Baator Hell Promotion

Lilith casually changed her position, and the half-giant's arm also changed, supporting her waist. The Night Lady stared at the Horned Demon and said in a gentle and pleasant voice:

"Lord Norman, is it okay for me to take it away? I will preside over his promotion."

"My dear Madam, if you are willing to preside over this, it would certainly be his honor," the Horned Demon said calmly. "I just don't know what rank you would like him to be promoted to. I need to record it and summarize it later."

"Since dear Xino likes this little devil, let it become a succubus to accompany my sisters," Lilith said casually, as if she had no idea what shocking words she had said.

The little devil couldn't believe his ears. Unlike most devils, succubi could only be born in two ways: as fallen angels or as the direct offspring of a succubus mother. Other than that, devils born from Hell couldn't be promoted to succubi through ascension.

"No, you can't do this. You're breaking the ladder of advancement." Harp heard the Ice Demon behind him shouting in disgrace. "Lord Sfando wouldn't agree to this either."

A blood-red whip of light flashed across the room, striking the Ice Demon squarely in the face and sending him flying through the air, slamming into the wall behind him. The Ice Demon scrambled weakly to his feet, a horrific scorch mark piercing his insectoid head, its left compound eye blinded.

"Whether or not this can be done is not up to you, Ice Demon," said another succubus standing behind Lilith. The whip of light retracted into her sleeve, resembling a blood-red fiery snake. "You must remember that you have no right to judge any decision made by Lady Lilith."

Because of the attack just now, her hood fell off, revealing skin as bright as moonlight and fiery red curly hair. Unlike the charming and noble Xino, her face was as sharp as a knife, and her expression was cold and arrogant.

"Alright, Ximan Qiluofu," Lilith patted the demon's hand and said, "Don't get angry over such a small character."

Ximan Qiluofu, she is far less famous than her sister Xinuo to the devils present, but she is also a member of the Sisters of the Night. She is also the leader of the high-level form of the succubus - the moon devil. This is enough to make most devils feel afraid.

"Do you also think that I have broken the rules of hell, Lord Norman?" Lilith asked the question to the horned demon kneeling on the ground.

"As I have repeatedly told Igary and Harold Tim, I am not a judge, your Excellency. I have no right to make any comment on your actions." The Horned Demon simply avoided the subject.

The little devil could actually understand Norman, because he had just figured out why Lilith came here. If he thought Lilith came here specifically to save him, he would be overestimating the Hell nobles.

Baalzebul, the Grand Duke of the Seventh Hell, and Mephistos, the Grand Duke of the Eighth Hell, have long been at odds. As Baalzebul's second consort, Lilith, when presented with the opportunity to humiliate one of Mephistos's generals, was determined to seize the opportunity. As for whether she would face subsequent retaliation from Igari or even Sfandor, the Night Maiden cared little.

Norman must have thought of the conflict between the two grand dukes and simply tried to smooth things over.

However, the little devil still didn't know how she would ascend to the rank of a succubus. Lilith was one of Hell's most powerful nobles, and Hap had no doubt she had the ability. But what excuse would she have for not breaking Hell's promotion rules? After all, the Succubus Queen was Gracia, the Nine Hells' only princess. Was she truly so valuable that Lilith would risk offending her by changing the rules?

"That's a very clever answer, Norman. No wonder you can continue working for Grand Duke Dispater." Lilith's smile became even brighter.

"I have no desire to offend the powerful Grand Duke Dispater. How dare you assume I would do something that would offend all of Hell?" Lilith snorted, turning to the half-crouching, half-kneeling Ice Demon. "You can tell this to Sfandor or any other fool who dares to question me."

"I never said I wanted to promote the little devil to a succubus," she declared with a smile. "I just stopped you from promoting him. Do you think I don't have the power to do that?"

All the devils shook their heads in unison. As a devil at the pinnacle of power, Lilith needed no reason to dispose of a lesser devil, even if it wasn't her subordinate. The Ice Devil had only tried to stop her by arguing that she couldn't arbitrarily change the rules of Hell's advancement.

"Next, it's up to dear Sassino." After confirming that no one dared to offend her authority, Lilith lazily fell back into the arms of the half-giant. Two wind fairies quickly flew down to massage her shoulders and legs.

The third and final Sister of the Night stepped out from behind the chair. Dark-haired Sassino was plain compared to her two sisters, but her slightly hunched waist and gentle demeanor made her irresistibly captivating.

"Lady Lilith didn't say she wanted to raise this child to a succubus," Sassino explained, maintaining her motherly smile. Her warm expression and bulging belly made her look even more like a mother expecting to give birth. "She said, 'Let him become a succubus.' According to Hell's laws, only children born to succubi can become succubi. And I am willing to be this child's mother."

