One month later.
The royal palace, the night before the coronation ceremony.
Sitting in his chair, Jem turned curiously to Shar beside him and asked, "Have you found anything from studying that thing?"
Ever since they had killed Karla a month ago, Jem Woz and Saffi, representing their respective factions, had divided the corpse between them.
Saffi had assumed Jem Woz was interested in the Demon's power and had repeatedly warned him not to be tempted by it, fearing he might be corrupted by the Demonic Power.
History was full of such cases—heroes who, after vanquishing evil, became enthralled by its power and turned into new evils themselves.
Jem Woz could only helplessly explain that he intended to use the Demon's remains as magical materials, not to research Demonic Power.
Whether Saffi believed him or not, he certainly believed it himself.
Then, he promptly handed over his half of Karla's corpse to Shar for research.
Now, facing Jem's question, Shar smiled and replied, "After a month of study, I've found that the Demon's physiology is completely different from any creature in this world. They resemble energy-based beings more than flesh-and-blood organisms. Every drop of their blood has a strong corrosive effect—any creature that comes into contact with it risks contamination, ranging from injury to outright Demonization or death."
When Shar stopped there, Jem thought he was being deliberately mysterious and pressed, "Uh… and then?"
Still wearing an awkward yet polite smile, Shar shook his head. "And then… nothing. That's all I've figured out so far."
Jem was stunned. "That's all you've accomplished in a month?!"
He had already suspected they might not uncover much, but Shar's results were disappointingly meager.
Everything Shar had mentioned was already recorded in history books—was there really a need to repeat it?
Seeing Jem's expression of betrayal, Shar could only sigh helplessly and confess the truth. "I'm just an Evil Sorcerer. If you ask me to research Spells, I can manage. But biological research? That's simply outside my expertise."
Jem was momentarily speechless before sighing. "...I suppose that makes sense. In that case, let's just turn the corpse into magical artifacts. Better than letting you waste it."
Shar quickly shook his head. "No need for that yet. I've already contacted a scholar who specializes in studying supernatural creatures. He might be able to uncover something."
Jem's eyes lit up with interest. "Is this person reliable?"
"His abilities are exceptional, but his personality is extremely reclusive—the type who lives solely for research. The only reason I have any connection with him is due to some old history. Honestly, I was surprised he agreed to help. So, there shouldn't be any issues."
Jem nodded in satisfaction. If Shar described him as highly capable, the scholar must have some remarkable skills worth acknowledging.
"Very well," Jem said. "Let's proceed as you suggest."
Looking at Jem, who had already made his decision, Shar said nonchalantly, "Fine. But I think Olthagia doesn't seem to care about these matters at all. He's never paid any attention to our actions—not even when a Demon descended upon the capital. He showed no concern whatsoever. Last time I met him, I deliberately mentioned that we had exterminated a Demon to test his reaction, but he didn't even change his expression."
"I can't understand his indifference either. Everyone has their own desires, no matter who they are."
Rubbing his chin, Jem frowned in confusion. "I've never been able to discern what Olthagia truly seeks. Though he craves souls and has the power to plunder freely, he remains strangely restrained. What is it that holds him back? I believe once we uncover that reason, it will be our chance to break free from his control..."
"Perhaps."
On the matter of escaping Olthagia's control, he and Jem were in complete agreement.
Even now, as he tried to turn over a new leaf, his past pride refused to let him remain under someone else's thumb.
Shaking his head to clear away the chaotic thoughts, he picked up a wine glass from the table and raised it with a smile. "Anyway, tomorrow is your coronation. Let me toast you in advance."
"Thank you!"
Jem lifted his own glass in return.
Under the gaze of countless onlookers.
Leading a procession of soldiers clad in resplendent armor.
He walked down the street, lined with citizens waving flowers and flags, until he stood before the palace gates.
Facing the statue of his ancestors towering before him, Jem.Woz knelt solemnly on one knee and closed his eyes.
