Leon slowly opened his eyes. His body floated, adrift in emptiness. There was no up, no down, no direction—only pitch-black darkness swallowing him whole, cold and silent, as if time itself had stopped.
Finally awake, young demon.
The voice sent chills down Leon's spine. From the darkness emerged a pair of blood-red eyes and a pair of horns—one cracked—wreathed in swirling black smoke. Gradually, the smoke coalesced into the form of a demon clad in a robe made of still-twitching dragonhide.
At last... after waiting thousands of years... I've found you.
Leon tried to scream, but his mouth refused to open.
You must be confused, the demon continued, stepping closer. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Satan, one of the ancient Demon Kings and an ancestor of your kind.
Sa...tan? Leon attempted to retreat but found himself paralyzed.
The demon closed the distance, his hand piercing Leon's chest in a single, effortless motion.
They killed you once already. Do you wish to die again?
A flash of memories erupted—
A human's sword impaling his heart. The mocking laughter of demon soldiers before battle. His final, fading smile before death claimed him.
The vision vanished.
Satan laughed, the sound shaking the void around them. Relax, young demon. I'll show you how to awaken the true power sleeping within you.
But for now... this is enough. When you've grown stronger, we'll speak again—without these tedious limitations.
Leon jolted awake, gasping for air, his forehead slick with cold sweat. Soft light streamed through a large window, chasing away the shadows of the dream still clinging to his mind.
Where... am I?
Creak—
The door swung open. Instinctively, Leon sprang into a defensive stance.
Ahhh!
A figure stumbled back in shock, collapsing to the floor in a dead faint.
Panicked, Leon realized his mistake—it wasn't an enemy but a young woman with deep blue-black hair and striking violet eyes.
Cursing himself, he hurriedly scooped her up and laid her on the bed.
Two hours later...
The girl stirred awake. I-I'm sorry! I thought you were an enemy. I didn't mean to knock you out!
No, it's my fault. I should've knocked first... Leon rubbed his neck awkwardly. Um... where exactly am I?
You're in the palace of House Belphegor.
The Belphegor palace? But how—?
My brother rescued you from the battlefield. She smiled. Oh! I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Sylvaine Belphegor.
Belphegor...? Leon immediately dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the floor. F-Forgive my insolence, Your Highness!
Stop that! Sylvaine huffed. My family hates excessive formalities. Lift your head!
Reluctantly, Leon obeyed.
Knock. Knock.
Little sister, a deep voice rumbled through the door. I heard our guest is awake?
Yes, brother! Come in!
The door opened, revealing Demon King Zephyr—a towering figure at 2.5 meters tall, with one torn wing, a broken horn, and a warmth in his smile that defied his fearsome appearance.
Hello there. What's your name, young demon?
Leon trembled. I-I am Leon Astaroth, Your Majesty... a low-class demon from a small town in the Beelzebub territory. I... I shouldn't even be in a royal palace—
Low-class? High-class? That's all nonsense. Zephyr waved a hand. Strength is what matters. And I see immense potential in you, Leon.
Truthfully, I saved you because your abilities intrigued me. For a 'low-class' demon to possess such aura... it's rare.
Stay here. Become my army's commander.
Leon stared, stunned. This wasn't the cruelty he'd come to expect from nobility.
I... accept, Your Majesty. If this is how I can repay your kindness.
Zephyr grinned. Good. Sylvaine, show Leon around the palace afterward.
Gladly!
After Zephyr left, Sylvaine nudged Leon. Come on! I'll show you the best parts of the palace. You'll love it!
Their tour spanned ancient libraries, exotic beast stables, and the soldiers' training grounds—
And this is—
BAM!
Something collided with Leon from the side, slamming him to the ground. Laughter rang out.
Whoops! My bad! Got too excited! You're the new demon, right?
Leon looked up. A bizarre figure loomed over him, grinning wildly with glowing eyes.
End of Chapter 2