Hap suddenly realized. Sassino was a demon-breeder in her own form. She and her subordinates were Lilith's transformed beings, used to raise demon-breds and hybrids. Demon-breeders excelled at two things: giving birth to demons and manipulating mortals with the power of maternal affection.

"Then, Harold Tim, whose promotion was stopped," the demon-bred Sasino walked up to the little devil, and her two sisters stopped behind her. "Will you be my child?"

Author's Note: I have something to do on Thursday, so I'll update it in advance today.

Chapter 28: New Life (Part 1)

Hap didn't know how many times he had been woken up by the pain.

In the drowsy darkness, it regretted its decision countless times. Why had it trusted Yumo? Could Lilith really be trusted? Wasn't she the most vicious and tormenting demon in the world?

Often before he could come up with a conclusion, the severe pain would interrupt his thoughts and make him fall into coma again.

Ever since Hap said yes to Sassino, everything was settled.

In his vague memory fragments, he only remembered that Sassino lifted up his clothes, then a blue light flashed, and he entered the endless darkness.

What followed was endless torture. The devils' advancement was always painful, but Hap had not expected it to be so unbearable.

He could feel himself immersed in warm liquid, like a ball of cotton thrown into a pond. But this liquid was like strong acid, constantly corroding his body, while some substance injected into the liquid was constantly repairing his body.

For a few moments, Hap was convinced he had touched the corroded, half-broken spine, and then even his hands melted away. In the next moment, he found himself growing new, softer limbs.

There was a silent darkness all around, for Harp's eyeballs and eardrums had melted away long before the beginning.

The last thing he saw was that he was inside a cocoon-like package.

Later, Hap even found a pattern in the pain. The reason he woke up every time was because a more powerful force of hell was injected into his cell.

As his endurance of pain deepened and his limbs were reconstructed, he could feel the strength injected into him gradually decreasing, his body gradually becoming heavier, and he could even vaguely hear the subtle sound of music.

It's like a lullaby.

Hap opened his eyes.

He had just adjusted to the now completely non-corrosive liquid that enveloped him, and noticed the orange-yellow sunlight seeping through the translucent film, when the cocoon broke.

Hap emerged from the cocoon, enveloped in amber liquid. He coughed and tried to inhale to clear the water from his lungs.

Someone nearby snapped their fingers, and Harp's entire body dried. He shook his long hair out of his eyes and looked at the creature that had come to his aid.

Wait, long hair?

Harp looked down and saw that his hands had transformed from the rough, crimson claws of a little devil into the smooth, graceful hands of a humanoid creature, the skin on his hands like a slightly bluish glacier. Looking down again, from his bulging chest to his clawless feet, his new body was no different from that of an ordinary human woman.

"I believe you will have plenty of time to get used to your new body," said a nearby voice that couldn't hold back its laughter. "Now don't sit on the ground, put on your clothes and stand up."

Less than three feet away from Harp stood a demon wearing a loose brown robe and a pair of pure black wings. Her pregnant belly, which even the robe couldn't cover, revealed her identity as a demon breeder.

Hap stood up shakily. After being a little devil for so long, he had not yet adapted to the height of his perspective, so it took him a while to stand firm.

He took the robe handed to him by Yumo. The size of the robe was just right, and there were openings reserved for wings on it.

After becoming a succubus, even the simple act of getting dressed became a unique pleasure. The newly born succubus was absolutely certain that his now seemingly fragile skin was far tougher than the leathery skin of the little devil. Yet, he could still clearly and sensitively feel the dry fabric rubbing against his smooth skin, bringing a slight rustling sound and a scratchy tingling sensation.

"I'm Emilia, and I work for Master Sashinoi." Yuma saw him dressed and introduced himself briefly. "You can call me Emilia or Sister. Master Sashinoi has entrusted me to watch over and guide you."

"Thank you, Sister Emilia," Happ bowed. Somehow, perhaps due to their racial innate qualities, Happ always felt that the demons exuded a certain "maternal" aura that shouldn't be found in demons.

However, compared with the gentle and elegant yet somewhat distant Sassino, Emilia seems more intimate and gentle, more like a tutor.

"You must remember that while Lady Sassino may have acknowledged you as her child," the governess warned, raising a finger. "But you weren't conceived by her from the embryo. As a mother, she has fulfilled her duty."

The newly born succubus nodded, understanding that this was a warning to him not to think that he could really be compared with Sassinoi's biological daughters.

Hap looked around. The room was small, and there was nothing in it except the cocoon that had just given birth to her. The device that gave her new life was only connected to the wall by a few fleshy tubes. Perhaps the device that incubated her was more like the mother of her new body than Sassino.

"Am I a succubus now? I feel a little different." Harp turned his gaze back to look at himself. "I don't remember seeing an indigo-haired succubus before."

"I haven't seen it either, but your sisters aren't all cut from the same cloth." Emilia came over and helped her tidy up her dark blue hair. She was taller than the succubus. "Little girl, your hair is beautiful."

