THE NEXT MORNING
The following morning, Nihil was preparing for the journey.
His travel clothes had been arranged.
His belongings had already been prepared.
Mimi entered the room with Seraphina.
She looked at Nihil.
Then at the luggage.
Then back at Nihil.
MIMI:
“Master, are you going somewhere?”
Nihil turned toward her.
NIHIL:
“Yes.”
Mimi tilted her head.
MIMI:
“Where?”
NIHIL:
“I’m going to the Demon Realm.”
Seraphina immediately looked at him.
SERAPHINA:
“Why?”
NIHIL:
“I have to attend a party hosted by House Erebus.”
Mimi’s face brightened instantly.
MIMI:
“A party?”
She stepped forward.
MIMI:
“Then I’ll go as well!”
Seraphina suddenly gave Nihil a quick glance.
It was subtle.
But Nihil understood immediately.
Mimi noticed neither.
Nihil turned toward her.
NIHIL:
“You can’t go with us.”
Mimi’s ears dropped.
Her tail stopped moving.
MIMI:
“Why, Master?”
She looked genuinely hurt.
MIMI:
“You never refuse my wishes.”
Nihil calmly answered:
NIHIL:
“Because cats are simply not allowed in the Demon Realm.”
Mimi’s ears rose slightly.
MIMI:
“And who said that?”
Before Nihil could answer, Seraphina stepped forward.
SERAPHINA:
“I said.”
Mimi looked at her.
MIMI:
“Then why aren’t cats allowed?”
Seraphina smiled.
SERAPHINA:
“Because cats have no ball invitation.”
Mimi’s expression immediately changed.
She pointed toward Seraphina.
MIMI:
“Then I take it that you have one?”
Seraphina shook her head.
SERAPHINA:
“No, I don’t.”
Mimi smiled.
MIMI:
“Then you can’t go either.”
Seraphina laughed.
SERAPHINA:
“Except they won’t say no to Nihil’s future bride.”
Mimi’s eyes narrowed.
MIMI:
“Then they won’t reject an attendant as well.”
Seraphina raised an eyebrow.
SERAPHINA:
“Do attendants behave like that?”
Mimi suddenly became defensive.
MIMI:
“Uh, I—”
She straightened.
MIMI:
“Yes.
Attendants behave like that.”
Seraphina smiled.
SERAPHINA:
“Oh, really?”
Mimi folded her arms.
MIMI:
“Yes!”
She looked toward Nihil.
MIMI:
“I’ve been serving Master for years.”
Seraphina nodded.
SERAPHINA:
“And I’ve been his fiancée for years.”
Mimi immediately frowned.
MIMI:
“That isn’t the same.”
SERAPHINA:
“Why not?”
Mimi opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
She couldn’t think of a convincing answer.
Seraphina smiled.
SERAPHINA:
“Exactly.”
Before Mimi could respond, Liliyanna entered the room.
She immediately understood what was happening.
LILIYANNA:
“That’s enough.
Stop teasing Mimi.”
Mimi looked toward her hopefully.
Liliyanna smiled.
LILIYANNA:
“You have an invitation as well.”
Mimi froze.
MIMI:
“Me?”
LILIYANNA:
“Yes.”
Mimi’s ears immediately rose.
Her tail began moving again.
MIMI:
“I can go?”
Liliyanna nodded.
LILIYANNA:
“You can.”
Mimi immediately smiled.
MIMI:
“Yes!”
Seraphina laughed.
SERAPHINA:
“Problem solved.”
Mimi looked proudly toward Seraphina.
MIMI:
“See?”
Nihil simply watched them.
Then the doors opened again.
Alpha 1 and Omega entered.
Omega looked toward Nihil.
OMEGA:
“Father, I’m ready.
Let’s go.”
Liliyanna stopped.
Her eyes widened.
She turned toward Nihil.
LILIYANNA:
“Wait.”
Nihil looked at her.
LILIYANNA:
“Am I hearing things?”
She pointed toward Omega.
LILIYANNA:
“Is Omega calling you Father?”
Nihil answered naturally.
NIHIL:
“Yes.”
Liliyanna stared at Omega.
LILIYANNA:
“Then who is your mother?”
Omega immediately pointed toward Alpha 1.
OMEGA:
“Alpha 1.”
Alpha 1 remained completely calm.
Liliyanna slowly looked from Alpha 1 to Nihil.
Then toward Seraphina.
Then Mimi.
Then back to Nihil.
She sighed.
LILIYANNA:
“Nihil…
you know you’re making this complicated.”
Nihil tilted his head.
