Chapter 1 The Devil's Hall Adorned with Celestial Patterns

Inside the Devil's Hall, its dome adorned with celestial patterns, Hyperion gazed at the Fallen Caliera with an expression of feigned weakness, pity, and innocence, awaiting the words of the ninth-order Great Demon.

Caliera didn't mind the princess's act of playing dumb.

It was simply a matter of making things clear in front of all the Great Demons—

"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't force you, but we are on the verge of war, and the Demon race may face a trial or a catastrophe. The opening of the ancestral lands requires insurance."

The Fallen Caliera said, gazing at Hyperion.

Her meaning was clear: the princess needed to continue the royal bloodline. Otherwise, if the princess were assassinated or died prematurely, the ancestral lands would close, and if the Blood Clan were to attack, the Demon race would be at a severe disadvantage.

Hyperion was stunned.

She hadn't expected Caliera's purpose to be this.

"Could you give me some time to consider?"

Hyperion asked.

"How long?"

Caliera inquired.

"A month and a half."

Hyperion tried to gloss over it.

Once the forty-five-day limit in the Shadow World was up, she would run back to the real world, and what happened next would be none of her concern.

"No, the Blood Clan has long wanted to test us. They've proposed a marriage between you and a Blood Clan Marquis as a condition for long-term peace between the Blood Clan and the Demon race. We can only delay giving the Blood Clan an answer for another month at most. Choosing a husband before then is also a way to protect you."

Caliera's faint smile gradually turned into a cold sneer as she spoke sternly.

If they agreed to the Blood Clan's request, the Demon race would lose the ability to open the ancestral lands. If they refused, they would no longer be able to maintain their neutral status.

In large-scale wars, the last to enter often reaps the benefits. If possible, the Demon race didn't want to get involved yet.

"Please don't be willful, Your Highness. Rather than handing you over to the Blood Clan, it would be better for us to forcibly control you. The fact that you can still sit in this position is the last bit of face I'm giving to an old friend."

The Fallen Caliera's stern expression sent a chill down Hyperion's spine.

The old friend Caliera mentioned was clearly the previous Demon King.

Hyperion understood that the reason she could still maintain her status as a princess was entirely due to Caliera, who, as the maintainer of the rules, presided over the Demon race's etiquette.

And Caliera, as a ninth-order Great Demon, clearly had her limits.

"...So, you're saying that I have to decide within a month?"

Hyperion pursed her lips, feeling like she was in a difficult situation from the start.

But she had heard Antanas and the others say that the marriage partners of the Demon World's royal family had to be Great Demons at the very least.

"The weak have no right to choose. In the Demon World, the strong always choose the weak. You can only express your preferences as much as possible. I will find the most suitable marriage partner for you from among the Great Demons who are interested, under fair conditions that will convince all the Great Demons."

Caliera reminded her.

The Demon race couldn't afford internal strife at this time, let alone trigger the collective dissatisfaction of the Great Demons.

As the princess's marriage partner, one would also gain considerable power. Many Great Demons, regardless of whether they liked the princess or not, might want to become the princess's marriage partner or even her controller.

Directly appointing someone would not only violate the traditions of the Demon World but also offend the Great Demons, making them outwardly compliant but inwardly resentful.

Apart from her, Caliera, there were other ninth-order Great Demons on the border who hadn't come. If she personally made an unfair decision, it would be difficult for her, Caliera, to deal with the other ninth-order Great Demons in the name of Demon race etiquette.

"..."

Hyperion clenched her hands tightly.

She didn't want to marry a Demon she didn't know in such an absurd way.

Forcibly escaping from the Devil's Castle was definitely impossible. At most, she had only learned how to escape from her teacher, the Ice Snow Demoness, but that clearly wouldn't work against the ninth-order Great Demon Caliera.

Now, she could only think of a way to put on a show and get through this crisis.

"I prefer black hair... You have to find me a Demon with black hair..."

Hyperion pouted and muttered with great difficulty, stating her request.

Her father, Mi Gaia, had black hair, so she wasn't lying.

She bolstered herself in her heart.

"That can be dyed."

Caliera calmly retorted.

She didn't think hair color should be a screening condition.

"Then... I prefer eye color to be..."

Hyperion tugged at the fabric of her dress and tentatively said.

"That can also be changed with magic."

Caliera interrupted Hyperion before she could finish.

She found the princess's requests strange, as if she was trying to fixate on a certain Great Demon.

"My marriage partner must be a light-attribute demon."

Hyperion's face turned even redder as she mumbled with her head lowered.

She was a dark-attribute demon and would naturally be attracted to light-attribute demons. This was normal.

"You can't directly limit the race. That could involve racial discrimination and affect the cohesiveness of our Demon race at this critical juncture. Moreover, there aren't many demons among the current Great Demons who naturally possess the light attribute."

Caliera was already a little impatient, feeling that the princess was just making trouble.

And she inexplicably felt that the princess was still being stubborn even at this critical moment of life and death.

Finally, letting out a breath, Caliera warned,

"You can only propose conditions like 'the most powerful demon' or 'the most knowledgeable demon.' We will then publicly find the most suitable marriage partner for you in the Demon World based on these conditions. This will convince the masses and also reassure the Blood Clan that we aren't just temporarily arranging a fake marriage partner for you out of thin air. If you don't choose, we'll default to the strongest demon."

"..."

Hyperion couldn't speak, feeling her throat extremely dry and her heart beating faster and faster.

In the solemn and heavy throne room, the surrounding air seemed to freeze due to the tension.

Hyperion sat on the throne, feeling the terrifying atmosphere in the palace.

Not only was there the dangerous demonic power of the Great Demons, but beside her, Caliera, the only one who had clearly stated that she could protect her, stood quietly, her gaze seeming to penetrate all appearances and reach the depths of her soul.

This also made Hyperion clearly feel that Caliera's patience was dwindling.

Just as Caliera sighed helplessly, preparing to give up on respecting the princess's ideas,

"Then, I like demons with artistic talent, is that okay? A month from now, have the Great Demons draw. I'll marry whoever draws the best!"

Hyperion, driven to desperation, could only grit her teeth and say this.

Although saying such words made her extremely shy.

But this was the only thing she could think of at the moment.

"...That's acceptable."

Caliera nodded, feeling that the princess's request this time wasn't so willful.

The top painters in the Demon World could also produce quite powerful magical items. Their paintings themselves possessed magical effects, and their status and identity were quite noble. It was reasonable for them to be favored by the royal family.

"I also accept nameless Great Demons."

Hyperion added.

"..."

This surprised Caliera somewhat.

It seemed that the princess was really determined this time.

Caliera could understand that there were indeed nameless Great Demons hidden in the Demon World or human kingdoms. Although they were all dangerous fellows, their Demon race was employing talent regardless of background at this time. If they could bring out a nameless Great Demon and incorporate them into their Demon race's power, it wouldn't be a losing proposition.

"I understand. I will convey the important matter of the princess's request as much as possible and choose a Great Demon who paints the best for you. At that time, Princess, don't go back on your word, or don't blame me for not being able to protect you anymore."

Caliera bowed and responded.

"No problem."

Hyperion gritted her teeth and agreed.

She wasn't sure if the request she had hastily made would pay off.

In her heart, she only kept praying that there wouldn't be any Demons in the Demon World of this era who were better at painting than him, definitely not.