I Ascend to the Divine Throne through Arcane Means

Is this the "Demon's Gate"?

Lis gazed gravely at the terrifying space rift not far away. The door alone was enough to capture one's soul, let alone the dimly discernible hordes of demons behind it.

Does the scene beyond this space rift connect to the 88th floor of the Bottomless Abyss, the "Saltwater Swamp"?

That is the domain of Demon Prince Demogorgon, also known as the Demon Stomach and the Bottomless Cave, and is quite a well-known Abyss Plane.

Lis sensed that there were three "Demon's Gates" emerging in Ice Peak City, but the space rift in front of the Ice Castle Palace was the largest, meaning that the demons passing through would be the strongest in both strength and level.

There should have been four "Demon's Gates" appearing in Ice Peak City, but after Lis secretly destroyed the one in Galsa's secret chamber, it seemed the Demon Envoy no longer had time to prepare a new ritual site.

However, Lis's expression did not ease up a bit; he had witnessed the emergence of the "Demon's Gate" in his previous life, and he was certain it was nothing as exaggerated as this.

Perhaps due to the bloody clash between Duke Ward's and King Lukar's forces, an overabundance of souls and blood energy in Ice Peak City made the "Demon's Gate" substantially more powerful, signaling that the Abyss Demons emerging would be far stronger than in his past life.

Lis had no intention of sticking his neck out. After all, this was an internal dispute within the Dillon Kingdom. Although something felt amiss, seemingly not entirely orchestrated by Duke Ward, he was not the Holy Mother to risk himself so recklessly.

Concealing his form within the shadows, Lis prepared to watch the unfolding drama.

...

Duke Ward, who had just returned to Ice Peak City, looked at the space rift nearby, the evil aura emanating from it constantly assaulting everyone's nerves.

The Duke immediately realized something was wrong!

Especially that voice, mad yet familiar, he knew it all too well!

Demon Envoy Shaz Wood!

"This bastard!"

Duke Ward felt the world was filled with profound malice against him.

After much hesitation, he had decided to cooperate with Shaz Wood to open the "Demon's Gate."

He knew Shaz Wood had no good intentions, but to counter King Lukar's military presence in Ice Peak City, it was his only choice.

However, after negotiating with Shaz Wood, Moriarty from the Death Secret Cult gave him a huge surprise.

Two extremely precious magic items could directly transport the Snow Bear Legion and Snow Eagle Army into Ice Peak City!

This could turn around the balance of power between the two sides at once.

Now that he had a second option, seeming more sincere cooperation from the Death Secret Cult, Duke Ward made his choice in an instant, abandoning the cooperation with the Demon Envoy.

After all, given a second option, who would truly wish to collude with Abyss Demons and ravage the Royal Capital that might soon be his?

But now, the situation clearly indicated that the Demon Envoy had succeeded in opening the Abyss Gate.

Even though he had not provided any sacrifices and he hadn't disclosed the prearranged ritual site to Shaz Wood, keeping it a secret to control the situation.
Read the latest on empire

Yet, the "Demon's Gate" was still opened!

What on earth was happening?

Duke Ward was full of doubts, but the severe situation he was about to face left him no time to ponder these questions.

Many had heard the Demon Envoy's words before the sacrifice, casting suspicious glances toward Duke Ward.

Duke Ward did not explain, now was not the time for that.

He desperately wanted to go and destroy the "Demon's Gate," to prevent the Abyss Demons from invading Ice Peak City, but the presence of King Lukar made him hesitate.

Worried that His Majesty the King would stab him in the back while he was attacking the Abyss Demons.

The loss of the City Guard Army of Ice Peak City had been only a small part; His Majesty still commanded the Royal Court Guard Army and a portion of the City Guard, not to be underestimated.

After much consideration, Duke Ward ordered the soldiers of the Snow Bear Legion to form battle arrays, the Snow Eagle Army to provide support, and stationed them outside the space rift, while also ordering others to quickly evacuate the nearby residents.

That was all he could do.

...

What Duke Ward didn't know was that the Ice Castle Palace was now in complete chaos.

The absence of King Lukar had left everyone panicked, especially with the news that came, making the ministers headed by Anna understand that it was nearly impossible for the Royal Capital's current strength to withstand the simultaneous appearance of both the Snow Bear Legion and the Snow Eagle Army.

"Dammit, go find him!"

"You useless fools!"

Amang Cardan, the military minister, cursed at the attendants nearby, but his face could not hide the panic.

Gilberto and Anna also stood by, looking extremely troubled.

They had utilized all their resources, almost turning over the entire Ice Castle, yet they found no trace of Lukar.

Especially facing the surging Duke Ward, this undoubtedly was a massive blow to morale.

Suddenly, the emergence of the "Demon's Gate" shocked everyone in the Ice Castle Palace just as much.

A Sacrificial Mage of the Royal Palace recognized what the space rift before them represented – an incursion from the Abyss, catching everyone off guard.

"What should we do?"

Gilberto looked at Anna nervously, rubbing his hands as he asked.