NIHIL:
“How?”
Liliyanna smiled helplessly.
LILIYANNA:
“It’s not like I have a problem with it.”
She looked toward all of them.
LILIYANNA:
“But those girls always end up fighting each other whenever you make even one small mistake.”
Seraphina’s cheeks immediately turned pink.
Mimi and Alpha 1 remained confused.
Omega simply looked at her.
Liliyanna waved her hand.
LILIYANNA:
“Anyway…
all the best.”
Nihil nodded.
NIHIL:
“Thank you, Mother.”
Seraphina understood what Liliyanna had meant and looked away, embarrassed.
Mimi, Alpha 1, and Omega still had no idea why she had said it.
THE JOURNEY
The preparations were finally completed.
Nihil would travel to the Demon Realm.
Seraphina would accompany him as his fiancée.
Mimi would accompany him as his attendant.
Alpha 1 and Omega would travel with him as well.
What began as a simple invitation had already become a much larger gathering.
And somewhere beyond the borders of Augustus, House Erebus was preparing for their arrival.
A meeting between two great powers was about to begin.
The greatest family of humanity…
and the strongest family of the Demon Realm.
Neither knew exactly what the other wanted.
But soon, they would meet.
And behind the invitation to a simple ball…
something much larger was waiting.
The day of the journey finally arrived.
Before leaving for the Demon Realm, Nihil made one final stop.
His own palace.
It was still under construction, but it was already becoming something unlike any ordinary royal residence.
The palace stood on an enormous estate outside the central district of Augustus.
Its walls were covered in polished gold.
The towers carried silver and jeweled decorations.
Even the gates had been designed to look like masterpieces rather than simple entrances.
Beside him stood his butler.
GIDEON NOCTIS.
Gideon was overseeing several workers while reading the latest construction report.
Nihil finally looked toward him.
NIHIL:
“When will my palace be complete, Gideon?”
Gideon immediately closed the report.
GIDEON:
“Almost complete, Young Master.”
Nihil looked at the enormous golden structure.
GIDEON:
“I believe that after you return from the Demon Realm, it should be completely finished.”
He bowed.
GIDEON:
“At that point, it should be fully livable, and you will be able to move here.”
Nihil nodded.
NIHIL:
“I see.”
He looked toward the distant forest.
Then his attention returned to Gideon.
NIHIL:
“How are the beasts doing in the forest?”
A small smile appeared on Gideon’s face.
GIDEON:
“Everything is proceeding according to plan.”
NIHIL:
“Are they building their settlements?”
GIDEON:
“Yes.”
NIHIL:
“And are the former slaves safe?”
GIDEON:
“They are.”
Nihil nodded.
NIHIL:
“Good.”
He looked toward the palace one final time.
NIHIL:
“Bring the carriage.”
Gideon bowed.
GIDEON:
“Immediately.”
A few minutes later, the carriage arrived.
Nihil stopped for a moment.
It was unlike any ordinary carriage.
The frame had been designed with elegant curves.
Its exterior carried intricate patterns.
Precious stones had been embedded into the structure.
The wheels were reinforced.
The interior was spacious and luxurious.
Mimi stared at it.
MIMI:
“Gideon made another ridiculous carriage.”
Seraphina smiled.
SERAPHINA:
“Of course he did.”
Gideon stood proudly beside it.
GIDEON:
“I simply followed the Young Master’s standards.”
Mimi stared at him.
MIMI:
“Those standards are the problem.”
Nihil stepped inside.
NIHIL:
“It’s fine.”
Mimi followed.
Seraphina entered next.
Alpha 1 and Omega took their places as well.
The carriage began moving.
THE ROAD TO THE DEMON REALM
The journey across the human territories was relatively peaceful.
Nihil looked through the carriage window.
Villages passed.
Fields passed.
Merchant roads passed.
Eventually, the landscape began changing.
The architecture became darker.
The roads became wider.
Military checkpoints appeared.
Demon banners began replacing human ones.
Mimi looked outside.
MIMI:
“We’re close.”
Seraphina nodded.
SERAPHINA:
“The Demon Realm.”
Nihil remained silent.
Alpha 1 watched the borders carefully.
Omega leaned toward the window.
OMEGA:
“Father.”
Nihil looked toward her.
NIHIL:
“Yes?”
OMEGA:
“Have you been here before?”
NIHIL:
“No.”
Omega nodded.
OMEGA:
“Then this is also new for you.”
NIHIL:
“Yes.”
Seraphina smiled.
SERAPHINA:
“That’s probably one of the few things that can still surprise you.”
