Chapter 395

Chapter 395
## Chapter 395

An Unknown Threat (1)

Two leaders of equal dominance and clout convened within the confines of a secluded chamber.

It was a momentous confrontation, a convergence that carried the weight to alter the entire political landscape of the Demon World.

Yet, the ambiance inside the room felt peculiar, marked by a glaring disparity between the two individuals.

“Greetings! It truly is wonderful to finally cross paths with you. My name is Hella. I look forward to our interactions.”

A striking woman, exuding a gentle and inviting luminescence, offered a radiant grin.

Her elongated, pointed horns and striking scarlet gaze only heightened her allure, rendering her presence remarkably alluring.

With a casual flick of her wrist, she stepped further into the space.

“Take a seat.”

The figure awaiting her, already resting in a chair, appeared far less receptive.

In fact, calling them unreceptive was an understatement; their sheer presence seemed to drain the vibrant tones from their surroundings, leaving everything dull.

Wrapped in a dark tunic whose extended edges gathered across the floorboards, a caprine cranium featuring down-turned horns concealed their visage.

The entity bore a macabre appearance, projecting an aura far more ominous than the Immortal King himself.

A sudden spark of rivalry ignited within Hella.

‘…He appears quite intriguing. And that isn’t a mere disguise, is it? It’s his genuine skull!’

The realm housed humanoid fiends, beastial monsters… so the existence of undead monstrosities was entirely plausible.

Entities of the undead variety, steeped in inherently baleful energy, aligned seamlessly with the nature of demons.

‘…Yet he does not mirror a typical reanimated corpse.’

Possessing unmatched expertise in this domain, she was certain her assessment was flawless.

Pieta, designated as the Dark Duke, existed as a singular anomaly. Merely segments of his anatomy, such as his skull, belonged to the undead, whereas the remaining flesh appeared perfectly vitalized.

‘…Astonishing. A decayed skeletal structure and living tissue operating in tandem within one frame.’

Such a phenomenon was likely exclusive to the denizens of this realm, far beyond the reach of mundane biological entities.

Her gaze shimmered with academic fascination as she scrutinized his form.

Despite her considerable tenure traversing the Demon World, an anomaly of this nature had never crossed her path.

“…Prolonged observation is ill-mannered.”

However, her intense scrutiny and overt inquisitiveness proved bothersome to the object of her attention.

The Dark Duke, unwilling to endure her lack of etiquette any further, finally broke his silence.

“Ah, my apologies! You simply possess such an intriguing nature. I found myself quite distracted.”

“I comprehend. Partially animated remains are a scarcity across the Demon World.”

“I appreciate your tolerance. Furthermore, that skull of yours… it truly is magnificent! It captures my admiration.”

“…You have my gratitude.”

“I speak with absolute sincerity. In truth, I…”

Her voice faltered, leaving the sentence incomplete.

She had come dangerously close to admitting her desire to sever that very skull to display it upon her parlor wall as an ornament!

Even with her eccentricities, she recognized such remarks were entirely inappropriate for the current engagement.

‘Restrain yourself. My purpose here is not hostility.’

The timing was not yet advantageous.

Mending her expression into a polite grin, she swiftly pivoted the conversation.

“…Ah, indeed! It nearly slipped my mind. Allow me to introduce Davidson. Would you not agree he is endearing?”

“Khaha!”

The triple-headed beast flashed a predatory smile, displaying rows of razor-sharp teeth as if validating her words.

A subtle, crimson radiance, reminiscent of smoldering embers, danced within its multiple throats.

Pieta, seemingly unfazed by her abrupt shift in subject matter, redirected his attention toward Davidson.

“That energy is Hellfire. A variant lineage of Cerberus? Alternatively, its composition mirrors a chimera…”

To an practitioner of mystic arts like himself, an unfamiliar organism represented an avenue of wonderment and enlightenment.

Furthermore, that beast was undeniably a formidable apex predator.

Had circumstances differed, he would have mobilized efforts to ensnare it for experimental analysis.

‘…Granted, my curiosity is drawn more toward the mistress.’

His attention drifted away from Davidson, landing squarely on Hella as she ran her hand along the creature’s spine.

‘…There is no mistaking it. That is the majesty of a Demon King. And her physical traits mirror the 14th… ’

He detected a crushing weight, an undercurrent of absolute authority bearing down upon his consciousness—the distinct signature of a Demon King, a sovereign born to rule over all creation.

