missnovel Chapter 278: Talk Of The Town
Chapter 278: Talk Of The Town
Sol’s laughter echoed throughout the massive hall like rolling thunder. The sound was so loud that several lesser demons standing guard outside instinctively lowered their heads further. He slapped his thigh repeatedly while leaning back against his throne, golden eyes gleaming with amusement.
It had been a very long time since another prince had managed to entertain him this much. Ever since becoming the Prince of Pride, most of his siblings had become predictable. They schemed, betrayed, manipulated, and fought over power in ways he had seen countless times before. Yet this child had somehow managed to create chaos in a manner that felt refreshing.
"That kid... that kid is something!" Sol laughed again, shaking his head.
The news had spread through the underworld faster than wildfire through dry grass. Entire clans were discussing it. Dukes were discussing it. Even the Princes had begun paying closer attention.
The assassination attempt had failed. That alone would have been embarrassing enough.
Instead, five elite members of the Kasok Clan had been slaughtered. Their princess had been kidnapped. A Demigod-tier weapon had been stolen. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Damian had publicly demanded a second Demigod-tier artifact as ransom while openly threatening to turn the princess herself into a cursed weapon if the demands were ignored.
The sheer audacity left many demons speechless. Even the concept itself was horrifying. Demons were accustomed to cruelty. They were accustomed to torture and slaughter.
But using the daughter of a Marquis as raw material for a cursed weapon?
That crossed into territory even demons found disturbing. Which made it even funnier.
The underworld was currently divided between outrage and terror.
Sol loved every second of it.
The massive golden lion resting beside the throne lifted its head slightly and released a low growl of amusement. Its golden mane shimmered beneath the crimson flames illuminating the hall.
"The only fault I find in that child is keeping those three devils with him. Clearly he doesn’t resent demons. He is merely ruthless toward his enemies."
Sol’s laughter gradually faded. His fingers tapped against the armrest thoughtfully. His thoughts drifted toward every report he had received about Damian.
The kid spared legion of Duke Haborym and the demon serving Duke Astaroth who had been allowed to leave unharmed.
The numerous reports describing Damian as unexpectedly reasonable toward demons who had done nothing against him.
The image being painted was becoming increasingly clear. Damian was not Lin Qui nor was he Sol.
He occupied some strange position between both extremes.
"Those girls helped him reach the Demigod realm in less than a year. They are useful to him. At least for now." Sol’s eyes narrowed slightly.
No matter how much he disliked those three women, he couldn’t deny reality. Without them Damian would not be standing where he was today.
The speed of his growth bordered on absurdity. Even now, his survival relied heavily upon their existence.
Leo frowned slightly.
"He’s already a Demigod. Does he still need them?"
Sol leaned backward and crossed one leg over the other. His expression became thoughtful.
"I’m assuming the boy intends to establish a foothold on that planet. If so, he’s eventually going to encounter Greed directly. Until then, he still needs them."
The lion slowly nodded.
"But can the boy actually defeat Greed?"
Silence lingered for several moments and Sol’s fingers stopped moving. A dangerous smile slowly spread across his face.
"Unless Greed finds a Seed, he cannot descend in that world with full power. Any other method he uses to enter that planet would reduce his strength to at least the Demigod Realm."
The lion’s eyes brightened.
"And we already know the only Seed on Earth belongs to Piety."
Sol chuckled and Leo continued.
"So doesn’t that make Damian the most likely victor in this struggle?"
This time Sol laughed quietly. They were forgetting something important.
Wrath was already involved.
Piety was involved.
Greed would eventually become involved.
And now Envy had begun moving pieces from the shadows.
The situation was becoming far messier than most people realized. Which meant it would become far more entertaining.
"I’m curious to see who survives." His smile widened.
This was the first time in a while so many forces were gathering at one spot.
Five years.
That was all the time he can buy Damian. That’s all the time Damian has to consolidate his strength and secure his foundations.
During this time, Sol would not allow any major player in all this chaos, step into that planet.
After that, Damian can only rely on himself.
_________
Thousands of miles away, powerful waves crashed violently against the cliffs surrounding Damian’s California residence. The night sky remained covered by dark clouds while ocean winds howled endlessly through the darkness.
Suspended several feet above the cliffside was Rah, princess of the Kasok Clan or at least what remained of her.
Massive emerald serpents had emerged from the stone itself and wrapped around her body like living restraints. Their thick bodies pierced through the cliff face repeatedly, pinning her against the rock from every direction.
One snake coiled around each arm and another restrained each leg.
A fifth wrapped around her waist and stomach. The remaining two had buried their fangs deep into either side of her neck.
Venom pulsed continuously through her bloodstream causing dark green veins to spread across her skin like roots.
Her once beautiful blue complexion had turned sickly purple. She drifted endlessly between consciousness and unconsciousness.
Never fully awake.
Never fully asleep.
Every second felt like torture.
Every breath felt painful.
Every thought felt distant.
Through blurry vision she could barely make out Damian’s figure floating nearby.
"My father..."
The words barely escaped her lips.
"Your father won’t do shit."
Rin’s voice snapped through the night. The seven-tailed fox practically exploded with irritation.
"If he comes here, we’ll kidnap him too."
With an angry bark, Rin launched himself toward her only for Damian to casually grab him by the tail midair.
The fox immediately began flailing.
"Let me at her!"
His paws kicked wildly and his tails thrashed furiously.
Yet Damian held him effortlessly. The sight would have been amusing under different circumstances.
Damian sighed.
"I’m the one being assassinated, not you."
Rin continued kicking for another few seconds before finally calming down.
Damian released him.
The fox immediately landed on his shoulder while muttering curses beneath his breath. Turning his attention toward Rah, Damian studied her condition quietly.
Then he chuckled.
"Since so many people are trying to kill me, I might as well have some fun with all of this."
Rah struggled to focus on his face. The effort alone felt exhausting.
"You don’t need to worry. You’ll be staying here for a very long time."
His smile made her stomach drop and fear filled her eyes. For the first time since arriving on Earth, she genuinely regretted accepting the mission.
Her lips moved but words came. The pain was too overwhelming.
"Tsk... tsk... tsk..."
Damian shook his head slowly.
"I can see why they fear my wives."
His gaze lingered on the snakes. The punishment was horrifying. Rah would never lose consciousness, of receive rest.
The snakes ensured her mind remained trapped between sleep and awareness.
An endless prison of suffering.
"In this case, I’m with your girls." Rin folded his tiny arms. " This level of cruelty is necessary."
Damian nodded. For once he agreed completely. Mercy would only invite more assassins while cruelty will make people think twice.
Unknown to Damian, news of the Kasok Princess’s capture had already spread in the underworld. Within his territory of Velmora, millions of demons celebrated openly. Taverns overflowed with laughter. Merchants abandoned business to gossip. Soldiers raised drinks high into the air.
They have been skeptical of what their new Lord would be like after Lin Qui’s death. However, every news of their prince has made them realize their worries were baseless.
Velmora finally has a tyrant that would make the rest of the underworld tremble in fear. How could they not be excited?