Chapter 69: The Demonic Force

The sky burned crimson above a desolate land, where jagged mountains pierced the horizon and rivers of molten rock crawled between blackened valleys. Thunder roared endlessly overhead, illuminating twisted forests, scorched plains, and enormous skeletal remains half-buried beneath the earth.

A massive crater stretched across the land, its enormous walls descending toward a settlement built within its depths. Multiple houses surrounded the crater floor, most constructed from dark stone and bone, while a noticeably larger castle stood at its center, illuminated by a strange red light that shone from above.

The people living beneath it all shared a similar appearance. Their skin was red and muscular, their bodies naturally imposing, while enormous fangs visible inside from their mouths.

The Demon Race.

Despite the sinister land surrounding them, the settlement was lively. Warriors had returned from a hunt carrying the enormous carcass of a beast that towered nearly as high as two houses, and crowds gathered around them in celebration.

"Festival! A festival!"

The warriors carried the carcass toward the entrance of the castle-like structure before lowering it onto the ground. They immediately knelt before it.

"Great Render, please bless our kill."

A moment passed. Then the crimson sky suddenly brightened.

A massive bolt of lightning descended from the heavens and struck the carcass directly. Its body trembled from the impact as a faint red light spread across its flesh.

"Thank you, Great Render, for your blessing."

The warriors rose and carried the carcass away, their celebration continuing as they prepared their feast.

Deep within the black castle, however, the atmosphere was considerably quieter.

A demon sat upon a throne constructed entirely from bones, his legs crossed casually as an enormous skull hung above him as a chandelier. His expression remained indifferent as a servant slowly approached and knelt before him.

"Great Render, I have come to report the latest news from the eastern continent."

The demon lazily raised his hand, signaling him to continue.

"In the southern continent, our current network is spreading steadily. Our Fishman allies have also begun taking control of several boats operating from human ports. Furthermore, that man has sent us the essence."

The Render’s expression changed slightly.

"That man..."

"Yes, Great Render. That man. Sebastian Flyde of the Werewolves."

The demon narrowed his eyes.

"Prepare the exchange."

The servant lowered his head.

"Yes, Great Render."

---

An old man with long white hair sat beneath of a grassy hill, his black suit standing in stark contrast against the pale grass swaying gently beneath the cold night wind. Below him stretched a human settlement, its countless houses clustered together beneath the darkness, with warm lights glowing from windows and streets as its inhabitants continued their ordinary lives.

Above them, the sky was almost completely black, with countless stars scattered across its endless expanse. The chilly breeze carried the distant sounds of the settlement toward the hill, yet the old man remained completely still, his eyes fixed upon the humans below.

"Our preparations are almost complete..." the old man murmured, his voice barely audible against the wind.

"Our race will no longer need to hide among them or disguise ourselves whenever we enter their settlements, because soon, they will finally know what has been living beside them all this time."

His aged eyes remained fixed upon the distant lights as a faint smile formed across his wrinkled face. "Humans... They reproduce quickly, and individually, most of them are weak, yet their numbers are their greatest strength."

"Among thousands of them, there will always be one who grows troublesome, and those troublesome individuals are always the ones worth watching."

Footsteps suddenly approached from behind, breaking the old man’s concentration. "Grandfather," a small voice called out.

"This granddaughter of yours will kill any human you want!" she declared proudly, her childish voice carrying far across the quiet hill.

Sebastian smiled and reached toward her, gently placing his hand upon her head. "What a cute ambition," he said warmly, before adding, "But I will be expecting you to fulfill it."

The little girl immediately smiled wider, her small fists tightening with determination.

"I will!"

Before Sebastian could respond, another figure approached from behind, his footsteps noticeably more hurried than the girl’s. "Leader Sebas, the demons have arrived at the port, and they are carrying the thing you requested."

Sebastian’s gentle expression disappeared as he turned toward the messenger.

"Good"

The following night, the port was almost completely silent beneath the moonlight. Pale reflections stretched across the dark ocean while wooden docks creaked softly against the waves, and most of the fishermen and merchants had already returned home, leaving only a handful of lanterns illuminating the empty streets.

A shadow suddenly moved between two buildings before Sebastian stepped into the open. Several demons were waiting at the far end of the port beside a large wooden crate, their imposing red bodies partially concealed beneath dark clothing as their sharp eyes continuously scanned the surrounding area.

Neither side bothered with greetings.

Sebastian simply approached the demons and reached inside his coat, removing a small glass container filled with crimson liquid. The substance shimmered beneath the moonlight, its surface moving strangely despite Sebastian holding the container completely still.

One of the demons immediately noticed the strange liquid and his expression changed. Sebastian extended the container toward him, and the demon carefully accepted it with both hands before raising it toward the moonlight.

The red liquid slowly shifted inside the glass, leaving a faint crimson glow along its surface. The demon closed his eyes and concentrated for several seconds before his expression became satisfied.

"Yes," he whispered. "I can feel the power within it."

The second demon leaned closer and examined the container before nodding. "This is genuine Blood Essence."

Sebastian calmly looked at them, his expression remaining completely emotionless. "I am not someone who lies."

The demons said nothing in response, instead turning toward the wooden crate behind them.

"Here is the Bloodstone."

Sebastian’s eyes briefly fell upon the contents before he reached down and took the box. The weight was considerable, yet he carried it without showing the slightest difficulty.

The demons continued watching him carefully as Sebastian turned away from them. Without another word, he walked toward the darkness between the buildings.

His figure gradually disappeared into the shadows, leaving the demons standing alone beside the silent ocean. One of them continued staring in the direction Sebastian had vanished before quietly muttering, "The werewolves are finally preparing to move."

The other demon lowered his gaze toward the empty glass container still in his hand. "And when they do... the continent will change."