The hall was grand, fitting the stature of the palace.
The hall was engulfed in darkness, and only the figure of the Duchess ahead was vividly visible… No, to be precise, the hall wasn't dark.
It was just that her beauty overshadowed everything else.
"Ah."
She sat on what appeared to be a throne - magnificent, colossal, and decadent. As she sat with her legs crossed, looking down at me, my heart felt like it had stopped upon seeing her.
Truly, she was possessed of divine beauty.
Dark hair that seemed to encapsulate the abyss itself, and between the strands, horns protruded. Her amber eyes resembled gold, and her crossed legs highlighted her long thighs and legs.
Above all, she wore a dress that unabashedly flaunted her sensual figure. She wore a crown made of dark metal and adorned with lavish and beautiful jewelry, but they seemed to pale in comparison to her beauty.
Beautiful enough to take one's breath away. Yet simultaneously terrifying. A profound and overwhelming fear.
There was a saying that demonesses were fatally beautiful but were no more than monsters. The being seated before me was surely a terrifying entity… It felt like a grip of terror was clutching my heart.
Gulp.
Before I realized it, I found myself kneeling, my forehead touching the ground.
"It's an honor to see the most beautiful and magnificent Duchess."
The words flowed out automatically, thanks to my training. Honestly, I was utterly terrified right now. I wanted to fall down and scream, crying out for my mother out of fear.
But that very mother was the scariest one.
It was a contradictory situation.
Calling out for a mother out of fear? The very concept of 'fear' seems to stem from that mother… The idea that such a being was my mother…
It couldn't possibly be.
"Oh? You can speak?"
"Yes?"
For a moment.
The voice that cut through the darkness sounded so tender that I was taken aback. To put into context how shocked I was, I genuinely thought I was talking to my real mother.
"Yes, I can speak now."
"I've heard you were mute."
"That… That's true. But I managed to learn to speak around last year."
"Is that so? Impressive. Well done. Hehehe."
Her gentle laughter seemed to drain the strength from my legs.
"…"
What was happening?
I couldn't understand my current sensations. For someone from another world like me, this feeling was so alien. My instincts and urges were compelling me to devote myself entirely to that woman, both body and soul…
"So, my son? Your name?"
With her melodic voice, the Duchess tenderly asked me, addressing me as her son.
"K-Kyuse. Kyuse Bellacruel."
Was she genuinely treating me as her son? It was hard to believe. To her, I was just one among many children. Much like a queen ant doesn't pay particular attention to each worker ant. There was no affection, no interest. Even though she gave birth to them, they were just subjects.
Was our relationship like that?
"Hehehe, Kyuse, is it? What a cute name… Oh, sorry for asking about your name? It's not the one I gave you, so I didn't know. I won't forget it now."
"Thank you. It's an overwhelming honor…"
"Do you want to stand up? Don't kneel."
With a snap!
I stood upright and saluted faster than when a visibly irritated middle-aged platoon leader called my name.
"Come closer."
"Yes."
I walked towards the throne. As I approached, I ascended the steps leading to it.
Why was she being so kind to me?
Was it because of where I came from? Did some secret surround my birth? The fact that I hatched from an egg seemed to be overshadowed by an even more shocking revelation lurking…!
And there I stood before the Duchess, intoxicated by her alluring scent and beauty. My vision became hazy.
"Come closer."
"…Yes."
Though afraid, I couldn't refuse, and so I moved closer, within her reach.
And then.
Swish.
Her warm hand touched my face.
"Ah…!"
The Duchess began caressing my face… It was so warm and comforting that I felt my consciousness melting. It was as if I had found a hot spring just moments before freezing on a snowy mountain. I was immersed in that feeling.
"You are handsome, my son?"
She said with a smiling face.
"It's all thanks to you, Duchess."
"Hehehe, perhaps. But you seem distant. It feels like there's a wall around your heart."
Only a complete psychopath would be at ease here.
"It's just that standing before Mama is…"
"That! I'm just a bit nervous standing before the grand Duchess!"
"Hmm… Speaking so formally, it feels like you're drawing a line. It kind of hurts."
"Gasp!"
Hurts? What hurts?
Was she teasing me?
"Let's talk casually, okay? We're mother and son, right?"
"Yes, understood!"
Why was she emphasizing this parent-child relationship so much? Could it be? Did she need to perform some kind of magic where she sacrificed her own child, and she summoned me because she lacked a suitable candidate?
"Heh, then try calling me Mama?"
I had no choice but to do as I was told!
"Ma… Mama…"
"Uh-huh. Good boy. My son is so obedient."
Swish.
Her hand, which had been on my face, moved to the top of my head. Surprisingly, she was now stroking my hair.
It was an incomprehensible situation. There was no way this woman could be like this. Why was she being so kind all of a sudden?
