“Edge?” Tina asked, wriggling herself around to sit sideways on Esil’s back.

  “The spiritual density in the Demon Continent is different. You can see the sky turn red when you sail towards it. The split is clearly visible. It was quite obvious that it didn’t go up infinitely as it had borders on the sides, but this is still something wonderful.”

  They glanced at each other and noticed that their breaths came out as whitish puffs of air, finally realizing how cold it was up there. It didn’t seem to bother them, though, as they admired the sparse mist dissipating after hitting their faces, often skipping with their eyes toward each other’s mouths.

  After a brief moment of silence, Tina leaned forward and they slowly joined their lips in a tender, unhurried kiss as Asterios embraced her lovingly. There was something incredibly romantic about floating in the air just between the two sides of the sky, with the morning sun shining on them warmly, and the musical flap of Esil’s feathers.

  When they parted, Tina remained in her sideways position and rested her head on Ast’s shoulder. They took one more glance at the extraordinary sight and Esil began bringing them back down. Soon, they were inside the spiritual zone once more and resumed their chase after the speedy Centracer.

  Five hours later, a massive city appeared on the horizon. They could already tell that most of the buildings were of a similar metallic black color to those in Ashen Barrel. The scale was incomparable, though, both in terms of width and height. The tall walls surrounding the demon capital didn’t reach even a third as high as some of the highest, ominous towers behind them.

  To avoid any accidents, Asterios asked Esil to lower his flight and join the trio near the ground. They passed through the massive metal gate by riding the magnificent lion behind the Centracer, which slowed down for the entry. The guards stared at Esil in awe.

  After receiving instructions from Rowena, their driver took them straight to the giant castle in the very middle of the city. They passed through a few rings of walls on their way, noticing that this place also had been segmented into circular sections like the Ring City. The closer to the middle, the richer the districts looked.

  No matter where they were, though, the roads were completely metal or black stone and wiggled in every direction like a snake, creating many little hills and valleys. It caused their travel to be extremely wobbly from constantly going up and down in turns.

  Reaching the checkpoint before the royal castle grounds, Rowena showed something to the sentries, and they hastily lifted the gate up after saluting respectfully. One of the two female guards led them to the stables where they left their carriage. Miria and Selene joined the group afterward.

  Then, she passed them to another woman who took them further inside. They all wore armor with the same style, just like the knights at Welrond’s place. Here, though, the women had donned firm sandals, reinforced leather greaves, short, pleated skirts, full reinforced leather chestplates reaching over the stomach, and vambraces of the same, tough, reinforced leather, all pieces completely black.

  “That’s a very… peculiar choice of armor for the soldiers,” Selene commented after they finally met the first male guard on their way to the audience hall.

  “Right…” Asterios smiled wryly.

  Compared to the women, who were walking displays of tough, leather armor, the men looked a little more… free and unrestrained.

  The fit, muscular, and clearly handsome male sentries wore only sandals, small greaves, tight briefs, vambraces, and helmets that protected the sides of their faces, foreheads, and noses, with magnificent, crimson mohawks on top, also all made from tough, black leather, of course.

  And that was all.

  Each man had his chiseled chest completely exposed. Asterios and all of his companions noticed a slight sheen to their skin too, like it was covered in oil specifically for the purpose of being shiny, emphasizing the men’s able bodies in the process.

  Two of such demon men pushed a sizable metal gate open for them and they stepped inside a long hall. At the very end of it, they saw five people. Four of them were also fit, handsome demon men of various skin colors, but they wore only the black briefs in their case and glinted even stronger in the light coming from multiple braziers present in the chamber.

  The last man sat on a black throne, sprawled all over it. One of his legs hung over the armrest while he supported his elbow on the opposite one, holding his fist against the side of his face, decorated with a smug smirk.

