After that incident, Siegfried was forced to remain in quarantine for several days in the royal infirmary. Not only did he need time to recover, but he also had to go through a purification process until all traces of radioactive energy had dissipated. As a result, Siegfried decided to spend about a week away from the game to focus on real-life matters instead. It was important for him to take breaks and stay grounded in reality, as he could risk spending all thirty hundred sixty-five days of the year completely immersed in the game, which would most likely turn him into a gaming addict. Meanwhile, a new storm was brewing in the 7th Domain of the Demon Realm. Chae Hyung-Seok knelt on one knee before Baroque, paying respects to his liege. These days, he found himself revering Baroque more than he ever did before. It was all because after consuming the fruit that Baroque had bestowed upon him, Chae Hyung-Seok reached Level 449. Of course, the transformation came at a steep price. His hair had completely fallen out, leaving him permanently bald, and his masculinity was stripped away, rendering him incapable of doing manly duties with his manhood. In exchange for those sacrifices, he became immensely powerful. Thus, Chae Hyung-Seok’s admiration for Baroque deepened even further. “How has your training been?” Baroque asked. “Thanks to my lord’s generosity, I was able to refine my techniques and consolidate my skills,” Chae Hyung-Seok replied with a bow. “Excellent, Hyungseokius,” Baroque said with a satisfied smile. “It is all thanks to my lord. I'd never be able to fully repay this debt even if I were to live a hundred lives over,” Chae Hyung-Seok expressed his boundless gratitude, lowering his head even further. “Good. Your loyalty to me seems to have grown even stronger.” “I have always been my lord’s loyal servant.” “So, the time has finally come...” “Pardon me, my lord?” Baroque’s eyes gleamed as he said, “I have been watching you, Hyungseokius. And now, I have confirmed that your loyalty and devotion to me is genuine.” “There is no doubt about that, my lord.” “That is why I am about to reveal to you the great undertaking I am preparing,” Baroque said in a low secretive voice. “A... great undertaking?” “Soon, I will ascend to the throne.” “W-What?!” Chae Hyung-Seok exclaimed, his eyes widened in shock. The current demon lord was none other than Vernas. Yes, his body was deteriorating, and his days were numbered. But even in his weakened state, he was expected to rule for another one hundred or two hundred years without much problems. However, Baroque was suddenly claiming that he would soon ascend to the throne and become the demon lord? “My lord...? What do you mean by this? Have you perhaps... obtained the Avenger?” “No,” Baroque shook his head. Then, he grinned and said, “The Avenger is not an absolute requirement to become the owner of the throne.” “I... am afraid I do not follow, my lord.” “If I...” Baroque muttered. Then, he flashed a sinister grin and said, “If I were to send father on his way and absorb the demonic power he possesses then...” “I would ascend the throne and become the demon lord.” “Of course, I would not be able to wield the true power of a demon lord without the Avenger. But that is of no concern, I can simply claim Avenger after I take the throne.” “Then...” Chae Hyung-Seok muttered. Then, he swallowed hard before continuing, “When you said that... you will send His Majesty on his way, my lord... What exactly do you mean?” “Tonight, I will become the demon lord, the ruler of our domain,” Baroque declared in a firm voice. “And you will be the one to hold off my father’s royal guards.” “O-Oh my...!” Chae Hyung-Seok gasped in sheer disbelief. Baroque had just openly declared his intent to murder his own father, the Demon Lord of Vengeance, Vernas, in order to seize the throne. “Are you truly... planning to kill His Majesty?” Chae Hyung-Seok asked cautiously. “That’s right. And my decision is final,” Baroque replied with a nod. Then, he added, “You will take command and keep my father’s royal guards occupied.” Chae Hyung-Seok processed those words, and his shock turned into deep admiration. ‘Damn... So this is what it takes to be a demon lord. Who knows he could go as far as eliminating his own father...? He is truly cut from a different cloth.’ Rather than being appalled by Baroque’s ruthlessness, Chae Hyung-Seok found himself respecting him even more. In his eyes, Baroque’s ambition and madness were nothing short of awe-inspiring. “Yes, my lord! I will carry out your command without fail!” “Bwahaha! Excellent, Hyungseokius! Now go and prepare for our great undertaking!” At the same time, Metatron and Michael were both receiving treatment in the royal infirmary. Even for the son of a demon lord and the former Chief Archangel, they had to risk their lives against a Level 700 archangel. As a result, both of them suffered severe injuries. “Tsk... If only Chaos were here at a time ...” Metatron grumbled while struggling to eat pudding with his broken arm. He could really feel the absence of his loyal vassal, Chaos, who was currently searching for Michael’s wings alongside the Weapon Master, Shakiro. Metatron and Michael had to urgently leave in response to Siegfried’s flare, they were forced to split up, leaving Shakiro and Chaos to continue the search. Unable to watch any longer, Michael took the spoon and fed the pudding to Metatron. “Thank you. Nom nom nom...!” Metatron said before taking a bite. “No need to thank me for something . We have to help each other, after all,” Michael replied with a warm, gentle smile. When Michael smiled, Metatron, who had been enjoying his pudding, suddenly froze in terror. He trembled uncontrollably as fear gripped his entire body. This was a physiological reaction from the fear ingrained in his very instincts as a demon. Michael was once on par with the Demon King. No matter how close he had become with Michael during their travels, Metatron couldn’t help but fear him from time to time. “Don’t be afraid,” Michael said with a gentle smile. Unfortunately, Michael’s smile looked exactly like the twisted grin of a vengeful specter about to