Thousand-Faced Dragon

Chapter 282 The Devil's Plan

The devil is a big problem.

This is a consensus among many races in the main plane.

Demons only need killing and flesh and blood. Even when they come to the ground, they basically just go on a killing spree. But don't be fooled by how many they kill. In fact, they rarely destroy a city completely (people can run away).

In most cases, they would fight each other and then somehow turn into internal strife, happily fighting each other in a chaotic mess.

Even if there are great demon lords or archdemons who can command demon armies, they will still become the common enemy of the prime plane.

Various ethnic groups, nations, and deities would actively intervene. Even the Demon Grand Duke would basically just come up for a feast, a change of pace.

As long as there's a fight, they don't care who they're fighting. In fact, they prefer other demons, devils, and powerful creatures from higher planes to the fragile earthlings.

The demons, though their total population and high-level combat power may be less than one percent of the endless demons, are regarded as an equal evil by most other races.

"Tsk tsk tsk, you came too fast, too fast, but there are too few of you, it's such a pity."

Julian, having revealed the true form of the Chain Demon, smiled quite happily.

He had waited far too long for this day.

He was tired of it all, tired of playing the role of some kind of high mage in this rural place, tired of teaching those stupid and filthy "animal" magic secrets.

Many beings have some misunderstandings about devils and demons, thinking that they are some kind of hellish creatures, only good at certain things, and using data and lists to assess their abilities.

The most common misconception is that demons with magical attributes are skilled in magic, melee units like devils only wield decapitation swords, and succubi only know how to charm.

In fact, as long-lived beings, they can learn various professions and abilities on their own, and can even make their professional abilities surpass their innate abilities. Many devils and demons do not do this because their own innate abilities are already strong enough.

The base number is too high; it takes a lot of effort to feel any positive benefits.

With that energy, one could perhaps achieve even greater things by advancing further in one's bloodline and in the ranks of the underworld.

The "Julian" before us is clearly an outlier.

As a chain demon skilled in melee combat, it has been lurking in this kingdom for at least thirty years, and has even become a well-known archmage in the kingdom.

"I originally thought that it would be Dania and the royal knights who would come looking for me. I even prepared a speech, intending to sow discord between mages and the royal family. I was even prepared to die on the grounds of 'betraying the archmage'."

Even when surrounded and attacked by the Radiant Guards, Julian still seemed to be in complete control.

He even had time to recount his schemes and inner thoughts, just like a traditional villain, but the Radiant Guardians did not respond to him.

The devil is a master of manipulating contracts and language. Many of his extraordinary abilities take effect through language. The most rational choice when fighting against him is to shut up.

"Heh, you should be wavering by now. Just the fact that Principal Julian is a cultist is enough to make you waver. Guess how many of my disciples and followers are devil believers, and how many are members of the Beast Cult?"

Julian’s words revealed an irrepressible joy.

To be honest, if it weren't for orders from his "superiors," he would have left this boring and tedious kingdom long ago. He was one of those who had witnessed the bizarre rise of the entire country when King Griffin ascended the throne.

Back then, he thought he could pull off a big move, but the entire kingdom was ruined, and the most disappointed were actually these "scheming men".

"By the way, even if you manage to return to the surface alive, and call me a traitor, a devil, how many people will believe me? I've already prepared a backup plan. Your 'lies' will only enrage my followers."

Chain Demon Julian seemed to have been holding back for too long, and happily began to tell his story.

When I was sent here, I thought it was a lucrative post where I could make a lot of money.

But the kingdom grew weaker day by day, and he, as a "spy," lost his value.

Later, surprisingly, because of his diligent work, he continuously gained "trust" and "promotion".

However, the demon race actually has a weakness.
"Fortunately, I've already been promoted to the highest possible level."

The devil is a symbol of the evil of order, and they have too many essential similarities with the "civil service system," and their evolution even requires approval from superiors.

Promotion slots are directly linked to positions and ranks; they even refer to "bloodline evolution" as "promotion," and their various workplace power struggles are comparable to those of palace intrigue masters.

