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Chapter 484. Annual Tradition

Many demons prefer the color black, reminiscent of the night, but when asked if they hate the color white, the answer is actually no.

In fact, there are tribes that use white for wedding attire, and the Demon Lord Castle, at the heart of the Demon Kingdom, is made of pure white marble—an enormous construction carved from a rocky mountain with magic, one of the continent’s finest. Its transparent whiteness shines brightly under the moonlight, contrasting with the night’s darkness.

On this day, beneath the full moon looking down on the peak of the Demon Lord Castle—

The palace of the Demon Lord was surrounded by warriors of the Sauroe Tribe.

There were about 200 of them, all strong in magical power, consisting of elite members at least the level of viscounts.

“Everyone, … prepare!”

Amidst them, the 5th Prince of the Demon Lord, Spinethia Sauroe, raised his spear and shouted. The slight pause was due to him hurriedly swallowing the muffin he had stuffed in his mouth. Today, he was also wearing a specially-made appetite-suppressing bondéji, but he couldn’t let go of his snacks.

Spinethia, holding his spear aloft, stood on one leg and spun around in a graceful maneuver.

It looked like a kind of dance, and it was hard to believe he had just been munching on snacks. At the same time, a strong wave of magical power was unleashed and began to spread.

In response, the Sauroe warriors beside Spinethia also spun around, releasing their magical power. The next warriors joined in the spinning dance, and soon, the magic from each of them mixed together, forming a dome around the Demon Lord’s palace.

When the combined magical power reached the apex of the hemisphere, the spell was complete.

A dome-shaped barrier. The Sauroe Tribe’s bloodline magic, Hunting Domain—an advanced version that provided defensive magic to the Demon Lord Castle itself.

Once the spell was cast, the Sauroe warriors nodded in satisfaction at their handiwork.

“Father, it’s done.”

“Hmm.”

When Spinethia reported turning back, the silently observing Demon Lord gently reached out to touch the Hunting Domain.

In that moment, it was semi-transparent, but it quickly became invisible, blending with the darkness of the night. It felt smooth, like glass. If they were to channel strength into it, it would shatter under the pressure.

However, conversely, unless the Demon Lord exerted his power, this wall would remain unbroken.

Such barriers were not easily found throughout the continent. Perhaps they existed in the Sacred Great Tree village of the Forest Elves.

“It turned out well again this year. Good work.”

“Thank you very much!”

Hearing the Demon Lord’s words of appreciation, Spinethia and the entire Sauroe Tribe lowered their heads happily.

Yes, this was their annual event.

The application of Hunting Domain lasts only about a year and a bit, depending on the scale. Therefore, every year, the skilled members of the Sauroe Tribe come together to renew the barrier.

This had been a preparedness measure, ongoing since the era of the first Demon Lord, merely as a “just in case”…

“…”

The Demon Lord silently gazed at the heavens.

Moreover, he glared at the dragons that would be patrolling at high altitudes.

—This barrier also prevented the charge of dragon hordes.

The surprise attack from the White Dragons eight years ago was thwarted by this barrier. The dragon race knew about the barrier’s existence, but perhaps they didn’t expect it to be so solid. As a result, the heroes did not strike directly at the palace.

From now on, aerial surprise attacks would not succeed—

It was also a silent message to the dragon race.

(At times like this, I must ensure adequate deterrence.)

Turning back, the Demon Lord gazed at the horizon, lost in thoughts about the anomaly of the Dark Portal.

…Not so much an anomaly, but rather, Odigos had disappeared without a trace. Pathetically, there was no way to anticipate this.

Neither the Demon Lord nor any demon, not even the demon itself, had ever expected Odigos to vanish.

They had never thought about how fatal the situation of “without Odigos” could be—until they faced it directly.

(Until now, it seemed Odigos had occasionally left the vicinity of the Dark Portal for brief periods, but … it had only ever been for seconds to minutes in the real world.)

In most cases, Odigos would personally guide visitors or meet demanding demons with another demon, and after the job was done, he would come right back near the Dark Portal.