  Fortunately, he had more clothes on himself than the four standing around the throne. The Demon King wore baggy, loose pants of white color. Something came out from behind his belt, and everyone realized that it most likely was the top of his martial arts outfit, tucked in there as the rest hung down around the man’s legs, making him sit on the material.

  Unfortunately, with the addition of white bandages wrapped around his feet and forearms, that was all. Ominous tribal tattoos decorated the man’s skin, starting at his shoulders and spilling onto his muscular chest.

  As for his skin, it was strangely close to a human shade but with a slightly rosy tint to it. Two horns of the same color sprouted from his forehead vertically and everyone could also see similar, demonic wings and a very thin tail with a rhomb-shaped spade dancing behind his back. His hair was short and black, cut in a style that just screamed pretty boy when paired with the demon’s handsome visage and chiseled body.

  Suddenly, Welrond’s words about the peculiarity of the Demon King echoed in Ast’s head, and he smiled wryly. Then, their gazes met and Ast’s skin crawled with goosebumps as the Demon King’s smirk grew a little during that contact.

  I have a really bad feeling about this…

  Chapter 11

  The Real Ancestor

  Rowena and Radir led everyone closer to the throne, with Svertaniel following after the duo closely. Asterios and his companions stayed a distance from their demon friends, watching them attentively to pick up any signs of motions and actions they should take too.

  Stopping in front of the short stairs connected to the raised platform, the demon trio lowered themselves to one knee and hung their heads down. Everyone else quickly copied them.

  “Greetings, Your Majesty,” Rowena began with a respectful tone. “As promised, I bring you the people on whose behalf I have requested this audience. I thank you for granting that wish of mine.”

  A chuckle reverberated through the chamber, and the Demon King lazily waved his hand.

  “You may rise. There’s no need for such courtesies. It’s only me and my close aides here at the moment,” he replied with a smirk, his gaze still lingering over Asterios. “If I’m not mistaken, those are the people who caused the little stirrup in the Valley, right?”

  “You are correct, Your Majesty. I will just mention that their actions bore no malice or evil intent. As you are most likely aware, no one was hurt. Pardon my rudeness.” The demon woman lowered her head again.

  “It’s fine. I’ve taken a glance over your report, Governor Rowena. I bear no ill intent towards your guests either.” Nodding at her, he moved his gaze to Ast’s group. “I’m already familiar with my subjects here. Would you be so kind to introduce yourselves properly?”

  Asterios made a small, respectful bow and walked closer, passing the demon trio who had stepped aside. Miria and Selene did their own courtesies and followed him with a proud step. Although, the former was starting to dislike how much the man stared at her master with a cheeky grin.

  “Greetings, Your Majesty. My name is Asterios Hestizo and I’m a human Summoner, an S-rank amongst the adventurers,” Asterios started.

  “S-rank? I thought the report said B-rank?” The Demon King gave Rowena a questioning gaze.

  “Uhhh…” She regarded Ast’s group with an uncertain expression.

  “I apologize, Your Majesty. Lady Rowena did not deceive you. I have been promoted in the short period between her request and our arrival. It happened just recently,” Asterios quickly explained.

  “Interesting.” The king raised a brow at him. “I guess the badge is proof enough. And you?”

  Miria bowed next. “My name is Miria Blackclaw and I’m a Pantherkin Hunter, Master’s familiar.”

  Selene followed. “My name is Selene of the Spiritual Foxes, also Master’s familiar, and his mate, just like Miria,” she added with a little squint, making the man smirk at her.

  Naturally, Tina did the same. “My name is Tina Nobelle, also a human Summoner, a B-rank adventurer and the daughter of a Viscount, and… Asterios’... mate too… albeit not exactly his familiar…” She quieted down near the end, starting to blush a little.

  “I see. It’s my pleasure to meet all of you. It’s only natural that I introduce myself too, for those who might be unaware. I’m Zegion the Pulverizer, although people just call me the Demon King after I have taken the throne.” The man named Zegion made a courteous nod, with his head still resting on one of his fists. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but that’s not everyone, is it?”

