Shikha let out a small smirk, her tiny chest heaving.
The residual magical smoke cleared from the shattered landscape. Two massive ancient trees lay reduced to splintered stumps and burning embers.
The sheer drain on her body was immediate. Her knees wobbled, and she pressed both hands against her throbbing temples.
She looked up at Mantra with wide, innocent eyes. "Sister... may I rest now?"
Mantra's eyes flickered with satisfaction. She gave a firm nod.
"Take her to the guest quarters," Mantra ordered a towering demon guard standing nearby. "Ensure no one disturbs her."
The guard lowered his heavy helmet in a respectful bow. He stepped forward and crouched down. "Let's go, little one."
Shikha reached out and wrapped her small, warm fingers around his rough palm.
As they walked down the dim stone corridor, the guard glanced down at her.
Her hands are so small... so soft, he thought.
Within just a few paces, the child's steps dragged, her heavy eyelids fluttering shut from pure physical exhaustion.
The guard let out a soft sigh. He bent down, gently scooped the tiny human girl into his arms, and cradled her against his chest plate.
He carried her down the winding hallway, pushed open the heavy oak door of a guest chamber, and placed her down on a soft velvet mattress. Pulling a thick blanket over her shoulders, he stepped back into the corridor and closed the door with a quiet click.
Standing outside, the guard rested his hand on his sword hilt, looking up at the high vaulted ceiling.
Humans are truly terrifying creatures... Give a child like that enough time, and she could wipe out an entire army.
Back in the grand central hall, the atmosphere was thick with dark mana.
Mantra sat upon her dark throne. Torches flared with crimson flames along the walls, casting long shadows across the stone floor.
"Listen to me!" Mantra's voice echoed off the stone walls. "All of you have seen what human magic can do. Their potential is far greater than we ever imagined."
She leaned forward, her red eyes gleaming with absolute malice.
"Instead of fearing them, we will use them! Humans are weak-willed and easily controlled if you break them early enough."
A battle-scarred Demon Lord raised an eyebrow. "And how do you propose we do that?"
Mantra laughed softly—a dark, melodic sound.
"We will systematically raid the human realm. We will gather human orphans—children between the ages of five and ten. We will feed them, train them, and turn them into loyal weapons that will slaughter their own kind for us!"
Nods of cruel approval rippled through the gathered lords.
Suddenly, the massive double doors at the end of the hall swung open.
A tall, strikingly handsome Demon Lord stepped into the light. It was Shion. His silver armor gleamed, and his aura was smooth, dense, and suffocatingly powerful.
The moment Mantra set her eyes on Shion, a sudden spark of desire ignited in her chest.
"Mantra," Shion said softly, his deep voice carrying through the quiet room. "Did you call for me?"
Mantra swallowed hard, her eyes greedily scanning his face and frame. "Yes... Shion. Go to my private quarters and wait for me there."
Shion offered a subtle bow and turned, his dark cloak swirling behind him as he exited the hall.
As the heavy doors closed, a veteran demon warrior named Raze stepped forward from the crowd. His expression was filled with bitter disappointment.
"My lord... it has barely been a few days since Lord Dusk lost his life. Are you truly throwing yourself into another man's arms so quickly?"
The air in the chamber instantly turned deathly cold.
Mantra stood up slowly from her throne. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by an abyss of pure rage. She walked down the stone steps quietly.
"Listen to me carefully," Mantra whispered, stopping right in front of Raze. "In this realm, a female Demon Lord must remain paired with a powerful partner to maintain absolute authority. Dusk is dead. He was weak, and he is gone."
Raze opened his mouth to speak—
BOOM!
Mantra's hand shot forward like black lightning.
She drove her mana-infused fingers straight into his neck and yanked upward with terrifying strength. A sickening tear echoed through the hall as Raze's head was ripped completely free from his collarbones.
A fountain of dark blood erupted from his severed neck, spraying across the stone floor. Raze's headless body wobbled for a second before collapsing into a pool of gore.
From the back of the hall, Raze's mother let out a strangled shriek. His close friends fell to their knees in silent terror, covering their mouths.
Mantra didn't even blink. She casually kicked Raze's severed head across the floor.
"Does anyone else have an issue with how I run this realm?" Mantra asked, wiping a fleck of blood from her cheek.
No one dared to move. The Demon Lords hurriedly shook their heads, lowering their eyes.
"Pick up this trash," Mantra ordered. "Throw him into the river for the flesh-eating fish."
Two guards dragged Raze's corpse through the stone corridors, a thick trail of blood smearing across the floor behind them.
As they neared the outer balcony overlooking the roaring river, a young female demon stumbled out from the shadows, her eyes swollen red.
"Please!" she sobbed, throwing herself onto the bloody floor. "Please... let me hold him one last time!"
The two guards paused, letting out a weary sigh as they lowered Raze's body.
The girl crawled forward, collapsing over his chest and burying her face in his armor.
"Raze..." she wept bitterly. "When Lord Dusk was still alive, he saw us together in the garden and blessed us... But now that Dusk is gone, his blessing has vanished. This realm has turned into a nightmare."
She looked up at the guards, her eyes completely drained of hope.
