Marin remained silent.
Lately, she'd learned much, realizing the man before her was an extraordinary entity.
She also knew escape from the Underworld was impossible.
If she ever left, it would mean either Alistair no longer cared or he'd been defeated.
Either way, her fate seemed sealed.
"You don't seem to have any clear thoughts," Alistair said, unbothered. "No matter. Albedo, take Marin back to her cell in Hell. Time is long—she'll come around eventually."
He glanced at the silent Marin, indifferent to her reluctance. Forcing her was unnecessary.
"Yes!" Albedo escorted Marin away.
Marin stayed quiet, unable to choose, merely watching Aeste and Jani.
She didn't know what to say.
Alistair observed Marin's departure, then stood lazily. "Let's go back."
With that, he led Persephone, Jani, and Aeste, vanishing from Underworld City to Elysium.
Upon arriving, Alistair blinked in surprise.
Elysium had changed drastically.
Before he could ponder, Nezuko Kamado approached, bowing gracefully. "Your Majesty."
Alistair studied her, sensing her aura, and smiled. "Nezuko, you've fully ignited your divine flame."
"Yes, Your Majesty," she replied. "Two days ago, it was kindled."
Nezuko now resembled a vibrant, youthful maiden, her demon horns and crimson eyes radiating divine power. She'd ascended to godhood, igniting her divine flame and forming her godhead.
More precisely, she'd absorbed a demon godhead, needing only to kindle her flame—a far simpler task than Alistair's own ascension.
In mere months, she'd achieved it effortlessly.
Her mastery of laws was still imperfect, but with time, she'd become a formidable demon god. Her potential was vast, easily reaching High God status like Kirari and, eventually, Main God with little difficulty.
"Impressive," Alistair said, ruffling her hair gently. "Nezuko, you'll lead the demon race, managing the Underworld and Hell."
"You can count on me, Your Majesty," she nodded earnestly.
Alistair chuckled at her seriousness.
Persephone sighed. "Dust, don't tease her."
"Nezuko's so earnest and charming, isn't she?" he grinned.
"Really…" Persephone shook her head helplessly.
Demeter approached, dressed in her usual revealing attire, looking weary. "Dust, daughter, you went gallivanting and left all the work to me. I'm supposed to be retired!"
"Mother," Persephone said, linking arms with her, "we needed your help."
Demeter sighed. "The Fire of Humanity has evolved into the Fire of Civilization. After merging with the Dark World Tree, it's undergone subtle changes, guiding the Dark Universes' growth."
"The system codices have been integrated too."
Alistair nodded. "Good work, Demeter."
She waved dismissively. "It's not the effort I mind—it's doing this kind of work."
Alistair eyed her charm, ideas stirring, but shifted focus. "Elysium's changed a lot."
"I made some modifications," Demeter admitted. "Dust, you don't mind, do you?"
He shook his head. "I don't care. Tell me about it."
Demeter smiled, pleased by his easygoing nature despite his dark godhood.
Elysium was unrecognizable. A azure sea surrounded it, clear but lifeless. The central land had become an island, its palace cluster shrunken into a compact complex. Alistair's statue stood at its heart, the Dark World Tree beneath it.
The transformation was striking.
"With everyone on break and the Dark World Tree's countless world origins, the girls remodeled them," Demeter explained as they walked. "They've moved out of the palaces. Now, only Albedo's maid corps resides in Elysium's core."
Alistair nodded, understanding.
He could know everything instantly if he wished, but that felt dull. He preferred preserving some mystery, avoiding omniscience in his sanctuary.
It kept things fresh.
"So, they've all moved out?" he asked, intrigued.
Demeter nodded. "They've built their own dimension-like worlds around world origins, orbiting Elysium as islands."
He followed her gaze, spotting scattered islands on the sea.
His kin, though numerous, hailed from just four worlds. Unless their personalities clashed, they preferred living together, bonded by past camaraderie.
"Let's take a look," Alistair said.
Demeter led them like a tour guide.
They stepped onto an island, entering another world.
From the Dark World Tree's perspective, Elysium's canopy was now dotted with orbiting crystal orbs—these new residences.
The first island revealed a purple flower sea, with a simple Japanese-style house at its center.
Butterfly Mansion.
Alistair knew its residents: Kanae Kocho, Shinobu Kocho, Kanao Tsuyuri, Mitsuri Kanroji, Aoi Kanzaki, and the three little girls.
"Your Majesty!" Shinobu emerged, hurrying over to bow. "I didn't know you'd come…"
He waved casually. "No need to fuss. I dropped by unannounced. You and Kanae rebuilt the Butterfly Mansion, huh?"
Shinobu smiled softly. "Yes. It holds our past, so we recreated it for a fresh start, without discarding our history."
"Good idea," Alistair said. "Rest well—the break's not over."
Shinobu nodded gently, watching them leave.
"Shinobu?" Kanae appeared, concerned.
"His Majesty and Lady Underworld visited," Shinobu said warmly.
Kanae gasped, covering her mouth. She'd missed them?
Shinobu smiled at her sister's panic, cherishing their peaceful life.
The next island resembled Night Raid's headquarters, but grander, less utilitarian.
"Kanae's group rebuilt the Butterfly Mansion, and Najenda's rebuilt Night Raid's base," Alistair noted. "Predictable. But is Esdeath living with them?"
Demeter yawned. "Esdeath's proud but values her comrades. She's here too."
"Fits her," Alistair agreed. Esdeath's sadistic yet loyal nature matched her original story.
He didn't enter, preferring to keep some mystery for a future visit.
The third island was a serene Japanese courtyard on a lake island.
Alistair rubbed his chin. "Utaha, Megumi, and Eriri know how to enjoy themselves. Not surprising, given Sayuri's noble background."
An apartment building would've been odd for them.
They moved to the fourth island.
As expected, it was Nazarick's Great Tomb, nearly identical to the original.
Albedo surveyed it, noting its familiarity. Each layer was a small dimension, not just a tomb.
"Everyone from 004 and 005 lives here?" Alistair asked.
Demeter nodded. "Originally, Shalltear planned for vampires, goblins, elves, dwarves, beastmen, and dragons to stay here, but they later crafted new world origins for their homes."
"Let's see them," Alistair said, intrigued.
Demeter guided them.
Vampires built a medieval castle under moonlight. Elves lived in a forest, steeped in nature. Dwarves, all petite lolis, dwelt near lava, researching forging—Alistair approved. Goblins, the most numerous, were building a magic-tech city. Beastmen, with their animal ears, lived on a plain, sparring in tribal groups, more for practice than bloodshed. Dragons resided on a floating island, refining their lairs in human or dragon form.
Finally, Nezuko's demon race had a simple Japanese-style settlement, a rest stop as they began managing the Underworld and Hell.
***
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