The place I was guided to was a reasonably nice room attached to the palace.
It was more spacious than I thought and a satisfying room with all the necessities. It was larger and better than the guest room I stayed in before I met Duchess Keraxis.
"The room is freaking good."
Except for some vague memories from when I was young, this room was practically luxurious compared to the tiny one-room I lived in almost my entire life in the southern fortress. It felt like a top-tier hotel… But it was not that enjoyable.
What was so great about experiencing this right before being dragged to the slaughterhouse?
Even the demon who guided me here was unfriendly. I tried to get some information from him, but he said I should find out for myself since I'm a demon. So, I asked him at least for the location of the library, which he did tell me.
I had to find out on my own once I got there.
"Damn bastards."
Anyway…
Being alone, I decided to assess the situation and took a moment to recall everything slowly. Because when planning what to do next, nothing was better than organizing.
"Right."
Reincarnated as a demon, I was told I had quite a good origin. I was born from an egg Duchess Keraxis deemed decent, but unfortunately, it was a failure.
That was why I barely had any magic power.
Having nearly no magical power, I was naturally sent to the southern fortress. They couldn't raise a failure in the capital. I think I lived there with some mid to low-tier demons. That was the vibe I got.
I lived like that for about 8 or 9 years when suddenly Duchess Keraxis called me to this palace… Damn it, I had to participate in the Demonic Advent ritual.
This astonishing ritual was just like a New Year's ancestral rite, where they would offer a grandson as a sacrifice on the ceremonial table. Damn it. And I was that grandson! They sent young demons straight to the middle realm, hoping for the Grand Demon King's advent!
"Alright."
I could roughly understand up to here. Unfortunately, I was chosen, so I had to invade the mortal realm as a demon representative.
But what did a Demon King do, exactly?
'Conquering the mortal realm' sounded simple, but it was too vague, broad, and ambiguous. Specifically, what should I do to gain control? I was still clueless about that.
"I need to know this."
This was the most important.
From what I'd heard, the Demon Realm was currently ruled by several dukes. It seemed there was no Demon King. These dukes of the Demon Realm were themselves incredibly wicked and powerful and commanded vast armies. With those, they dominated their territories.
Did that mean the Demon King also used his power and subordinates to rule the middle realm?
"It makes sense."
I planned to find this information in a place like the library, but if I was right, my task was to grow stronger and gather subordinates.
"But… are there any beings in the middle realm willing to bow to demons?"
I didn't know that either.
There was another problem.
Right now, I am freakishly weak.
I knew the strength of demons. From a human's perspective, they were basically superhumans. They used peculiar magic and possessed immense strength. Some could even beat a beast as large as an elephant with their bare hands. The ones in the Southern Fortress, where I stayed, were at least that strong. But the elite breeds in this palace would be even stronger.
Compared to them, I was merely a child.
"My strength."
Physically, to be honest, I was not much different than when I was a human. Except for the minuscule amount of magic power, I had… No. Was I really a demon? I looked like one, but damn, I was no different from a human.
Anyway…
The key was magic power.
The reason why demons had superhuman strength was because of their magic power. Only with strong magic could one become a powerful demon. That was why, from a young age, demons strived to enhance their magic power.
Most of them seemed to know how to increase it.
The thing was…
"I freaking don't."
Due to my late awakening, I didn't know how to increase my magic power. Good. Things were clear now. I needed to enhance my magic power. The library must have a way.
I'll descend to the middle realm and somehow survive while enhancing my magic power. As my magic power grew, I would naturally become stronger, and once that happened, I could subdue anyone and make them my subordinate. Ultimately, it was all about power. With power, one could survive and expand their influence.
If I managed to grow stronger and achieve results in that manner…
The Duchess said she'd help.
So, I just had to execute the plan.
"Alright!"
With that thought, I instantly sprang up from my seat!
Off to the library!
Palace corridor.
"…"
Right now, I was walking cautiously, hunched over like a beaten dog… Damn it. In a sense, wasn't this place the highest-level dungeon with the final boss? The capital palace of a Demon Realm Dukedom? Clearly, it was one of the end-game content pieces.
Every entity around me right now was freakishly strong. Either they were powerful or came from a distinguished lineage. Walking amidst such demons, I couldn't help but shrink back.
ㅡWhoosh!
The feeling that just their gaze could overpower me!
"Someone, save me…!"
