As she follows along, Anise brings her to a small room connected to the cave with a single chair as Anise stands beside the chair, waiting for Xania to sit.

Why is there only one chair?

My apologies, we are in quite a… difficult situation right now.

Why don't you just make another?

We lack the skill and knowledge to know how to do so, such magic to magic something out of nothing takes a lot of practice, control and talent. Anise says, looking up as she senses Xania using magic and watches slightly shocked at how easily and quickly she makes two new chairs and a table.

How did you do that? Even for the past demon lords, they all struggled to be able to materialise objects so easily.

Practice. Xania says, remembering her many days spent practicing with nothing else to do.

Excuse me, but can you tell me what you mean by practice, didn't we just summon you? How is that possible? Anise asks, too curious to show the same amount of respect she was showing on previously before realising and going back to kneeling with her head down.

Why do you kneel?

Because you're our lord ofcourse.

That is not necessary, just sit down.

Anise listens to her as she slowly goes to sit down, surprised by how comfortable the chair is.

So, you want to know how I practiced?

If you are willing to answer ofcourse. Anise says with her head down, clearly not expecting Xania to answer.

Very well, but answer a question of mine first.

Anything you want. Anise says somewhat surprised again.

The place I was in… what was it?

Oh, that's called the abyss, all demon lords are born there as we summon them with a portal.

So how long do most demon lords remain there before the portal appears?

To my knowledge, it is usually instant with both appearing at the same time, though they usually appear naked.

How many days is a year?

365.

365 huh? I guess I somehow know how long I was in there for, since that place somehow kept reminding me.

Xania thinks about Anise's answer and wonders why she had to wait over 25 years while perplexed as she hits the table angrily, causing it to break into pieces easily as sees Anise with a somewhat curious but mostly fearful expression before taking a deep breath.

Demon lord, did I say something wrong? Anise asks quickly, clearly scared of any consequences that might come her way.

Anise.

Yes my lord? She quickly asks.

You said you wanted to know what I meant by practice?

Indeed. She quickly answers, her fear having visibly decreased.

25 years. Xania says while fixing the table.

Could you please elaborate? I do not understand what that means.

I was stuck in that damn abyss for more than 25 years. Any clue why?

Anise gets slightly surprised for a second before looking completely confused.

I… am not sure why, but I have an idea.

What is it?

27 years ago, we tried to resummon the demon lord since our current one had died in the middle of the war, and we were desperate only for humans to interrupt us halfway, preventing us from opening the portal.

Then why did guys take so long?

It takes a lot of time and material to summon a new one.

Fine, what are humans?

They are the weakest race but they have the most numbers and one of the strongest weapons and we have been at war with them for many hundreds of years, they also live together in hide groups like what we used to be able to do.

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How? They are clearly lacking in strength.

That's because of the world tree and holy magic.

What's that?

The world tree choses a person to be a hero and grants them immense amounts of holy power and a talent for fighting and holy magic is the opposite of our dark magic.

Can I learn it?

It is not possible, it is like poison to demons

What are demons?

We are similar to humans, but live in the underworld.

So I'm a demon and so are you?

Indeed.

What is the underworld?

Most of the underworld has been destroyed, but it's similar to the human world, but without sunlight and plants along with different animals.

What is sunlight, animals and plants?

I can show you if you would like me to do so.

First tell me why demons are at constant war.

That is part of our history if you would like me to tell you.

Yes.

Very well, 1000 years ago, the ruler of demons and humans had a disagreement due to the underworld having valuable minerals and the overworked having an abundance of food as they started fighting.

So why hasn't the war ended?

Because once the original demon lord was slain, the demons had summoned another, dying while killing the hero, as the demons summoned another demon lord and the world tree picked a new hero, and this kept happening.

So who is usually the winner?

The humans. Anise says slightly annoyed but mostly ashamed.

What if I don't help in this war? Xania says, making Anise look at her face to check if she's serious before looking away again.

You can't.

Why not?

The dark magic your body lets out makes it possible for experienced humans to track.

Great…

Fine, so all we need to do is win right?

Yes?

So are all the demons I saw just now the only ones left alive?

No, I'm sure there are still plenty, but they are mostly in hiding.

How do I get them out?

Just show yourself and the demons should come back to serve under you especially since you're so strong.

Not yet, all the past demon lords have failed so who is to say I will succeed?

But you're the strongest, you have the highest chance.