"Little girl," Hap chewed on the name. While most demons had no gender at all—serving the Great Hell didn't require such a burdensome distinction—demons generally considered themselves male, as generally speaking, the more powerful intelligent beings were often male.

However, succubi rarely appear in male form, at least Harp has never seen one. However, Harp has no difficulty accepting this.

After all, the way the succubus appears as a woman is similar to how Hap appeared as a chipmunk when he was still a little devil. Both of them lowered the vigilance of others by showing weakness, making it easier to steal souls.

"Now that you've been successfully born, my duty is almost complete," Emilia said, gesturing to the cocoon that had fallen to the ground. "I no longer need to channel my power through a cocoon. You'll have to go to the Torch Keep to learn further lessons on your own."

"Ember Keep? Where is that? Don't I have to pledge allegiance to the Legion?" the succubus asked curiously. The name Ember Keep was difficult to pronounce and unfamiliar, and he had never heard of it before.

"Silly girl, you've only just been born. Who can you possibly serve?" Emilia's tense face revealed a faint smile. She took the newborn's hand, her palm warm and soft. "Torchhold is where newborn devils learn. In other words, it's a school for succubi, some Cambions, tieflings, and some children of nobles."

I understand, Hap nodded, Hell Noble University.

"Unlike the other ugly creatures in Baator, most of the succubi born today are the result of untold hardships and sufferings by their mothers. Therefore, newborn succubi are different from those promoted devils. They often lack the understanding and development of their own abilities and need to go to the Torchhold to learn and master their own skills." Emilia continued.

"Your situation is a little special, but since you don't understand your own abilities, it's appropriate for you to go for further training for a while."

"You don't have to worry about your past affiliation. My dear, from the moment you accepted Lord Sassinoyi's gift, you are no longer the wrinkled little devil of the past," the higher-ranking devil soothed. "Succubi belong to their mothers, who often expend immense energy and even risk their lives to give birth to them. Therefore, every succubus carries a primordial debt to their mothers at birth. Only after they have paid off their debt can they serve in the various legions."

Chapter 29: New Life (Part 2)

Hap opened her mouth, and Emilia, sensing her confusion, answered the unasked question:

"Technically, you should address Mistress Sassino as your mother. However, both she and Mistress Lilith have generously stated that you are not required to repay the debt."

Hap felt a chill run down her back, as if a drop of icy water had slid down her spine. In Baator, unrequited help often meant a higher price to pay.

Regardless of the truth, since Lilith has bestowed so many favors upon you, in the eyes of other demons, you have already been branded as Lilith. As a result, her allies may not necessarily consider you one of their own, but her enemies will certainly consider you an imaginary enemy.

Hap had vaguely heard before that if you wanted to join a certain aristocratic circle, you would need to undertake similar responsibilities and tests.

The devil nobles call such peripheral members "bells" or "spider silk" - a rather black humorous name. When they are killed by the enemy, the noise they make will wake up the sleeping master or the spider in the web.

Perhaps other devils would consider this an honor - after all, even if it was just a small mark, it could be considered a direct connection with a big devil like Lilith, and the benefits behind it could be immeasurable.

But a rebellious part of Harp—perhaps the part that would rather risk summoning a celestial being than kill Charlotte—resented this lack of choice in the handout.

She would rather take on the task of collecting another 99 souls to repay Lilith. But the situation forced the devil to bow, and even if she brought it up now, it would be useless. No devil would believe that Harp would or could break away from Lilith - in Baator, allowing you to repay a debt is often a rare favor.

Yumo had no idea what Happy was thinking, and even if she knew, she probably wouldn't care. With a wave of her hand, a wall transformed into a true mirror. She walked behind Happy, guiding the newborn like a caring older sister.

"Look, honey, how beautiful you are."

The newly born succubus saw its own appearance clearly for the first time. The reflection in the mirror revealed a six-foot-tall, slender succubus. Her skin was pale, almost transparent, and her hair was as black as night, with only a hint of indigo visible at the edges. Her jewel-like eyes echoed the blue hue of her skin and hair, reminiscent of a lake under sunlight.

I look as fragile as an ice sculpture, Hap thought, and as cold as an ice sculpture.

"Look at this face, the expression of arrogance on your face is just right." Emilia put her head on the succubus's shoulder, put her arms around her waist and said affectionately.

"For those in high positions, what could be more worthy of conquest than a black-winged, powerful and almighty angel?" Yumo blew into Hap's ear, watching the newborn shudder all over, and then giggled.

"My dear little sister, you will definitely arouse the jealousy of most of the succubi in the Torchhold."

"Although you were conceived by Sashino and then formed by the power guided by me, it seems that you may not be suitable for the role of a mother in the future," Yumo commented as he carefully looked at the newborn in the mirror.

