ALL NOVEL Chapter 28
Chapter 28: Fateful Reunion
“Thus, Zilbagias, you have been granted the rank of Knight Apprentice.”
“Congratulations!”
As Garunya clapped, the other servants fell silent, abruptly stopping their applause.
Well, a Knight Apprentice is the lowest rank you receive automatically when you grow horns. Not much to celebrate there.
Garunya looked incredibly awkward, but I couldn’t afford to be considerate and could only offer a stiff smile in return.
A few days had passed since the duel with the soldiers.
Finally, my entry into the palace had been decided.
The day had come for me to reunite with that Demon Lord.
“His Majesty meals with the heirs on the first ‘Moon Day’ of every week.”
Climbing the stairs leading to the top of the Demon Lord’s Castle, Platiphia explained.
So, once a week, my father and the half-brothers, the demon princes, gather together.
The demon princes—practical successors with a high probability of ending up in a deadly struggle with me in the future. I’ve heard their names and backgrounds from Sophia, but this would be my first time seeing their faces.
In preparation for this gathering, I dressed more formally than usual.
That is to say, I had added more fur and tusk decorations. I might even look more barbaric…
The stairs leading to the palace were lined with royal guards, creating an imposing atmosphere.
The Demon Lord was probably stronger than all the guards combined, but such displays are about showing power, after all. Plus, our shock assault team had already been significantly worn out—if the royal guards hadn’t been there, would we have been able to fight better? Maybe not…
I walked, my mind racing with these trivial thoughts due to the tension.
Yes, I was tense. Not out of fear, I think. More like an unnameable pressure, or perhaps an ominous feeling… my body felt stiff.
‘After all, it’s the one who killed you once.’
Antendeixis chuckled softly.
‘It’s no wonder your body is tense.’
I’m not afraid, no way.
At the top of the stairs, an expansive space awaited, and there stood perhaps the most lavish palace in the Demon Kingdom.
In a culture where gaudy decorations are deemed weak, encountering such dazzling architecture is rare.
It’s fundamentally made of marble, like the Demon Lord’s Castle, but intricately carved by the renowned dwarven craftsman. Reliefs depicted heroic demon armies—demons, night elves, dragons, beastmen, and numerous demon warriors trampling humans and forest elves.
In an effort to differentiate the night elves from the forest elves, the forest elves in the reliefs were adorned with floral crowns and branches, showcasing the artisans’ struggles, making me chuckle. Honestly, they’re practically the same aside from eye and skin color.
Each wall was embedded with traditional patterns from various tribes, lavish enough to verge on nouveau riche, yet thanks to the craftsmen and architects’ skill, everything harmonized beautifully, radiating a refined grandiosity.
But it wasn’t just opulence. Various spear decorations hung everywhere, and the single black flag, the emblem of the Demon Kingdom, flapped dramatically, fostering an intense atmosphere.
And—above the entrance, stood a statue of a great man.
With a fierce expression, he glared down at visitors, in a proud stance, holding an obsidian spear.
“This is the statue of the first Demon Lord, Raougius.”
Ah, no need to be told—I recognized him at a glance.
This is the root of all evil…!!
With the demonic butler opening the door, I was invited into the palace.
Whoa… incredible. An array of artistic works from conquered nations decorated the space. Paintings, sculptures, pottery, even treasures encased in crystal.
Having visited many castles and palaces in my past life as a hero, I was accustomed to this, but those with no resistance would likely be overwhelmed.
I walked along the red carpet corridor.
…Ah, I can feel it already.
That exceptionally powerful magical energy.
“Her Grace, Grand Duchess Platiphia, and Prince Zilbagias have arrived—”
The doors to the throne room swung open.
Memories of the fierce battle that day, the searing flames and pain, rushed back like a gale.
But it was only a moment. In the blink of an eye, the throne room stood pristine, free of any wounds or bloodstains.
And there awaited the Demon Lord.
A muscular build. Two menacingly curved horns. Unusually for a demon, lion-like blonde hair and blood-red eyes.
The second Demon Lord, Goldgias.
