Demon King: Hero, don’t run away!

In a dark temple, a flickering blue flame danced persistently, the flames gradually growing smaller, silently extinguished in the darkness.

In the darkness, came a sound of lonely footsteps and the tapping of a cane, a bright yet eerie lamp casting a path in the vast darkness, and also revealing the appearance of the owner of the footsteps.

He was an elderly man in his twilight years, dressed in a neat black suit, with a vertical scar on his right eye, resting on a black cane, his wrinkled face full of vigor, his eyes resolute and determined, as if he could lead everyone toward the right maturity and stability.

Close to the place where the flame had just extinguished, the old man lifted the lamp, illuminating seven different lampstands.

Each lampstand was almost identical, without any decoration, like ordinary saucers supported by stands.

On the front of the lampstands were inscribed different words: Humility, Diligence, Generosity, Compassion, Self-Control, Song Yang, Chastity.

The seven lampstands were on the same plane, with none higher or lower than the others.

Originally, flames burned on each lampstand, although the light was not enough to illuminate the entire dark space, they were certainly doing their best to emit a ray of light, to emit a bit of warmth.

Yet now, three lampstands had already gone out...

To be exact, only two lampstands were completely extinguished, while another one emitted a unique dim light, seemingly no longer belonging to this world.

Every person who became a disciple of the Curse Sect would personally light their own lamp, these lamps being connected to the disciples’ lives.

When the lamp is extinguished, it means that the life of the person who lit it has come to an end.

The old man’s gaze lingered on the[Humility]lampstand for a long time, without saying a word, he put down his cane and gently caressed the[Humility]lampstand.

That lamp had been shining since he was a child, because of its existence, the sect was able to grow step by step, reaching where it is today.

To the old man, this lamp was also a protective god-like existence.

When he was indecisive, it was this lamp that gave him strength.

But now, this lamp was extinguished, permanently extinguished.

Even though he had long expected this day to come, the old man never thought it would arrive at this moment.

The lampstand was still warm.

Touching this lampstand, the old man seemed to hear the thoughts of[Humility], he lifted the lantern, supported his cane, and swayed into the darkness.

The hall of the Dark Temple.

The higher-ups of the Curse Sect, above the level of Priest, had all gathered together, standing in ranks, actively chanting the sect’s doctrines.

In the center of the hall, lay a black pool, calm as a mirror, and at its center was a cross, with a pale spiritual body woman bound to it.

The words of the Curse Goddess... a torrent of blasphemous words filled her ears, the former Goddess Sect Saintess Feng Yu slightly opened her eyes.

As a spiritual body, she no longer had the strength to struggle, yet she still struggled to lift her head, her gaze falling upon the five different people outside the chanting group.

A bandaged man, a burly man with a mouthful of gold teeth, a girl in a checkered robe, and... the nameless youth and the kind elderly woman she saw that day.

Having been imprisoned for so long, Feng Yu knew of their identities to some extent, and an ominous premonition surged in her heart.

The gathering of the five disciples of the Curse Sect... something major was about to happen imminently.

Suddenly, the chanting of doctrines by the Curse Sect members abruptly stopped, the scene becoming so silent that a pin drop could be heard.

In the vast darkness, a strange lamp gradually illuminated the cold, black temple, and an elderly man in a black suit appeared in Feng Yu’s eyes.

That elderly man appeared no different than an ordinary old man, but Feng Yu could sense an unprecedented danger emanating from him.

The assembled higher-ups of the Curse Sect bowed in respect to the approaching old man, even the disciples of the Curse Sect also bowed to the old man, their eyes brimming with reverence.

The old man’s true identity was beyond doubt.

He was the Pope of the Curse Sect, the current leader, Gaskell Loren.

Gaskell Loren stepped up onto the high platform beside Feng Yu, showing a solemn expression like never before:

”Everyone has waited a long time, I am delighted to see each of your faces.

Yet regretful, for not seeing some faces....

They sacrificed their lives for our common ideal.

They are worth remembering by each of us.

”

Gaskell Loren had reached his twilight years, but his every word was sonorous and powerful, like a vigorous young man,

”Long, long ago, everyone was equal in the world.

Everyone could find their own love and had a place of solace.

They never believed in gods, creating the future with their own hands.

They themselves were their own light, and could become lights for others.

But one day, everything changed.

In the past, on a certain day, a despicable goddess descended upon this world.

She bestowed her so-called blessings upon this world, gathered our fortune, and granted Strong Fortune only to some, dividing us into different ranks.

The goddess had but one aim: to turn everyone into her servants.

Your misfortunes, our misfortunes, past people’s misfortunes, present misfortunes, future people’s misfortunes, all were bestowed by the goddess.

In times of injustice, in times of disaster, in times of bullying, we prayed time and again to the goddess, for her to grant even a sliver of strength to change our plight a bit.

Yet, no matter how much we pleaded, no matter how many times we prayed, she never appeared to help us.

Because, we are the ones abandoned by the gods.

The goddess only takes our fortune from us, never caring for our fate.

And those who gain our fortune deem themselves superior, they domineer, becoming the goddess’s lackeys, praising the goddess’s benevolence.

Clearly, it was our deprived fortune that made them, yet they rightly consider it their entitled gain.

Thus, we must curse the goddess, overthrow her, and restore the world to its original state.

Since the goddess provides no aid, we shall awaken her enemy.

The Demon will surely respond to expectations as long as one is willing to pay the price.

They were created as the goddess’s natural foes, to overthrow her, their power is indispensable.”

Gaskell Loren spoke fervently, every word moving the audience.

After countless years of careful accumulation, he could finally announce the plan’s entry into its final phase:

”Everyone!

After countless years of long anticipation, the day we’ve awaited is finally near!

We’ve finally reached the last phase of summoning the Demon.

In just three more days, the sealed gate to the Demon will open, and the Demon will reappear in the Mortal World.

The world’s history is about to unfold a new chapter!

Please join us in defending our common ideal!

To change, this corrupt and rotting world!”