Leca nearly fell from the ceiling in surprise. He had been too focused on the boys' conversation.
Why would Lady Mia and the children be part of this ritual?
But first, he had to deal with the demon god. That came before anything else.
Carefully… patiently… once they left, he could approach Beelzebub's statue—
"But you think maybe it's better I didn't get picked?"
asked the boy called Levi, scratching his head.
The other boy shrugged with a smirk.
"Just my guess. I mean, the Grand Duke was really into that girl, right?
I doubt they'd dare do anything that obvious."
"Exactly. Our Grand Duke is strong. He'll crush those cowardly Naizman dogs and the fairies in one sweep."
With that, the boys moved on to another topic. They finished polishing the statues and wandered off.
Leca took a slow breath and once more sent a mind-transfer message.
—Lady Mia. This is Leca. Can you hear me? Where are you right now?
He waited. No response.
His anxiety spiked, but he steadied himself. Mind-transfer spells required intense focus—they only worked if both parties were in a calm, resting state.
If Mia was in danger, or in a fight, or even just distressed—of course she wouldn't be able to respond.
Leca reassured himself with that thought.
In the temple, people had gradually begun to trickle out. Only a few remained, cleaning pillars and sweeping the floors at a distance.
Now's the time. He crept down the column and landed silently at the altar.
The black cloth draped across the altar helped conceal his dark red body.
Leca carefully examined the statues of the twelve demon gods surrounding Angra Mainyu.
He remembered what he'd been taught—it didn't take long to identify Beelzebub.
There.
Bat wings. Huge ears. Ram's horns. Thunder in one hand, lightning in the other.
Leca coiled his tail around the statue and tried to read its energy.
…Nothing. He tried again. Still nothing.
Startled, he moved to the statue beside it and tried again. Same result. No energy.
They haven't been awakened.
Statues had to undergo Eye of Revelation ritual —ceremonial infusions of divine energy—before they could truly house the power of a god.Without that, they were just stone.
Leca had always been taught that every statue inside the palace temple underwent this rite.
So why not these?
Had they intentionally skipped the ritual for the dark gods, fearing something might go wrong? That seemed like the only explanation.
Now what?
The elemental spirits only served gods of light—they knew nothing about the domain of a demon god.
But Court mage Roland would know. And so would his father. Leca focused his mind and sent a message to his father.
Mia thought she might throw up. She could breathe, somehow, but the constant shaking made her feel sick.
She could tell she was flying somewhere—but trapped inside a cocoon like a pupa, unable to see outside, she could only feel the vibrations.
Mia struggled, wriggling as hard as she could. Eventually, the webbing around her loosened, just enough for her to move a little.
She began tearing at the threads, then rapped her knuckles against the shell.
"Hey! Hey!"
No response.
Fine. Time for a stronger approach. She kicked the shell. Hard.
THUMP-THUMP!
"What's that noise, human girl?"
Finally—a voice from outside.
"I feel sick! I need some air—and I have to pee!"
"Then just go right there."
"…Excuse me?! Are you serious?"
"Why not?"
"I swear, if you don't let me out right now I'll—"
CRACK.POP.
A small part of the shell broke open—right near her lower back. Wind whooshed in through the hole.
Mia twisted and shoved her face toward the opening. She peeked out.
Where… am I?
The sky was blood-red. No sun. No moon. No stars. No clouds. Just crimson.
Terror stabbed through her.
Where the hell am I?!
"Hold tight. We'll be there in ten minutes."
It was the buffalo demon's heavy voice.
So it was fast.
The orb route would've taken days—Lunarena said six months.
Had that Roland guy really not known about this shortcut? Or had he known… and sent her to die, just like Jakiel had?
As those thoughts churned, the shaking stopped.
They'd landed. She could see reddish dust rising up from below. This was it.
She—no, the egg—was being carried somewhere. Finally, to the demon god's lair.
Mia reached up and touched her earring. Maybe this would be like with the unicorn—maybe they'd talk, and she'd get the treasure peacefully.
