What he didn't expect though was for Oswell to react with surprise when he revealed the location of his dungeon.
"Did you say Ghastly Winding forest?"…
"That's right, is there something wrong?" Simon asked looking at Oswell.
The latter blinked a couple of times before replying with some uncertainty "It's not that something is wrong, it's just that I didn't think your dungeon would be in the Ghastly Winding Forest".
"Why is that?".
"How should I explain it… Do you remember how I said in the Hexennacht, we discuss topics like feuds and territories?" Seeing Simon nod, Oswell continued—
"The race of demon nobles are very territorial, they would seek new territories to conquer and will never tolerate the presence of another demon setting up a dungeon near their territory unless it's by their permission".
"They would fight if need be. Most of the time, the conflicts are non destructive and in the form of political and undercover schemes. However, sometimes when the conflict gets intense, it leads to a dungeon war and might engulf multiple dungeons if it's an argument between two factions".
"To stop such conflicts from becoming too ugly, every decade a Hexennacht is held where we decide on how to settle such feuds and territorial disputes".
Simon nodded his head at Oswell's explanation. He could more or less understand till here. Being one himself, he could guess why the Demon Nobles fought for territory and why they did not tolerate the presence of another demon near their territory.
It was because of competition. If a demon noble conquers the territory of another demon noble, they would essentially remove any competition that was coming from the other party's dungeon. Thus making their dungeon the only one around to reap all the benefits.
It is after all a known fact that the more dungeons in a territory, the more distributed the benefit was. The benefit here referred to the adventurers who dived inside the dungeons and ultimately gave them DP.
Given this fact, a demon noble would go to any lengths to remove any competition near their territory.
Oswell continued "Not all demon nobles create their own dungeon. There are even some high ranking demons in this world without their dungeon. However, in the society of the Demon Nobles, where one's status is not only represented by their rank and power but also by their dungeon and how famous it was, those demon nobles are looked down upon".
"For example, if we compare two Demon Dukes, one with a dungeon and one without. The latter's status would always be below the former. This is also the reason why demon nobles compete fiercely with each other to make their dungeon more famous and wage war to remove any competitors. After all, who doesn't want status?"
"The reason why I'm telling you all this is because you need to be careful. You might not know because you haven't attended many events, but some of the high ranking demon nobles are fighting over to take claim of the Ghastly Winding Forest".
"It was a topic that was brought over many times in the last few Hexennact and I believe it will come up again this time too"
After saying all that, Oswell glanced at Simon. The meaning behind his glance was simple, the place that the other demon nobles were intensely fighting and vying over, Simon had nonchalantly squatted there and taken claim of it.
If the demon nobles get to know about it, a conflict would be inevitable. Oswell was concerned about that.
Simon closed his eyes after the former was done with his explanation. It was only after a while, did he open them back. A light of resolution flashed in his eyes.
If what Oswell said was true, then a fight was unavoidable. He didn't expect the Ghastly Winding Forest, the place he had set up his dungeon to be already vied up by other demon nobles.
Be that may, that was his territory now. There was no way he was going to let other demon nobles interfere in it. As such, he prepared himself mentally for the worst.
"Looks like you have made up your mind. Un, I like your current expression much more. What is done cannot be undone. The Ghastly Winding Forest is the place where your dungeon is located, so it's your territory now. You got to fight for it. That said, you do not have to be overly concerned. It's not like there is no way out of this situation" Oswell reassured.
"What do you mean?"…
.
.
The next day, the Air Engine finally arrived at the Asphodel Meadows located in the southern region of the Demon Continent. The Asphodel Meadows was a captivating and otherworldly location far different than the dark and deathly Ten Thousand Bone Mountain range.
The place stretched out like an expansive tapestry of lush greenery, vibrant flowers, and gently swaying grass. The meadows are imbued with an otherworldly glow, casting a soft and radiant light that bathes the surroundings in an enchanting aura.
It is as if time stands still within these hallowed grounds, and a sense of peace permeates the air.
"This must be your first time coming to the Asphodel Meadows right?"
As the Air Engine started to descend near a clear space where all the other Air Engines are parked, Oswell commented arriving beside Simon who was observing the landscape below from the observation deck with a look of surprise.
His surprise was understandable after all, no one would expect a place like this would exist in the Demon Continent which was said to be a barren and harsh land.
"Hehe, don't get fooled. There is no such beautiful place like this in the entire Demon Continent. These ethereal landscapes, these mystical meadows that look like a place of serenity and tranquillity, are all just an illusion woven within an illusion".
"The Asphodel Meadows is a place where the boundaries between reality and illusion start intertwining. At first glance, these meadows appear as a tranquil haven, but beneath the surface lies a ghastly and perilous realm where danger lurks at every turn".
"The flourishing verdant foliage of exquisite flowers, these delicate petals that sway in harmony with a gentle breeze, releasing a rejuvenating fragrance, everything starts transforming as one ventures deeper".
Oswell explained with an odd expression. Although he did not say it out loud, but he too was once fooled by the scenery in front of him when he visited the Asphodel Meadows for the first time.
To think that everything in front of him was an illusion; Simon was inwardly a little shocked. He tried to use his Obstruce Demonic Eyes which had the ability to see through the truth behind certain things, but the result was all the same.
"It's no use using your demonic eyes too. If you want to see the Asphodel meadows for what it is, you will have to dive inside the pond located at the centre of this place. And only then will you be able to gaze at its true appearance. Coincidentally, we are also headed there" Oswell remarked, donning the air of an experienced guide.
After the Air Engine landed near a large clearance, Simon and the others got down.
"As this is the domain of the Demon Lord of Envy, Air Engines are not allowed to fly over from this point on. We will have to proceed forward with our flight skill".
After Oswell left behind some instructions to the cabin crew, he and Aisha along with Simon and the twins unfurled their wings and proceeded towards the depth of the Asphodel Meadows.
There were other Air engines similarly parked here and their passengers, the demon dukes and their subordinates were also making their way towards the inner regions of this plane. Of course, being who they are, a few clashes breaking out between the demon nobles here and there was unavoidable.
There was no meaning to the conflict, nor did the Demon Dukes themselves participated in it. They simply sent their subordinates to measure out the other party or just to kill their boredom.
It did not matter to them even if their subordinates died in the conflict, if the latter they could simply hire or summon more. As such, Simon and Oswell had seen quite a few fights break out on their way inside.
Some demon nobles also flew their way with the same intention. However, after seeing the size of their group, all of them changed their direction and targeted other smaller groups.
"It ruins my appetite seeing how these bastards use their subordinates. Even if they are their underlings and they can easily replace them, this is still going too far. Is the loyalty of their subordinates mean nothing to them" Oswell grumbled.
As someone who cared for his subordinates, the scene around him was sickening to say no less. Using their subordinates to kill their boredom, a thought like that would never appear to him.
It was not only him, Simon too was quite disturbed by the scene happening all around him. He couldn't understand the twisted thinking of these demon dukes who did anything that they desired.
Perhaps that's what a Demon Noble was and they were the odd ones among the lot. Whatever the case was, Simon didn't want to stay here and get embroiled in this meaningless conflict.
He and the others increased their speed. As they ventured deeper into the Asphodel Meadows, they encountered breathtaking meandering streams, with crystal clear waters cascading over smooth stones.
These babbling brooks reflected the shimmering light of the meadows, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The place looked so perfect and exceptional that Simon had difficulty believing it was all just an illusion.
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