Chapter 166 - ENTERING THE PALACE (1) (1/2)
The demon follower groups in Pleiades could be largely classified into five.
The Devil’s Hand served Asmodeus, the overlord of lust.
The Devil’s Eye served Belial, the overlord of corruption.
The Devil’s Mouth served Lilith, the overlord of love and hatred.
The Devil’s Ear served Belphegor, the overlord of cruelty.
The Devil’s Horn served Behemoth, the overlord of violence.
In Hell, the five overlords were virtually equal in power, but in the mortal world, their followers were not equal in power.
After a fierce battle with the Guardians of the Holy Cross, the Devil’s Ear was pretty much destroyed, and the Devil’s Horn and all their demonic humans were also annihilated, except for the demonic human called ‘Jabberwock,’ who was also known as ‘Behemoth’s avatar.’
“But the remaining three are still quite powerful.”
In particular, the Devil’s Hand boasted of a wide sphere of influence, being active in both the Argon Empire and the Sälen Kingdom. They also had the highest number of demonic humans under their command.
“The leader of the Devil’s Hand.”
A long blue-haired woman whose identity was unknown.
She was believed to be the avatar of Asmodeus and a mysterious person whose identity was not fully revealed in the second or third episodes of Legend of Heroes.
“She is probably the strongest among the demon followers.”
But fortunately, she rarely made a direct appearance on the battlefront.
She would always be sitting and watching from behind the scenes.
“The Devil’s Eye is in the west of the Argon Empire, and the Devil’s Mouth is in the distant east.”
Therefore, only the Devil’s Hand and the Devil’s Eye were the main enemies in Legend of Heroes 2, which was set on the western continent.
“Between those two, the main enemy of the Sälen Kingdom was the Devil’s Hand.”
Three of the six branches of the Devil’s Hand were located in the Sälen Kingdom, and their headquarters were also in the center of the kingdom.
“They cannot get close to the royal capital because of the barrier, so they’re probably in the capital’s outskirts.”
Specifically, it was located on the edge of the border with the Argon Empire, and the demonic human in charge of the central branch was the aggressive Koros, one of the six key executives of the Devil’s Hand.
Like the other key executives, he longed for the favor of their leader, so he devoted himself to the ‘Sälen Royal Family Genocide Plan’ in order to destroy the barrier in the capital.
It was to the point that he would be willing to ask for the help of Saluzia, the head of the northern branch whom he did not get along well.
***
“Saluzia.”
At the call of Koros, Saluzia took off her hood and revealed her face.
Her fair face and purple eyes in between her very dark ebony-like hair made her look impressive under the dim light.
“Koros.”
Wearing a white robe, Saluzia deeply sighed as her shoulders slumped a bit.
The two were both key executives who usually fought for the favor of their leader, so they were actually rivals, but it had slightly changed because of their current situation.
“Your pretty face looks haggard. You must have had a hard time.”
The demon followers who served Asmodeus of lust generally had outstanding looks.
Koros was no different since he had a very handsome face, well-defined features, and a masculine appearance. But his eyes were so intense that it seemed fierce even if he smiled quietly.
On the other hand, Saluzia was an elegantly beautiful woman with a feminine and delicate appearance, but her purple eyes had an intense look too. Instead of answering him, Saluzia looked around and sat on a chair that seemed appropriate.
“Everything had gone wrong since they appeared.”
Saluzia spoke in a low voice, and Koros understood right away on who she was talking about.
“Are you talking about Jude Bayer and Cordelia Chase?”
It was not an exaggeration to say that the entire Sälen Kingdom knew of the two as the couple of the century. But for Saluzia, they were known as the two who had escaped from the difficult situations she had put them in several times.
“They must be in the royal capital now.”
“I know.”
She had tried to kidnap the two while on their way to the royal capital.
“Is it hard to touch them now?”
At Koros’ question, or rather, at his half provocation, Saluzia frowned.
Aside from what he said that it had become difficult to touch Jude and Cordelia now, she also found Koros’ current attitude as annoying.
“Koros, isn’t it you who’s asking for help and not me?”
