Chapter 1 The Dome

In the Demon King's Hall, its dome adorned with celestial patterns, the Defilement Sovereign, Mello Gars, looked at the princess on the throne with a gratified expression.

Very good.

Her Highness's reaction was perfect.

Only a weak little girl like this could be firmly controlled in her hands.

Mello Gars stopped staring at Hyperion, casting her gaze down the platform, preventing the other demons from continuing to stare at her and the princess.

The throne room became even quieter.

Aside from the ticking of the clock's gears, the two of them didn't exchange any more words.

The demons present almost had to read the Defilement Sovereign's expression.

The Ice Witch had wanted to say something earlier, but Prana quickly stopped her with a look.

The throne room wasn't only occupied by the four of them, the Great Demons.

They were likely replacing the current confidants of the Demon Realm's princess, while the other Great Demons were more likely leaning towards neutrality or the Defilement Sovereign.

Without a clear understanding of the other Great Demons' positions, it was best not to provoke the terrifyingly strong Defilement Sovereign.

Observing the current situation in the Demon Realm was the best option.

If there was even one mistake, the mission objective, "Everyone must survive," would be declared a failure.

On the other side of the platform.

Antanas sighed.

Familiar with Hyperion, she naturally understood that Hyperion's acting had reached perfection. Whether it was the current fear or the earlier tears, they were as real as could be. The Defilement Sovereign was gradually lowering her guard against Hyperion.

From the beginning, Hyperion had been a sentimental girl. After her father disappeared, she would cry alone. The moment she learned of Caliera's death, her sorrow was indescribable.

Having followed Lancelot for so long, she understood that her best strategy was to choose a safe approach to survive, not to recklessly take dangerous risks, and waiting to join forces with Lancelot would guarantee a sure win.

And in the world line predicted by the Goddess of Fate, Hyperion had little resistance when facing irresistible enemies and died quickly.

All of this made Hyperion understand how to win the game.

The best solution was definitely to wait for the cheat-like Lancelot to fight, and definitely not to do anything fancy herself.

Therefore, her card combinations gradually changed from offensive to defensive, learning the way of survival by putting on a weak facade to deceive the enemy.

But naturally, some people wouldn't understand.

Some might even sigh that Hyperion was a useless princess.

On the throne.

"..."

Hyperion wiped away her tears.

Seeing that her Ice Witch teacher and Prana had reached a consensus to observe, Hyperion felt relieved.

Antanas and Cinorra always followed Prana's lead, and the Ice Witch's temperament was even more rigid.

The teacher couldn't defeat the Defilement Sovereign. Leaving aside the Defilement Sovereign's level being at least that of a cardinal, the six-seal quasi-king Defilement Sovereign would have a strong special effect against the other Great Demons. Even if the four of them attacked together, it would be quite dangerous.

There might be many Great Demons in the throne room who supported the Defilement Sovereign.

Although Hyperion felt anger in her heart, knowing that the Defilement Sovereign had seized Caliera's victory to ascend to the position of Regent, she knew that only by showing a weak and helpless appearance could she gain the Defilement Sovereign's trust.

Mission Objective One reminded her to protect the little spark that Caliera had left behind.

Before she found a clue to it, she would never act rashly.

"It seems like it's almost time."

The Defilement Sovereign, Mello Gars, was now overlooking the entire throne room in her capacity as Regent.

She was tall and slender, her black robe outlining her enchanting curves, yet revealing a chilling aura. Her smog-purple eyes flickered with a soul-stirring sharpness.

Mello Gars slightly curled her lips, revealing a meaningful smile.

At the moment the bell rang, she elegantly waved her hand, her fingertips dancing with purple flames. A terrifying scream echoed in the throne room, ghostly figures flickering, sealing off the exits.

Many demons couldn't help but shiver, lowering their heads even further.

"Everyone, I have gathered you here today to announce an important message that concerns the future transformation of our Demon Realm."

Mello Gars surveyed her surroundings, her gaze sweeping over every demon, as sharp and cold as a blade.

"I believe many of you have already guessed."

She slowly opened her mouth, her voice pleasant and melodious, yet revealing an unquestionable majesty.

"..."

The platform was silent, not a single demon dared to answer.

"That's right, the Fallen Sovereign, Caliera, has vanished. From now on, there will be no more Fallen Sovereign in the Demon Realm, and I, the Defilement Sovereign, will take over Caliera's great task, continuing to support Her Highness the Princess in leading the Demon Realm, so that the Demon Realm can regain its glory in this upcoming age of prosperity."

Mello Gars sneered and continued,

"In Caliera's era, we could only be forced to sign the North-South Treaty with the Blood Clan, a shameful humiliation in the history of the Demon Realm, and she almost lost the princess. But I am different. Under my leadership, both the Horning Empire and the Blood Clan have been repelled to the south, which means that we had the strength to become the overlords of this world, but it was Caliera's incompetence that led to the current world situation."

As she spoke, she glanced sideways, observing Hyperion's expression.

"Mello Gars, you're going too far! You shouldn't..."

Finally, an old demon on the platform slammed his seat and stood up, denouncing Mello Gars's remarks.

