Although a Demigod's divine sense could only extend a hundred meters, and a God's only a few thousand—
At those levels, divine sense was not significantly superior to the five senses of a divine body.
For divine experts, a few hundred meters was nothing.
If they listened carefully, they could hear every word.
And so—
When Dalton announced that Prefect Kurus formally recognized Fiend privileges within Nightblaze Prefecture—
The entire gathering heard it.
Ten years earlier, when Locke had challenged Kurus, countless Fiends had already begun traveling to Nightblaze to await the grand event.
In those years, the Fiends had thoroughly investigated the prefecture's forces and its strongest experts.
Dalton was no mere steward.
He was Kurus's most trusted subordinate—
And among all of Nightblaze Prefecture, aside from Kurus himself, he ranked within the top three in strength.
By Fiend Castle standards, Dalton was at least a Five-Star Fiend.
His true form was that of a divine beast — the Giant Demon Sea Siren.
While not quite comparable to certain special lifeforms, his body was still extraordinarily powerful.
More importantly—
As a divine beast, he possessed a powerful innate divine ability: "Siren's Howl."
A large-scale soul attack.
Many Highgods had fallen beneath it.
With that innate ability, Dalton secured a firm place even among Five-Star Fiends.
When such a figure came personally to speak before Lord Locke—
How could it not draw attention?
Yet no one expected that before the battle even began—
Kurus would publicly acknowledge Fiend privileges.
The surprise among the Fiends was impossible to hide.
"Oh?"
Even Locke showed slight surprise when he heard Dalton's message.
He had not expected that Kurus—whose seat he had come to challenge—would not only show no hostility, but openly recognize Fiend status within Nightblaze.
Whatever else could be said—
This Prefect possessed remarkable bearing.
"Very well," Locke said calmly.
"Since Prefect Kurus has arranged matters thus, it would be ungracious of me to refuse."
He looked at Dalton.
"Please convey a message for me."
"Tell Prefect Kurus that I accept this goodwill."
"And after our battle concludes—"
"If he is willing, we may discuss the future development of the Fiend Castle."
Dalton's heart jolted.
Such confidence.
The battle had not even begun, yet Locke spoke as though Kurus's defeat were inevitable.
It was clear—
Locke intended to draw Kurus into the Fiend Castle.
Which, in truth, aligned perfectly with Kurus's own thoughts.
However, Dalton could not agree openly on Kurus's behalf.
That would undermine his lord's dignity.
He bowed respectfully.
"I understand, Lord Locke. I will deliver your words."
"As for the Prefect's decision… that lies beyond the authority of a servant."
"That is enough," Locke replied.
After Dalton departed, Locke rose into the air.
He hovered above the Fiends.
Then—
His divine power erupted outward.
Ninefold Highgod divine power.
The air rippled visibly.
Space itself shimmered.
In an instant, Locke became the undisputed focal point outside Nightblaze's gates.
"Fiends!" he called.
"Rejoice!"
"Prefect Kurus has just declared that within Nightblaze Prefecture, Fiends shall enjoy the same privileges granted in other cities!"
"This means that the Prefect acknowledges you as elites among divine experts!"
"He recognizes your right to stand above the common ranks!"
His voice carried effortlessly across the plains.
"I hope that when you enter Nightblaze—"
"You maintain the pride of a Fiend."
"Do not tarnish your own name."
A heartbeat of silence—
Then—
"OH!"
"OH!"
"OH!"
The roar shook the heavens.
Tools were dropped.
Work ceased.
The Fiends erupted in cheers.
It was never about the queue.
It was never about the entrance fee.
Before becoming Fiends, they had endured such things countless times.
But today—
Locke had shown them something different.
Fiends possess pride.
If a city refuses to grant Fiends their due—
Even if it is a prefecture capital—
They will not lower themselves to enter.
Because they are elites.
Because they are Fiends.
What followed pleased Locke deeply.
Even after receiving official recognition—
The Fiends did not rush inside.
Instead, they dismantled every shelter they had constructed.
They cleaned the grounds.
They restored everything to its original state.
Only after leaving the area pristine did they don their Fiend badges proudly—
And enter Nightblaze under the envious gazes of those still waiting in line.
Rockpeak approached Locke with a grin.
"This Prefect Kurus is farsighted."
As one of Locke's earliest followers, Rockpeak had already guessed Kurus's intentions.
Locke merely smiled.
"Perhaps congratulations are in order, Lord Locke," Rockpeak continued.
"Soon, the Fiend Castle may gain a Six-Star Fiend."
Locke shook his head.
"Not one."
Rockpeak blinked.
Locke's gaze grew distant.
"Rockpeak. Ryan."
"You two followed me from the very beginning."
"You are the ones I value most."
"I will not stop at Nightblaze."
"This prefecture is merely the prelude to stepping fully onto Hell's grand stage."
"After defeating Kurus—"
"Every thousand years, I will challenge another Prefect."
The words fell like thunder.
"Perhaps, in time, those Prefects will all become Fiends of the Castle."
"One hundred and eight prefectures."
"At minimum, that means one hundred and eight Six-Star Fiends."
He turned toward them.
"I do not want you to fall behind."
"In this thousand-year period, I want the Fiend Castle to cover every city within Nightblaze."
"And I want your strength to rise another level."
Rockpeak and Ryan both fell silent.
Locke continued.
"The fusion of Profound Mysteries will not remain secret forever."
"The next generation will grow with better resources."
"Better instruction."
"Clearer paths."
"The strength of Hell's experts will only increase."
"What qualifies someone as a Prefect today—"
"In billions of years, may only qualify them to command a regiment."
The weight of that truth settled heavily.
They had been fortunate.
They had boarded the first ship of fortune when Locke founded the Fiend Castle.
But if they stagnated—
They would be surpassed.
Five-Star Fiends would no longer stand at the top.
Only Six-Star Fiends would command presence.
Seven-Star Fiends—
Or Asura-level experts—
Would shape the tides of Hell.
Rockpeak's expression hardened.
"I understand, Lord Locke."
"In recent years… I have grown complacent."
"After witnessing your battle, I will request assignments to expand the Fiend Castle further."
"In the thousand years you grant us—I will strive to reach Six-Star Fiend level."
Ryan glanced between them.
Then finally grunted:
"…Same."
As news spread that Locke had arrived in Nightblaze—
Streams of Highgods began descending from every direction.
Within ten years—
More than three thousand Highgods had gathered.
Nearly half of Nightblaze's Highgods had come to witness this spectacle.
Before traveling, many had even registered at Fiend Castles in other cities.
After all—
Fiends enjoyed privileges here.
And with Fiends striding proudly past the gates—
Which Highgod would willingly queue?
Even if their strength was sufficient—
Without a Fiend badge, the gazes of Demigods and Gods carried faint disdain.
Thus—
The number of registered Fiends surged.
Especially Highgods.
Most were certified as Three-Star Fiends.
Advancement to Four-Star required evaluation by a Five-Star Fiend—
And nearly all Five-Star Fiends were already in Nightblaze.
But few minded.
They had registered primarily to avoid being slighted.
As for star advancement—
Surely Lord Locke would address it after the battle.
The entire prefecture held its breath.
Excitement swelled.
Tension tightened.
And finally—
The appointed day arrived.
The day of battle between Locke and Kurus—
Had come.
⭐ 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.