The Desolate Fallen Continent was located at the southern end of the Theia Continent and served as the homeland of the demonkin. Not only was this land poor in resources, but it also had far more magical beasts than any other region, creating an extremely harsh living environment.
Of course, these were not the greatest threats to the demonkin.
The biggest threat to them came from a mysterious place even farther south called the Thousand Sea Abyss.
Within the Thousand Sea Abyss lived monsters even more terrifying than magical beasts—Abyssal Beasts. From time to time, some of these Abyssal Beasts would leave the Thousand Sea Abyss and enter the Desolate Fallen Continent, attacking the demonkin who lived there.
In the minds of demonkin, the Thousand Sea Abyss was a dangerously uninhabitable zone.
However…
There were always exceptions in this world that defied common sense.
For example, the Abyssal Demoness—who caused both Kurei and Melu to change color in fear—lived inside the Thousand Sea Abyss.
“Lord Demon King, I’ve heard that the Abyssal Demoness is extremely powerful—she’s already a top-tier expert above the Legendary rank,” Melu said. “But she’s temperamental and capricious. She deeply loathes everyone except herself and transforms every demonkin she meets into Abyssal Beasts, trapping them forever in the lightless Thousand Sea Abyss.”
“Yeah, Lord Demon King. Everyone is terrified of the Abyssal Demoness. Why are you still thinking of going to find her?” Kurei asked, completely puzzled.
Via summoned Desolate Fire.
“Lord Demon King, what’s the matter? You called for me?”
Desolate Fire immediately entered a battle-ready stance.
“Is there something interesting you want me to cut down? Let me make this clear first—I’m a Legendary weapon. I only cut down powerful things. If it’s too trashy or too weak, I’m not interested. It would damage my record!”
“There’s nothing for you to cut. I’m eating right now,” Via replied.
“Huh? Then why did you call me? Wait, you want me to run errands again? No way. You’ve already found yourself some maids, so don’t make me do those things. I’m a weapon, you know!”
“Can’t you be a little more well-behaved?”
Via felt a headache coming on.
Desolate Fire was indeed an excellent weapon. If only she could keep her mouth shut forever, she would be the best weapon in the world.
Via hadn’t even said anything, yet Desolate Fire could chatter on endlessly.
“Desolate Fire, do you still remember where we first met?”
“Of course! It was in the Thousand Sea Abyss!” Desolate Fire answered. “If it weren’t for you, I really would have been stuck in that lightless place forever. Speaking of which, it still pisses me off—that old hag just dumped me in her collection room and couldn’t even be bothered to dust me off—”
“Thousand Sea Abyss?”
Kurei was surprised upon hearing Desolate Fire’s words.
“Lord Demon King, was Desolate Fire previously in the Thousand Sea Abyss?”
“Yes,” Via glanced at Desolate Fire. “I brought her out from the Thousand Sea Abyss in the past.”
“Then the ‘old hag’ Desolate Fire mentioned is…?” Melu had already guessed something.
“It’s the Abyssal Demoness.”
“Lord Demon King, you actually know the Abyssal Demoness!!”
Kurei’s face was filled with disbelief.
Throughout the entire Desolate Fallen Continent, no one had ever made contact with the Abyssal Demoness. Those who had seen her were basically all dead!
“Hey, it’s not as exaggerated as you two make it sound. Those are all rumors the old thing deliberately fabricated and spread. She just doesn’t want anyone disturbing her in the Thousand Sea Abyss!”
Desolate Fire began talking nonstop about the Abyssal Demoness.
“However, her personality is indeed strange. It’s true she doesn’t like seeing people. She’s extremely narcissistic and believes she’s the strongest in the entire world while everyone else is an idiot. She thinks interacting with idiots would make her stupid too. But honestly, I’d say she’s the real idiot—she stays shut inside all day tinkering with this and that, obsessing over trivial details with no one there to snap her out of it!”
“Lord Demon King, you’re amazing!” Kurei looked at her with admiration.
“Actually, I’m not that familiar with the Abyssal Demoness,” Via said. “I explored the Thousand Sea Abyss out of curiosity in the past and encountered her. Although I never met her true body, we did exchange a few words. She… really is a peculiar person, living alone in the Thousand Sea Abyss. I don’t know why.”
Via recalled some past events.
Out of curiosity, she had gone to the Thousand Sea Abyss to investigate why Abyssal Beasts were born there.
There, she had encountered a clone of the Abyssal Demoness and even fought against it.
Only after the battle proved her strength did the Abyssal Demoness finally agree to communicate with her previous self.
After Via explained her purpose, the Abyssal Demoness warned that the Thousand Sea Abyss was too dangerous and told her not to venture any deeper.
Considering that this was only a clone and not the true body—which was definitely far more powerful—she decided not to escalate the conflict.
Thus, she agreed to the Abyssal Demoness’s request and prepared to leave the Thousand Sea Abyss.
Right before she left, the Abyssal Demoness suddenly had an idea and made her take a mysterious test.
That mysterious test was to gain the recognition of Desolate Fire.
“In short, after many things happened, I passed Desolate Fire’s test and left the Thousand Sea Abyss with this Legendary weapon.”
“So that’s how it was,” Kurei blinked.
“Lord Demon King, are you planning to ask the Abyssal Demoness for help?” Melu seemed to understand.
“Originally, I planned to go to the Thousand Sea Abyss only after I became strong enough. But… given the current situation, it seems I don’t have much time,” Via replied.
“Lord Demon King, although the Abyssal Demoness isn’t as terrifying as the rumors say, if you go find her in your current state, you’ll definitely die,” Desolate Fire warned. “When she sees you now, she’ll definitely think you’re a complete idiot and kill you on the spot.”
“I know.”
Via understood.
The Abyssal Demoness had wanted to kill her even in the past, though her strength back then had been decent.
Now, however, she was nowhere near her previous level. The other party probably wouldn’t even give her a chance to speak before attacking.
But I still have to try. In such a short time, there’s no way for me to become stronger quickly. I can only rely on these unconventional methods.
“Alright, since you’re so determined, I have nothing more to say. Worst case, I’ll just go back to that old hag’s collection room,” Desolate Fire said somewhat helplessly.
Both Kurei and Melu looked worried.
Melu in particular wanted to persuade Via to stay here instead of seeking out the Abyssal Demoness.
However, when she saw the resolute look on Via’s face, she remembered the past.
If Ville had been such a timid person, he would never have been able to claim the Demon King’s throne, and she herself would never have become his maid.
“Alright, Lord Demon King, I support you!!”