But she couldn't count on that. This was the demon king of the underworld, after all.
She clutched her thoughts tightly, praying:
Please let the ancient sword and shield protect me again…
She took deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart.
Through the hole—the "bathroom window," as she'd mentally named it—
she watched the landscape pass by.
First red dust. Then gravel roads. And then…
A dazzling floor glittered beneath them, covered in gemstones of every color.
Is this the Demon King's—no, the demon god's home?
So extravagant. Even the palace of Sibareth couldn't compare.
At the end of the gem-paved path, the floor turned into sleek, polished black obsidian.
The demons placed the egg there and began speaking animatedly among themselves.
As always, Mia couldn't understand a word they said.
Their discussion dragged on and on.
Mia yawned repeatedly, nodding off. She hadn't slept properly since the flight began.
Suddenly, the egg jerked violently. Mia's eyes flew open.
Startled, she looked out through the hole—
"Eek! What the hell?!"
A one-eyed demon was staring right at her. Its yellow eyeball filled the opening.
The demon flinched at her scream and muttered,
"There's been a change of plans. We're cooking you before the offering."
"…C-cooking me?"
Wait, like in boiling oil?!
No way. Nope. I'm gonna slice all of you up with the ancient sword—
POP!
The shell burst open—and in the same moment, webs sprang forth again,
wrapping tightly around her.
Even her eyes were sealed shut this time. She couldn't move a finger.
"Mmmph! Mmm-mmphh!!"
She was moving again. Then—
SPLASH!
Boiling oil?!
… she thought. But the liquid was cool. And fragrant.
As the webs unraveled, soft hands gently peeled them away from her body.
"…Pfft—blub—huh?"
Mia poked her head out of the water. Beautiful young women were looking down at her.
Without a word, they stripped off her dirty, travel-worn clothes and began scrubbing her thoroughly.
Ah. Of course. Gotta wash the ingredients before cooking.
Once she was clean, they brought out enormous leaves, laid them across her front and back, and tied them together.
Great. I'm becoming fairy sushi.
What's next, a dab of vinegar and wasabi?
When the leafy wrap was finished, one of the women snapped her fingers.
Servants brought out a glass table—and a giant platter, perfectly sized for Mia to lie on.
"Lie down here."
The oldest woman among them pointed at the plate.
Mia obeyed.
After all, she'd come here to take the treasure anyway. She had to meet the demon god, no matter what.
Once she was lying down, the women began decorating her with flowers and fruit.
They even placed a crown of blossoms on her head.
Not vinegar and mustard, huh?
Interesting.
I guess I'm a dessert course now.
Garnished with edible flowers? Very modern.
At last, they stepped back, admiring their finished work.
Mia lay there surrounded by petals and exotic, fragrant fruits. It was surreal.
Is this how the maidens offered to dragons in legends felt…?
Weirdly serene… and completely terrifying.
One woman covered Mia's eyes with a long, flat leaf.
Mia flinched.
"…Why are you covering my eyes?"
Wait—is this like Medusa?
If I look at the demon god, will I turn to stone or go blind?!
"For the peace of your mind. You'll be glad you have it on."
Oh great.
This is just like when they blindfold animals before slaughter.
Once again, she was moved.
Footsteps. Doors opening. A table being placed down. The doors closing again.
Then silence.
A faint fragrance wafted into her nose—something rich and unfamiliar. A little like incense in a temple.
Mia swallowed hard.
Where am I…?
She reached for the leaf covering her eyes. Just as she touched it—
"…I'd recommend keeping that on a bit longer."
A voice. A man's voice. Young. Calm.
Wait—was there still someone here? A servant?
"Why?" Mia asked cautiously.
"I just need a little time to prepare."
"…Prepare what?"
Mia's voice trembled.
Don't tell me he's setting the table for a literal human feast?!
Well—no reason I can't get the hell out of here before that happens—!
With that, she shot upright—and yanked the leaf off her face.