“What… what did you just say?”
Lucifer questioned Virtus, who was wearing a grim expression.
In truth, Lucifer had heard Virtus’ words clearly. However, he couldn’t believe what he had just heard, so he asked again.
“It’s as you heard. Shekina Daimon has returned to the north, and the humans in the capital…”
Virtus hung his head low and answered. He then relayed what he had seen and heard in the capital.
“They are in open rebellion against the temple. It’s not just the people around the central temple; everyone in the capital, or perhaps the entire empire, seems to be in turmoil.”
Humans were strangely angry with the temple. It didn’t seem to be solely due to the monsters, but Virtus couldn’t uncover more information and had to return empty-handed.
Lucifer, staring down at Virtus, twisted his lips in a bitter smile.
“Well, well. You’ve come back with such great news. What should I do with you for being so ‘helpful’?”
Grinding his teeth, Lucifer realized something new—that his anger no longer heated him to the core.
“Should I skewer your flesh? Make you drink your own blood? What would be the best way to deal with you? Hm?”
“M-Master… If you would just give me one more chance…”
“Kill him.”
While Virtus was pleading, Gabriel appeared from behind.
With the same gaze he always directed at Virtus, a look that erased the very worth of his existence.
“There’s no reason to keep an idiot like him alive, is there?”
Clicking his tongue, Gabriel withdrew his gaze from Virtus. A grinding sound could be heard as Virtus clenched his teeth.
“Gabriel!”
Lucifer turned to Gabriel with a wide smile. Confident that he had Lucifer’s favor, Gabriel bowed his head, wearing the expression of a loyal servant.
“Yes, I have returned after completing the task you assigned.”
“Well done.”
Lucifer, still smiling, raised Gabriel’s chin with the tip of his finger.
“But, I must say…”
His red lips twisted coldly.
“You’ve grown quite arrogant in the short time I haven’t seen you.”
“……..!”
Gabriel’s eyes wavered. The chilling atmosphere caused him to flinch involuntarily.
“I am the one who decides your fate. Only me. None of you dare to command me.”
“…Yes. I apologize for overstepping my bounds.”
Gabriel clenched his fists, ignoring Virtus’ mocking smile.
“Now, tell me about your results.”
Ignoring Gabriel’s shame, Lucifer sat down and crossed his legs.
“The Crown Prince… no, the Emperor agreed to support us.”
“Support us?”
But Lucifer immediately stood up, clutching his forehead as he threw himself back in laughter.
“Haha, hahaha!”
His sharp nails dug into his scalp. A grinding noise echoed around them.
“Support us? That arrogant human dares! Has he forgotten how he was groveling on his knees, begging? He thinks he can back out now?”
Lucifer, already disliking humans, now had even more reason to despise them.
Ingrates.
He had hidden the fact that the Emperor killed his own father and had given him the throne he so desperately wanted. And now he dares to turn his back on them?
He had always intended to kill him, but now he would move up the timeline. A human who didn’t know his place wasn’t worth letting live.
After taking a deep breath, Lucifer sat back down, lifting his chin.
“No, no. This isn’t the time to be angry. Yes, I know that. So, what should I do now? How do I catch two rabbits at once?”
Lucifer looked at Virtus and Gabriel, who were both kneeling before him. Just as Virtus was about to speak, Gabriel stood up first.
“May I offer my suggestion?”
Lucifer flicked his eyes toward Gabriel.
“I think we should deal with the capital situation first. That way, we can also secure a new body for you, Master.”
A body.
That body!
No matter how much dark magic he used, maintaining a dead body with a soul was no easy task. Fortunately, the Pope’s body, with its high divine power, had been a suitable match for his angelic self, but even that would soon become useless.
He needed to find a suitable body before then.
“Very well… let’s do it that way.”
Revenge had to come second. Preserving his life was more important. So, Lucifer resolved not to act rashly.
“Virtus.”
“Y-Yes!”
The previously despondent Virtus quickly raised his head.
“Rebellion against the temple is tantamount to betraying the gods.”
“…Yes!”
“There’s no reason for heretics to live, is there?”
In other words, Lucifer was ordering the complete eradication of all humans who had rebelled against the temple.
They just needed to make it look like the wrath of a vengeful god had descended upon them.
Virtus, who specialized in such tasks, responded with a confident expression.
“I will handle it as you instructed.”
The capital was about to turn into a sea of blood.
***
Tap, tap, tap.
Lucart tapped his finger on the desk, blinking slowly.
He had been in this state for several days. It was as though he had lost his mind. To put it nicely, he seemed out of sorts, but to put it bluntly, it looked as though his brain had wandered off somewhere.
This had been the case since Shekina issued the order for everyone to leave.
– I think I might lose my appetite if you stay.
Lose your appetite? Was my presence so unbearable?
It was unbelievable.
Did I do something wrong…? Did I?
Lucart reflected deeply. It hadn’t been that long ago, but the harsh words he had said resurfaced. I don’t believe you, I’ll kill you, I’m watching you, Be careful…
Yes, he had done wrong. A lot.
But Lucart felt somewhat wronged.
‘I had no other choice.’
It was a rational argument and a fair decision. What was he supposed to do—leave a suspicious individual alone and risk the entire demon clan?
There was truly no other choice. He had thought Shekina would understand that…
‘Is it because she’s still just a child?’
Because Shekina had acted so mature for so long, he had forgotten. The fact was, she was still a small child who had only been in this world for three years.
‘So, what should I do now?’
Would we ever be able to share a meal together again?
Although he felt like the loser in the relationship, it wasn’t an entirely unpleasant feeling. After all, he would be treating Shekina like the other demons in the castle did.
‘Except for the elders.’
They were the problem.
They had gone too far to say it was just a bet over the homunculus.
What was their goal?
And what was the reason behind that goal?
Lucart shifted his thoughts back to the elders, trying to ponder their intentions. But just as he began to focus, a knock interrupted his thoughts.
“Lord Demon King, are you inside?”
Surprisingly, it was Yurian’s voice from outside. Yurian, who had never come to his room before.
Puzzled, Lucart told him to come in.
As soon as the door opened, Yurian appeared. But he wasn’t alone.
Behind him were Nisha, Didi, and the twins.
All of the homunculus, except for Shekina and Frey, had gathered.
Seeing them all together, Lucart narrowed his eyes, sensing that something serious was going on.
“What is it?”
The fact that they had come directly to him without going through any other demons was proof that this was a significant matter.
Straightening his posture, Lucart braced himself for whatever news was about to come.
“Well…”
Yurian hesitated, glancing back at the others before squeezing his eyes shut and shouting,
“Please stop bothering Shekina!”
…What?
