What are the Demons? No matter what race it is, the first reaction they would have towards this question is abhorrence, extreme abhorrence.
It isn't to directly say that no living being would like Demons, including themselves. They mostly feel resentment and hatred to their own brethren as well.
Chaotic, violent, malevolent, destructive, greedy and untrustworthy. Other than scheming, it seems that almost all of the negative adjectives could be attached to them. The only reason why no one would blame the Demons for being scheming is because this kind of Chaos life form often did not have the interest or the time to spare for such a hassle. As long as it was a problem that could be solved with violence, then it would never be solved verbally. Thus, needless to say, they wouldn't go out of their way to use their head to scheme against others.
The equally evil Devils, despite their bad reputation, are much more welcome than Demons. The main reason would be because they liked to sign contracts and interact with others. They are rational and can be reasoned with. Even if their terms are written in a way that shirks them from responsibility and includes hidden terms to the point that it wouldn't be wrong to call it as well as hidden loopholes for them to exploit, nevertheless Devils were known to be trustworthy. In a way, they were much better than the Demons who simply destroyed everything.
Demons were the 1st generation that was created by the Goddess of Chaos Cynthia. They were the ones who tempted the 1st generation of humans to fall into depravity to become Devils. They were also the one who created the Undead Calamity so going by logic, they should be the original inhabitants of this multi-dimensional world, the core of the Chaos Faction. (In this novel, Devils belong to be Chaos Faction and they follow the Goddess of Chaos. However, as they used to be from the Order Factions, their way of doing things are more sided towards the Order)
In reality, the Demons are the archenemies of the Devils, the common foe of the Undead and the infighting between them is savage. Despite all of the races hating them, they were still able to control most of the dimensions in the Lower Realm and did as they pleased in each realm.
The reason for that was that they were strong enough and that there was enough of them around.
As long as the River Styx continued to flow, the souls of the dead flowing within would continuously convert some into the lowly Dretch. This way, there would be endless backup for the Demons. The dimensions where the Demons lived are always fraught with internal battle and after a cruel infighting and devouring, a new powerhouse would be created. If a Demon and Devil of equal rank were to fight, there is a 90% chance that it would be the Demon who lives.
Every time a hole leading to the Demon's Dimension opened in the Main Dimension, it would cause a huge trouble even if it was just a small group of Demons entering.
After leaving the Lower Realms, they would gradually grow weaker. But, before they grew weak until the point they died and returned to the Lower Realms, they would bring countless souls away with them and souls would be forever the most valuable currency in the Lower Realm.
This time, we really were in for it deep. On other days, the Demon worshipers only dared to secretly sacrifice a few people, even sacrificing a thousand people would be a shockingly big amount. This time, tens of thousands of veteran soldiers and over a thousand Legend experts had been sacrificed which indubitably created a new record. A tribute of a level that had never been seen before allowed the Demon Count to descend with his true body. This was a catastrophe that had never happened in history.
Demon Count, it may seem that his position as a noble wasn't high and truth be told there were quite a few of them in the Abyss. Still, he was already an existence on the level of a division leader of the Demon army. If he were to progress another step upwards, he would be the Demon Duke. They are often the leaders of some dimensions and they are able to fight equally with true Gods. (The Marquis and Grand Duke are just noble titles within the Demons. The Demon Marquis are stronger than most Counts and the title is used for those who don't have their own dimension and thus, aren't able to rise up to the position of a Duke. Thus, that title is used for the stronger Demon Counts. As for Demon Grand Duke, they are existences that can scoff at normal Duke-level Demons.)
Vance City was already in a mess. The news that a noble among the Demons had descended had already spread around somehow and even Lorci couldn't spare the effort to bother about her own daughter getting killed. After being banished by the other Elf Gods, the underground world served as her only territory and her source of Faith. If it were to be turned into a wreck by the Demons, she would have go into hibernation or even descend.
Of course, it would be quite embarrassing if she sent an incarnation down and got beaten up on the streets. She was probably discussing the decision to send out troops together with the other Gods of the underground world.
Unfortunately, if the true Gods really were to move out to settle the problem, the entire underground world would probably end up partially wrecked.
Dimension Summoning and Dimension Movement were the expertise of the Demons. Making use of the Spatial Distortion and the Demon Altar, the gate to the Abyss was pulled open.
