"…Karina, where are you? Just why aren't you showing yourself!"
Bludifer tore off a piece of the small goblin in his hand and threw it toward the center of the palace. When the helpless goblin, with his eyes rolled back, hit the ground feebly, the Vampires surrounding him trembled in terror.
"T-that is… we are currently investigating it, Your Highness, but we are still unsure."
"She hasn't been seen for a few days."
"Why are the Vampires following Karina missing as well!?"
A Vampire stepped up in response to Vladiferr's words. His face was so pale, it almost looked blue. His entire body shined with a cold sweat.
"I-I bring a report, sire. T-that is… That is…"
When the Vampire continued to hesitate, Bludifer extended his hand toward him. The goblin that had been tossed to the ground blew up in an explosion of blood. The spurts of blood enveloped the Vampire and began to suffocate him.
"Kuuuugh…!"
"Speak. Where is my precious little sister?"
"M-Miss Karina is…!"
Bludifer's eyes grew wide. The Werewolves had carried her coffin and placed it in front of the palace. It was carefully wrapped in a strange flag, bearing a symbol he'd never seen before. He walked toward the coffin with trembling steps. The Vampire spoke in a shivering voice, his heart lurching in terror.
"T-they were objects that arrived at the capital a few days ago. Also, Karina sought the Demon Lord's blood and went to the Orc's territory, according to rumors…"
Bludifer ignored the words of the Vampire and opened the coffin with trembling hands. The charred skulls were carefully arranged with beautiful white flowers, as if paying respect to the dead.
"…"
Bludifer had lost all words. He brushed his hand across his face then shook his head as if trying to deny the reality before his eyes. He knew. Just by seeing the skull; the scent of magical power seeped deep into the bones themselves prodded his senses. Even the repulsive aura of the sun! After a moment, he spoke with suppressed emotions.
"Where are the Vampires that were with her?"
"T-that is… either they were captured or killed, or I suspect they fear repercussions and have gone into hiding…"
The Vampire's head exploded, fragments of blood and gore spraying in every direction as the headless body fell to the floor. The splotches of blood quicked seeped into Bludifer's body.
"Find them. Find those that abandoned Karina, and kill them all!"
"U-understood, sire!"
The Vampires hastily lowered their heads. The ones that were tactful enough to survive left immediately, and those that were frozen in place lost their window to go and had to stay.
Bludifer held out his hand and held Karina's skull.
"Aaah… My lovely sister. Didn't I warn you? That you shouldn't go to that place? I definitely told you… why didn't you listen to me?"
He spoke with grief in his voice as he lovingly brushed the skull.
"That was always your problem. My warnings always went in one ear and out the other. That is why you've come to me in this pitiful form…"
He brushed the crown of the head toward her clavicle with a bit of strength.
"I have definitely warned, warned, and warned you…"
His voice changed into anger. Cracks began to form upon the skull, until it was eventually crushed, causing fragments of bone to fly everywhere.
"You dare sully the name of the noble Vampires, dear sister!"
Each of the skulls were completely obliterated, one after the other. Bludifer dusted his hands upon her remains and stood up.
"Hah, do you wish to die that badly, Demon Lord? Fine, I'll grant your wish. I've granted you mercy for a while, but if you come out like this, I will not wait! Gather the Apostles immediately."
Tears of blood streamed down his face as his form turned to that of a grotesque, bat-like creature.
"Advance immediately! I shall personally kill those green meat bags and drink the blood straight from the Demon Lord's neck before my sister's corpse!"
"U-understood!"
The Vampires hurriedly left. The Werewolves also gauged his mood and carefully retreated. They whispered to each other so that only they could hear.
"Send a message to our kin. The Vampires are moving."
***
Following Bludifer's will, various species began to gather. There were Ajins, who couldn't help but obey his command as their respective tribal leaders were held hostage; Minotaurs with their bovine heads and large horns, tough and thick hide and muscles, and massive bodies; Treos with hard and durable bark covering their gigantic bodies; and medium-sized gnolls holding maces made of bones. They each gathered to smell others' scents and licked their lips to ease the tension.
Centaurs also gathered. Each time their hooves struck the ground, it shook in response. They held long but shabby wooden spears and bows as they stood in a line. Before them were the Werewolves, wearing silver-colored armor, standing in front of the vampires in a line. There were thousands of diverse and powerful Ajins. Bludifer had managed to gather an army 5000 demons strong..
"You look down on me?"
Bludifer donned his black heavy-plated armor. His eyes gleamed through the slit of his helmet as he looked down upon the thousands of demons gathered before him from his platform.
"Yes, there is no other way for you bastards. Offense was always a much better option than defense, but…"
Bludifer's blood-red eyes shook and he bit down hard enough with his fangs to crack his bottom row of teeth.
"…You bastards chose wrong! I'll make you regret provoking the noble Vampires!"
Vladiferr waved his hand toward the Vampire beside him, decapitating him, and ripped out his spine. A fountain of blood spurted out following its removal, which gathered around the spine to form a sword.
"I, Vladiferr, command you, as is my right as the Demon Lord! Cattle-!"
His voice rang loud, filled with Magic Power. The dozens of leaders of various species that had been bitten and enslaved by him forced to their knees with their heads lowered.
"Advance-! Take the heads of those that dare challenge me and celebrate in a festival of their blood-!"
"Kwaaaaa-!"
The demons roared and began to move under their leaders' commands as they each charged ahead. They were headed toward the border area of the Demon Kingdom. This was where the Orcs' territory was located. They would lay siege to the City of Twilight, the Orc's territorial capital, and finally put an end to the former Demon Lord's reign. With heavy steps, they marched onward.
***
Tom, who had opened his eyes, saw a crow with golden eyes. The crow stared directly at him, then tilted its head. Bludifer's advance was reflected in Tom's golden eyes. He saw an army of thousands of demons headed toward the Orc's capital. They were all following behind Bludifer.
He was riding atop a topless carriage, pulled by minotaurs, as he rested his head upon his hand. Even from his bird's eye view, Tom could see his crimson eyes, stained with resentment. The fact that his sister had been killed and her remains had been used to provoke him had certainly damaged his pride.
Tom exploded into laughter. Just as he had expected, Bludifer was truly simple, truly foolish.
"Such an arrogant, violent, and corrupt king."
Tom knitted his fingers as his lips curled up. A corrupt and violent tyrant was perfect. The merciful and gentle Hero that chased out that tyrant would be praised by her people.
'Yes, that is the position in which Lily shall sit.'
A citizenry that suffered under an oppressive and corrupt tyrant would want a gentle ruler, and that position was obviously one befitting the true ruler of the Demon Kingdom, Lily Golt. No, it was one that belonged to the original owner in the first place. Her character was already enough for her to be beloved by all demons.
"Bludifer, you're a perfect 'workhorse'. You shall be Lily's stepping stone."
— Ω —