The conversation with Ozges came about in a completely unexpected way.

He visited the 8th Division headquarters first.

“It’s been a while.”

Reidrun calmly greeted the large demon who suddenly visited.

5th Corps Commander Ozges.

Though he had a bull’s head like Reidrun, their atmospheres were completely different.

Black skin covered in scars all over his body.

His build was so enormous that Reidrun, sitting across from him, looked small in comparison.

Ozges sat down and looked at Reidrun.

“Yes. I believe this is our first meeting since the last clan meeting.”

“Yes.”

Before being a Corps Commander, Ozges was the head of the Cowden clan that Reidrun belonged to, and his uncle.

Someone he should show proper respect to had visited without notice.

Though it would be natural to be flustered, Reidrun’s expression remained composed.

‘I too am a Corps Commander, albeit temporary.’

Beyond their personal relationship, they were both demons belonging to the Demon King’s Army.

Both Corps Commanders.

As a demon representing the 3rd Corps, he couldn’t show submission to another Corps Commander.

“I heard the news. Though it’s not official, I’m proud that you’ve become a Corps Commander.”

“Thank you. You also seem to have grown stronger than before, Lord Ozges.”

The two exchanged light pleasantries.

On the surface, their conversation flowed peacefully.

However, beneath the surface, both were busy sizing each other up.

‘He’s certainly gotten stronger. Though his energy is insufficient to be called a Corps Commander… Considering Reidrun’s abilities, he shouldn’t be compared to the Division Commander level.’

Ozges measured how powerful Reidrun might be.

By his judgment, Reidrun’s current level is that of a Vice Corps Commander.

Since the 3rd Corps had no Vice Corps Commander, he must have been able to become Corps Commander immediately.

‘He’s not the type to visit just to congratulate someone on becoming Corps Commander. Could he possibly know that Lady Sidriel is here?’

Reidrun was racking his brain trying to figure out Ozges’s purpose.

“Ahem.”

Ozges cleared his throat.

He decided to get to the main point first.

“I’ll be direct. The Demon King has passed away.”

“I know.”

“Then this conversation will go quickly.”

Ozges’s voice lowered and gained strength.

“1st Corps Commander Lord Dorithugs wishes to become the next Demon King. You should join us.”

“What is the reason?”

“What do you mean?”

“Didn’t you say before, Lord Ozges? That Dorithugs doesn’t have the capacity to become Demon King.”

Ozges nodded.

Indeed, those were his words from the past.

And that opinion hasn’t changed even now.

Dorithugs is lacking in many ways to become Demon King.

Despite this, there is only one reason why he follows Dorithugs.

“Because there is no other way.”

For demon-kind to survive, there is no other option than to support Dorithugs as Demon King.

“Who else do you think can become Demon King in the current situation? The three noble families? Those arrogant ones care about nothing but preserving their positions. They’re no different from Dorithugs.”

Ozges said, shaking his head.

“Dark Elves? Vampires? They are extremely closed off. They care only about their own clan, and even if they step forward, they can’t gain support from other demons.”

“…”

“No need to even mention the Orc Great Chieftain, Goblin Master, or Beast Master.”

Demonkind is an alliance of various races.

There were many demons who lived without belonging to the Demon King’s Army.

Those Ozges just mentioned were the ones with the strongest forces among such demons.

They were also delegates who had speaking rights and Demon King election rights in the grand council that decided important matters of demon-kind.

“Only Dorithugs can succeed the Demon King. Though his capacity may be small, he is clearly the strongest and most clever demon at present.”

“What would you do if there were another alternative?”

Ozges’s eyes twitched.

“Alternative?”

Reidrun continued calmly.

“Yes. An alternative other than Dorithugs. No, there is the best option.”

“What is it?”

“Lord Tegrad’s child.”

For a moment, Ozges’s eyes filled with bewilderment.

“How do you know about that…”

Even Ozges had only learned about Sidriel’s existence a few days ago.

Hemis, who suddenly appeared.

If she hadn’t told him, he would never have known.

“Could it be…?”