In fact, Julian's behavior is not an isolated case. Many devils have an "addiction to power" and a "promotion addiction." They value advancement above all else, especially when guided by order and self-interest. Before being exposed, they can be the best lawyers, officials, and accountants. Skilled at manipulating the rules, if they really want to do something, normal people would never notice.

For Julian, navigating the political landscape during Griffin's era was fraught with difficulty. Too many unsavory elements had infiltrated the kingdom, with various foreign organizations and forces vying for power, making exposure a constant risk. In contrast, during the princess's era, the kingdom was plagued by a severe shortage of talent, and the various lurking organizations and forces had all fled, leaving only empty positions.

So, he really did become a court mage by accident, and even reached the top title of "Queen's Advisor" at one point. When he could rise no further, his "devilish official addiction" was finally satisfied, and he remembered that he seemed to be an inside man.

My boss has probably forgotten about me.

This is the most frustrating reality. The devilish bosses love to sow seeds and lay hidden pieces all over the world, but the devilish world is full of conspiracies and schemes. These hidden pieces are often just puppets of a certain boss. The energy of a person or a devil is limited. After ten or twenty years, they themselves will forget when they laid the plan.

Demons, being lawful creatures, naturally execute old commands when no new ones are given, embodying the typical example of someone who loves what they do.

You really don't need to worry too much about them playing tricks. As pure "contract creatures," when they are teachers, they will fulfill the contract between teacher and apprentice and focus on teaching. When they are doctors, they will honestly treat patients.

Of course, this is on the premise that no new orders have been issued.

"Fortunately, I have a new identity as a cult member."

This time, he performed as well as ever, and before anyone knew it, he had climbed back to the top spot.

"Since the Order of the Beasts is already turning against the Kingdom completely, let's seize this opportunity to cause a huge disturbance. No matter what you say when you go back, it won't matter. My betrayal is destined to bring distrust and separation."

Seemingly prepared, even in death it might just be a "return to purgatory," the Chain Demon is ready to announce its return to the lower plane through a conspiracy and internal strife.

However, when Claire looked up at the sky, she saw that the little mirror spirit, who was recording everything, had recorded it all.

Those nobles and high mages all saw your transformation. Did your schemes of sowing discord really work?
"Ah, yes, yes."

Claire nodded, then struck even harder.

It seems that the devil's old tricks are somewhat outdated.

But as a final "gift," Julian would clearly be at a huge loss if he didn't take away enough souls and lives.

"Well, since you're here, why not stay?"

Julian, somewhat disappointed, suddenly tapped his staff.

"Boom!" The entire ruins began to shake violently.

Suddenly, in the middle of the ruins, on each of the altars, passages leading to other realms opened up.

This is the headquarters of the cult, where sacrifices are just routine. With Julian's skill, it's far too easy for him to slightly modify the direction of the sacrifices. In fact, he personally wrote the current Protestant doctrinal texts.

The Order of the Beasts is so stable, in a sense, thanks to his excellent leadership. However, this devil has now chosen to betray us with pleasure!

Seeing the enormous pillar and dimensional gate that suddenly sprang up from the spot left Laker somewhat bewildered.

"Clap."

The first to appear were a large number of inferior demons, which seemed to be directly linked to the bottomless abyss.

This devil seems to have made a deal with the demon, intending to exchange a large number of souls and flesh for something.

Julian's earlier statement that "fewer people are coming" was not a lie. This underground city already had enough offerings, and the arrival of these alien creatures would naturally be thrown into the abyss by all living beings.

This was originally a deadly trap, but now it has been forced to start ahead of schedule, which Julian finds rather regrettable.

But that's precisely why he's always been indifferent.

Those hostages, those prisoners, could run, but how could they possibly outrun the endless army of hell?

It would be a pity if all life and souls were harvested; he also wanted to harvest more "noble souls" from the earth.

Those prisoners who were killed and sacrificed could naturally be exchanged for more from the demon lord.

Sacrifice is like a snowball effect; the more you kill, the more and stronger the demons you attract, and then even more demons are summoned through further sacrifices.

"When this underground ruin is filled with filthy and foolish demons, your plan to exterminate the ruins will, heh heh, come to a complete end."

(End of this chapter)