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I was treated to a full-course breakfast.

Rachel and Satan also joined us for the meal.

Even though it’s wartime, it seemed too leisurely, so I casually asked, and it seems the war with Belphegor’s army is just as stagnant as it was with Asmodeus.

If you’re going to war, you should go “shoo shoo shoo,” then “taaak,” and finally “kwaaang,” and then “tada!” But why can’t they do that?

“How on earth do they plan to unify the Demon Realm?”

If we’re just talking about Satan’s personal combat power, he’s definitely in the upper ranks among the Demon Lords.

Honestly, I’m not sure about now, but back in the day, I felt he was weaker than Lucifer but stronger than the others.

But putting that aside, you’d think having superior military power would make winning wars easier, but his military is even weaker than Asmodeus, who’s right next door.

If we were to quantify the overall national power, Satan would definitely be in the lower ranks.

Still, it was a bit surprising that he couldn’t even beat a snake brat, but I expected this when I heard he was fighting Belphegor.

Belphegor always seemed like a lazy brat who just sleeps all day, but I never thought he was someone to underestimate.

Satan’s struggles are to our advantage.

I’m starting to think that even if we leave things as they are, Satan won’t be able to unify anything and nothing will happen.

But just in case, it’s better to move to Mammon’s territory and keep an eye on the situation.

Anyway, we got a carriage from Satan’s army and left for Asmodeus’ territory with our guide, Viktor.

“But where have you been all this time?”

“I went to meet some old comrades.”

After arriving at Satan’s army camp, Viktor disappeared somewhere, saying he had some business to attend to.

He only rejoined us when it was time to leave.

He’s probably lived in Satan’s territory his whole life and joined Satan’s army, so he must know a lot of people here.

“But… why did he come back?”

Honestly, I thought he’d just stay with Satan’s army or go back to Dantalion alone, but he’s even guiding us to Asmodeus’ territory.

Even while being constantly harassed by mad scientists Park Seol-hwa and Lin Hazel, he’s stubbornly sticking to his role as our guide.

Maybe demons are the kindest race in the world.

The road to Asmodeus’ territory wasn’t exactly rough… but it was boring.

Given the current situation, there were no wandering demons traveling around, and thanks to Viktor, no thieves came out to rob us.

If I’d known it would be like this, I would’ve asked for a map and just gone by ourselves.

Park Seol-hwa and Lin Hazel listened to Viktor’s stories about the Demon Realm, occasionally drawing blood and pulling out hair while having fun.

It’s already been over 20 days since we arrived in the Demon Realm. I’m not even sure exactly how many days have passed.

As soon as we arrived here, our watches and smartphones stopped working for some reason, so we had no choice but to count the days manually.

‘Park Seol-hwa seems to be keeping track of something, so she’ll probably tell me if I ask later.’

Since arriving in the Demon Realm, it feels like all we’ve done is walk, and I’m starting to get annoyed.

“If you don’t like walking, ride the carriage, Gyeoul.”

Noticing my expression, Jeong Ha-yul suggested I ride the carriage.

But the thing is, that carriage…

“My butt hurts so much…”

“…Honestly, I’m walking for the same reason.”

We’ve spent our whole lives riding cars, not carriages.

The unaccustomed hardness made our butts ache, and though we were annoyed, we had no choice but to keep walking.

I’d rather get beaten up in a fight than this.

‘How do they even ride these things?’

Park Seol-hwa and Lin Hazel only came out when necessary to collect Viktor samples.

Otherwise, they stayed in the carriage.

Hayan seemed most comfortable with me, so she rode the carriage when I did and walked when I walked.

Later, I found out that Park Seol-hwa and Lin Hazel weren’t immune to the pain.

They just endured it because it was easier to conduct experiments inside the carriage.

I guess you need that kind of madness to succeed as a mage.

When I glanced at Hayan, she met my eyes and smiled.

She’s so cute and pretty, but honestly, she’s the epitome of madness.

She seems normal most of the time, but when she goes dark, she’s pure insanity.

I guess madness is a must for mages.

‘Except for me, of course.’

We repeated the cycle of sleeping rough and traveling every day.

We rode the carriage, walked, climbed onto the carriage roof, got tired of walking and the carriage, and then just gave up and flew using telekinesis until our magic power ran out.

Sometimes, when we came across a village, we’d stop to rest.

I really wanted to just fly straight there using magic, but…

The mad scientists in the carriage were vehemently opposed, so we were stuck on this forced Demon Realm journey.

