There were many ways to apologize.
And Basus intended to use the most courteous method: sending an envoy delegation.
It wasn’t out of fear of Gaon’s retaliation.
Basus wanted to use this opportunity to mend relations with Gaon.
It was right then.
Swish.
Someone raised their hand.
Basus turned to look at the volunteer.
……!
He couldn’t help but be slightly surprised.
The one who had raised her hand was First Saintess Adela.
‘Does she have something to say?’
If it had been anyone else, he would have assumed it was a simple offer to join the envoy.
But since it was Adela, he suspected it might be something else she wanted to discuss.
“Do you have something to say?”
Basus asked Adela.
She replied with a puzzled expression.
“I’ll go as the envoy.”
……!
Basus was surprised again by Adela’s response.
He had thought she had something to discuss, but no—it was a genuine offer to join the delegation?
“Is that not possible?”
When Basus fell silent, Adela asked.
“Ah, no, that’s not it.”
Basus snapped out of it and replied to her question.
“If you go, Adela, they’ll know we’re sincere.”
The most important figure in Seionia was Pope Basus.
And equally vital was First Saintess Adela.
If Adela visited as the envoy and offered an apology?
The chances of easing Gaon’s anger were high.
It might not fully dissipate, but at least some of the fury would subside.
“Then, may I leave the rest of the delegation to you?”
Adela had volunteered for the envoy delegation.
It seemed best to entrust the remaining members to her.
“Yes, I’d be grateful if you did.”
“Then, I leave it to you.”
The demonic sanctuary ‘Tarun.’
In the grand banquet hall at Tarun’s center, countless demon nobles had gathered.
There were no barons or viscounts.
The lowest rank was count.
And even counts were few.
Seventy percent were marquises.
It was safe to say that nearly all the demon marquises who had crossed into the Middle World were assembled in this hall.
The reason for their gathering?
It was all because of Gergona.
“Is it certain that Gergona is dead?”
Demon Marquis Kelrin, under Gluttony’s Demon King Bazup, asked Kaserus.
Kaserus nodded and replied.
“Yes, his soul stone was destroyed.”
“Huh…….”
Kelrin let out a low sigh.
“To think Gergona would fall like that.”
“Who got him?”
The marquises, especially those with strong influence, chimed in one after another.
And Kaserus answered again.
“It’s presumed he fell to an 8th-Circle mage named Gaon. That’s how it’s being reported among the humans.”
“Gergona killed by an 8th-Circle mage?”
“That’s ridiculous. The humans are just trying to boost morale.”
“Right, even an 8th-Circle would be weakened in a demonic energy-dominant area. And Gergona was 8th-Circle too, wasn’t he?”
The marquises voiced their disbelief and opposition.
“And didn’t they use the sacred relic?”
“Yeah, they used the relic and still lost to an 8th-Circle? Hard to believe.”
“Did you investigate properly?”
“To kill Gergona in a demonic energy-dominant zone means Gaon has power on par with the demon kings.”
“That’s impossible.”
“How could a human? Considering the limits of that inferior race, it’s unthinkable.”
As the endless chatter poured out, Kaserus furrowed his brow slightly and pressed the button in front of him.
Vrrrrm!
At that, a vibrating hum echoed through the hall.
And one by one, they fell silent.
Silence descended, and Kaserus spoke.
“I respect everyone’s thoughts. I find it hard to believe too.”
How could he believe Gergona had been killed by a single human?
In a demonic energy-dominant area, no less.
Frankly, even Kaserus struggled to accept it.
“But that’s not what’s important right now.”
However, what mattered now wasn’t who or how Gergona died.
Gergona was already dead.
Learning the details wouldn’t bring him back.
What was crucial now was countermeasures.
What to do next.
“Looks like we’re discussing countermeasures…….”
Demon Marquis Porcia, follower of Lust’s Demon King Lecal, offered her opinion.
“What if we just lift all restrictions? If we release them, the humans will handle things themselves.”
The humans who had betrayed their kin and accepted demonic energy couldn’t move freely.
Their actions were restricted.
But if those restrictions were lifted?
They would go all out to resolve the situation.
Failure meant they themselves would suffer the consequences.
“Wouldn’t Abyss object strongly?”
At Porcia’s words, Kantro replied with a look of pity.
Not all humans who accepted demonic energy were restricted in their actions.
Abyss, which had been partners from the start, faced no such limitations.
In other words, lifting all restrictions?
Abyss was bound to protest.
Of course, Abyss was still a human faction.
But because of its lord, Murin, it couldn’t be treated as just another human force.
Murin’s role in the ‘grand plan’ they were preparing was immense.
“Abyss has suffered massive losses to this Gaon too. If we lift the restrictions on the condition they kill him, they’ll agree. And we can throw in whatever else they want.”
Kaserus spoke, and the marquises nodded in agreement.
Then, Kaserus turned to Kantro.
“Kantro, since you’re close with Abyss, talk to them about it.”
Kurshum headquarters, Latun’s office.