He sat arrogantly on an uncomfortably crafted obsidian throne, wielding a pitch-black spear that looked like condensed darkness.
Having become a demon and grown horns, I could now fully comprehend the abnormality of his magical power. I had likened Platiphia to a rock and Sophia to a small tornado, but this… what is this?
A massive whirlpool.
No—it’s more akin to a Dark Portal.
It has become an entire phenomenon.
‘I see.’
Antendeixis murmured.
‘This is something grand.’
…I straightened my back. At least I wasn’t alone. Antendeixis chuckled softly.
“It has been a while, Zilbagias.”
The Demon Lord Goldgias locked eyes with me. “For a fragile human, you did well.” “Hmm, for a child, you have quite the fierce look”—just like that time.
“It’s been a while, Father… Thanks to you, I’ve grown horns.”
Truly been a long time, Demon Lord.
I’m glad to see you doing well…!!
“Your Majesty!” A woman’s voice.
That’s when I noticed. Flanking the throne room were women dressed in glamorous dresses.
One of them had blue hair styled majestically; I recognized her.
“What is it, Raz?”
The demon lord lazily shifted his gaze. Razriel—mother of the first demon prince, who had seen me off at the dragon arrival platform when I entered the Demon World.
“The Orgi Clan and Reiju Tribe have marital ties other than between you, Your Majesty, and Platiphia.”
She glared at me with a sticky voice.
“Just because they can use the two bloodline magic powers doesn’t mean they are the rightful heirs.”
I heard something grind nearby. Platiphia, still maintaining a composed face, was gritting her teeth.
“…Zilbagias. [Introduce yourself].”
With a small sigh, the Demon Lord looked at me again.
“—[My name is Zilbagias].”
As I drew out the obsidian knife from my belt from that time, I proclaimed.
“—[I am Zilbagias, child of Father Goldgias and Mother Platiphia].”
“So, that’s that. Raz.”
“However, Your Majesty—”
“[Name] magic doesn’t activate with a false name.”
Rising slowly from the throne, the Demon Lord laughed.
“And there is no other demon by the name Zilbagias. This conversation ends here.”
“…Yes. I apologize for overstepping.”
Razriel bowed her head.
“Once more, welcome, Zilbagias. I am glad to have you here.”
The Demon Lord beckoned me to follow, then turned his gaze to Platiphia.
“—You’ve done well too, Platiphia.”
In surprisingly gentle tones.—Wait, he really calls her by her nickname! Razriel called her Raz too! I couldn’t help but double-take at my mother.
“No, Your Majesty. I have long awaited this day. It fills me with joy…”
Platiphia answered with a dreamy look, reminiscent of a lovesick maiden… I looked away. It was incredibly awkward and, honestly, something I didn’t want to see.
“Now, Zilbagias. Enjoy your meal with your father.”
Switching back to her motherly face, Platiphia smiled sweetly at me.
Ugh. What a sinister smile.
“Yes, Mother.”
Well, I’m sure I had a similar expression in response.
Leaving the mothers behind, the Demon Lord and I exited the throne room.
“What’s wrong? Are you anxious without your mother?”
The Demon Lord teased as I glanced back, wary.
What a weird distance. Somewhere between familiarity and aloofness…
“No, I’m just curious about what kind of exchanges will take place in that space left behind for the mothers.”
I hesitated but decided to act ordinarily.
“Hmph. That space… even I wish to avoid approaching it. Best to leave quickly.”
The Demon Lord grinned. Damn. I couldn’t gauge this distance and could only offer a strained smile in return.
We were led deeper into the palace, into a private sector. This area, unlike the decor-laden entrance to the throne room, was much simpler and calmer.
“—This is a story I tell all my children on the first day they are invited to the palace.”
Suddenly, the Demon Lord began to speak.
“I was the second son of the previous Demon Lord.”
…Oh.
“My eldest brother, to put it plainly, was no good man. He was spoiled by being the first son of the Demon Lord and lived a life of decadence, thinking somehow the throne would fall into his lap. His nature was completely rotten. —So he was killed by me.”
