Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 678- Territorial Feud

"As such, I will be going alone. Besides it's not like we are going to fight. From the truth I unveiled from the whispers of fate, I can tell that person will not start a fight with me".

With a subtle gesture, the shadowy figure conjured a swirling vortex of mystical energy, ripping through the fabric of space. The air crackled with raw power as a spatial gate materialized before them. A shimmering portal to an unknown place lies ahead.

"Old friend… I leave this place to you. With the fragments of Greed, Envy and Glutonny each choosing their new wielders and appearing to descend at this moment, I must ascertain whether the Fragments of Pride have once again appeared in Althaea or not. There is no time to waste, the future that I envisioned, our plan is so near completion…"

The shadowy figure spoke, a flicker of intrigue and excitement could be sensed from their tone.

"In that case, I hope Master employs necessary caution when dealing with that person. Before you leave, I wanted to ask if we should send someone to Hexennacht to ascertain Grimvul's words?"...

The shadowy figure who was about to disappear into the spatial gate, halted their stride and looked back.

"Hexennacht huh? Isn't it Gareth's time to host the event this year?".

"You are right master; however, Gareth has instead relented this opportunity to his son Belial, the one chosen by the Fragments of Envy" The old man reported.

"Hoh his son huh? To think that little boy's son would be chosen by Envy… very amusing. That said, there is no need to send anyone, all my powerful subordinates are currently busy. If I send someone else, that boy Gareth will be able to sense them. Let those children play their house for now".

Leaving behind those final words, the shadowy figure stepped into the portal disappearing into a realm unknown. The chamber, now devoid of the shadowy figure's formidable presence, echoes with a lingering sense of anticipation and foreboding.

The old man, bowed his head towards the slowly closing spatial gate in silent reverence and left to carry out his master's commands.

 In the vast expanse of Althaea, where secrets lie veiled and destinies intertwine, what sorts of consequences this meeting will bring? Only time will reveal the outcome of this fateful quest and the impact it shall have on the delicate tapestry of Althaea's existence.

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 In the shadowed halls of demon councils and clandestine gatherings, discussions echoed with concerns, strategies, and fears of an impending conflict. The future of the dungeon conquering system hung in the balance, its fate intertwined with the resolution of the human-demon relations and the preservation of the ancient treaty that had long sustained their realm.

Amidst the fervour of the fall of the high ranking dungeons, the topic of the angels movements emerged, casting a shadow of uncertainty upon the gathering.

If talking about the threats that concerned all the demon nobles, the presence of angels couldn't be discounted. Especially those above the rank of dominion.

"The Angels of Dominion have become increasingly active these days. Their motivations remain shrouded in mystery, but their presence no doubt possesses a great threat to our race".

"Although I do not have any proof, but the movements of the humans in the central continent are definitely related to that empire and the Seraphim that controls it. Through some monitoring and personal networks I was able to find that the Seraphim and the Angels of Dominion that serve him are expanding their territories and invading other kingdoms. While it may be happening in the Central Continent, we cannot discount the fact that their movements would have an impact on us sooner or later".

"My lord, the seraphim that you are talking about could it be..."

"That's right, the Seraphim of Temperance that rose to power more than three thousand years ago. The Empire that he founded slowly expanded its influence and has currently become a behemoth of an existence in the Central Continent".

 Belial spoke, his eyes narrowed with a mix of concern and confusion. The Rumors of angels, their movements and intention that were still shrouded in mystery, sent ripples of apprehension through the crowd.

The demons, their eyes filled with a mixture of determination and apprehension, nodded in agreement, recognizing the gravity of the situation.

Seeing the gloomy atmosphere of the gathering, Belial glanced towards Gareth who nodded his head. All these discussions and information he gave forth, was for this moment. The pieces all aligned perfectly just like he had planned, this was his chance—

The perfect opportunity to strike and seal his standing amongst the demon nobles forever.

Belial stepped forward, in this time of unease, his figure became the beacon of hope that the demon nobles needed to lead them.

"Do not falter, my brethren. The angels may be powerful and have their divine blood and celestial powers, but we possess our own unique strengths and innate abilities that they can never truly comprehend".

