Chapter 31: That’s Odd…
A desolate wasteland in the southern outskirts of the capital.
This was the execution ground chosen by the Crown Guard.
Several Shadow Demons, their minds broken, were bound by Ironsteel chains, hanging upside down in the center of the wasteland. These chains, designed for city defenses, were incredibly strong, even a Calamity Class being would struggle to break free.
Their faces were covered in Demonic Runes, marking their demonic heritage, but the runes were faint and withered, like the gnarled roots of an ancient tree, devoid of the usual vibrant energy.
“Kill them! Kill them! Kill them!”
The vengeful cries of Sugg’s remaining mercenaries echoed through the air. They wore mismatched armor, white cloths tied around their heads, their faces contorted with rage.
They had been out on errands when the massacre occurred, narrowly escaping death.
And now, the Shadow Demons, responsible for their beloved Boss’s death, stood before them, condemned by the Empire.
This was a private execution, only a few informed, including Sugg’s men, a small concession from the Empire.
Of course, the Empire hadn’t actively tried to conceal it; the various factions stationed in the capital had easily obtained the information and come to witness this… unusual execution.
“I can’t believe it’s actually demons,” Brute said, his gaze returning from the execution ground, his voice low.
“And not weak ones either. They’re quite powerful, not just some low-level grunts,” Kemlin added, his cold eyes scanning the Shadow Demons. “I thought the humans were just trying to save face, using some weaklings as scapegoats, but it seems I was wrong.”
“But it still doesn’t make sense,” Diana said lazily, lounging in a web hammock she had spun. “Perhaps they simply raided a Shadow Demon hideout in the capital and used them as scapegoats to appease the public after the Sugg incident.”
The beastkin kept their distance from the execution ground, observing from afar.
Ara sat quietly beside them, her head down.
But the beastkin had unconsciously moved away from her, still unnerved by her earlier display of emotional manipulation.
They didn’t want to be her enemy, however. What if she was the descendant of a Legendary Knight?
At this juncture, the Savage Lands didn’t want to provoke the North Empire.
“I just received word. High Priestess Nimora has left,” Volker said suddenly, his voice filled with confusion.
“Oh? That old hag isn’t going to interfere?” Diana’s face lit up. “Good riddance. She’s such a nuisance…”
“No,” Volker’s expression turned strange. “She didn’t just skip the execution. She’s… leaving the capital, with all the elves, heading towards the Bewildering Forest.”
“Hmm?” Diana’s smile vanished, her expression turning serious.
Something wasn’t right.
“Are you sure it’s all of them?” she asked, her voice low. “All the elves have left?”
If they had simply skipped the execution, it would have meant they weren’t interested. But leaving the capital entirely… that was a different matter.
“Yes,” Volker nodded. “And they made a rather… public announcement, stating their withdrawal from the Imperial Festival and offering a gift to the Empire as an apology.”
“What kind of ‘gift’?” Kemlin asked, suspicious.
“A branch from the World Tree, a sacred artifact of the Bewildering Forest, harvested only once a century. Incredibly valuable,” Volker said, looking at the report, his voice filled with disbelief. “Are the elves mad? Paying such a high price just to skip the festival…”
“Nimora is incredibly skilled in divination, the most powerful seer the elves have had in millennia. And with the Eternal Crystal, their sacred artifact, she can see practically anything,” Brute said, his voice low.
“Centuries ago, it was her divination that revealed the Abyssal Demon Realm’s weakness, allowing the remnants of the ancient empire to survive.”
“Perhaps she has foreseen something… that prompted such a drastic decision.”
Diana nodded in agreement. “That pointy-eared old hag is a nuisance, always putting on a show, but I have to admit, there’s little she can’t see, unless it’s the legendary Abyssal Lord herself.”
“Should we leave too?” Kemlin asked, his expression grim, his forked tongue flicking nervously.
Diana shook her head. “I’ll inform Her Majesty. She will decide.”
“The execution is starting,” Brute said, and the beastkin turned their attention to the execution ground.
The sun was directly overhead; it was almost noon.
Several Crown Guards, their expressions solemn, approached the Shadow Demons, their execution tools gleaming.
The Empire had chosen this time specifically. Shadow Demons possessed a unique escape ability: [Shadow Meld].
As long as there were shadows, they could melt into them and disappear.
So, the most effective way to execute them was at noon, when the sun was directly overhead, eliminating all shadows.
The angry shouts of Sugg’s men subsided, their gazes fixed on the Shadow Demons.
Rolof, hidden in the shadows, and the seductive demon also watched, Rolof’s face impassive, the demon’s lips curved in a faint smile.
“That’s odd…” Ara said suddenly, tilting her head, looking at the Shadow Demons.
“Hmm?” The beastkin’s attention shifted to her.
“Did you say… they’re going to kill those… strange things?” Ara asked, pointing at the Shadow Demons. “But they’re already dead…”
“Why kill something that’s already dead?”
“Dead?” Diana frowned, her eyes turning crimson as she activated her [Spider Vision], focusing on the Shadow Demons.
She saw clearly that their bodies were devoid of souls, completely empty.
In her experience, there was only one explanation.
“Isabelle’s Soul Devour… the Shadow Demon Legion’s Commander.”
Meanwhile, Bai was still on her way.
