"Welcome, Duchess Esdeath, I suppose. You look even scarier than the rumors say!" Ceres stepped forward with a carefree smile on her lips. It was hard to believe this lively woman was the mother of Calista, who was usually so quiet and composed.
Esdeath curved her lips into a faint smile. "It seems I've become quite popular. I'll take that as praise, then." Her voice carried both amusement and a sharp edge, as if daring anyone to disagree.
"Indeed! I am Ceres," she introduced herself, bowing her head slightly. Then she gestured gracefully toward a golden-haired young nun who stood quietly with her hands folded. "She is Abaddon."
Next, she motioned toward a teenage girl with flowing pink hair and gentle eyes. "She is Leanan."
Finally, she pointed toward a black-haired girl with piercing blue eyes, who looked at Esdeath almost curiously. "And she is Lamia."
Esdeath's gaze lingered on Lamia for a few seconds, her eyes narrowing as if measuring her. Then, with a light exhale, she retracted her gaze. "It's quite rare to see another black-haired person besides myself."
"Indeed," Ceres replied softly, her tone changing as her smile faded. She closed her eyes, clasping her fingers together as if in silent prayer. "Black hair is said to be the rarest kind. In truth, everyone knows that those with black hair have nothing special… but because of a certain someone, it has become a cursed symbol of misfortune and disaster." The unspoken name hung heavily in the air—Demon King Aurora.
Her voice grew heavier, and there was a faint trace of sorrow as she continued. "Every year, quite a number of black-haired children are born. But most meet tragic ends—killed by their own parents, abandoned to die, or driven to despair until they take their own lives. Lamia too was one of the unfortunate ones. But the goddess treats everyone equally. We took her in, and now she stands proudly as one of the four bishops."
At those words, Lamia stepped forward, her delicate hands slightly trembling, though her eyes were steady. She looked straight at Esdeath, her voice calm but tinged with emotion. "As someone with black hair myself, I can understand the hardships you've faced. In a way… we are like sisters."
The room seemed to grow heavier. Esdeath's expression darkened, and her voice turned sharp as a blade. "I don't need a sibling. Not even my parents dared to have another one."
Her words cut through the air, cold and merciless. Lamia flinched ever so slightly, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. The atmosphere turned tense, silence stretching in the air like an unbroken thread.
Then, a soft chuckle broke the stillness. Abaddon stepped forward, her golden hair catching the light as she tilted her head with an amused smile. "My, my, what a sharp tongue. Let's not spoil the mood. Where is Lady Lortell? She was supposed to come, wasn't she?"
Esdeath's eyes softened only slightly at the mention of the name. She gave a slow nod. "Yes. But due to certain reasons, she will be arriving tomorrow instead. I came in her place to leave a first impression. And," her eyes narrowed with purpose, "I also wanted to meet the Pope. I have some matters to discuss with her."
"I'll talk with the Pope and arrange a meeting with her. Until then, allow us to show you our hospitality," Ceres said with graceful manners.
Esdeath gave a small nod. After that, they led her to the guest room of the head church. Since it was already evening, she refused to eat anything immediately and instead decided she would dine later at dinner.
Musicians with harps and soft flutes began playing, and dancers moved elegantly to entertain her. The atmosphere was calm, but Esdeath only watched quietly, her eyes showing little emotion. Later, Ceres informed her that the Pope was free that very night around 11 PM. They gave her the option of waiting until tomorrow, but Esdeath agreed without hesitation to meet her tonight.
Night came slowly. After finishing her dinner, Esdeath took a calm stroll around the large halls of the church. The golden torches on the white walls made the place glow warmly, but her cold red eyes didn't soften even once.
When the time came, she climbed to the highest floor of the church. The chamber was like a throne room, but unlike a king's, the Pope's seat wasn't placed high above. It was on the same level as the others, showing equality—at least in appearance.
The four bishops were already there, along with several high-ranking members who stood besides them.
