They had once taken pride in the title "Fiend."
And now—
It was clear.
It was time to bring honor to those two words.
One by one, Fiends stood outside Ye Mu's gates.
One-Star. Two-Star. Three-Star.
It didn't matter.
If a Fiend's badge gleamed upon your chest, you were welcomed with a smile.
If you wished to join one camp or another, space would be made for you without hesitation.
There was no command. No formal arrangement.
Only silent understanding.
More and more divine experts stopped outside the prefecture capital, watching the Fiends work together.
What kind of cohesion was this?
What kind of unity?
At last, someone from the crowd spoke up.
"Hey… if I want to become a Fiend and join you, what should I do?"
The Fiends who were busy constructing shelters paused and looked up. A God had asked the question.
One of them laughed heartily.
"Brother, the Fiend Castle welcomes anyone who wants to become a Fiend."
He grinned.
"But not everyone qualifies."
Every Fiend nearby nodded in agreement.
"Every Fiend is an elite among divine experts."
"Only the strongest can pass the Fiend examination."
"If you truly wish to join, wait a little longer. Once Lord Locke defeats the Prefect of Ye Mu, a new Fiend Castle will be established here."
"You may submit your application then."
"As for whether you pass…"
He shrugged.
"That depends entirely on your strength."
"Because not just anyone can become a Fiend."
"Even a Highgod—if they fail to meet the standard—will not receive a Fiend badge."
The crowd stirred.
"Lord Locke… is he really the legendary Seven-Star Fiend?"
Interest visibly intensified.
After all, most of them had come for precisely that reason.
To see whether the so-called Seven-Star Fiend truly possessed the terrifying strength the Fiend Castle claimed.
The Fiend who had spoken straightened with pride.
"Of course."
"Lord Locke is the strongest Fiend in our Fiend Castle."
"And the only Seven-Star Fiend we currently have."
If such words were spoken a thousand chaos cycles in the future, they might draw laughter.
When had a mere Seven-Star Fiend become synonymous with "the strongest"?
But in this era—
Though the Fiend Castle ranked "Asura" above Seven-Star—
Most Fiends had only ever witnessed the strength of Five-Star Fiends.
A being a hundred times stronger than that?
To them, it was myth.
No one mocked the title "legendary Seven-Star Fiend."
Because no one truly understood what that meant.
Inside Nightblaze Prefecture.
Dalton and Kurus had already received reports of everything occurring outside the gates.
Kurus laughed.
"So… this Fiend Locke is extremely confident."
Dalton nodded solemnly.
"Based on everything we've gathered about him—and now, this open display at the city gates—he likely truly possesses Seven-Star Fiend-level strength."
Kurus's eyes gleamed.
"To act so provocatively before the battle…"
"If his performance disappoints…"
"He will become a laughingstock throughout all of Hell."
A pause.
"Very well."
"Dalton."
"Yes, Prefect."
"Go to the gates."
"Inform the prefecture guards that Nightblaze recognizes Fiends' privileges within our territory."
"Invite them inside."
A slow smile curved Kurus's lips.
"He wants privilege?"
"Then I'll give him privilege."
"Let's hope he does not disappoint me."
"Yes, Prefect."
Dalton understood Kurus's intent clearly.
This was not weakness.
This was positioning.
If the Fiend Castle truly held the key to advancing further along the path of the Profound Mysteries, Kurus intended to obtain it.
Granting goodwill now would only serve him later.
Without hesitation, Dalton left the Prefect's estate and flew toward the city gates.
Outside.
Locke, Rockpeak, and Ryan naturally did not involve themselves in constructing shelters.
They stood apart.
Then—
Ryan's eyes narrowed.
"Someone's coming."
Rockpeak's divine power surged instantly as well.
A figure descended rapidly from the city walls.
Both of them stepped forward, placing themselves on either side of Locke.
"Who goes there?"
The approaching figure halted midair.
"Misunderstanding—please, don't be alarmed."
Dalton raised his hands slightly.
"I am Dalton, steward to Prefect Kurus of Ye Mu."
"You must be Fiend Rockpeak and Fiend Ryan."
He inclined his head.
"I've long heard of your reputations."
"Meeting you today confirms the rumors."
In truth, Dalton's caution had increased sharply.
Before this meeting, when he told Kurus he might not be their match, he had been partially modest.
Now—
Feeling the aura of their fused Profound Mysteries—
He realized he had not been modest enough.
But instead of fear, he felt something else.
Anticipation.
Soon, perhaps, he too would be part of this force.
Was that not something to look forward to?
Rockpeak's gaze sharpened.
"You're the Prefect's steward?"
"What are you doing here?"
Ryan's eyes remained cold.
Dalton spread his hands calmly.
"There is no need for hostility."
"I have not come as an enemy."
His gaze shifted past them.
To the man standing with hands clasped behind his back.
"So… this must be the legendary Seven-Star Fiend, Fiend Locke."
Locke's expression remained mild.
"Oh? Even the Prefect's steward has heard my name?"
"Ryan. Rockpeak."
"Let him approach."
"Yes, Lord Locke."
They stepped aside immediately.
They had blocked Dalton because it was their duty.
But once Locke spoke—
They would not interfere further.
Others might suspect exaggeration in the title "Seven-Star Fiend."
They did not.
They had seen Locke when he was only a God.
They knew he had nearly fused four Profound Mysteries even then.
They knew his ambition—
To fuse all six Water Profound Mysteries.
Unless that fusion had reached completion—
He would not have advanced to Highgod.
If Locke declared himself Seven-Star—
Then his strength was at least that.
And likely beyond.
Dalton stepped forward.
He bowed deeply.
"Lord Locke."
His face was calm.
But his heart—
Was trembling.
This pressure—
What kind of divine power was this?!
Before Rockpeak and Ryan, Locke restrained himself.
Before Dalton—
He did not.
Ninefold Highgod divine power.
The faintest ripple of released aura caused subtle distortions in space itself.
Dalton's forehead beaded with sweat.
For the first time in a long while—
He wholeheartedly agreed with Kurus's judgment.
Without even using the Profound Mysteries—
This man might already rival a Four-Star Fiend purely through divine power alone.
"You are Dalton?"
"Yes, Lord Locke."
Dalton did not straighten his back.
"What message does Prefect Kurus send?"
Dalton inhaled carefully.
"Prefect Kurus says he greatly anticipates this battle."
"He wishes to witness greater power."
"He also believes that allowing Lord Locke to remain outside the gates may be misinterpreted as an attempt to unsettle you."
"So—"
"Nightblaze Prefecture formally recognizes Fiends' privileges here."
"You are invited to enter the city and rest properly before the battle."
Silence followed.
Wind passed gently through the newly constructed shelters.
The eyes of countless Fiends turned toward Locke.
Privilege.
Would he accept?
Or refuse?
The entire prefecture waited for his answer.
⭐ Enjoying the story?
You can read ahead and support the translations by joining my Patreon! Your support helps me update faster and take on more projects. Thank you for reading!
Read up to 50 chapters ahead!
patreon.com/AminaSims
Next Bonus Chapter at 200 powerstones.