“Yes. Lady Hemis told me.”

“I see.”

Ozges wore a complicated expression.

“Reidrun. I understand your feelings. Protecting Lord Tegrad’s bloodline is certainly important. However, now is not the time for that.”

“Why not?”

“Because it will divide demonkind. Dorithugs won’t quietly give up the position of Demon King.”

Ozges had been watching Dorithugs for a long time.

He might think he’s hiding it, but in Ozges’s eyes, Dorithugs’s ambition was clearly visible.

“That’s not all. We don’t know what kind of demon this Sidriel is.”

Ozges cannot trust Sidriel.

It’s natural.

Because he had never seen her even once.

“I heard she was imprisoned in the Demon King’s castle underground for a hundred years, so it would be hard to expect her mind to be sound.”

Demons’ time is long.

Therefore, it’s true that compared to humans, they have a higher threshold for enduring boredom.

However, even considering that, if they spent a hundred years alone, there was a high possibility their mind wouldn’t be sound.

“No matter how much I think about it, the answer is Dorithugs. There are no other options.”

Ozges also pondered for a long time.

After much consideration, the conclusion was that Dorithugs should become the Demon King.

However, there was something Ozges was missing.

“What if you could meet and talk with Lady Sidriel right now.”

“What?”

Instead of answering, Reidrun looked at the entrance.

“You may come in.”

“Surely not, here…?”

Along with Ozges’s surprised voice, the door opened.

“Nice to meet you, Ozges.”

“You are…”

“Tegrad’s daughter. I am Sidriel.”

***

Ozges and Sidriel talked for a long time.

The conversation mostly took the form of Ozges asking questions and Sidriel answering.

Ozges looked at Sidriel as if trying to see through everything.

Sometimes directly and sharply. Newest update provided by novel•fire.net

Sometimes by setting traps to induce wrong answers.

While making Sidriel’s head dizzy, he dug into her true intentions and potential.

Sidriel revealed her aspirations with a calm expression throughout.

As she had also organized her thoughts alone for a long time, there were no hesitations in her answers.

“Phew…”

Finally, the long conversation ended.

Ozges heaved a deep sigh.

‘This is difficult. So difficult…’

As a result of the conversation, Sidriel is an outstanding demon.

Despite not being a full-grown adult yet, she had power rivaling a Corps Commander.

Her thinking is mature, and she also appears very intelligent.

Even if she’s lacking now, she might certainly become a great Demon King in the future.

‘Her immediate power is too weak. Moreover, if things continue like this, the demon race will surely split apart.’

Just as Ozges’s concerns were deepening.

Reidrun opened his mouth.

“I have already decided to follow Lady Sidriel. Whatever judgment Lord Ozges makes here, my decision won’t change.”

“Is that so…”

The wrinkles between Ozges’s brows deepened even further.

“Let me say one more thing.”

Sidriel said, looking at Ozges.

“I know that I am weak right now. My abilities are far from sufficient to become a Demon King.”

She calmly acknowledged the current situation.

“However, absolute strength isn’t the only virtue that a Demon King of this era should possess. Because individual strength eventually reaches its limits.”

“…”

“I am willing to learn and use anything if necessary. Even if it’s something from humans. For the future of the demon race, we shouldn’t reject it.”

Perhaps that last statement was decisive.

Finally, Ozges opened his mouth.

“Very well.”

Ozges decided to support Sidriel.

Although it would mean bearing the dishonor of committing betrayal twice.

For the future of the demon race, being branded a traitor was something he could sufficiently endure.

“For Lady Sidriel to become Demon King, we need to hold a grand council.”

“Grand council… I’ve heard about it from father.”

At the mention of the grand council, interest arose in Sidriel’s eyes.

“It’s a meeting held to decide major matters of the demon race. The five Corps Commanders appointed by the Demon King and ten delegates gather to exercise their voting rights.”

“I see. So that’s where we’ll decide who will be selected as the next Demon King.”

“Yes. The decision made at the grand council is equivalent to the will of all demons. It’s absolute. Even Dorithugs will have to follow it.”

