Terror spread like an invisible toxin, making even the air itself tremble with an icy shudder.
Shouts and urgent cries from soldiers and guards echoed through the chaos as they scrambled to evacuate civilians to safety.
Yet before that chaos could even settle, swarms of blood-red-eyed bats descended from the heavens like a rain of scarlet.
Their shrill screeches pierced the sky, the stench of blood filled the air, and people collapsed one after another, their skin shriveled dry like fallen leaves, forming a grotesque tableau no words could describe.
The Holy Knights could no longer bear the horrific sight. They stepped forward as one, rallying their own battalions and shouting commands to attack.
But tragically… not a single one of them possessed the strength to halt the advance of the being standing above them.
The High Demon gazed down, its eyes blazing like the fires of hell. Believing that humans were powerless before its legion, it let out a wild, arrogant laugh that echoed across the entire sky.
"Humans dare to dream of defeating me? What a delusion! Hahaha!"
From the distance, Killan, the Commander of the Seven Holy Regiments, rushed in, raising his sword high and pointing it toward the demon as his deep, blood-chilling voice roared:
"Who are you? Why have you dared to invade the Human Realm and incite chaos!?'"
The demon burst into raucous laughter, its voice so eerie it made everyone's skin crawl.
Its mouth split open to the ears, revealing rows of razor-sharp fangs.
"Oh? And who might this be? I remember seeing you in the last war. Back then you were just a brat, yet now you've grown up and taken the place of that brave hero, becoming the leader of that little organization of yours?"
"Silence, you arrogant, deranged demon!" Killan snarled, lowering his stance warily.
"Oh ho? So hot-headed. But I like that!"
"Speak! Didn't your kind vanish after the war sixteen years ago!? Your Demon King was slain back then!"
The demon's grin widened unnaturally as it let out another vicious cackle.
"Our Demon King? Hahaha! You mean that arrogant underling of Lord Sambellio?"
The moment that name, Sambellio, echoed across the battlefield, everyone froze in dread.
"Sambellio?"
"Sam…bellio?"
Those who knew history paling instantly.
In the Ancient Holy Tomes, that name was recorded as a nightmare. High Demon Sambellio, a demonic noble bearing the rank of Duke, the highest tier among the ruling caste of the Demon Realm commanded a legion of a thousand High Demons.
He had also served as the right hand of the Infernal Sin King - Fallen Flame Lord, one of the Seven Origin Demon Sovereigns, the first fiends crafted by the hands of the Heavenly Demon Emperor.
"A demonic noble… of Duke rank?"
A few people whispered uncontrollably as the realization struck them, the High Demon mentioned earlier was speaking of that Sambellio.
Lyra and Aria trembled violently.
Lyra muttered under her breath:
"Sambellio… a Duke-rank demon… the mightiest general serving under that ancient fiend, the Sin King of Flames. Just what… what is happening…?"
Note: Demon Dukes are the highest lineage among demonic nobility. They form the ruling caste that governs administration, military authority, and ritual command throughout the Demon Realm. They are descended from or personally empowered by the Seven Sin Kings.
So the "Demon King" slain sixteen years ago, was merely a subordinate of a subordinate?
"No… impossible…" Killan grit his teeth.
The demon continued, dripping with contempt: "Hahaha, fear not, humans. Though he died, I've come to play with you in his stead! And that demon you mentioned? He was my equal."
It went on, almost excited: "Lord Sambellio was famous, but my master's renown is a hundred times greater! Surely you've heard the name Lambert, haven't you? He is my master, also a Demon Duke, just like Lord Sambellio!"
The competitors, soldiers, and magi all turned deathly pale.
If this demon was the equal of the Demon King slain sixteen years ago… then it was no less than a High Demon, an existential Calamity-Class threat.
And Lambert…?
No one truly knew that name, yet to learn he was a Demon Duke was terrifying enough.
Everyone was furious, bewildered as to why such monsters had descended upon the kingdom of Lumerious at all.
"This… this is madness…" Killan whispered, sweat pouring down his face.
The High Demon laughed, but it appeared to misinterpret their horror entirely: "What's wrong? Only now realizing how weak you humans are? Good! As you should! Who wouldn't tremble upon hearing the name of Lord Lambert?"
It wasn't wrong.
The confident young candidates, all of whom had been proud contenders moments before now stood petrified, diminished in the presence of a Calamity-Class High Demon.
Every face went pale, every pair of legs trembled.
"H-How… how are we supposed to fight something like that…?" Aria's voice quivered, on the verge of tears.
"Are we… going to die here?" Lyra whispered, her eyes hollow.
Kyran, Soren, and Mira were no better.
Mira clung to Soren, eyes brimming with tears.
"Soren… he's going to kill us… I-I'm so scared…"
"It's… it's okay. Don't worry. I-I'll protect you…"
Soren trembled just as hard, though he forced his voice steady as he embraced her.
Meanwhile, Kyran could only grind his teeth, burning with frustration.
He remembered his father's words about High Demons beings capable of annihilating entire nations, and that defeating even one would cost countless human lives.
The Holy Knights stood firm, forming the final wall before humanity.
"Why have you come here!? Who sent you to destroy this world!?"
"Hahaha… I already told you. Lord Lambert ordered me to collect souls, an offering for him! And look around two hundred thousand prey in one place! What a glorious feast!"
Killan clenched his fists as the demon repeated "him."
Just what kind of ancient fiend was pulling the strings behind all of this?
Could this mysterious "lord" be another primordial demon of overwhelming power?
The High Demon raised its arm skyward.
"The hunt begins! Kill them all!"
Instantly, thousands of bats screeched as they plunged downward like a tide of darkness.
Screams, cracking bones, the spray of blood, they blended into a single nightmarish chorus.
The battlefield had become a living hell.
"STOP!!!"
Killan roared, but his cry vanished beneath the demonic frenzy.
The High Demon's face twisted with anger.
"Foolish human… you've just ruined my fun. Very well, then I shall slaughter all of you as tribute for him!"
And it dove.
A world-shaking impact thundered across the ground.
The Holy Knights charged at once, engaging the hordes head-on.
But the enemy was endless, the swarm of bats and low-tier demons spawned from the High Demon's very hairs surged like tidal waves.
Members of the Ovelord Team and the Luminous Star Team rushed into battle.
Only the Shooting Star Squad… stood frozen, unable to move, staring helplessly into the hell unfolding before their eyes.
"What… what are we supposed to do against something like that…?"