“Of course it is. Should I say that I’m just concerned for my mate?”
Koros shrugged and Saluzia sighed again, but she no longer said anything.
It was true that they were mates as Koros had said, but the reasons on why she sighed were because of her relationship with Koros and that they both wanted to please their leader, so they had cooperated like this.
‘Since Koros had asked for my help, I’ll have to do my best with this task… but it’s also to help me after my recent failure.’
You could say that we’re just mutually helping each other.
The relationship between Koros and Saluzia was quite long and deep.
Because the mate that Koros referred to was not limited to the Devil’s Hand.
‘Orphanage mates.’
Their childhood days that she didn’t remember much anymore.
T/N: The word ‘mate’ her refers to a person who entered the same company/institution in the same year as you. So in the Devil’s Hand, the two are workmates who joined the group at the same time. As for the orphanage, the two probably entered it at the same time.
Saluzia bitterly smiled without realizing it, and she opened her mouth as she made a face that she would never make in front of Kanos or her subordinate demonic humans.
“So Konny, are you asking for more help?”
“Yes, Sannie. I think I need all the help I can get.”
A smile had spread on the faces of the two when they called each other by their orphanage nicknames after a long time, but it was also because they were both demon followers. The story they wanted to share now was a terrible conspiracy that would cause the sacrifice of innocent people.
“The Lord Protector’s limbs are being cut off.”
The Black Moon and his subordinate nobles were being attacked.
If the aristocrats’ offensive continued, there was a possibility that they could not proceed as planned on the day of the anniversary.
“So you want me to help you?”
“To make it bigger. I’m going to do things more boldly.”
Koros opened his arms as he looked at Saluzia, and she realized what he was talking about. That was why her shoulders slumped again.
“Konny, are you betting your life into this?”
“Because it’s worth it.”
The barrier in the royal capital.
The divine sword, Claíomh Solais, maintained that barrier.
“Wouldn’t it be nice if it screwed up the couple of the century as a bonus?”
“…That is a bit pleasing.”
When Saluzia spoke frankly, Koros laughed out loud.
“Our leader has given us permission.”
To combine all the forces of the central and northern branches.
“Do you have anything in it for me in order for me to accept it?”
“Yes, that’s why I’m begging you like this now.”
At Koros’ words, Saluzia loudly laughed and said.
“I’ve thought about this for a long time, but you really don’t know how to ask for a favor, Konny.”
“But I can do this because we understand each other, right? You know me, Sannie.”
“Well, I’m the only one who knows you.”
“That’s why I’m only doing this to you. What do you think? Are you not happy that you know?”
“Ha, you’ve really set your mind on doing this plan.”
Saluzia spoke sarcastically, but she wasn’t in a bad mood.
Or rather, in order to make up for her past failures, she had no other choice but to work together with Koros and make this plan to exterminate the royal family successful.
“But I won’t agree if you don’t give me an explanation. Tell me about it in detail.”
In what way and the amount of work she would do.
When Saluzia asked him about it, Koros grinned and drew closer to her. He began to tell her about it in a low voice.
***
In the afternoon, after Jude’s match against First Sword was over.
Cordelia sat on the sofa and happily smiled as she stared at the sword glimmering in the sunlight.
“Ah, it’s so pretty no matter how many times I look at it.”
How can its color be so beautiful?
How can the gem in its handle be so brilliant?
Cordelia’s face became ecstatic, and she unknowingly hummed. Jude was sitting next to her and said in quiet voice as he gazed at her.
“Cordelia, my love. I dedicate to thee what thou had asked for.”
Instead of being embarrassed by his dramatic and romantic lines, Cordelia giggled and tapped Jude on the shoulder with her hand.
“Yes, yes, good job. Continue to devote yourself and be loyal as you are now. Do your best always, okay?”
“No, Princess. Isn’t it time for you give me a prize or say thank you?”
“I can’t. If I continue to be nice to you, you’ll become spoiled. Don’t you know that the carrot-to-stick ratio is important?”
Cordelia said with a mischievous look as she snorted, and Jude smiled again at her appearance.
“Well, if it’s a carrot, I already got it.”