Myths Reawakened

While fighting Envy, Wayne had sensed the solidified space around him and figured out that it was the power of a great demon lord’s Authority in Hell. If he couldn’t defeat Envy, he wouldn’t be able to escape.

Rather than trying to win, Wayne prepared for his defeat. He tossed a part of himself to the ground when he tore off his face and infiltrated Mattea’s body, saving her life at the last moment. Then, he fought with everything he had to create an epic enough spectacle to fool Envy, preventing his main body from being sealed.

He could deceive the demon lord in the short term, but not forever. Envy would soon realize that the pale ocean that he had sealed was nothing. The thing derived from his white foam would fall apart once it was disconnected from his thoughts.

Wayne didn’t know how much longer he had, but he knew that he had enemies on every front. If he was exposed, all his enemies would be coming after him.

He had made so many enemies that they would have to line up.

Just to be safe, Wayne hadn’t corrupted Mattea. He planned to get off the car halfway. He would seek the Bat Demon first and then try to secure a territory. Then he would visit Gluttony and Wrath to confirm if his speculation about Mechanical Augmentation was true.

How he should project his thoughts to the human world and notify Hesione to come to Hell for him would come later. The trouble was so great that impatience wouldn’t help.

Wayne didn’t expect the bus to go right to his target. While Mattea had taken many detours, she was getting closer and closer to the Bat Demon. He didn’t even have to do anything but stay on the bus.

On the way, he had contacted the Bat Demon a few times, but didn’t get any response.

The Bat Demon was in a dire situation. Wayne couldn’t see exactly how, but he knew that the Bat Demon was trapped—by more than one seal. There was no way above or below. There was no way out.

How terrible! He was still a kid!

Bat Demon was Wayne’s replica, so he couldn’t help but feel enraged. He had been a successful businessman who rarely suffered any loss. When had he ever been subject to such suffering?

He had to serve revenge hot!

***

Lost Paradise, the Seventh Abyss.

The Abyss was incredibly similar to Hell, or the Abyss could be considered an even more hostile Hell. The sky was always black, with an intangible force devouring all the stars. The roiling black clouds were heavy like lead. There was a perpetual downpour of ashes that seemed like snow.

Black mountain ranges rose and fell, with black rivers and lakes of sludge scattered across the landscape. The plains were few and far between, while difficult terrains abounded.

The environment improved after the arrival of the Seven Demon Lords. They transformed the Abyss according to their preferences and divided it into seven parts from bottom to top. The Seventh Abyss, the Lost Paradise, was located at the entrance of the Abyss. Heaven, the First Abyss, sat at the top.

Indeed, Pride had named the First Abyss ‘Heaven’, even keeping a group of angels there.

According to an anonymous eyewitness named Envy, Pride took on the role of Great Archangel Mikhael in Heaven and roleplayed with the angels. Because the statement was made by Envy, who envied Pride and regularly attacked and slandered him, the credibility was unclear. The demons laughed and didn’t take it seriously.

Past the entrance to the Abyss was the entrance to the Lost Paradise. The spectacle was immediate.

The sky was blue with pink heart-shaped clouds floating within. The weather was permeated with concentrated sweetness that was highly addictive. Exposure would lead to arousal.

The unusual, alluring fragrance was the pheromone of the succubi, effective on all lives, including humans, cats, or dogs. Even angels and demons were no exception.

Within the Lost Paradise, the succubi were the main inhabitants. They had alluring figures and extraordinary beauty. Paired with skillful acting honed by experience, the demons passing by...

Well, to be frank, no demons would just pass by the Lost Paradise. They had come seeking fun. Both the host and the guests enjoyed the experience in a reciprocal relationship. There was no feeling, only lust.

Although the Lost Paradise was a land of happiness, everyone walked out with the loss of the ability to feel happiness. Only infinite torture and painful torment awaited.

The succubi were as dangerous as they were tempting. Without an iron will, even veteran demons could lose themselves in the paradise, becoming the succubi’s plaything.

From above, the Lost Paradise was a circle with four fan-shaped street blocks. All streets led to a tall black castle that reached through the clouds. That was the residence of the Lord of Lust, the overlord of all succubi. As the leading attraction of the Lost Paradise, Lust wasn’t someone demons could just meet.

Only by overcoming friction and trials could one gain the approval of the Lord of Lust and become her guest of the night. Legend had it that only the real heroes could enter the forbidden ground and start an epic duel with the Lord of Lust. If one lost, they would become Lust’s slave and forever wander the abyss of lust. If one won...

It was already a great honor to duel the greatest beauty in Hell and make one of the Seven Demon Lords submit. What more could one ask for?

Either fight or get out. There was a long line waiting. It would be irresponsible to linger!

Dressed in a black robe, Mattea walked past the colorful storefronts amid the lilting, soaring tunes assaulting her ears. Past the outer rim stood the magnificent, luxurious palaces. There were fewer and fewer passersby, each showing incredible presence.

Those who knew would know, and those who didn’t understand had to be playing dumb.

Mattea had once furthered her study here and earned the recognition of the Lord of Lust through her extraordinary performance, becoming Lust’s lieutenant and being brought to many important events.

Then, Mattea completed her studies. The Lord of Lust granted her a part of her territory, allowing Mattea to fight for her future.

Rising from an immigrant of the defeated race to a demon lord was a success story that would make ninety-nine percent of all demons in Hell pale in comparison. Her history of constantly bettering herself was inspirational.

