Throughout the journey, Cecilia was somewhat uneasy.
Within the Demon King’s Castle, almost every demon she encountered was equivalent to an elite soldier if thrown outside the demon realm.
Just the demons she met along the way numbered no fewer than ten with combat power at the level of Holy Knights.
“This is the decision-making center of the entire demon race. Look, that is the Demon King’s Court—the place where the Demon King resides. Apart from the Demon Lord and prince-level demons, others must obtain permission to enter.”
“When I was on the front lines, I also heard that your demon race has a class system similar to human nobility. It seems you have a strict hierarchy as well.”
Cecilia couldn’t help but sigh.
There was naturally a hierarchy within the demon race.
Aside from the Demon King and the Demon Lords who commanded entire armies, the rest were ranked according to the order: Prince, Grand Duke, Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, Baron, with common demons below Baron simply known as “Warriors.”
As for the lowest tier of barely intelligent familiars, strictly speaking, they didn’t even count as part of the demon race.
“It’s all modeled after the human system. The demon race was very chaotic in the past—basically, the strong ruled, and the weak obeyed unconditionally.”
Via hadn’t been a demon for very long, but since she had studied the demon race thoroughly as a saint, her understanding of demons might even surpass many demon princes.
“The demon race was once that barbaric?”
“You’re only finding that out now?”
Via frowned. “I recall writing a book specifically on the history and structure of the demon race, titled A Brief Discussion on the History of Internal Structural Reform of the Demon Race. That book was even on the seminary’s reference list for studying demons… You didn’t study it?”
“…I did, but…”
Cecilia broke out in a sweat.
She really had studied it.
That book had indeed been required reading at the church school… but when Cecilia studied it, she was mostly focused on the current demon hierarchy.
She rarely took the initiative to read about the demon race’s history.
Her grades in demon history were good, but it was all because the teacher emphasized key points she memorized just to pass the exam—once the test was over, she forgot it all.
Seeing her falter, Via’s gaze sharpened instantly.
“Look me in the eye and answer me: when did humans and demons first begin contact?”
“…That was 568 years before the Holy Era, when humans and demons ushered in a period of ‘prosperity and cooperation’…”
“The ‘Prosperity Era’ actually began in 533 years before the Holy Era, marked by the construction of the Glorious Courtyard. That was long after the first official contact. The initial formal contact at 568 years before the Holy Era was the Silver Lake Talks between humans and demons. The Prosperity Era came after that. You’re off by several decades.”
Via stared at her with a look of disbelief.
Cecilia remained silent, looking very much like a student who had been called on in class but gave a completely wrong answer.
“Never mind. Looks like you really didn’t study much,” Via said, exasperated, then went on herself.
“From the start, demons had no strict concepts of rank or division of labor. They emphasized strength above all else, and the weak could challenge the strong if they refused to submit. Later, after learning from humans, they adopted some human social concepts, which improved things somewhat.”
Of course, the system demons adopted was just a new shell.
Essentially, to rise within the demon race still required strength.
But at least with a clear hierarchy and division of labor, internal order stabilized significantly.
“Speaking of which, the exterior of the Demon King’s Court… looks somewhat familiar?”
“It’s a remodeled portion of the Glorious Courtyard from back then.”
Veya replied casually.
The Glorious Courtyard was a relic from a time before the racial barriers between intelligent species had fully formed—a joint human-demon attempt.
At that time, it was the strongest airborne magic fortress in the world.
Now, having lost part of it, it couldn’t even fly anymore and served merely as a fortress, perched high and still providing some remaining value.
Because every Demon King for generations had worked and lived in this courtyard, it eventually became known as the Demon King’s Court.
“…You seem very familiar with this place.”
Cecilia felt uncomfortable inside.
She certainly knew that Veya had been deeply hurt by the church’s betrayal and now considered the demon realm almost like her home.
But seeing her so thoroughly knowledgeable and detailed in describing the demon world felt somewhat dissonant.
After all, this was the hero Cecilia had admired most as a child—a human hero.
“Would you prefer me to be the saint I once was?”
Veya smiled lightly, moving a little closer to Cecilia, and she noticed Cecilia’s face flush slightly.
“Not… exactly that…”
Cecilia murmured.
She truly admired the saint Via had once been, but she also understood very well that going back to the past wouldn’t be a good thing for her.
Nearby demons were casting curious glances at the two of them.
It was rare to see a Demon Lord wandering the streets of the Demon King’s Castle with a human woman.
However, when they saw Veya return their gaze, they respectfully bowed.
“This is the Demon King’s Castle. I am the Demon Lord, and you are my servant,” Via whispered with a mischievous grin as she looked at the nervous Cecilia surrounded by many eyes.
“What should a sensible maid do at a time like this?”
The succubus suddenly pulled Cecilia into her arms, instantly stiffening Cecilia’s entire body.
“Um… Via…”
“Hmm? What do you call me when we’re outside?”
“Via… my Lady.”
“I’m here.”
“Are you a bit too close?”
Cecilia clearly felt Via deliberately shortening the distance between them, making it seem as if they were very close.
However, judging by the indifferent expressions on the demons’ faces around them, it was as if Via had done this many times before.
“I’m a succubus. I have to draw some energy from my servant, right?”
Via’s hands busily unbuttoned Cecilia’s collar, revealing her graceful, jade-like neck.
“Wait… Lady Via, are you going to do it? Here?”
I-Isn’t this a bit too much?
Even the Demon Lord shouldn’t—