Chapter 15: The Regent’s Disdain and the Sacred Maiden’s Gambit

Annoying, endlessly annoying…

From the moment he developed self-awareness, humanity had never once offered Arland a single pleasant memory.

In this world, populated by a multitude of non-human races, some might assume that their own kind, no matter how despicable, would always be preferable to outsiders. Arland, however, harbored no such illusions. Of all the races inhabiting the world, humanity was the one he despised above all others!

This one, that one… if only he could eradicate them all, Arland was certain he would laugh for an entire day. But until he could truly act on that desire, he remained trapped within human society. The longer he spent among his own kind, the more pronounced his nausea became, and the deeper the torment clawed at both his body and spirit.

Were today merely another ordinary day, Arland might have forced himself to endure it. Yet, thanks to his wretched son, his mood had soured beyond its usual bleakness.

By now, Arland was utterly convinced: even for a child sharing his own blood, he still wished for his demise! If eliminating his son would not invite trouble, he would undoubtedly deliver the killing blow without hesitation…

‘Oh, how he yearned for his son to simply vanish! And not just his son—his wife, too, should become a corpse!’ Arland had absolutely no need for family members who were mere humans…

Returning to his dwelling, the turmoil within his mind proved uncontrollable, causing a part of his body to move without his volition. Arland’s hands clenched into fists, then relaxed, only to clench again, repeating the motion a dozen times or more… A terrifying impulse stirred within him, a direct consequence of the immense pressure he felt. Though his seemingly calm expression betrayed nothing, the man was undeniably in dire need of solace. As was his custom, he sought out the one who could offer him healing.

However, before Arland could reach his intended destination, his wife sought him out. There was nothing remarkable about this woman; from her appearance to her temperament, she was indistinguishable from any other noble lady. But even if differences existed, they held absolutely no meaning in Arland’s eyes. No matter how peculiar a repulsive object might be, the urge to vomit would invariably overwhelm him!

The woman before him spoke with palpable anxiety:

“My son…”

How Arland wished it truly was merely ‘her son’. The mere thought of his own blood coursing through ‘that thing’ made his stomach churn with revulsion.

His wife glanced around, her actions clearly indicating she was searching for their child. The naive woman must have optimistically believed her husband would bring their son back this time.

“Stop looking.”

Bring him back? Hmph, Arland would rather sever his own hand than allow the filth around him to multiply further. Conversely, if the amount of filth were to diminish, even by a single speck… he would be overjoyed!

“Your son is in the dungeon. Perhaps… he’s about to die! Hahahaha.”

The Empire’s Regent Duke chuckled aloud at that moment. Such delight, he hadn’t anticipated such profound pleasure! He knew that recovering a lost treasure could bring joy; yet, he had never imagined that the potential, permanent disappearance of an object of his loathing could also evoke such elation.

Compared to the slightly distorted expression on the man’s face, the Duchess’s true terror lay in her words:

“My son might die…”

Reeling from the shock, the Duchess stumbled back two steps. Once she regained her footing, she snapped her head up, fixing Arland with a terrifying gaze.

“What did you do? I thought you would protect him…”

The Duchess advanced several steps, her clenched fists raining down blows. Soon, seven or eight punches landed on the Regent Duke. The recipient’s thoughts were simple: far more unbearable than the unfelt blows was the direct contact with a repulsive human…

Whether his wife had struck enough was not Arland’s concern. What was certain was that he would not endure it indefinitely. As the next punch came, he reached out and seized her wrist. Such a slender wrist would be effortlessly crushed. But to do so would be utterly disgusting! After all, the person standing before him was no powerful opponent, so there was no need to strike a harsh blow.

“This is a good opportunity to make things clear.”

With a flick of his wrist, Arland sent his wife’s body stumbling backward, nearly causing her to lose her footing and fall.

“Whether it’s you or that pig, I no longer wish to be bothered by either of you.”

His spouse and son were merely tools to be utilized. He would never invest emotion in tools.

“Tomorrow, I will dissolve our marriage. From this day forward, you need not return to this home.”

He had already wasted enough time on this person. Arland waved his hand, summoning the guards. His loyal subordinates immediately moved to escort the Duchess out.

That would suffice. With one less vexing presence in his home, the Regent Duke’s mood lightened considerably. Now, he could proceed to his private chambers, where his source of healing awaited him.

****

“Welcome home!”

The handsome youth, who had been waiting in the room, immediately bowed upon Arland’s return.

