The Beginning Adventure of the New Monarch

Two hours had passed since the crushing defeat of the coalition and the capture of the surviving demons from the battle. Tension still hung in the air, the echoes of combat and screams slowly fading as the sea regained its calm. Two kilometers off the coast of Ednia, six ships sailed slowly over the dark waters, their sails billowing in the light wind. These menacing vessels carried three hundred demons, evenly distributed at fifty per ship.

On the largest of these ships, a demon stood by the railing, his piercing eyes scanning the horizon. Through a marine telescope, he surveyed Ednia's shoreline, searching for any signs of life. After a moment, he slowly lowered the instrument and turned to enter the main cabin. There, he knelt before another demon—imposing and gigantic—who appeared to be his direct superior. This demon had piercing red eyes and three massive white horns curving backward, giving him the appearance of a colossal tiger.

A cruel smile played on his lips as he awaited his subordinate's report.

— "Lord Kilrey, no signs of coalition forces," announced the demon in a deep voice.

Kilrey fixed his subordinate with a long, piercing stare, as if searching for flaws in his words. After several seconds of silence, he slowly nodded.

— "Return to the deck and report any changes immediately," he ordered in a calm but authoritative tone.

The subordinate rose without another word and left the cabin, leaving Kilrey alone with his thoughts. The demon sat in a dark leather armchair, gazing thoughtfully out of the ship's window. He knew that victory was near; Ednia would soon fall under the Empire's control. The isolated and weak island kingdom stood no chance against the overwhelming might of the Katakiel Empire.

He clenched his massive fists, his thoughts racing. Giyard hasn't responded yet...

Kilrey frowned, somewhat puzzled. Giyard, one of the Empire's generals, had promised to pursue the advance of the coalition's force while Kilrey brought reinforcements to destroy the kingdom's capital. Yet the absence of news from Giyard was strange.

Kilrey remained deep in thought, his brow furrowed, his mind churning. Then, a malevolent smile spread across his lips as he muttered, "Which means they've succeeded in occupying the entire island. The kingdom is ours."

His malicious grin widened. Rising to his feet, he approached a small table where a magical mirror rested—an ancient and precious artifact. The mirror's glow intensified as Kilrey knelt before it. A flash of white light spread, and the image of a dark-skinned demon appeared in the mirror. He had piercing yellow eyes and a lean yet commanding silhouette.

This demon, undoubtedly of high rank, wore ornaments signifying nobility and power in any society.

— "What news?" asked the demon in a cold, authoritative voice brimming with power.

Kilrey inclined his head in respect. Prince Niolz was one of the most powerful leaders of the Katakiel Empire, and his wrath could wreak havoc.

— "Prince Niolz, everything is under control. Soon, the Empire will extend its dominion over the kingdom of Ednia. The coalition forces are facing no resistance. In just a short time, the kingdom will be under our dominion."

Niolz's face cracked into a sinister smile, his yellow eyes gleaming with an unhealthy light. He seemed pleased with the progress of the war, and his grin only boosted Kilrey's confidence.

— "Excellent, Kilrey. Continue as you are, and soon Ednia will be ours. The Empire will emerge stronger and more powerful than ever."

Without another word, Niolz ended the communication, leaving Kilrey alone with his thoughts. The demon stood and moved to a window, observing the sky beyond the ship. He felt invincible, convinced of his already-assured victory. Ednia belongs to the Empire, he thought.

But as Kilrey prepared to sit back and relish his imminent triumph, a sudden, thunderous noise shattered the calm aboard the ship. The explosion rocked the vessel from bow to stern, sending shards of wood and metal flying in all directions. The air instantly filled with smoke, and a red glow flickered through the haze, visible even through the windows.

Kilrey sprang to his feet, adrenaline surging through his veins. He had no time to react before the cabin door was blown apart by a powerful strike. A demon burst into the room, his eyes wide with terror.

— "My lord! We are under attack!"

The demon's cry echoed through the cabin as Kilrey leaped to his feet, his face twisting into a mask of rage and disbelief.

— "WHAT??!" he roared.