Light stirred. Space suddenly dimmed. Mattea stopped to look to the front.

“Outsider, the demon lord’s main palace is forbidden ground. You shouldn’t be here.”

Two redheads with large curls stood in Mattea’s way, with alluring figures and seductive presence. There was a hint of mischief and provocation to their smiles. Clearly, they had already recognized Mattea.

“Leone, Michele, it’s me.” Mattea pulled back her black hood to show her face.

“I know it’s you, traitor. The Lost Paradise doesn’t welcome you!” Leone slowly said, eyeing Mattea with hostility. She seemed to be considering the viability of locking Mattea up in a basement.

Michele scoffed, retrieving a black steel pitchfork with a wave and igniting hellish fire. Her eyes were fixed on Mattea’s chest.

If you dare take another step forward, I’ll put six holes in you with three prongs. Wouldn’t the extra holes make you better at your job?

Mattea was the Lord of Lust’s loyal subordinate. Even after establishing herself, she had never forgotten about how the Lord of Lust had discovered her and provided her with a livelihood. However, that was information only privy to herself and the Lord of Lust.

Leone and Michele didn’t know that Mattea had a special mission, that she had been tasked to go independent to serve as an external agent and informant for the Lord of Lust. She was one of the most loyal subordinates, if not the most loyal one. They perceived Mattea as an ungrateful traitor who had haughtily betrayed her master.

In the past, Mattea could bypass the guards and meet up with the Lord of Lust directly, but not now. In this weakened state, she would have to defeat the guards to meet her lord.

She might be able to do that, but that would expose her, which wouldn’t be in Lust’s best interest.

“Ladies, I know that the Lost Paradise does not welcome me,” Mattea said resignedly, her head bowed. “But I have important matters to tell Master Lord. Please notify her for me.”

“What important matters could there be?” Michele said coldly. “Just tell us.”

“What else? Just look at her. She got beaten and lost her territory, so she came to seek shelter from Master.” Leone scoffed. “Ungrateful bastard. Master will not meet you, and you will not be forgiven!”

Mattea scowled, clenching her fists within the sleeves. She didn’t tell them that she was Lust’s spy. Instead, she lowered her head again and politely implored her two rivals to report to the master.

She was truly loyal!

“Cut your nonsense. I said Master won’t meet up with you, so she won’t. Of course, there is a way for you to see her.” Leone grinned. “Go to the clearing on the outer rim and go through the lowest-ranking demons. Once you crawl your way here, you’ll earn an audience with Master even without us reporting to her.”

Mattea was one of the seventy-two demon lords at the end of the day, with a reputation in Hell. For someone of her station to serve the lowliest demons would be a humiliation to her dignity.

Mattea took a deep breath and slowly turned around, about to make for the outer rim.

A voice spoke in their minds then. The Lord of Lust said that she would see Mattea right now, at this moment.

Relieved, Mattea glared at Leone and Michele. Despite their reluctance, the two succubi didn’t dare defy Lust’s direct order. They huffed and took Mattea to the demon lord’s palace.

To show their hatred for the traitor, Leone conjured black chains and shackled Mattea’s neck.

“Come. You must have forgotten the way after all these years. Come.”

“...”

Mattea quietly endured the abuse while committing the humiliation to memory. One day, she would make Leone and Michele pay.

Dismissing the demigod-level domain, Michele led the way straight to the back door of the palace. The front door wouldn’t work with all the mess of the protest parade. The uproar would be in the way.

The Lord of Lust had been obsessed with the bat’s tentacles and spent all her time singing their praises. Her formidable opponent had a racial advantage that allowed him to strike her where she was most tender and defeat her every time. She fell apart under the whipping, never managing to gain the upper hand.

As the great demon lord of Lust, she refused to admit her failure. Again and again, she charged for victory, but always ended up collapsing in the ditch of failure.

She had been the driver and the bus, but now, the Bat Demon had the final say. He alone could decide which tally marks he would use to count their battles[1].

Conversely, the Lord of Lust had lost control of her time, focusing solely on the Bat Demon and sparing no attention to the demons under her control. Dissatisfied, the demons gathered and staged a protest at the entrance.

No regular demons would dare protest at Lust’s palace. Most of them belonged to the seventy-two demon lords, with significant status and authority.

They weren’t asking Lust to return them their freedom since they were willing to get lost in lust, but they asked Lust to spare them a glance and a few minutes to alleviate their poisons. They hoped that she would stop tormenting them with unrequited lust.

It was difficult to endure.

These demons had clearly comprehended the true meaning of the Lost Paradise. They fell because of their desires and lost everything...

But they wouldn’t change!

***

(ꉺ)

Strange, Wayne thought. Is it an illusion? Why am I getting closer to the Bat Demon? The Lost Paradise is Lust’s territory, and the owner of the demon lord’s palace had to be Lust...

This can’t be. It simply can’t!

Wayne had a feeling that something was wrong. He could make an educated guess, but he didn’t want to admit the reality. Sensing the Bat Demon, he told him to keep calm. Grandpa Wayne was at the door. He would soon liberate the Bat Demon.

Soon, very soon, the Bat Demon, who had been silent before, responded.

“Run, Wayne. Don’t look back!”

“What are you doing in there, bastard?!”

1. The original references two tally marks: 正 and 卌. The former is more the traditional way; the latter is more similar to the tally marks used in English-speaking countries. ☜