Magic Industrial Age.

Chapter 523-521: King Kadum of Balor (Bonus Chapter 7)

Bonaparte Empire, Lutetia, deep within the royal palace.

This is the eternally dark place of the ancient castle, never exposed to sunlight. Cold air permeates the surroundings, and the moss on the walls and ground is slippery and disgusting.

A lantern was lit and held in the hands of a guard leading the way. The dim yellow light seemed compressed, illuminating only a small area.

Even with the windproof cover, the lights inside flickered, causing the illuminated area to sway as well.

There seemed to be some terrifying being lurking in the shadows, ready to pounce at any moment.

Even with Grand Duke Carlisle's strength, he felt a tremor run through his body and his hair stood on end at this moment.

He knew perfectly well that it was no illusion. The only thing that could make him, a fourth-tier Calamity expert, feel fear was a monster that could actually threaten his life, lurking in the darkness.

This made him daydream and he couldn't help but move forward, getting closer to Bonaparte III.

Bonaparte III sensed his movement, turned his head slightly, and whispered, "Don't worry, I don't intend to take your life!"

Grand Duke Carlisle gave an awkward laugh, then immediately said, "No, Your Majesty, I really didn't mean that!"

"This place is just... just so scary, I'm a little nervous."

He paused slightly, then asked, "Your Majesty, why are we here?"

"I'll take you to see some things."

"what?"

"No need to ask, no need to say anything, just follow me. When we get there, remember to keep silent and don't make any noise."

This is not a discussion, this is an order from His Majesty the Emperor!

"I know, I know!"

Grand Duke Carlisle's eyes narrowed, and he dared not say another word. He simply followed closely, even softening his steps.

They walked for a full half hour before finally passing through a barrier created by a magical enchantment.
Before Grand Duke Carlisle could even open his eyes to observe, he was jolted stiff by the overwhelming aura of the abyss.

The pungent abyssal aura seemed to ignite the air, and the strong smell of sulfur filled his nostrils. He felt as if he were in the midst of a great crisis, and the alarm bells in his heart were beating wildly.

Before Archduke Carlyle could make a move, Bonaparte III pulled him forward.
Even so, Bonaparte III didn't forget to give him a stern look.

Then, the lantern was blown out, and the two of them went to the corner of the wall and peered out again.

As far as the eye could see, in the middle of the open area stood a huge altar, around which various evil offerings were placed.

Terrified heads, pounding hearts, veins stained with blood, and twisted souls flying everywhere.

And, a pure young girl who was sacrificed.

In the dark and sinister underground space, a girl in a white dress seemed to be glowing, as pure and holy as an angel.

However, this is the offering most favored by the Abyss Lords; blasphemy brings them unspeakable pleasure.

Evil incantations rang out, and the demon mage presiding over the ceremony twisted his body and danced a bizarre dance as if he had gone mad.

The abyssal aura in the air was stirred up, becoming as restless as a volcanic eruption.
Suddenly, clusters of abyssal flames ignited on the altar, like torches, burning fiercely and spreading, eventually coalescing into a ball in mid-air before exploding with a deafening roar.

Then the green flames burned, seemingly melting away space, revealing an incredibly terrifying scene behind them.

It was a scorching land where rivers flowed with magma and flames would occasionally erupt from the ground like fountains of fire, scorching an area of ​​tens of meters.

The demons here have become accustomed to fire, and many even crouch beside the fire pits, howling and fighting under the rain of fire.

In such a world, there are actually plants, but they are all rooted in the magma, seemingly alive and absorbing nutrients.

The fruits they bear are all the size of a human head, with distorted faces.

This is the demons' favorite food; it seems the more terrified and distorted their faces, the more delicious it is.

Each time they gnawed on it, it was like taking drugs, making their ferocious faces turn into expressions of pleasure and enjoyment.

Of course, these demon trees are not without offensive power. Their branches are like whips, and those who are weaker can be directly pierced to death and dragged underground to become nutrients.

Such a world is mostly filled with various minerals with metallic luster and colorful glass shards.

The view zoomed in infinitely, all the scenes flashed by quickly, until a volcano erupted and the inhabitant of this place was seen in the thick lava.

At the end of the staircase made of bones was a throne of flowing lava, upon which a red-skinned demon rolled in the lava.

His head was enormous, with eyes that resembled flames, and twisted horns on his head that ignited the fires of the abyss, forming the shape of a crown.

Inside, it seemed as if countless souls were wailing in agony.

He paid no heed to the spying outside the altar; with just a slight turn of his head and a direct gaze, he could instill fear in the hearts of those who were some distance away, as if they were about to kneel in submission.

"I am the Lord of Blazing Balgra, the King of Balor..."

"My name is Kadum!"

The deep voice was like the roar of a dragon, carrying a terrifying will that permeated the entire venue, distorting time and space.

