The Demon Lord returned to one of his private chambers, his imposing form moving gracefully through the dimly lit corridors. The faint crimson glow of his unleashed power clung to the air, casting sinister shadows that seemed to bow before him. Behind him, Mira and Baphomet retreated to their own quarters to rest. Mira, weary from the day’s events, slipped into bed without delay, finding solace in the heavy silence that surrounded her. Meanwhile, Baphomet remained ever-vigilant, his dark eyes scanning the room as he resumed his constant watch over her. His commitment to his duty was unyielding, though the tension in his form betrayed lingering traces of frustration and bitterness.

  Inside the Demon Lord’s chambers, however, the atmosphere was far from restful. As he entered, he was greeted by an unexpected sight. Insight and Greed knelt before him, their postures tense and deferential, flanking what appeared to be a golden statue of Ciel. The Archdemon’s body was encased in a radiant gilded prison, shimmering faintly under the room’s ominous glow.

  The Demon Lord didn’t bother to ask for an explanation. A single glance at their expressions—taut with unease—was enough to tell him they had failed. Yet, rather than displaying anger, his crimson eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. “Greed,” he ordered, his voice calm and commanding, “fetch me a chair.”

  Without hesitation, Greed moved swiftly, retrieving an ornate chair and placing it behind her master. The Demon Lord seated himself with an air of relaxed authority, his piercing gaze fixated on his subordinates. “Now,” he began, his voice carrying an edge of dark amusement, “explain why Ciel is imprisoned.”

  Despite his seemingly entertained demeanor, Insight and Greed knew better than to lower their guard. The weight of their failure lingered in the air, thick with unspoken tension. Both demons were acutely aware that their master’s wrath, while not yet evident, was an ever-present danger.

  Insight bowed her head slightly, her tone steady though tinged with regret. “Lord, our infiltration was successful,” she said, her words carefully chosen. “But after investigating the Emerald Tree, Ciel was overtaken by its magic.”

  The Demon Lord’s gaze sharpened, though his smirk remained. “Were you discovered?”

  “No, Lord,” Greed replied quickly. “We were heard for a brief moment but not seen.”

  “Good,” he mused, rising from his chair and approaching the golden form of Ciel. He examined the Archdemon’s gilded prison with a scrutinizing eye, his fingers grazing the smooth surface. “Now, free him. I wish to see this madness for myself.”

  Greed obeyed with a flick of her hand, her golden magic dissolving into motes of light. Ciel collapsed to the ground, his breaths coming in sharp gasps as he returned to consciousness. His purple eyes flickered before settling back into their usual hue, and the wildness that had consumed him seemed to have abated.

  “He looks fine now,” the Demon Lord observed, his voice laced with curiosity. “How peculiar.” He returned to his seat, leaning back with a deliberate air of control. “Ciel, care to explain?”

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  Taking a moment to gather himself, Ciel slowly rose to one knee, his head bowed in submission. “Lord,” he began, his voice hoarse but steady, “my apologies for the delayed report. Despite the… complications, I was successful in my task. There was, however, an unexpected retaliation from the World Magic emanating from the tree.”

  Insight and Greed exchanged startled glances, their surprise evident. The news that Ciel had accomplished his objective, even in the face of overwhelming forces, was unexpected. It reframed their perspective on the mission’s outcome.

  The Demon Lord’s smile returned, predatory and pleased. “Is that so? And what, pray tell, is this World Magic you speak of?”

  The Archdemons recounted their encounter with the Emerald Tree, describing the mystical energy that had enveloped the chamber and the realization of World Energy’s existence—an energy distinct from arcane, divine, or demonic power, and one wholly absent from Hell. The Demon Lord listened intently, his interest piqued as he absorbed their revelations.

  “How very interesting,” he murmured, his tone dripping with satisfaction. “This explains how that wretched Dream was able to create an alternate space of his own design. The gods are not as mighty as they claim; they have merely mastered the manipulation of this World Energy. No wonder they seek to dominate this planet. If even a lesser god like Dream could amplify his divine power with it, then it stands to reason that the others have done the same.” His crimson gaze burned brighter as he relished the implications of this newfound knowledge—a new avenue to further his own ascent.

  Ciel continued, emboldened by his master’s approval. “Lord, by manipulating the World Energy, I identified a weakness in the southern side of the barrier. I further weakened it during my study. The breach is small enough that even Mira could destroy it now. With your permission, I will send the angel back to her master. Based on her intelligence, the God of Sun will mobilize his army and arrive by tomorrow.”

  The Demon Lord clapped his hands, his laughter reverberating through the chamber. “Yes, go and do that. But before you go, one more question: based on your encounter with this World Energy, if someone were to harness the power of the Emerald Tree, how much stronger could they become?”

  Ciel’s lips curved into a faint smile. “Lord, the effect seems to vary. In that moment, I felt perhaps ten times stronger than usual. However, once removed from the tree’s influence, the effect faded.”

  The Demon Lord nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. Now leave me at once and carry out your scheme. I will wait.”

  Ciel bowed deeply before departing, his focus already shifting to the execution of his plan. Insight and Greed, however, lingered.

  “Now, Greed,” the Demon Lord said, turning his attention to her, “what did you notice about Ciel?”

  Greed hesitated, her golden eyes narrowing as she considered her reply. “Nothing, my Lord. He seems to be back to normal.”

  The Demon Lord chuckled softly, a knowing gleam in his eye. “I thought you might say that. Insight, despite what I know you have seen, I do not want you to act. I am curious to see what unfolds next. This World Energy introduces an unknown factor, and I welcome it.”

  Insight’s expression betrayed a flicker of unease, but she bowed in acknowledgment of his command. Greed, meanwhile, seemed perplexed, her confusion evident. Closing her eyes, she reached out with her senses to locate Ciel’s presence but found only emptiness. The realization sent a chill through her, one that Insight had already anticipated.

  “I now understand,” Insight murmured softly. “It is not what is there, but what is absent.”

  The Demon Lord’s laughter rang out, filled with excitement and anticipation. His demeanor was that of a child on the cusp of opening a long-awaited gift. The stage for the impending battle had grown far more complex. The God of Sun would arrive to claim Verdince and the Emerald Tree, humanity would fight to protect their home, and the Demon Lord would seek to harvest every ounce of power from the chaos. Yet, amidst it all, the Emerald Tree itself loomed as an enigmatic force, its influence spreading like ripples through the vast web of fate—a power with its own designs, now seemingly poised to make its move.