But this time—

It had already been weeks since Odigos’s disappearance, even in the real world.

This was an abnormal situation. Demon Legion Commander Izvorii had set out to search with the demons, but the results were not promising.

There were no witnesses and no clues left behind.

What was most critical was that, until now, Odigos had been the one to exclusively handle searches like this in the Demon World.

Perhaps there were other demons suitable for such searches—but how would they even find those [Search Demons]…?

Where could Odigos be?

Or had he perished due to some conflict with other demons?

However, Odigos was, if anything, a seasoned demon with considerable power. Izvorii had said such things were unlikely, but there was no certainty.

At the very least, if Odigos were here, the ability of [Guidance] would have activated, allowing them to ascertain the life or death of the demon they sought…

(We… relied too heavily on just one demon…)

The Demon Lord grimaced at the bitter thought.

How careless it had been—this was now painfully obvious. They should have at least ensured that one of the demons had made a contract with Odigos.

(They should have bound him with a contract…)

But everyone had hesitated to contract with Odigos out of aversion to the idea of being led around indiscriminately. Serving others was the most distant concept from demons, and besides, his power didn’t seem suited for battle…

So, they just used Odigos as needed.

Odigos himself seemed delighted with this arrangement, so they thought it was only natural.

Yes, naturally. Like the sun shines and the wind blows, Odigos was simply there, treated as if he were a mere natural phenomenon.

But the reality was otherwise. Now that he had disappeared, lamenting for his return was already too late…

(Demons waiting for the return of their children or relatives reportedly numbered in the dozens to hundreds…)

The Demon Lord gripped the spear infused with the power of the Cannibal Demon tightly.

—Many demons had entered the Demon World without knowing that Odigos was missing.

Those who revisited the Demon World to search for familiars often returned doubtful of Odigos’s absence.

Yet, the most tragic were the youngsters entering the Demon World for the first time.

So far, the rate of non-return was an astonishing 90%.

Only a handful had made it back, and those were merely the ones who had contracted with small fries or obviously “bad luck” demons…

They probably feared being laughed at for not finding suitable demons, or even famous guides, in the Demon World they entered for the first time—and despite their anxiety, they ventured further into the depths of the Demon World away from the Dark Portal…

The Demon Lord, once a child himself, understood that feeling all too well. If it were him, he would stubbornly search for a demon. Just how dangerous a Demon World without [Guidance] could be—no one, not even the Demon Lord or Izvorii, could imagine.

(Although, according to the pact with the Cannibal Demon, demons are supposed to assist the demon race…)

Yet, it was not necessarily the case. Some find joy in breaking the rules, or perhaps gain power from such actions.

If a demon encountered such a malicious demon, it would mean the end. Even when Odigos had been there, incidents like that occurred only rarely!

(And, even if they didn’t run into dangerous demons…!)

If a mortal becomes lost in the Demon World—how would they return?

Until now, Odigos had been present. Upon departure, [Guidance] led them to appropriate demons, and on the return, it was usually the contracted demon who escorted them back to the Dark Portal.

Alternatively, even if that wasn’t the case, when they lost sight of the way back, there had been instances of Odigos appearing out of the blue to accompany them back.

But now, that had crumbled.

Odigos was gone.

“Ugh…”

The Demon Lord’s hand tightened around the spear.

In the city of Kosmorodge, where the Dark Portal is located among demons and demon kin, there are still those waiting for their non-returned loved ones. Trusting in their family’s safety—

…What’s even more hopeless is that—

There exists a “precedent” of a demon who went missing for half a year only to return after forming a contract with an extremely powerful demon.

(Zilbagias…)

None other than the youngest son of the Demon Lord. The banished child, rampaging in the allied zone. A sinner who had been exiled in the incident with the Kaizaan Empire yet gained a great reputation. While some are still skeptical—

Given Zilbagias’s exploit, the notion of “still not returned” is not necessarily an ominous sign.

Because there has been precedent of becoming an extraordinary being through such a situation.