While it posed only a minor disruption to a being of his stature as a Duke-level entity, when paired with her innate allure, it would act as a catastrophic psychological assault against any fiend ranking below a Marquis.

Such subordinates would lose the capacity to offer resistance, their psyches shattered by her majesty, their allegiances shifting involuntarily.

Worse still was the prospect of individuals falling under her spell while masking the affliction.

It functioned essentially as an absolute asset, a passive trait ensuring her underlings remained incapable of treachery.

‘…While simultaneously empowering her own legions. The asymmetry is absurd. We exhausted immense resources to bring down the 14th, only for her heir to manifest so soon?’

His mind churned with a tempest of bewilderment and indignation, yet he rigidly mastered his emotions.

Those considerations were secondary at this juncture.

“Let us address the core matter. Your objective is for Helheim to assume the pact formerly maintained between Demoniac and Abnormal?”

He needed to resolve the pressing crisis immediately.

The chasm separating the Dark Nest from the remaining pairs of factions was so immense that a independent engagement was completely unfeasible.

They would have fallen to subjugation long ago devoid of mutual cooperation.

Consequently, solidifying a pact with the collective whose leadership had undergone an abrupt transition stood as their paramount objective.

“It remains an absolute necessity, does it not? Mounting a defense against them is otherwise unviable. My journey hither was not intended to culminate in an effortless routing.”

The sentiment held equally true for Helheim, which was capturing territory and prominence at a breakneck pace.

They lacked the capacity to simply integrate Demoniac in the manner they had executed with Abnormal.

Deprived of the advantage of a sudden strike, the Dark Duke would not be brought low with ease, and the Dark Nest, monitoring for vulnerability, would swiftly capitalize on the ensuing instability.

‘…I brought Davidson as a contingency measure, yet the circumstances offer no opening.’

Pieta, the Dark Duke, having extracted wisdom from the downfall of the Strange Duke, had structured this negotiation with extreme caution, guaranteeing his personal preservation.

Initiating hostilities against him now would merely serve the interests of the Dark Nest.

‘…It cannot be avoided. I must bide my time for a superior window.’

They had already fulfilled their baseline target by absorbing Abnormal, meaning the current paradigm remained acceptable.

Furthermore, this delicate equilibrium would inevitably fracture.

“…As you are well aware, the relentless reinforcement stream from the Dark Nest, those pale… entities, are inflicting a severe drain upon our ranks. Should this persist, our forces may buckle from sheer attrition before an offensive can materialize.”

This precise reality underscored why alignment between the second and third most prominent factions carried such gravity.

Hella represented an unfamiliar variable, a chaotic element that had upended the historical distribution of power, contrasting with the two Dukes who shared an extensive, adversarial chronicle.

Thus, the negotiations regarding their coalition advanced without friction.

It amounted to a straightforward covenant—a pledge to abstain from mutual aggression until the Dark Nest faced annihilation.

“…I shall overlook your recruitment of certain assets from Demoniac’s ranks. The environment has evolved. However, that marks the limit. Should you overstep further…”

“Ahem! Rest easy. I am a person who honors commitments.”

A few precarious instances had transpired, yet provided they remained unpublicized, they presented no lasting barrier.

Hella resolved internally to instruct her newly acquired followers to maintain discretion, subsequently grasping Pieta’s hand to seal the arrangement.

‘…However… ’

‘…Should a vulnerability manifest… ’

Naturally, the gesture was purely theatrical.

Neither participant possessed the slightest intention of keeping the vow.

‘He poses a grander hazard than the Dark Nest over a longer horizon. I must neutralize him prior to his ascension to true dominance.’

‘Your internal machinations are transparent to me, irrespective of your hidden features.’

Pieta and Hella, both harboring clandestine plots.

“Khahaha—!”

Concurrently, a metaphorical explosive continued its countdown.

Their provisional partnership had officially commenced.

—

Tarak, an expansive urban hub situated within the northern territories of the Tulc Kingdom.

Flash—

A radiant, sacred luminescence burst forth from a transit portal situated within the subterranean levels of the Tarak Temple, its utilization multiplying alongside the metropolis’s expansion.

Three individuals stepped through the gateway.

They offered brief pleasantries to the attending clerical staff before making their way out into the vibrant streets.

“The transformation since my previous departure is staggering.”

Isea Pristine, the diminutive and modest Archmage, whispered in astonishment as she scanned the environment.