"Tell me... do you think I can still find him if I die right now?"
The guards looked at each other, their expressions heavy. One of them slowly rested his hand on his sword hilt. "If that is what you wish... you can go together."
She closed her eyes and nodded softly. "Thank you."
SCHWING!
A silver blade flashed in the dim light. Seconds later, two heavy splashes echoed from the dark abyss below as both bodies sank beneath the dark waters of the river.
Back inside the royal wing, Mantra walked down the hallway with a light step, a sweet smile resting on her lips.
She reached her bedchamber and knocked softly. "Shion? May I come in?"
"Hmm... come in," a deep voice answered from inside.
Mantra opened the door and stepped inside. Shion was sitting casually on the edge of her velvet bed, his armor removed.
Mantra closed the door behind her. Suddenly, her dominant aura vanished entirely. She clasped her hands behind her back, her cheeks flushing bright pink like a shy young girl.
She walked over with small steps and sat down right next to him.
"Shion..." Mantra whispered, twirling her fingers nervously. "I... I think I really like you."
Shion smirked inwardly, his eyes cold beneath his warm mask.
Do you like me, Mantra? Or do you just like the fact that I'm the strongest Demon Lord left in this castle?
Outwardly, Shion feigned utter shock. "Really?! You... you choose me over all the others?"
"Y-Yes!" Mantra blushed furiously.
She lunged forward, jumping onto his lap and wrapping her arms tightly around his neck, burying her face into his chest.
Shion held her gently, his expression unreadable as she pressed her cheek against his.
You're an absolute monster, Shion thought silently. You would throw yourself at a piece of wood if it gave you enough power to rule.
Mantra let out a happy, breathless laugh. "Shion... I love you so much!"
Shion leaned back onto the bed, looking down into her eyes. "Your eyes are dazzling tonight, Mantra."
Mantra giggled softly. "Let me see what kind of power you really have..."
Outside in the dark stone hallway, several high-ranking Demon Lords who secretly loved Mantra stood frozen in the shadows. As muffled sounds drifted through the heavy wooden door, tears of betrayal welled in their eyes.
One by one, they turned away in silence, vanishing into the dark corridors.
Hours passed.
Mantra lay curled up against Shion's side, her breathing deep and steady as she drifted into sleep.
Shion lay flat on his back, staring up at the stone ceiling. His affectionate smile vanished instantly, replaced by pure, sharp hatred.
He carefully slid out from under her arm and stood beside the bed. Looking down at Mantra's sleeping face, his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.
Forgive me, Dusk... Shion swore silently in his soul. I know you were betrayed and murdered by this wretched woman. I will play her game. I will let her use me. But when the time is right... I promise I will rip her heart out with my own hands and avenge your death.
Shion pulled on his clothes and quietly stepped out of the bedchamber.
The next morning, crimson light bathed the sky over the Demon Realm.
Mantra sat in the grand lounge across a luxurious sofa. When she saw Shion walking down the stairs, her face lit up, and she waved him over playfully.
Shion put on his charming smile, walking over with smooth grace. "Good morning, my darling."
Mantra laughed, leaning back against the cushions. "My, my... you're a quick learner, aren't you?"
Shion chuckled smoothly, sitting beside her. "That's why I'm known as the most capable Demon Lord in this realm."
Mantra smirked, shifting her weight as if to slide onto his lap—
"Sister...?"
A small, sleepy voice cut through the room.
Mantra instantly froze. She pulled back, smoothing out her dress as her playful tone vanished, replaced by a calm composure.
Little Shikha stood at the entrance, rubbing her eyes with her tiny fists.
"Are you awake already, Shikha?" Mantra asked softly.
"Yeah... but I'm still sleepy," the girl mumbled, shuffling over and climbing onto Mantra's lap.
Shikha pointed a tiny finger at Shion. "Sister... who is he?"
Mantra offered a soft smile, stroking Shikha's hair. "He is my boyfriend, Shikha."
"Boyfriend?" Shikha's eyes sparkled with curiosity. She wiggled out of Mantra's lap, ran over to Shion, and grabbed the edge of his sleeve. "Are you really sister's boyfriend?"
Shion looked down at the tiny human child. He forced a warm smile, gently ruffling her soft hair. "Yes, little one."
But beneath his pleasant facade, Shion's mind raced with intense suspicion.
A human child? In the heart of the Demon Realm? Is Mantra completely insane? Is she planning to raise an army of human children... or is there something else going on?
Shion turned his eyes toward Mantra, feigning curiosity. "Where did you find a human child?"
Mantra's smile faded slightly, her dark eyes narrowing. "Her own biological parents sold her to human traffickers. I wiped out those monsters and brought her here to give her a real life."
Shion blinked in genuine surprise. Parents sold their own child...?
He looked down at Shikha, who was smiling innocently as she played with the silver tassels on his sleeve.
"I see..." Shion murmured quietly, his mind rapidly calculating every outcome.
He looked back up at Mantra, who was watching the child with an undeniable trace of genuine affection.
Shion narrowed his eyes inwardly.
Mantra actually cares for this girl... Which means this human child is going to become Mantra's greatest vulnerability... or her most terrifying strength.