A week later.
Midsummer night stretched on, with July not yet halfway gone.
Deep within the vast territory of the Demon Realm stood the capital known as Demon King City—Nekaris.
The city lay near an inland strait, encircled by winding rocky mountains like a natural fortress.
At the heart of the city, the towering "Neka Island" held a massive palace built of obsidian and deep-blue magic crystal rock. Its spires stabbed into the clouds near the bay.
Across from it lay the outer "Lees Island," an equally prosperous region.
The streets of Nekaris City were intricate and maze-like, with narrow alleys alternating with plazas. Demon Realm creatures of every kind could be seen there—some tall and fierce, others sly and wiry, along with countless nonhumanoid demons. They traded, talked, and killed, only to be arrested by the Demon Realm law enforcers.
At that moment, the first-floor main hall of the Demon Realm palace was a vast circular Regent Hall. A magnificent black throne stood at its center, surrounded by a flickering halo like flame.
The floors above were the royal family's private domain, furnished with everything a residence needed, including studies, bedrooms, and a Conference Room.
Apart from Fallen Lord Kali Yella and the demons she permitted, no other demons were allowed onto the palace's higher floors.
In a spacious bedroom on the second floor, the purple-red sunset streamed through gauze curtains and spilled across the soft carpet.
"...Lisandra, you can go off duty."
Hughberlian sat quietly on a cushion beside the large window. Beyond it lay the palace gardens and the barrier in the distance.
Her gaze seemed to pass through the translucent barrier as she looked toward the inland bay of the royal capital.
"It isn't time yet. I can't leave early. If I'm disturbing Your Highness, I