Responding to the summoning of their leader, Kakajil's direct army rushed frenziedly into the Main Dimension.
The entire battlefield was filled with black Demons who looked at the faraway Vance City. The desire for fresh blood and souls of the lower-tier Demons were suppressed by their master. Suppressing their own instincts, each and every of them went through another permanent Spatial Distortion — Sulfur Mountain City.
The vast and mighty Demon army advances and the Rules of this dimension are eroded by the group of them standing together. Wherever they past, plants naturally wither and die. The ground turns red and barren and very soon, new bizarre plants start growing out. They are likely to be carnivorous plants with great offensive power.
The existence of the Demons created by the Chaos Faction by itself were sufficient to destroy the Rules of the dimension. Right now, half a Demon army had descended to the mortal realm, coupled with the true body of a Demon Count, if they weren't driven off quickly, the Rules of this dimension might get totally twisted, possibly turning the place into another Lower Realm.
A low-tier Hellhound's body is crimson-red and it looks even more ugly than the ugliest wolf. They served as the dogs and the hunting pack simultaneously. Without even waiting for the arrival of the main army, they started their assault. After clearing away all of the different tribes in the way, they captured an unlucky family of Terrorclaw Beasts and just as they were about to earn some credit from their master, they realized that there was one person blocking in front of the entire army.
Yes, just one person. A figure wearing a light blue robe, she still carried the same green vine wand in her hands and she quietly studied the ancient books in her hands. Even when the hellhounds aome rushing forward, she didn't so much as raise her head.
"Kacha"
The low-tier Hellhounds were frozen in midair and turned into ice sculptures. Then, the sculptures broke into fragments of ice and fell onto the floor.
All the time, Margaret's attention remained on the book.
Only when the great army closed in did she raise her head and lightly tapped her wand on the Saint Stone floating beside her.
"Ice Aeon."
The long-prepared Forbidden Spell exploded instantly. The snow spirits caroled in midair and the entire underground world turned into a scenery of white snow. Endless frost and hailstorm rushed towards the Demon army.
"Huuuuu!"
After the hailstorm, the entire world turned into ice. The number of frozen Demons were uncountable, but Margaret frowned. After all, she was only copying other people's magic. Without the augmentation of the right Soul Imprint and talents, what she was unleashing was only the basic might of the spell, making it much inferior to the original version.
If it had been the Ice Aeon used by Lord Yongye, even the Demon Count would have been destroyed, being blasted head on like this. However, since Margaret was the one casting it…
"Kill her!"
Among the white snow, a hundred-meter tall figure stood up. Its body was full of blazing flames and began charging while roaring.
"As I expected, a large of portion of the might has been blocked by this Demon Lord huh?"
Shaking her head, Margaret didn't lose heart. She waved her wand and the other Saint Stone shone a bluish-purple light of the essence of space. The next instant, she was transported to another location a few miles away.
"Foolish bumpkin from the Main Dimension, you dare to make a fool out of the great Kakajil! I will pull you apart and feed you to the dogs. Then, I will roast your soul on fire for ten thousand years!"
However, Margaret who had escaped far away could not hear this vicious curse.
The large portion of the might of the Forbidden Spell had been blocked by the Demon Count. Other than the Fire-element low-tier Demons who had died instantly due to taking double damage from Ice Magic, the casualties of the army weren't too great. However, after walking a few miles, the exact same event happened once more.
"Integrated Forbidden Spell: The Harmony of Fire and Wind!"
It was an original Forbidden Spell by Ein Mezus that combined both fire and wind. A fire tornado hundreds of meters high was created and it even pulled the powerful Kakajil off the ground. However, the result of this attack was even worse. This magic used wind to complement the flames and it mainly depended on the flames to destroy the enemy. However, as Demons had strong natural resistance against flames and Margaret, once again, could only deal out the basic damage, the Demons who died didn't even number in the thousands. Rather, the 'weak' Beastman fodders who got caught in the flames and died instantly numbered over ten thousand.
Afterward, looking at the female Saint who disappears in a Dimension Gate once again, the furious Kakajil could only grab a few Beastmen and chew on them to vent his anger.
However, what was bizarre was that the other Beastmen didn't resist when looking at their brethren getting devoured. In fact, none of them even so much as flinched.
