Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 944- The Shadow Lurks (7)

Avrox wasn't someone he could afford to kill—not because of Avrox himself, but because of the one standing behind him. That said, he still had to maintain his dignity.

Huff… with an irritated voice, Gelford spat out "The only reason you're still standing here still in one piece is because of your master. Were it not for that lord, the one you serve, you would've been ash long ago. That said, I still warn you to watch your words, you are speaking to a demon Duke, I will not let this slide the next time". n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

At that threat, a mocking smile appeared on Avrox's face for a second. He answered, his tone dripping with false humility.

 "Of course, my lord. I wouldn't dream of insulting your authority."

 "Anyways, whether or not you choose to act," Avrox continued smoothly, "the Demon Earl won't stop. You've already seen it with your own eyes. This is just the beginning"

"Refuse my suggestion, and mark my words, you'll be swept up in something far greater than what the Ogre King lost. This is a fire that could consume more than just your faction."

The two dukes furrowed their brows. Even if they were to ignore Avrox's words, the fact still remained that they had to do something about the Demon Earl in the Ghasthly Winding Forest.

Whether or not he claimed the mysterious treasure of the forest, it was true that he was a hindrance in their path and his means were unfathomable to them.

After a long silence, Gelford spoke "We'll consider your proposal Avrox. However, initiating a Fate Game still remains to be impossible at large"…

 "Hoh? Why is it so? I see no reason to hesitate to crush this pest once and for all"…

The Demon Duke paused for a second before answering "Even considering that the council of Archdukes won't interfere, do you think the ones above them will leave us be after initiating the fate game?"

"The world has forgotten, it has grown complacent from the absence of Demon Archdukes, believing that we Demon Dukes are the top powerhouses of the Demon Continent when in fact it is those ancient existences surviving since who knows when who are the actual rulers. What would they think if we suddenly initiate such a dangerous tool?"

The mention of those monstrous existences sent a ripple of tension through the room. A tool as dangerous and destabilising as the Fate Game has dire consequences.

The Demon Continent is currently home to two Demon Lords, and neither of them would look favorably upon anyone who initiates such a tool.

Even if one discards Procell, the Demon Lord of Greed who has been unusually quiet and inactive for centuries now, holed up in his dungeon, it still leaves one more.

Demon Lord of Envy, Belial who has newly ascended to his rank. There is no doubt that he would be eager to assert his dominance and use any opportunity to stabilize his influence over the continent to compete with Procell.

A Fate Game would be exactly the kind of pretext Belial needs to interfere, especially if it means showing his power on the world stage.

"We cannot afford the attention of a Demon Lord, Avrox. Their forces are unlike anything we could withstand, as we all witnessed during the last Hexennacht. Even the slightest show of power from a Demon Lord could obliterate our factions. The Blood Moon and Iron Crown might be strong, but not strong enough to fight a Demon Lord."

The weight of Gelford's words hung heavily in the air. It was a fact that none could dispute—the power of a Demon Lord was something no faction, not even the most powerful on the continent, could oppose directly.

"Hahaha!" A sudden burst of laughter echoed through the grand hall, slicing through the tense atmosphere like a blade.

All eyes turned toward the source of the laughter—Avrox.

 "So this is why… Sir Gelford is worried about Lord Belial" There was a faint chuckle in his voice as if the Demon Duke's concern was laughable.

 "It seems you're both overthinking this. The two dukes do not need to fret about him. In fact, you may find that Lord Belial will turn a blind eye to our actions—or better yet, stay out of it entirely"…

"Hoh, and what makes you so sure of it?" Arctaurus raised an eyebrow, crossing his massive arms over his chest.

 Hehe… With a sly grin, Avrox stepped forward, making his way to the centre of the hall. The spotlight of attention shifted fully onto him.

"Hehe... Have you all forgotten what happened at the last Hexennacht?". At those words, the room fell quiet. All eyes flickered for a second as memories from an event not too long ago flooded into their minds.

"You mean the... incident?" Gelford's gaze sharpened quickly getting the hint.

"Yes. That 'incident.' Where our dear Demon Earl overextended his authority... and interrupted Lord Belial himself".

The mere mention of a demon—an Earl, no less—challenging a Demon Lord's authority in such a public arena was almost unthinkable. And yet, it had happened.

"You see, Lord Belial, in all his ancient might, had to reconsider his own ruling, because of that Demon Earl. For a Demon Lord of his stature? Well, let's just say... that was surely a sore point. Imagine the insult—a Demon Lord, forced to adjust his decisions for someone far below his rank"

 He added after a pause "There's no way, not a chance, that Lord Belial would defend that upstart now"

 "Indeed... Lord Belial did seem... displeased by the Demon Earl's interference" Arctaurus agreed, his expression dark.

The memory of that day was not pleasant. Although he had been focused on the implications of losing the Ghastly Winding Forest and losing his precious subordinate, he had not missed the personal affront that the Demon Earl had caused Lord Belial.

Everybody, from the lowest of demons to humans knows that a Demon Lord's ego and dignity was legendary, and to have it challenged was unforgivable.