After returning to the Proatine Kingdom, Siegfried wasted no time. He immediately admitted Brunhilde to the royal infirmary before searching for any news about Metatron. Unfortunately, gathering intel on the Seventh Domain of the Demon Realm from the human world was an impossible task. “Yes, there are none, sire.” Siegfried grew impatient after hearing that there had been no further reports on the matter. “What the hell are those guys doing? They should at least reach out if they need help,” Siegfried grumbled while tapping the armrest, unable to shake off the unease gnawing at his mind. Siegfried’s first meeting with Metatron and Chaos was anything but a friendly one. They met as enemies, but they forged bonds over time. Now, Metatron and Chaos were subordinates cherished by Siegfried. The fact that Metatron became the Chief Chamberlain after the previous one retired was proof of just how much Siegfried trusted him. ‘I was planning to set them free at the right time anyway...’ Siegfried came to realize something about Metatron. Despite his cold demeanor, he was a surprisingly filial demon, and that alone made Siegfried see him in a different light. Moreover, Metatron had grown both in terms of strength and character, and Siegfried got a strange sense of gratification while watching him grow. The fact that a demon was doing his best to do the right thing was quite admirable, so he decided to wait just a little longer before letting him go. Siegfried planned to send Metatron back to the Demon Realm once the demon was done helping Michael recover his wings. After all, he would not have given such expensive gifts before sending him on vacation. At that moment, one of the chamberlains, who was currently standing in as the Chief Chamberlain during Metatron’s absence, stepped forward. “A demon woman is currently admitted in the royal infirmary, sire.” “Chamberlain Chaos was the one who admitted her, but... her injuries are so severe that she is currently admitted in the intensive care unit.” “Are they allowing visits?” “She is a critical patient, so it might be difficult. But I doubt the doctors would refuse if Your Majesty is the one visiting.” Siegfried fell silent for a moment, pondering about something. Then, he nodded and said, “I need to see her, even if she’s in a critical condition. Tell them I’m coming and that this is an urgent matter.” “As you command, sire.” And so, Siegfried made his way to the intensive care unit to see Anastasia. Originally, Chaos wanted to take Anastasia with him to the Demon Realm, but her injuries were far too grave for her to make the trip. With no other choice, he arranged for mercenaries to escort her to the Proatine Kingdom, where she could receive urgent medical treatment. Siegfried stood at her bedside, staring down at her with a grim expression. ‘She’s no different from a corpse...’ he thought. Anastasia was covered in deep lacerations; her bones were shattered in multiple places; her skin was drained of all color; and deep purple bruises were all over her. At this point, she was barely alive, and it looked as if Death would come to claim her at any moment. ‘It’s a miracle that she’s still breathing...’ Had it not been for the faint movement of her chest, Siegfried would have thought that she was already dead. Siegfried decided that just standing by and leaving her to her fate was not an option. If anyone possessed the crucial information he needed right now, then it was most likely this demon. Thus, he decided to call for the only person he could think of who was capable of curing someone in her state. “Contact the Continent Religion Council at once. We need Saintess Janette here immediately,” he commanded. “Tell her we need a miracle...” If there was anyone capable of saving Anastasia, then it would be Saintess Janette. One hour later, hurried knocking echoed from the door. “Have you called for me, Your Majesty?” Saintess Janette came running the moment Siegfried requested her to come. Even with the warp gates, it would have taken her some time to reach the kingdom. The fact that she arrived so quickly meant that she moved the moment she received Siegfried’s request. “Hello, Saintess,” Siegfried greeted. “I assume this is the patient in need of healing?” Saintess Janette asked while inspecting the demon woman. “Yes,” Siegfried replied. Then, he hesitated before carefully asking, “Will it... be possible?” He had his reasons for hesitating. Saintess Janette was a devout follower of the Nameless God. To someone like her, demons were considered enemies, so healing one might not sit well with her. However, Saintess Janette simply smiled. “I trust that Your Majesty has a reason for requesting this,” she said before turning her gaze to the demon woman. Then, she frowned before muttering, “She is... in terrible shape...” “Yes, I think she’s barely hanging on,” Siegfried said. “Nonetheless, I will begin at once.” Without hesitation, she raised her hands and began channeling her healing spells. “No need for thanks, Your Majesty.” Soon, it was thirty minutes later since Saintess Janette started healing Anastasia. “I believe... it will take a long time for her to recover,” Saintess Janette said with a dark expression. “Is it that bad?” Siegfried asked. “I have managed to stabilize her for now, but a full recovery will take time.” “At most, she will be able to speak for five minutes before she loses consciousness again. After that, she will need absolute rest and prolonged treatment.” “Five minutes is enough. Please, wake her up for me.” “As you wish, Your Majesty.” With those words, Saintess Janette channeled her divine power and cast a stronger healing spell to briefly restore Anastasia’s consciousness. But there was a problem. Saintess Janette grimaced and said, “This is not looking good. Her body is refusing my healing powers. My power and hers are polar opposites, so my healing spells are barely effective on her...” Still, Saintess Janette pushed through and continued casting her healing spells. “Where... am I...?” Anastasia muttered in a faint voice as she slowly opened her eyes. Fortunately, Saintess Janette’s healing spells seemed to be effective, as the demon woman regained consciousness. She looked to her side and asked, “Who... are you...?” “My name is Siegfried van Proa. Can you hear—” Before Siegfried could react, Anastasia’s hand shot forward and choked him. Both Siegfried and Saintess Janette were shocked by Anastasia’s