Atop the back of a mountain-sized grey mount, Demon King Eris stood holding Hilaire. The little demon, on a long journey, wore a small blue cloak. Sewn onto the cloak’s hood were two long, drooping ears, making him resemble an adorable little animal.

This cloak was made by Constans.

Who would have thought the terrifying-looking skeleton demon was actually a skilled artisan? Sewing small clothes, knitting plush toys—he was extremely proficient. Recently, Constans had been appearing frequently at the Demon King’s Palace, presenting these small gifts he had made to Hilaire.

The four demons were dying of jealousy. They had been assigned many tasks recently and were constantly busy, often unable to see the cub. Added to that, Baph, having learned cub-rearing skills, cared for Baobao with great expertise, completely replacing their role. And now this brainless skeleton actually had this skill too, using cute clothes and toys to win the cub’s affection!

Though honestly, he really was skilled. Thinking back to how they pricked their fingers raw trying to sew baby clothes in the underground palace and still couldn’t produce a single decent piece, while this demon, with only bones left, could effortlessly create such delicate little clothes—there was simply no comparison.

Hilaire did indeed love this little cloak and was currently chewing on the fluffy ball attached to the cloak’s drawstring.

Only when the giant mount below occasionally let out a roar would he poke his head out from the hood to glance around, before shrinking back to chew on the fluffy ball.

Below the mount, the Demon King’s army accompanying him was also nearby. Demons with wings flew at low altitudes, while those without rode demonic beasts or marched on foot. Demons of various sizes and races were heading towards the battlefield, stirring up billowing clouds of dust that blurred their figures.

One demon frequently looked up towards the tallest mount in the entire procession. Although the grey mount was the Demon King’s steed, he had heard that Prince Hilaire had also come on this trip. He wondered if the demon standing on the mount was the Prince or His Majesty the Demon King.

A tiny cub being held by his father, dressed in blue, blended perfectly with the clear blue sky. So, looking up from below, it was impossible to tell there were actually two demons on the mount.

This demon hadn’t seen the cub in the Forest of Calamity; all he knew were the various rumors. So, he chose to ask his comrade beside him to confirm the rumors’ credibility. “Hey, you think that’s Prince Hilaire up there?”

The demon next to him happened to be Nick, who had also come along. Anyway, to other demons, all Shadow Demons looked the same; only their own kind could tell them apart.

Nick glanced up and nodded. Baobao was indeed on the mount too.

“Prince Hilaire truly has an extraordinary bearing, just as formidable as His Majesty the Demon King!” Seeing he was right, the demon’s eyes lit up.

Extraordinary bearing? Talking about Baobao?

Nick was utterly confused, but then he thought Baobao would definitely be like that when he grew up, so he nodded again at the other demon. “You’re right.”

“Hehe, I also heard…”

The two demons, completely talking past each other, somehow managed to have a conversation. Nick viewed the cub through thick, affectionate filters, so no matter how outrageous the other’s claims were—killing a beast with one punch, being tall, burly, and strong, able to outdrink ten demons—he could apply it all to the grown-up little demon and even think this demon had good judgment.

Later, when other Shadow Demons recognized Nick and learned he was one of the four Greater Demons subdued by the Prince, the rumors surrounding little demon Hilaire became increasingly “true and credible.”

The little demon, subject of various rumors, chewed on his fluffy ball. When he poked his head out again, he saw a giant gate towering in the sky not far away. Dark energy swirled around the gate; even looking at it from afar struck fear into the hearts of demons.

He stared in amazement at the massive stone gate that seemed embedded in the sky, the fluffy ball dropping from his mouth.

“Ah!” He pointed towards it, looking at his Demon King Papa, his big golden eyes full of curiosity.

“That’s where the previous Demon King is sealed.” Even knowing Hilaire wouldn’t understand, Eris patiently explained.

Hilaire blinked, indicating he completely didn’t understand, then stared intently at the giant gate in the sky, clearly very interested.

The massive grey mount stopped, and the Demon King’s army halted with it. They had reached their destination.

Although the previous Demon King was sealed, he wasn’t dead. In fact, he was constantly eroding the seal, trying to break out. Therefore, Eris had to periodically come here to reinforce the seal.

The dark energy swirling around the giant gate was generated by the previous Demon King’s own magic.

Thick black energy continuously seeped out from the gate’s crevices. After coalescing into blobs of liquid, it fell from the sky to the ground, slowly wriggling and deforming, transforming from shapeless ooze into pitch-black monsters.

The monsters were entirely black, with hunched bodies, mouths full of sharp teeth, and thick, sharp claws, looking exceptionally ferocious, as if born solely for slaughter.

Soon, the black liquid fell like raindrops, continuously, and the number of monsters on the ground grew rapidly.

The swelling numbers of monsters didn’t wander off but gathered together, roaring loudly, intimidating and threatening the enemies opposite them.

The Demon King’s army watched the mindless monsters opposite them with cold eyes, awaiting the Demon King’s command.

When the number of monsters was sufficient, Eris made a slight movement. The mount beneath his feet instantly constricted its pupils and let out a tremendous roar that echoed through the heavens.

The long-waiting demons immediately grinned sinisterly and charged towards the monsters, while the monsters also shrieked and rushed towards them.

