In the Hell Palace, Martin stood beside the throne, countless images flickering across the bone spines on his back.
He was adjusting troop deployments along every defensive line, optimizing patrol routes, and calculating supply allocations. Crowley's throne was still there, but the person sitting on it had changed.
In the temporary command room, Wu Heng stood by the window, looking out at the Hell that was being rebuilt.
In the distance, Isaac's watchtowers glowed. Farther away, Karim's fortress pulsed beneath the ground. Farther still, Elena's ice walls reflected a faint blue light in the darkness.
Renault entered from outside.
"Guildmaster, all defensive lines have been established. The energy monitors are fully operational, and the incantation killing formations cover every key area. Hell... is in our hands now."
Wu Heng nodded.
"Casualties?"
Renault opened the clipboard in his hand.
"One thousand two hundred and thirty-one demon hunters killed, four thousand seven hundred wounded. As for the demons... there are too many to count. Mammon is dead, Crowley has been captured, and the seven demon legions have been wiped out. Those who escaped into Purgatory were dealt with by Isaac and Michelle, as you ordered."
Wu Heng said nothing.
After hesitating for a moment, Renault asked again, "What should we do with the demons who surrendered?"
Wu Heng turned to look at him.
"Register them all. Those willing to cooperate can stay and work. Those unwilling to cooperate, lock them up. Those who cause trouble—kill them!"
Renault nodded and wrote it down.
"And over in the real world..."
"What about the real world?"
Renault closed his notebook, a rare smile appearing on his face.
"The ordinary people are celebrating. They say Hell has been taken, the angels have fled, and they can finally live in peace from now on."
Wu Heng looked