From the very beginning, Overlord Elara Noctis Belial was the absolute monarch who ruled this entire Belial territory with unchallenged power.
If she called, of course I had to go.
I wasn't in any position to refuse.
I flipped the map over.
A simple handwritten memo was scrawled on the back. It contained basic instructions on how to reach the palace—nothing complicated. Before appearing before the territory's supreme ruler, wash thoroughly and dress properly.
The route itself was straightforward: head to the fortress airfield and board the Wyvern Express. Showing the pass would make everything go smoothly.
I stared at the pass. The name printed on it read "Star Pass." I didn't know the exact details, but this had to be something fucking important. The fact that it felt important only made my stomach twist with anxiety.
"Anyway, the deadline is until next week, right?"
That meant I should probably leave today or tomorrow at the latest. The Belial territory had four major fortresses—one in each cardinal direction—and a grand capital palace sitting dead center. Since I had to reach that palace, I couldn't afford to waste time.
"But why the hell me?"
Mother had countless children. Why would she specifically summon a nobody like me, stuck all the way out in the southern fortress? As I'd guessed earlier, it probably had something to do with my origin, but I still couldn't be sure.
My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it might crack my ribs. To calm the rising panic, I stepped straight into the shower room. I scrubbed every inch of myself until my pale skin turned pink, then dried off quickly.
After that, I called for the maids. With the Star Pass in hand, getting proper clothes would be easy. Once I was dressed and had the directions clear, I'd head straight to the airfield. If I had to go, I would go. That was my place in this world.
Clothes, huh.
Normally, as the resident fool of the southern fortress, no one would lift a finger for me. But when the absolute monarch of the entire territory issued an order, everything changed.
So.
After washing completely and changing into the clean, formal clothes the maids brought, I stepped out the door.
The hallway stretched out in front of me. My room was number 444. Identical doors lined both sides, and several demon maids were lounging around, chatting.
"Tsk."
"He's that weak bastard."
The moment the maids spotted me, their faces twisted in open disgust. Every single time I saw these bitches, I wanted to smash their faces in. But honestly, I was weaker than most of them. I couldn't act up.
I didn't mess with anyone stronger than me.
Today, though, things were different.
"You there. Maid. Look at me for a second."
The closest one turned her head.
"…?"
She approached with a deeply skeptical expression.
"What is it?"
Her voice dripped with arrogance.
"I need clean clothes. Bring them for me."
"You want me to fetch clothes for you?"
Her head tilted sharply, vertical pupils narrowing.
This maid wasn't some weak servant. She was a full-blooded demon raised in Hell, living by its brutal rules. I had zero chance against her in a fight.
"Get them yourself?"
She came at me hard, exactly as expected.
"Why the fuck would I bring clothes for a pathetic weakling like you?"
I stayed silent for a beat, then simply held out the Star Pass.
"Because I received a direct summons from Overlord Elara."
"What?!"
"I said I was summoned by Overlord Elara."
The maid's eyes landed on the Star Pass in my hand.
"Heo-eok…!"
Her eyes bulged. She clapped a hand over her mouth and dropped straight to her knees on the stone floor. Damn. It actually worked that well.
If I'd wanted to, I could have used this sudden authority to beat her bloody right there, but I had no idea what was coming next. Once the summons ended, she might remember and retaliate. Better to hold back.
"Hurry."
"Yes, yes! Right away!"
She scrambled to her feet and sprinted down the hallway.
"Bring them straight to my room!"
Clothes problem solved. I immediately started walking toward the main hall on the first floor. The fortress layout map was posted there, so I'd check the exact route to the airfield.
The moment I stepped into the spacious first-floor main hall—
"Oh?"
I locked eyes with a group of my peers.
"Oh! Hey! Look! It's that Mr Fool!"
"Oi, weakling! Get over here!"
"Where? Ah! There he is! Go fuck him up! Beat his ass!"
"Fuck you, you disgrace to the bloodline!"
These were demons with sturdy, powerful builds—nothing like normal kids their age.
I was screwed.
They charged straight at me.
"Oh shit, I'm in big trouble!"
I spun on my heel and bolted, kicking off the ground hard. If those bastards caught me, it wouldn't end with a few bruises. These were the same assholes who used to beat the living hell out of me every time they saw me struggling to speak.
"You fucking wanna be bullies got nothing better to do?!"
"Catch him!!!"
"No—this isn't right! Hey! Stop!"
I yanked the Star Pass out and waved it high.
"What?"
"What the hell did that bastard just say?"
