My Family in the Novel?

As the sight of the demonic castle loomed in the distance, Adrian couldn't help but widen his eyes in astonishment as he surveyed the scene below.

"Surprised, father~?" Elaniel's voice chimed in.

"Yes," Adrian admitted, his expectations vastly surpassed by the reality before him.

Though he had a general idea of what to expect, knowing that the demons had overtaken the area, the sheer magnitude of the sight caught him off guard.

The scene was not just more demonic in appearance but also in vibe.

Rather than the chaotic, foreboding atmosphere he anticipated, there was an unexpected sense of civilization.

The demons seemed to have created a society amidst the ruins, a peculiar blend of demonic influence and structured order.

Frost elves, either enslaved or manipulated, were being utilized for various tasks, their once proud race now reduced to servitude.

Despite the occasional remnants of destruction, the overall state of repair indicated a concerted effort to rebuild.

Clusters of buildings, ranging from small structures to towering edifices, dotted the landscape.

Mages perched atop some of these structures, their presence a testament to the magical prowess that permeated the area.

Down below, demonic denizens seemed to revel in their existence, as if the war-torn environment were nothing more than a backdrop to their daily lives.

It was a paradoxical sight—destruction mingled with construction, chaos entwined with order, despair juxtaposed with a strange sense of contentment.

Adrian couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as he took it all in, realizing that the demons had not only conquered this land but had also reshaped it in their own image, creating a society unlike any he had imagined.

Even the defenses that encircled the entire city were meticulously structured, emphasizing efficiency over aesthetics—a reflection of the pragmatic nature of its demonic inhabitants.

But in this realm, appearances mattered little; function and effectiveness reigned supreme.

Despite this utilitarian approach, the city possessed a peculiar beauty that captivated Adrian on multiple levels.

It exuded an aura of prosperity and sophistication, akin to a bustling metropolis in his eyes.

Even compared to the demon-filled Kaksan Forest he had visited just a few weeks ago, this place stood out for its unparalleled structure and integrity.

It was as if it constituted an entire demonic nation unto itself—a testament to the ingenuity and prowess of its inhabitants.

Above, the World Tree stood as a towering sentinel, its presence casting a different air compared to its counterpart in the forest.

While reminiscent in size, its aura was undeniably more potent and expansive.

Adrian couldn't help but deduce that the demons dwelling here drew strength from this majestic entity, their powers seemingly augmented by its energy.

It dawned on him that if these demons were to channel their energies towards warfare, they would indeed pose a formidable threat to any who dared to oppose them.

"To think I would have to fight these guys... and save this entire city,"

Adrian muttered in disbelief, his gaze scanning the bustling streets below.

"Hehe~ I was actually the one who helped organize this whole place the most, father"

"Is that so? What about the demon princess then?" Adrian inquired, curiosity tinged with skepticism.

While he could envision Elaniel, with her regal bearing and noble training with his aunt, managing such a city with ease, he couldn't shake a lingering doubt regarding her involvement.

Her outward demeanor often contradicted her words, leaving him to wonder about her true intentions.

"Well, Annabeth was the one finalizing the decisions, but most of the ideas were mine," came Elaniel's the response, a hint of pride underlying the words.

"I see,"

Adrian acknowledged; his suspicions somewhat assuaged. It made sense for the demon princess to retain ultimate authority, ensuring that her influence remained unchallenged.

Rumble…!

As they descended to the ground amidst a cacophony of lightning and thunder, the balcony of the castle quivered slightly under their weight.

"You're back, Lady Elaniel," a voice greeted them as they touched down. Adrian refocused his attention, taken aback by the sight of a strikingly beautiful woman with two dark horns protruding from her head.

Her red eyes fixed upon him, and with a graceful bow of her head, she acknowledged his presence.

"It's nice to finally meet you, sir Hero, or should I say Ian Astrea? My name is Annabeth, the assigned ruler of this place," she introduced herself, her voice carrying an air of authority and confidence.

Returning the gesture, Adrian dipped his head respectfully. "Nice to finally meet you as well, Princess of Demons. Your father has been very generous to us," he remarked, acknowledging the hospitality they had received during their stay.

"Fufu, I think that notion belongs to you, Sir Ian," Annabeth replied with a soft chuckle. "We only provided and helped where we could to our end of the deal... But I didn't think we would meet this early, to be honest. May I ask why you are here all of a sudden?"

"Sure... But let's take this somewhere private,"

Annabeth's eyes slightly widened at her mistake, realizing she had let her excitement get the better of her.

"Ah, apologies. I guess I was much too excited," she admitted sheepishly.

"Don't be. It happens to the best of us," Adrian reassured her with a kind smile, understanding the rush of emotions that often-accompanied unexpected encounters.

Suddenly, Elaniel, who had been listening to their exchange, drew closer to Adrian, intertwining her arm with his own.

