章節 225: Chapter 25: The Demonias join the war

"Lily!!"

Elmenhilde shouted as she, along with an entire army of vampires and dhampirs all arrived in the 53rd floor of the headquarters of the faction. Making Lily stop in her tracks.

Turning her head towards Elmenhilde. Staring at her cold and lifeless eyes while a trace of bloodlust occasionally leaked out of her body. Making thr vampires and dhampirs who were following them to shut their mouths as an unknown fear entered their bodies.

"... You need to calm down"

Elmenhilde said, causing Lily to frown in response.

"Calm down? How can I calm down when 8 of our children in their hands!?"

She shouted in anger while looking at Elmenhilde.

"Why are you so calm about this, Elmenhilde!?!? Do you not care of what will happen to them!?"

Lily exclaimed as she grabbed Elmenhilde by the collar. Staring at her directly in the eyes.

"Why would you think that I'm not worried? They're also my child!! But being angry like this would only make the situation worst. You need to calm down"

She said with a trace of sadness and worry visible in her eyes, but was overpowered by her resolution.

"... I understand the pain and anxiety you're through... I'm also their mother... and I know that acting on anger would only endanger them more..."

"... Then... What do you think I should do... T-They're going to kill them... I-I don't want to..."

Lily said as tears started to come out of the corner of her eyes, while her entire body trembled in fear and anxiety. The image of the 8 children's dead corpses being devoured by the demons flashing inside her mind. Making her feel indescribable dread and terror.

"... There's still time... Altas is with them so... they wouldn't be killed that easily..."

Elmenhilde comforted. Holding Lily's hand that was as cold as ice. Making her slowly loosen her grip on her collar.

"..."

"Atlas, even though not as proficient as his father, can buy time since he can control reality. If we act rashly then we'll only putting them and our allies in danger. I understand what you feel but... there's no point in getting angry over it"

She said, causing Lily to slowly calm down. Releasing the pressure that was being pressed on the vampires behind them.

"... Elmenhilde... Carmilla... are you all willing to follow me?"

She asked while keeping her head down. Making Lady Carmilla, the head of the entire Vampire Faction as of now, to look at her with a serious expression on her face.

"Even in the face of death, we will follow you... Empress"

"... I told you to not call me that, Carmilla"

Lily said. Looking at the hundreds of Vampires in front of her with a grateful expression on her face.

"Even though... we are currently one of the weakest races due to the characterics of our race... I promise you that you that we will all grow stronger... more powerful once you follow my command..."

She said as she seperated herself from Elmenhilde who had an amused smile on her face.

"Since those demons like eating the bodies of their enemies... We'll also do the same..."

"D-Do the same?"

Carmilla asked causing Lily to wickedly smile at her direction.

"We are not much different to demons, but unlike them... We grow stronger by drinking blood... That's why I'm planning on entering in their dimension... and that is where we will accumulate our strength"

She said before turning her body around with her back facing the crowd as she continued to walk towards the [Cage] that Lucias built on the 53rd floor of Aincrad. A place that was used to contain the Demonias.

Creatures that are similar to the nature of Gastreas, but are far more powerful and devastating than them since the weakest of the demonias can devour an entire Tier III, and Duke rank demons alive. Lucias has always recommended for the Demonias to be used in the war, but Riku and Sephie have always rejected that idea.

Mainly because the Demonias would not listen to anyone but their ruler. The Phantasma, named as the [Demon King]. And that Demon King would not listen to anyone's command but Lucias. That's the reason why they remained senile for the last years despite their destructive nature.

"We will let them have a taste of their own medicine"

She said as she started to walk towards the path leading to the [Cage], a large circular structure that was built especially to detain and encage the demonias. Since, they're the only ones that will not distinguish allies from foe. One goal is only in their minds and that is to devour. Especially creatures that bore their master's hatred.

"... I thought this creatures are... untamable. Don't you think it's a bit dangerous to let them break free?"

Elmenhilde asked, causing Lily to smile in response.

"We're not letting them break free in our dimension, but in theirs... They can destroy that dimension for all they like... but... I'll give the revolutionary army at that dimension a chance... If they managed to protect the children, then... We'll spare them from being killed"

She said as they all arrived at a 50 meter tall structure that stretches at an unknown width. Making Lily stop in her tracks before looking towards the vampires and dhampirs behind her.

"Elmenhilde and I are the only ones that will enter, so all of you stay here and wait for us to come out"

"B-But-"

"The demon king wouldn't do anything to us, since we are valued and loved by their master, Lucias. Even though they won't listen to our commands. They will not bring harm to the two of us"

She said before slicing a small wound at her palm. Placing it above a small cylindrical pole to let her blood fall inside of the pipe. That will be used to identify whether or not the people opening the gate was a foe or an ally. If it's an ally, then it will open, but if it's a foe, then the trapdoor below them would open and feed them to the demonias.

