Epic Of Caterpillar

Chapter 2797 - 2798: Archdemon Alliance

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At Mammonʼs accusation of laziness, Lucifer looked mildly irritated, her voice shifting to a more serious tone.

”I donʼt avoid action because Iʼm incapable,” she said. ”I avoid it because interfering would disrupt the stability and balance of Hell. And Hellʼs balance is chaos. If I try to impose order, the very foundation of the realm could tremble—and the entire dimension might explode.”

”What?!” Mammon gasped. ”I had no idea...”

”It only happens if I attempt to bring order,” Lucifer continued. ”Technically, Iʼm the core of that dimension. So if someone kills me, Hell itself will collapse. Thatʼs one reason the other Archdemons donʼt try anything reckless. If anything, theyʼre looking for a way to steal my authority—maybe by devouring me.”

”Huh, so thatʼs why...” Mammon nodded.

”Itʼs a shame Satan died. With him gone, thereʼs a power vacuum everyoneʼs scrambling to fill,” she said. ”He was... intense down there, you know? Great in bed, but terrible at everything else. We never connected beyond that.”

”He was your ex?!” I asked, stunned. ”Why didnʼt you tell us? Maybe we wouldʼve spared him.”

”Nah, I donʼt care about him anymore,” Lucifer shrugged. ”I never had feelings for him.”

”Uh...” I nodded. ”So cold...”

”Look whoʼs talking, fufu,” Lucifer chuckled. ”Yes, Iʼm cold. I am the Demon Prince, after all. And yet... merging with my other self—another possibility of who I couldʼve been—changed things. It let me feel warmth again. Emotions. Humanity. Something I never truly experienced before. Now I understand what itʼs like to live as a mortal, the kind my father cast me from Heaven for despising. Itʼs sad, as I expected... but also fascinating. Iʼve never felt more alive.”

”Uh, okay then...” I nodded. ”Mammon, donʼt you want to try?”

”Nngh, no, Iʼm fine,” Mammon groaned. ”Just give him what you found. Iʼm sure he can offer a better clue. Nobody knows the Archdemons better than their king.”

”Okay,” I said.

I handed Lucifer the pill and the small demon core fragment taken from one of the demonic humans our agents captured yesterday.

”Hm~ I see,” Lucifer nodded. ”Excuse me.”

She swallowed the pill and then the crystal.

”W-What? Is that safe?!”

I flinched, but Lucifer simply smiled and licked her lips.

”Mind-controlling drugs... definitely Belphegorʼs handiwork,” Nurse Lucy said, nodding.

”So it was him!” Mammon exclaimed. ”Iʼll go get him right now. If I combine Wrath and Greedʼs armies, he wonʼt stand a chance.”

”Be careful,” Lucifer warned. ”I can sense the presence of the other four with him. Heʼs formed a secret alliance—one he likely hasnʼt told you about.”

”Seriously?! How could the other four even ally with him? Theyʼve always hated each other,” Mammon said. ”Since when were they best friends?”

”Your alliance with Kireina scared them,” Lucifer explained. ”Especially after you killed Satan. That fear gave Belphegor leverage to unite them against you and Kireina. Though... thereʼs clearly a third party offering them something in return.”

Suddenly, Nurse Lucy spat out a small white and yellow crystal. She crushed it beneath her heel, scattering its dust into energy that quickly vanished.

”That third party seems to hate you deeply, Kireina,” Lucifer said. ”Was it the Sun God from Abyss? The one who owned the giant sun you stole? I recognize your boldness, but youʼve earned yourself a vicious new enemy. When was the last time you had a nemesis this committed to ruining your life?”

”Ah, so you sensed him,” I replied with a sigh. ”Yeah, itʼs the Sun God... long story short—”

I explained the situation to Nurse Lucy, who listened attentively and nodded as she absorbed the details.

”Got it. More or less,” she said. ”Joining your organization might be a good idea. Youʼd gain a valuable ally who knows far more about the Archdemons than little Mammon, whoʼs clueless about everything except his treasure hoard.”

”W-What?! Shut up, damn nurse!” Mammon roared.

”Whatʼs wrong? At least Iʼm not a coward afraid to join this world,” Lucifer said. ”You act like a child scared of losing his parents. I understand if some of Kireinaʼs kids hesitate, but you? Come on, Mammon—youʼre an adult.”

”W-What?! You dare...!” Mammon groaned. ”Fine! Fine! Fine! Iʼll join this world on my own! Just you wait!”

”Wait, Mammon, what are you doing?” I asked.

”Let me join the world, Kireina!” he demanded.

”But youʼre my bound cosmic ego weapon...” I said. ”That might be a little complicated.”

”Didnʼt you suggest I join a few minutes ago?” Mammon asked.

”Youʼre right...” I nodded. ”Fine. It could be beneficial if you found a good family—or even became a god.”

”See?!” he said. ”And Iʼll prove to this nurse that Iʼm better than him!”

”Wow, getting prideful already? Is that Satanʼs power influencing you? Hahaha! Thatʼs cute,” Nurse Lucy laughed. ”Whatʼs wrong? Afraid? Go ahead, Mammon.”

”Nngh! Watch!” Mammon flew out of my ring, and I sighed.

There was a force connecting us, but I severed it. He would become independent and able to join the world. I severed the connection superficially, keeping the soul bond intact—just as I do with my wives and children.

And then, Mammon vanished.

FLASH!

”Mammon?”

I felt a flicker of concern.

Did Lucifer manipulate him into leaving my side?

”Lucy...” I glared at her.

”H-Haha, donʼt be mad,” she said. ”Wouldnʼt he be more helpful as a character in this world, rather than a talking weapon no one can interact with?”

”Thatʼs... true,” I admitted. ”I hope he becomes someone normal.”

I could faintly sense Mammonʼs presence in this world. He was safe, healthy, and seemed to have merged with his parallel self. I wondered who that person might be.

He wasnʼt far. Iʼd try to find him later.

”Well, Lucy, take this for now.”

I handed her a bracelet crafted from my chaos crystals.

”If you ever need to contact me or find where I am, use this,” I said.

”Oh my, thank you, dear,” Nurse Lucy replied. ”Now then... you should return to your classroom.”

”Yeah...” I nodded.

”Well, unless youʼd rather...” she teased, flashing a coquettish smile and biting her lip. ”Have a sinful little moment with the school nurse?”

”Eh?!” I gasped. ”W-What are you even saying? Geez, Iʼm a refined young lady! And I already have my maids for that.”

”Fufu, is that so~?” Lucifer giggled, her smile mischievous.

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