Chapter 6: The Archpriestess’s Return and a Looming Shadow

Ever since Kala participated in the city-wide drill mobilized by the Demon Lord three days prior, an exercise he concluded by knocking out and capturing the human Hero, the Demon Lord bestowed upon the fox-like demi-human youth the highest honor his family had long coveted:

A golden mallet.

For generations, the Shuff family of demi-humans had served as the alarm-keepers of Demon Lord City, their duties primarily performed within the Morning Star Tower, which stood majestically at the highest point of the ancient castle. From its towering spire, one could gaze upon the entirety of Demon Lord City, and on exceptionally clear days, even discern a long, dark fissure stretching eastward—the Great Rift of the Underworld, which separated the Demon Realm from the Human World.

Should external foes invade, these diminutive, fox-like demi-humans would raise their mallets and strike the Morning Star Bell. When its resonant peal echoed, the “Eight Demon Generals,” representing the primary combat strength of the Demon Race, would converge upon Demon Lord City, and all Demon Lord’s forces would gather to defend it.

The Demon Race, apart from the exalted Divine Demon and Soul-Devouring races, comprised a multitude of orcs, demi-humans, and slimes. Much like humans, they were a collective of several similar yet distinct species.

Ancient demi-human clans like the Shuff family were exceedingly rare, even within the long history of the Demon Race.

They harbored no interest in fame, power, or wealth, caring only for the diligent execution of their duties.

The mallet used to strike the Morning Star Bell was the most significant possession in the life of every Shuff, and for Kala Shuff, the current bell-ringer, this truth remained unchanged.

He couldn’t quite fathom why Her Majesty, the Demon Lord, required him to stealthily approach the Hero and then, as if performing one of the thousands of bell-strikes he’d practiced, strike the newcomer’s back of the head.

“Your Majesty, I possess no combat abilities; my only skill is to strike the alarm bell with all my might.”

“Heh heh,” the Demon Lord chuckled, a light and gentle sound. “That’s precisely the effect I desire, little Kala. Were it anyone else, I fear they might have been struck dead.”

‘Never mind,’ Kala thought to himself. ‘Regardless of what Her Majesty is thinking, I am now the proudest Shuff in the family!’

Holding the gleaming golden mallet, Kala basked in the first warm rays of sunlight that touched Demon Lord City each morning, a contented smile gracing his lips.

A distant tremor rumbled.

Kala’s usually drooping gray ears twitched alertly, snapping upright. He leaned over the railing, his gaze fixed on the seemingly empty space from which the sound had originated.

The sky was a pristine blue, clouds drifted lazily, and birds occasionally soared past.

Such tranquility offered no hint of impending events.

Yet Kala was different; he had long since perceived the subtle signs, even the most minute disturbances.

“Ah… what is this?”

Ding-dong—ding-dong—

The long-silent Morning Star Bell boomed with a prolonged, resounding peal. A flash of alarm crossed the Demon Lord’s crimson eyes, revealing a rare tension on her regal throne.

“Your Majesty…” Vivi asked, her voice laced with concern at the sight. “Has the Archpriestess returned?”

“Yes, thankfully, little Kala’s senses are incredibly keen. That woman should still be some distance away,” Yunajin said, slowly rising. Her previously relaxed and languid demeanor vanished, replaced by the formidable aura of the Demon Lord.

“As anticipated, everyone has more or less returned to their posts. And…” She turned, her expression serious, to caution Vivi. “Go quickly and inform Lord Hero not to leave his room under any circumstances.”

“But he might not heed your words.”

Upon hearing this, Yunajin narrowed her eyes, a low, guttural breath escaping her throat.

“Then tell him this: if he dares to step outside, only death awaits him!”

****

Demon Lord City, Rose Plaza.

Boom—

As a massive creature descended, the Demon Race soldiers who had been waiting in formation for a long time immediately became alert. They were not only greeting the peculiar three-headed monster before them, Andros Chimera, one of the Eight Demon Generals, but also the Archpriestess of the Demon Race, Meredith, Shadow King—a Primal Demon whom even the Demon Lord held in deep respect.

“Heh heh, Lord Meredith, you have finally returned.”

Yunajin spread her arms, stepping away from the surrounding crowd, and walked with a smile towards the tall woman who had dismounted the Chimera.