“I understand.”

Sidriel nodded and asked.

“Who presides over the grand council?”

“The Demon King or the chairman presides. Currently, I hold the position of chairman, so there’s no problem in holding the meeting. However…”

Ozges’s expression darkened.

“It’s questionable whether they will elect Lady Sidriel as Demon King.”

“That’s my job to handle.”

This was something she was already prepared for.

A Demon King must receive recognition from all demons.

It’s a process that must be gone through anyway.

“Do I also have voting rights?”

“Yes. Originally, Lord Tegrad was both Demon King and delegate. Lady Sidriel, as his successor, can exercise voting rights.”

“That’s fortunate. If I nominate myself, that’s one vote secured.”

With the total number of participants being limited, each vote is precious.

Since it was fine to nominate oneself, they could definitely secure one vote if the grand council was held.

“I can exercise one vote as the 5th Corps Commander, and another vote as the head of the Cowden clan delegate. A total of two votes.”

“Then… We should consider three votes secured.”

At that time, Reidrun raised his hand.

“Do I not have voting rights as a Corps Commander?”

Ozges shook his head.

“You must be an official Corps Commander recognized by the Demon King. Although you’re now the 3rd Corps Commander, the voting rights belong to Lady Hemis. And she…”

Ozges heaved a deep sigh.

“I can’t understand what she’s thinking.”

“If we could meet her, we could try asking for her help… But currently, her whereabouts are unknown.”

Hemis had informed Reidrun and immediately left the 8th Division.

It would be difficult to request help from her when she wasn’t showing herself.

“I’ve already received enough help. From now on, it’s my job. If you give me a week’s time, I’ll gather support from the delegates.”

“That’s not possible.”

“Why not?”

“Soon there will be a full-scale clash with the holy war army. If we delay, Dorithugs will use the crisis as an excuse to quickly ascend to Demon King.”

That was Dorithugs’s intention from the beginning.

To drive the demon race into crisis, and seize the position of Demon King in the chaotic situation.

It was something that could lead to the extinction of the demon race, but in his arrogance, he thought he could sufficiently stop the humans.

“I’ll give you three days. That’s the best I can do.”

“Three days…”

The time was too tight.

How many people could be persuaded in just 3 days?

There wouldn’t even be enough time to find the delegates scattered across the vast demon territory.

However, there was no choice.

No matter how difficult, they had to try.

“Leave it to me.”

Sidriel nodded with a grave expression.

***

Dorithugs deeply furrowed his brow.

He had received a report that was impossible to believe.

“A grand council? Are they in their right mind?”

The grand council that decides the future of the demon race.

The agenda was ‘Who will become the next Demon King between 1st Corps Commander Dorithugs and Tegrad’s daughter Sidriel.’

Dorithugs immediately activated the communication crystal connected to Ozges.

After a moment, the communication crystal glowed.

Dorithugs asked without a preamble.

“Ozges. What is this about?”

Ozges answered in a calm voice.

-I simply made a choice for the future of the demon race.

“The future of the demon race? I didn’t know you were this stupid.”

-…

“Even if you hold a grand council, the result won’t change. Why don’t you understand that?”

-I apologize.

Dorithugs heaved a deep sigh.

“It seems you have no intention of canceling the grand council.”

-Yes.

“Fine. I’ll see you in three days.”

Dorithugs immediately ended the communication.

Bang!

After smashing the table, he spat out his words.

“Stupid fool. Nothing will change no matter what you do.”

Dorithugs come from one of the three noble families representing the demon race.

He himself can also exercise one vote as a Corps Commander.

In other words, even if a grand council is held, four votes are already confirmed.

‘Add to that Hemis and Onyx agreeing to join forces, that’s six votes total. Just one more vote for a majority and it’s over.’

Perhaps it was even better this way.

He would be able to sit on the Demon King’s throne faster and more stably than planned.

“Tegrad’s daughter… I hope she resembles Tegrad, if possible.”

Three days from now.

He smiled, imagining Sidriel’s thoroughly distorted expression.

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