Nihil looked at her.
NIHIL:
“Perhaps.”
The carriage crossed the border.
The Demon Realm stretched before them.
Huge black mountains appeared in the distance.
Massive cities stood between them.
Demon soldiers patrolled the roads.
Merchants from different races traveled between territories.
The Demon Realm was not simply a land of monsters.
It was a civilization.
A powerful one.
And at its center stood the territory controlled by House Erebus.
As the carriage approached, an official envoy was already waiting.
He bowed.
DEMON ENVOY:
“Prince Nihil Mora.”
Nihil stepped down.
NIHIL:
“Yes.”
DEMON ENVOY:
“House Erebus has been waiting for your arrival.”
Nihil nodded.
NIHIL:
“Then lead the way.”
HOUSE EREBUS
The manor of House Erebus was enormous.
Its architecture was completely different from Augustus.
Dark stone.
Tall towers.
Black iron.
Red banners bearing the symbol of Erebus.
Yet despite its intimidating appearance, the estate was meticulously maintained.
The moment Nihil arrived, the gates opened.
An entire line of servants stood waiting.
Behind them stood members of the branch families.
Nobles.
Warriors.
Mages.
Representatives.
And finally— the current head of House Erebus.
He stepped forward personally.
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“Welcome, Nihil Mora.”
Nihil gave a polite bow.
NIHIL:
“Thank you for inviting me.”
The head of the house smiled.
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“It is an honor to receive the son of House Augusta.”
Nihil looked around.
NIHIL:
“You’ve gathered quite a crowd.”
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“Not every day does the Monster of Augusta enter the Demon Realm.”
Nihil didn’t react.
Seraphina quietly looked at him.
Mimi whispered:
MIMI:
“They already know about your title.”
NIHIL:
“I assumed they would.”
The head of the house gestured toward the manor.
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“Please.”
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“Come inside.”
They entered the manor.
Nihil was immediately introduced to members of the Erebus family and their branch houses.
One by one.
The greetings continued.
Some were formal.
Some were curious.
Some were clearly attempting to assess him.
Nihil noticed every glance.
Every pause.
Every carefully chosen word.
Yet he remained calm.
A merchant approached.
MERCHANT:
“Prince Nihil, I represent one of the largest trading families in the Demon Realm.”
NIHIL:
“I see.”
MERCHANT:
“I’ve heard your company has begun producing remarkable artifacts.”
NIHIL:
“It has.”
MERCHANT:
“Perhaps we could discuss a future trade agreement.”
NIHIL:
“Certainly.”
The merchant smiled.
Another noble approached.
NOBLE:
“Our family controls several territories near the eastern border.”
NIHIL:
“How unfortunate.”
The noble blinked.
NOBLE:
“Why?”
NIHIL:
“Because eastern borders rarely remain peaceful.”
The noble laughed nervously.
NOBLE:
“You’re quite direct.”
NIHIL:
“I prefer clarity.”
The conversations continued.
Trade.
Military cooperation.
Resource exchanges.
Potential alliances.
The longer Nihil remained in the room, the more the nobles realized something.
He wasn’t simply a talented young man.
He understood politics.
And he didn’t need to raise his voice to control a conversation.
Seraphina watched quietly.
She had seen Nihil do this before.
But the demons were seeing it for the first time.
THE BALL
Eventually, the servants opened the doors to the grand ballroom.
Music could already be heard from inside.
The room was enormous.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling.
The floors were polished black stone.
Hundreds of nobles occupied the hall.
Merchants stood together in smaller groups.
Representatives of branch families waited near the walls.
Even members of the Demon Realm’s royal family had arrived.
Nihil entered.
The room gradually became silent.
Everyone looked at him.
He stood near the center of the hall.
Mimi looked around.
MIMI:
“Why is everyone staring?”
Seraphina answered quietly.
SERAPHINA:
“Because you’re standing next to the most famous person in the room.”
Nihil looked toward her.
NIHIL:
“I thought the demon king would be more famous.”
Seraphina laughed softly.
SERAPHINA:
“Not tonight.”
Then the formal introduction began.
The head of House Erebus stepped forward.
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“Tonight, we welcome a very special guest.”
He looked toward Nihil.
HEAD OF HOUSE EREBUS:
“Prince Nihil Mora of House Augusta.”
The room remained silent.
Then the whispers began.
“That’s him…”
“Nihil Mora.”
“The absolute wielder of Deus Excidium.”
“The first mortal to evolve into immortality.”
“The creator of Nihil’s Heart.”
