Leaving his own little corner of the world, Lucifer led the clueless Ermengarde toward Kazdel’s palace.
It was a massive pain in the ass that despite being a Prince, Lucifer didn’t even own a basic carriage, having to measure the land with his own two feet every time he went out.
Although he could easily summon a swarm of blood beasts like the Sanguinarch to carry him, Lucifer was worried that those SAN-draining blobs would terrify the innocent Ermengarde and other passersby.
The only silver lining was that the current territory of Kazdel was much smaller than Lucifer had imagined.
Even on foot, it wouldn’t take more than a single day to walk from one end of the border to the other.
“Kazdel has changed so much.
It’s completely different from what my teacher described.”
Following Lucifer like a curious college student on a guided tour, Ermengarde showed a lot of interest in her Sarkaz “homeland.”
She didn’t even bother using the Lich’s signature floating cubes to travel, preferring to stroll around and take in the sights.
“Those royal twins are indeed making Kazdel thrive.”
Although Lucifer didn’t know the exact details of Theresia and Theresis’s plans, public support among the Sarkaz was growing by the day—to the point where even the Sanguinarch and the other old fogies couldn’t ignore it.
Though the Sarkaz still faced severe shortages of food, housing, and medicine, this brief moment of peace was already a hard-won dream they couldn’t dare take for granted.
Lucifer didn’t linger on the thought, simply guiding Ermengarde away from the crowds and toward the palace.
“Hmm…
it’s smaller than I expected…”
“Your emotional intelligence is lower than my blood pressure.”
Hearing Ermengarde’s comment, Lucifer almost blacked out.
This girl really had zero filter.
If those words were overheard by some extremist guards or Kazdel ultra-nationalists like the Sanguinarch, even Lucifer wouldn’t be able to save her.
“Ehe?”
Still, Ermengarde’s observation wasn’t entirely wrong.
Rather than a palace, it was really just a stronghold that Theresia and Theresis had hastily patched up with the help of a few Casters.
Calling it a government building was almost too generous.
But this place indeed represented the Demon King and the Royal Courts: the Military Council.
“Prince Lucifer!”
The guard on duty today happened to be a Sanguine, greeting Lucifer with great enthusiasm.
“Yes.
This is the envoy sent by the Liches.
I’m taking her to see Demon King Theresia.”
“Hello~”
Perhaps because Lucifer had set such a friendly example, Ermengarde was no longer as wary of Sanguines, even taking the initiative to greet them.
“Understood!
Please come in, both of you!”
The guard immediately stepped aside to clear the way.
Walking down the palace corridor, Ermengarde’s playful side began to show as she teased him.
“It seems Sanguine relationships aren’t as terrible as the rumors say.
That guard back there seemed to respect you a lot.”
“Don’t flatter us.
That’s just me and a few select individuals.”
Lucifer immediately corrected her, claiming that the rumors had actually sugarcoated the Sanguines’ reputation.
Under the Sanguinarch’s “stellar” leadership, the Sanguines were probably the most warmongering sub-race among all Sarkaz, with the Vampire Princes being the literal embodiments of chaos.
Solely due to the contrast with his peers, Lucifer was by far the most approachable Sanguine.
Many common, weaker Sanguines wanted to pledge allegiance to him, but unfortunately, he had no interest in gathering servants or subordinates.
“Uh…
so you really are an outlier, then?”
Ermengarde clearly didn’t realize how “tactful” her remark was.
Fortunately, Lucifer was already getting used to Ermengarde’s astonishing wisdom.
“It’s hard for me to imagine the Liches’ eloquence being so advanced.
Please tell me you’re the only one like this.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?
Even my teacher praises my talent!
I’m the most outstanding Lich of my generation!”
“Never mind.
Run along and play.”
Faced with Ermengarde’s entirely expected response, Lucifer chose compliance and respect.
Yet, Lucifer didn’t dislike Ermengarde’s company; in fact, he quite enjoyed the vibe.
Just like how he had grown used to bickering with Warfarin, being able to banter with someone by his side brought a warm sense of happiness.
But then a thought crossed Lucifer’s mind.
According to Ermengarde, she was the star of the Lich’s younger generation, wasn’t she?
Barring any accidents, when Fremont, the current Lord of the Lich Court, stepped down, the next Lord of the Lich Court would probably be Ermengarde, right?
“We’re doomed.
The Lich Court is finished.”
“What did you say?”
Ermengarde, still busy admiring the palace’s interior decorations, didn’t catch Lucifer’s slander.
“Nothing.
We…
Hm?”
Just as Lucifer was about to change the subject, he bumped into an old acquaintance.
“Lucifer, and…
hm?
That scent?
A Lich?”
The newcomer was short, with green hair and green eyes, their gender indistinguishable from either their face or voice.
They first looked at Lucifer, then shifted their gaze to Ermengarde behind him, instantly guessing her identity.
Yet those emerald eyes remained dull, as if nothing in the world could spark their interest.
“Are you here for the meeting too, Slime?”
“Slime?”
The Damazesti selectively ignored the first half of Lucifer’s question, finding the nickname he gave them slightly more intriguing.
“Is that what you call me?
Do as you wish.
As for the meeting, I have already informed Theresia of our thoughts.”
Clearly, the Damazesti had absolutely no desire to be imprisoned in a meeting room.
“Do you have any other interesting suggestions?
We are starting to get bored.”
The Damazesti had spent countless ages researching all sorts of interesting things, but they either grew tired of them quickly or found them utterly uninspiring to begin with.
Only Lucifer’s eccentric ideas could occasionally offer them viable suggestions, such as trying various cuisines from different lands.
“Read some web novels for young folks.
I guarantee they’ll crack you up.”
“Web novels?
Fine, I’ll keep that in mind.”
The Damazesti nodded and walked past Lucifer and Ermengarde, looking as if they were in a rush to collect modern novels.
With the Damazesti’s blank-slate personality, if they ever suddenly got curious about what sex felt like and decided to have a child with someone, it probably wouldn’t even feel out of character.
It was a good thing they weren’t the type of trolls who enjoyed mass slaughter.
Otherwise, with the Damazesti Cluster’s abilities, they could easily throw the leadership of any nation into utter chaos.
Or perhaps they had already done so in the past.
After all, who knew.