Volume 5 Chapter 0102 Return to Mother's Arms - I, The Dragon Overlord

As the devil army gathered, numerous demon lords congregated in the Abyss's first layer, the Plain of Myriad Portals. The Abyss never lacks demons and lords. In stark contrast to the mere eight lords ruling across the entire Hell, the lords of the Abyss might number in the hundreds. Bloodworms from the fifth layer, the Beholder Matron, the principal deity of the sixth layer, the Warlord of Wrath of the twenty-third layer, the Mad Prince from the five hundred and seventh layer, and countless other demon lords gathered together. Even Rosalind's mother, the Queen of Succubi, Melcanthet, joined on behalf of her kind. The Abyss hadn't experienced a blood war for 30,000 years, and all demon lords felt an insatiable curiosity about it. Especially the contagious joy transmitted by the Abyss's will to every demon lord lured even those normally uninterested in blood wars to participate. The first layer of the Abyss, the Plain of Myriad Portals, now found itself in a specialized state where every demon lord could obtain a virtual divinity, receiving the Abyss's will's blessings to channel more power into the blood war. Yet, every demon lord harbored instinctual memories from the deepest recesses of their soul and DNA, urging them to steer clear of the frontline. Even a demon prince could find themselves dead from exhaustion at the hands of a mere devil, becoming a stepping stone to the opponent’s duchy. However, some dull-witted demon lords were exceedingly excited, itching to join the fray at the front lines. Demons are inherently chaotic, and moments of true rationality are rare. Rosalind observed the myriad of demon lords from various Abyssal layers assembled in her palace, feeling a secret joy. As the master of the Plain of Myriad Portals, while she lacked the status or ability to command all present, she automatically became the highest commander of the blood war under the Abyss's will. This greatly satisfied her vanity and thirst for power, delivering an intoxicating sense of elation akin to savoring fine wine at its peak. She became even more delighted upon noticing the caution and hostility in her mother Melcanthet’s eyes. Among demons, there is no concept of familial love; they live solely for self-interest unless a relative is overwhelmingly powerful enough to demand submission. This description aptly fits the relationship between Rosalind and Louie. "Esteemed lords, I have no recommendations regarding the imminent blood war. Just lead your demon armies and act as you see fit." Rosalind understood that even with the Abyss's permission, commanding all demon lords was beyond her. The title of highest commander was nominal since the inherently chaotic demons required only a single command in battle—advance! Given their chaotic nature, demons could never coordinate with the finesse of devils. In single combat, outcomes between a demon and a devil might be uncertain, but once scales tipped into expansive warfare, demons inevitably falter against devils. Fortunately, demons hold a decisive numerical advantage, enabling them to contend with devils in the blood war. Without this, the Abyss might truly fall to the devils. Among the hundreds of demon lords in the hall, conversations flowed independently. They paid little heed to Rosalind, stirring anger within the young Abyssal dragon. She knew her reign as a demon lord spanned only a few years, lacking the prestige of those whose dominion stretched over millennia or tens of thousands of years. Without the necessity of the blood war commencing in the Abyss’s first layer, these ancient lords might not even register her presence. 'Just wait. Someday, when I become a demon prince, I'll make you old fossils kneel before me, howling in despair!' She cursed the lords mentally. While intrinsically uncontrollable, demons followed the most basic orders, and Rosalind’s aspirations as a commander were no more than this modest expectation. Ultimately, demons were but scattered sand. Recognizing the multitude of lords partaking in this blood war, demon lords departed from Rosalind’s newly-established palace, indifferent to their host’s presence, further darkening Rosalind’s expression. "Hahaha, my beautiful daughter, the Abyss isn't a place where survival comes easy. You're still young and impulsive, unaware of its treachery. You should return to your mother’s embrace and let me care for you." Succubi Queen Melcanthet, the sole lingering leader, taunted her daughter with an enchanting smile, lazily stretching her form to exhibit her alluring curves. "Your strategy of seducing your father for support was clever, earning you a rapid lordship and dominion over the Abyss's first layer." "…But remember, my beautiful yet naive daughter: your father is a lofty deity, disinclined to bond emotionally with us demons. As demons, we too lack profound emotions. He is a staunch advocate of profit. He will support you while you benefit him, but should you lose your value, he'll discard you without hesitation." "What does your father prize beyond your physicality? And if beauty is the currency, how do you compete with me, your mother? Your allure is but an extension of mine." Melcanthet’s laughter, laden with seduction, echoed in the vast hall. "So ponder this, my daughter. You have worth to me. I don't demand subservience but rather suggest contemplating potential allies. Who better to ally with than your mother?" "…Do not entertain notions of solitary triumph. Both demons and devils are consummate deceivers. Young as you are, a careless slip could cost you dearly, your life snuffed out by impulsivity. Your father won’t mourn you because if he could sire one like you, he could easily create another. Should you wish to prevent many sisters vying for your throne, heed my counsel." Melcanthet's laughter resounded as she elegantly swayed away, leaving Rosalind alone. Once solitude reigned in the hall, Rosalind's expression, previously inscrutable, became tumultuous as she reflected on her mother's words. Suddenly, her mother’s advice appeared wise, and the proud yet impetuous Abyssal dragon was plunged into contemplation. …… At the border between Hell's eighth and ninth layers, Louie's incarnation appeared.