Dungeon of Pride, Laplace



The Auction of the damned held by the merchant Grimvul came only once in one hundred and one years and was guaranteed to have brilliant items and treasures up for sale.

As such, there was no way these demons would miss their chance to flaunt their riches to their rivals, factions and enemies. In a way, acquiring treasure from the auction of the damned where all the demons fought tooth and nail for the items, was a sign of individual strength and status.

So by flashing the artefacts you got hold of not only are you indirectly showcasing your authority, but you are also making the ones that bid the item against you yet were unable to win against you, to burn in jealousy.

Thus accomplishing two goals at once.

In the demon society where one's rank and standing represented everything, showing off one's wealth like this was ingrained in them. And so, with the demons bragging about their haul, the enticing allure of power and wealth permeated the air, drawing in more and more demons who eagerly sought to enhance their own standing and prestige.

That said, not all demons were allowed to partake in this display of wealth. Nobles like Demon Earls were excluded from it and even some demon marquesses weren't allowed in.

From the point of view of these high ranking demons, whatever artefacts these demons managed to get hold of from the auction, were either items that held no interest to the high ranking demons or were trash that the merchant masked off as items.

Just like birds who feed on the tiny bits of food stuck between the teeth of a crocodile whatever haul these demons had was like scraps for the demon Dukes.

Then there were also demons like Famoon who even while being a high ranking duke, bid for all the trash items and got scammed by the merchant.

When he revealed his haul to other high raking demons, they couldn't help but burst into laughter and ridicule him. Famoon, with his naive and impulsive actions, became the laughingstock of the demon realm.

"Haha, look at him still defending the value of those garbage items and refusing to admit that he had fallen victim to the schemes of the damned merchant. Good, good, keep it up. It would be even better if he consumed those items in his self denial"..

Then there were also demons like Oswell and Simon who had no interest in this kind of proceedings. The former laughed holding his belly as he saw the miserable expression of the duke.

The two of them stood in a corner of the venue, watching the subordinates of the Demon lord and the Demon Archdukes from his faction get busy to build a large multitudinal spatial gate.

"I guess this it. The Hexennacht is coming to a close. It was great meeting with you my friend" Oswell spoke with a smile.

"Yeah, it has been an eventful Hexennacht" Simon replied with a tinge of gratitude in his voice.

"Thanks for your aid up until now. I will return this favour in the future if there is ever any opportunity".

This glutton who held peculiar ideals had really been a great help. He had not only stuck with him during the numerous perilous situations of this event, their plan had also helped him a great deal. Simon felt indebted to him.

"Haha, what are you saying? There is no need for you to thank me, I was just helping my friend. You are making it sound so distant by saying all that. If anything, it has been a pleasure, the encounters have been nothing short of entertaining to say the least. Who would have thought that such a cunning and audacious demon like yourself would cross my path".

Oswell chucked with a hint of mischief.

With the Demon Archduke personally lending their aid, it didn't take long to set up the huge multitudinal spatial gate. As it started to hum with pulsating energy, it was the cue for all the demons that their exit had been prepared.

All eyes focused towards the host of the event. Now that the purpose of the Hexennacht was over, the Demon Lord of Envy Belial addressed the crowd and officially brought the event to a close.

And so, as the curtain fell on the Hexennacht, demons dispersed to their realms, bidding farewell to the demons and the connection they made.

Some returned with triumph, others with a mix of disappointment at the outcome of the grand meeting. They each carried with them the lingering echoes of the unresolved mysteries and unspoken truths that had unfolded within its hallowed halls. 

Regardless of the varying perspectives, there was no denying that one name in particular had left an indelible mark on the demon society. The name of the Demon Earl Simon lingered in the minds of all who had witnessed his audacious actions. 

Whether seen as a heroic trailblazer or a reckless provocateur, his name would forever be associated with the audacious spirit that defined the Hexennacht, the demons who dared to challenge the norms of their society.

His ability to win the Ritual of the Blades, claim a coveted territory, and even snatch a powerful subordinate spread like wildfire among the demon community.

Even those who might have initially dismissed him as an upstart or a fortunate opportunist could not deny the impact of his actions. But while his actions might have earned him admiration and respect from some, there were also others who viewed him with caution and apprehension.

Simon felt a couple of piercing stares filled with anger, frustration and strong murderous intent bore into his back as he walked towards the spatial gate.

Needless to say, it was from the two Dukes who looked at him as if he was a thorn in their side, an obstacle that they must remove at any cost.

From the looks they were giving him, it was not hard to tell that today's matter wouldn't rest here. They will surely retaliate against him for today's loss in the future.

While their gazes might be laced with malignance, it was nevertheless not enough to deter Simon. Since the moment he had arrived at the Hexennacht, he was determined to forge his own fate even while knowing that it would draw other's ire on him.

So it could be said that he was prepared for the worst. Determination coursed through his veins, he was prepared for the consequences of his actions, ready to face the consequences and confront any adversaries that stood in his way.

The Hexennacht instead of deterring him, became the catalyst that renewed his resolve and sense of purpose.

"My friend, you must remain careful from now on. If the opportunity arises let us meet again. My dungeon is located in the Devouring Chasms at the far west from here" Oswell spoke a few friendly words before diving inside the spatial gate.

His subordinate Aishsa, bowed towards him before following behind her master.

'Devouring Chasms huh' Simon repeated those words inside his mind, carving it into his memory.

"Let us leave too" Simon turned towards his subordinates and spoke. With their job done here, it was time they headed back for their home.

The spatial gate shimmered before them, beckoning them forward. Just as Simon was about to disappear inside the gate, he cast one last glance over his shoulders at these hallowed halls.

Coincidentally or intentionally, his gaze met with his adversaries. Flashing them a final smirk, he stepped into the spatial gate, leaving behind the Hexennacht.

.

.

Over at the sky, watching Simon and his entourage leave from her space time gap, was a woman donned in a military style dress. She wore a long overcoat above and had half of her face hidden with an angry mask.

Her appearance along with her sharp aura, made her seem quite fierce. She was none other than the Marchosias, the Rogue Jester.

"Heh, that bold attitude and that unwavering confidence is just like a raging fire. It is very much to my liking. Very interesting" Taking a puff out of the cigar in her mouth, she muttered—

"This is quite a fortuitous turn of events. I only attended the event because I had nothing else to do and partly because I wanted to see for myself the capability of the demon who was chosen by the Fragments of Envy. But who would have thought that fate would have something else to show me".

Marchosias mused to herself, a glimmer of intrigue dancing in her eyes. The Demon Earl who coerced the entire Hexennacht into submission had caught her interest.

"A power that can suppress those far above his rank and a nature that refuses to bow down to others. Demon Earl Simon, you definitely possess a power that surpasses what meets the eye".

A contemplative expression crossed Marchosisas face. She had tried to use her Analysis skill on the demon; however, to her surprise, it failed.

What was surprising was that it wasn't blocked, the skill simply didn't work on him. Usually, that would only happen if the other party was higher levelled than her or possessed something that was able to cancel her probing skill.

It wasn't difficult to imagine which of the above two cases was at play here.

"There is definitely a great secret hidden within him, a vast reserviour of untapped strength that even I couldn't see through. Though for a second there, I felt like something within that Demon Earl resonate with the [Soverignity] that I received from my lady".

There were slight traces of confusion in those eyes that were covered by her mask.