Malcanthet naturally knew the price she had paid was steep. At least, in the eyes of others, it truly was. But Malcanthet did not see it that way. Everyone stood at a different level, and thus viewed matters from a different angle.
After obtaining the Pearl of Greed, Malcanthet's strength had not only undergone a tremendous leap—the more important thing was that it had allowed her to see a broader picture!
After obtaining the Pearl of Greed, Malcanthet knew she was destined to reach the summit. Though many believed she was already at the summit—an Abyssal giant and one of the most powerful demon lords—Malcanthet herself knew such praise was indeed excessive.
Relying on a succubus's innate abilities, she had gathered tremendous power around herself, making her one of the few demon lords capable of making the Abyss tremble through her followers alone. Yet it was precisely because of a succubus's inherent limitations that Malcanthet could never, like the former Three Greats, make the entire Abyss submit through her own power alone.
That was a fatal flaw!
If not for that, Malcanthet would not have remained holed up in Shendilavri all these years. She knew full well that once she left her domain, the risks she faced would increase exponentially.
She had been even less free than Demogorgon had been. She had become her own prison.
Had she not obtained the Pearl of Greed, she would not actually have been disappointed with her circumstances. She had already reached heights no succubus had ever attained, and she was immensely proud of her accomplishments. It might have seemed like being content with modest success, but this truly had been the best Malcanthet could achieve.
But the Pearl of Greed changed all of that.
The immense power contained within that pearl had brought