Chapter 176

She admitted her race so easily this time? And she wasn’t the only one of her kind in the world?

Timani showed a helpless expression, though that helplessness carried a hint of expectation.

"If you guys really are that capable... then that’d be great. You said you want to help me investigate the truth behind my parents' deaths, and you also said you’re going to the Fire Dragon Territory. But if you die the moment you get there, then about my parents... wouldn’t that mean there’s no hope of finding out the truth..."

"Then just relax. I’m actually pretty good at fighting."

"Oh? Let’s hope so, then."

"Look at you, being so perfunctory!"

"But no matter how powerful your father and mother were, that doesn’t mean you’re powerful... right? I know you’re a Six-Winged too, you’ve got some skills, but there’s still a difference between one Six-Winged and another, right? Isn’t your main talent just eating and fishing! Just look at your skinny arms and legs. How about we spar a bit first? I don’t think you could even beat me. If you go to the Fire Dragon Territory and get yourself killed for nothing... No—! I’m not worried about whether you live or die!"

"Who asked you! Fine! Let’s fight! Wanna bet three donuts on it?!"

"Wha...?! That big of a wager?!"

—On the strange matter of a duel between the Demon Clan Princess and a high-ranking

member of the Fire Dragon Clan... with donuts as the stakes.

Everyone fell silent.

No one told Timani how good Sheffy was at fighting.

Well, looking at her now, even if they said it, she wouldn’t believe it.

Might as well let her try it for herself.

Isn’t there a saying? She won’t turn back until she hits a wall.

While Sheffy and Timani were still raising the stakes, Belith squinted out the window and added a few words.

She couldn’t be bothered to explain to the Hero and the others.

It was more like talking to herself.

"Royal Sister hates the dark. She’s already broken Father’s Perpetual Magic more than ten times, but he still refuses to learn his lesson... Now that Royal Sister is away, he let it out again? Ah... nothing to be done. He’s probably going to get scolded again."

"......"

The Demon King, mighty as he may be, seemed to hold a rather delicate position in the family?

.....................................

The carriage stopped before the massive black-magic-stone gates of the Demon King’s Castle.

On the way here, the sky had been overcast with thick clouds.

But now, it was a clear blue sky stretching endlessly.

Sheffy had gotten off the carriage a bit earlier. She had unfurled her black feathers—Eight Wings concealed as Six—and soared into the sky. Just like when she was a child, she released a nearly world-sweeping 【Fireball Spell】 that swept away the eternal darkness sustained by Perpetual Magic.

Timani got off the carriage a little later.

She thought the Perpetual Magic was acting up again and had been itching to warm up and spar with Sheffy to win those donuts.

But...

Just after the Perpetual Magic was dispersed, an even stronger magic surged from within the Demon King’s Castle, shooting into the sky—shrouding the daylight in darkness once again.

—Belith, seeing this, smacked her forehead and shook her head in exasperation.

Ah... that stubborn old man!

He always did this—every time he saw his magic being dispersed, he’d stubbornly reapply it!

But this time, Sheffy, whose blood pressure had clearly maxed out, didn’t bother to disperse the magic again.

Instead, she “smiled” as she flew down, told the group she’d go on ahead, then turned into a streak of violet light and shot straight into the Demon King’s Castle.

Not long after she left—

The night was finally driven back by daylight—and this time, it showed no signs of reverting.

Feeling the warmth of the sunlight, Livra innocently asked about Sheffy’s whereabouts.

"Hm? Why did Miss Shaya go on ahead? Did something urgent come up?"

"No... Royal Sister probably just went to beat up Father first. Geez, bringing you all along is such a hassle... Hurry up, don’t keep Royal Sister waiting."

"Eh—ah... okay! When you say ‘beat up’... you mean...?"

"Other people’s family matters—don’t go sticking your nose in."

"I’m sorry..."

Belith led the way. The fully armed, Four-Winged guards stationed at the gate all half-knelt to the ground, one hand behind their backs, the other clenched in a fist pressed against their hearts, pledging their unwavering loyalty to Princess Her Highness.

Only when they reached the front of the Demon King’s Grand Hall—

Did they encounter the slightest obstruction.

"Second Princess, welcome home."

"Step aside. I have business with Father and Mother."

"Understood. Please wait a moment. May I ask who these individuals are...?"

In the Demon Clan, very few dared to block a princess and question her.

And the man standing before them was one of those rare few.

Wearing a monocle suspended by a thin chain, dressed in a sharply tailored male formal suit, his expression stern and figure tall, gloved in white, with five feathered wings on his back, his black, tousled hair and slightly slanted fringe partly veiled a still-handsome, near-middle-aged face. Scholarly in demeanor, yet with the bearing of a warrior.

This was Salnor Yarin, the Chief Strategist of the Demon King's Army and also the Captain of the Demon King's Royal Guard—a key tactician of the Demon King’s military.

The Yarin family was one of the more traditional Duke households of the Demon Clan. While not particularly dominant in influence, their unwavering loyalty through the generations had earned them deep trust and regard from the royal family.

Salnor gave a slight nod to Belith in greeting.

His obstruction wasn’t to stir up trouble—it was simply him carrying out his duty.

And since it was just a matter of procedure, Belith responded accordingly.

"These are all guests I’ve invited. As you can see, this one is a distant relative of mine and Royal Sister’s. This here is the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Aurus, visiting to meet Father and Mother to discuss matters of cooperation. And this one is a friend from the Fire Dragon Clan—Royal Sister’s friend, just passing through the Demon Domain and decided to visit. Salnor, any more questions?"

