Months had passed since the fateful battle atop the shattered plateau, the confrontation that had ended with Ko's body swallowed by the abyss and Koshi's soul shattered by the weight of her choice. The aftermath had been slow, a grinding process of reconstruction and consolidation, but in the end, the results had proven favorable.
The kingdom was healing. A new order was rising from the ashes of the old.
While Inside the throne room of a distant castle, two assistants knelt on the crimson royal runner carpet, their murmurs barely disturbing the cavernous silence of the chamber. The throne itself was a masterpiece of dark stone and gold filigree, its seat currently occupied by a figure who seemed more bored than regal.
Sphe sighed, her voice carrying a note of reluctant admiration. "Honestly, I think it's a nice choice. And hey, you gotta give the guy props—it's not easy to find people with potential like that."
"Hm." Yun shook his head, his tone formal and measured. "Mildly. Technically speaking, there are many out there with such talent."
Sphe cocked her head, expecting nothing less from her ever-pedantic colleague. "...Yeah. Obviously."
"Keep it down," an exhausted-sounding voice said from the throne. The figure straightened themselves and leaned back, the movement casual but commanding.
The assistants swiftly turned to face their King.
[7TH DEMON KING THE DEFIER UKUTER]
[RULER OF THE KINGDOM OF THE MISFIT FAIRIES]
Ukuter stared at them with a look of profound weariness, as if the very act of existing had drained him of all energy. The two assistants immediately bowed and apologized for the disturbance, their voices overlapping in a rush of contrition.
Being used to the antics of his assistants, Ukuter shrugged his shoulders and returned his lazy gaze to the paper in his hand. "I said keep it down, not apologize," he calmly reiterated, his voice carrying the weight of someone who had repeated himself far too many times. "You two are just gonna get back at it sooner than later."
Yun felt a rush of disappointment wash over him as Ukuter's words soaked into his skin. He shot Sphe a spiteful look. "Brilliant. You upset Lord Ukuter."
"Ignoring you," Sphe replied, rolling her eyes with theatrical indifference.
"Uh... You two were heading out." Ukuter sat up from his throne, grabbing his broadsword from where it rested against the armrest. He swung it up and over his shoulders with practiced ease, the massive blade settling across his back like an extension of his own body. He walked down to his assistants, his footsteps echoing through the hall.
Sphe jumped to her feet. "Oh! Yes, sir. I meant to ask—what about the coronation? Will you be attending?"
Ukuter stood in silence, mulling it over. His expression remained unchanged, but something flickered in his eyes, a hint of curiosity beneath the exhaustion. "No. For the others, I doubt..." He paused, and a slow grin spread across his face. "The fact I'm invited in the first place is a tad bit surprising… The Rising Empire Rone, what luck they have in finding such talent."
The assistants swiftly fell into step behind Ukuter as he strode from the throne room into the glamorous, shining gold of his castle interior. All activity came to a halt as he passed through, servants bowed, guards snapped to attention, and the very air seemed to hold its breath in reverence.
Leaving his castle, Ukuter decided to take the long way through the kingdom, passing through the high lords' districts down to the local markets. News spread fast, as it always did, and the local people huddled together to catch a glimpse of their King.
Ukuter donned a proud grin on his face, admittedly enjoying these moments more than he would ever admit. A slight blush crept across his cheeks as he bathed in the praise and adoration of his subjects; the cheers, the waving hands, the children who reached out to touch the hem of his cloak as he passed.
This is what it means to rule, he thought, allowing himself a moment of unguarded satisfaction.
The group eventually reached the outskirts of the kingdom, where the cobblestones gave way to open plains stretching toward the horizon. Ukuter stopped, reached into his cloak, and produced a piece of parchment. He threw it over his shoulders, and it ignited before it even touched the ground, dissolving into ash that scattered on the wind.
Yun walked up to Ukuter's side, quickly adjusting his glasses before speaking. "Sir, I've been wondering, what's your opinion on this case?"
"Koshi was her name… None, if she seeks change she'll be smarter than her predecessor," Ukuter replied, his tone drifting toward something darker, edged with barely concealed hatred. "My family has the upper hand over the kingdom…it's her only choice."
"Of course not—you're better in every way," Yun remarked, his voice carrying a cautious note. "Unlike their predecessor and ours, if she tried to follow in his footsteps, I doubt you'll end up dying along with her."
Sphe snickered, her fairy wings fluttering with amusement. "It must have been tough being ruled by a dummy." She placed her hands on her hips, striking a pose of mock authority. "I bet I would've been a better Demon King. Ukuter, introduce me in the next gathering, will ya?"
Yun lightly chuckled. "Yes..." He paused dramatically, his smirk faltering as he promptly realized she might be right. He chuckled again, playing it off. "Compared to him, anyone would be suitable," He said smugly.
Sphe took immediate notice of what Yun was implying and pouted. "Gee. Can't have me win anything, can you?"
"Uh—" She suddenly grinned and launched herself into the sky, her wings flapping furiously. "Haha! See-ya, loser!"
Lord Ukuter had already taken off. Yun looked around, realizing his King was already a hundred yards ahead. Swiftly behind. He hurried to follow, his dignity a distant second to his duty.
*
An half an hour of travel stretched into the evening, the constant bickering between Sphe and Yun finally falling silent as they made landfall on the edge of a cliff.