The Duchess I knew was undoubtedly a very cruel, powerful, and terrifying demon. Wasn't she one of the dukes who ruled this impossibly terrifying world of demons?
"So, the question. Why do you think Mama called our Kyuse?"
"Well… I'm not really sure about the grand intentions of the Duchess…"
"Are you being formal again? If you keep distancing yourself, you'll really hurt Mama's feelings, you know?"
Whoosh!
"No!"
A sudden surge of murderous intent!
This couldn't be!
I was totally screwed now! From what I had heard, the Duchess seemed to prefer those who acted immediately upon her orders!
So, I just had to do it!
"That's… Mama! To be honest, I really don't know why I was summoned! I've been pondering it, and I'm still clueless, haha! I'm extremely curious about it in this demon world! Please tell me, Mama!"
I spoke as if I was really talking to my actual mother and was simply voicing out my concerns! It had almost been 10 years since I had spoken to anyone this way! Since reincarnating as a demon, there hadn't been anyone around to speak to this casually!
And her reaction?
"Hmm?"
Taking a quick glance, the Duchess tilted her head slightly.
"Hehe. It seems Kyuse has a rather peculiar personality. I like it."
She then covered her mouth with her hand, smiling warmly.
Did she become happy because I did as told? I didn't really know, but I was relieved she didn't kill me for being so blunt. It seemed that my approach worked.
"It's really fascinating… Anyway, I should tell you why you were summoned. Kyuse, have you ever heard of the 'Demonic Advent'?"
"Yes?"
Demonic Advent?
Ah.
A memory flashed in my head. It had only been about a year since I gained consciousness, but it was a term I had come across recently.
It seemed like it was some sort of festival.
I heard other demons discussing that it would start soon. I was not familiar with the details, but it seemed to be an event to honor a damn powerful Great Demon King from the past who once ruled even the middle realm.
Now, demons only inhabited the demon realm, but back then, due to the presence of the formidable Great Demon King, many lived in the middle realm. I got the general idea after hearing this background information.
It was probably like a national military day event.
It was a grand festival where delicious food was consumed, and everyone joyfully celebrated and praised the Great Demon King.
"Of course, I've heard of it. Isn't it a festival? I believe it's a celebration to honor the Great Demon King."
But why was she asking about it?
Could she possibly be considering me for some official duty during the festival? No, that couldn't be. Such a grand Duchess wouldn't waste her personal time on such trivial matters.
This must be something more important.
"Yes, it's a festival. You know about it?"
"Not in detail. I'm not exactly sure what happens during it."
"Then let me explain."
"Okay."
I should be attentive since she was offering an explanation now.
"The 'Demonic Advent' is indeed a festival, held to honor the Great Demon King who once ruled even the middle realm."
"Wow, just hearing the explanation excites me! To honor the Great Demon King! I really look forward to it! I, too, want to devote myself to honoring the Great Demon King!"
Though I was not sure what this was all about, it seemed important, so I should play along.
"Ah, ha, haha… Kyuse, do you always speak so uniquely? Anyway, 'Demonic Advent' is not just a simple festival."
"What is it then?"
"You could say it's an outdated festivity… Son? Do you truly have no clue what happens during the 'Demonic Advent'?"
"Yes, I've always had trouble listening and talking. I'm not familiar with it."
"Son, brace yourself."
What on earth was she about to say?
I better prepare myself for a shock.
"During the 'Advent,' to honor the Great Demon King who descended alone and conquered the middle realm, we will send select demons from various families down to the middle realm. It's a ritual, hoping our demonkind will once again dominate the middle realm like during the Great Demon King's time."
"Wow, unbelievable! Such a ritual exists!"
That was truly astonishing!
"But what happens to the demons that descend? Do they joyfully tour the middle realm, basking in the festive mood, and then return?"
Mother.
Please.
Say it was so.
ㅡDrip drip drip.
Cold sweat began to trickle down without my realization.
Going down to the… middle realm? I didn't know much, but wouldn't it be a disaster if someone like me were to descend to such a place? No. Wouldn't I die?
Wasn't the human impulse to want to kill a demon if they suddenly found one in their midst?
ㅡFlutter flutter.
However, the Duchess, my mother, bowed her head.
"Hmm… The Great Demon King never retreated, did he? Retreating is a disgrace to the demons. So, there's no turning back. According to the ritual, once you descend, you must become the Demon King ruling the middle realm."
"Wow! So that's how the Demon King is chosen! But has there ever been a demon who actually conquered the middle realm?"
At my question, the Duchess, my mother, seemed to brush a tear from her eye with her finger.
"Kyuse…"
Why was she calling me with such a wistful tone…!
"Our family has decided that you will participate in the Advent."
ㅡAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!
I screamed, pulling at my hair!!!!