Then, one day.

Park Seol-hwa and Lin Hazel came out of the carriage.

“Did you finally give up and come out?”

“Huh? Give up on what?”

“…Never mind.”

It didn’t seem like they came out because their butts hurt.

The scientists had something in their hands.

‘Cake…?’

There was something on a small round plate.

That’s definitely a cake.

There’s no way they brought that from Korea.

I’ve never seen cake being sold in the Demon Realm, and we haven’t even reached a big city yet.

I wondered where it came from, but that wasn’t the important part.

The only bread I’ve eaten since coming to the Demon Realm was the hard bread supplied by Satan.

After eating only that, seeing cake made my mouth water.

I was drawn to Seol-hwa and Lin like a moth to a flame.

“Cake… cake… bread… soft bread….”

But then… the drool stopped.

You’re messing with me, right?

“Pfft… calm down, Gyeoul, it’s illusion magic.”

“I need to know why you’re confusing me with fake cake.”

They laughed at me when I realized the cake I was about to devour was fake.

Stop laughing and explain!

When my eyes turned a bit fierce, Park Seol-hwa wiped the smile off her face and nodded.

Lin was still trying not to laugh.

“It’s been 45 days since we arrived in the Demon Realm.”

…I thought it had been about a month, but it’s already been over 45 days?

I’m not just bad with directions.

I guess I’m also bad with time and dates.

But what does it matter that it’s been 45 days?

That’s no excuse for tricking me with fake cake.

“…?”

“…?”

I glared at Park Seol-hwa, waiting for an explanation.

She looked at me like, “What’s your problem?”

“What, you don’t even know your own birthday?”

“Huh?”

Now that I think about it… we left around the end of October.

If 45 days have passed… yeah, it’s December.

It’s the December when I chose Jeong Ha-yul in the shantytown.

Though if we went back to Korea now, it might still be November.

Our timeline has kept moving, so I forgot it was my birthday.

I glanced to the side and saw that Jeong Ha-yul and Lee Ha-yoon already knew.

Only Viktor looked confused.

Even though we’ve been together almost 24/7, except when dealing with urgent matters.

I have no idea when they planned this event behind my back.

“Th-thank you… but… fake cake is crossing the line.”

“…Huh?”

They seemed taken aback by my reaction.

If they’d just used some magic to make it look like fireworks and said congratulations, I would’ve been pretty touched.

Well, I wouldn’t have cried or anything.

But… who messes with someone’s food?

Half of my gratitude was gone.

Seeing my awkward expression, they all laughed uncomfortably.

“Sorry, we should’ve prepared something other than cake.”

“No, it’s fine… I’m grateful for the thought.”

As the awkward birthday celebration continued.

“Ah, I see the border gate of Asmodeus’ territory ahead.”

Viktor chimed in at the perfect moment.

“Wow! We’re already here!”

“Yeah! Should we pick up the pace?”

It was like they’d all been hit with a “hurry up” spell.

“Pfft.”

***

“…Gyeoul, this is a bit much.”

“Let’s stop now. Okay?”

“Wow, this is really over the top….”

The expedition team was trying to stop Jeong Gyeoul.

Even though they usually supported her no matter what, this time they seemed to disapprove.

But Jeong Gyeoul ignored them and kept doing what she was doing.

“No, this is how you’re supposed to knock.”

“…What kind of greeting is this? You’ve never done this with Dantalion or Satan.”

While the team was having this strange conversation.

A loud commotion erupted from inside the castle they were looking at.

“…What on earth is going on!”

“Something seems to have hit the wall, I’ll check it out….”

Kwaaang—

Something flew in and struck the Demon King’s Castle again.

Could it be that Satan has developed a long-range weapon and is attacking again?

As anxiety crept in, I had no choice but to go out and see for myself.

‘…I feel like this has happened before.’

Asmodeus had experienced something similar in the past.

I couldn’t remember exactly, but the feeling was coming back.

Sure enough.

When I rushed outside the castle gates, a human woman was waving her hand and smiling brightly.

“…Why is she here?”

And this time, she even brought a group with her.

Several humans.

“…Ah, Lord Asmodeus. That human, could it be?”

“…Yes, it’s her. She’s back after decades.”

The human woman who had once been with Satan, long ago.

Forty years later, she threatened me and stole the Dimensional Stone.

I thought I’d never see her again, but…

Now, decades later, we’ve crossed paths once more.

‘Damn it, what kind of nonsense is she up to this time….’

 

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