  “If I may summon them here, Your Majesty,” Asterios asked for permission.

  “You may.”

  A crimson portal arose from the ground and Bryn walked into the chamber. She stopped next to Selene and made a polite bow.

  “Greetings, Your Majesty. My name is Bryn and I’m a valkyrja, also Master’s familiar.”

  “You have beautiful wings, Bryn,” the king commented.

  “Thank you for the compliment. I am proud of my feathers.”

  There was a brief pause where no one said anything else and Zegion looked at Asterios again.

  “The number seems correct, but I don’t think Lady Tina was part of your… expedition. Was she?” he asked with one brow raised.

  “That is true, Your Majesty.” Asterios nodded.

  “And instead…?”

  “A friend of mine accompanied us on our journey through the Demon Continent. She is currently resting back at home on the Human Continent. To give some more information on her, she is a B-rank adventurer specializing in the fire element, not one of my familiars.”

  The king rubbed his chin. “Hmmm… That’s unfortunate… I was looking forward to meeting everyone involved in the incident.… I’m sure that you aren’t hiding anyone from me, right?”

  Asterios smiled wryly. “Of course not, Your Majesty.”

  After discussing the meeting with Silvia, they had decided on leaving her out of it, for obvious reasons. A royalty from another continent had kind of barged into a secret vault belonging to the demons' heritage. Welrond wasn’t too thrilled about her and Zegion meeting either, so they all agreed to go without her. Of course, Silvia understood the situation perfectly and had nothing against it.

  “If that’s completely necessary, I might be able to get in touch with her. I don’t want Your Majesty to think that we are being dishonest. Our friend’s circumstances are a little special,” he continued.

  “Bummer. I really wanted to thank everyone personally. I’ve heard that you managed to make a groundbreaking discovery in the Tri-Valor Valley. But what can we do?” The king sighed.

  “Well… It wouldn’t be impossible to bring her here, technically… but I would need to receive permission from her guardian first.”

  “Oh? That would be appreciated, Asterios. Could I request that of you? Do you perhaps require something?” Zegion glanced at him curiously.

  “No, I need just a moment.”

  Umbra had already been on his way to the Human Continent and crossed the distance shortly after Asterios and Zegion finished the exchange. Traveling alone through the darkness, he could do it much faster than with someone in tow, and just like Miria and Selene, he was benefiting from his bond with Asterios, growing in power alongside his master. Although, it was more in the form of regaining his locked strength.

  ~Silvia? Do you have a moment?~ Asterios asked after Umbra connected them.

  ~Sure. How can I help you, Ast?~

  He smiled a little, hearing her use his shortened name. ~I’m afraid that the Demon King wants to meet all of us. Would you be fine with that? And could you ask your father if he would too?~

  ~I kind of expected that. Give me a moment.~

  Everyone waited in silence while Silvia looked for Welrond. Zegion kept staring at Asterios the entire time. Rowena seemed a bit stressed out by the overbearing absence of any talk or noise. Radir just smiled under his nose.

  In less than a minute, she got back to Asterios, and Umbra began transporting her to them.

  “It looks like she can join us, Your Majesty. We will need a few minutes before that happens, though,” Asterios informed the man.

  The Demon King snapped his fingers and a door slammed open on either side of the throne room. A bunch of men in their skimpy armor walked inside with trays in their hands. They stopped in front of Asterios and the others.

  “No worries. Enjoy some refreshments while we wait. I’m sure you must be parched after making your way through the desert,” Zegion suggested, and everyone obliged.

  Five minutes later, Umbra’s shadows began swirling next to Asterios and the king naturally noticed them. He dismissed the servants and watched how a humanoid shape formed from the dark mist, which soon receded and revealed a human girl.

  “Princess Silvia?” The man’s brows rose a little.

  “Princess?!” Rowena squeaked quietly, recognizing the young woman from their meeting before.