Latun stared for a moment at Bagelina, one of Abyss’s Ten Strong, seated across from him, then spoke.
“Have you heard the report?”
Just before Bagelina’s arrival, urgent news had come in.
The unbelievable story that Gergona, one of the stronger demon marquises, had been killed by Gaon.
Bagelina replied with a face that said no way.
“You’re talking about the failure in the Eon Kingdom operation?”
……!
Latun’s eyes flashed at Bagelina’s response.
Three Kurshum executives had headed to the Eon Kingdom to kill Gaon.
And contact had been lost.
Meaning, the operation had failed.
The problem was that this was a secret operation.
How did Bagelina know of its existence—and its failure?
……That wasn’t it.
“Hmm, then what is it?”
“Gergona is dead. To Gaon.”
……What?
Bagelina couldn’t help but be flustered.
And Latun asked the stunned Bagelina, who had trailed off.
“How much do you know about the Eon Kingdom operation?”
“Just that it failed. Who did you send that it failed? It wasn’t just one person, right?”
“Puzan, Lamuka, Porn.”
“Huh?”
Bagelina had to counter.
“Three? Those three went?”
“Yes.”
Latun nodded.
And Bagelina fell silent again.
Puzan, Lamuka, Porn.
These three mages were so powerful that even Bagelina couldn’t be certain of victory against them.
Yet, even with all three, they hadn’t killed Gaon?
……Did they not prepare with demonic energy?
All three had converted their foundation to demonic energy.
Meaning, in mana-dominant areas, they couldn’t exert their full power.
“No, they prepared thoroughly.”
Then how? How did he kill those three and Gergona?
Bagelina spoke with a face that showed her utter incomprehension.
And after pondering, Latun replied.
“What if he entered the 9th Circle?”
“What? 9th Circle?”
Bagelina countered Latun’s words.
Then, she scowled.
“That’s nonsense.”
If Gaon had reached the 9th Circle, it would explain everything about the current situation.
But entering the 9th Circle was impossible.
He had learned that after reaching the 8th.
What the 9th Circle truly entailed.
It existed, but it was a realm unattainable.
“Hmm…….”
Latun didn’t refute Bagelina’s denial.
Frankly, he had only brought it up out of faint curiosity; he didn’t rate the possibility highly.
Entering the 9th Circle was, honestly, impossible even for Gaon.
It was a realm no human body could ever reach.
“Anyway, in this situation, I came here for nothing.”
Bagelina spoke in a slightly irritated tone.
Latun looked at her with puzzlement, and she continued.
“It feels like things are slipping out of our hands.”
Bagelina had come to Kurshum to collaborate on killing Gaon.
But given the unfolding events, cooperation might not even suffice to take him down.
Of course, sitting idle wasn’t an option.
Gaon wouldn’t stop here.
Staying passive would just lead to withering away.
“The demons will surely react too. How about we talk again after that?”
Gergona’s death would be a massive shock to the demons as well.
In other words, the demons would respond in earnest.
It seemed better to gauge their stance and discuss anew.
“Fine.”
Latun nodded.
And Bagelina smiled faintly as she scanned the surroundings and asked.
“But where’s Blash?”
“He went there.”
“There?”
Bagelina countered.
“The place the demons requested.”
“Ah, the Silver Dragon’s Treasure Mountain?”
“Anything else to report?”
-Not certain, but Seionia is preparing an envoy delegation.
“An envoy delegation?”
Gaon tilted his head at Graxios’s response.
What was this about an envoy all of a sudden?
-Yes, probably to apologize…….
“Ah.”
Gaon let out a short exclamation.
“Anything else?”
-Nothing for now.
“Alright, contact me later then.”
-Travel safely.
Ending the communication, Gaon pocketed the crystal.
Then, he looked at Kring beside him.
Kring had a pitiful expression.
“Daddy…….”
And Kring called out to Gaon in a deeply sorrowful voice.
“No.”
Gaon smiled and replied firmly.
He didn’t need to hear the rest to know what Kring wanted to say.
“It’s too dangerous.”
Now, Gaon planned to head to the Silver Clan’s secret vault.
The Silver Clan’s secret vault was deep within the demon camp.
Very deep.
It didn’t affect Gaon, who was immune to demonic energy.
But Kring?
She was vulnerable to it.
Moreover, the Silver Clan’s secret vault was a perilous place that could tear even a dragon’s body.
He couldn’t take Kring into unknown dangers.
……I understand.
Seeming to grasp Gaon’s concern, Kring nodded with a regretful face.
Gaon stroked her head and said,
“I’ll be back soon, so keep practicing your magic diligently.”
This time, Gaon had assessed Kring’s limits.
She was 9th-Circle, but her proficiency was far too lacking for that level.
Even without Gaon’s perfection, the gap would be significant.
Proficiency could be built, so Gaon planned to have her train in magic this time.
……Yes! I’ll master it perfectly!
Kring replied, and Gaon stopped stroking.
“See you later!”
“Yes! Be careful!!”
After the farewell, Gaon closed his eyes.
“Teleport.”
Shimmer!