Prologue : The Youngest Demon Prince
My second punch shattered Leowarth’s chest barrier with a satisfying crack. Purple-black magical shards exploded outward like brittle glass before dissolving into dark mist. He stumbled back, clutching his ribs, and raised a hand in surrender.
“You win, brother,” he gasped.
I lowered my fists, surprised. “Already? We’ve barely started.”
Leowarth shook his head, wincing. “My barrier broke after two punches. I don’t enjoy pain the way Hellwarth does.”
Heavy footsteps approached. Hellwarth, our eighth brother, loomed over us, towering, horned, and winged, his massive purple frame radiating raw power. “You won’t grow stronger if you shy away from pain, little brother,” he rumbled, clapping a massive hand on Leowarth’s shoulder. Then those burning red eyes turned to me. “But you…. I’m impressed, Riowarth. No horns. No wings. You look thin and fragile as a mortal. Yet your strength is unrivaled.”
A surge of pride warmed my chest. I bowed my head respectfully. “Thank you, brother.”
Leowarth chuckled, still catching his breath. “He looks more human than demon, you know. Like one of those soft creatures from the north.”
Hellwarth’s expression darkened. “Leowarth, do not insult our brother. He may be the youngest of us, the seventeenth prince, but he is still blood. Still royal.”
“My apologies,” Leowarth said quickly, lowering his gaze.
Before I could respond, the soft click of heels echoed across the royal arena.
Lilip, the head maid approached. Her lithe demonic figure swaying with every step. Tight leather accentuated her curves, and her tail flicked playfully behind her. Even after years in this body, the sight stirred something primal in me.
“Greetings, Prince Hellwarth, Prince Leowarth, Prince Riowarth,” she purred, dipping into a deep bow that offered a generous view of her cleavage.
Hellwarth nodded. “What is it, Lilip?”
“His Darkness summons Prince Riowarth to the royal court. Immediately.”
My pulse quickened. What now? I’d only just begun to master this new life.
“Do you know why?” Hellwarth asked.
“No, my prince. He said it is urgent.”
I straightened, rolling my shoulders. “Then let’s not keep him waiting.”
My previous life as Alex on Earth was short. A truck at eighteen, then darkness.
Next thing I knew, I was reborn in the arms of a demoness, the seventeenth son of the Demon King. Unlike my brothers' massive, horned, winged monstrosities of dark purple muscle, I appeared almost entirely human: lean, athletic build, sharp features, no visible demonic traits. Yet my strength and magic surpassed most of them. Hellwarth (8th prince) and Leowarth (14th) were formidable, but the first prince, Purvelious, was said to rival our father himself.
Lilip led me into the towering obsidian throne room. Torches of eternal hellfire cast flickering shadows. Father sat upon the throne, an imposing figure of pure darkness and authority.
I knelt. “You summoned me, Father?”
His voice boomed like thunder. “Yes, my son. I have a vital task for you, one that will serve the kingdom.”
“It will be my honor,” I replied without hesitation. “Command me.”
“You will leave the Demon Kingdom and travel north. Live among the other races, especially the humans. Your human-like appearance will let you blend in perfectly. Study them. Learn how they think, how they fight, how they love, how they break. Build influence. Create a place for yourself among them. When the time is right, you will return and deliver every secret: their strengths, weaknesses, desires, faults. Then we will crush them and claim this world.”
A slow grin spread across my face. Infiltrate. Dominate. Conquer. The mission resonated deep in my core. “I understand, Father.”
He leaned forward, eyes glowing. “Go, Riowarth. Make them yours. I await your triumphant return.”
I rose, heart pounding with excitement. The journey of the youngest demon prince had begun.
