While Zaloria and Flowerhell were walking and exchanging conversation in the Abyss.
Flowerhell began thinking about several things he did not understand about the Abyss, and he started to ask:
"—My lady! May I know what the Black Darkness is, please? And who are its twenty guardians?"
Zaloria stopped talking and smiled, as if she had found an interesting topic to speak about:
"—Very well, let me tell you everything.
The Black Darkness is, in truth, the beating heart of the Underworld. It is not merely infinite universes condensed into a single point,
But it is also the sole source of energy for all demonic power, abilities, and skills throughout all existence."
Flowerhell's eyes widened in astonishment at what he heard, and he said:
"—Does that mean that if it were to disappear, all demonic power would disappear as well?"
Zaloria replied:
"—Yes. If the Black Darkness were to disappear, then every demon in the Underworld—from the weakest demon to Nagreal Q-O Mugen—would all lose their power.
And most likely, they would be erased from existence entirely, as if history and time had never written them even once. They would vanish from all records of existence, and so would the Underworld itself…!
And not only is the Black Darkness the sole source of energy for all demons in existence and the Underworld in all its layers,
It has also been continuously building the Underworld since its creation until this very day.
Moreover, it is the place that contains the Seven Forbidden Weapons of Destruction.
If those weapons were to emerge into the outside world, I would not be surprised if the entire cosmic order fell into chaos—one that even the Rulers would be unable to repair."
Flowerhell began to think and said:
"—If it is a place of such importance, why is it protected by twenty individuals and not by the Ten Progenitors, who are the strongest inhabitants of the Underworld after the Demon Lady and Progenitor Zero?"
Zaloria said:
"—A good point. Yes, it may seem illogical, but I am the one who chose those twenty individuals to guard the Black Darkness.
I chose them because they were the most loyal people to me—to the extent that I consider them companions rather than followers.
And also because their authority within the Abyss is nearly on the same level as mine, yet despite that, they never moved on their own accord and remained loyal to me.
And because their power was extraordinarily immense—each of them possesses horns ranging from six to eleven, and wings ranging from four to fourteen. That alone shows the extent of their power.
Throughout the entire history of the Underworld since its beginning, no one has ever reached such numbers of wings and horns.
They are immensely powerful and are close to the level of the Ten Progenitors."
Flowerhell said:
"—So their only mission is to protect the Black Darkness?"
Zaloria answered him:
"—Yes, that is their sole mission.
I told them clearly: even if I were killed before your eyes and the Underworld were destroyed with everything in it, you are not to move from your place nor leave the Black Darkness unguarded.
Leaving it unguarded, even for a fraction of a second, could mean plunging the entire world into absolute terror during that brief moment.
I also told them that no one is allowed to enter that place—not even me, Progenitor Zero, or the other progenitors."
At that moment, Flowerhell understood the true importance of the Black Darkness, whose significance he had been ignorant of:
"—I understand now the reason behind the strict protection surrounding it."
Zaloria raised an eyebrow and asked curiously:
"—Have you ever gone there?"
Flowerhell replied while scratching his head and laughing nervously:
"—Yes, I went there once, and I was shocked when someone attacked me without any prior warning and tried to kill me—
Even though he knew that I am one of the progenitors."
Zaloria laughed:
"—It must have been Yuratsu who attacked you. He is the only one who attacks without any regard for who you are—anyone who approaches is attacked without warning, as if he were a robot."
Flowerhell said:
"—He was truly strong. When I looked at his horns, I found that he had around seven horns. I nearly died from shock.
And his pressure was extremely intense—I had great difficulty fighting him."
Zaloria replied:
"—Yes, I do not blame you. He is truly aggressive, yet more loyal than anyone else.
He resembles a demonic angel."
Flowerhell said:
"—He must be the most dangerous among them, right?"
Zaloria's gaze sharpened, and the atmosphere suddenly became serious:
"—No. That would be Lilith Rava."
Flowerhell asked:
"—Who is she?"
Zaloria spoke in a solemn tone, as if she were speaking of a legendary figure whose presence extended through the roots of all history:
"—She is the strongest guardian among the twenty.
She possesses fourteen torn black wings, and her long crimson-red hair flows behind her like a curtain.
She has eleven horns, and she always keeps her eyes closed. When I asked her about the reason, she said, 'The Underworld is a hideous place, and I do not wish to look at it ever again.'
She sings often, appearing like a crying angel when she sings. Her gentle voice brings misery, sorrow, and destruction. It is said that when she sings, she weeps like the angels.
The reason for her tears is that she sees people dying because of her sweet voice. Her voice is truly beautiful, yet it is like thorns growing inside the body—destroying it slowly and without mercy.
She is an angel, yet a demon.
A celestial demon.
Terrifying and bloodstained, yet at the same time angelic and innocent.
It is said that when she speaks, the entire Underworld falls silent to listen to her words.
She is known as the Crimson-Haired Demoness, or the Celestial Demon.
She is the one among the twenty whom I least wish to be at odds with, because she is my strongest weapon—and I do not wish to lose her.
When I was searching for twenty individuals to protect the Black Darkness, I felt no unease or fear toward the others. But when I met her—
I felt that something was wrong about her. Her aura was so immense that the air itself felt as if it were crushing you entirely, as though you were being trampled by a meteor.
When I tested all twenty, I felt no threat coming from them. But she was…
Somewhat terrifying. Yet her appearance gives you a sense of peace and comfort, as if she were an angel born in hell."
---
Elsewhere in the Abyss, far away from Zaloria and Flowerhell's location.
A girl was lying asleep on a massive rock, singing softly and peacefully. Her voice was truly sweet, effortlessly enchanting the mind as if it were a spell that drew in anyone who heard it.
Her appearance was angelic, yet behind that angel dwelled a terrifying demon—even demons themselves feared her.
Innocence mixed with pure and absolute evil.
Her eleven horns rose from her head like swords searching for an enemy, and her torn black wings looked as if she had endured a long battle against millions of dragons.
She possessed an awe-inspiring and frightening presence, yet at the same time, she was irresistibly alluring. No one could resist her beauty or her sweet voice, and no one could hide the terror they felt when approaching her.
It is said that no one has approached her for many long years, for a single glance from her is enough to make a person die from fear.
She stopped singing, turned toward the direction of Zaloria and Flowerhell, and said coldly in an angelic voice:
"—Are you talking about me, my dear Zaloria?"
She laughed softly.
Then she vanished beneath the shadows of the moon.
To be continued…