At the border between the Empire and the Duchy lay a vast expanse of snow-capped mountains, with a lake nestled beneath the cliffs.
On an island in the center of the lake, a castle was built. To be precise, it was a prison—
Ice Lake Prison, Seravio Fortress.
The biting cold wind, laden with ice crystals, howled and swirled among the spires of Seravio Fortress.
This fortress, standing on the isolated island in the Ice Lake, resembled the fangs of a giant beast. The frost on its iron bars reflected the eerie blue moonlight, cutting the prison corridors into alternating sections of light and shadow, like cages.
The most vicious demons captured by the Empire were all imprisoned here.
Among them were the Blood Clan Princess and the Skeleton Knight, who had just been sent here a while ago.
And the former leader of the Werewolf clan, Prince Volkan…
The werewolves were constantly thinking about how to rescue him.
Meanwhile, on the distant other side of the snowy mountains, Kurgarno Fortress stood on a hillside in the grasslands.
The hillside was covered in wolfsbane flowers, their purple petals swaying like waves in the wind…
The Baron of Kurgarno Fortress, with a fierce look in his eyes, poured two cups of hot tea and handed one to his guest:
“Ibon, I don’t believe the Demon God's Child is real. This must be a conspiracy by the Church!”
“Haha… Just because he killed your wolf pups? The Demon God’s Seal is not something that can be easily replicated.”
“Then why did he kill so many of my wolf pups? Those Holy Knights had made all their preparations three days in advance!”
The Baron slammed his fist on the table, sending hot tea splashing everywhere.
Ibon, who appeared youthful, pulled out a handkerchief from his chest, wiped his hands, and advised helplessly:
“If he truly wanted to harm you, he could have directly exposed your identity to the Empire and led troops to seize this city.”
The Werewolf Baron calmed down a bit but still couldn’t understand, clenching his fists in frustration.
Ibon, with a sinister look on his face, took a sip of elderflower tea, a snake-like smile playing on his lips. He tapped the table and continued:
“Alright, there’s now an opportunity to take down Ice Lake Prison. Are you interested?”
“How do we do it?”
“I’ve observed the flow of Chaos energy in the earth veins; it will erupt near my Black Forest in a while.”
Saying this, Ibon took out a map, on which green lines traced a river-like path, and pointed to Ice Lake Prison:
“To prevent a demonic tide from occurring near my tower, I will induce it early. The location will be near the prison, and a Level 5 demonic tide will erupt there.”
The Werewolf Baron frowned, looking out the window, his thoughts wandering for a moment before he shook his head:
“That prison is impregnable. Even if a demonic tide occurs, it won’t be easy to forcefully take it down.”
“It won’t be that troublesome. I remember… the most elite werewolves can, when transforming into wolves, internalize their power and maintain human form, thereby gaining greater strength… I will provide you with a little help, allowing you to easily enter that castle.”
The meticulous Ibon revealed a standard evil smile showing eight teeth.
The Baron pondered for a moment, then posed his final question:
“So? Why do you want to conquer that castle? What’s your reason?”
“Thanks to that Demon God's Child, my apprentice, Theron, who cast a sleeping spell in the Holy City, is still in that prison.”
Ibon wasn't lying, but he only told half the truth…
After conquering the prison, a large number of powerful demons would be released.
At that time, they would, along with the monsters in the surging demonic tide, deal with that woman holding the Holy Sword.
Ibon had done his best…
This was the only way he could think of to defeat that woman.
However, he didn't intend to follow the Demon God's Child's plan entirely; instead, he planned to use Diana to kill Mil first.
On the other side…
Thanks to the Third Prince’s relentless efforts, Diana was finally imprisoned.
The reason given was rebellion.
After all, the current Emperor, Albert III, had come to power through a coup 18 years ago, making him very sensitive to the issue of rebellion.
The Third Prince had also done his best…
However, a death sentence could not yet be passed. The Emperor still refused to believe that Diana was Otto’s killer.
News of Diana’s imprisonment quickly reached the Holy City…
Mil, who had just returned to the Holy City no more than three days ago, excitedly wrote a leave request:
“Adjudicator Kramer! Um… I need to ask for another leave.”
“Reason?”
“Well… you know, Prince Otto died. He watched me grow up! I have to go back for his funeral!”
Mil licked his lips, rubbing his hands, his excitement hard to express.
Adjudicator Kramer of the Tribunal hesitated for a long time before asking, puzzled:
“Why… are you smiling so happily?”
“Cough, just thinking of some happy things…”
Realizing he had misspoken, Mil quickly averted his gaze and adjusted his expression, but he couldn't squeeze out any tears.
Klama sighed helplessly, but still signed the leave form…
The Pope adored him now.
The Vitra Sea Serpent family, having suffered heavy losses, sent people to the Holy City to demand that the Pope hand over Mil to repay their debts.
The Pope drove them away and declared the Sea Serpent family heretics on the grounds of smuggling and trafficking elves.
Pay back the money?
Impossible. After the excommunication order was issued, every believer had the duty to crusade against the Sea Serpent family in the name of God.
Mil took the leave form, had it stamped by the Papal Secretary, and then happily went home to pack his luggage.
However, Alice’s expression seemed a bit sad:
“Brother Mil, do I have to go with you?”
“Uh… you probably can’t leave. Is there anything you want to eat? I’ll bring it for you?”
“Please bring a bouquet of flowers for Brother Otto…”
Mil’s hands, which were packing, paused, his expression suddenly stiffening. He turned and gently stroked Alice’s head:
“Mm… I will.”
“Aren’t you sad at all, Brother? Every time we had a birthday, he would come, help me cut the cake, bring gifts, and even taught me how to sing the birthday song! He also said, he said…”
As she spoke, Alice’s voice gradually choked, and tears rolled down her cheeks.
Mil was also somewhat moved. He pursed his lips and put his hands on his hips, at a loss for a moment.
Their future paths were different; they would part ways sooner or later.
He could feel his own emotions stirring, recalling the time he spent with that good-natured Otto.
However, Mil did not want to resist the will of the Abyss; that would only turn him into a walking corpse.
At least for now, everything was up to him, even if his soul was corrupted, even if his worldview was shattered…
At least, on the path to becoming a Demon God, he could still control the development of events.
Mil pulled Alice into his embrace, gently patting her back, but he couldn't think of any words of comfort.
He still remembered that data pack, “Heart of the Abyss”—
The Holy City fell, and the Demon God's Child, Mil, led the Undead army, flattened the city gates, and set Saint Bahari Cathedral ablaze…
Amidst the ruins and flames, he held a longsword to Saint Alice’s neck.
And Alice, with her hands clasped together, murmured something, seemingly speaking to her brother…
Finally, the Demon God's Child dropped the longsword in his hand and turned to leave with his army.
No one knew what Alice said at the time; the data pack only showed a few lip movements.