“The father of the Zhilkai.”
“He’s so young.”
“I heard he can stop time around his body.”
“What a terrifying creature…”
Mimi frowned.
MIMI:
“They’re calling you a creature.”
Nihil calmly answered:
NIHIL:
“People use many words.”
Seraphina looked at him.
SERAPHINA:
“And you don’t care?”
NIHIL:
“Not particularly.”
The music started.
The atmosphere changed.
Nobles began moving toward Nihil.
The first was a representative of the Demon Realm’s royal family.
ROYAL NOBLE:
“Prince Nihil, would you grant me this dance?”
Nihil politely declined.
Another noble approached.
Then another.
Merchants.
Young nobles.
Representatives of major families.
Everyone wanted an opportunity to stand beside the famous Augustus prodigy.
Nihil remained composed through all of it.
Seraphina watched the growing crowd.
Then she finally decided to approach him.
Before she could—
A young woman stepped forward.
She was the daughter of the current head of House Erebus.
EREBUS DAUGHTER:
“Prince Nihil.”
Nihil turned toward her.
EREBUS DAUGHTER:
“Would you dance with me?”
Seraphina stopped.
Her expression changed slightly.
Mimi noticed.
MIMI:
“Oh no.”
Seraphina glanced at her.
SERAPHINA:
“Don’t.”
Mimi smiled innocently.
MIMI:
“I didn’t say anything.”
The Erebus daughter waited for Nihil’s answer.
NIHIL:
“Very well.”
He accepted.
The music continued.
The two moved onto the ballroom floor.
Seraphina watched.
Her expression remained polite.
But Mimi knew her too well.
Mimi crossed her arms.
MIMI:
“You’re jealous.”
SERAPHINA:
“I’m not.”
MIMI:
“You are.”
SERAPHINA:
“I’m not.”
MIMI:
“You are.”
Seraphina sighed.
Then another person stepped forward.
And another.
The political game continued through the music.
Every dance became another introduction.
Every introduction became another relationship.
Every relationship became another potential alliance.
Nihil understood that perfectly.
He wasn’t attending the ball merely to dance.
He was building connections.
Eventually, Nihil stepped away from the ballroom.
The noise faded behind him.
He entered a dark corridor.
The music became distant.
The corridor was almost empty.
Nihil stopped.
He looked toward the darkness ahead.
Then quietly spoke to himself.
NIHIL:
“Even demons want to end these meaningless wars.”
He remained still.
NIHIL:
“But these humans don’t understand.”
A pause.
NIHIL:
“Demons can’t begin a peace campaign by themselves.”
His eyes narrowed slightly.
NIHIL:
“I will create a perfect world soon enough.”
He looked toward the distant ballroom.
NIHIL:
“A world free of wars and bloodshed.”
He paused.
NIHIL:
“But I need a reason to act.”
Silence.
NIHIL:
“And that reason will be something important.”
His voice remained calm.
NIHIL:
“If a reason doesn’t come into existence by itself…”
He looked toward the shadows.
NIHIL:
“…I’ll make it exist.”
Nihil turned away.
NIHIL:
“And then I’ll create and rebuild this accursed era.”
He continued walking.
Behind him, the music continued.
The ballroom remained filled with laughter.
Nobody inside knew what Nihil had just decided.
BILLIONS OF YEARS LATER…
The ancient library was silent.
Lazy One was staring at the history book.
His expression slowly changed.
LAZY ONE:
“What the hell is Nihil talking about?”
Curious One looked up.
CURIOUS ONE:
“What?”
LAZY ONE:
“He sees no reason to stop the wars?”
He pointed at the page.
LAZY ONE:
“Ending wars should be a reason for peace!”
Curious One stared at the text.
Then he slowly nodded.
CURIOUS ONE:
“I suppose you’re right.”
Lazy One leaned back.
LAZY ONE:
“Then why doesn’t he just do it?”
Curious One closed the book slightly.
CURIOUS ONE:
“Because Nihil seems to think differently.”
Lazy One frowned.
CURIOUS ONE:
“He has his reasons.”
He tapped the ancient history book.
CURIOUS ONE:
“And I told you already.”
CURIOUS ONE:
“Don’t judge the history.”
LAZY ONE:
“Why?”
Curious One opened the book again.
CURIOUS ONE:
“Because it won’t change just because you don’t like it.”
Lazy One stared at him.
Then sighed.
LAZY ONE:
“Fine.”
Curious One smiled.
CURIOUS ONE:
“Keep reading.”
The ancient pages turned.
And the history of the Great Four Houses continued.