Back at the Nightfall Tower…
At the topmost floor, within the Demon Lord's throne room, the Arch-Demons were kneeling in orderly silence.
Raya sat upon his throne, composed and still, while Lira stood quietly at his side.
"Welcome back, my lord," several voices echoed in unison.
"How was the sightseeing?" Claire asked, unable to hide her excitement.
Clara immediately reached out and tugged her sister's sleeve, urging her to calm down and mind her manners before their lord.
Raya chuckled softly. "It's fine. It was… pleasant."
After a brief pause, he continued, "That reminds me. There is a small village a few miles from here that will now fall under our protection. Ura, you will be responsible for it."
Ura, a diamond-green-bodied demon and guardian of the Sixth Floor, bowed deeply.
"Yes, my lord."
Raya's gaze swept across the kneeling Arch-Demons.
"The real reason I summoned you all," he said calmly, "is because there is a certain city I intend to destroy. Consider it a welcome celebration for my reign."
The atmosphere in the hall subtly shifted as the Arch-Demons straightened, their attention fully focused.
"Lira," Raya said, "report your findings."
Lira stepped forward, a faint smile resting on her lips.
"Thank you, my lord. After completing the task you assigned me, I uncovered the following information."
She spoke clearly, her tone steady.
"Zach is the son of the noble currently governing the city. Both of his parents are still alive. He also has a twin sister, who appears to be an ordinary human."
She continued without pause.
"Zach himself is a C-rank mage adventurer and co-founder of a guild. However, the current guild leader of the Blue Phoenix Guild is an A-rank adventurer who possesses a rare blue flame ability, one with healing properties."
Soft murmurs spread through the throne room.
"Despite her reputation as a righteous individual," Lira added, "she operates under the noble's influence, as Zach's father is the third younger brother of the King of the Western Region."
A translucent notification appeared before Raya's eyes.
[Congratulations for learning more about this world's power ranking.]
[Power Level Ranking System unlocked.]
Raya dismissed it without reaction, keeping his focus on Lira as she finished detailing Zach's background, family, and connections.
"My lord," Ura spoke up, "if you don't mind me asking, why gather so much information? Why not simply descend upon them and drown the city in terror?"
Several Arch-Demons shared the same curiosity.
Before Raya could respond, Lucifer spoke.
"Our lord has a plan," Lucifer said calmly. "Unlike previous Demon Lords, he does not seek blind destruction. He intends to dismantle the city from within."
Lucifer's gaze sharpened slightly.
"And what better way than through the noble family that rules it?"
Raya blinked once, momentarily surprised by the accuracy of the assessment.
The Arch-Demons, however, were visibly impressed.
"As expected of our lord," some murmured, a few even clapping in approval.
Raya shifted slightly on his throne and cleared his throat.
"Thank you, Lucifer. You understand my intentions well."
He then turned his attention to Claire.
"Claire, you will work alongside Lira," Raya instructed. "Use your ability on the noble's daughter. Once she is under control, Lira will take over."
Lira inclined her head in acknowledgment.
"The objective," Raya continued, his voice steady, "is to destroy the noble family from within before we move on to the city itself."
His gaze hardened, "When this is over, I want every one of their heads placed before me."
"Your will is our absolute command," the Arch-Demons replied in unison.
With a subtle wave of his hand, Raya dismissed them because he wanted to check his system notification.
One by one, the Arch-Demons departed to their respective floors.
---
One month later…
Stacks of documents filled the office, spreading across desks and tables as several officials worked in tense silence.
Zach shook his aching right hand, flexing his fingers before rolling his shoulders. His body creaked in protest.
It felt as though every bone in his body was begging for rest.
Unfortunately, the workload showed no signs of slowing. Reports, requests, and internal affairs continued to flood his office without end.
Under normal circumstances, he would have delegated the work. However, there was no one he could truly entrust with it.
In truth, Zach was the actual guild leader of the Blue Phoenix Guild. The so-called public leader was merely a front. As a C-rank adventurer, he had been ineligible to form a guild on his own, a privilege reserved for A-rank or S-rank adventurers.
He hadn't had a single day of rest since news of the Demon Lord's birth surfaced, compounded by growing internal guild issues.
Zach lifted his pen once more, scanned the document before him, and signed and stamped it.
After repeating the motion for the eighth time, a knock sounded at the door.
He sighed. More documents, probably.
A knight stood outside.
"I apologize for disturbing you, sir, but Madam Sofia requests your presence at the mansion."
That wasn't what he expected, yet it was no less troublesome.
"I'm busy," Zach replied. "Tell her we'll speak when I return home. Perhaps during dinner."
"Yes, sir."
The knight departed, but Zach already knew Sofia wouldn't accept that answer.
Barely a minute later, another knock followed.
The same knight stood there again, wearing an awkward expression.
"I'm very sorry, sir. She said… if you don't come immediately, she may spread certain rumors. Whether they're true or not."
Zach let out a dry chuckle, "Threats now?"
He didn't believe his sister would truly go that far, but if rumors spread, his workload and problems would only worsen.
"Fine," he said, standing. "Tell her I'm on my way."
"Yes, sir."
After the door closed, Zach muttered to himself, "Well… at least I get a break."
He left his office and headed straight for the inner district.
The mansion he arrived at was unmistakably noble in stature. Knights and maids bowed respectfully as he passed.
"Where is Sofia?" Zach asked.