red-haired man following close behind quickened his pace.
The Dark Lord had awakened—a matter of utmost gravity for the Four Demon Kings.
This could not be taken lightly. Every detail of His return must be scrutinized.
“One of the Four Heavenly Kings, Lord of Black Heaven—Nidhogg Lolis—pays homage.”
Her stiletto heels clicked sharply against the floor. Kneeling halfway, Lolis pressed her right hand to her ivory bosom and bowed her head with reverence.
Though the hall stood empty—though the Dark Lord was not physically present—she honored her duty and loyalty.
For centuries, this ritual had been etched into her bones.
“One of the Four Heavenly Kings, Lord of the Fallen—Lucifer—pays homage.”
A man with fiery red hair and exquisite features knelt beside Lolis.
His delicate beauty defied the word “handsome”; “lovely” suited him far better.
Skin milky-white and smooth rivaled even Lolis’s flawless complexion.
After a moment of silent obeisance, Lucifer rose and turned to Lolis.
“Long time no see, Lolis. Fifty years since we last met, wasn’t it?”
He smiled warmly. As expected, only he and Lolis had come today—the day of the Dark Lord’s awakening.
“Lucifer. Why are you here?”
Lolis’s gaze lingered on the gargoyle mask atop the throne, its crimson glow easing her yearning. She tore her eyes away, fixing them on the robed red-haired man.
Lucifer—one of the Four Demon Kings, the Demon General known as Lord of the Fallen.
The only Heavenly King indifferent to the Demon Kin’s civil wars and schisms.
During centuries of bloody infighting, he’d refused to side with any faction, as if the fate of his kin meant nothing to him.
Why now? What did this man—who cared nothing for his race—seek before the Demon King’s throne?
“Lolis, isn’t that a strange question?”
“The Dark Lord has awakened. As one of His Four Heavenly Kings, I am duty-bound to pay respects.”
“Even if He isn’t physically present here, I must fulfill my role as His subject.”
Lucifer’s glance flicked toward the throne, voice calm.
He truly found the Demon Kin’s petty power struggles laughable—but that didn’t mean he ignored the Dark Lord’s return.
Lazy and carefree, he despised seizing power or endless warfare.
Only one thing stirred his interest in this world: the Dark Lord he’d longed for day and night.
Only the Dark Lord gave him purpose. Only He made Lucifer feel alive.
Without Him, Lucifer had drifted like a corpse-puppet, hollow and aimless.
Now that His Majesty had returned, how could his most loyal servant pretend nothing had happened?
“Lolis, I heard a human trespassed into your territory recently—and escaped your grasp.”
Lucifer’s grin flashed, a row of gleaming white teeth stark against the gloom.
To flee from Lolis? That human must be formidable.
“Merely tricks. He has some strength, but is far from powerful.”
Lolis’s delicate brows furrowed. She wished to end this topic.
The memory burned with shame: a mere human had made her—a Heavenly King—tremble, melt, even blush with unseemly coyness.
She would kill that man who’d witnessed her disgrace. Once she found the Dark Lord, she’d flay him alive and shatter his bones to dust.
