Chapter 53: The War Begins—Summoning the Demon King’s Army

Beneath the temple, an ancient mural stretched endlessly across the stone walls, its colors faded with time yet still vibrant enough to convey its harrowing tale.

It depicted an age-old war—gods and humans standing united against an overwhelming force of demons. The battle raged across the mural’s expanse, telling a story of struggle, defiance, and ultimately, a victorious sealing of the demon race on the distant Demon Continent.

Lucy’s boots echoed against the cold floor as she walked along the corridor, her sharp gaze taking in every detail. The further she examined the mural, the more unsettled she became.

“…This looks familiar.”

The themes, the imagery—it was all eerily reminiscent of Ragnarok Online. The war between gods, humans, and demons. The same symbols, the same legendary battlefields.

Could it be that beyond the Demon Continent lay the world of Ragnarok Online?

A chilling thought gripped her. If the northern forces succeeded in breaking the seal, would she return to her original world? Or would she find herself in an entirely different reality?

There were too many unknowns. But right now, she couldn’t afford to dwell on them.

Outside, an army of a million soldiers stood ready to capture her. Her priority was escaping.

Lucy quickened her pace.

After navigating the labyrinthine halls of the temple, she finally found it—a powerful magical artifact radiating an intense, almost suffocating energy.

“The Staff of Reconfiguration…”

The staff floated in midair, encased in a shimmering barrier of raw magical power.

Lucy reached for it.

Bang!

A violent force repelled her, sending her skidding backward.

She clicked her tongue. “A defensive ward.”

Not just any ward, but one woven with a staggering amount of magic. Breaking through with brute force would be a fool’s errand—if she tried, the explosion of energy would surely alert the army outside.

Without hesitation, she retrieved an iridescent sword from her inventory—Magic Breaker. A legendary, one-time-use weapon with a singular purpose: Magic Nullification.

Using it now felt wasteful, but hesitation meant death.

With a swift motion, she swung the blade.

Flash!

A burst of prismatic light engulfed the room as cracks spread across the barrier.

Shatter!

The barrier collapsed like brittle glass.

The staff was now within her grasp.

Lucy reached out and took hold of it—

And then, the ground trembled.

The sound of thousands of footsteps rumbled from above.

‘They’re coming.’

Lucy gritted her teeth and tried to activate the staff.

Nothing happened.

“…Why isn’t it working?”

A deep, mocking laughter echoed through the chamber.

The ceiling above shattered, and a colossal figure descended through the dust and debris.

Beelzebub.

He landed with a resounding crash, his oppressive aura sending waves of unease through the air. His eyes locked onto the staff in Lucy’s hands, a cruel smirk curling his lips.

“You’ve walked right into my trap.”

“…A trap?”

“That staff doesn’t teleport its wielder—it summons others to their location.”

Lucy’s blood ran cold.

The dark elf priest had told her the staff would help her escape.

Under hypnosis, he should have been incapable of lying.

Unless—

Beelzebub’s grin widened. “As expected of my loyal servant. He rewrote his own memories to deceive you.”

“…I see.”

Before she had even hypnotized him, the priest had already brainwashed himself.

The false information had been deliberate.

‘Tch.’

Lucy flicked her fingers—

[Multiple Illusions.]

Dozens of identical copies of Lucy appeared, surrounding Beelzebub.

“Pathetic tricks.”

Beelzebub unleashed a massive shockwave, but it passed harmlessly through the illusions.

The real Lucy used the opportunity to slip away.

Outside, Lucy emerged into a battlefield.

A million soldiers stood between her and freedom.

Dark elves, orcs, beastkin—warriors of every race under the northern forces’ command. Their numbers blotted out the horizon.

Lucy narrowed her eyes.

Teleportation magic was sealed. There was no escape.

Behind her, Beelzebub emerged from the temple, his voice triumphant.

“There’s nowhere left to run, Daughter of Satan. You shall become our sacrifice.”

Lucy’s grip tightened on the staff.

“…Who said I was alone?”

Beelzebub’s smirk faltered. “What?”

Lucy slammed the Staff of Reconfiguration into the ground.

A brilliant white light erupted from its core, piercing the heavens.

“The true name of this artifact isn’t the Staff of Reconfiguration,” she said, her voice carrying across the battlefield. “It’s the Staff of Reinforcements.”

A colossal portal materialized in the sky, swirling with energy.

Beyond it—

The Demon King’s Castle.

From its gates, an army surged forth.

“Princess Lucy!”

The elite forces of Hellatos descended like a tidal wave—

Royal guards. The knights of the underworld. The Seven Great Demons of Satan’s personal guard.

And leading them—

Satan himself.

The battlefield erupted into chaos as Hellatos clashed with the northern forces.

Beelzebub’s face contorted with rage. “You dare turn my city into ruins?!”

He lunged at Lucy, his massive axe cleaving through the air.

Lucy met his attack head-on with her Scythe of Harvest.

Sparks flew.

Their strength was evenly matched.

Beelzebub’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I, an Archdemon, on equal footing with a mere illusionist?!”

Lucy scoffed. “It’s just the difference in level, you brainless ox.”

She dashed forward.

For this battle, she would use her strongest ability.

At level 100, illusionists unlocked two ultimate skills—

Phantom Valley and Infinite Illusions.

For a one-on-one duel, she chose Infinite Illusions.

Beelzebub swung his axe again—

But Lucy vanished.

An illusion.

Beelzebub’s body began dissolving into smoke.

“No… this can’t be happening…!”

Lucy’s ability twisted reality itself, imprinting an illusion so powerful that it became the truth.

She placed a hand on his disintegrating form.

“Disappear into the illusion.”

With a soft pop, Beelzebub ceased to exist.

The battle was over.

With Beelzebub’s demise, the northern forces surrendered. The Demon Continent belonged to Hellatorus.

Lucy stood beside Satan, gazing upon the distant skyline.

“I heard something from Beelzebub.”

“My power… is the key to breaking the seal on the Demon Continent. Did you know about this, Father?”

“…I did.”

“Then why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want you to awaken that power.”

Leaving the Demon Continent had been the long-held wish of all demons.

But Satan saw things differently.

“Demons belong in the Demon Continent, and humans belong in their own lands.

Demons and humans cannot coexist.

If they continue to share the same world, one side will eventually be wiped out.”

“…Is that the stability you’ve always wanted?”

Satan looked at Lucy gently.

It was a warm gaze, utterly unlike the fearsome ruler he was known to be.

“That is my belief, my daughter.

But one day, Hellatos will be yours to rule.

The choice will be yours.”

“…A choice.”

Lucy stared at the distant horizon.

A certainty formed in her heart.

If she broke the seal and left the Demon Continent—

She could return to her original world.

She didn’t know why, but she was sure of it.

The moment of decision had come.

Would she return home?

Or would she remain here, living as Satan’s daughter?

Lucy closed her eyes, reflecting on everything she had experienced.

Her days in Satan’s castle.

Her time at Edem Academy.

The memories she made with Lucia, Perry, and Abet.

Not a single one was unpleasant.

“…I’ve enjoyed my life here.

So I will continue to live it.”

That was Lucy’s answer.

Not just for today, but for all the days to come—she wished to remain as the daughter of Satan.

Satan gently stroked her hair.

“Then we’ll begin your successor training as soon as we return.”

“…I’d rather not.”

“Haha. Well, let’s head home first. There are many waiting for you.”

“This will be another long journey, won’t it?”

Lucy and Satan took their first steps toward the future of Hellatos.

THE END