At the center, on the throne, sat a woman with long red hair and crimson eyes. Her beauty was breathtaking, with sharp features and a body that could easily rival Kailith or even Lortell. She radiated charm, but it wasn't the innocent charm of a nun.
This was Igret, the Pope herself.
"Have a seat~," she said, her voice flowing like a sweet melody, almost like she was singing.
Esdeath sat down directly facing her, a small playful smirk curving her lips. "I heard quite a lot of praise about the Kingdom of Church, so I simply couldn't resist visiting myself."
"Indeed. It's all thanks to the blessings of the Goddess," Igret answered, her gentle smile shining like light.
"I was close with Calista," Esdeath added casually. "We got along well, perhaps too well."
But the moment those words left her mouth, Igret's smile vanished. Her face turned cold and sharp, and her crimson eyes glowed faintly.
"Stop taking us for fools," she said flatly.
Clang! Swish!
In an instant, weapons were drawn. The four bishops' eyes shone dangerously, and the air filled with killing intent. Blades, spears, and sacred weapons appeared as they all aimed directly at Esdeath's neck. It was so fast, so sharp, that anyone watching might have collapsed from fear.
Yet, Esdeath's expression didn't change. Her smirk remained as she tilted her head slightly. "My, my... how frightening. I feel so very scared right now."
Igret chuckled, her posture relaxing back into her throne, though her eyes still carried the cold sharpness of a predator. "I admire your confidence. If we weren't enemies, I might have even enjoyed giving you some... pleasurable nights." She licked her lips slightly before leaning forward with a playful smile. "Calista already told us—you found out about our secret, didn't you?"
As her words echoed in the room, two long, curved black horns sprouted from her forehead. At the same time, a slim black tail emerged from her back, swaying smoothly with a heart-shaped tip that gleamed in the dim light.
"Whatever the case, you were a fool to come here," Igret hissed, her voice now sultry yet deadly. "Did you really think we'd let you blackmail us? Did you truly believe you could stand against me—one of the Six Demon Lords, The succubus queen igret and several high ranking succubi at once?",
Esdeath's calm red eyes stayed fixed on Igret as she spoke, "I can't defeat you… but someone else can."
In that instant, Igret's eyes widened slightly. She felt the cold edge of a blade press against her neck—a blade radiating crimson light. It was the Red Menace Sword.
Her gaze moved up, and there she saw Lortell, sitting casually beside her with the sword in hand, ready to take her head off at a moment's notice.
"Who would have thought," Lortell's voice carried a tone of genuine amazement, "that the so-called peaceful Church Kingdom was actually long controlled by succubi? Impressive. To pull off something like this without the world knowing… I must admit, I didn't expect it."
At once, the bishops and their guards shifted, their weapons no longer aimed at Esdeath but now at Lortell, their stares sharp and dangerous.
Igret, however, didn't flinch. Even with the blade touching her neck, her confidence didn't waver. "Progenitor… of course. I should have expected as much. I may not be as powerful as my ancestors, but do you really think I would lose in my own territory?" Her voice was steady, even laced with a hint of amusement.
Lortell narrowed her eyes slightly and pressed the blade closer. "So what? I'm confident enough myself. If I go all out, the destruction alone will draw the world's attention. Your little disguise will be ripped apart, and your secret will be exposed."
A moment of silence hung in the air before Igret tilted her head and smirked. "Since you're so eager to talk, perhaps that's the reason you came here. Very well—we can talk." She raised her hand slightly, signaling the others to lower their weapons.
Lortell pulled back her sword, then turned her attention to Esdeath. With a soft movement, she lifted Esdeath into the air for a moment, then sat down where Esdeath had been, placing Esdeath comfortably on her lap. The gesture was intimate, protective, and deliberate.
"To be honest," Lortell began with a calm yet sharp smile, her white teeth gleaming, "I only came here to discuss the attack on Malice. My wife here, Was the one who wanted to confirm your true identities. She wasn't entirely certain herself… but thanks to you, we now have the proof."
