Impending Doom!!

Elliott followed after them, his steps quick and uncertain as he followed the demons out toward the king's council. His entire body trembled, but he kept moving, determined not to trip and embarrass himself, though with his luck, that was inevitable.

Azrael, still standing at his place, watched them go, his posture regal, commanding, and effortlessly intimidating. His silver eyes, which had the eerie ability to shift into a crimson glow when he was particularly amused or irritated, lingered on one specific detail. Elliott's retreating backside.

His lips curled slightly.

"Such a pretty thing," he murmured to himself, his deep voice laced with something between amusement and satisfaction.

Before long, two figures materialized in the grand hall, stepping through swirling dark mist that evaporated around them like smoke.

One was a male demon, tall, well-built, and dressed in a sleek black military-style coat that had silver-etched infernal markings running down the sleeves. His skin was a cool shade of gray, his eyes glowing a sharp red, and two short curved horns slowly turned into jet-black hair. His aura radiated an easy confidence, and he smirked as he stepped forward. This was Varian, one of Azrael's most trusted subordinates arrogant but fiercely loyal.

The other was a female demon, equally striking in appearance. Her form was elegant, but deadly, with a deep red cloak draped over her shoulders, revealing a black form-fitting bodysuit underneath. Long silver hair cascaded down her back in thick waves, and her violet eyes burned with intelligence. This was Selene, Azrael's right-hand strategist.

Both demons knelt instantly, their heads bowed.

"King Azrael," they greeted in unison, their voices smooth and reverent.

Azrael regarded them with a simple nod, his presence alone enough to demand obedience. "Speak."

Varian, ever the bold one, rose first and scoffed, though his respect for Azrael kept his tone measured. "Azrael… a husband? No issue with that. But a mere mortal? A weak, fragile human? Come on, my lord, what do you even see in him?"

Azrael shifted, his gaze flickering toward Varian like a cold blade being drawn from its sheath. The air in the hall grew tense, the very walls seeming to tremble under his presence.

"He's attractive and has a pretty face," Azrael said, his voice as smooth as ever but layered with an unspoken warning.

"Seriously?" Selene scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "If we're talking about attractiveness, there are far more appealing demons in our realm. If you wanted someone beautiful—"

"Cut the crap!" Azrael's voice boomed, his aura crackling with restrained power. His silver-crimson eyes burned fiercely as he took a single step forward, and the space itself seemed to tremble. "You have no right to lecture me."

The shift in his demeanor was instant—gone was the lazy, amused king who made teasing remarks about Elliott. In his place stood the true Demon King. A being whose presence alone could bend the will of weaker creatures, whose name even angels dared not speak lightly.

Varian immediately straightened, his playful smirk wiped clean. Selene gave a short, composed nod.

"Forgive us, my lord," she said swiftly.

Azrael exhaled, his power withdrawing slightly. "Now, unless you came here to offer relationship advice—" he shot Varian a sharp look "—you better have something of actual importance to report."

Selene quickly composed herself. "Yes, my lord. The Rebel Demon Faction has been making quite a scene recently."

Azrael's interest piqued slightly. "Go on."

She continued, "So far, there have been numerous reports of mortals going missing. When they're found, their spiritual energy is already drained, leaving them nothing but hollow husks. After some investigation, it was confirmed that these abductions were carried out by the rebels."

Azrael tilted his head, unimpressed.

"And those who weren't found?"

"They were infused with demonic energy, forcibly turned into servants of the rebels, building their numbers for an eventual uprising," Selene explained grimly.

Varian scoffed, folding his arms. "Hah! They aren't a threat. No matter how much they gather or what they do, if we go into battle, we'll annihilate them in under a minute. What's the point?" He grinned, clearly finding the rebels laughable.

Selene sighed. "That's what I thought at first. But this time, they're advancing."

Azrael's eyes sharpened. "Advancing how?"

"Along with the missing mortals, some of the mortals territories have been wiped out. People are fleeing in fear, and even the mortal world's strongest spiritual factions have been struggling to stop the attacks. This is strange, considering that when we banished the rebels, they were practically powerless."

Varian shrugged lazily. "They must have trained."

"No," Selene countered. "Their powers have been growing unnaturally. They've been receiving outside help.... from angels."

Azrael's expression darkened. "Angels?"

"Yes," Selene confirmed. "The number of corrupt angels has been on the rise. They've been aligning themselves with the rebels, strengthening them in ways we didn't predict. Their combined strength is what has allowed them to grow at such a rapid pace."

Varian's playful demeanor finally cracked. "How dare they?" he growled, his fists clenching.

Selene pressed on. "From what I gathered, their ultimate goal is to take over the mortal world, with the help of the corrupt angels, they plan to convert all mortals into demon servants. And convert the mortal world into a Rebel Demon Army. A force strong enough to challenge the Demon Faction directly."

Varian rolled his eyes. "As if! King Azrael can obliterate their so-called army in minutes."

Azrael's lips curled into a wicked smile. "Whatever they're doing, they're courting death."

"Yeah," Varian smirked. "It's basically knocking on death's door. If they're willing to throw their lives away, we should just let them."

Selene, ever the strategist, remained thoughtful. "Still… this is an impending disaster for the mortals. If this continues, they'll be facing absolute destruction.

Azrael shrugged. "And?"

Selene continued "The real issue is the mortals.They are doomed."

Azrael's expression turned cold. "So? That is none of our concern."

"But—"

Selene frowned. "You don't care at all?"

Azrael's gaze turned cold. "Why should I? Have you forgotten what they did to us?"

Varian and Selene exchanged a brief look.

"No," they admitted.

"Then you should already know," Azrael continued, his tone dismissive. "Helping the mortals solve this would be foolish."

Selene exhaled, relenting. "Understood."

Azrael turned away. "Keep an eye on the Rebel Demon Faction. Let me know of their next move."

"Yes, my lord," they both replied.

Azrael gave them a small nod of approval before striding toward the exit.

Varian tilted his head. "Where are you going, my lord?"

Azrael didn't stop walking. "I have business to attend to."

Selene raised a brow. "Where exactly could you be going in the mortal realm?"

Azrael finally cracked a small, devilish smile.

"I'm off to see my husband."

And with that, he disappeared into thin air, leaving his subordinates behind, grunting in frustration.