Death Tribulation Flower

One month later.

Royal Palace, the night before the coronation ceremony.

Sitting in a chair, Jem curiously asked Shire, who was seated beside him, "Did you get any results from researching that thing?"

Ever since Karlra had been killed a month ago, Jem Woz and Safi, representing their respective factions, had split her corpse between them.

Safi had assumed that Jem Woz was interested in a Demon's power, so he had repeatedly warned him not to be tempted by what lay before him, fearing that he would be tainted by demonic power.

There had been no shortage of such cases throughout history!

After eradicating evil, the hero had instead been drawn to the enemy's power and become a new evil.

Jem Woz could only helplessly explain that he merely regarded the Demon's corpse as magical material, not that he intended to research any sort of demonic power.

Whether the other party believed it or not, he himself believed it.

Then he promptly handed Karlra's half of the corpse over to Shire for him to study.

Faced with his question now, Shire smiled and answered, "After a month of research, I discovered that a Demon's bodily structure is completely different from the creatures of this world. Compared to Flesh and Blood Life, they are more like energy-based lifeforms. Every drop of blood is highly corrosive; any creature that comes into contact with it may be invaded. At best, they are injured. At worst, they are directly demonized or killed."

Hearing this, and realizing that Shire had nothing more to say, Jem assumed he was playing coy and pressed, "Uh... and then?"

Still wearing that awkward yet polite smile, Shire smiled and shook his head. "That's all. I haven't figured out anything else yet..."

Jem was stunned. "That's all you got after a whole month??"

He had known from the start that they might not uncover anything, but Shire's performance was truly a little too pathetic.

The things he had just said were all recorded in history books. Did they really need him to repeat them?

Seeing the expression on Jem's face as though he had been played for a fool, Shire could only helplessly wave his hand and, left with no choice, tell the truth. "I'm just a Warlock. If you asked me to research spells, I could still find a way, but asking me to conduct biological research really is outside my field."

Jem was left speechless and could only sigh. "...That does seem to make sense. In that case, let's turn that corpse into magical items. Better than letting you waste it."

But Shire hurriedly shook his head. "There's no need for that yet. I've already contacted a scholar who specializes in researching Supernatural Creatures. Perhaps he can figure something out."

Jem's eyes immediately lit up when he heard that, and his interest was piqued. "Is that person reliable?"

"His abilities are formidable, but his personality is extremely solitary. He is the sort who devotes himself wholeheartedly to scholarly pursuits. The only reason I have any friendship with him is due to some old matters from years ago. Even I was somewhat surprised that I managed to invite him here successfully, so there should be no problem."

Jem nodded in satisfaction. If Shire described him as highly capable, then he surely possessed skills worthy of recognition.

Jem said, "In that case, let's do it that way."

Looking at Jem, who had already made his decision, Shire said indifferently, "Fine. But I feel like Orsaga does not care about these matters at all. He has never paid attention to anything we do. Even when a Demon descended upon the Royal Capital, he showed no concern whatsoever. When I met him last time, I deliberately told him that we had exterminated a Demon, hoping to test his reaction, but not even his expression changed."

"I can't understand his indifferent attitude either. No matter who it is, everyone has their own needs."

Stroking his chin, Jem said with deep puzzlement, "With Orsaga, I have never been able to see clearly what exactly he is pursuing. He desires souls and possesses the ability to Plunder on a massive scale, yet he has always stayed put. What exactly is restraining him? I think that once we find that reason, it will be time for us to break free from his control..."

"Perhaps."

On the matter of breaking free from Orsaga's control, his stance was completely aligned with Jem's.

Even though he was now trying to turn over a new leaf, his past pride still would not allow him to be held in someone else's palm.

Shaking his head and casting those messy thoughts aside, he picked up the wineglass before him and said with a smile, "Speaking of which, you'll be crowned tomorrow. Let me offer you a toast in advance."

"Thank you!"

Jem raised his glass and returned the toast.

Amid the gaze of the masses.

Leading a group of Soldiers clad in magnificent armor.

He walked down streets thronged with citizens holding aloft flowers and flags, then stood before the gates of the Royal Palace.

Looking at the statue of his ancestors standing there, Jem Woz knelt on one knee and solemnly closed his eyes.