Meredith’s lineage was pure Demonfolk; setting aside the demon horns that symbolized her status and race, their usual form was remarkably similar to that of humans.

The Demon Archpriestess, who appeared to be in her early thirties in human years, possessed a physique that sometimes made Yunajin secretly click her tongue in admiration. Yet Meredith deliberately wore a rather provocative, open-work, sleeveless dress, and her long, porcelain-like legs seemed to invite ruin. The neckline was already scandalously low, but more critically, this woman’s chest… no, was she intentionally exposing that useless flesh to make enemies retreat without a fight?

‘An Archpriestess holds such a solemn position, yet this woman looks even less restrained than a succubus!’

These were Yunajin’s consistent thoughts. Sometimes, she found it strange; feeling overjoyed upon seeing Lord Hero was normal, but why did she harbor such peculiar emotions towards another woman?

Perhaps Yunajin was still unaware that succubi don’t necessarily feel attraction only towards the opposite s*x…

Meredith glanced at the Demon Lord approaching her. She turned, her naturally curly long hair swaying, its inky blackness cutting through the golden sunlight around her.

“Greetings, Your Majesty the Demon Lord.”

Meredith’s gaze, as deep and fathomless as an abyss, fell upon Yunajin, whose advancing body stiffened for a moment.

Yunajin looked up at Meredith, who stood a head and a half taller than her, her smile slowly freezing.

“Oh dear, it’s only been a few days; why are you acting like such a stranger?”

“A few days?” Meredith’s mature and exquisitely beautiful face emerged from the shadows. She surveyed the surrounding Demon Race soldiers. This was typically the Demon Lord City’s largest public activity center, yet as she flew over Demon Lord City, she had noticed Rose Plaza was already cordoned off.

“Your Majesty says it’s only been a few days, but this display is quite grand. You’ve personally come to greet me, and it seems all Eight Demon Generals have also gathered here.”

‘Good thing I modified the Morning Star Bell beforehand; now, only I can hear its sound!’

Only when Meredith showed no sign of detecting anything amiss did Yunajin finally relax.

At the invitation of the Dragon Race, Meredith had journeyed with Andros Chimera to the distant Therest Continent. It was said that after the Ancient War tens of thousands of years ago, the Dragon Race had migrated to that land, which remained untouched by the ravages of war, despite being only one-third the size of Karkunda.

That land was also the birthplace of humanity, with the Bay Nation of Victoria established along its coast.

Meredith’s departure from the Demon Realm this time had certainly lasted longer than just a few days; three months of unrestricted freedom had naturally led our indolent Demon Lord to slack off at work.

Oh, she even had ample time to spend with the human Hero she had fallen in love with at first sight—what a joyous life!

“Everyone is diligently fulfilling their duties at their posts. While governing the nation is no easy task, thanks to your guidance, everything in the Demon Race is running smoothly.”

‘Damn it, this woman’s aura always surpasses mine. Who’s the boss here, really?’

“And Lord Andros, you’ve also worked hard.”

“Thank you for Your Majesty’s concern. Your subordinate would not dare to slack off,” one of the three distinct heads, resembling that of a lion, opened its mouth and spoke.

Meredith and Andros bowed slightly to Yunajin. After all, she was the Demon Lord, the supreme leader of the Demon Race, and basic courtesies could not be neglected.

Through the window of the ancient castle, Qiaolun, confined to his room by Vivi’s warning, watched from afar as a magnificent honor guard surrounded the plaza below. On a carpet made of countless roses, the pink-haired Demon Lord held the hand of the graceful woman behind her…

‘Who is that person? She…’

Qiaolun’s purple eyes flickered, his gaze instantly annihilated.

“Hmm?” Meredith lifted her chin, her gaze sweeping towards the high Demon Lord’s ancient castle.

“What is it, Lord Meredith?”

“Nothing, perhaps it’s merely been too long since my return. Reclaiming my homeland, it possesses a peculiar charm.”

“Heh heh, heh heh heh…” Only Yunajin’s awkward laughter lingered in the air.

Huff—huff—

Qiaolun crouched beneath the window sill, gasping for breath. From that brief encounter, he was certain the other party had noticed him.

Moreover, that gaze carried a terrifying aura that instantly shattered Qiaolun’s mental defenses.

“Is that… the being even the Demon Lord holds in awe?!”