Chapter 6: The Saintess’s Allure and the Demon King’s War Council

“Oh, really? But if you find me beautiful, then why do you shy away from looking me straight in the eye?”

Perhaps intending to playfully tease the ever-earnest maid, Noah leaned in close to Astolfo’s face, her delicate fingers gently lifting Astolfo’s chin, compelling her to meet her gaze.

Astolfo’s eyes locked onto Noah’s clear yet cunning pink gaze, a subtly stimulating rosy fragrance drifting into her nostrils, causing her cheeks to flush and her heart to quicken its beat.

She yearned to avert her gaze, to conceal her unseemly discomposure, yet Noah held her chin firmly, leaving her only to stare wide-eyed as Noah’s face slowly drew nearer.

That exquisite and dazzlingly beautiful face was utterly beyond compare.

She wanted to resist, to restrain the Saintess’s actions with rational and appropriate words, as she always did, but found herself utterly incapable of refusal, unable to utter even a single ‘no’.

Instead, she could distinctly feel her five senses gradually succumbing to a gentle abyss, her soft limbs growing powerless within the warm embrace, effectively becoming her captor’s plaything.

Astolfo finally understood why even a Demon King, with a millennium of power amassed, would inevitably fall before this Saintess.

Despite knowing she was caught in the grasp of a dangerous feline, despite knowing this was wrong, utterly contrary to reason, she still couldn’t help but yearn to surrender…

To be enveloped even more deeply by that sensation of warmth and softness…

Astolfo’s gaze slowly grew hazy.

Snap

A gentle tap jolted her from her reverie; Noah had lightly patted Astolfo’s shoulder, and this small stimulus caused the maid’s demeanor to stiffen, her entire posture becoming upright and alert.

“Just a joke, then. So, are there any places in the Demon King’s Castle you’d recommend I visit?”

Noah’s voice was light and cheerful, like an innocent girl who had just pulled a small prank.

“Uh…”

Astolfo’s face instantly darkened, her already pale complexion growing even more ashen.

She had just now… actually harbored some inappropriate expectations.

The moment she awoke from her daze, a powerful wave of guilt washed over her, only to dissipate swiftly.

Even though she knew it wasn’t entirely her fault, this was a severe dereliction of duty, both as a maid and as a retainer.

A dereliction of duty remained precisely that, with no excuses to be offered.

Therefore, she hoped to compensate for her earlier lapse with even more professional and appropriate maid service.

“The facilities within the Demon King’s Castle most worth seeing are likely the library, the botanical gardens, the kitchens, the storerooms, the observatory, and so on. Which of these are you most interested in?”

As if completely unfazed by what had just transpired, Astolfo cleared her throat, speaking with a mature and unruffled tone.

“Hmm… then, take me to the library~”

Noah’s eyes sparkled with curiosity and anticipation, much like a primary school student heading out for a spring excursion.

***

The Demon Capital, Irusil, within the main hall of the Demon King’s Castle.

“Four Knights of the Crown, twenty-three Demon Lords, and several hundred civil and military officials are all present, Your Majesty the Demon King; please grant permission for your subjects to speak.”

Executive Avril stood before the Demon King, listening to her voice and accurately relaying it to the assembled subjects below.

Half of the attending demons were mere projections from other locations, participating in the Demon King’s morning court in this manner, either to offer counsel or to listen.

“Granted.”

Letitia opened her scarlet eyes, gazing disdainfully at the multitude of officials standing below her, the dark crown resting steadily upon her head, her pure black, ornate gown symbolizing profundity and terror.

Her gaze was languid and merciless, as if utterly uninterested in everything, or perhaps disdainful of all things.

General Claire, appearing as a phantom, stepped forward; she was a Beast Tamer and also the commander of the vanguard forces in the war against humanity.

The ministers, who had been speaking in hushed tones, instantly fell silent; to obtain firsthand intelligence on the war, Claire, as a direct subordinate of the Demon King and a field commander, was naturally the best source of information.

Though she possessed neither ancient and noble blood nor the might of a powerful demon who had consumed countless resources, being merely an ordinary demon with talent, no one present dared to underestimate her capabilities.

The clang of armor resounded as Claire clasped her right fist to her left chest, performing a knight’s salute, and reported to Letitia:

“Reporting to Your Majesty the Demon King, Falmond changed hands within four hours of its capture, our vanguard beast forces were nearly annihilated, and our troops have retreated to Imperial territory, awaiting rendezvous with the rear forces.”

At these words, a murmur of shock rippled through the hall.

Her statement was tantamount to declaring: “Our combat strength is essentially exhausted, yet we have not seized an inch of enemy territory.”

Several ministers wished to seize the opportunity to promote their own candidates, but the Demon King’s timely display of authority froze them, rendering them immobile.

Letitia surveyed the hall, and once satisfied that no one dared to raise an objection, she gave a slight nod.

“You have done well. Go and rest for now. Once you have rendezvoused with the rear forces led by Engul, you shall act according to orders.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Claire replied with firm conviction, then took a step back.

“Then, Your Majesty the Demon King, once we reach the front lines, we can launch a full-scale assault, correct?”

A Demon Lord with wavy golden hair and a fiery figure stepped forward, a haughty smile gracing her lips, as she inquired of Letitia.

She was Engul, the overall commander of the demon forces in this war, infamous for her massacres, known as the ‘Mad Blood Lioness’.

“Mm.”

Letitia gave a languid nod, adding:

“The ‘Crimson Lotus’ unit will also arrive at the front lines soon. During this period, her forces will be under your command.”

At the very front, the four fully armored knights bowed their heads slightly, signifying their profound respect for the Demon King.

Among them, the young female knight on the far left, clad in crimson armor from head to toe, raised her head, her fiery gaze seeming to burn with molten lava.

The four knights serving under the Demon King – ‘Crimson Lotus’, ‘Hunt’, ‘Impale’, and ‘Tower’ – were present, with Crimson Lotus and Impale appearing as phantoms, while Tower and Hunt attended in person.

“Why would Your Majesty the Demon King…”

An official, eager to promote talent but hesitant to question the Demon King’s decisions, whispered from the sidelines.

The Demon King embodied the very symbol of demonic power, an absolute authority; a fundamental requirement for every Demon King throughout history was to possess martial prowess at the pinnacle of their race, while also enduring the trials of the royal court.

Should anyone wish to challenge the Demon King’s authority and possess the appropriate qualifications, they could initiate a ‘Succession Struggle’ against the reigning Demon King, claiming the throne upon victory.

However, failure would result in a fate potentially a hundred times worse than death.

Yet, in the eyes of most demons, such a ‘ritual of the vanquished’ might even be considered a warrior’s honor.