The image within the crystal orb was steady.
A barren stretch of land near the Nightfall dungeon tower came into view. Broken stone, trampled sand, then came the image of some humans.
The Humans knew that they had been discovered, when they sensed the presence of a demon.
Lucifer flew down and stood before them.
His black wings were folded neatly behind his back, his hands resting calmly at his sides. He looked almost relaxed.
"They sent an advance unit," Lira said from beside the throne. "Likely to confirm the disturbance."
Before Raya could respond or even blink, he saw that mana had been gathered. Arrows were loose.
Lucifer, didn't dodge, he only had one thought, 'I have to thank you guys for coming, I can use you lots to show off to my lord'
The arrows disintegrated midair, reduced to ash before they could touch him.
Lucifer raised one hand, then it seemed as if the world bent.
That was the only way Raya could describe it. Space itself seemed to recoil as a pressure descended upon the battlefield. Several humans collapsed instantly, their bodies crushed into the ground without visible wounds.
Lucifer then stepped forward, each step erasing distance.
He appeared in the middle of their formation without transition, without sound.
A sword came down toward his neck.
Lucifer caught it with two fingers, broke the sword then grabbed the man wrist with his second hand, before twisting it and consuming it with a black flame.
The man holding the sword disintegrated. Flesh, bone, and armor separated violently, scattering across the sand before turning into ashes.
Lucifer released the broken blade and continued walking.
Spells struck him from behind. Fire, lightning, light-element attacks meant for demons.
They passed through his body as though he were a smoke.
Lucifer stopped, he turned his head slightly.
A hero-class mage froze mid-cast.
Lucifer looked at him, "Humans have gotten even more pathetic or did they not send the best of the best because they feel my lord is not worthy?"
The mage was so scared that it could not reply, as he intended to open his mouth and beg, his head burst open, splashing brain juice all around.
The crystal orb showed the aftermath in silence. Blackened ground. Scattered remains. No survivors.
Lucifer knelt, he knows his lord is currently watching.
"My Lord," he said, bowing his head toward the orb. "The pests have been removed."
The image faded.
Raya exhaled slowly, he hadn't realized he'd been holding his breath.
"So that's an Arch-Demon," he said.
The display had been… efficient. There was no cruelty in Lucifer's movements, no hesitation either.
"Show off" Claire said, rolling her eyes, the other arch-demons couldn't help but all silently agree.
Raya looked down at his hands, 'I am now the demon lord, the one who rule over this terrifying creatures'
He then looked at the others bowing in front of him, they all had an indifferent look.
With that he had a quiet understanding that what he had seen was normal for beings like them.
The crystal orb dissolved into particles of light.
Lira gestured lightly. "If you wish, my Lord, we can prepare your private chamber."
Raya nodded.
---
The chamber assigned to him was… excessive.
Weapons lined the walls. Armor mounted on ornate racks, cloaks, rings, staves, blades, items of every shape and function filled the adjoining room with barely any space left to walk.
Raya stopped just inside the doorway.
"…Why?" he asked.
"For your use, my Lord," Lira replied calmly. "These are relics gathered over centuries. Some were crafted for Demon Lords"
Raya stepped forward, he picked up a sword from the nearest rack.
It was heavy, then it wasn't.
He lifted it easily, the weight adjusting itself as if responding to his grip. Dark runes glimmered faintly along the blade.
Raya swung it once, the air split.
The sound echoed sharply before fading.
He frowned and tried again, slower this time.
'It felt… natural'.
He set the sword down.
He was not a warrior, but he had memories of training, of combat instincts. He knew they weren't his, they belonged to his demonic body.
[Can learn mage related skills easily]
[Can learn warriors skill easily]
The system notification popped, answering his question.
He flexed his clawed fingers, "Ohh, right. I almost forgot," he muttered.
'Magic and physical force'
He hadn't known anyone in this world capable of that.
Raya shook his head once, dismissing a thought.
"Tidy this," he said.
A nearby maid bowed instantly and began organizing the room with swift, silent movements.
Raya turned toward the mirror covering one side of the chamber.
A demonic dragon stared back.
Blue-scaled skin, horns, eyes that glowed faintly red, dragonic wings.
He examined himself without reaction.
It didn't feel wrong. That, perhaps, was the strange part.
He also noted the absence of discomfort. No hunger, no fatigue, no racing thoughts.
Even the unease he should have felt was muted, smoothed down before it could take shape.
"…So it suppresses extremes," he said quietly.
He looked away from the mirror.
"I'll be stepping out," Raya said.
Lira immediately turned. "Shall I summon an escort?"
"No."
The word came out firm, even to him.
"I want to walk alone."
Lira hesitated, just for a fraction of a second.
"…As you wish, my Lord."
Raya stood up and left the chamber.
---
The upper halls of the dungeon were quiet.
The stone floors were polished, empty corridors stretched ahead, lit by pale, artificial light.
Raya walked without hurry, he needed to see it himself.
He stopped when he saw figures standing in his path.
Three demons, blocking the passage.
They didn't move or react, they simply watched.
Their presence was heavy and oppressive.
Raya recognized them from the system tags that appeared unbidden in his vision.
[High-rank demons]
Behind them stood another figure, Lucifer.
Raya's gaze settled on him.
Lucifer straightened and knelt immediately.
"My Lord," he said. "Forgive my presumption. I could not allow you to wander unguarded."
Raya considered him, "I didn't order you."
Lucifer lowered his head further. "I know."
Raya was silent for a moment.
Then he nodded once, "…One escort," he said. "That's all."
Lucifer smiled faintly, "As you command."