"I, Jem.Woz, shall inherit the glory of the Woz family. In accordance with ancient tradition, I will lead this nation and protect its people!"
"No hardship shall make me bow. I will carry this legacy forward, ensuring the banner of Maddon forever stands upon this land!"
"May the world watch over us!"
As his oath echoed.
Two young children—a boy and a girl, dressed in ornate attire—approached him, one bearing a crown and the other a scepter.
They placed the crown upon Jem.Woz's head and handed the scepter to his side.
At that moment, Jem.Woz opened his eyes.
Rising to his feet, he turned to face the citizens holding their breath as they watched him.
With solemn dignity, he raised the scepter high. "I, Jem.Woz, your king, shall inherit all the glories of the past and lead the Maddon Duchy to its zenith!"
Cheers erupted instantly, and countless flowers and fireworks rained down from the sky.
From their jubilation, Jem.Woz truly felt the weight of their expectations settling upon his shoulders.
And in that moment, something within him shifted...
Over a year later.
The sun hung at its zenith in the sky.
Since Jem's ascension, the Maddon Duchy had flourished, its capital more prosperous than ever—much like the celestial body now at its peak.
Seated in the study, Olthagia calmly accepted a cup of tea from Trina. He inhaled its delicate fragrance, then praised as he always did, "Your tea skills are excellent."
Looking at the person before him, whose expression remained as composed and smiling as ever, yet whose heartbeat had involuntarily quickened, Olthagia smiled faintly, took a sip of tea, and remarked while holding the cup, "Still the same familiar taste."
Trina forced a smile and replied, "...I hope you like it."
With an indifferent chuckle, Olthagia reached out a hand and gently touched her cheek, feeling the slight tremble in her body.
For the first time in his life, a trace of regret flickered between his brows. "What a pity. I truly do like you—perhaps not love, but you are indeed the one I've favored the most up until now. It made me genuinely wish to keep you by my side."
"Maybe this is just the innate desire of living beings for companionship..."
"Even though I'm a Demon, I shouldn't have felt this way..."
Taking a soft breath, Trina shed her artificial smile and met Olthagia's gaze directly. "Why did you choose to tell me the truth back then? You could have lied to me. If you had kept deceiving me, perhaps I would have remained fooled forever?"
Hearing this question, Olthagia thought for a moment before smiling. "Though I am a Demon, I don't particularly enjoy lying—especially to those who matter to me. That's why I chose to tell you the truth outright."
After listening to his words, Trina's face bloomed with a smile unlike any before.
She leaned in and lightly kissed the corner of his lips. "My lord, thank you for your affection."
Feeling the fleeting warmth, Olthagia paused briefly before smiling and saying, "Goodbye, Trina."
In the next instant, a faint crimson glow flashed, and Trina's heartbeat ceased entirely. With a smile still on her face, she collapsed toward Olthagia.
Yet before her body could reach him, it dissolved into countless imperceptible particles, vanishing completely from this world.
Slowly retracting the hand that had just been caressing Trina's cheek, Olthagia sat in his chair, his smile now entirely gone. Holding the teacup in both hands, his expression turned slightly vacant.
He was a Demon—he should have been accustomed to betrayal.
If he couldn't bear to part with her, why not just let her stay? Why had he struck her down?
Was it because she mattered too much, making her betrayal unforgivable?
He couldn't understand his own thoughts.
Not long after, hurried footsteps echoed from outside the door. Jem.Woz, clad in armor, led a group of people as they pushed the door open and entered.
Jem.Woz, Duke, Shar, Saffi, and several others whose names he didn't know but whose strength was formidable.
Beyond them, thousands of fully armed individuals equipped with Exorcism items stood at the entrance, having completely surrounded the room.
Seeing Olthagia, who showed no reaction and didn't even glance their way, Jem.Woz's face briefly flickered with surprise before he solemnly declared, "Demon, today is the day you die!"