do something extremely horrifying in Metatron’s eyes. “Metatron,” Michael called his name. Then, he said in a gentle voice, “Aren’t we comrades? Don’t we fight together on the battlefield? I believe it’s about time you become comfortable around me.” “W-Well, that’s true, but...” “As I’ve told you countless times, Metatron. I am no longer an archangel.” “And I have no intention of becoming one again...” “But I am the son of a demon lord. One day, I will become a demon lord, too.” “In the distant future... If I do become the Demon King, and you end up as the Chief Archangel once again... We might end up as enemies, don’t you think so? Getting too close could be dangerous for us...” “Haha...” Michael chuckled at the demon’s grand ambition. Then, he asked, “But Metatron, when do you plan on returning to the Demon Realm?” “The Demon Realm... I won’t be able to return until my contract with His Majesty is fulfilled. That’s the only way I can return proudly and confidently.” “That does make sense.” “I see this journey as a way of atoning for my sins.” “Why do you see it that way?” “Because all my life, I’ve been nothing but a troublemaker. I've been giving my father headaches, and I was never much of a son to him.” “But now, things are different. Through this journey, I will grow up. And once my contract with His Majesty ends, I will return to the Demon Realm with my head held high, stand before my father, and finally earn his recognition. Only then will I claim the throne.” “That sounds like a nice plan. I sincerely wish you success, Metatron,” Michael said with a smile, impressed by the demon’s determination. “And you’re saying that even though I’m a demon? Even though one day, I might have to kill your kin?” “That’s a concern for the future. One that we don’t need to worry about right now. Besides, aren’t both angels and demons all children of the same Father?” “W-Well, I suppose...” “In the end, we are all just part of our Father’s creation. There’s no need for eternal animosity between us.” Metatron couldn’t argue or growl at someone who spoke in such a calm demeanor. ‘What would Father say if he somehow discovered out I’m traveling alongside the former Chief Archangel, Michael...? Sigh...’ He let out a deep sigh at his unfortunate situation and silently resumed eating the pudding being fed to him by the former Chief Archangel. Baroque visited Vernas just as the old demon was about to drift into sleep. “What is it? Why have you visited me at this hour?” Vernas asked, rubbing his drowsy eyes. “I simply wished to see you, Father,” Baroque replied. “Hmm... While it is commendable of you to come and pay your respects, you should leave now. I am tired, and I can barely keep my eyes open.” “Are you that tired, Father?” “If you’re that tired...” Baroque said, taking a step closer to the bedside. Then, he said with a grin, “Why not rest forever?” “...What did you say?” “This filial son of yours will grant you eternal rest, Father.” Baroque grabbed Vernas by the throat. Vernas thrashed desperately, flailing his frail limbs against his son’s grip. Unfortunately, the ailing old demon was no match for his son’s youthful strength. “U-Ugh! G-Guards...! Mmph! Aaghh!” “I thought you were tired, Father? Yet you still cling to life? Hahaha!” “Let me give you the deepest sleep you have ever experienced.” Baroque smirked as he began to drain Vernas’ mana. The demonic power of the demon lord, Vernas, flowed through Baroque’s hands and into the latter. “G-Gahhh! Guards...!” Vernas struggled with all of his might, but he couldn’t break free. A withering old demon like him, who was long past his prime, couldn’t possibly resist the strength of his son in his prime. Thus, the once-mighty demon lord was drained alive, his body withering into little more than a dried-up husk. “Thank you for the meal, fFther. Hahaha!” Baroque sneered as he continued to siphon away every last drop of the demon lord’s power. Meanwhile, a ruckus echoed from outside. The battle between the royal guards and the usurpers led by Chae Hyung-Seok began. “His Majesty has returned!” “Everyone! Run for your lives!” The staffers of the Proatine Kingdom’s royal palace scattered like they had seen a ghost the moment they spotted Siegfried. The reason was simple. An official had been circulated within the palace, warning everyone to be cautious around Siegfried—just in case. It was an entirely reasonable precaution. After all, it was far better to keep a safe distance than to end up dead from being exposed to radiation. Thus, despite their loyalty to Siegfried, they fled the moment they saw him. They were not doing this because they were no longer loyal to him. It was their survival instincts kicking in. “Greetings, Your Majesty!” “Greetings, Your Majesty!” “Greetings, Your Majesty!” Instead, they lined up and bowed, greeting him at the top of their lungs... all from a very safe distance. “Ah, yes... T-Thanks for your hard work always...” Siegfried replied with an awkward smile, waving at them. Then, he muttered under his breath, “Why do I... feel like I have the plague or something...” Unfortunately, he couldn’t help but feel a bit sad. The fact that he could no longer even approach those he once kept close weighed on him more than he had expected. At that moment, a voice called out to him from afar. “High Priest Apollonas is ready for interrogation!” It was Ninetail, and she, too, maintained a safe distance from him. Even she would not be spared if Siegfried started leaking radiation once again, so she was keeping her distance from him, too. “Really? Got it!” Siegfried replied. “Please come to interrogation room number seven when you are ready!” With that, Siegfried set off for the intelligence department to interrogate Apollonas, who was a high-ranking member of the Illuminati, a secret cult that worshiped the Creator. Siegfried had become a walking nuclear hazard that everyone avoided, but his mission to protect this world was far from over. ‘There’s nothing I can do about this right now anyway, so I guess I’ll just exercise caution,’ he thought. He made his way toward the interrogation room while taking extra care not to emit any radioactive energy.