Before he could completely stand up.

His body was pierced by strands of thread-like magic, and his body exploded with a bang, leaving only blood mist scattering in the air, streaking across the terrified faces of the surrounding demons, covered in fragments.

The end of the magical thread was being held by Mello Gars.

Mello Gars seemed not to see the corpse, casually retracting her raised fingertip, causing the magic to dissipate.

The hall was silent again for a long while.

Even those demons with a sense of reason dared not speak out in anger.

Caliera's faction of confidant Great Demons had either died or been crippled in the past twelve years of fierce fighting. Almost all the capable ones had sacrificed themselves.

And Mello Gars had spent more time forming cliques to protect herself during the war. Now, she was the only one in power.

"I accidentally heard a demon talking nonsense just now. I think no one will interrupt me anymore, right?"

The Defilement Sovereign, Mello Gars, put her hand to her ear, tilting her face to listen around the platform.

This time, no demon spoke again.

Only then did she prepare to speak again.

"But..."

Mello Gars changed her tone, her voice suddenly cold,

"But, if Her Highness the Princess still remembers the old days and wants to continue governing the Demon Realm according to the strategy left by Caliera, our great cause will be in vain. Everyone, tell me, what should I do?"

Mello Gars's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the throne room.

The demons looked at each other, their eyes flickering, feeling their scalps tingling and their backs chilling.

Mello Gars's words had hidden meanings, and she was already openly shaking the demons' loyalty to the princess, intending to empty her of power and replace her.

"Lord Mello Gars, forgive me for speaking frankly."

At this moment, a young demon's voice suddenly came from the seat, bowing to Mello Gars with flattery,

"Her Highness the Princess finally returned to the Demon Realm with great difficulty. She has always been thinking about the human kingdom. In essence, she has long regarded herself as a human. Caliera has indulged her even more, creating such a weak princess who only knows how to cry when something happens. Should we really let a human girl wearing the skin of a demon rule?"

Before the words were finished, there was a "whoosh" sound, and a black light flashed, like a bolt of silk, plunging into the demon's chest.

The demon's body stiffened, and he fell to the ground with a thud, his corpse decaying into thick water.

In an instant, another demon died completely.

Looking in the direction of the black light, the Defilement Sovereign raised her scorpion tail, the stinger pointing at the direction of the seats.

This time, Mello Gars made the move again.

The other demons really didn't dare to say anything, not even daring to make a sound of swallowing saliva.

Mello Gars had gone mad with killing.

"Humans?"

Mello Gars glanced at the demon's remains on the ground in the distance, her tone grim.

"Are you questioning our princess? Anyone who dares to speak rudely to the princess again will not be tolerated in the slightest."

She arrogantly looked down at the audience, her body radiating a murderous aura.

After the words fell, the entire throne room was silent, and the demons were panicking.

She would kill even those who spoke up for her.

Mello Gars deliberately killed the demons who openly stood on her side, just to establish her authority and show her loyalty and orthodoxy.

"Princess, only I will be so good to you. What am I, if not your aunt?"

The Defilement Sovereign, Mello Gars, lowered her head, looking at Hyperion and said softly, her lips trembling.

"..."

Hyperion clenched the armrest of the throne tightly, her knuckles turning white.

She swallowed with difficulty, feeling her throat was terribly dry.

If she could, she really wanted to call her real aunt, Talia, to beat this bad aunt, Mello Gars.

But the cruel reality was that Talia, a three-seal civil official, could never be a match for Mello Gars, a six-seal general.

"It seems you understand my good intentions, Your Highness."

And Hyperion's subtle expression made the smile on Mello Gars's face even thicker.

She reached out to gently stroke Hyperion's cheek, but considering the occasion, she slowly stopped her hand.

But Mello Gars's scorpion tail gradually wrapped around the back of Hyperion's throne, outlining the shape of a heart.

Although she craved the princess's body, she wasn't in a hurry at this moment.

"..."

Hyperion felt that Mello Gars's "good intentions" seemed even more terrifying than malice.

A chill rose from the soles of her feet, rushing straight to the top of her head.

This was the first time she had seen this kind of female demon.

Unlike Caliera, Hyperion couldn't feel any sense of intimacy or trust towards this Defilement Sovereign, Mello Gars.

On the contrary, she could only perceive endless desire and licentiousness from her.

"Alright, everyone, relax. Don't scare the princess."

Fortunately, the Defilement Sovereign, Mello Gars, didn't focus her attention on Hyperion any longer, but issued a silver-bell-like laugh, explaining her opinions and important matters to the demons.

...

Hyperion spent an agonizing time in the throne room, finally enduring until the gathering ended.

She got up with a sigh of relief, walked down the steps under the gaze of Mello Gars and the demons, and walked out of the hall.

Leaving that suffocating space, she felt that she was breathing fresh air again.

If she took the initiative to find Prana and the others at this time, it would definitely arouse Mello Gars's vigilance and suspicion.

She just needed to wait for Prana and Antanas to contact her. With their special abilities, it wouldn't be difficult to bypass Mello Gars at the right time.

The Demon Realm Palace, the main hall on the first floor, was a huge circular regency hall.