Sylatrella had already transformed back into the Holy Sword and completed her disguise in advance, saving Belith the trouble of introducing one more person.

Salnor nodded in acknowledgement—but still did not step aside.

"Yes, Princess. I’ve heard word that the Third Princess of the Kingdom of Aurus

would be visiting His Majesty the Demon King. Your Highness, welcome to our realm. However..."

Salnor furrowed his brows.

A hint of vigilance appeared within his sharp gaze.

"Just now, you mentioned she’s a royal collateral...? I believe I’ve met most members of the Demon Clan’s royal collateral lines, yet I don’t recall Her Highness Sheffy having such a cousin. Forgive my boldness, but may I ask which branch she hails from...? Also, high-ranking races have rarely interacted with us Demon Clan. You say she is a friend of Her Highness Sheffy—might I ask this per—"

"Salnor Yarin."

"At your service."

Salnor’s questioning had not yet concluded when Belith abruptly cut him off, addressing him coldly by his full name.

Belith’s gaze no longer held the patience it had moments ago.

She didn’t even spare him a glance from the corner of her eye.

Instead, her eyes were fixed straight ahead at the grand doors of the Demon King’s Hall, as if she might push them open and stride in at any moment.

"I believe I already said it—these are my invited guests. What, are you trying to interrogate the people invited by me and Royal Sister?"

"Your Highness, I didn’t mean to overstep. I wouldn’t dare."

"Remember this—I’m not Royal Sister. I don’t have nearly as much patience."

"Yes... your subordinate will remember that well."

Though Salnor still harbored doubts in his heart, he had no choice but to step aside and make way.

"Your Highness, would you like me to inform His Majesty the Demon King?"

"No need."

With that said—

Belith needed no assistance from the guards. She pushed open the heavy doors of the Demon King’s Hall with a single hand, her stance the very embodiment of pride and aloofness.

Following behind, Livra couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat.

Uuuu...

She really felt it.

They were both princesses—so why was the difference this wide?

Princess Belith really was terrifying!

---

### 7. The Demon King's Hall

The pressure outside the Demon King’s Castle was already intense, right?

Well, inside the Demon King’s Castle—it was nothing short of overwhelming!

The Demon King’s Hall.

As always, two rows of dark, never-dying flames burned from torches fueled by special magical substances.

A wine-red carpet etched with magic-fire patterns led all the way to the dim throne.

As Xiarette and the others pushed open the doors and stepped into the Demon King’s Hall, those flames flickered despite the absence of any wind, casting strange and eerie shadows that made the already oppressive darkness feel even more sinister.

Looking up—they saw the Demon King, Dielzner Harl, resting his cheek against the back of his hand, his expression full of pride. He sat cross-legged in brilliant crimson battle armor, high upon the throne cloaked in shadowy light.

From on high, he looked down upon the group entering the Demon King’s Hall.

At the very instant the massive doors of violet Demon Crystal Stone shut behind them—

The Demon King suddenly slammed his palm against the armrest of his throne, which was carved into the shape of a demonic beast’s skull, and his booming voice thundered through the hall.

"Travelers from afar, the Demon Domain welcomes your arrival! I grant you leave to kneel before me and gaze upon my glory...! Hm?!"

Snap.

The gloom vanished—just like that. The grand hall lit up.

—From one of the dark, unlit corners, a snap echoed.

And immediately afterward, a burst of light appeared, illuminating the entire hall in an instant.

Bright as day!

That eerie, dark atmosphere just moments ago now seemed like a joke.

And the Demon King, frozen mid-pose with his arm still raised, looked more like a clown.

The ceiling of the grand hall was fitted with an entire wall’s worth of Light Magic Crystals—and all it took to activate them was a single snap of the fingers.

And once the surroundings became bright—

Xiarette and the others’ eyes quickly locked onto the figure who had just snapped her fingers.

—Sheffy, standing beside the Demon King’s throne.

On the other side of the throne, hands clasped in front of her and eyes narrowed with a radiant smile, stood the Demon Queen, Herilet Harl.

Though she was smiling to welcome the guests, for some reason, that smile twitched with strain. Her warning-filled gaze frantically flicked toward the throne.

It appeared the hall had been cleared of personnel in advance—aside from the three of them, no one else was present.

Dielzner’s broad hand clutched the throne’s armrest so tightly that deep cracks were beginning to splinter through the solid throne under the pressure.

And if one looked closely, they’d even spot a large bump on his head—clearly the result of a little fist hammering down on him earlier.

Now... faced with this overly bright and cheerfully lit grand hall, the Demon King could finally hold back no longer!

He sprang to his feet, pointed a finger at Sheffy, and unleashed the pent-up grievance of an exasperated father!

"Sheffy, you unfilial girl! You scoundrel! Just look at the mess you've made! In all my years of ruling in majestic dignity, never have I been made this ridiculous! Why in the world did you have to make my grand hall this bright?!"

"Hah?! Father, you’re the one with issues! You know it’s a perfectly fine grand hall—so why insist on making it all gloomy?! Are you trying to turn us into people who never see sunlight, our hearts as dark and miserable as those gloomy Demon Bears?!"

"You shameful brat! The Demon Clan should act like the Demon Clan! My lifetime of honor and glory will sooner or later be destroyed in the hands of a rebellious daughter like you!"