Chapter 41 – The Demoness of Greed

The throne room of the sixth strongest demon was a palace built upon desire.

Gold and jewels glimmered across the black marble floors, cursed artifacts and ancient relics lay scattered among the riches, each carrying whispers of temptation. The very air seemed thick with greed itself—a presence that lured the weak-willed into endless hunger for power, wealth, and indulgence.

At the heart of this palace, seated upon a throne carved from the bones of fallen kings, lounged the Demoness of Greed.

She was beautiful.

Unnaturally so.

Her long crimson hair flowed like a river of blood, cascading over her shoulders. Her golden eyes shimmered, filled with a deep hunger that could never be satisfied. Her gown, woven from nightmare silk, clung to her figure, every movement designed to seduce and ensnare. Around her, 500 demons stood, their twisted forms displaying the corruption of their greed.

But when Kuragami entered—

The weak died.

Their bodies ruptured instantly under the sheer weight of his Aura of the Abyss. The stronger demons fell to their knees, their minds crushed by an overwhelming force that made them feel as if the very concept of resistance was foolish.

And even the Demoness of Greed... trembled.

She barely held herself together, gritting her teeth against the pressure. A cold sweat dripped down her forehead, and her fingers dug into the armrest of her throne.

Then, she smirked.

"So..." she breathed, her voice smooth like silk yet laced with venom. "You are the one they call the Prince. The Son of the Great Demon King Rimuru. The one destined to become the Demon God."

Her golden eyes flickered with amusement, but there was an unmistakable edge to them—a hidden fear.

Kuragami's eyes narrowed.

And beside him, Saphira moved.

Faster than a shadow, she attacked.

BOOM!

The ground shattered as Saphira's blade met the Demoness of Greed's throne, carving a deep crack through the luxurious palace. The golden pillars split, and the walls trembled under the force of the brutal assault.

The Demoness barely evaded, flipping through the air before landing gracefully. Her lips curled into a smirk. "So your little pet fights in your place?"

Saphira's eyes flashed.

"I am no pet," she spat, her voice like ice.

The Demoness of Greed laughed softly. "Ah, but you are. A mere servant. A plaything for your master's amusement."

Saphira's grip on her sword tightened.

Kuragami, however, remained still.

Then, he summoned something.

A sphere—pure black, consuming the very light around it—manifested in his palm. It was not of this world.

He tossed it to Saphira.

"Use this," he commanded.

She caught it.

And darkness surged through her.

Her blade, already deadly, became something far worse—an extension of the void itself.

She swung.

BOOOOOM!

The palace collapsed.

The 500 demons vanished, obliterated as the sphere's power devoured them. The throne room was reduced to nothingness, a vast crater left where the hall of greed once stood.

The Demoness of Greed coughed blood, her once-flawless skin now covered in deep, unnatural wounds.

Yet, she still smirked.

She licked the blood off her lips and chuckled. "I see now... This was a test."

Saphira raised her blade again, preparing to end it.

But the Demoness of Greed turned her gaze to Kuragami.

"If your servant is this strong... then how powerful are you?"

Before Kuragami could respond, Saphira stepped forward.

"Call me servant again," she growled, "and I will tear your tongue out."

The Demoness of Greed's smile widened.

Then, she laughed.

"Amazing," she purred. "Even your little servant has a sharp tongue."

Saphira's rage exploded.

She lunged.

But before her sword could reach the Demoness's throat—

Kuragami raised his hand.

Saphira stopped instantly.

"...Enough."

His voice was calm—but it carried an absolute authority that froze the air itself.

Saphira gritted her teeth but obeyed.

The Demoness of Greed stared at Kuragami.

Then, slowly—she knelt.

"I see it now," she murmured. "You truly are the future Demon God."

She raised her head, her golden eyes locking onto his.

"I will follow you."

Silence.

Kuragami didn't answer immediately.

Instead, he turned away.

"Swear your loyalty," he finally said. "Not to me. Not to my kingdom. But to the cause."

The Demoness of Greed smiled.

"I swear."

Kuragami began walking away, already focused on his next conquest.

But as he left, he added one final thing:

"Saphira is not my servant."

He didn't turn back, but his next words sent shivers down Saphira's spine.

"She is my sword."

Saphira felt her breath catch.

Her cheeks grew warm before she could stop them.

What... was this feeling?

She quickly shook it off, following after Kuragami.

The Demoness of Greed chuckled.

"How interesting."

---

The Road Ahead...

Six demons remained.

Kuragami's army of darkness continued to grow.

And with every step, he drew closer to his true destiny.

To become the Demon God.

To save his mother.

To destroy the gods.

And to carve his name into eternity.

To be continued...