Nowadays, no one dares to mention the Golden Tower in front of the Duke of Defont.

Even though he should be flustered by the frank words he hadn’t heard in a long time, the Duke answered without much hesitation.

“The root of all alchemy is the Golden Tower, so it’s not unreasonable for you to misunderstand like that. But, don’t you know, your Highness.”

A moment of silence. The corners of the Duke’s mouth, which had been slightly lifted, abruptly fell.

“How angry I was at the Golden Tower that lost its essence in the past, how upset you were at the reality that was revealed in the Demon War. You know that, don’t you?”

The Duke, after a quick lick of his lips, pressed his point to Hugo in a low voice, as if chewing on his words.

“I was the one who led the army to subjugate the Golden Tower. I trampled on the Golden Tower, set it on fire, decapitated the alchemists and brought those heads before the king. That’s what I’m saying, your Highness.”

The Duke’s fingers twitched as if they were back on that day.

“While you, your Highness, were fighting a bloody battle with the demons, I returned with the blood of my friends, my master, on my hands.”

Hugo’s golden eyes flashed as if to judge the truth. The Duke’s wideopen eyes seemed to speak the truth.

Indeed, an entire army were witnesses. Their testimonies all matched the Duke’s words.

That the Duke had subjugated the Golden Tower was a fact that no one denied now.

“It’s a truth known to the whole Empire. So, you would well know why no one dares to mention the Golden Tower in front of me.”

“……”

“I do not follow their alchemy. If you intend to ask about the origin of the boundary stone, I will confirm it here and now.”

Hugo’s eyes narrowed slightly.

‘Does he still not know about the traces left by the alchemists from the Golden Tower in the Forbidden Gorge, bordering the North?’

Hugo, who had been observing his expression and gestures with sharp eyes, advised the Duke coldly as he passed him by.

“I hope your confirmation remains unchanged.”

The Demon World was rather peaceful.

Even though a brutal ranking match was happening right before the eyes of the 3rd ranked demon, Batsago, it still fell into the category of peaceful.

Blood battles where some tribes tried to devour other tribes, duels applied by lower demons to obtain a higher ranking, they were nothing more than everyday occurrences in the Demon World.

The intense battle between the 72nd and 65th ranked demons was just one of the uninspiring events to those standing on either side of the Devil’s throne.

“The victory has been decided. The winner is……”

When the 4th ranked demon, Gamagin, looked back at Batsago with a disappointed expression, Batsago shrugged and answered.

“If you’re asking which standing demon is 72nd or 65th, quit it. I wouldn’t know.”

Gamagin gestured towards the demon standing drenched in blood.

“So, what’s your ranking?”

“I was 72nd.”

“Now you’re 65th. Go on.”

In the huge pit where the ranking battles took place, the winner walked out on his two feet and the loser was dragged out as a corpse. Looking at the corpse being carried away by the executioners, called the cleaners, Batsago lamented as if feeling pity.

“Why doesn’t anyone challenge me to a ranking battle? I can’t even remember the last time I had a proper workout.”

“Do you want me to try for the 3rd rank once?”

Giggling, as if he’d heard an entertaining joke, Batsago covered his mouth and laughed.

Batsago’s unique ability was prophecy. He was also well known in the human realm as the Prince of Prophecy. A flash of light emerged from deep within Batsago’s dark pupils.

“Should I make a prophecy?”

“I’m not interested.”

“You’re going to die in exactly 2 minutes.”

“You?”

“You.”

I may not see the distant future, but my predictions about the near future are pretty accurate. Humming a tune, Batsago stroked the vacant throne with his hand.

“I miss our majesty!”

Then, as if he couldn’t hold it in any longer, he knelt next to the throne, resting his cheek on the armrest.

“He leaves his throne too often these days. Doesn’t even think about the waiting subject burning with longing.”

“He seems to visit quite a few places.”

“I didn’t expect him to use his unique ability that way. No other king in history could’ve thought of it.”

“It’s only natural, since he’s the only one who possesses such a unique ability.”

Batsago circled around the throne. At a glance, he looked like a hunting dog aiming to capture the one seated on the throne.

However, it was a wellknown fact that Batsago had shown unparalleled loyalty among even highranking demons, and in return, received the firmest trust.

“Shall I make a prophecy?”

“No.”

“I will. If the King visits a few more times, the ruler of the East (東) Demon Realm will tremble!”

Gamagin, standing firmly like a stern general, nodded strongly at that statement. As if it were a matter of course.