"How dare he give orders?"
My shout made them skid to a halt, faces twisted in disbelief. Then they started walking forward again, sneering.
"You wanna die today?"
"Hey, look at this idiot."
"What's that in his hand?"
What do you mean "what"? It's a Star Pass.
"I have been summoned by mother. I'm on official business heading to the airfield. Do not interfere."
I held the pass out clearly so they could see it.
"What? Overlord Elara?"
"Where the hell did this weak bastard get a pass like that?"
"He's using Mother's name?"
Instead of backing off, their killing intent flared even stronger. Of course. They were all hatched from her eggs too. A weakling like me daring to invoke her name must have pissed them off.
"It's not a lie. Look. This is the Star Pass."
"A pass?"
The moment I mentioned the pass, they all leaned in, crowding around to stare at it.
Their expressions changed instantly.
"…Why you?"
"Why the hell did you get summoned?"
Pure anger. Jealousy. Faces dripping with raw envy.
"Why someone like Knull …"
I didn't know the reason either.
"I don't know. Anyway, don't touch me. I'm going because I was summoned. If you interfere, you'll be the ones held responsible."
Overlord Elara's authority was absolute.
"…"
"…"
"…"
The group tucked their tails, gritted their teeth, and finally turned away.
Good.
Fuck. I really wished mother was truly watching my back.
I wasn't sure why, but the moment I thought of her order, my mind seemed to calm and focus. It felt like some instinctive pull was guiding me. Probably bloodline instinct.
Either way, with everything prepared, I headed straight for the capital palace as fast as possible. The ride on the Wyvern Express was my first time ever flying on one of those massive beasts.
At first it was terrifying—the wind screaming past my face, the creature's powerful wings beating like thunder, the ground dropping away beneath us. My stomach lurched and my hands shook as I gripped the saddle.
But after the initial fear wore off, somewhere in the middle it actually became thrilling, the rush of speed and height turning into something almost exhilarating.
And then.
The enormous.
I finally stood in front of the Belial Capital Palace.
A towering black castle stands on a lush hill beneath a dark violet sky. Below it lies a wide valley of rich grass and towering trees, where narrow paths wind through the greenery toward the castle gates.
Just as expected from the seat of Overlord power. The place was packed with strong demons everywhere I looked. The population was far higher than the southern fortress, and the entire atmosphere felt more refined, more cultured, more dangerous.
The palace itself was the most magnificent structure of all. Guards stood at attention in front of the grand gates, every single one of them sporting large, impressive horns that screamed raw power.
"They look fucking terrifying."
My legs felt like they might give out, but I forced myself forward.
"Stop. Who are you?"
The nearest guard immediately leveled his weapon and growled the question. I pulled out the Star Pass without hesitation and answered.
"Hello. I am Knull Belial. I have come in response to a summons from Overlord."
"What? A summons from Overlord?"
"Here is the Star Pass."
"I will verify it."
"Yes."
The guard took the pass and disappeared into the small guard post beside the gate. Minutes later he returned and handed it back with a completely different attitude.
"You have been summoned by Overlord, Imp. Please enter."
"Uh… yes."
His tone had flipped entirely.
Receiving a summons from the Overlord meant she had business with me, and every being in the territory was expected to assist in any way possible. That was the basic mindset drilled into all of us who shared her bloodline.
"But 'Imp'?"
Just as I thought—the guard had also hatched from one of her eggs. As I walked across the palace grounds, a guide appeared and led me inside.
"Whew."
The moment I stepped into the palace, the tension never let up.
Since I had arrived a little earlier than the official audience day, I was given a guest room. During the wait, palace servants drilled me in proper etiquette. But these weren't ordinary servants. Every single one of them was a powerful-looking demon—probably carefully hatched and raised by mother herself.
Because these intimidating older demons were the ones teaching me, the palace etiquette rules poured into my head at lightning speed.
"The time has come."
"Ah. Yes."
Finally, the moment of the audience arrived.
My heart hammered so hard I thought it would explode. I was really about to meet an Overlord —Mother. Why the hell had she called for me?
Fuck, was she planning to eat me? Not in some weird sexual way, but actually sacrifice me in some ritual or something?
I was so lost in those dark thoughts that I didn't even realize I had reached the doors of the audience chamber. Soon I was left standing alone, waiting for the command to enter according to protocol.
How much time passed?
"Come in."
A voice that was truly sweet and captivating pierced straight through me.
As if possessed, I reached out, opened the heavy door, and stepped inside.