23 The Leviathan Devil Princess (1)

Chapter 23: The Leviathan Devil Princess (1)

Carl ventured deeper into the library, leading to an interesting reaction from the Lesser Devils who were following his trails, acting like annoying brats who wanted to receive something from their father. It all began once he entered a secluded section of the Library, where one could perceive a study room just around the corner.

Once they entered this region, the Devils began to stir with increasing agitation. Their whispers grew frantic, a chorus of panicked voices urging him to turn back.

[Stay away from there, my Lord! It's not safe!]

[My Prince, this is madness! You cannot enter there! It's forbidden!] one Devil pleaded, its voice trembling with fear.

'What's up with those guys? They seem to be afraid about the entity sealed in this location. It does make me a bit uneasy, but I've experienced worse moments.'

The air grew colder, and the dim light seemed to flicker ominously as he approached deeper in the vast territory of the library that exuded an aura of dread. Even the High-Class Devil in Laranje couldn't hide the discomfort she was sensing as the demonic energy morphed like a heavy cloak over this region of the Library.

Laranje's voice, usually smooth and alluring, took on a tone of genuine concern. [Young Lord, I ask of you one thing, and only this. Do not proceed any further, for your safety... My ticket out from this madness. That area is… a forbidden region of the 'Sanguinarius Castle'. Even I dare not disturb what lies within.]

'Interesting. For even an Ancient High-Class Devil, for her to be afraid by whatever thing is beyond that door.'

"Who has been sealed in that location?"

[I dare not speak that name. I don't want to be the next one to be devoured. Please, my dear Blood Prince, let's leave this place. Let me teach you Devil Magic, this will make up for the wasted time.] Laranje's usually seductive tone was now tinged with genuine concern, her pleas echoing in his mind.

"You guys are not helpful at all. Why even bother currying favor with me when you are such cowards? Do you think I want to have such cowardly servants alongside me?"

[... My Prince… She's an Ultimate-Class Devil. Unlike us… she has some privileges inside the Castle.]

When Laranje began explaining who the being inside the Study Room Carl was approaching, a surge of demonic energy erupted from within the room. It washed over them like a wave, its intensity causing Carl's hairs on the back of his neck to stand on end while the Lesser Devils scattered in all directions, returning to their respective shelves.

The air grew thick with the scent of sulfur and brimstone, and Carl could feel the raw power emanating from the room. It was as if the very essence of darkness itself had been unleashed, swirling and coiling around him like a maelstrom of shadows.

'Is this the power of an Ultimate Devil, even in a Sealed shape? Then… if I can withstand this much, while those Low/Medium-Class Devils dispersed like a bunch of rats, does this mean, I'm up there with those High-Class beings?'

'From what I could perceive in Krassius's memories, he was stronger than most Vampires, even among the Pureblooded mutts, he was beyond them… Well, he is the son of Vampire Queen along with a Human Wizard, so I might as well be a monstrosity as those bastards cussed me out in Karnstein Castle.'

'Urgh, thinking about that complicated family drama, will only mess up with my mental state. I'm not Krassius to be attached to those memories, and to begin with, he didn't have much attachment to his mother or the sibling he tried to kill in bloodlust.'

'Let's think of the bright future I have. I'm the weakling with the potential of a Final Villain for the Protagonists of this World.'

Carl remained unfazed by that warning, instead, he observed and felt the Demonic Energy, but that was all, just some goosebumps that flared on his arms and the back of his neck, before calming down.

[Young Lord, you're fine against the Demonic Power of that esteemed being? Right… No wonder. You have become the successor of that monster Nosferatu, and even the new wielder of the Longinus 'Bloodbound Dominion'. Please remember my proposition. I'm willing to serve you, young Lord.] Her usually sultry voice was now laced with genuine concern as she urged him to turn back.

'Heh, women regardless of their race, are truly mysterious creatures. Maybe this time, I'll consider her offer for real, instead of gaslighting her.'

Keeping his cold facade on, Carl's response matched his state of mind, cold and indifferent, his tone devoid of emotion as he brushed off her warnings with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"I appreciate your concern, lady Laranje, but I cannot turn back now," he declared, his voice flat and devoid of warmth. "Whatever lies beyond that door, I intend to confront it myself. You should leave this place like the rest of those lowly Devils."

With a final nod of acknowledgement from him, he turned and faced the door once more, forging ahead. Each step closer, the air crackled with malevolent energy, while the dim light flickered ominously, casting eerie shadows that danced along the walls.

Suddenly, as he reached out to grasp the door handle, a stronger surge of demonic energy erupted from within the room. It washed over him like a torrent flood, but akin to an anchor, he remained grounded and took in all of this malevolence, basking in like a fish into a body of water.

'Not bad, this time I managed to suppress the goosebumps.'

As he pushed it open, a wave of cold air washed over him, but he remained collected and resolute in his exploration. Inside, he found himself in a small study room, illuminated by a soft, ethereal glow. At the center of the room sat a figure, a gorgeous tanned woman with long, flowing hair, engrossed in a book.

Her eyes were a striking shade of purple, and her form-fitting white dress left little to the imagination. Carl sized his opponent, and he couldn't help but find her appearance familiar. 

'She reminds me of that crazy gal from Volume 4 who attacked the meeting of the three faction leaders in Kuoh Town and got trashed by Azazel like some low-tier Villain character not worth a spit.'

'What was her name again? Leviathan? Right, she was part of the Old Satan Faction that lost the Devil Civil War. Daughter of the first Leviathan Satan.'

'My gut feeling tells me she's connected to that crazy gal. I did play the story in my head a couple of times since awakening inside this body, just so I might have an advantage over other characters. Not much luck since I got imprisoned in Austria of all places.'

'So, in hindsight, she most likely lost against Nosferatu in the Great War, she got killed and had her soul sealed away in the Bloodbound Domain. However, I assume because she is an Ultimate-Devil, her Soul still contains a lot of power that would cause him a headache managing this Dimension.'

'Conclusion? She got the "VIP" treatment, and has some freedoms inside the Castle that other Devils or Demons can't enjoy?'

Carl didn't greet the woman, nor the woman bothered to stop whatever she was doing, still giving the impression she was reading the Book which made Carl's crimson eyes flash a bit, since his body reacted instinctively to the smell of blood.

'Grimoire bound by human skin and flesh. Not surprised by this stage… Wait? Could it be that she is reading into the lives of those Devils that got trapped in those Grimoires as a pass time?'

When that thought surfaced into his mind, the beauty looked up from her Book, gazing with her purple eyes at him, showing great interest in him, while his time was ticking with only 10 minutes left in his stay.

"Do you want to read the story of this individual?" she asked, her voice smooth and melodious, before continuing explaining what the story entailed.

"It's about someone who served Mehmed Osman. It's impressive to read how those Ottomans played both Fallen Angels and us Devils to support them in their conquest over the Human Kingdoms." 

Carl hesitated for a moment, weighing his options before shaking his head. "No thanks. I'm not into reading."

The woman arched a delicate eyebrow in response, her lips curling into a knowing smile. "Is that so? A shame."

Carl's interest was piqued by her lack of insistence, his curiosity growing as he watched her return her attention to her book.

"Interesting," he murmured, his gaze lingering on her.

The woman glanced up at him once more, her purple eyes gleaming with intrigue. "What do you think is interesting? The story I was offering for you?"

"You," Carl replied bluntly.

The woman's smile widened, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes. "How so?"

"You're not pleading for me to release you," Carl explained. "This has piqued my interest."

The woman chuckled softly, her laughter echoing in the quiet room. "Even if I asked you to release me from this Prison, you don't have the Key."