[Salvos] 772. Chances Of Betrayal

772. Chances Of Betrayal

***

According to Hartia, there were three Primeval Demons within the Demon King’s forces who were capable of evolving into a Primordial Demon. One of them was Manos the Executioner. And fortunately for the rebellion, he was now on their side.

But that still meant that there were two others who were still on Regnorex’s side that Haec needed to worry about. Or even better— that he could potentially convert to their side. 

“Who are they?”

Haec interrogated Hartia who just rolled his eyes in response.

“Come on, why does it matter? They’re still Primeval Demons— it won’t make a difference.”

The Fairy waved a hand dismissively. However, the former Heir of the Netherworld shook his head.

“But it could make a difference. Information plays a pivotal role in the outcome of any battle. Now that is something Oracli had taught me.”

Hartia sighed as he flitted back and forth around Haec.

“Ugh, this is a waste of time. But fine, I’ll tell you. Well, I don’t even know why I have to tell you this, since you’re well-acquainted with one of them.”

He gave Haec a knowing look. The former Heir of the Netherworld immediately knew who the Fairy was talking about.

“Oracli.”

Haec guessed, and Hartia nodded.

“That’s right. I mean, it’s to be expected. Oracle is Level 199, and he has been that way for as long as I’ve known him. I don’t know how he has stopped himself from leveling up for so long, but he could evolve right now if he wanted to. But he doesn’t, for the same reason as Manos.”

The Fairy explained. Haec placed a hand on his chin.

“Otherwise, Regnorex would kill him.”

“Oh, you actually know about that? And here I thought you’ve learned nothing under Oracli’s tutelage.”

Haec gave Hartia a glare. But the Fairy ignored it.

“Well, yes, Regnorex does not allow there to be a single Primordial Demon in his army. Although… I feel like there’s an exception to that rule, but I can’t prove it.”

Shrugging, he just continued.

“Anyway, the other Primeval Demon that could evolve into a Primordial Demon besides Oracli and Manos is another which I’m sure you’re familiar with. Although, I can’t say how close you actually are with her.”

“Her?”

Haec blinked. That could only refer to one person— a Primeval Demon that he had met who was amongst the upper echelon of Regnorex’s forces just like Oracli and Manos.

“Are you talking about Safra the Lady of Glory?”

The former Heir of the Netherworld asked. Hartia nodded. 

“Indeed. I’m surprised you got it in your first guess, though.”

Well, it shouldn’t have been a surprise. Haec himself had not really gone out of his way to acquaint himself with very many of Regnorex’s forces. He only did what he had to do.

And that was one of the reasons why the Demon King himself seemed to have taken a liking to him.

Of course, it was mainly because Haec rose in strength incredibly quickly— an unparalleled rise that was unprecedented in history— and achieved things that no other Demons in the history of Regnorex’s reign ever did.

But the Demon King seemed to trust Haec because Haec did not acquaint himself with most other Demons. And perhaps that made Regnorex think that meant Haec cared not for any of their suffering.

That Haec was fiercely loyal to Regnorex and his cause.

However, that had never been the case. Because the only thing Haec had ever been loyal to to was getting back to Salvos— although, now he realized that he had a higher calling.

To bring an end to Regnorex’s reign.

Anyway, that was besides the point. Since he had never interacted with very many members of Regnorex’s army, he already had a limited number of options to choose from. And it just so happened that Safra the Lady of Glory met all the criteria which Hartia gave.

Perhaps he could have assumed it was Chordus— but while she was a high-ranking member of Regnorex’s forces, she was not considered to be on the same level as the likes of Manos, Oracli, or Safra in terms of standing with the Demon King.

After all, Manos was the Executioner, and the leader of the Deathsquad Hunters. Meanwhile, Oracli was the Wisest of the Domain, and he was also known as the architect of paradise. 

Lastly, Safra was the Lady of Glory. She was the one who was responsible for instilling loyalty to all of Regnorex’s forces. But that was not all. She also held an informal position which could have placed her above even Manos and Oracli.

And that was as Regnorex’s lover.

Haec closed his eyes as he remembered hearing about this from Taburas. Apparently, it was only a rumor— nothing that was exactly ever confirmed. But when the former Heir of the Netherworld heard it for the first time, he remembered thinking it was a preposterous idea. 

After all, how could a Demon have a lover?

Haec didn’t know. He thought it was just a baseless rumor spread by lower-ranking Demons to try to possibly slander Regnorex’s reputation. To make Regnorex look weak. Or even worse— make him seem like one of the mortals.

However, the idea that Safra could be Regnorex’s lover was ingrained in Haec’s mind. And over the course of the time he spent at the Demon King’s castle, he paid attention to how often he found Regnorex spending time with just Safra.

Without anyone else around.

While she did have a duty to personally report back to Regnorex just like every other higher-ranking member of his forces, it was almost unusual the frequency of their meetings. That was not to mention the length of their meetings always spanned a longer period than others.

So Haec eventually found himself believing these rumors. 

That Safra was truly Regnorex’s lover.

And while that knowledge didn’t really matter to Haec back then, it mattered now. Because it meant one thing.

“So Safra is not someone we can possibly recruit to our cause, huh?”

Haec said as he rubbed a hand on his chin.

“That means Oracli is our only other option…”

“Hah, good luck with that.”

Hartia just guffawed at what the former Heir of the Netherworld said.

“Honestly, you should just be grateful for what you’ve got— the fact that Manos the Executioner himself is on our side is a blessing. But if you think Oracli, who literally is the one who planned this whole world of salvation for Demonkind, or Safra, who is infatuated with Regnorex, will join the rebellion? You might as well just hope that Regnorex decides to give up his throne and forgive all of you for betraying him.”

Haec pursed his lips when he heard that. With the way Hartia put it, it almost made the former Heir of the Netherworld feel like a fool.

But Haec had known Oracli. And while it seemed like Oracli was fully in support of Regnorex’s plans, not everything was quite as it seemed.

However, there was no reason for Haec to justify himself to Hartia here. So he remained quiet.

“Oh, speaking of—”

Hartia piped up as he looked up at the sky. Manos was returning from wherever he had gone… or rather, been kidnapped to, by Salvos.

“Honestly, I’m still dubious as to whether Manos is actually here to help, or if he’s planning to betray us eventually. Who knows, maybe this is just an elaborate scheme on his part to bring all of the Demon King’s traitors to him on a platter?”

The Fairy chuckled as he turned away from Haec. The former Heir of the Netherworld pursed his lips, looking at the sky where Manos was coming from.

Of course, Haec wanted to protest— to dismiss that very idea. But then he paused, before he could even speak. He stared at something in the sky.

And then he paled.

“No…”

He whispered as Hartia just laughed at the expression on his face.

“Come on, now, you don’t have to take it so seriously. Salvos said she trusted him, didn’t she? I’m sure she’d know whether he’s lying—”

“No, that’s not it.”

Haec cut Hartia off. He pointed past the Fairy who raised a brow.

“Hm?”

“Look.”

Hartia turned around and stared at what Haec was looking at. 

“Oh.”

That was all he said.

And neither the Fairy nor the former Heir of the Netherworld were the only ones who were staring at this scene. The sea of Demons standing right outside of the tunnel slowly turned their heads to look at what was happening in the sky.

Even Manos had stopped his flight, floating there as he looked on at the scene in the far distance.

A pillar of crimson light was shooting towards the sky, circled by the black clouds of the Netherworld. It was a source of powerful magic— so intense that Haec could even sense it from here. And it came from the direction of the Demon King’s castle.

Which meant only one thing.

“The ritual has begun.”

Haec whispered as the realization slowly settled in.

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