While Arthur slept soundly, dreaming of his future adventures, across the realms in a land far more sinister, a storm was brewing.
In the Hell Domain, where the land was barren and the sky bled crimson, a dark sun hung motionless, its malevolent glow staining the horizon. The air itself felt heavy with the weight of despair, filled with the stench of sulfur and decay. Grotesque creatures roamed the desolation. Amidst this cursed land, a colossal black fortress stood—an obsidian citadel that loomed over the Hellish expanse like a shadow of dread.
Within this fortress, deep in the bowels of the dark castle, a dimly lit chamber flickered with the glow of red candles. Blood-smeared symbols marked the cold stone floor, forming a complex ritualistic pattern. Kneeling at the heart of these symbols, a lone figure. Her hands were clasped in devotion before a towering stone statue. The statue resembled a human but with large horns protruding from its head and menacing wings sprouting from its back. Its stone eyes glowed faintly, casting a haunting shadow. The kneeling figure was cloaked in an obsidian-black nun's habit, her eyes covered with a piece of dark cloth. Though at first glance, she appeared to be an ordinary nun, the horns on her head, matching those of the statue, revealed her true nature—a demon.
Suddenly, she stopped. Her head snapped up as if sensing something. Without a moment's hesitation, the woman rose to her feet and hurried out of the chamber. She moved swiftly down the corridors of the fortress, ignoring the other demons who called out to her in concern. She ignored their inquiries, her focus solely on her destination.
The figure reached the grand center of the castle, where two hulking demon guards stood before a massive iron door. Upon recognizing her, the guards opened the door without a word.
Beyond the threshold lay a grand meeting hall, a dark and cavernous space lit by the eerie glow of hellfire. Seven figures sat around a circular table, their faces illuminated by the flames that danced along the walls. Though they looked humanoid in form, their horns and the aura of power they radiated left no doubt—these were the Seven Deadly Sins, the most powerful demons in all of Hell.
Lucifer, the demon of Pride
Beelzebub, the demon of Gluttony
Bal, the demon of Wrath
Aamon, the demon of Envy
Mammon, the demon of Greed
Belphegor, the demon of Sloth
Lilith, the demon of Lust
As the woman entered, still slightly out of breath, all eyes turned to her.
The first to speak was Lilith, the Sin of Lust. Her voice was a low purr, dripping with seduction, as her eyes fixed on Esmeray. "Well, well… What brings you here, Esmeray? And why the haste?" she asked, a teasing smile playing at her lips.
Esmeray, still breathless from her hurried journey, took a moment to compose herself. Her words, when they came, were simple but carried a weight that silenced the room. "The prophecy… has changed."
"!!!"
For a moment, there was nothing but stunned silence. Then, the calm was shattered by Bal, the Demon of Wrath. His deep, booming voice echoed through the hall as he rose from his seat
"What do you mean?" Bal, the demon of Wrath, demanded. "What changed?"
"Everything," Esmeray answered gravely. "The future I once saw is no longer the same. The demons... will lose."
Bal exploded from his seat, slamming his fists onto the table, cracks spiderwebbing across the stone. "What the hell are you talking about?! The prophecy was crystal clear—Hell would conquer Eldora! That's the whole reason we invaded in the first place! We were certain that no matter how long it took, victory would be ours as foretold. Are you telling me that decades of war have been for nothing?!"
Lucifer, the Sin of Pride, was the next to speak. His voice was cold and composed, a stark contrast to Bal's fury. "Calm yourself, Bal," he said, his gaze never leaving Esmeray. "Let her finish. There's no use in shouting."
Beelzebub, the Sin of Gluttony, leaned forward, his face twisted into a thoughtful expression. "A change in prophecy… That's not something that happens easily. What could have caused it?" he mused aloud, his fingers drumming on the table.
Esmeray's response was firm. "I don't know the specifics, but I can tell you this: the future we've been fighting for is no longer guaranteed. Something—someone—has appeared who will change the course of this war. If we don't act, we will lose."
Bal slammed his fist on the table. "This is ridiculous! For decades, we've fought knowing that Hell would eventually conquer Eldora! We've bled, sacrificed, and now you're telling me that was all for nothing?!"
Lucifer raised a hand, silencing him again. "It's not her fault, Bal. She's simply delivering the message."
Lilith's voice cut through the tension, her tone suddenly serious. "Whatever changed, it's recent. Prophecies don't just alter themselves without cause. We need to find the source and eliminate it."
"Agreed," Mammon nodded. "We need to investigate. Has anything unusual happened recently in the human realm?"
"If the course is clear," Lucifer said, surveying the room, "then who will take the lead in this investigation?"
Lilith's eyes glinted with anticipation, a predatory smile spreading across her face. "I'll do it," she purred, licking her lips seductively. "It's been far too long since I've tasted a human male. And I intend to enjoy every second of it."
"Where will you begin?" Aamon asked, his voice cautious.
Lilith's seductive smirk faltered for a moment. "Yes, narrowing down where to look will be... difficult. We need a starting point."
Everyone fell into contemplation.
Finally, Esmeray, who had been standing silently after delivering her message, spoke again, this time with a note of hesitation in her voice. "There is… one more thing."
The room shifted as all eyes turned to her. Bal, still angry, snapped, "What now?"
Esmeray bowed her head slightly. "I've received an oracle from Demon God Laplace."
At this, the room froze. Even Lilith's seductive grin faded, replaced by a look of solemnity. Lucifer, his voice grave, asked, "What did the Demon God say?"
"One word," Esmeray said softly. "Ludwig."
"Hm?" Lucifer raised an eyebrow. "Isn't Ludwig the name of the dukedom that guards the northern borders of the empire?"
"Yes," Bal grumbled, his fists still clenched. "They've been a thorn in our side for years. Their defenses are the reason we've been stuck in a stalemate with the humans."
Belphegor yawned, though his eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Could the oracle be tied to the prophecy's shift?"
Mammon's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "It seems likely. The Demon God's message came just after the prophecy changed. That cannot be a coincidence."
"You have your answer, Lilith," Lucifer said, turning to her "Ludwig estate is where we start. Investigate the Ludwigs, find the source of this change, and eliminate it."
Lilith stood, her lips curling into a dangerous smile. "As you wish. I'll enjoy this."
Without another word, she vanished, leaving only a faint trace of dark energy behind her.
Arthur, who remained blissfully unaware of the upcoming danger, continued to sleep, lost in his dreams. He had no idea that a storm was coming for him—and that he was at the center of it all.