No, not yet, I need to get stronger or atleast make preparations.

How?

First, I need a weapon.

A weapon, can't you just make one?

I've tried, but most weapons I make are too imperfect.

I know where you could potentially get a better weapon, but it's not guaranteed.

It's better than nothing, so tell me.

Dwarves are the best at making weapons, but they have been mostly killed off by the humans due to the humans greed and the rest are hiding together most likely.

Very well, call all demons back, we need to start quickly since you said humans live in large groups, so more may come eventually.

You'll protect this place?

No, if I keep protecting this place, a hero will show up eventually, so we need to move.

To where?

Where would you suggest is far from any human settlements?

The only place would be the cursed swamps, but even demons can't survive there.

Why is it named that?

It is said a dragon died there but before it died, it self-destructed, causing the whole area to be afflicted with a curse that kills anything if you stay in for too long.

What if I use miscellaneous magic?

What's that?

Xania makes a shield out of mana In Front of Anise.

That's called shield magic, not miscellaneous magic.

Oh, I simply classified everything that doesn't attack as miscellaneous magic.

Do you want me to inform you on the types of magic?

No need, let's just get ready to go.

As Anise gathers all of the remaining demons back to the place Xania was at First when she left the abyss, all of them pay attention to her kneeling back down, surprised that Anise isn't doing so.

No need to kneel.

But why? One of the demons looking like a giant asks.

It is unnecessary.

But it is to show our respect to you.

It is unnecessary. Xania repeats again.

As the giant tries arguing back, Anise glares at him, making him shut up.

Everybody, we'll be going off to the… cursed swamps after this to avoid the humans.

But why? A demon looking like a hide snake asks, making Anise glare at it as Xania raises her hand signaling her to stop.

All the past demon lords have failed so I will not make the same mistake until I know I'm ready.

With that, all the demons keep quiet as Xania starts walking out of the cave and looking up at the sunlight while using her hand to cover her eyes.

Anise, I assume that the light is the sun light you said earlier, the greenery around me being the plants and the living beings animals?

Indeed.

Very well, let's go.

As the demons all follow Xania who's following Anise due to her knowing the direction, one of them with the appearance of a knight with fire coming out of it speaks up.

Is it not possible to simply teleport us?

I need to know how it looks in person if I wish to teleport.

Very well, my apologies.

Xania contemplates his words for a minute before teleporting them all forwards, to a location not too far ahead within view, still slowly but much faster than walking.

Are you 4 the only demons who contributed to my summoning?

No, there were others but they have died off. Anise replies, sitting on the ground, letting herself be teleported.

My lord.

Yes Anise?

Won't you run out of mana from this? You're teleporting 5 people in total nonstop.

What are you talking about? The amount of mana this takes is miniscule is it not?

Not at all my lord, most other demon lords would slowly start getting concerned about their mana.

But I could do this hundreds of thousands of times more.

My lord… please don't exaggerate.

I'm not, is it not normal?

Not at all…very well, if you're scared of me running out of mana we can take a break.

Thank you, your safety is our top priority.

Xania stops teleporting them as she makes a massive mansion out of nothing in seconds, shocking the demons except Anise who has a proud expression on her face.

As they enter the mansion, they all sit on the opposite side of Xania on the couch that Xania made specifically to suit each of their special qualities except Anise who sits beside her and has a human-like appearance like Xania.

What are your names and race? Xania asks while materialising water for each of them.

Why do you wish to know? The knight asks, clearly confused.

Isn't it better to address someone by their name? Xania says, making them have doubtful looks before answering.

Very well, my name is Davien, I was a human but I contracted a demon to become a death knight to get revenge. The knight answers followed by the snake.

I'm sliver, and I'm a Naga but a young one.

You're female right?

Indeed… . The snake answers, somewhat embarrassed she has to confirm.

I'm Graunter, I'm a giant. The giant replies.

I'm Anise!!! I'm a succubus. Anise answers.

What's that?

We use magic to seduce our prey into giving us information or doing things for us before killing them.

Alright.

But… demon lord, how are you so strong? The knight asks, as Anise looks over at Xania.

Asks Anise, I do not wish to explain again, Anise if you will?

Of Course I'll help you.

I'll be at the dining table later, come there later and do not ask questions related to what Anise will say because I do not need pity and Anise should have sufficient information. Xania finishes talking and starts heading to the kitchen.