The climate on Shimuin’s many islands was warm throughout the year. The nation was renowned for its festivities, including the Coliseum and the street festivals. The emerald sea that surrounded it shimmered beautifully. No matter which coast one visited, sunbathers and tourists dotted the sands.
While islands like Shedor and Larupa were bustling due to the sheer number of people, tranquil, picturesque islands could be found just a short boat ride away. These islands typically housed the mansions of the wealthy or were developed into luxurious resorts frequented by honeymooners.
The outfit of Noir Giabella, the Queen of the Night Demons, seemed to align with such islands.
A crowded beach scene was her backdrop. Though everyone else wore swimsuits and was engrossed in beach activities, all eyes would still be on this breathtaking woman. She might be a bride who rigorously prepared herself for her groom or a superstar strolling on a quiet private beach.
Either way, it meant that she donned a swimsuit.
Her pale skin contrasted with the black bikini she wore. The slightly loose straps of her bikini swayed like Noir's tail. Every step she took felt like a runway crafted just for her.
Noir confidently strode into the venue with a perfect model walk.
"Surprise!" she said, beaming and confidently presenting herself. Thousands of gazes turned towards her.
It took varying lengths of time for those present to realize the current situation. The castle doors had randomly opened, and a woman in a bikini had just boldly entered….
It wasn't something to be easily brushed off.
The woman was none other than Noir Giabella, the Queen of the Night Demons, and she was present in her true form. Moreover, unlike when Eugene had encountered her at the Dragon Demon Castle, Noir now exuded an aura characteristic of a night demon.
A night demon, also known as a succubus, had the innate ability to bewitch humans. Even a lower-tier night demon could effortlessly captivate a human. As such, the presence of the queen, the pinnacle of their species, resulted in a quick domination of the hall.
However, many of those present in the hall were far from ordinary. While the servers were stopped in their tracks, blushing and gasping for breaths, the elite guests quickly regained their composure after a few hurried breaths. After all, they were all representatives of their respective nations.
However — their quick recovery was a testament to Noir's mercy.
Even without officially taking on the title of a Demon King, her aura surpassed that of a succubus. She had more than enough power to rival a Demon King. If Noir chose to unleash her full aura, even the most elite knights would've found it impossible to maintain their calm. She could've easily incapacitated half the attendees just by her mere presence, and if she had used the Demoneye of Fantasy, she would have caused effortless annihilation, as if she were stomping on ants.
Yet, she wasn't here for a massacre nor to enthrall everyone.
"Surprised, everyone?" She asked with a teasing grin.
A containment circle had formed around her even before she asked the question. The thousands in the hall had surrounded her. The knights had their weapons drawn. Of particular note were the holy knights, who were already pointing their weapons directly at her from the front.
"Girls usually don't like men who are too fast,” commented Noir.
She tilted her head upwards and raised her gaze to see Crusader Raphael. The zealous paladin was in the air with his greatsword drawn, which he had done upon spotting Noir before charging at her.
Raphael's hopes to cleave Noir in two didn't come to fruition. His devoutly acquired divine power and the resilience packed in his youthful frame were rendered meaningless before Noir's magical bindings.
"Next time, approach a lady slowly, patiently, and... when you climb her, be more gentle," Noir quipped, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Though, given your stature, you might struggle to climb aboard."
Raphael's body moved in tandem with her gaze. However, he wasn't thrown about or slammed into a distant wall. Instead, Noir gently set him down on the ground.
"Damn whore...!" Raphael spat through his gritted teeth.
This treatment, coupled with her prior remarks, was enough to make Raphael's blood boil. As he readied to charge at Noir once again, a hand grabbed his shoulder from behind.
"You're still so impulsive," grumbled Eugene, pulling Raphael back.
Had the one restraining him been a pontiff, Raphael might have disregarded the intervention. But realizing it was Eugene, he immediately restrained his fury. To Raphael, a devout crusader of Yuras, every word and intent of Eugene — the Hero — was as if spoken by the divine Light itself.
‘Fucking whore,’ Eugene thought with a frown as he glared at Noir.
He had last encountered her in the Solgalta Sea region just a few weeks prior. He hadn't expected her to show her face here, let alone in her true form.
'Is she that confident?' Eugene wondered.
If he used all the resources available here, could he kill Noir?
Taking her down outside her realm might be easier than killing her after breaching her domain. Yet, confronting Noir here would be far from easy. Even if they attacked her right now, there might be less than ten survivors even if they won.
"Tsk." Eugene clicked his tongue as he glared at the demon standing behind Noir. Ten survivors? No, all of them would be annihilated if they attacked right now. If Noir had used a warp-gate, there would have been advance notice of their arrival.
