Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Simon's vague answer left a possibility that he might join their faction. As such, unless he did something foolish by himself first, all those factions shouldn't make things difficult for him first.

Of course, they were only extending their favourability towards him because of Oswell. Had it been any other Demon Earl, they would not even get an invitation from these factions. And even if they did, they might not be in a position to reject or shake off the invitation like Simon.

In the latter's case, he was only accepting the invitations from the various factions because Oswell told him to keep playing them off and maintain a neutral stance till the very last second of the event as it would help him later on.

If not, Simon had no interest in joining any faction. It is true that joining a faction secures and increases the survivability of a demon and their dungeon. However, all those benefits are just superficial.

Joining a faction had a lot of limitations and constrictions too. The High ranking demon nobles are not protecting the other demon nobles and their dungeon out of the goodness of their heart. They expect a sum, a fee of sort in return every year for allowing you to join their faction and extending their protection to you.

Not only that, those demon nobles who join any faction are also required to transfer a portion of their assets to the leader of the faction, like their territory, DP, subordinates and the other various things that their dungeon produced.

It is in return for all these that the faction protects you. The faction is in essence a private force of that high ranking demon and is in no way established to support the demon nobles.

For Simon, these factions appeared just like a trap to prey on other demon nobles who cannot survive without their protection.

His dungeon was not in a position where it needed protection from a faction, so why should he join one? In fact, staying away from them was the best thing he could do.

Simon appeared beside Oswell who had already started stuffing his mouth with various food kept on the table. The glutton was the one who had fed all those words to him. Oswell had much more experience dealing with the demon nobles and their pesky tactics. As such, he knew the right words to say in this situation.

"Nom.. ugy grdlly grr bhinvg a dhrd itme agrtn ugy?" (You really are having a hard time aren't you?) Oswell spoke with a mouth full of food.

Simon clicked his tongue in frustration and glanced at the latter in surprise. Even though he could see that the food is being served by such hideous monsters, how could he have the appetite to eat the food?

"I don't have any bias towards food. Food is food, it doesn't matter who cooks it. As long as they are delicious, this lord will eat it all. After all, food has committed no crime, it is just fulfilling its purpose. In this world full of deception, the food is the only constant that represents the truth" Oswell proudly stated after cleaning up a portion of the table.

Hearing his words, some people might think that he was just fooling around. However, Simon who got to understand this demon from them travelling together in these past few days, knew that the latter was completely serious. He actually believed in those words.

Simon shook his head and observed his surroundings. The venue was a market of hubbub, all the demon nobles were busy making connections or doing their own thing.

Some came to him extending their invitations; however, all of them were sent back after a few vague words from Simon. Every demon here wanted to make connections with Oswell and even though he didn't want to, he ended up becoming a shield for the other party.

"Does that make twelve? Whiste~ somebody sure is popular?" Oswell chuckled.

"Shut up!! This is all your fault. Anyways, why isn't the event starting? It has been a day already since we arrived here?" Simon asked. Unlike the other demons, his sense of time wasn't as distorted.

"Can't tell for sure. It can be today or tomorrow. It all depends on the host of the event after all. Though I don't think it will take much longer after all, we are quite close to the demon lord of Envy's dungeon and besides leaving a few Demon Archdukes that rarely show their appearance, all the other high ranking demons are here. I'm sure the event will start soon" Oswell answered.

Simon dropped the issue after he was told that the event would start soon and changed the topic.

"You just said that the Demon Lord of Envy's dungeon is nearby didn't you. Have you seen their dungeon? What kind of dungeon is it and what rank? Can you tell me more about it".

When discussing about the topic of the dungeon, there was a weird gleam in Simon's eyes. His bored face finally showed some signs of interest.

"Hoh, so dungeon interests you more than food huh? You are a peculiar demon, aren't you? Well, to answer your query, Yes I have seen Belial's dungeon. I have been invited by him and the faction behind him on multiple occasions".

"On some cases, where I was unable to reject him, I had to come to his domain personally. At that time, I was able to see his dungeon. It is a huge dungeon whose entrance is hidden inside the mist that covers the centre of this land".

"There is a huge teleportation gate installed by the humans there who come to dive inside his dungeon. I am not exactly sure how many floors his dungeon has but for its rank, I can tell you that it is a [S] tier peak rank dungeon".

"Though it hasn't been too long since his dungeon had risen to that rank. So it cannot be said that Belial's dungeon is a full fledged [S] rank yet. Does this answer your question?".

Simon nodded his head. [S] rank huh… He had expected the dungeon of a Demon Lord to be of that rank. Though he was still a little fazed when he heard it.

A dungeon possesses the title of a peak dungeon after it evolves from a high ranking dungeon, that is [A] rank. Leaving aside the great dungeons that existed since the primordial times, the [S] rank dungeon is the highest rank a dungeon can reach.

It was no wonder that the Demon Lord of Envy's dungeon was also a [S] rank. One of Simon's goals was also to increase his dungeon, Laplace's rank to peak tier in the future.

"Mine is also an [S] rank dungeon and compared to Belial's it is much more amazing. Hehe, are you amazed?" Oswell rubbed his nose and spoke proudly.

It would be a lie to say that Simon wasn't amazed, he didn't expect the glutton's dungeon to also be a peak rank dungeon. He had thought that only the dungeon of the Demon Lords and the ancient Demon Archdukes have reached that rank.

To think that Oswell's dungeon was also a special rank. That said, it all made sense why the Demon Lord of Envy and so many factions are so interested in him. A Demon Duke possessing a [S] rank dungeon, if that's not enough to call him special, then what is.

"You know, if it's you my best friend, I can give you a free tour of my dungeon. At that time maybe you can bring those chefs of your…"

Oswell who was about to invite Simon to his dungeon in his excitement, suddenly stopped talking. He then looked up and muttered, "They are here".

Immediately after his words fell, a mighty pressure descended onto the venue. The hullabaloo of the Demon Nobles ceased as all eyes turn towards the sky.

In that dramatic moment, a figure emerged in the sky, silently standing there emanating an aura of awe-inspiring power that commands attention. The figure clad in regal ancient clothes adorned with intricate patterns and symbols, exuding an air of elegance and authority, was none other than Belial, the host of the event.

With his three pairs of bat like wings unfurled, he stood there tall and imposing. The demon slowly descended down from the skies and stood before the other Demon Nobles.

Right after his appearance, he immediately became the centre of attention. But he was not alone.

"Haha, everyone I thank you all for coming"

An old ancient voice sounded out. Immediately, all eyes looked up. There standing toweringly, were five figures emanating powerful auras and presence unmatched by other demons of the realm.

Simon recognised the man who had spoken just now. In fact, he recognised all of them. The five figures were none other than the five Demon Archdukes that supported Belial.

The middle aged man with short black hair mixed with some whites and standing imposingly was none other than Gareth, the Demon Archduke who had lived for more than six thousand years.

The ones around him were also famous Demon Archdukes. Goliath, with skin as black as obsidian. Agares had a blazing red hair, Orca was short statured demon with gentle looking face. Boros had green eyes and a crafty looking face just like a snake. 

Goliath, Agares, Orca and Boros all of these Demon Archduks were also present in the Walpurgis. How did Simon know about them? That was because during the last Walpurgis, a certain Demon Viscount announced their names near his ears even though he didn't want to hear them.