"Succubi often resemble their mothers, but you weren't actually born through pregnancy. I suspect your appearance reflects your original personality," she speculated. "But don't worry. Even if you can't ascend to Sasinoi, you can still ascend to Ximanqiluofu or Ximanqiluofu. They all serve the Sisterhood of Night, regardless of rank."

The three names Emilia mentioned not only refer to the three angels who were initially seduced by Lilith, but are also the racial names of three high-level succubi: the Devil of Devil, the Devil of Breeding, and the Devil of Moon.

Of course, there are more than just these three high-level forms of succubi. In fact, Harp suspected that every archdevil who favored succubi had their own dedicated succubus unit. At least, the one and only Nine Hells Princess, the Succubus Queen, certainly didn't have one.

Emilia's words also concealed another meaning. She had no doubt that Hap would join Lilith's army. Even Hap himself couldn't think of a reason to reject Lilith.

But there was always a small voice in his heart reminding him, is it true? Will things be so smooth? Is Lilith willing to do so much for him, a stranger, just to annoy the general of the Eighth Hell and for a little selfishness?

"I won't say more about the abilities and differences between the various high-level succubi. You still have to listen to the nagging of those old maids in Cinderella Castle for a long time." The words of the succubus interrupted Hap's thoughts.

"When should I go to Emberhold?" Harp broke free from Emilia's loose embrace, rubbed his ears, and felt his face getting a little hot. Since he couldn't think of an answer to his question right now, he might as well put it aside for now. He had too many questions, and he didn't need another one.

"Don't worry, you haven't fully enjoyed your new life yet." Yu Mo didn't care much. She turned around gracefully. Her bulging belly made her full of a strange temptation that made people want to destroy her. "Besides, you also need a new name."

"What new name?" Hap was a little confused. The real name cannot be changed and all the devils know it.

"Just like the ladies on the Prime Material Plane who serve the Serpent of Pleasure or the greedy Lord Mammon all have flower names, succubi don't use their real names. You have to choose an elegant name for yourself. It's also a tradition."

Perhaps it was passed down from the Holy Arts Society. Hap curled his lips inwardly, remembering a legend about Lilith.

Upon entering Hell, Lilith and her three sisters became the brides of the first Demon King. The four of them danced and sang around him, chanting poems that were both groans and praises. Many scholars believe these four sisters were the origins of the temple brides, who, by spreading the custom of offering young girls (and sometimes underage boys) to the gods, dragged countless ignorant believers into Hell.

"Can't think of one? Let me help you pick one." Emilia saw that Hap was still silent and took the initiative to say, "Your face, your connection with the Eighth Hell..."

"I decided to call you Hopper. It's just a little different in spelling from your original name. How about it?" Her smile was as warm as that of an ordinary sister.

Happy didn't want to argue with her on this issue, so he nodded in agreement and repeated the question.

"When should I go to Torchhold, and how should I get there?"

"What a studious little sister. If you must know, you have everything you need to know in the pocket of your robe. But it will be a while before the next opening of the Ember Keep." Emilia winked at her and pointed to her right pocket.

Hap reached in and pulled out a drawstring bag not much bigger than a fist and surprisingly light.

"This is a newborn gift from the three sisters of the Night," Yuma announced, raising his hand. "A space bag made from a giant's bag."

Hap's face darkened.

Chapter 30 Admission Notice

Minaunos, the third layer of Baator, is sometimes called the Bitter Rain Hell, a term that aptly describes the weather there.

Throughout the Third Hell, the sky was almost never clear. Thick black clouds tirelessly pounded the ground with acidic rain and hard hail. There wasn't a single piece of dry ground in the entire Third Hell; swamps deeper than the sky and overflowing rivers filled every corner.

Between two boundless darknesses lay the sinking city of Minaunos. Countless low-level devils and slaves, under the orders of Grand Duke Mammon, tried in vain to fortify this city built on mud.

No devil knows whether Grand Duke Mammon is too stingy to give up the city or just wants to torture his subordinates in this way.

Hap, oh no, now she should be called Hopper, was walking on the sewage and muddy roads of Minaunos. This feeling was really novel. When she was a little devil, it was impossible for her to fall to the ground - that would not only affect her efficiency, but she would also be washed away by the sewage.

Now she could walk barefoot among the hurrying demons, feeling the wonderful sensation of fine, cold mud squeezing through her fingers.

Minaunos is the largest soul market in all of Hell. The greedy Grand Duke Mammon has stationed all of his Anzumo tax collectors there, counting every penny. It's said that if you're wealthy enough, Grand Duke Mammon will even accept souls in exchange for gold.

A series of derivative transactions are born around the soul trade. The market of Minaunos is the largest in the entire hell or even the entire multiverse, with the most abundant goods and the lowest commission. Yes, this is also the key to why Grand Duke Mammon can successfully make money.