Upstairs were the royal family's exclusive areas, including study rooms, bedrooms, and meeting rooms, as well as many of the configurations that a mansion should have.

In the past, except for the Fallen Sovereign, Caliera, and the demons she permitted, other demons were not allowed to enter the higher floors of the palace.

Now, it seemed that this practice was still being maintained.

Hyperion walked through the long corridor, flanked by ancient and heavy stone pillars.

She quickened her pace, wanting to return to her room, that still somewhat familiar residence.

Finally, she came to the second floor of the palace and pushed open the door to her bedroom.

In the spacious bedroom, the purplish-red sunset shone through the light gauze curtains and onto the soft carpet.

The heavy curtains blocked most of the outside light.

Hyperion quietly looked at the room. Outside the window were the palace gardens and the barrier in the distance.

Her gaze penetrated the translucent barrier and looked out at the inland bay of the royal capital.

Last time.

It was in the restaurant across the bay that he had found her.

Then, it was a dreamlike and unforgettable summer.

She just never thought that when she returned to the Demon Realm again, everything would have already changed. Caliera was no longer in the Demon King's Palace, and Lancelot was no longer in the mansion across the bay.

Hyperion leaned wearily against the door, took a deep breath, and only then did she feel her tense nerves relax slightly, and completely pulled open the curtains.

However, at this moment, she noticed something subtle moving under the dressing table.

Hyperion's heart tightened, and she subconsciously summoned her dagger.

But taking a closer look, she found that it was just a gray ball of fur.

She took two steps closer in confusion and squatted down.

With the help of the dim sunset, Hyperion saw clearly that it was a small gray kitten curled up in the shadows in the corner.

It didn't seem to like the light. Hyperion's act of pulling the curtains just now had disturbed it.

Hyperion squatted curiously in front of the dressing table.

The shadows of the two, one human and one cat, faced each other on the carpet.

The gray kitten was small and thin, with scars on its body, and its eyes were dim and lonely, and full of vigilance.

The more Hyperion looked at it, the more she felt an unspeakable sense of familiarity with the little gray cat.

That familiar demon magic, made Hyperion sure that this was not a kitten, but a demon child disguised as a cat and curled up in the corner.

The pendant on its chest was engraved with the demon words "Tamisha."

Hyperion tentatively reached out her hand.

The gray kitten also retreated.

But behind it was the wall, and it had nowhere to avoid.

"Don't be afraid, I won't hurt you."

Hyperion slowed down the speed of her hand approaching it, and said softly.

Finally, she gently hugged the little gray cat.

The moment she touched it.

Hyperion felt a familiar magic.

Like a warm current, it began to resonate along Hyperion's fingertips.

As if it was the last spark left by Caliera.

Without a doubt, this demon child had inherited some of Caliera's most fundamental power.

"That's great... it's the life you protected."

Tears streamed down Hyperion's fair cheeks, trying to squeeze out a smile.

Hyperion held it close to her chest, her tears bittersweet, yet full of relief and emotion.

She looked at the wounds on the little gray cat with heartache, and quickly put it on the bedding, and began to rummage through the cabinet for good wound medicine.

The Defilement Sovereign seemed to hate this little cat that had Caliera's aura very much, so she liked to abuse it extremely, but she didn't kill it for the time being because of some scruples, which made the already small gray cat completely autistic, and now it was particularly hostile to Hyperion.

When Hyperion turned around with the medicine box.

She found that the little gray cat had jumped back under the dressing table, staying alone in the shadows.

"So you hate staying here so much..."

Hyperion lowered her eyes with heartache and relief, and said to the little gray cat.

No wonder, in this cage-like palace, the little gray cat may just be waiting for Caliera, hoping that Caliera could come back and find it one day.

But, Caliera would never come back.

Continuing to stay here might indeed be very dangerous. The fickle Defilement Sovereign might soon begin to clear away what Caliera had left behind.

"It's okay, let's go together."

Hyperion once again took the little gray cat out from under the dressing table.

She glanced at the Shadow World information.

[Mission Objective 1: Protect the little spark left by Caliera.]

[Mission Objective 2: Understand the state of mind of Black Sun Lancelot: 0.13%. (Incomplete)]

She hadn't looked for a while, and there had been some changes in Mission Objective Two.

Although she still didn't understand what Mission Objective Two was, Mission Objective One had become clear to her.

If she wanted to be the safest, she must go to the demon ancestral land of Pasquale in Purgatory City.

As the only orthodox royal family of today, as long as she stayed in the demon ancestral land, no demon could threaten her.

Therefore, her mission objective could also be understood as successfully arriving at the ancestral land.

"Let's go together, okay?"

Hyperion murmured to herself, her tone full of comfort,

"Go to a safe place, so that no demons will bully you."

She closed her eyes, her cheek touching the gray kitten with Caliera's magic aura.

"..."

The little gray cat ignored Hyperion.

It only used its paws to push her away desperately.

It didn't like this young demon woman who pretended to be a mother, and didn't even want to turn back into a human form in front of her.

No one could tame it.

It would never hand over Caliera's treasure.