— — — — — —
On the dark, desolate ground, a vast palace complex of gleaming white marble rose into the sky.
From a low hill about a kilometer away, Grayfia and the Old Satan faction stood frozen, staring at the structure in the distance.
"I don't understand… When we picked this position, we confirmed the area was nothing but wasteland," one devil said, still in disbelief.
"A palace like that… it has to cover more than ten square kilometers, right? How does something like that just appear overnight?" Another's voice trembled with fear.
"Could it be those traitors? I heard Ajuka of the Astaroth house has talent in spellcraft beyond the limits of devils…"
If someone could teleport a palace of that scale… could they also move something even more terrifying? A war fortress, for example?
Another devil immediately shook his head. "Impossible. I've fought Ajuka before. He excels at constructing spell formulas. And yes, he's skilled in spatial magic, but not to this extent. That thing covers over ten square kilometers!"
"Can you imagine a devil transporting a castle that size from the other side of the world to here? That's beyond our kind."
"If it's not a devil, then… a god?"
A bitter laugh interrupted them. "Even a god probably couldn't manage that…"
"What? That's impossible!"
"If it's neither devils nor gods… could it be one of the Top Ten?"
A few of them recalled the widely accepted ranking of the Top 10 Strongest Beings.
"Even among the Top Ten, not all could do this. People say their rankings aren't ordered, but that's just talk. Like how Shiva, ranked second as the God of Destruction, can easily beat Indra in fifth place… but even Shiva wouldn't dare provoke the one ranked first. That Dragon God of Infinity is a monster."
"Yeah, the difference between them is like different dimensions."
"And to move a palace this large… I'd say it would take at least a Top Five-level monster."
"Then why would someone like that appear here? Right on the frontline between us and the reformists?"
"How should I know…"
At that moment, a female devil stepped forward and bowed slightly to Grayfia. "Lady Grayfia… is it really okay to let everyone keep talking like this?"
She hesitated before continuing. "If this goes on, it might cause panic…"
Grayfia frowned slightly, her tone uncertain, "…Do you hear something?"
"Something?" The female devil blinked in confusion, then focused and listened carefully. After a moment, she lowered her head. "My apologies, Lady Grayfia. I don't hear anything."
"…I see."
Grayfia's frown deepened as she stared at the palace, unease flickering in her eyes.
After a brief silence, she raised her hand and issued an order.
"Send three squads to scout ahead. Have them open the palace gates. One squad every five minutes."
With that command, the devils finally steadied themselves.
Under curses and threats, three squads of low-ranking expendable soldiers were shoved forward like livestock, driven toward the palace.
Grayfia watched, her brow tightening, but said nothing.
From a commander's standpoint, sacrificing disposable troops was far preferable to losing powerful nobles. It was a necessary choice.
Driven by fear of death, the soldiers stumbled their way to the palace gates. Under the aim of magic projectiles from the nobles behind them, they reached out with filthy hands and pushed.
Creak…
The massive gates, carved with countless serpent motifs, slowly swung open.
Moments later, the soldiers were forced inside the palace's grand and luxurious entrance hall.
Murmurs began to spread among the devils.
"They got in safely… doesn't seem dangerous?"
"No magic traps, no alchemical explosives, no spells like Ajuka uses. There's not even any detectable divine or demonic power.... Still, I strongly advise against entering. The unknown is the most dangerous thing there is."
"But a palace this big is sitting right between us and the reformists. Who knows what its owner intends? If it targets them, fine. But what if it targets us? Can you take responsibility for that?"
"Responsibility? What kind of nonsense is that? Since when do devils care about that? You've been learning from humans too much, you traitor!"
"Watch it! Are you picking a fight with House Bael?!"
"Bael? You're just a bastard. So what if I am?"
Arguments quickly escalated into violence. Magic blasts flew as devils clashed.
Grayfia remained silent, her frown unchanged.
For devils, fighting among themselves was nothing unusual. As long as it didn't disrupt the bigger picture or result in casualties, it was tacitly allowed.
After a while, Grayfia let out a quiet sigh, "…We're retreating. Pull the frontline back ten kilometers."
"Lady Grayfia?! That's unacceptable!"
The devils immediately stopped fighting. Though relief flashed across their faces, they forced themselves to look concerned.
"If Lord Rizevim and the others hold us accountable, then we…"
Grayfia turned to them, her voice cold. "I will take responsibility."
"This isn't the time to take risks. Let the reformists deal with that palace instead."
"Yes, ma'am!"
As if granted a pardon, the devils quickly reorganized their formation. The rear became the front, and the front became the rear as they began an orderly retreat.
Beside Grayfia, the female devil spoke quietly.
"Lady Grayfia… is this really the right choice? If Lord Rizevim finds out…"
Fear lingered in her eyes.
If that mad son of the original Lucifer and Lilith found out Grayfia had withdrawn the frontline by ten kilometers without permission…
Grayfia was silent for a moment before answering. "I have a bad feeling about that palace. There's something… terrifying inside."
"Either way, we retreat first. With monsters like Sirzechs and Ajuka on the reformist side, we can't afford to lose any more purebloods."
"…Understood."
The female devil lowered her head, a trace of sadness in her gaze.
Grayfia had chosen to preserve their forces. But who would protect her afterward?
The Leaders of the Satan Faction wouldn't care about the bigger picture.
...
The army withdrew in an orderly fashion.
Watching the palace remain still, Grayfia finally let out a breath of relief and turned to leave.
Then—
Dong—!
A deep, resonant bell rang out.
Her vision blurred.
When it cleared, she found herself standing inside a resplendent golden hall.
Behind her, rows of figures knelt on the ground.
Their eyes were empty, mouths hanging open as drool dripped down their chins.
They were the same devils who had stood behind her moments ago.
A chill shot up Grayfia's spine and into her skull.
When did this happen?
What is this?
Why were all the devils like this?
What is going on?!
Just as shock threatened to overwhelm her, a calm, indifferent voice echoed from above. "Good. You're the best among these insects."
Grayfia's pupils shrank as she snapped her head upward.
Seated high upon a jade throne was a woman.
Her eyes were closed. And her face was impossibly beautiful.
.
.
.