Meanwhile, in the outer territories of the demon realm, a figure walked casually in the corridors of the castle, it's footsteps echoing against the floor. All the guards of the castle surrounded him—spears raised.
The facial expression of the guards was a mixture of confusion and fear, as the figure was none other than the Demon King.
It was unusual for the Demon King to be in the outer territories, which were ruled by his brother—Haida—especially considering that the two brothers were never on good terms.
Haida refused to be ruled by his brother, so he established a small kingdom for himself where he ruled over his followers. This place came to be known as the outer territories. Here, life was not as comfortable as that of the main kingdom. Food was hard to come by, but even so, what made this place unique was that no one here was discriminated against—demi-demons, the mentally disabled, the condemned—all were welcome.
Now, unexpectedly, here was the Demon King walking casually with a smile on his face despite the tension. The guards led him to a door at the end of the hall. A chill run down the spine of the guard who stood at the door as he saw the Demon King. He looked at the guards that brought him—they too were shivering, breathing heavily and sweating.
For a moment, there was silence. Then the Demon King spoke.
"Are you all just going to be looking at each other?" he said, turning his head to look at the guards behind. "I'm in a hurry."
One of the guards dropped his spear at the sight of the king looking at him.
"Don't be afraid, little one," he said with a chuckle. He knelt down and picked up the spear.
All the guards were startled, as they held on to their spears—hands shaking, breathing heavy.
"Why are you so afraid?" he said, his voice laced with mockery as he stood up and handed the spear to the guard. "There you go."
He turned to the guard at the door. "Well, open up."
The guard hesitated, then opened the door slowly. The Demon King, still surrounded by the nervous guards, entered the room—this was the throne room for Haida, inside the room was Haida, a demon with long black hair and piercing blue eyes, he sat on his throne at the end the room.
At the sight of his brother, Haida stood up from his seat. His face was laced with confusion. Everyone in the room was surprised at the sight of the Demon King.
"What do you want here?" Haida shouted, pointing a finger at the Demon King.
"Temper. Temper, little brother," the Demon King replied. "Control your temper."
"What did you say?"
"I would like to discuss something with you in private."
Haida hesitated for a moment, then gestured for everyone in the room to leave.
"My lord, are you sure about this?" his advisor asked, voice laced with concern. "We can't leave you alone."
"Kith, leave."
Kith lowered his head. "As you wish, my lord."
Kith and the others left the room and closed the doors, leaving the two brothers alone.
For a moment there was silence as Haida and the Demon king locked gazes.
"I know you are not Yugo," Haida said, his tone serious. "Reveal yourself."
"Oh, uncle, nothing gets past you," the Demon King said, a smile playing on his lips, as his body started changing its form. "And isn't everyone not supposed to call His Majesty by his name?"
After the transformation, what stood in front of Haida was not the Demon King but his son, Maelthor, a tall figure. His eyes darted from place to place as if he were looking for something lost.
"Your Sin Affinity of envy really is powerful," Haida admitted. "You managed to fool everyone into thinking you are the Demon King," he paused, "but even though you were able to shape-shift into the Demon King, the demonic energy radiating from you is not his. Though it is similar, it is still weaker."
"Spot on again, uncle. Though my main Sin Affinity allows me to shape-shift into anyone I've seen and mimic their abilities, the abilities will not be of the same level as the original," he said as he walked toward a chair on the left side of the room and sat.
"What brings you here, Maelthor?" Haida asked, sitting down on his chair. "Why come disguised as my brother?"
"I didn't want anyone to know it was me who was here," he replied, looking directly at Haida. "If they knew, my plan would be in jeopardy."
"Your plan?"
"Yes, uncle—my plan."
"What plan are you talking about?"
Maelthor remained silent for a moment, his hands twitching.
"To kill the king."
Haida slightly tensed in his sit at the words.
"Maelthor, are you insane? You truly think you can kill the king?"
"Not me," he paused. "Us."
Haida remained silent once again, studying Maelthor's face.
"Do you really think we are on the same level as the Demon King?"
"The old Demon King? No—we would be dead in seconds," Maelthor replied as he got up and went to touch a statue situated in the corner of the room. "But this one... there might be a chance."
"What do you mean, 'this one'?"
"Come on, you know what I'm talking about. Haven't you noticed the shift in behavior ever since he returned from the battle against the Netherbound Spirits?"
Haida remained silent.
"Ever since he returned, that's when you and he became on bad terms—as he declared rules that led to the mistreatment of weak demons," Maelthor continued as he tapped the statue with a finger. "He even created a rule which suggested that demons and humans are not to elope. Not only that, but even his demonic energy has lowered. It is still powerful—but it has declined."
"Are you saying he is weaker now?"
"As compared to back then? I'd say yes. But even so, I need your help, uncle. Let's end him before he ruins our realm."
Haida chuckled. "I know you are just doing this for yourself. And when we take him down, you will be the king?"
"No... no, uncle," he shook his head. "You will. But you will allow me to rule a quarter of the realm."
"What of the other princes? Will they allow it?"
"Uncle, as of now the king has not chosen anyone to be his successor. And if he were to die, his brother—you—are the rightful successor."
A small smile played on Haida's lips.
Maelthor walked back and sat on the chair.
"I believe we have a mutual understanding."