'And here I was wondering if she had flown all the way here from Helmuth,’ Eugene thought in irritation.
It had been the same during the Knight March. The Black Mist had appeared in Lehainjar without using a warp-gate.
It was all thanks to the Blade of Incarceration, Gavid Lindman. His Demoneye of Eternal Glory granted him the authority to wield the powers of the Demon King of Incarceration. As such, it allowed him to teleport, just like the Demon King of Incarceration could.
"Duke Giabella," Gavid began, lips curling, "Did I not warn you? I told you that breaking in uninvited would earn you hostilities. That is why I said we should enter properly, with respect."
Though he was admonishing Noir, his gaze was fixed on Eugene. Those ink-splotched eyes stared intently at him.
"Perhaps you don't really understand, Duke Lindman. Showing such a playful, folksy appearance is better to put everyone at ease," Noir said with a giggle while flipping her hair back. She exaggeratedly swayed her body, drawing attention to her ample bosom. She continued, "Everyone can clearly see that unlike you, with your grim expression, I appear as someone here to enjoy the beautiful sea, the grand festivities, and sweet encounters. Isn’t that right?”
Gavid did not deign to respond to her nonsense. His shadowed eyes remained fixed on Eugene, who countered the intense gaze without flinching.
"What are you staring at?" Moreover, Eugene didn’t stop at just staring. He snapped, his voice dripping with disdain.
Gavid didn’t respond but restrained his simmering anger. Just as Noir hadn't come for bloodshed, neither had Gavid. He took a step back while containing his fury, although his frustration was evident.
"Firstly, I apologize…," he began, his words directed not at Eugene but at the ‘humans’ still holding their formation. Their tension was palpable, as if they stood on the brink of an explosive conflict.
"For arriving unannounced, for opening the castle gates without permission, for disrupting the festival—" But Gavid couldn’t finish his sentence because of a rude interruption.
"At least you know it," Eugene interjected.
Gavid's eyes narrowed before saying, "…I understand… your concerns. I also know that you all are not here merely for 'celebrations.'"
"If you understand, then say it…," Eugene said bluntly.
Gavid took a deep breath as he clenched his fists while glaring at Eugene.
Part of him wished to smash the insolent human's face into the ground, but he couldn't. Doing so would go against the wishes of the Demon King of Incarceration. And thus, Gavid was forbidden to touch that human. Unfortunately for Gavid, Eugene was well aware of this fact as well.
Just a few weeks prior, he had met with the Demon King of Incarceration deep in the ocean's abyss. Their exchange provided Eugene with clear answers. As long as Eugene didn't turn towards Babel, there would be no war between them.
‘Of all demons, it’s you. Bastard, you’ll never go against the Demon King’s wishes and harm me,’ Eugene thought with a mental smirk.
And so, Eugene could continue to irritate Gavid with confidence.
"Are you not going to speak?" Eugene taunted.
"What's giving you such confidence…?" Gavid seethed.
"I trust your Demon King," Eugene responded smugly.
This jab broke Gavid's restraint, causing him to clench his teeth so hard they shattered. He trembled with rage while staring at Eugene, then turned away, not wanting to engage further. Running a hand over his regenerating jaw, Gavid finally spoke, "…I have a message from the Demon King of Incarceration."
Gavid directed his gaze at two other figures: the Emperor of Kiel and the Pope of Yuras, the two most influential humans on the continent, barring Helmuth.
"His Majesty, the Demon King of Incarceration, wishes that you don't associate the antics of the Demon King of Fury with Helmuth," Gavid declared, causing a ripple of shock among the listeners.
However, he ignored the murmurs as he continued, "However, he won't deny the connection between the Dark Elf Iris' actions and her origins in Helmuth. Although she was defeated and banished during the domain war, she is a demon, and her roots in Helmuth are undeniable. Therefore, His Majesty, the Demon King of Incarceration, feels a measure of responsibility."
Eugene frowned, trying to decipher Gavid's game. What was the intention behind these words? What was he trying?
“As such… Helmuth will take responsibility and provide ethical compensation,” continued Gavid.
"Compensation, you say? Are you perhaps talking about monetary reparation?" asked the emperor after clearing his throat.
Gavid chuckled softly before responding, "Monetary reparations? Not that."
"Then what exactly...?" Emperor Straut II asked.
"As I said," Gavid's voice took on an edge, "an ethical compensation. To speak honestly, I don't find this entirely justified. Iris was banished from Helmuth before becoming the Demon King. Was it not this kingdom that neglected her rise to power?"
He shot a disdainful look at King Oseris, his eyes gleaming with mockery.
"But…," Gavid continued with a smirk, "unlike me, His Majesty, the Demon King of Incarceration, is truly merciful. Listen closely, King Oseris."