"I'll guide you somewhere private, father," Elaniel declared, her voice tinged with eagerness as she began to lead Adrian away.

Although Adrian hesitated for a moment, he acquiesced with a nod, trusting Elaniel's judgment.

However, he couldn't help but glance back at Annabeth, feeling a twinge of guilt at leaving without her explicit permission.

After all, despite their partnership, it seemed impolite to depart without the host's consent.

To his relief, Annabeth simply smiled and followed closely behind them, her demeanor suggesting an acceptance of Elaniel's whimsical nature.

'I guess the princess has also grown accustomed to Elaniel's impulsive tendencies' Adrian thought to himself, grateful for the understanding displayed by their demonic host.

…..

In a dimly lit room, the flickering glow of burning red candles provided the sole illumination, casting splashes of color against the otherwise dark and somber space.

Three figures occupied various seats within the chamber: Adrian lounged on a couch, with Elaniel nestled comfortably in his lap, while Annabeth sat regally upon her throne-like chair.

Adrian wasted no time in getting to the heart of the matter, relaying the events that had transpired thus far.

The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon him, knowing that it concerned not only himself but also the demon king, Annabeth's father.

"So the goddess is finally making her move?" Annabeth inquired, her tone betraying a hint of concern.

"Yes," Adrian confirmed solemnly, his expression reflecting the seriousness of the situation.

"But aren't her actions too abrupt and impatient. Surely she could've devised a more strategic plan than resorting to hostage-taking tactics."

After all, the fate of not just their realm, but countless dimensions, hinged upon the mental state of Adrian's parents.

Should they reach a breaking point and decide to abandon their duties, the repercussions would be catastrophic, leading to the destruction of entire worlds.

So, provoking them by taking away Adrian's love just seems rather stupid in the long run of things, as at the end of the day, she had nothing else to do but succumb to the powers that threaten to consume her.

The goddess's actions appeared shortsighted and ultimately self-destructive.

"I think so as well, but it's working for now at least," Adrian mumbled, acknowledging the princess's opinion on the matter.

Despite the apparent success of the goddess's strategy in the present moment, Adrian couldn't help but feel a sense of unease about its sustainability and ultimate consequences.

It seemed painfully obvious and lacking in foresight.

The princess nodded in agreement with Adrian's assessment.

While the plan and action were indeed foolish, they did afford them leverage over Adrian and the ability to exert control over him if necessary.

However, she understood the inherent risks of relying on such tactics, knowing that they couldn't maintain their hold over him indefinitely without risking further escalation and potential fallout.

Part of the reason Adrian had sought out the princess was to warn her of the looming threat posed by a new enemy.

He knew they needed to be prepared for the unexpected, just as he had been ambushed himself.

"Can you handle the angels, Princess?" Adrian inquired, his tone laced with concern as he glanced over at her.

Chuckling softly, the princess took a sip of her tea before responding confidently, "Don't worry. Unlike normal demons, we arch demons are the literal opposite of those doves. They're as vulnerable to me as I am to them. They would have to think twice about harming me if they want their harvest to be a success in the first place."

Adrian felt a wave of relief wash over him as he absorbed her words.

Knowing that the princess possessed a unique advantage over the angels alleviated some of the weight from his shoulders.

With the demons as valuable allies, he couldn't afford to lose their support, especially with the impending conflict with the goddess looming on the horizon.

With a nod of acknowledgment, Adrian mentally checked one more problem off his list.

The prospect of war with the goddess seemed inevitable at this point, with the fate of the entire world hanging in the balance.

However, the sheer numbers of the demon forces offered a glimmer of hope, providing them with better chances of emerging victorious in any potential confrontation.

If it ever came down to a fight where divine intervention was necessary, Adrian knew he had family to rely on.

But for now, he was prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead, fully aware that there would be no room for hesitation or holding back if their world was at stake.

"Princess, I may need a favor from you as well as a suggestion,"

"Hmm?"

"One million... Can you provide me with one million of your demonic soldiers? I don't care about their ranks,"

Though a troubled expression briefly crossed the princess's face, she nodded in acquiescence.

She understood that Adrian wouldn't make such a request lightly, and the demonic realm had an abundance of demons at their disposal.

Summoning a few million under her command wouldn't pose a significant challenge.

"Yes, but keep in mind that the laws of causality might interfere with such a massive summoning," the princess cautioned, aware of the potential consequences of disrupting the natural balance.

"Don't worry. A million demons are a suitable fighting force when you'll be facing a dozen angels,"

"And what is your suggestion?" the princess inquired; anticipation evident in her voice.

"I want you to go all out," Adrian declared, his voice steady as he laid out his plan.

"Attack the empire, the holy kingdom, the free countries, and every nation across the continent. Unleash your full might upon them."

The princess's smile widened at his audacious proposal. Summoning a billion-strong horde against entire civilizations was a move that the laws of causality couldn't easily balance out. It was a bold strategy, that they've been thinking about for a while now…