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Chapter 245

Invictus, the royal castle of Mundus Carnus, was built during the Great Magic Epoch. Due to the divine miracles performed during that age, it barely mattered how much damage the castle suffered. It could be completely restored within a night as long as those miracles were not erased.

The sudden battle due to Lenia’s ambush left the entire courtyard facing Yaheim’s bedroom in a state of embarrassing disrepair. Thankfully, the hard work of the castle servants ensured that it would be restored by the time the sun came up.

The battle shook not only Invictus Castle but also the whole of Goetia. In the aftermath of the fight, everyone else in addition to the nocturnal races was awake. The capital of the Demon Lord’s army was more bustling than ever, though seeds of anxiety had taken root in everyone’s hearts to varying degrees.

The six great generals who were away from the capital were gripped by the same anxiety once they received the urgent report that Lord Yaheim had been attacked.

Yaheim had returned safely from having a spire slammed into him and was sitting in one of the castle’s several meeting rooms, away from his shambled bedroom. It went without saying that the security of the perimeter had been strengthened by multiple layers, and all the guards were on their highest alert.

The guards who had regained consciousness surrounded the meeting room in ten to twenty rows of formations, along with the most elite members of the Imperial Defense Unit. Countless golems, homunculi, and magical creatures were also mobilized wherever possible.

On the other hand, Yaheim was merely watching his retainers running around in a panic. Their faces were pale, a stark contrast to his calm composure. He recalled Lenia’s assurances that he would not have to worry about another attack tonight.

Even so, Yaheim was clad in his military armor, Venaria. His sword, Galandain was still in its scabbard by his side. Outwardly, he seemed to be equally alert as those around him.

Yaheim was a monarch who could read the room.

Nevertheless, if these retainers failed to relax because Yaheim did not lower his guard, he should clearly disarm himself. He was just certain that they would remain equally flustered even if he was less uptight. Rather, Yaheim was focused on finding the right words to convince his subjects that Lenia’s promise of not striking again could be trusted.

The notion that a vassal could not rest when their sovereign was at work was shared by the demon clan. Hence, the temperament and loyalty of these earnest vassals were also a frequent matter of consideration.

Yaheim maintained a composed expression and demeanor, even as he thought that it would be a terrible idea for his subjects to greet the new day without a wink of sleep. Although demon bodies were more robust than those of humans, Yaheim knew that sleep was essential for maintaining a sound mind and body.

Before Yaheim could call out to his subjects, the six demon generals and the other executives who had received word of the emergency due to the ambush on the Demon Lord assembled. With that, Yaheim lost his chance to speak.

In the meeting room built of glistening stones akin to obsidian, there was a long oval table at which Mazfelo was seated after she had regained consciousness. The other five demon generals made their appearance remotely through communication devices, and projections of them occupied the remaining five seats.

Zarhamera was to the left of Yaheim. This young demon was Yaheim’s wise friend and the prime minister of the Demon Lord’s army and Mundus Carnus. He was the pillar of authority in the army’s political affairs.

Dressed in civilian clothes weaved from fine black fabric and adorned with ornate decorations, Zarhamera took a glance around at the participants of the meeting. His light green skin was tinged red with anger Through his spectacles, one could see his crimson eyes blazing with equal fury.

Mazfelo was depressed by her failure to fulfill her role as an escort. Presently, she was ready to have her heart ripped out and die as an apology if she were ordered to do so by Yaheim.

Traulu, the chief of giant trolls, had a long, white beard. This chief of trolls possessed primitive powerful magic that had put the world into motion and shapeshifting abilities.

Vengitta was a tsukumogami [1] created by an ancient puppeteer and imbued with a soul. The army of puppets that Vengitta manipulated like their own limbs included puppets clones of Vengitta.

Zandarza was a red-faced, three-headed, six-horned demon from a bloodline that once was hostile to Yaheim. They had only been allowed to live due to their subordination to Yaheim. Now, any signs of opposition would immediately risk their heads getting lobbed off their necks.

Quince, a blue spider the size of the tip of a pinky finger, was the chief of demon insects. These insects had evolved by inhaling the miasma of the demon realm. Right now, they possessed great intelligence, as well as vicious combat abilities and characteristics. They, too, were followers of the war god Sacarabus.

Finally, there was Galilius, an immensely formidable and highly spiritual old goblin created by the evil gods themselves. This golbin was the third generation of ancient goblins and a being who could truly be called a divine sentinel.

These six individuals were the six generals of the Demon Lord’s army. They were part of the Demon Lord’s faithful troops and the greatest force that rivaled an army of ten thousand men alone.

Mazfelo was Yaheim’s escort; Vengitta and Zandarza were on the frontlines of the Western frontier; Traulu and Galilius were reinforcements at the frontlines; and Quince was conducting reconnaissance in the expansive religious state in the north. The emergency situation sparked by Lenia had forced them to gather in the room remotely.

Yaemi moved to change the subject when he noticed the glares of the other five generals at his personal guard, Mazfelo.

「Traulu, Vengita, Zandarza, Quince, Galilius, my apologies for bothering you tonight despite your hectic duties. A somewhat unsettling situation has arisen for me to make this call at a moment’s notice.」

Yaheim did not suffer a single injury, but his almost fully-armed appearance made one thing clear to the six demon generals. He had an enemy that required such defense. Though, it was a different question as to whether this was just for show.

The first to respond to the ever-composed Yaheim was Zandarza. Even now, this young man was still a friend, a foe, and a good rival for Yaheim. Although small in stature, Zandarza was packed with dense muscles and magic. Among all the demon clans, he had the combat abilities to make him one of the best-known martial artists around.

「We can’t afford to be distracted by the frontlines when our lord is in danger. Moreover, there have not been changes in the frontlines worth mentioning thus far.」

Zandarza’s red eyes seemed to be challenging Yaheim. If Yaheim had been wounded in the fight with the assailant, it was obvious that Zandarza would try to take advantage of the opportunity to claim Yaheim’s head.

「Oh, that’s good to hear. A real blessing in disguise. Besides, I’m not injured. Even now, I’d gladly fight with you for three days and three nights like we used to.」

「Is that so? An old bag of bones like me is relieved to hear that the young man who bears the future of the demon clan is in good health.」

「Well said. Well, what about the rest? It was an emergency, but the storm has already passed. If you have urgent tasks to attend to, you can go on with them once you’ve offered a brief report.」

[1. Tsukumogami are tools that have acquired a spirit in Japanese folklore.]