ALL NOVEL B2 | Intermission 3
The World Tree on Midgard
Year 820 | Month 5 | Day 9
“So it’s finally happened,” Nidhogg says after hearing about Wrath’s most recent teleportation incident.
The human king in front of him shows surprise at his words and asks with less composure than any other time he’s ever spoken to Nidhogg before, “Do you know where she is?!”
Nidhogg stares at the human for several seconds as the Sacred Beasts around them atop the World Tree narrow their eyes in irritation at his manners. But eventually Nidhogg answers, “Yes. I have sensed the opening of a path to the fallen Plane of Hell.”
All of the Sacred Beasts nearby instantly turn their attention to their ancestor, forgetting about the king’s etiquette infraction in moments. And even the king, Archibald de Luna, shows shock at the news, having clearly been told by his daughter about the fallen plane.
“This was bound to happen eventually,” Nidhogg states while in his serpentine dragon form slithering around the World Tree. “The Plane of Hell is built on the energy of Wrath itself, making Wrath the only Sin Energy to have its own Plane.”
The dragon’s gaze turns towards a nearby skeleton who is hiding from the Sacred Beasts in the World Tree’s leaves. The very man responsible for tearing down the plane and making it a fallen plane in the first place. An act that led to his current form.
After a few seconds, Nidhogg’s gaze turns back to Archibald again as he states, “Do not worry for Wrath. Entering the Plane of Hell was most likely her best option as of now. I’m sure she’s already reached Tier 4 and cleared her Wrath Transformation requirement there. It is a plane filled with Wrath energy after all.”
His words seem to have a profound effect on the human king who shows so much relief that he collapses to his knees on the ground. Seemingly uncaring of the Sacred Beasts and Nidhogg’s presences around him.
Interesting. It’s not often these royal families have members amongst them with bonds like these.
The dragon decides not to tell Archibald about the demons and the Demon King within the plane. Because that would only serve to worry the man and interfere with his work in protecting his kingdom.
Instead he says, “Once your daughter comes back, she will be far stronger than she was before. Now return to your kingdom.”
Archibald quickly regains his composure at those words before rising to his feet, bowing once, and immediately leaving the platform. Then Nidhogg climbs higher into the tree, dismissing the Sacred Beasts gathered there without a word.
There is one thing about the recent events that does bother Nidhogg though. And it leads to the dragon furrowing his brows as he slithers through the trees before eventually transforming into his regular dragon form.
She better not make a habit of being teleported places. This makes the third time at the very least.
The Demon King’s Castle
Year 820 | Month 5 | Day 9
Val-kon Relsas taps his throne as the high demon in front of him finishes his report, “-and the wings have still yet to be claimed.”
“Does anyone know of the identity of the archdemon that captured the angel?” the Demon King asks, barely moving his gaze from the sweating high demon to the other high demons and archdemons in the room. But no one says a word. No one even moves. “No one?”
The Demon King lowers his gaze in thought about this new development.
Why wouldn’t they claim the wings? Is this a slight to my honor? Or is it meant as a gift for me, giving me the wings?
One possibility after another runs through the Demon King’s mind as he sits in silence thinking, but his thoughts are eventually interrupted when another arch demon appears in the throne room. And when he looks at them, they’re already kneeling and asking, “Permission to speak, Your Majesty?”
Val-kon Relsas looks over the archdemon for a second, finding them to be the ruler of one of the outer territories of the plane of Hell. Closer to the borderlands where monsters roam. Then he says, “Permission granted.”
“News has arrived of an unrecognized archdemon roaming around my territory,” the archdemon declares, surprising everyone within the throne room. But his next words surprise them even further as he says, “Additionally, this archdemon has flesh all across their body and a beautiful appearance.”
The Demon King freezes at those words. Because they aren’t right. An archdemon shouldn’t have flesh on their heads.
“And you’re certain this is an archdemon?” Val-kon Relsas asks, once more tapping his claws on the throne’s armrest.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the archdemon declares while looking up at the Demon King, “there is no doubt, this demon has more Wrath energy than any other demon I have ever seen.”
Silence immediately fills the throne room at that declaration. Meanwhile the Demon King just stares at the arch demon.
“And does that include myself?” he eventually asks, breaking the silence.
The archdemon tenses a little bit before answering in a firm voice, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Whispers immediately break out amongst the gathered archdemons, with the high demons all being too terrified to say a word. But the Demon King just continues tapping his throne without showing any signs of anger in his posture.
“To be clear, Your Majesty, while she no doubt has more Wrath energy than you or anyone here possesses,” the archdemon continues speaking, regaining everyone’s attention. Both at his words and the fact that the new archdemon is a female. “The new archdemon didn’t feel powerful. She is merely Tier 4 in strength.”
The Demon King leans his head against his hand, his elbow on the armrest as he mutters, “How… odd. Please make contact with the archdemon and invite her to the castle.” Silence fills the throne room for several seconds. “I would like to meet her.”