(I hope… he returns safely…)

While he worried about Zilbagias, who apparently suffered poison after rampaging,

Now, he also worried about the demon children and youths who have gone missing in the Demon World.

If they had ended up somewhere far in the Demon World like Zilbagias and it would just take an unreasonable amount of time to return, that would be fine…

When it was Zilbagias… Odigos had been there…

“…”

But that was that.

The Demon Lord—i.e., the “ruler”—couldn’t just concern himself with the “only” few dozen missing individuals.

Due to Odigos’s absence, forming contracts with compatible demons had become extremely difficult.

This was the biggest problem. The Demon Lord felt he understood the seriousness of the situation, yet still felt as though he were dreaming.

It was that terrifying.

For now, it was fine. The Demon Lord was active, and countless powerful demon warriors of ducal and marquis rank existed.

However, a hundred years from now, two hundred years from now—

If Odigos were not to return, the demon race might not be able to maintain its current level of strength. The thought sent a chill down his spine.

The Demon Lord possesses a spear infused with the power of a demon god, so the next generation would inherit it and maintain the same level of power…

But if the lesser demons were to become completely weakened…

How would the allied forces react? How would the dragon race, night elves, and undead who are under the dominion of the demon race respond?

“Um… Father…”

As the Demon Lord was lost in thought, a voice called from the side.

“Hmm?”

Startled back to reality, he saw his daughter—Spinethia—fidgeting about.

“Sorry to interrupt while you’re deep in thought…”

“No, it’s fine. What’s wrong?”

“…Today is the Moon Day, Father.”

Hesitantly, Spinethia brought up the topic.

—I couldn’t bear to just watch.

After finishing the renewal of the barrier alongside the other Sauroe warriors, Spinethia had intended to leave this place quickly.

However, seeing her father staring sternly at the horizon, she felt it would be wrong to leave him alone.

His back was as proud as always. Yet, somewhere—he seemed to be carrying something far too cold on his own.

Spinethia had also heard about the Dark Portal incident. She could guess what her father was likely worried about.

But that was precisely why…

It was because of this moment…

Don’t you think a change of pace is necessary?

And conveniently, today was the beginning of the week, “Moon Day.”

“I see…”

The Demon Lord seemed to have come to a realization.

“A dinner gathering, huh?”

Since the death of Emelgias and the banishment of Zilbagias, the Demon Lord had stopped attending.

With Diagias going off to the autonomous district and Aiogias and Rubyphia no longer coming, it naturally faded away—

The Demon Lord family’s place of respite.

…Though, a lone warrior continued to attend for the sake of gourmet food.

“I’ve been attending by myself every week…”

With a face that suggested self-reflection, Spinethia continued.

“If it’s okay…Would you like to join me for a late-night meal afterward, Father…? I heard from Aiobro that some good fish came in today…”

Spinethia, timidly and with hesitance—

Her invitation didn’t really feel particularly exciting, but still…

Given the influence of her power of Gluttony, the daughter who usually only focused on eating was—now showing concern for him.

That intent certainly reached the Demon Lord.

…A warm feeling spread gently within his heart.

“Indeed.”

The Demon Lord—Goldgias relaxed his shoulders lightly.

“Perhaps I should show my face after a long time.”

As Goldgias smiled, Spinethia’s eyes widened slightly, and then she joyfully smiled like blooming flowers—

CRACK!

“Ah!”

In that instant, the abdomen of Spinethia’s bondéji, the zipper regulating her appetite, burst open, followed by a monstrous growl like the end of the world erupting from her stomach.

“…”

The Demon Lord blinked in surprise.

“Ah…! Father! I’m just gonna head out first! I can’t hold back any longer thinking about what to have for late-night snacks! I’m sorry!!”

Without waiting for the Demon Lord’s response, Spinethia—or rather, the food fighter—disappeared into the palace at full speed.

“…Heh.”

Goldgias, the Demon Lord, chuckled briefly.

While envisioning the luxurious late-night meal he would have after a long time, he slowly followed after her.

 

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