"No need to explain anything to you.
Just take me to your leader.
I need to clarify matters, or else they'll think I'm here to cause trouble," Celeste said coldly.
Her tone was undeniably forceful.
Hearing this, Ladrick's face grew uneasy.
"My lady, the Demon God has already returned to Hell.
At the moment… Lady Nanavis is the one managing the Uninhabited Zone."
Celeste understood immediately.
"Fine, then take me to her."
Though returning to Hell would be quick, she would still need to travel far within it to reach the only portal back to the mortal realm.
Beside her, Scarlett's heart trembled.
Meeting Nanavis?
She might be skinned alive, or even killed!
But she dared not oppose the high demoness before her—one with the potential to ignite her own divine spark.
As long as she outlasted any of the seven Demon Kings, she could become a new god.
In terms of demonic power hierarchy, a high demon was akin to a demigod in human terms.
Powerful, possessing extremely formidable—almost cheat-like—abilities, yet not entirely unbeatable.
Gods, however, were truly invincible.
Without delay, Ladrick and Scarlett, under her orders, poured water over the high-explosive powder, soaking it thoroughly.
They then buried it all entirely, unable to resist.
Their only option was to adjust their plan for another time.
…
Soon, the three arrived in the Uninhabited Zone.
The Castle of Pride loomed nearby, startling a flock of crows into the sky.
Their cries filled the air, bleak and despairing.
Inside the castle, Nanavis's face tensed.
"This aura… a demon?
And a powerful one at that…"
A crow at the window fluttered in and entered the room.
It was Ladrick's familiar, delivering Celeste's arrival notice in advance.
"Why would she come here?"
Even Nanavis, a fellow high demon, turned pale upon hearing the news.
Her once arrogant, flamboyant demeanor vanished entirely.
She hastily called all her retainers, arranging a welcoming ceremony.
She even summoned the other Lords of Sin to join them.
After all, this visitor was none other than the child of Lucifer, Lord of Hell.
No amount of pride could justify not bowing down.
Before long, Celeste approached the Castle of Pride, dragging Scarlett and Ladrick—both looking utterly terrified—alongside her.
The castle was adorned with her favorite death flowers, a vivid crimson hue tinged with the faint scent of iron from blood.
Celeste stepped forward, treading on the red carpet toward the castle.
At the entrance, Nanavis, Hir, Winnie, and Gluttony all stood waiting respectfully.
"Greetings, Lady Celeste!" they said in unison, as did all demon retainers present.
Each bowed low, not daring to lift their heads until she addressed them.
With a sweeping motion, Celeste threw Scarlett and Ladrick to the ground.
"There's no need for all this pomp.
I didn't come here to cause trouble.
I came to make one thing clear!"
Her tone was sharp and tense.
Her whole aura radiated overwhelming demonic energy—a presence of absolute authority.
All the demons trembled in fear.
Even Hir, Winnie, and Gluttony found themselves quaking.
Only Nanavis held herself together, albeit with visible difficulty.
She did her best to suppress her irritation and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Lady Celeste, please, speak plainly.
Are these two useless fools causing you trouble?
If so, I can kill them on the spot…"
"Wait… Lady Nana, let me explain!" Ladrick's face filled with terror, knowing full well this would happen.
That damn half-breed!
He's only a half-demon, yet how dare he act so arrogant!
But Celeste interrupted, her voice cold.
"The Goblin King City is now under my jurisdiction.
If you launch an attack on that city and disrupt my work, the consequences will be severe… However, your grudges with the goblins are none of my concern."
Nanavis nodded quickly, restraining her anger.
"Very well, then!
I have no interest in wasting time here.
Also, control your people!"
With that, Celeste shot into the sky, a black meteor streaking across the Uninhabited Zone.
Although she had left, the area remained under a chilling pressure, even more intense than before.
An oppressive unease hung over the place.
Scarlett and Ladrick could feel it all too clearly—the wrath of an extremely angry demon looming behind them.
"You wretched creature!
How many times have I told you—those pathetic goblins are not worth provoking!
Lowly creatures attract each other!"
Nanavis grabbed Scarlett by the throat, smashing her hard against the ground.
A deafening crash rang out as Scarlett lay sprawled in a pool of her own blood.
Ladrick, seeing this, was just about to defend himself, but Nanavis seized him as well and hurled him to the ground.
It didn't stop there.
The resounding crashes echoed through the entire Castle of Pride!
Only after smashing them repeatedly—leaving them mangled and nearly dead—did she finally restore them.
"Get lost!
Next time, I'll kill you both for good!" Nanavis warned menacingly.
The Lords of Sin left for the Palace of Lust, each wearing a troubled expression.
Hir sighed.
"You really shouldn't have messed with that goblin.
That creature is nothing but bad luck."
"Let it go, Scarlett.
If that goblin really does come after you, you could just ask Lady Nana for protection, couldn't you?" Winnie suggested.
Even the usually quiet Gluttony chimed in, "Holding onto hatred only leads to the same end as Gallows.
Better to enjoy some food while you can."
But Scarlett, filled with frustration, burst into bitter tears.
"Why?!
Why am I suffering like this?
I'm a Lord of Sin!
That wretched goblin!
Curse him!"
"Ah…" the others sighed again.
However, none of them noticed Ladrick lurking in the shadows, his eyes seething with twisted, venomous malice.
An intense hatred festered within him.
"Damn wretch, don't blame me for stabbing you in the back…" he thought viciously, his mind already made up.
He planned to pledge himself to Lin Tian.
But Scarlett spoke first, "If that's the case, then I might as well be a slave to the goblin!"
"Huh?
I really don't think that's necessary," Winnie scoffed.
"It's just a goblin.
Is it worth this much grief?
There hasn't even been a proper fight yet, and look at the state you're all in.
I'm done.
Going to sleep."
With that, Winnie left.
Scarlett, feeling wronged, muttered, "Easy for you all to say.
You're middle demons with protectors.
I'm a lesser demon.
If I die, Nanavis wouldn't care at all.
Of course, you don't understand how I feel!"
She'd already decided on her next move.
Without hesitation, she set off again for Goblin King City.
She believed that with her abilities as a Succubus Demon, no man would be able to resist if she offered herself willingly.
At worst, she'd make herself the goblin's favored consort.
Seeing this, Ladrick followed close behind, waiting for his own chance to ally with Lin Tian.
He wouldn't rest until he'd exacted his revenge on Nanavis.