Ukuter stared downward at the heavenly glow below, the outer domain of the Celestial Lake presenting itself as quite the eye-catcher. Its waters shimmered with an otherworldly luminescence, casting prismatic reflections across the surrounding landscape like scattered jewels.
He narrowed his eyes, a sly grin spreading across his face. "We're here."
Sphe stepped forward, her eyes glittering with awe. "Where exactly?" she asked, tilting her head.
Yun stepped in to answer. "The Celestial Lake. I haven't been here in a while."
"Celestial Lake?" Sphe murmured in confusion. "Now what the hell is that? Hm, if I have to guess—magic water. Why did Uku take you and me?"
"First of all, do not refer to my Lord as Uku." Yun sighed, the sound carrying the weight of years. "Uh? I've been by Ukuter's side far longer than you," he remarked, a hint of pride in his voice, as if entailing he alone should be allowed that privilege and even then he wouldn't do it. "Now, for your question, this is only for special occasions. Some entertainment, to put it simply." He paused, his expression growing more serious. "The Celestial Lake is one of the primordial sources of this world. If this rings a bell, it's also known as Greed's Graveyard."
"Ehh? Hmm." Sphe took a moment to think deeply, until she finally recalled the name. "Ahh. Yeah, I remember now. How could I forget such a badass name as that?"
"Anyway, what's the occasion?" She inquired.
"Something simple. We're merely here to collect some of its contents," Yun casually replied. "By request of the family."
Hearing this, Sphe slammed her fist into her palm. "Okay, let's go." She enthusiastically marched forward.
With a sigh, Yun grabbed her from behind, halting her in her tracks. "I know it sounds easy, but it's said just getting close to the Celestial Lake weakens you, and touching it destroys you completely..." He cleared his throat. "But those are just rumors, and I go by facts. For example, Lord Ukuter's words."
"Oh. Yeah." Sphe scratched the back of her head. "I wonder if in a few hundred years I'll end up like you." She shook her head, the comment hanging in the air like an insult wrapped in curiosity.
Ukuter gazed below at the tall, otherworldly glow of green from the blades of grass that surrounded the lake. The light pulsed with a rhythm like a heartbeat, as if the very earth was alive and breathing.
"Stay here," Ukuter ordered, and before either assistant could respond, he leapt off the cliff.
He descended with controlled grace, stopping mere inches from the ground to land softly, his boots barely disturbing the grass. He approached the lake with calmness and deliberation, his movements measured, unhurried. A silver-golden wine goblet materialized in his left hand, and he knelt at the water's edge, dipping the vessel into the luminous liquid.
Once Ukuter had collected the contents and safely stored the goblet away, his assistants let out a collective breath of relief.
Their relief was short-lived.
The Celestial Lake came alive, its surface churning and boiling with sudden fury. From its depths, a monster formed, a creature of living water and corrupted light, its form shifting and grotesque. It rose from the lake, its roar shaking the very air.
Ukuter reacted quickly, but his movements remained unhurried, almost bored. He removed his sword from his shoulder, the massive blade gleaming in the twilight. In a single, fluid motion, he swung it downward.
The blade split not only the beast but nearly the entire lake itself. A tremendous force erupted from the strike, obliterating the monster in one devastating blow. The shockwave sent ripples across the surrounding landscape, and for a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
Uninterested in staying around for further retaliation, Ukuter made a quick step and vanished, reappearing at the top of the cliff in an instant.
He took to the air right after, his assistants quickly taking off behind him. Sphe smiled and glanced back at the now-calm lake, then at Ukuter. "Seems like I was worried for nothing?"
"Clearly," Yun shook his head disappointedly.
She glanced at him again, her thoughts drifting. "Hm. Right, and you weren't?"
"Hey, so Yun... Have any ideas what it'll be used for?" She asked curiously. "Does the family like, drink it, for a power boost? Use it to make morning tea?"
Yun had suspected a question like this was coming and replied promptly. "Could be for anything. I like to be concrete with my responses, so I won't make any assumptions."
"Really? Can I at least hear a few theories and make my own decision?" Sphe pressed.
Yun smiled, finding her persistence amusing. "And be the one to share misleading information? I'll pass, thank you."
Once they were at a safe distance, Ukuter descended to the ground without any haste. "Her coronation must've ended by now," He remarked.
"The Administrator succeeded, so good for him," Sphe said, an intense gaze of wonder in her eyes. "But... I suppose we shouldn't be too surprised."
An eyebrow raised, Yun glanced back at her. "To which you mean?" he probed.
"Doesn't he have that skill? Path Foresight?" she inquired, a curious finger on her lips.
"Yes, that would be correct… One a weaker being many possibilities would be revealed for them," Yun paused, his expression thoughtful. "Besides that, I'm quite curious to see where this goes." His interest had been building, the situation growing more intriguing the more he considered it.
"Same," Ukuter agreed, turning to Yun. "I'm curious to see how she'll turn out compared to her predecessor."
He gazed into the distance, where the sun was setting on a kingdom that had been reborn from the ashes of its own destruction. Somewhere out there, a new Demon King was being crowned; a woman forged in tragedy, shaped by loss, and destined for greatness or ruin.
The world was watching. And for the first time in a long while, Ukuter found himself genuinely curious about what would come next.
The evening wind carried them forward, three figures silhouetted against the fading light, their shadows stretching long across the land. Behind them, the Celestial Lake shimmered in the distance, its waters already healing from the wound Ukuter had inflicted.
A new era was beginning.