He spat it out dismissively.
“He hadn’t trained properly, and in combat, he couldn’t last even two exchanges. The same went for my sister. She only cared to adorn herself with jewels while being fervently obsessed with the throne. She too couldn’t last two exchanges.”
Turning around slowly.
His strong gaze pierced me.
“The rank of Demon Lord cannot be filled by the weak, Zilbagias.”
In a solemn voice, the Demon Lord declared.
“I do not encourage sibling disputes. Originally, fighting among family is the epitome of foolishness. However, should you find your brother or sister lacking, unfitting for the Demon Lord’s role, hesitate not.”
“—Yes, Father.”
I nodded.
Rest assured. Even if my siblings were befitting of the Demon Lord—I wouldn’t hesitate.
“Well, that said, relax normally. That was a ‘just in case’ scenario; do you understand?”
He placed a hand on a large room’s door, smiling.
“Are you feeling tense, Zilbagias?”
Brothers and sisters lay beyond.
I shrugged and answered honestly.
“I’m more at ease compared to reuniting with you, Father.”
“You jest.”
A light tap on my head. The door opened.
A round table awaited.
The Demon Lord’s seat was unmistakable. A magnificent black chair, resembling a throne but far more comfortable, stood prominently.
And around the table, demons sat casually, each comfortable in their manner.
“Oh, you finally made it. I’ve been waiting forever.”
Right next to the Demon Lord’s seat, a blue-haired, handsome young man smiled at me. He was the kind of dashing lad you’d associate with ‘flamboyant.’ Built like a well-trained warrior, he was rather stout. There was an indistinguishable resemblance to Razriel—obviously clear due to the hair color.
—This one’s the first demon prince. “Icy Abyss” Aiogias.
“Hmph. You’ve got a cheeky face, don’t you?”
Opposite Aiogias, also next to the Demon Lord, was a fierce-looking beauty with fiery red hair, leaning her cheek on the round table. With a predatory gaze akin to a carnivore, she thoroughly scrutinized me from head to toe, like selecting prey.
—The second demon prince. “Volcanic Flare” Rubyphia.
“…Tch, I wish you were a girl.”
Next to Rubyphia, a young man with platinum blonde hair and a sweet face glanced at me and averted his gaze, apparently losing interest. He looked too delicate to be a demon, resembling more of a charming playboy actor, yet the swirl of immense magical power around him told otherwise.
—The third demon prince. “Passionate Lover” Diagias. Or rather, “Sexual Maniac” Diagias.
And there was an empty seat. Wait, where’s the fourth demon prince?
“…Geez, Munch Munch, hurry up already, Munch Munch, I’m starving here!”
As if making up for the lack of the fourth, someone had already started eating. A girl with reddish-purple hair stuffed her face full of fruits and hams piled on the round table. While she was an adorable beauty, the food remnants around her mouth ruined the effect.
—The fifth demon prince. “Glutton” Spinethia.
“…Grrr.”
And across from her lay a girl completely lethargic, slumped against her chair, sound asleep. With brown hair, she appeared somewhat plain among this group… Ignoring her audacity to sleep right there, she looked about the same age as me.
—The sixth demon prince. “Sleeping Beauty” Topazia.
“—Ugh, sorry, sorry, I was out.”
And then a gruff young man’s voice came from behind. The last one? I turned around—
And got hit by a shock like a punch to the face.
Darkness, flames, smoke. Memories of nightmares erupted like a flood.
Standing there was—a green-haired demon man. His face wore an air of arrogance. His eyes radiated a slick cunningness and malice, quite rare among demons, as he raked his tousled hair with an inquisitive gaze, looking down at me.
“What’s up? This is the little brother, huh?”
—That voice!
—That hair!!
I remember!!! Amidst my moth-eaten memories, your face was the only one illuminated by the flames of my burning village!!!!
You—the demon who burned down my hometown and killed my father—
“Have you introduced yourself yet? I’m Emelgias. Remember it well.”
—The fourth demon prince. “Envious” Emelgias.