Chapter 37: An Unconventional Welcome

Ramola detected a familiar magical aura.

“That woman has arrived; she’s likely here for you.”

“I have no connection to Meredith; you’re mistaken… mmmph—”

Qiaolun’s mouth was clamped shut by the other’s hand, and he stiffly turned his head, observing Ramola’s pensive expression.

“Shhh… I’m thinking about what conditions to propose for an exchange later.”

****

A flurry of hurried footsteps echoed from outside.

“Duchess! Duchess!”

“Stop yelling! What’s so urgent?!” Ramola asked, looking displeased at the doorway, where a fox-like demi-human stood trembling.

“It’s the Demon Lord! The Demon Lord of Demonkind has come to Madal City!”

“Huh?”

‘The Demon Lord? Yunajin, why would she be here? Has she been watching me all this time? Am I just a lab rat in her magical experiments?’

Qiaolun, having overheard the demi-human’s report, pondered these thoughts.

Ramola, however, was no less perplexed than Qiaolun at that moment.

She scrutinized the human with a suspicious gaze, before a knowing smile spread across her face.

“Come, let us greet our guest.” Ramola flicked out her long whip, coiling it around Qiaolun’s neck, and forcibly led him away.

****

This was Yunajin’s first visit to this peripheral city-state, known among other Demonkind as “Little Demon Lord’s City.”

Yet, even with streets wide enough for five carriages to travel abreast, the Demon Lord’s City seemed slightly inferior; even the massive Chimera found it spacious and easy to navigate.

Unlike the Demon Lord’s City, the bustling crowds here included not only Demonkind and demi-humans, but also High Elves and humans, most of whom wore the light chainmail common among adventurers, engaging in trade and taking on commissions.

Yunajin observed her surroundings: the expressions of merchants, pedestrians, and even soldiers. Beneath their seemingly relaxed demeanor, a subtle vigilance lingered. Prices were agreed upon, yet haggling persisted over trivial coppers at the end. Patrolling officers forcefully collected protection money, only to smilingly hand it over to a seemingly inconspicuous vendor moments later.

Behind this seemingly peaceful city, perhaps hidden rules operated like gears of varying sizes, driving a heavy and complex machine.

“My Lady Demon Lord, you truly didn’t need to visit in person. Although Ramola has separated from Demonkind, she has maintained stable contact with me over the years. She owes me a favor, and she will absolutely agree to this.”

“This King recalls you mentioning that as a blood relative of the Third Demon Lord, she possesses strength equivalent to that of the Eight Demon Generals. Even if she is currently outside this King’s jurisdiction, such formidable combat power naturally warrants re-recruitment.”

Yunajin gazed up at the dark tower, surmising that the city’s architect, in designing her domain, must have been nostalgic for her homeland, as its layout, architectural style, and aesthetic were all strikingly similar to the Demon Lord’s City.

“Welcome, welcome, esteemed Majesty the Demon Lord and high-ranking Demonkind from Prometheus (Demon Lord’s City). The Duchess is prepared and awaiting you within the castle.”

“What?! Knowing that Her Majesty the Demon Lord herself is visiting, she dares to shrink back and expect Her Majesty to seek her out? She’s courting death!”

A roar—

The iron gate, still opening, was blasted wide by Andros’s roar, sending the guards tumbling to the ground, their legs weak.

Yunajin faintly detected a foul, bloody stench.

“Maintain your composure and manners, Lord Andros; you are not a beast.” Yunajin adjusted the small bow at her chest, reminding Andros while gently saying, “Please, lead the way.”

The previous roar had not intimidated the butler-like human, who calmly bowed to everyone and gestured in the direction.

Yunajin began to feel a certain admiration for the gray-haired butler.

Traversing the steps covered by a vibrant red carpet, observing the gushing fountain, and passing through the winding, narrow corridors, Yunajin increasingly felt that this place was almost identical to the Demon Lord’s Ancient Castle; pausing here was like returning home.

“Lord Meredith, are you certain that Abyssal — Ramola — has never been a Demon Lord? Or perhaps she once aspired to become one?” Yunajin inquired.

“In my recollection, she is a member of Demonkind uninterested in power, caring for no one besides her elder sister.”

‘It seems she’s quite devoted to her sister. Could this entire place have been built in memory of her?’

“I recall you mentioning that the Abyssals are the noblest and most powerful clan among the Soul Eaters, so how did only one of them remain in the end?”

Yunajin struggled to comprehend. With an innate talent for devouring—not merely life energy, souls, flesh, magic, or elements, but even abstract concepts, space, and time—they should have been an invincible existence, thriving endlessly.

Meredith sighed helplessly. She had explained the characteristics of all Demonkind races to the Demon Lord: their origins, their talents, and their weaknesses.

‘It seems Her Majesty has forgotten everything; I’ll need to schedule a review session.’

She patiently explained, “My Lady Demon Lord, you must understand that great power often coexists with an equally significant flaw. The Abyssal’s devouring instinct is the most uncontrollable among all Soul Eaters. While plundering power, their will is also subverted by an endless, greedy ‘appetite,’ ultimately transforming them into an Abyssal Fiend that consumes everything.”

“The more one gains, the more one loses, My Lady Demon Lord. As a Soul Eater, you must always remember that… hmm?”

By the time Meredith regained her composure, Yunajin’s figure was already far ahead.

“Whew—I should ask Lord Meredith fewer questions in the future, or else we’ll immediately delve into profound life philosophies. Don’t you agree, Lord Andros?”

The Chimera strode with light steps, its paws leaving indelible indentations in the soft carpet.

“Don’t even mention it, Your Majesty. I’ve listened for nearly ten thousand years, and even the most advanced ‘Holy Judgment-tier’ magic incantations aren’t as convoluted as her reasoning.”

Meredith closed her eyes, shook her head inwardly, and unhurriedly followed.

‘Her Majesty the Demon Lord is still immature; I must teach her more in our future lessons.’

A peculiar, refreshing fragrance wafted over as the butler opened the hall door. Yunajin recognized this scent; it differed from the intoxicating sweetness of a red rose. While broadly similar, Yunajin distinctly perceived a cool, ethereal quality, as if from a rose blooming under a cold moonlight.

Stepping onto the elegant, tranquil blue carpet, Yunajin noticed that the surrounding vases held blue roses.

‘If this individual were the Demon Lord, then the roses in the garden would likely all be these blue enchantresses.’

“Wait outside, Andros; your body won’t fit in here.” Yunajin, who had entered the hall first, turned back to the Chimera.

“Hmph…” Andros grumbled a reluctant growl, then promptly sat down, cracking the steps.

Clap, clap, clap—

The sudden applause made Andros, resting outside, prick up his ears. Yunajin looked in response, seeing a young woman of similar age smiling and clapping.

Yunajin’s brow furrowed as she met the other’s dark blue eyes.

“This visitor means trouble.”

Meredith, standing nearby, gently reminded her, “My Lady Demon Lord, you are the visitor.”

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