A soft exhale. The breath he exhaled signified Arland entering a state of relaxation. After locking the room from within, he gestured for the youth to drop his disguise and revert to his true form. Moments later, demonic energy swirled around the youth, transforming his appearance. A pair of sharp, upward-curving horns adorned his head, a long, arrow-tipped tail emerged behind him, and black wings unfurled from his back, gently fluttering. This was the youth’s transformed state. A mere glance was enough to confirm he was a true demon!

“Ah, this is it…”

Not that loathsome human form, but a demon. In that moment, Arland felt a measure of genuine happiness. Demons were the best; unlike the humans who had only ever brought him pain, demons had only ever given him pleasant memories. It was precisely for this reason that he held such profound affection for demons.

“If I didn’t have you by my side… I don’t know what I would do.”

Arland beckoned the youth closer, then began to caress his hand. Unlike a human hand, it caused him no discomfort; no matter how long their contact, only a profound sense of peace enveloped him. A barrier isolated the room from the outside world, ensuring that nothing Arland said could possibly be overheard by those beyond its walls. Within this sanctuary, he could voice his deepest desires without reservation:

“In the future, I will ensure your kin inhabit this nation…”

Dibilis was indeed a fine nation, precisely why it could not be left to humans.

“The Empire should become a paradise for demons!”

The youth merely shook his head upon hearing this.

“There’s no need for such grand endeavors, Master. As long as things remain as they are, I am perfectly content.”

While one party was content, the other remained steadfast in his ambition. For now, this discussion needed no further continuation. Arland asked the youth to brew him a cup of coffee, and the latter promptly set about the task. Before the cup was presented, the Regent Duke recalled something:

“Today, I encountered a formidable individual. Her name is Wang Xiaole, and tomorrow, the Little Empress will summon her to the Imperial Palace.”

“Master means…”

“The Little Empress will almost certainly make a move, attempting to win her over to her side.”

“So we are to interfere?”

“Precisely!”

The Dibilis Empire’s two most significant factions were currently the Imperial faction and the Regent faction. To a certain extent, these two parties were adversaries. Whenever a talented individual emerged, both factions would spare no effort to recruit them. Even if the talent ultimately could not be swayed to their own cause, they must at least prevent them from serving the opposing side!

“You are to handle the arrangements for this matter. Your primary objective is to obstruct the Little Empress’s actions.”

“Understood!”

At that moment, Arland had no idea that someone else harbored a similar intention.

****

Simultaneously, at Oland Cathedral, specifically within the Sacred Maiden’s chambers. Cai tossed and turned in her bed, her mind plagued by worry.

‘[There’s a possibility: the Empress might value Lady Xiaole’s power and decide to recruit her to her own faction…]’

Cai needed to prevent such an outcome. To do so, she had to act. Sleep was out of the question. Cai rose, dressed quickly, and left the cathedral at top speed, heading directly for the Imperial Palace.

Few individuals could infiltrate the Imperial Palace without causing a disturbance; Cai was not among them. She possessed the ability to use forbidden spells for hypnosis, a power truly well-suited for infiltration. The hypnotized soldiers and patrol members would subconsciously believe she had never been there at all. Thus, a peculiar scene unfolded: a suspicious young woman walked openly through the Imperial Palace, yet no one seemed to notice her.

Her target was the Empress’s bedchambers! Cai hoped to implant certain suggestions into her mind… Due to an innate curse, the Empress was awake for only eight hours a day, from 4 PM to midnight. For the remaining hours, she was trapped in slumber, much like a sleeping beauty. Cai was aware of this information, and her actions were directly related to it.

‘[Only when the target is asleep is there a chance of success.]’

If the target was unable to resist, then the hypnotic effect would still work, even with their eyes closed. According to her plan, this operation should succeed. However, the complexity of many situations far exceeded what one could estimate simply by imagining them.

The bedchamber door was now in sight. There were no maids here because none were needed; the Empress required no attendance during the hours before she awoke. At this point, Cai’s task was simply to push the door open.

‘[Is the Dibilis Imperial Palace truly like her own backyard? Or…]’

A silver spear lunged forward, just an instant before Cai reached out!

‘[It’s never that easy, after all.]’

The targeted Sacred Maiden leaped into the air, evading the attack like a butterfly flitting through flowers. Following this, she swiftly removed the iris pendant from her neck and infused it with holy power. In the blink of an eye, the pendant transformed into a silver cruciform sword. As the first strike missed, the sole guardian descended from the ceiling, inevitably confronting the intruder.

Fortunately, Cai had been prepared, having veiled her face in advance and changed her attire to the common civilian clothes worn by ordinary people. On one side stood the Holy Maiden of the Imperial Nation, and her opponent was Anlin, the captain of the Empress’s personal guard, known as the “Great Knight.”