"I, Jem Woz, will inherit the glory of the Woz Family. In accordance with traditions passed down since ancient times, I will lead the nation and protect its people!"

"No hardship will ever make me bow my head. I will carry this glory onward, so that Mardon's flag may forever stand upon this land!"

"May the world bless us!"

As his oath rang out.

Two gorgeously dressed children, one boy and one girl, stepped before him. One carried the crown, while the other carried the scepter.

They placed the crown upon Jem Woz's head and handed the scepter to his side.

And at that moment, Jem Woz opened his eyes.

He rose to his feet, turned around, and looked at the subjects holding their breath as they watched him.

With a solemn expression, he raised the scepter high. "I, Jem Woz, your King, will inherit all the glory of the past and lead the Duchy of Maldon to its pinnacle!"

Cheers erupted at that moment, while countless flowers and fireworks rained down from the sky!

From their joy, Jem Woz seemed to truly feel the people's expectations turn into a weight pressing down upon him.

His state of mind could not help but undergo some changes...

More than a year later.

The sun in the sky was now at the height of its splendor.

Ever since Jem had ascended the throne, the Duchy of Maldon's national strength had steadily flourished. Even the Royal Capital had become far more prosperous than before, just like the celestial body overhead at the peak of its brilliance.

Sitting in a chair in the study, Orsaga calmly accepted the tea from Trina's hand. His nose twitched slightly as he inhaled its fragrance, then praised her as he had in the past. "Very fine tea-making skills."

Looking at the person before him, whose face still wore its usual smile even as her heart involuntarily beat a few beats faster, Orsaga smiled, took a few small sips of tea, and commented while holding the cup, "Still that familiar taste."

Trina forced a smile. "...I hope you like it."

After smiling carelessly, Orsaga reached out and stroked her cheek, feeling her body tremble faintly.

For the first time in his life, regret showed between his brows. "What a pity. I truly like you. Perhaps it cannot be called love, but of all those so far, you are indeed the one I have liked most. You made me sincerely want to keep you by my side."

"Perhaps this is the instinct of living beings to long for companions..."

"Even though I am a Demon, I should not have such emotions..."

Taking a soft breath, the false smile on Trina's face completely faded. Looking straight into Orsaga's eyes, she asked, "Why did you take the initiative to tell me the truth back then? You could clearly have deceived me. If you had kept choosing to deceive me, perhaps I would have remained deceived by you forever?"

After hearing the question, Orsaga thought for a moment before smiling. "Although I am a Demon, I do not particularly enjoy lying, especially not to important people. That is why I chose to tell you the truth directly."

After hearing Orsaga's words, Trina's face blossomed into a smile unlike any she had ever worn before.

She lightly kissed the corner of his lips. "My lord, thank you for your affection!"

Feeling that fleeting softness and warmth, Orsaga paused in a daze before smiling. "Farewell, Trina."

The next instant, a thread of Scarlet radiance flashed. Trina's heartbeat stopped completely, and she fell toward Orsaga with a smile on her face.

However, before her body could touch him, it turned into countless invisible particles and vanished from this world completely.

Slowly withdrawing the hand that had just been caressing Trina's cheek, Orsaga sat in his chair. The smile on his face had entirely disappeared. Holding the teacup in both hands, his expression was somewhat blank.

He was a Demon. He should have been accustomed to betrayal.

If he could not bear to part with her, he could have simply kept her. Why had he acted directly?

Was it because she was important to him that he could not forgive her?

He did not understand the thoughts in his heart.

Not long afterward, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. Jem Woz, dressed in armor and leading a group of people, pushed open the door and entered.

Jem Woz, Duke, Shire, Safi, and several others whose names could not be recalled but who were also quite powerful.

Beyond that, thousands of fully armed people equipped with demon-expelling tools stood outside the door. They had already sealed off the entire room tightly.

Seeing Orsaga's lack of reaction, and how he did not even look at them, a flicker of surprise crossed Jem Woz's face before he solemnly declared, "Demon, today is the day you die!"

Only then did Orsaga slowly turn his gaze toward Jem.

There was no expression on his face, only faint indifference.

To him, Jem and the others' betrayal had been something he had anticipated from the very beginning.

Whether they wanted to or not!

Under the influence of the World Consciousness, these natives would subconsciously reject Orsaga.

Like a group of puppets on strings.