Oseris visibly shrank under Gavid's gaze, his body shaking slightly.
Enjoying the king's discomfort, Gavid went on, "His Majesty, the Demon King of Incarceration, decreed that any human who was harmed, directly or indirectly, by Iris and her pirates can migrate to Helmuth without any formalities. They can become residents without paying a single coin."
Oseris became wide-eyed at Gavid’s words.
Gavid continued, “Of course, just because they did not pay the immigration fee doesn’t mean they will be discriminated against. Helmuth will never discriminate against or prosecute the immigrants.”
“Wh-what are you possibly… talking about?” stammered King Oseris.
“Ah… King Oseris, what am I talking about? Are you really asking me because you don’t know? You turned a blind eye to Iris and the pirates, and as a result, a lot of people were harmed and suffered. His Majesty is willing to embrace all those who suffered in place of the useless royal family and this nation.”
Oseris’ face turned red with embarrassment, and the monarchs around him also took on stiff expressions.
Helmuth's immigration welfare system was renowned throughout the continent. Numerous individuals eagerly awaited their turn to migrate. And now, even if only for the victims, the offer to relocate without any procedure was astounding!
"This," Gavid paused, emphasizing each word, "is the compensation promised by His Majesty, the Demon King of Incarceration."
From Gavid's side, Noir stepped forward while swaying her tail seductively. "I, too, have thought of a recompense. After all, if you think about it, the events transpired because I defeated Iris in the territorial war. Had I slain her instead of banishing her, she wouldn't have become a pirate or a Demon King."
Eugene didn't care for whatever crap she was spouting. Yet, he refrained from interrupting. Instead, he waited for Noir's next choice of bullshit.
"My compensation," Noir chirped brightly, "is a free pass to Giabella Park! And special coins!"
With a flourish, she raised her arms, and with a dramatic "ta-da!" sound, red coins rained down from the space above her head.
"With these special coins, most facilities in Giabella Park can be accessed for free, without any waiting in line! There are many other special privileges as well," she exclaimed, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
As the coin rain ceased, with a flick of her fingers, the scattered coins on the ground assembled into a neat tower.
"Any tourist hailing from Shimuin can get these special coins at Giabella Park. Now, then, you must be wondering what these coins here are for?” With a playful wink directed at the stupefied knights, she added, "These tokens are for you, noble souls who ventured across the seas, to honor and guard our Hero, Eugene Lionheart! Now, now, now! Don’t be shy! Do take them. With but a single coin, a lifetime of unparalleled experiences awaits at Giabella Park, where every longing of yours can be realized!"
"You came all this way for this nonsense?" Eugene snapped, cutting her off and leveling a fierce glare at Noir. Every hair on her stood on end as she felt a chilling shiver pierce her. Those eyes!
'Ah, those piercing eyes!' she thought. Their intensity was felt much better in person.
Undeterred, she met his gaze with a bright smile. "While Gavid and I are indeed here to provide compensation, we do have a more pressing matter at hand."
"What matter?" Eugene inquired, keeping his gaze fixed on Noir and Gavid.
He kept his senses alert to the movements around him. Moreover, Sienna and Kristina were preparing for any potential conflict, ensuring they were ready to respond at a moment's notice.
[He didn't bring any backup this time,] Sienna stated after observing beyond the castle gates.
Unlike the Knight March, Gavid hadn't summoned the Black Mist. Yet, he was capable of calling them forth anytime with the power of his demoneye. Kristina and Anise were aware of this and readied a divine barrier.
Still, they also knew its limitations. No matter how potent the divine barrier, it wouldn't stop Gavid if he decided to use the power of his demoneye. The might of the Demon King could nullify even the divine powers of the Saint.
But if Gavid were to summon the Black Mist, they'd retaliate immediately using the barrier.
"Our true reason for coming here…." Noir trailed off, pausing before she began to sing in a melodic tone, "Congratulations~ Congratulations~”
Her voice echoed through the silent hall, singing praises of Eugene's victory over the Demon King.
“Congratulations on your triumph over the Demon King, dear Eugene Lionheart~"
Gavid remained completely still throughout her performance. His gaze was fixated on Noir with an unblinking stare. At that moment, Eugene felt a rare bond with Gavid, for he, too, was gazing at Noir, equally nonplussed.
"Applause!" Oblivious to their shared disbelief, Noir clapped with bright enthusiasm.
"Make a wish now!" She presented a giant cake to Eugene. It had appeared in her hands before anyone noticed, and a thick candle was burning at its center. "Think of your heart's desire and blow out the flame, Eugene! But know that you have to do it in one breath or else—"
Eugene's patience had worn thin. He wasn’t about to let her continue.
Bam!
With a swift kick, he sent the cake flying right into Noir's face.