sudden aggressiveness the moment she opened her eyes. Who knew she, who was no different from a corpse, would suddenly attack like that? “You...! What are you?! A mere human dares to touch a demon like me?” Anastasia growled weakly. “I’m an acquaintance of Metatron,” Siegfried replied. He considered Metatron’s reputation and chose not to reveal that he was, in fact, the demon’s master. “Let’s just say we’re business partners.” “Lord Metatron’s... business partner...?” “I’m his contractor.” “And how... am I supposed to... believe that?” “Will this be enough to convince you?” Siegfried asked before taking out the Avenger from his inventory. Anastasia was a member of Vernas’ royal guards, so she instantly recognized the sword. “H-How is a mere human... in possession of the Avenger?!” “Metatron entrusted it to me for the time being,” Siegfried replied nonchalantly. “I find that... hard to believe—” “Hey, don’t we have something more important to discuss?” Siegfried cut her off. Then, he asked, “I heard from Chaos that Metatron is in danger. Is that true?” “Y-Yes...! Right now, Lord Metatron is—” “How can I help him? We haven’t received any word from Metatron ever since he went to the Demon Realm. It’s possible that he’s either in grave danger or already dead.” “T-That cannot happen...! If the Seventh Domain falls into Baroque’s hands—” Siegfried’s words riled up Anastasia, causing her to cough up a mouthful of blood. “Hey, calm down, will you?” Siegfried grumbled, wiping the blood from her lips and helping her lean back. Then, he said, “I’m going to help Metatron. It might be too late, but I won’t stand by and do nothing.” “How could a mere human like you possibly help Lord Metatron against—” “I have the Avenger.” “Can I go to the Seventh Domain?” “It is... possible. Because the fact that you possess the Avenger means you have a contract with Lord Metatron.” “But there’s a problem,” Anastasia said, despair flashing on her face. Then, she bit her lip and continued, “You will need Soul Coins... to enter the Demon Realm. A lot of them... in fact. Opening a gate to the Demon Realm requires... Soul Coins as payment. But the problem is...” Anastasia was about to explain what Soul Coins were and just how rare and valuable they were. She was convinced that obtaining them in the human world was nearly impossible and was about to emphasize it when... “You mean these?” Siegfried asked, casually opening his inventory and pouring out a mountain of Soul Coins. The floor was instantly covered with shimmering coins. “H-How...?! How does a mere human have so many Soul Coins?!” “Is that really what’s important to you right now? Just tell me how to get to the Demon Realm. That’s your job right now.” Anastasia was shocked, but she composed herself and explained in detail how Siegfried could reach the Seventh Domain of the Demon Realm. She also provided information on potential allies he could contact once he arrived there. “P-Please, you must save Lord Metatron... and the Seventh Domain—” Those were her last words. She went limp and collapsed on the bed. She had pushed herself far past her limits and finally lost consciousness once again. “This is her limit. She won’t be able to wake up anymore. From now on, she must rest and focus on recovering,” Saintess Janette advised. “This is enough,” Siegfried replied with a nod. He had already obtained all the information he needed, so whether Anastasia was awake or not was of little concern to him. “But she seems to be in bad shape. Can you save her?” he asked. “Please do not worry about her, Your Majesty. It will not be easy, but I will save her,” she replied. “Thank you. It seems I am in your debt once again.” “Please, no need to mention that, Your Majesty.” “Then, I will be going now.” With that, he left Anastasia in Saintess Janette’s care and left the royal infirmary to immediately convene a royal assembly. After all, he was the king. If he was to leave for the Demon Realm, then it was something he had to discuss first with the officials of his kingdom. Actually, Siegfried did not want to leave for the Demon Realm right now. His main priority right now was to grow stronger and reach the realm of Grandmaster in order to have the power to stand against the Illuminati and the angels. In other words, he did not have the luxury of going on a journey, much less a completely different realm like the Demon Realm, but... ‘I can’t turn a blind eye to him. He’s one of my people, so I have to go save him.’ Siegfried had already considered Metatron as one of his people, so he had to go save him regardless of whether he was dead or alive. If Metatron was still alive, then he would save him, but if he was dead, then... Siegfried swore to avenge Metatron, even if it would take time. ‘Well, I guess I might come across a demon lord’s heart this time.’ On top of saving Metatron, he figured that this might be a chance for him to obtain one of the components required to upgrade his weapon. However, unbeknownst to him, the angels were also targeting the Demon Realm. Although highly unlikely, there was a chance that this journey would cause some sort of change in the relationship between humans and demons. In other words, this journey would be worth it. ‘Besides, I don’t think it will take that long, so I might as well go and do what I have to do,’ he thought. Siegfried addressed the officials once the royal assembly convened. “I will have to visit the Demon Realm. I apologize for vacating the throne when the world is currently in turmoil.” Oscar stepped forward and voiced her concern, “Will you be fine, sire? I have heard that the Demon Realm is quite different from our world. I am concerned that something will happen to Your Majesty.” “I will be fine. I am an Adventurer, an immortal being. Even if something happens to me, I’ll just come back to life. But still, thank you for your concern, Dame Oscar,” Siegfried replied with a smile. “I will be careful and be back before you know it.” “Please be careful, sire.” At Oscar’s words, the rest of the officials followed suit. “Please be careful, Your Majesty!” “Please be careful, Your Majesty!” “Please be careful, Your Majesty!” Every single one of them deeply respected and revered Siegfried. The fact that a king would go to the Demon Realm just to save one of his subjects moved them beyond imagination. “Kyuuu! Time to go on another adventure!” With that, Siegfried and Hamchi embarked on an adventure to the Demon Realm.