The gates of the [Cage] then slowly opened as aloud creaking sound of old metal echoed throughout the entire floor. Making the vampires cover their ears in response.

"Elmenhilde... Let's move"

She said as she and Elmenhilde entered the infrastructure without hesitation. Making them walk a dark and pungent path towards the throne room of the [demon] king. All while the gates behind them slowly closed. Shutting close behind them as the torches at the walls started to light up. Illuminating the moist and dark pathway. Filled with the putrid smell like that of Sulfur entered their noses.

"... How come no one clean this place?"

Elmenhilde commented while looking around the familiar dungeon like interior of the prison. Before several screams echoed from the inside. Indicating that the demonias are all being fed by the keeper.

"It's a lot cleaner than you think, Elmenhilde. The last time I came here. The corridors are covered with blood and mucus"

She said as she grabbed one of the torches hanged on the wall and proceeded to walk through the dark corridors. If any normal beings entered this place, then they would've already gave up and left. But Elmenhilde and Lily were with Lucias before the faction was even created so they saw a lot more gruesome scenes and noises than this.

"What do you think the demon king would say to us?"

"... I don't know. Only Lucias can fully control him"

She answered before they arrived in front of a large iron door covered with several runes that were made to weaken the being imprisoned inside.

"[Boost Strength]"

Elmenhilde casted before placing her hands on the two iron doors. Pushing it open with all of her strength. Revealing a dark room with a single man in the middle.

His arms were chained with dark miasma coming out of each of the chains attached to his limbs. His feet were submerged to the ground while several chains wrapped around his waist and hips. Connecting to the corners of the room.

His skin jet-black like ink with purple mana surrounded his entire body, while large goat like horns were attached to his head. Staring at Lily and Elmenhilde with her blood-thirsty eyes while a terrifying grin adorned his face.

"What an unexpected visitor"

He said in a deep and dark tone, enough to send fear to any beings who hears it. But the one facing him was Elmenhilde and Lily, a few people who are already used in hearing his voice.

"Demon king... It's been a long time since we last met each other. You looked... a bit more human than the last time we met"

Lily greeted, causing the man to laugh loudly, causing his corse voice to echo throughout the entire room.

"Hahahahaha! And why do you think I did that, mistress? If it weren't for you all fearing my previous appearance. I wouldn't have looked like this. You should be grateful that I am this considerate of you all"

He said, but earned no reaction from the two girls who continued to stare at him with nuetral expressions on their faces.

"Let's get straight to the point demon king... Lend me your strength, and I will give you the freedom that you and your kind desired"

"Pfft- HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! You!? If it weren't for all of you, we wouldn't have been imprisoned here by my Master! You cowards who feared something that they couldn't control!!"

He exclaimed with a provoking smile on his face.

"I will not follow the words of anyone but my Master and those who carries his blood. Even if you are his mistress, I have no obligation to listen to your commands"

He said as he tried to move closer, but was stopped by chains attached to his body and limbs.

"You don't have to worry, I think your master will definitely give us permission to order you, demon king... Especially after what happened a few hours ago"

"Hoh?"

The demon king says in an amused tone. Staring at Lily with a large smirk on his face.

"Tell me the details that would make my Master that desperate. It is unlikely that any of you women are killed or capture knowing your strength... So tell me, what made you think so, mistress"

"... Not us... but our children has been kidnapped by the demons..."

"..."

The demon king widened his eyes in surprise before a smile adorned his face.

"Indeed... That is something that could make my Master that desperate... I wonder which fool planned on kidnapping his beloved children"

"... Then, will you lend us your strength?"

Lily asked, making the demon king widely smile from ear to ear as excitement and anticipation flashed within his eyes.

"Of course, if fools like them did something as reckless as that. I'm sure my master would allow me to devour them to their bones. Its been years since my children ate fresh meat. I've grow sick and tired of the frozen meat that you all feed us everyday... It doesn't beat the aromatic scent and sweet taste of fresh blood"

He said as a cold and loud laugh escaped his mouth. Making the chains around his body to tremble while the howls of the Demonias at the nearby cells got louder. Resembling that of a cheer like they obtained salvation.

"Finally... FINALLY!!! We'll able to leave this putrid place. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!"

He exclaimed as his frenzied aura started to scatter across the entire infrastructure.

"But you must follow our command, Demon King"

"Of course, I'm sure those two cowards wouldn't agree to free me if I didn't... I swear my allegiance to you, mistress"

"Good..."

Lily said, while Elmenhilde watched them from the side. Remaining silent as she relayed their conversation to Sephie. To avoid any conflicts that might happen later on about setting the Demonias free.

"I, the ruler of the Demonias, shall lend you my aid, mistress. WE SHALL SHOW THEM WHAT A TRUE MONSTER IS!!"