Finally, He said softly, "What do you mortals want?"

His gaze swept past the limp demon mage and landed on the person behind him.

That bloated body, the stubble on his beard, the puffy bags under his eyes...

Who else could it be but Marshal Joffre of the Bonaparte Empire?
Marshal Xiafei was naturally unable to resist the gaze of this demon lord, even across planes.

Mortals cannot look directly at gods, and at this moment, this became tangible. But to the left and right of Marshal Xiafei, two figures stepped forward, their legendary domains spreading out, firmly resisting the majesty emanating from the Demon King.

Marshal Joffre paused for a moment before speaking.

"I request that the Balrog King send troops!"

He spoke in the human language, which the Balrog King understood.
When the Balrog King answered in demonic language, it was transformed into a unique soul fluctuation, allowing Marshal Joffre to understand his meaning.

Then, there, Grand Duke Carlisle witnessed a shameful deal between humans and the demon king.

In the end, a dragon skin was covered with numerous terms and conditions and was stamped with the Flame Demon Mark of the Demon King.

Upon arrival, the two legends examined the items for a long time to ensure there were no problems before Marshal Joffre signed his name.

Before leaving, the demon king abducted all the sacrifices, including the pure maiden who pleased him the most.

Only after the abyss fire in the secret chamber faded and dissipated did Marshal Xiafei sit down on the ground with a thud.

The legendary mage next to him immediately picked up a bottle of potion and poured it down his throat, which made him feel better.

But the story isn't over yet!

Dozens of mages rushed out again, using various spells to clean the altar, replace the offerings, inscribe magic runes, and prepare for the summoning.

In just a short while, the altar had undergone a complete transformation.

The demon mage was also carried away, and another demon summoner came up, with another style of evil incantation ringing out once more.

Before Archduke Carlyle could continue watching, he was dragged out by Bonaparte III.

Guided by the guards, the two walked forward in silence.

Once they left this land of eternal darkness and entered the outside world, feeling the air thick with the smoke of war, Grand Duke Carlisle could no longer contain himself.

"Your Majesty, what... what was that just now?"

"You guessed it, didn't you?"

"But, but, those are abyssal demons. There's no good outcome to making a pact with a demon king."

"Then what do you want me to do?"

Bonaparte III suddenly turned around, looking at Archduke Carlyle with bloodshot eyes, fierce yet helpless.

"You've seen the battle report. In just one day, the first line of defense at Verdun has already been breached."

The Habs Empire's magic cannons, bombers, aircraft, heavy machine guns, and flamethrowers.

"Take a look and see which of these are within my current troop strength that I can withstand."

"Even if I send out more legions, it will only be a matter of risking lives to delay their actions."

"What I want is a powerful legion that can stop the army of the Habsburg Empire, even if that legion comes from the abyss, even if it costs a great price, I'm willing to accept it!"

Grand Duke Carlisle wanted to say something more. He wanted to talk about the ferocity of the demons, the corruption of the abyss, the hostility of other factions in Herka, and the dire consequences that had resulted…

But all of this, when it came to my lips, turned into a sigh.

Given this situation, what can be done but cry out in vain?

At this point, Bonaparte III spoke again: "You should understand why I called you here and showed you these things. It is because Bonaparte is facing a life-or-death situation, and we can no longer afford to be afraid of ourselves."

"Grand Duke Carlisle, I know it's a bit much to ask you to go to the Flower Territory again, but I really have no other choice."

Only you have the ability to accomplish such a weighty task.

Moreover, regardless of the circumstances, some lingering affection remained. This might not change anything, but at least the illegitimate child would receive you and give you a chance to speak.

Grand Duke Carlisle gave a wry smile and said, "I don't doubt that, but Your Majesty, what good is it to just let me speak?"

"Your Majesty, it's not that I'm being selfish, but that the relationship only allows me to ask once. If I don't have something to offer that can move him, I'll go and fail to complete the mission, which would be a waste of time."

So it's not that I don't want to go; it's that I cherish this opportunity more than anyone else.

"It already exists!"

"What's there?"

"I've found the bargaining chip you mentioned that could sway him."

"What is it?"

"Come on, I'll take you to see it. You can judge for yourself after you see it with your own eyes."

"it is good!"

This time, Bonaparte III led the way himself, with Grand Duke Carlyle following. They remained silent until they reached a secret vault.

A powerful guardian unlocked the magic key and opened the door to the secret vault, which Bonaparte led them to the very end.

There, on the antique shelf, is a treasure: a rapier!
Even with his extensive knowledge and experience, Grand Duke Carlisle was stunned for a long time.

After they emerged from the vault, Carlisle finally nodded.

"I'll take this mission!"

PS: I need to order the banquet gift package now, I'll get back to writing!

(End of this chapter)