"A bunch of self-important upstarts who amount to nothing. Let them fight. Once I've wiped out Heaven, I'll come back and deal with them."
Malebolgia looked utterly disdainful. To him, the other Demon Kings were just like the Joker before him—there for comic relief. As a true Demon King, he would never be foolish enough to play their little game of conquering Hell.
A true Demon King should conquer Heaven.
"That's a shame. I was hoping to see your army sweep them aside."
Joker shrugged and said, "Especially that Power Demon King. He calls himself the strongest in Hell, and he's currently cleaning up the scattered Demon Kings."
"The Power Demon King? The strongest in Hell?"
Malebolgia sneered, not even bothering to refute it. With him around, who dared claim to be the strongest in Hell?
"Soon enough, I'll show them what a true Demon King is, and what a true army looks like."
Malebolgia gazed at the army on Lava Island and roared with laughter. Joker laughed along, but his gaze held a trace of complicated emotion. Why was that guy the commander instead of him?
The commander of the final campaign was a Skyfather. Joker had spent so many years serving Malebolgia without receiving such treatment, yet that charred fellow had risen straight to the top simply because Malebolgia had taken a liking to him.
I'll see whether you really deserve to be the commander.
Joker snorted inwardly and went back to his preparations. Meanwhile, the charred man inside the magma cocoon was dreaming. In his dream, he lived with his beloved wife. She was pregnant, and the two happily discussed what to name their child.
Blair, my wife, I'll always protect you and our child.
The man's resolve was unwavering, but he had no idea he had