In Orsaga's eyes, when they betrayed him, it meant that the World Consciousness had reached the limit of its tolerance for him. He needed to immediately find an opportunity to make a killing and leave.

They were like one-use alarms, disposable items. Thus, Orsaga had never cared about their thoughts from the start.

Trina, however, was completely different. She was someone more important.

Orsaga's power protected her at all times.

It prevented the World Consciousness's power from exerting any influence upon her.

Therefore, everything she did was born from her own true thoughts.

After raising the teacup in his hand and draining the tea in one gulp, Orsaga calmly looked at Jem Woz. "You needn't worry that Trina failed to complete her task. I did drink the drug. After all, this was the last cup of tea she brewed for me. I could not let it go to waste."

Watching him calmly set down the teacup, Jem still could not understand Orsaga's thoughts as usual. But he also knew that there was no longer any other choice, so he directly gave the order. "Attack!"

A huge number of arrows coated in holy medicine instantly flew in through the window, while numerous Soldiers drew their weapons and prepared to slash at Orsaga, who sat in his chair.

Orsaga merely flicked the nearest arrow with his hand.

He knocked it off course toward the other arrows beside it, causing them to collide with one another.

After a chain of collisions, every arrow fell beside him, not a single one hitting its mark.

The Soldiers in the distance, raising their swords as they rushed toward Orsaga, were left dumbfounded. Even their steps involuntarily slowed.

When they saw Orsaga rise from his seat, they instinctively took a step back.

Ignoring Jem's ugly expression, Orsaga casually grabbed, and a Soldier was sucked from afar into his hand.

Gripping the man by the throat, he said to Jem Woz, "I suddenly had a thought. If the arrival of death is unavoidable, can it at least be made to look more beautiful and dazzling?"

The next instant, the Soldier in his hand exploded into countless clouds of blood mist, leaving only a fresh, vivid Scarlet flower in his grasp.

The flower had seven layers, each with six petals. Those petals pressed tightly together, making it resemble both a rose and a camellia, though it was more delicate. Blood-colored mist that never dispersed curled around the petals, lending it a hazy beauty.

Orsaga examined the flower in satisfaction for a while before asking Jem Woz, "Look, isn't it beautiful? Perhaps it can be called a Death Tribulation Flower?"

Before Jem could speak, Safi, watching the scene beside him with an incomparably ugly expression, could not help but rebuke him, "Demon, you still dare to be so arrogant? Today, we will surely kill you!"

His Scarlet eyes swept faintly over the other man. Ignoring his rebuke, Orsaga smiled and lightly tossed away the flower in his hand. "I look forward to seeing whether you can do it. After all, I am not in a very good mood right now."

Once he finished speaking, Orsaga's appearance began to change. Curved horns grew from his head, wings emerged from his back, scales and exoskeleton continuously appeared, and even his height rose from one meter eighty to around three meters seventy.

His wings fluttered slightly, and a violent gale surged forth!

It completely tore away the walls and roof of the building, along with a considerable number of Soldiers.

Without caring about their chaos, Orsaga looked somewhat dissatisfiedly at the rune armament—Scarlet—upon his body. He suddenly felt that those patterns were rather ugly!

At his thought, the runes began to change in appearance, each transforming into the shape of a Death Tribulation Flower engraved upon his exoskeleton.

He smiled. "This is much better."

The next moment, a Scarlet pillar of fire shot into the heavens with him at its center, then spread apart several hundred meters above the ground. Like a gigantic opened umbrella, it obscured the sun in the sky and blanketed the heavens above the entire Royal Capital.

Countless meteors began to fall like a rain of fire.

As if the end of the world had descended, despair was delivered to everyone.

Faced with this sight, Jem Woz, who had just climbed to his feet from the ground, stared blankly as though he had lost his soul.

In the end, with a crazed expression, he gripped his weapon and charged into the pillar of fire that pierced the heavens...

Believe it or not, at the very beginning, I actually wanted to write a harem-style Demon novel. After all, I'm fundamentally a shut-in nerd who loves that sort of thing...

But at this point in the story, every named character aside from the Protagonist has been completely wiped out...

Even I'm shocked!

This is not how dark fiction is supposed to be written either...

But I think this better fits the Protagonist's personality and style. At his core, he is a Demon with some human traits~