Igret's sharp gaze shifted to Esdeath. Her smile turned sly as she leaned forward slightly. "Yes, It wasn't too hard infiltrate here, I made certain arrangements with Lilith too. She agreed to cooperate."
Lortell's expression immediately shifted. For the first time, her confident demeanor faltered. Her crimson eyes narrowed as her voice cracked with disbelief. "Lilith? Don't joke with me. I can believe king or nobles would sell their souls for pleasure, but Lilith?"
She may have disliked Lilith's rigid sense of justice, even found her irritating, but she had been her teacher. She knew Lilith well.
Igret chuckled darkly. "By the time she realized the truth, we had already claimed this place. And rather than start a war, she chose peace. Think about it—we brought equality, we stopped crime, we gave people peace better than any kingdom ruled by foolish humans. Our rule is far more just."
Igret spread her arms with pride, her tail swaying as she continued. "So we struck a deal. We would maintain peace and, in exchange, gather the resources needed to awaken the Demon King—without harming the people here. There was… another reason as well, but children like you wouldn't understand." She closed her eyes briefly, chuckling softly as if amused by her own words.
But when she opened them again, her face went blank.
Esdeath and Lortell weren't even paying attention anymore.
They were kissing, their lips locked in a passionate exchange, their bodies close, ignoring the dozens of glares burning into their backs. To them, the entire room had vanished, leaving only each other.
A rush of heat climbed Igret's face. Her lips trembled before she finally burst out in embarassment because of being ignored.
"Are you two succubi or what?! Can't you have a normal conversation without turning it into something erotic?!"
They both stopped their intimate moment and turned their eyes toward Igret.
"You just kept blabbering and blabbering, so we got too bored. Let's just get straight to the point," Esdeath said in a cold voice that carried no warmth at all.
"As long as you do a few things that we'll tell you to, consider that we are in an alliance," she added, her red eyes sharp and merciless.
"And what if I don't?" Igret raised an eyebrow, trying to sound fearless even though her heart was beating faster.
"Then I'll expose your secret. I don't care if thousands of people die in a war," Lortell replied without even blinking, her words as casual as if she were talking about the weather.
"Then I'll also expose that you're a vampire," Igret shot back quickly, her voice carrying a hint of threat.
"I couldn't care less," Lortell responded in the same flat tone, like it truly didn't matter to her.
The scene almost looked like two children fighting over who would get a bigger share of food, each blackmailing the other with secrets.
Esdeath raised her hand slightly, stopping the childish exchange. Her voice was calm, almost too calm.
"Don't worry. The conditions aren't that bad. I just want a dragon heart, a golden vein essence stone, and an announcement that you'll have to make."
Igret frowned, tapping her fingers on the armrest of her chair as she thought. "Hunting dragons is illegal now. I do have the recipe for a golden vein essence stone though."
"I have the recipe too," Esdeath said with no emotion on her face. "Either you provide the resources, or refine one for me. As for the dragon heart, a fallen dragon's or even a bone dragon's heart will do."
"My, my… it seems someone is struggling with a weak body. Humans were always inferior, haha…" Igret chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand as if she had gained the upper hand.
But Esdeath didn't react at all. Her expression remained frozen like ice, and her silence made the room colder than before.
After a few seconds, Igret finally nodded. "Fine, I agree. But I have two conditions. First, you won't come here begging for more unless we have an equal transaction. Second, you have to tell me the content of that announcement."
Esdeath's lips curved into a faint smile, but her eyes remained unreadable. "Sure. I'll tell you in time. We're not in any hurry. I'll be staying here for a month anyway."
Although the deal was made, the air was still heavy with tension. Both sides stayed on guard, especially Igret, who knew how dangerous both Lortell and Esdeath were. The two were famous for being hot-blooded.
"Go and rest. I'll come after discussing tomorrow's operation with them," Lortell said, leaning forward to kiss Esdeath gently on her right cheek.
Esdeath simply nodded, her face calm as always, and left the room without saying another word.