This marked her inaugural return to Tarak following the crisis of the White Giant, an event during which she aided in dismantling the gargantuan entity terrorizing the population.

During that period, the settlement lay in ruin, its pathways choked with wreckage and casualties… yet presently, it thrived as an energetic, densely populated center, its historical trauma thoroughly mended.

“Indeed, the progress is quite striking. I perceived it as a grand settlement during our prior visit, yet its dimensions have expanded further within a mere annual cycle. It is a pity the Saintess-nim was unable to accompany our deployment.”

Lydia Granwood, the High Elf, voiced a matching observation, her tone carrying a trace of melancholy.

The trio of women, having endured countless tribulations in unison as comrades within the hero party, had forged a profound bond, and Lydia harbored a slight sadness that the Saintess was restricted from joining this excursion due to pressing administrative obligations.

“Saintess-nim shoulders immense responsibilities. Furthermore, this endeavor is inherently tied to her purview, is it not?”

At that moment,

…a figure draped in an obscured mantle, possessing a calm and comforting cadence, advanced.

A momentary flash of radiant platinum locks and vivid amber eyes visible beneath the cowl.

Heinrich Saint Landguard, the consecrated Saint representing the Main God Church.

“We have yet to isolate the obscure peril that Saintess-nim detected. Consequently, let us maintain vigilance and push forward with our investigation.”

“Agreed.”

“As you command, Saint-nim.”

“Ah, I request you refrain from utilizing ‘Saint-nim’ for the duration of this task. It serves our purposes to mask our profiles. Few individuals would instantly connect the moniker ‘Heinrich’ to the Saint, so please address me informally.”

The arrival of Saint Heinrich alongside the renowned hero party would naturally provoke widespread scrutiny.

Operating under a veil of anonymity was paramount for the duration of their fact-finding mission.

“If your objective is to obscure your identity, you ought to… conceal your facial features with greater efficacy. That cowl offers minimal protection, Heinrich-nim.”

“That is accurate. Furthermore, your gaze… it possesses an excessive… brilliance.”

“Ahaha… governing its output is beyond my immediate control.”

Heinrich offered a sheepish grin in response to their critiques.

He resembled a walking beacon, his essence emitting a vivid illumination even amidst shadows. The simple garment failed to suppress it.

Naturally, his divinely altered hair and gaze could not be altered through mundane dyes or colored lenses.

“…Hmm, it may be prudent for me to… acquire a comprehensive suit of plate mail.”

“Complete with a closed visor.”

Heinrich offered a quiet sigh at Lydia’s straightforward counsel.

He found standard defensive gear cumbersome, particularly when evaluated against his ‘Guardian of Glory’, a personalized masterpiece forged by the artisans of the Main God Church.

Nonetheless, within Tarak, a frontier city bordering the Northern Mountains, encountering individuals clad in heavy plate mail was commonplace, rendering it the most effective method to obscure his profile.

‘It surpasses wrapping my visage in linen strips.’

Conceding the point with a nod, he smacked his lips thoughtfully.

A sudden wave of absurdity washed over him.

He had instructed his companions to remain guarded, yet he personally experienced no trepidation.

The rationale being,

He already possessed full awareness regarding the nature of the ‘unknown threat’ that Saintess Liesta had perceived.

‘She undoubtedly detected Hella’s activation within Auterica. I believed I had masked the signature thoroughly… Her perception is formidable.’

This realization meant further scrutiny within this locale was redundant. Hella had already retreated to the safety of the Demon World.

Furthermore, civil stability within Tarak had risen substantially, credited to the mixed-blood vampires enlisted by Hubert’s Trading Company, who currently managed urban security patrols.

‘…In truth, this translates to a… brief respite.’

His recent schedule had been relentless, engaging in every minor conflict arrayed against the Immortal Army.

Allocating a handful of days toward unwinding was an attractive prospect.

Additionally, he could use the opportunity to assess the operational strides achieved by Hubert within Tarak, considering the man remained perpetually confined to his administrative chambers.

“On a separate note, what occupies Harley’s schedule currently? Communication from him has ceased.”

“He functions as the Mercenary King at present, implying he is likely engaged in a classified operation.”

With those thoughts, the band of champions ventured deeper into the settlement.

Tarak, standing as a pivotal operational hub for Hubert’s Trading Company, and the precise location where a mysterious shadow, perceived by the Saintess, held sway.