Torrents of demons and monsters collided, slaughtering each other mercilessly. Crimson blood and black ooze splattered everywhere. Corpses fell to the ground constantly.

The demons’ blood boiled with excitement as they used powerful magic and weapons to tear the monsters limb from limb.

Although demons enjoyed a leisurely life, they equally did not fear death or battle. Or rather, the warlike genes in their blood would never change.

Hilaire wasn’t frightened by this scene. He seemed to understand it was a cruel battle, clenching his fists and watching intently with a serious expression.

Eris held him, black bat-like wings unfurling behind him, and flew towards the gate swirling with dark energy.

As they neared the gate, the thick black magic felt like it could drown a demon. The little demon felt uncomfortable, pouting as he looked at his Papa.

“There, there, it’ll be over soon.”

Eris held the cub with one arm, while a stunningly ornate golden trident suddenly appeared in his other hand.

Hilaire gasped “Wah!” in surprise, seemingly wondering where Papa had produced it from, even wanting to reach out and grab the shiny-looking weapon.

Eris moved it away from the cub’s grasp. This trident was specifically forged for him, capable of both releasing and absorbing magic.

For some reason, even though the seal continuously weakened the previous Demon King’s life force and drained his magic, after a thousand years, he still possessed enough magic to corrode the seal, attempting to escape.

Therefore, Eris had to periodically come, after the other’s magic had gathered, disperse it, and absorb it.

Gripping the trident tightly and pouring magic into it, the tips immediately released red flames. The flames surged towards the gate, engulfing and incinerating it. The dark energy on the gate was burned away, vaporized, continuously diminishing. Throughout this process, Eris also continuously absorbed the vaporized black magic.

Hilaire passively absorbed some as well. The previous Demon King’s black magic carried a sinister, ominous aura; the little demon disliked this kind of magic.

He saw his Papa’s brow furrow tightly, as if sensing his Papa also disliked this magic filled with negative energy.

So, he turned towards the dark energy on the gate and babbled indistinctly, “Ee ee oo oo,” as if telling it not to come out.

And then, even more dark energy seeped out from the gate’s crevices.

Hilaire: “…”

Eris also hadn’t expected so much more black magic to emerge. Usually, one pass was enough to clear it. Where on earth did the previous Demon King get such vast magic reserves?

Just as he prepared to release magic again, Hilaire, in his arms suddenly leaned sharply to the side, grabbing the trident with both small hands.

Hilaire was angry! This gate wasn’t listening! He wrinkled his little brow, mimicking his Papa’s earlier actions, shouting “Da da da!” while pouring his own magic into the trident.

The little demon was just copying what he saw his Papa do and didn’t know how to control it yet, so he poured all his magic into the trident at once.

Instantly, blue-purple lightning erupted around the trident. The lightning converged among the three prongs, growing brighter and brighter. A terrifying aura gradually spread from above, making even the demons and monsters locked in a killing frenzy below freeze for a second.

The gathered lightning power, like a sharp sword, instantly shot skyward. Flickering lightning covered the dark energy, engulfing it inch by inch like silver snakes.

The dark energy on the gate rapidly diminished, finally revealing its true form.

A massive, dark grey stone gate towered in the sky, covered in golden inscriptions. Regular starburst patterns formed a giant sealing array. The moment the dark energy vanished, the dim starburst inscriptions gradually brightened, and no more dark energy seeped out.

The monsters fighting the demons hadn’t vanished, but now, no new monsters would be born.

The demons who witnessed the lightning strike were incredibly excited, roaring as they charged towards the nearest monsters. The battle’s outcome was decided; they just needed to clean up the battlefield.

Eris immediately checked the cub’s condition. Finding that despite outputting so much magic, he was still fine and looked quite energetic, he finally felt relieved.

Speaking of which, Hilaire had existed as a demon egg for a thousand years. During that millennium, to keep him alive, Eris had continuously poured magic into him. So, the magic reserves within this little fellow right now might actually exceed his own.

“Looks like I can rest easy in the future.” Eris looked with complex emotions at the little demon gazing up at him with sparkling eyes, waiting for praise, and patted his little head.

Hilaire nuzzled his Papa’s hand, then pointed a finger downwards.

“Want to go down?”

“Booh! Waoo, da!”

Eris roughly understood his meaning. Hilaire was pointing towards the monsters formed from magic. So, not down, but wanting to hit them.

Although the little demon was still a baby, he was very smart. Usually, the four demons’ fights were just for show, not truly serious, so the little demon always watched the commotion, chuckling happily.

But now, both sides fought with killing intent. The smell of blood could be detected even from this height. The little demon didn’t like this kind of fighting. He knew the demons who came with them were on his side, so he wanted to attack those pitch-black, uncomfortable-feeling monsters from outside.

“Alright,” the Demon King smiled slightly, pointing the trident towards the ground.

The little demon again hugged the trident, pouring in magic, while Eris also infused some of the black magic he had just absorbed. Black magic and purple lightning intertwined, striking the ground. All the black monsters were hit precisely, while the demons remained completely unscathed.

They had expected another difficult battle, as those monsters fought fiercely, yet it ended so easily.

The demons looked up. The brilliance of the starbursts on the seal was too bright, completely obscuring the demon above. But all the demons had felt the unfamiliar magic fluctuation earlier.

That was… Prince Hilaire!