Furthermore, their looks seemed to be abnormal. Their originally big bodies had grown a notch bigger and countless blood veins appeared in those blood-red eyes of theirs as they stared at the land in front of them blankly. No matter which Beastman Tribe one originally belonged to, an unhealthy blood-red color grew on their skin and on the bodies of the large portion of the experts, there were a symbol exclusive to the Demons.
'Demon Blood'
Yes, just like I originally suspected, as a final ace of Shou, Demon's Blood had been mixed into the drinking water this morning. The moment it activated, Shou would be unable to retreat anymore.
In this instant, the Demon Blood which was granted by the Demon Lord personally had been activated, granting the Beastman elites the ability to maximize the potential of their physical body. While becoming numb to pain and having their fighting prowess increase exponentially, they also became puppets of the Demons.
As for Shou himself, he was the #1 cannon fodder who rushed in a daze. Right now, half of his body was frozen and the other half burnt. To be able to survive a Forbidden Spell, one could only say that he was really resilient.
On the top of the mountains far away, Margaret looked at the darkened Saint Stones and roughly calculated. She was slightly surprised.
"'Escaping through a Dimension Gate after dumping a Forbidden Spell, the classical kiting technique of a Mage'. I didn't expect that messy strategy of that fellow to be so effective. Such a pity that I don't have any more copied Forbidden Spell. Using a normal large AOE spell would probably not be effective at all. … At least I was able to stall for some time. They should be arriving soon."
Before disappearing once again in the Dimension Gate, killing intent appeared in the tranquil eyes of the Great Saint. That was the anger when something that one treasured was being threatened. From this position, the figure of Sulfur Mountain City could be seen. If the Demon army were to be allowed to enter Sulfur Mountain City…
"Definitely not! I definitely will not allow it!"
But, things never go along with one's wish. After the Demon army and Kakajil were prepared for it, this kind of kiting strategy was no longer effective, especially after the Saint had used up the magic she had copied and stored, as her own offensive magic required a long time to cast and its destructive power is lacking.
In fact, after the somehow familiar Chaos Demon Dragon warned her, there were two times Margaret almost got Dimension Anchored. If her reaction had been slightly slower, the only outcome awaiting her would have been getting surrounded and killed.
Finally, realizing that she was no longer able to stall them and was just wasting mana, she grinded her teeth as she looked at the Demon army and teleported to the city wall.
But, what surprised her was that the city wall was full of people.
Sulfur Mountain City didn't have any army. After half of the Town Security, which could be reluctantly called an army, were taken away by Wumianzhe, the remaining half was all here.
However, what surprised her the most were the 'civilians'.
Engineers of all races were doing their best to put cannons and catapults together. The Wild Bull Alliance Druids, on a rare occasion, were wearing their leather armor and carried their wooden wands. The Nanxiang students carried their wooden swords as they walked up to the city walls. However, the Priests of the Holy Church were giving their own equipment to the young people to equip.
At least they could still fight. Those aunties and uncles who were equipped with a pot on their head and wielding choppers as weapons made one at a loss of whether to laugh or cry.
"This…" Looking at the people who were busy preparing for war, Margaret felt a little touched yet speechless at the same time.
"Who asked you all to come, ridi…"
"They volunteered." I stopped Margaret's words. By one side, Little Red was so tired that she was lying on the floor with her tongue out. On the other hand, Adam was sitting on a cannon on the city wall while squinting into the distance. He may appear leisurely but I knew that all of his attention was fixed onto that tall Demon Lord.
Initially, Adam and the rest had intended to halt the Demon army halfway, but looking at the endless Demon army and the incredibly powerful Demon Lord, I suggested waiting for them to come knocking in Sulfur Mountain City. After all, my final trump card was hidden here.
"Yes, everyone did it voluntarily. Everyone just wanted to use their own hands to protect their own homeland!" Looking at this busy sight, Annie's fighting will had reached the peak and the crimson-red inferno on her God Sword burnt intensely. Seeing the will of the people uniting as one, she had vaguely felt the boundaries of her own road as a Legend.
"This feels not bad."
There were many capable people in Sulfur Mountain City. When the news of the invasion of the ill-reputed Demon army spreads, the civilians of this city which lacked an army didn't all flee as expected. Instead, those who were stronger equipped their full battle gear and walked up to the city wall while the other weaker civilians organized themselves to settle the logistics. Everyone worked hard within their own capabilities under the same flag, using their own hands to protect their own homeland.
