A few days after I decided to affiliate myself with the Devil faction, Riorel came to find me.
Since I had become a member of Devil society, it was time to enjoy the rights granted to me.
"This is your territory."
The place we arrived at, following Riorel, was an endlessly stretching expanse of land.
Although it was desolate, the magical power embedded in the earth itself was rich.
It was much wider and better land than I had expected.
What is this? Why didn't they try to pull any tricks?
I thought they would throw me some useless borderland.
"This is the territory of the fallen House of Bune. During the Great War, the entire bloodline, including the Head, was annihilated while attempting to subjugate you. Giving you this land signifies the higher-ups' intention to treat you as an equal to a High-Class Clan."
"Hoh... Is it really okay to give me such vast land? That First Bael guy is more generous than I thought."
"Mm, it likely doesn't matter. Devil society currently has plenty of land but not enough population. Too many died in the war, you see."
"To think it's the territory of the clan I killed during the Great War... The feeling is strange. He was quite a meaningful fellow to me, after all."
"Meaningful? What do you mean by that?"
Riorel asked with a puzzled expression.
"Because he was the one who allowed me to transcend my human form and become what I am now—a Dragon. In a way, he provided the catalyst."
"...I will pretend I didn't hear that."
Riorel shook his head as if fed up.
I looked around.
Since it was a fallen territory, there were no people, only the debris of a ruined castle remaining.
It didn't matter.
I didn't exactly need noisy subjects anyway.
"Is there a style of building you prefer? We will build a new one for you. The House of Phenex will support it entirely."
"Why are you being so generous? Do you have some ulterior motive?"
Even if I was a guest, this favor was excessive.
"Why else? I am planning to send my daughter to marry you. Shouldn't I do at least this much for my future son-in-law?"
"Ha?"
What kind of nonsense is this?
"What is the problem? Among noble families, nothing solidifies a relationship between houses better than a political marriage."
"No, are you serious? You're going to attach me to Ravel, who just turned nine?"
Riorel's expression was utterly serious.
It wasn't a joke.
"Did you even ask for Ravel's opinion in the first place?"
"Of course. Ravel jumped for joy, saying, 'To be with Master forever, it's like a dream!'"
"Ha... The age gap is at least thousands or tens of thousands of years. This makes me a complete cradle robber."
"She said she liked it, and you would become an excellent ally to our family, so isn't it good for both parties? As long as you agree."
Riorel shrugged shamelessly.
I sighed and glanced at the two beings standing behind me.
"Uh... But have you considered the possibility that you might be torn apart alive by Sera and Hwaryeong standing next to me?"
At my words, Sera bared her white fangs and growled at Riorel, while Hwaryeong smiled elegantly and spoke.
"Oh my, Master. Do not worry. I will make sure he wanders eternally inside the most painful nightmare. Or perhaps, a Phoenix burning within the fires of annihilation doesn't look too bad either. What do you think?"
"...S-Surely you can talk to them and protect me."
Look at the audacity on this guy.
"Let's think about that after Ravel grows up. And even without a political marriage, as long as you don't betray me first, I won't cause harm to you people."
"...Understood. Then what will you do about the building?"
"Ah, just build whatever you see fit. As long as it's livable, it's fine. But since your daughter might end up living there besides me, you know what will happen if you build it poorly, right?"
"Haha, leave it to me. I will build the best castle staking the name of Phenex on it."
"Good, then that's settled. Instead, support me with something else."
"What do you desire?"
"All kinds of entertainment from the human world. Game consoles, movies, comic books, internet lines, and so on. All with the latest specs."
Honestly, at this point in time, those things should exist!
Let's enjoy what there is to enjoy.
"...Understood. I will have them prepared immediately."
Riorel looked like he couldn't understand, but he agreed without complaint.
And so, I obtained my own territory.