Feeling overwhelmed, I felt like I'd collapse and burst into tears at any moment! Anyway, the library. I had heard of its location, so I could find it. Everything I was doing was to survive. There was nothing I wouldn't do for survival. Suppressing my fear, I walked on.
And just as I turned the corner.
ㅡThud!
"Ugh."
I bumped into some being and was knocked back!
Frozen in fear, I looked up at the face!
"Ah."
A pair of brilliant blue eyes were staring at me. The owner of those eyes… had dark hair and was a tall demoness. She looked immensely powerful, and she had magnificent horns.
Was it because this was the palace where the Duchess resided? She may not be as breathtaking as the Duchess, but she was truly stunningly beautiful. No. Every demon I had seen coming and going into this palace was beautiful.
"Oh, my? Could it be you?"
"Yes?"
"The one participating in the Demonic Advent?"
Huh?
"Seems like it."
"Yes, yes. That's me. But… who are you?"
"I'm your elder sister."
The lady said so with a soft smile!
This was a chance!
"Sister!!!"
ㅡSwoosh!
I immediately lunged forward to give a deep bow!
"First, please accept my deep respect!"
"Uh, huh?"
"And please save me! I'll die if I just participate in the Demonic Advent Ritual like this! Please help me!!!"
Once today was over, there wouldn't be any need to see each other! And someone who knew I was attending the ritual wouldn't attack me!
It was a desperate move to survive!
If there was even a slight chance, I would seek help!
You never know!
She might give something out of pity!
The odds were slim, but I would take the risk!
ㅡWhisk.
While I was still bowing,
Suddenly, a hand was placed on my head.
"Hehehe, how cute. To boldly ask for help like this. Do you want to live that much?"
"Of course! Elder sister! Please help me!"
"But I think I can't help you."
"Why?"
"Because you are destined to die anyway."
Ah.
"I've heard that no demon has achieved meaningful results from the Demonic Advent Ritual so far. They all died. It's pitiful, but what's the point in giving something to someone who is going to die anyway? So, give up."
With those words, the sister, who was patting my head, disappeared.
"Damn it!"
Suddenly, a memory from Earth came to mind! Stray cats lived in front of my house! They were cute, and I patted their heads a few times. I felt sorry for them, but I didn't give them anything, and when they suddenly disappeared one day, I didn't really care! A relationship where they're cute when seen, but you don't care if they disappear!
Was this how she felt?
"How cruel!"
Please let me go back to Earth…!
"Sob!"
But I mustn't get buried in despair. The library. I should go to the library. I didn't expect much help anyways. It's fine. There was no physical damage.
But this cruel experience didn't end just once.
"Kyahahahahahahat! Is it you? Is it you? The one who's going to die this time? Kyahahahahahahahat!"
Some young demoness saw me and burst out laughing with those words…!
"You look so weak! So weak! Go die! Die! Die!"
"Damn…!"
The most frustrating part was that this girl seemed stronger than me! Just by looking, you could tell! This kid was way more powerful than I was, making me more desperate!
And it wasn't just her!
"Hehehehehe!!!"
While clutching my aching heart and heading towards the library, a muscular male demon approached me while laughing heartily!
"Young one! It's you! The one participating in the Demonic Advent Ritual!"
"Who… who are you?"
"Your brother!"
"Brotheeeer! I want to live! Help me, please! Anything! Isn't there anything?"
"The humble acceptance of death! That's what I've come to teach you! Hehehehehe!!!"
Damn these freaking insane demons!!!
"Family! Brother! Sister!"
We came from the same mother's egg!!! The muscular brother didn't even bother with me and just left!
Continuing!
"Are you the one? The sacrifice for the Advent Ritual."
"Ah, yes…"
A smart-looking demon in an all-white tuxedo looked at me, adjusted his glasses, and spoke.
"Muahahaha! Muahaha! Muahahahahahahahahaha! Die, trash! The Duchess doesn't need someone like you!"
I was so damn frustrated!
"This, this is…"
Both my body and heart were completely shattered!!!
These bastards were all making a mockery of me! They treated my miserable fate and impending death as a mere small amusement for their festival!
This was what demons were like!
"Ugh…!"
I felt like my heart was being torn apart.
I was almost at the library, but I had encountered too many crazy demons along the way.
Perhaps the little prince, who traveled between stars relying only on a single rapier and faced absurd monsters, felt this way. The horror was indescribable.