Somehow, I seemed to see past the veil of time and peer into the distant future. Every city in the future would be like this, without any army to invade others. Under the radiance of the law, civilians would distance themselves from crimes and live their hardest to enjoy the pleasures of life.
When equality finally triumphs, the concept of kindness and evil won't be something plastered on an entire race. Wars will only appear in musicals and myths. The youngsters would leisurely criticize the war heroes of the past and lament the peace has buried their talents, that they are too unlucky…
"Hehe, looks like the last 100 years weren't in vain. Suddenly, I feel motivated again. Looks like, I won't have trouble living another 100 years." I looked at the figures busying themselves on the city walls and I laughed, joy radiating deep from my heart.
At the same time, Margaret was still trying to persuade those ordinary civilians to distance themselves from the city walls. But, looking at the civilians who came crowding in from both sides, this attempt was bound to end in failure.
As the Demons closed in on us, my laugh grew louder.
"Looks like those fellows intend to defeat us by outnumbering us. What do you think?"
"Hehe, to compete with an Undead Emperor in a battle of armies? Lord, please allow us to teach those immature Demon lads what a true military is like and show them what a true fearless charge is."
That was a tall and headless Knight. The polo sticks in his hand were just as striking as his bald head in the other. At this instant, he was staring cross-eyed at the Nightmare Horses, he had been wanting to change his mount for a long time.
"That's right, I have been spinning the roulette for so much recently that my bones are aching. Finally, there is an opportunity for me to draw my sword. Waa, there is even an Eight-hand Snake officer, leave him to me. I will kill whoever dares to try and snatch him from me!" This was an Eighteen-hand Skeleton General. Right now, he was busy exchanging the poles with plates spinning on top in his hands with sharp swords.
"I can finally rid myself of that colorful ball! My lord, please allow me to set off. I am a general under your command, not your pet dog!!"
The one who said those piteous words was a small Skeleton Dog whose limbs were fitted randomly. Looking at him covering his nose to look piteous, no one would expect that he was actually the fearsome head of the Seven Deadly Sins, Wrath.
Looking around me, the high-tier Undead were all looking piteously at me. On their backs was a blue war flag. The picture of a castle within the hurricane was obviously one from a few centuries ago, making one feel nostalgic.
"You all even took out Mist's War Flags, so why are you still making a show of asking me?"
"Wuuuuu! This is great, my bones are almost rusty!"
"Long live Your Highness!!"
Yes, Your Highness and not Emperor. The reason why they used this honorary term to call me had never been because I used to be Emperor Yongye but I because I was the final prince of the previous Mist Country which was destroyed. They are the few remaining soldiers of the kingdom, those who aren't willing to pass on like this. Fools who are willing to walk until the end of time with me.
"My general, is our army prepared and ready to move off?"
"Of course, Your Highness. Your army, no matter if it's 376 years ago, 250 years ago, or 130 years ago — when have we ever let you down?! The remaining 24602 of the fallen Red Hunting Hounds have been sharpening their edges and grinding their teeth, awaiting the day for their deployment. We already can't wait for the moment we return to the battlefield."
He was still the same pet dog who had died with regrets, he gave me the exact same answer that he had given me 2 months ago at the Undead Theme Park. But, this time, the feeling behind it was totally different.
Judging by the blazing Soulfire in the eyes of the Undead, it seemed that no matter how much failures we would meet with, they were still determined to follow me to the end of the world.
I took a deep breath as the Roland Sword by my waist started to heat up. It couldn't be that the blood of Undead could boil as well? Fortunately, Undead can't cry otherwise, it would have been really be shameful of me.
This moment, my old horse, Yongye, came to me with his sides facing me, as though anticipating the moment when I would ride on him again.
Yes, their determination has never changed. Then, what am I waiting for? What am I hesitating for? What am I considering for? What am I fearing?
"Yes, my Knights. You all have never let me down. Strike the war drums, blow the horn, raise Mist's War Flags up high! My Knights, charge with me!"
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Demon Noble Rankings: From Strongest (top) to weakest (bottom)
Archduke
- Grand Duke (Special Duke)
Duke
- Marquis (Special Count)
Count
Viscount
Baron
Anyway, for now, only the position of the Count, Marquis, Duke and Grand Duke are here so it isn't sure whether the rest of the titles will be used.