  “I see. I understand your reluctance now. Your decision wasn’t wrong. Quite smart, actually.” He nodded at Asterios and turned to Silvia. “Welcome, Princess Silvia. I think this is our first meeting, isn’t it?”

  Silvia courteously lowered her head. “That is correct, Your Majesty. Father attended the coronation ceremony alone as I was out of the kingdom on that day. I apologize for my absence.”

  Zegion chuckled and waved his hand. “Yeah, yeah. He definitely didn’t send you out a week earlier just to have an excuse not to bring you with him. We’ve spoken directly only once but it was enough to understand what kind of a man he is. I was sure he understood me well too. He shouldn’t have any problems with the two of us meeting if so.”

  A tiny, wry smile painted her lips and the Demon King exploded in a laugh.

  “Right. I should have expected that. He is a smart man but way too overprotective. I pray that his nature doesn’t stunt your growth, Princess. We can only grow through overcoming unpleasant experiences ourselves. Life is all about carving your own path to the top, whatever you consider it to be.”

  Finally fixing his posture, Zegion sat more or less straight on his throne and rested his elbows on his thighs, supporting his chin with his hands as he leaned forward.

  “Alright. I think we can get to the point now. I’m really curious what this is about. Governor Rowena’s report mentioned that you guys made quite a mess in the center of the Valley. I saw the prints of the patterns that were revealed through your actions. There’s more to them, isn’t there?”

  Radir cleared his throat and walked in front of everyone.

  “I believe we have stumbled on a discovery that can’t really be graded with our universal system, Your Majesty. The three pyramids were the key to something, just as everyone always thought. The thing is, the most important part of the puzzle was buried deep under the sand and stone over the passing centuries.”

  “That would explain why no one managed to figure out even a hint,” the king commented with a nod.

  “Yes, but that’s not all. I don’t think anyone would have been able to figure it out anyway. The puzzle was created in a specific language, one that was lost to our realm, or it never was shared with us in detail. Thankfully, our friend here, even though he doesn’t know it, can subconsciously understand the meaning of the script.”

  “Oh? A curious ability.” Zegion took a peek at Asterios with one eye.

  Radir also glanced his way and received a nod. “To be honest, it might be connected to the fact that part of Asterios’ memories has been sealed with powerful magic. Our meeting was no accident or a stroke of luck. He came to me for help with that issue and our discovery was the accident there as we noticed that he can actually help with my own research.”

  “A powerful seal, you say?” The king sighed. “I hate to admit it but I’m complete trash when it comes to magic. I know that might be surprising. A demon living in the Demon Continent, the very land that thrives off magic, can barely use it.”

  “It did not stop you from becoming the strongest demon in our kingdom, Your Majesty,” Rowena joined in, bowing lightly. “We all know how powerful you are. Barely any mage would be brave enough to challenge you.”

  The man chuckled and waved the compliment away. “Anyway, thanks to Asterios here, you found out that…?”

  “The patterns were part of a giant magical array that needed to be correctly completed by destroying a few slabs of stone containing answers to questions about the Founders. When we finished it, we were teleported deep underground.”

  “So that’s where you guys disappeared to. No wonder your signatures suddenly vanished after you wrecked the place,” Rowena said while rubbing her chin.

  “Interesting. And it was only you?” Zegion asked.

  “We didn’t notice traces of anyone else getting inside,” Asterios answered. “The mechanism seemed to have reset itself after teleporting us so you would need to somehow complete it again. We didn’t check how since we wanted to get out of sight quickly after coming out.”

  “Even if someone makes it inside, there are many super hard trials to stop them!” Miria added cheerfully, earning herself a few pats from Asterios.

  “That is true,” he continued. “We faced two challenges, three if we count the Golem. One of wisdom, one of resolve, and one of strength. Radir can describe them in detail later so that we don’t take an entire day to recount every little step.”