"For this Hexennacht I have called upon the Demon Archdukes, the Demon Dukes, and all those who hold positions of power and influence in our realm. Together, we shall devise strategies to counter the angels, to safeguard our dominion, and to ensure that the balance of power remains firmly in our grasp."

The disturbances within the two continents were a cause for great unease, and they understood the importance of unity and vigilance in the face of these threats. The demons, their spirits rekindled by Belial's words, exuded a renewed sense of determination.

The position and trust the Demon Lord of Envy held in their hearts increased as they realised that in these dire times, he was the only one who can truly lead them.

And so, by using the factors of uncertainty to his favour, the Demon Lord of Envy, Belial solidified his rule and increased his influence further.

The Hexenaccht continued on for days, the issues of humans calling themselves adventurers and angels, both were of grave concerns. As such, under the new demon lord's rule, many new strategies were formed, information shared and networks forged.

Simon watched the entire proceeding like an observer, listening intently to the activities going on all around the world. Since this was his first time attending the Hexennacht and the absence of news or media in this world, it was very difficult to discern the state of affairs happening around the world.

 It was only during such momentous gatherings where information are disseminated freely, that one gets a precious glimpse into the broader tapestry of events. Or else, confined within the confines of his dungeon and the encompassing forest, his awareness remained shrouded in blissful ignorance.

And so on the seventh day of the Hexennacht, the topic that Simon had been waiting for and the main reason for his attendance, was finally conferred.

The agenda was the territorial feud, a persistent issue that fueled arguments and war among the demons. Territory, to the demon nobles, was not just a mere expanse of land to claim and conquer. It held far greater significance in their intricate hierarchy and power dynamics.

It represented their domain of influence, their stronghold from which they derived authority, wealth, and status. These resources bolstered their individual strength and provided them with the means to further expand their dominion.

In a realm where strength was revered, territorial control became a tangible manifestation of a demon noble's might and influence. Moreover, territory served as a symbol of dominance and authority over other demons.

It showcased their ability to subjugate and govern lesser ranking demons within their domain, establishing themselves as formidable rulers.

This display of power not only earned them respect among their peers, but also instilled fear and obedience in those who resided within their territories.

 In a society where power struggles and alliances were common, demon nobles sought to expand their territories as a means to increase their sphere of influence and solidify their standing among the ruling elite.

A larger territory meant greater control over resources, a stronger foothold in conflicts, and enhanced bargaining power in negotiations. It is because of these reasons that dungeon wars are initiated to assert territorial claims or to destroy the dungeon of the rival demons.

They understood that by doing so, not only are they eliminating any competition, but also snuffing the intention of any potential rivals. As could be seen from the atmosphere inside the venue which underwent a palpable change the moment the topic of territorial disputes was waged.

The once harmonious gathering of demons, became charged with an undercurrent of tension and anticipation. The mention of territorial agendas acted as a catalyst, igniting a fire within the attendees.

Friction simmered beneath the surface, threatening to erupt at any moment. The once friendly exchanges turned into strategic manoeuvrings, with demons subtly positioning themselves and their interests, ready to assert their claims and protect their domains.

 The intensity in the room became almost tangible, as each demon sought to make their voice heard.

Two high-ranking demons, who had a long standing grudge against each other for decades of territorial skirmish, rose from their seats unable to hold themselves down any longer. Their eyes locked in a fierce stare-down.

Duke Rhydion, a towering figure with dark wings and a regal air, spoke with a voice that resonated through the venue.

"Demon Lord Belial, Archduke Gareth, I demand recompense for the territories that were wrongfully seized from my domain. The encroachment of Duchess Elysilon's forces has disrupted the delicate balance of power."

Duchess Elysilon, a seductive and formidable Demon Duke with dark coral coloured hair, met Rhydion's gaze with an unwavering determination.

"Duke Rhydion, you speak of balance, yet you fail to acknowledge the expansion of your own dominion at the expense of others. The territories in question rightfully belong to me, and I shall not relinquish them without a fight".