✠ The golden sands stretched all the way to the horizon, with jagged cliffs rising like pillars holding up the sky in places, and the night sky hung with a blood-red full moon, like a masterpiece of abstract art, over the desolate land.
The Demon King's domain, second in rank in the Demon Realm, Sanarak.
Deserts, in their very nature, are regions that threaten the survival of life.
However, the sands of Sanarak sought to extinguish life even more actively.
Endlessly, whirlpools like antlions and dry tidal waves rose, ravenously devouring any life that ca too close.
The territory, so perilous that even setting foot on it was dangerous, had been left in its raw, untouched state for ages.
Yet recently, at a rapid pace, a building had begun to rise.
A massive pyramid-shaped tower made of dark brown stone.
It resembled an impudent construction, as though trying to challenge God, sothing akin to the tower described in the Bible.
This pyramid tower was called the Chaos Shrine (混沌神陵). It was, as one would expect, a structure ant to be dedicated to the Chaos Demon.
A significant amount of manpower had been put into this large-scale construction project.
Not only were countless demon subordinates of Carpeios involved, but human slaves bought from the black market of Zibrilte were also pressed into service.
Even Carpeios had to suffer considerable losses.
However, this construction was a task entrusted directly to Carpeios by the "newly born Chaos Demon."
It was a job that, naturally, required all resources to be poured into it with great enthusiasm.
On the highest cliff in Sanarak, where the construction site of the Shrine could be seen at a glance, a figure sat upon a rough stone throne.
He was an arrogant young man with golden hair that turned red as it neared its tips, his eyes closed as he listened to a report from a demon officer.
"...Thus, the internal construction is nearing completion. The underground levels, which are designed to resemble a maze, will take a little longer, but the upper levels are nearly finished. If Carpeios wishes, it could be occupied imdiately."
"..."
"The life inside the shrine may initially feel a little stifling. The design, which removed the windows to block the sandstorms, is quite bold. However, we've ensured the air conditioning systems are up to par, with many demons working to maintain a comfortable environnt. Also, the treasures of Carpeios have been relocated to a modern vault with temperature and humidity control, so they won't be left in caves any longer. I'm sure you'll be pleased."
"..."
"The Demon King's audience chamber, in accordance with tradition, has been placed on the topmost floor. Though it's not quite as high as this cliff, it still offers a considerable view, and there's a lot of moonlight as well. If you would permit it, we could move your current stone throne there..."
"..."
The demon officer who had been reporting on the construction waited for a response, subtly elongating his words.
Then, the young man with golden-red hair opened his eyes.
"Ah!"
As his piercing red eyes revealed themselves, the air around him shifted.
The oppressive pressure sent a chill down the demon officer’s spine.
At last, Carpeios spoke, his voice deep and muffled.
"I just dozed off."
"...O, oh, my lord, did you... fall asleep, my lord?"
The demon officer silently cursed himself for having disturbed him.
After waking from his nap, Carpeios did ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) not look refreshed.
Instead, his brow was furrowed deeply.
The demon officer imdiately felt the intense feeling that his master was dissatisfied with sothing.
Carpeios was a Demon King known for swiftly executing his subordinates when annoyed.
The officer felt as though he was on the verge of death but decided to try and appease him in case a miracle occurred.
"U-uh... is there sowhere you feel uncomfortable, my lord?"
"I had a dream."
"A, a dream, my lord? Surely, a dream of yours must be an auspicious sign!"
"Really? Then, would you like to interpret it for ?"
"..."
The demon officer regretted his impulsive words but had no choice but to nod energetically, holding back his tears.
"I had a pet that crossed the Rainbow Bridge a long ti ago. It appeared in my dream."
"Your pet... is it Opsculia, the one you used to feed by making sli baby food?"
"Yes, it squird like a bug and made those cute, squeaky sounds. Even in the dream, it ca running to , swallowed my head, and chewed on it."
"How... charming."
"Indeed. Had the Executioner of the Abyss not exterminated it, I would have summoned it back..."
ntion of the Executioner of the Abyss, a major figure in the Demon Realm, caused a murderous aura to rise throughout Carpeios's body.
Sensing the life-threatening aura, the demon officer shouted.
"Carpeios! I understand! I know what your dream ans!"
"...Oh? Then speak."
The demon officer felt his life extended for a little while.
"It seems that a new pet will soon co to Carpeios!"
"Hmm?"
Carpeios, narrowing his eyes, snorted.
The officer, unsure whether his flimsy attempt at reasoning would work, choked back a gulp.
Surprisingly, Carpeios seed to listen intently.
"Really? Since Opsculia, no pet has caught my eye."
"Then, what about a pet plant?"
"A plant?"
Carpeios briefly stroked his smooth chin as he thought, then replied.
"A plant sounds good. Sothing like a dark purple Sign Flower would do."
"..."
"But does such a thing even exist? I've never seen it with my own eyes."
"..."
The magic power that began to flare once again indicated that Carpeios was displeased.
It was understandable.
Now that the dark purple Sign Flower had been ntioned, Carpeios's thoughts inevitably turned to the owner of the Toy Mansion, Rodrigo Orshu.
"That arrogant brat found the dark purple Sign Flower and still didn’t offer it to imdiately."
Moreover, he had been considering which of the three Demon Kings to give it to.
"How dare he..."
With a whoosh!
The magic power around Carpeios created a powerful updraft centered on him.
His golden-red hair flipped upward as his eyes turned a vivid red, with the whites of his eyes glowing crimson.
"Ah!..."
Consud by extre anger, Carpeios now had a target for his fury.
"I can't forgive this!"
Just as he was about to strike at the neck of the demon officer before him.
"..."
Seeing through Infernos's transparent attempt to probe, Carpeios gave a sneer.
Infernos did not press any further.
"What?"
The mirror, reflecting Infernos's upper body, slightly adjusted its angle.
A large flower pot, resembling a luxurious marble coffin, contained a Sign Flower whose petals had the color of dark purple ash magic scattered around.
The petals were unmistakably dark purple.
Carpeios's attitude, previously indifferent, changed dramatically.
"This can't be!"
Jumping from his throne, Carpeios's eyes flashed with excitent.
"Is this the real thing?!"
"....!"
Now that Infernos had sworn on his na, it was certain.
Dark purple!Dark purple Sign Flower!!
I want it. I want it. I want it.
The demon's virtues were greed and obsession. The *dark purple Sign Flower was the perfect stimulus for both.
Carpeios reached for the mirror without even realizing it.
"..."
The subtle provocation brought him to his senses.
"You're offering this to ? You?"
Normally, a great demon would have to take the good things for themselves and pass off the bad.
Unless Infernos had suddenly fallen into depravity, there was no way he would hand over such a precious flower to Carpeios.
Doubt. More doubt.
In the midst of it, sothing suspicious caught Carpeios's attention.
"Why is the flowerpot so unnecessarily large? What's inside?"
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