Hearing his words, Olthagia finally turned his gaze leisurely toward Jem.
His face was devoid of any expression, only a faint coldness.
To him, the betrayal of Jem and the others had been anticipated from the very beginning.
Whether they wanted to or not!
Under the influence of the world's consciousness, these natives would subconsciously reject Olthagia.
Like puppets on strings.
In Olthagia's mind, their betrayal signified that the world's tolerance of him had reached its limit, and it was time to seize an opportunity to profit before leaving.
They were like disposable alarms, expendable from the start, so Olthagia had never cared about their thoughts.
Trina, however, was entirely different—she was far more important.
Olthagia's power constantly shielded her.
It repelled the world's influence over her actions.
Thus, everything she did was truly her own will.
Raising his teacup and draining it in one gulp, Olthagia calmly said to Jem Woz, "You needn't worry about Trina failing her task. I did drink the medicine. After all, this was the last cup of tea she brewed for me—I couldn't let it go to waste."
Watching him set the cup down with eerie composure, Jem, as always, couldn't fathom Olthagia's thoughts. But he knew there was no turning back now. Without hesitation, he barked the order: "Attack!"
Instantly, a barrage of arrows coated in Holy Medicine shot through the window, while soldiers drew their weapons and charged toward Olthagia, still seated in his chair.
With a casual flick of his finger, Olthagia deflected the nearest arrow, sending it careening into the others, triggering a chain of collisions.
After a series of clattering impacts, every arrow lay scattered around him—not a single one had struck its mark.
The soldiers, swords raised mid-charge, gaped in shock, their steps involuntarily slowing.
When Olthagia rose from his seat, they instinctively retreated a step.
Ignoring Jem's grim expression, Olthagia reached out, and a soldier was yanked from the crowd into his grasp.
Holding the man by the throat, he said to Jem Woz, "A thought occurs to me. If death is inevitable, shouldn't it at least be beautiful?"
In the next instant, the soldier exploded into a mist of blood, leaving only a single vivid crimson flower in Olthagia's palm.
The blossom had seven layers, each with six delicate petals tightly clustered, resembling a cross between a rose and a camellia—yet more slender. A perpetual haze of blood-red mist swirled around the petals, lending an ethereal allure.
Olthagia admired the flower with satisfaction before asking Jem Woz, "Don't you think it's exquisite? Perhaps we should call it the Doom Blossom?"
Before Jem could respond, Saffi, his face twisted in horror, couldn't hold back his condemnation: "Demon! How dare you mock us like this? Today, we will end you!"
Olthagia's scarlet eyes flicked toward him, dismissing the outburst with a smile as he gently tossed the flower aside. "I look forward to seeing you try. After all, my mood isn't the best right now."
After speaking, Olthagia's appearance began to change. Curved horns grew from his head, wings extended from his back, scales and exoskeleton emerged continuously, and his height increased from about 1.8 meters to 3.7 meters.
With a slight flap of his wings, a fierce gale surged!
The walls and roof of the house, along with numerous soldiers, were completely blown away.
Unconcerned by the chaos, Olthagia looked somewhat dissatisfied at the [Runic Armor - Scarlet] on his body, suddenly finding its patterns unappealing.
As he willed it, the runes began to transform, reshaping into the likeness of Doom Blossoms engraved upon his exoskeleton.
He smiled and said, "Much better now."
The next moment, a towering crimson pillar of fire erupted from him, piercing the sky before dispersing hundreds of meters above like a massive unfurled umbrella, obscuring the sun and enveloping the entire capital's sky.
Countless meteors, like fiery rain, began to fall.
As if the apocalypse had descended, despair was brought upon all.
Facing this scene, Jem.Woz, who had just stood up from the ground, stared blankly as if his soul had left him.
In the end, with a frenzied expression, he brandished his weapon and charged into the towering pillar of fire...