As the Holy Sword said, if the leader is about as powerful as the Demon King’s pinky finger, now should be the time for demons about the size of the thumb or index finger to appear.

But instead, they were avoiding his attacks, and their numbers had significantly decreased without bothering to be cut down.

The reason became apparent several hours later.

“…They’re all dead.”

Hades looked down at the dead demons with a cold gaze. Each one was several times the size of an ordinary demon and had an unusual appearance. From this, he could deduce that they were similar to the leader demon he had killed a moment ago, Yura.

“Judging by their appearance, it wasn’t done by humans.”

To kill demons, humans would have to inflict some kind of injury.
But all these demons fell dead as if they were asleep.

“This is… the Demon King’s doing.”

“You’re saying something appropriate for your age. Is it Crohitner otherwise?”

Hades ignored the Holy Sword’s words. Since the Holy Sword noticed that he didn’t comply with its will, it had been acting quite sulky. Hades was enduring it for the sake of one reason necessary to confront the Demon King, even if he felt like destroying it.

“Why, for what reason?”

Hades inquired. Why would the Demon King cut off the vital essence of his own kin, just like humans, who, once dead, wouldn’t come back?

‘Maybe by using the Devil’s Eye to revive them… perhaps.’

Although the doubt was roughly dispelled, it still felt uneasy. Throughout his watch over the north, Hades had learned one thing: there was a clear reason behind the demons’ actions.

‘…Could it be a rebellion?’

If for some reason the kin had revolted against the Demon King, they would all die out like this. It even seemed like they died beautifully.

‘But it’s more likely not a rebellion.’

As if frustrated by the situation, the Holy Sword urged Hades.

“What’s the big deal with these guys? Isn’t your goal to kill the Demon King and save the saint?”

Hades nodded his head slowly.

“Yeah… that’s right.”

The Holy Sword was correct.

Whether it was a rebellion or killed on a whim, he didn’t know. Rather, considering how he managed to advance rapidly without being delayed by the demons, it was fortunate.

Not long after that, Hades arrived at the Demon King’s castle.

‘…….’

Hades looked up at the Demon King’s castle.

Somewhere, it looked similar to Donovan’s Grand Castle…

‘It seems to have been built around the same time.’

Building styles at any given period tended to be similar. Donovan’s Grand Castle, with no accurate construction date even for its ancient history, wouldn’t be too strange if it was built around the same time as the Demon King’s castle.

Upon opening the door and entering the castle, Hades’s expression twisted completely.

Even the interior was similar to Donovan’s Grand Castle.

‘This is…’

It was clearly intentional.

Unlike the exterior of a castle that once built remains unchanged, the interior had changed slightly according to each Grand Duke’s taste.

Didn’t he himself tear off all traces of his extravagant father?

As a result, it received comments that it resembled the time of his grandfather, but the Demon King’s castle was built much earlier than that.

The inside was evidence that demons had been continuously exploring the Grand Castle.

Hades climbed the stairs, gripping the Holy Sword’s hilt tightly. It felt like he knew exactly where the Demon King would be.

‘…In my… study.’

The Grand Duke’s study.

The most heavily guarded and isolated place in the entire Grand Castle.

There, the battle between him and the Demon King would take place.
As expected, the Demon King was sitting in the study. Hades sat on a specially crafted chair and leaned against the table that had been passed down for hundreds of years, staring at the Demon King’s face with a calm expression.

“Demon King.”

Hades called him.

It wasn’t a question that expected an answer. The Demon King couldn’t speak.

He had simply shown a modest courtesy to the one who had opposed him with himself and his proxy until now.

“Now is the time.”

Even without saying those words, the Holy Sword was drawn from its sheath. Hades unsheathed his sword and directed it towards the Demon King.

‘…?’

Contrary to the immediate expectation of defense, the Demon King made no resistance. He just stared at Hades, muttering with his mouth closed.

A clear, human-like speech.

“You’re finally putting an end to it.”

It was a statement that came from the mouth of the Demon King, who couldn’t speak human words, but Hades didn’t bother thinking about the reason.

He only had thoughts of obtaining the ‘Devil’s Eye’ to save Angelica.

Hades hurriedly searched through the Demon King’s corpse and pulled out a wriggling black orb.

The Devil’s Eye.

“Use it! Quickly! You can revive the saint right now!”

Hades stared at the Devil’s Eye intently.

Perhaps, it was as sinful as the Holy Sword.

He took a deep breath and seized the Devil’s Eye.

“Angelica.”

The image of the saint who had first seen him and desperately fled briefly flickered and disappeared from his sight.

“Angelica.”

The pitiful sight of her stealthily stealing food while being oppressed by servants flashed in his mind.

“Angelica.”

The voice of determination that naturally carried out what needed to be done without hesitation, even after saving the entire Donovan, echoed in his ears.

“…Angelica…”

Hades’s voice was mixed with tears.

If she didn’t come back after such fervent prayers, he would be completely betrayed by the Holy Sword.

It was when he exerted force into the hand that held the Holy Sword.

“…!”

Strength began to return to the limp body of Angelica.