For Sapphire, this marked her first lifetime visit to this legendary demon realm capital city.
Prosperous. Bustling. These were [Lilith's] first impressions.
Also far more modernized than the Northern Lands.
How to put it? Comparatively, if Lilith resembled modern Tokyo, Japan, then the Northern Lands' so-called Maou Castle probably equated to ancient Babylon from Fate series' Absolute Demonic Front.
No exaggeration—roughly that vast a gap.
Though for Sapphire, not particularly astonishing.
After all, since her brother Ramusas's death prompted her departure from the Northern Lands, she'd traversed numerous cities governed by the 72 Pillar high-class devil families before finally reaching capital Lilith. Overall, a gradual adaptation process existed.
Yet undeniable—this place far exceeded the prosperity of her former Maou Castle residence.
Then... first, find lodging.
Slightly lifting her hood while looking upward at autumn sun approaching ninety-degree vertical angles with the ground, Sapphire considered.
Finding lodging and meals in the demon realm capital wasn't difficult—luxurious grand hotels existed just like the human world. However, for currently wandering Sapphire, unnecessary.
She wouldn't stay long anyway—two days maximum before departing again.
Scene transition: inside a small inn along Lilith's commercial street distant from the palace. Accompanied by clear wind chime sounds, Sapphire pushed open wooden doors, entering from outside.
The inn's first floor served as dining area—pure wood tables and chairs filling the somewhat crude first-floor hall. Stairs along the side wall led upward to second-floor lodging. The counter stretched horizontally near the entrance.
Evidently, due to crude decoration, the inn's business couldn't match grand hotels. Despite approaching mealtime, few patrons occupied the first-floor restaurant—only a male monkey youkai and a flashily-dressed man with flowing silver-blue hair seated at the innermost table.
"One room, quiet preferably. Plus lunch—have it sent up shortly."
After paying the deposit and receiving room keys, Sapphire didn't linger momentarily—directly turning into the stairwell, ascending to the second floor.
Inside the first-floor restaurant, the male monkey youkai still seated at the corner table grinned while propping his cheek, gazing at the silver-blue-haired man before him.
"Speaking of which, Lilith's really lively today. I've been scouting here several days already—usually rarely see anyone lodging here. Today, before noon even arrives, already one new tenant. Truly befitting the day demon realm, fallen angels, heaven, and Valhalla form alliances."
"..."
As if "alliance" touched some sensitive nerve, the previously expressionless, patiently waiting silver-blue-haired man's eyebrow twitched.
"Can't your mouth shut up briefly, Bikou?"
"Eh, I know, I know—just saying."
The monkey youkai called Bikou grinned.
"Though honestly, timing should be about right now. Earlier, I heard sounds from the palace saying your Norse Lord Odin arrived. Probably conducting the alliance ceremony currently? Why don't we head over now, give them a big surprise?"
"No rush—wait a bit longer."
The silver-blue-haired man crossed arms over his chest, eyes closed while speaking.
"Besides, more importantly, there's something I want to ask you."
"What?"
"Why did you proactively request guiding me to the demon realm this time? If I recall correctly, the demon realm isn't particularly safe for you either."
"Mm... true enough."
Bikou scratched his furry cheek.
"But isn't it fun? Suddenly surprising everyone on alliance day. Plus... oh right, did I mention, Loki? I've got an old acquaintance who should be in Lilith today—maybe attending the alliance ceremony at the palace right now."
"You didn't."
"Ah, no worries—I'll tell you then. Bit of a long story. Calculating backwards, our last meeting was nearly ten years ago."
Bikou was about to ramble on.
Loki interrupted timely.
"Then summarize briefly. Since the alliance ceremony's already begun, we depart in five minutes."
"Hey hey~ five minutes works—plenty enough. Listen carefully..."
❁❁❁❁
Meanwhile, deep within some demon realm mountain corner undetectable even by search magic—
Demon realm midday sunlight descended from overhead. A massive crimson heavenly dragon sprawled across mountain forests.
Clad entirely in silver-white armor, a youth sat atop a boulder—holding a communication tablet, browsing messages. A voice seemingly Cybertronian emanated from beneath the armor.
"Hey, it's been days now. You two about finished arguing?"
"Mm..."
Rolling over from prone to belly-exposed, Ddraig responded lazily.
As for Albion—still in Sacred Gear state—he was even more perfunctory, merely flashing his light wings once as acknowledgment.
After all, nothing left to discuss.
Carefully calculating—they'd arrived here on tripartite talks day. Since then, the two... no, two dragons had been arguing here for over a solid week straight until today.
Though given the Red and White Heavenly Dragons' terrible relationship, a mere week meant nothing. Otherwise, they wouldn't have driven millennia worth of successive hosts to battle each other to the death.
However, purely arguing proved excruciatingly boring.
Consider: Ddraig had already reconstructed his body, fully resurrected. Yet Albion remained in Sacred Gear state, with Vali having merely mastered Juggernaut Drive.
Though Juggernaut Drive alone far exceeded Maou-class, for Ddraig—restored to peak living condition—still insufficient.
Furthermore, beyond whether Vali could match the Two Heavenly Dragons' battle intensity—even if he could, it meant nothing.
Because for Ddraig, even winning meant defeating only Vali—not Albion.
Conclusion: couldn't fight. Fundamentally couldn't fight. These past days had been pure verbal sparring—could argue but not physically engage. Over time, grew tiresome.
"Since you're finished arguing, time for actual business."
Speaking, Vali stowed the communication tablet while rising from the boulder. Behind him, the White Dragon Emperor's light wings spread open.
"Let's go. Azazel messaged me—the alliance ceremony's begun. Plus, Albion, didn't you have business with that Keikain guy?"
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