RISE OF EROS-Chapter 601 - 600
The fall of the Corrupted God was not an event heralded with fanfare or the clamor of celebrations. It was a silent occurrence, almost unnoticed, when Lugia, Arion, Zaros, and Elidyr achieved what was once deemed impossible: eradicating the last remnants of a malevolent influence that had poisoned the heart of the Demon Kingdom for generations.
Without the kingdom’s inhabitants realizing it, the darkness that had instigated war and discord dissipated, leaving a silent void in its place. Although peace did not arrive immediately, something in the air shifted, like a barely perceptible whisper caressing the souls of those who had only known the language of war.
Freed from the malevolent influence of the fallen god, demons, for the first time in centuries, began to think more clearly, no longer driven by whispers inciting violence.
Still, they were unaware of the cause behind this change and did not question it much. They did not know that their thoughts were no longer poisoned; they simply started to perceive a reality where conflict was not the only solution.
The Demon Kingdom had been divided into multiple factions for centuries, each with its own interests and thirst for power. The most powerful territories like Drakarion, home of the Storm Lords clan, and Nyrath, ruled by the enigmatic Shadowmirrors, had been epicenters of constant clashes.
However, in the months following the confrontation in the swamp where the fragments of the fallen god resided, hostilities inexplicably began to subside. Initially, no one noticed. Demon generals and warlords, accustomed to incessant violence, found themselves strangely hesitant to send their armies into battle.
Instead of acting with the blind fury that had once characterized them, they took a moment to consider their actions. Decisions that had previously seemed obvious, like attacking a border outpost or inciting a rebellion, now required a deliberation that had never been necessary before.
In Drakarion, the Storm Lord, Ragnarok, famous for his explosive temper, surprised himself by ordering a temporary truce with his rivals in Nyrath. What began as a pause to reorganize his forces extended for weeks, and his advisors began to suggest that perhaps it was time to negotiate with the Shadowmirrors instead of facing them on the battlefield.
The most influential territories sensed that something had changed, even if they couldn’t pinpoint exactly what. For the first time in centuries, the demon leaders of the most powerful cities received invitations for a meeting in Sargoth, the floating citadel that stood as a symbol of power and neutrality in the midst of the devastated kingdom.
The Council of the Eternal Flame, an ancient assembly that had fallen into disuse, was reconvened. The main hall of Sargoth is filled with the imposing figures of the most powerful demons in the land.
There were suspicious glances, but also a silent yearning to find a different solution to the endless cycle of war. Azazel, the Archon of the Dark Flames, was the first to speak. A feared and respected figure, his deep voice echoed throughout the hall.
"We are gathered here not out of a desire for power, but because our armies are weary, our lands exhausted, and our children…" he paused, searching for the right words, "Our children know no other life than that of war. I propose that instead of continuing this futile cycle, we seek an alternative path."
There were murmurs among those present. Lilith, the Lady of Thorns, was the first to respond with a tone full of irony, "An alternative path? And what do you suggest, Azazel? That we discuss our conflicts with poetry and wine?"
Azazel remained unfazed, "I propose that we adopt something that has been lost in our history. The Dialogue of the Flame, an ancient method of dispute resolution through negotiations instead of battles. I am not suggesting we abandon our strength, but that we reserve it for those who truly threaten us from the outside."
A tense silence followed. However, Azazel’s influence was considerable, and although demons were reluctant to trust words, something within them seemed inclined toward this proposal. It was the first step toward a solution they had never before considered.
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The adoption of the Dialogue of the Flame was neither simple nor immediate. The more isolated and less populated territories, like Ulgoroth, where black-skinned demons had learned to survive in perpetual darkness, continued to prefer resolving their differences with claws and fire.
But in the regions of greater power and population, especially in the large cities like Abyndor and Tharamon, tensions began to slowly diminish. One of the first conflicts to be resolved through dialogue was at the Pass of a Thousand Shadows, a narrow strategic valley that had been a point of contention for centuries between the Northern and Southern clans.
Instead of drawing their swords, both clans sent emissaries to discuss the terms of an agreement. Supervised by a neutral representative from Sargoth, they managed to reach an understanding that not only avoided war but also opened the way for trade between the two regions.
The impact of this peaceful resolution was profound. For the first time, demons began to wonder if there might be a way to coexist without resorting to violence. Zarathos, a young warrior who had lost his entire family to the wars, was among many who found a new purpose as a mediator, helping negotiate agreements in territories that had been on the brink of destruction.
As demons began to live without the constant pressure of war, other aspects of life flourished. The arts, magic, and even demon agriculture, which had been almost forgotten, began to revive.
In Ithalor, a city known for its ancient libraries, scholars began rediscovering old grimoires that spoke of creative rather than destructive magic.
Arion, one of the heroes who had purged the corruption, decided to dedicate his life to teaching. He settled in a small school in Ithalor, where he instructed young demons not only in the art of war but also in strategies for peace and diplomacy.
His teachings, centered on using the mind rather than the sword, inspired many to consider paths other than violence. Zaros, the former strategist, took a different approach. He used his military knowledge to create a unified defense system that protected the kingdom from external threats, allowing demons to focus on internal rebuilding.
Years passed, and while the Demon Kingdom was far from a utopia, there was a palpable change in the atmosphere. Younger generations grew up with the idea that dialogue was not a sign of weakness, but of strength.
Instead of blindly enlisting in armies to fight endless wars, many chose careers in trade, diplomacy, or the arts. Although these changes would take years to be fully realized, the foundations were starting to show.
Lugia, Arion, Zaros, and Elidyr, although they fought and then withdrew in secret, were undoubtedly the instigators of this change, even if they themselves had no such intention.
Make no mistake, they knew that by eliminating the remnants of the fallen god, things would improve, but their goal was not that; rather, it was to take the remnants and protect them so they would not fall into unscrupulous hands.
No one knew exactly what had changed, only that the shadow that had weighed on their hearts had lifted. Perhaps it was a mystery better left unsolved, many thought, as the result was a kingdom that, although not entirely peaceful, at least knew the taste of peace.
Borders were no longer just lines of conflict but points of contact where trade and cooperation began to flourish. And while challenges remained, demons had learned that, in the end, they had the power to choose a destiny different from the one the fallen god had imposed on them.
Thus, the Demon Kingdom entered a new era, not perfect, but full of promise. The past was not forgotten, but for the first time in centuries, it no longer dictated the future.
While these changes were unfolding in the Demon Kingdom, in the Palace of Cannes, Andrew and Seraphine, who had sealed their alliance and with the succubus now an apostle, introduced themselves to Andrew’s inner circle.
His wives and guardians listened to the pact they had made and were equally surprised to learn how Seraphine had become one of Andrew’s apostles.
Despite being an experienced and strong woman, Seraphine was embarrassed by the enthusiasm of the women present for her. Even Andrew’s wives surrounded her, asking questions.
She could not understand how they could feel comfortable with her so quickly, but she liked the feeling of closeness they showed. They discussed many of their future plans, especially how the succubi would assist, mainly in gathering information. Enjoy new adventures from novelbuddy
The meeting extended for several hours, but eventually, it ended. To everyone’s surprise, including Seraphine’s, she was dragged off by Andrew’s wives to a different room. Andrew saw the similarity between this situation and when a new wife appears and it confused him.
Seraphine is not a new wife, but what he couldn’t understand was thatEros blesses Succubi, so they possess many techniques and knowledge about sex, and these women were eager to learn from her.
