Demon Emperor

As the mana filled the entire space, it coalesced into tangible particles, gradually forming a figure.

Before Vivian, a petite silhouette materialized.

It was a near-perfect being, resembling a female form.

Her countenance was breathtakingly exquisite, as if crafted from the essence of starlight and abyssal mana—a flawless creation beyond mortal make.

Her eyes, glowing with molten gold, were profoundly deep, as if they held dominion over all existence.

Those golden pupils radiated an unshakable confidence, as though they could disdain the entire world.

Her waist-length silver-white hair flowed like liquid mercury, swaying without wind in the invisible waves of mana, glinting with an icy radiance.

Atop her head sat an ornate crown, symbolizing absolute authority.

Neither jade nor stone, it seemed forged from condensed starlight, its intricate patterns hinting at infinite mysteries.

Her pointed, elven ears betrayed her ancient lineage.

She eschewed mundane clothing, her upper body bare—not of flesh, but a perfect crystallization of energy.

At her chest, where a heart might be, pulsed a core of pure, dazzling white light—the essence of her supreme mana, throbbing like a miniature star.

A voluminous, heavy cloak draped naturally over her shoulders, not woven from simple fabric but from the eternal darkness of Evernight and flowing shadows, its edges shimmering with faint starlight.

Her lower body was clad only in blue-black stockings that hugged her limbs, with energy patterns flowing across them like living runes.

It was as if ordinary armor or clothing were a burden to her; her form bore no superfluous elements.

Cosmos! Galaxy! Black hole! Cold! Darkness! Devouring!

Countless powerful words flashed through Vivian’s mind.

This was all she could associate with the awe-inspiring presence of the Demon Emperor standing before her.

It was as if a humanoid universe itself stood in her presence!

Her beauty was absolute, her power pure.

She *was* the cosmos.

No wonder the power of darkness wielded by a Demon Lord seemed insignificant before the might of the universe.

“Your Majesty.”

In an instant, Vivian dropped to one knee, a gesture of submission.

The mere mana projection transmitted through the maginet was enough to instill a sense of impending doom.

Vivian could scarcely imagine the true might of the Demon Emperor’s actual form.

“Vivian, it’s been a while.”

The Demon Emperor spoke, her voice crisp and ethereal.

“I recall our last meeting was… well, the last time.”

‘…Isn’t that just pure nonsense?’

Vivian’s lips twitched slightly, but she kept her head bowed.

“You seem surprised. And nervous.”

“Your Majesty’s attention to the Evernight Territory naturally leaves me in awe and trepidation.”

The Demon Emperor’s words rang out, and Vivian could only respond stiffly, adhering to protocol.

“Raise your head. No need for such formality.”

“Yes.”

At her words, Vivian let out a breath, standing and meeting the Demon Emperor’s faintly amused gaze.

“Mogus sent me a message earlier, saying you survived against Lucia, the strongest Hero. I thought he was joking, but you actually made it back alive.”

Her radiant golden eyes swept over Vivian from head to toe, then her brow arched.

“You’re pregnant?”

“…”

Vivian’s lips twitched uncontrollably.

‘Is this ever going to end?’

“Let me guess—Lucia’s?”

The Demon Emperor’s expression was half-smile, half-tease, as she regarded Vivian with interest.

“I’m not asking you to get rid of it. But honestly, I didn’t expect this. I thought you’d be as rigid as the other Demon Lords, but what’s happening with you is… rather intriguing.”

Vivian opened her mouth, momentarily at a loss for words.

“How did Your Majesty know?”

“Simple. That child carries two distinct powers—it’s too conspicuous to ignore.”

A playful glint flickered in her golden eyes.

“The power of dawn and the power of darkness. Combined with the fact that you were captured by Lucia, the answer is obvious, isn’t it? And you didn’t think your little tricks could fool *me*, did you?”

‘Ugh, this is unbearable.’

“Did Your Majesty come all this way just to tease me?”

Suppressing the throbbing in her temples, Vivian took a deep breath and met the Demon Emperor’s gaze.

“Of course not.”

The Demon Emperor descended gracefully, perching on the magitech console with her legs crossed.

“Catherine sent a battle report on your behalf. With five thousand troops, you repelled an army of twenty thousand and easily thwarted the Hero Garen’s assault—a dazzling achievement. But it doesn’t seem like *you*.”

“What, did a month among the humans transform you? I hear you’re even implementing new policy reforms in your territory.”

“…What, is the ancestral way unchangeable?”

“Not at all.”

As she spoke, Vivian felt the weight of the Demon Emperor’s golden eyes, scrutinizing her with a dangerously piercing gaze.

‘She suspects me!’

‘This is bad!’

‘Has the Demon Clan’s stagnation for centuries been a trap set by this cunning figure to fish out reformers, only to eliminate them upon discovery?’

No, that didn’t seem right.

The Demon Emperor wouldn’t be so idle.

And if she truly suspected Vivian of being a transmigrator and intended to kill her, this wouldn’t be a mere mana projection.

Though formidable, the projection before her was just that—a projection.

Vivian was confident she could defeat it if necessary.

But if she outright severed the connection, the Demon Emperor could trace the maginet and come in person!

“Indeed, during the month I was held captive by Lucia, I reflected deeply and read many books and philosophies. But I’ve merely adopted the most suitable strategies.”

Vivian took a deep breath, her throat tightening as she responded carefully.

“Given my condition, facing Garen would likely result in more losses than victories. My territory’s forces were also ill-equipped to confront him head-on. Direct combat was a dead end.”

“Moreover, we Evernight demons lack the numbers for fodder or frontal assaults. Ambush, maneuvering, and raids—these are our greatest strengths.”

“At the same time, I believe it’s time for reform within the Demon Clan.”

Vivian met those pure golden eyes unflinchingly, giving her response.

“Interesting.”

The Demon Emperor’s lips curved into a grin.

“Go on.”

“The Evernight Territory has suffered heavy losses. I need to rebuild production and commerce, so everyone must be utilized to their fullest potential.”

“I’ve realized that perhaps the stronger demons in our armies could shift to production, potentially yielding greater benefits.”