THE PERFECT VILLAIN: Another chance with a system
Chapter 10: The Primordial Devil

Chapter 10: The Primordial Devil

Vael froze.

It was a common fact that every demon lord possessed an authority, and since they had lived long enough, their mastery of the authority was nearly at its peak.

The realization that he was up against two authorities had him trembling momentarily.

Vael finally took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

There’s no need to panic. I’ve faced a demon lord before without an authority and survived. I need to know which authority he possesses — there must be a way out.

Vael stood up, one hand crossed over his chest, the other under his chin. He could clearly remember his father’s face, but there were no memories of his father using an authority — only a unique skill, Poison. He could fully account for that, but the authority was the biggest threat.

This memory is flawed. He doesn’t even know how old his father is. I can recall all the names of the demon lords and their authorities, but I only have the face of one demon lord, and it’s certainly not my father.

Vael began tapping his foot against the ground, trying to remember his father’s name. If he could recall the name, he’d know which authority the demon lord possessed.

The old Vael only ever referred to his father as "father" — a name was never attached to it. Suddenly Vael’s eyes widened in shock as he recalled Valin swearing on the name.

His feet trembled, and he lost his balance, falling onto all fours. He couldn’t stop his hands from shaking. It was a name that had left scars in history, the one demon lord every hero of the past had lost to.

"Cronos."

The name came out shaky. He had never seen his face in his old life, and there was one rule among the heroes and the people: if you hear the name Cronos—run.

He was the most powerful and oldest of all the demon lords. The wielder of the Authority of Time—the primordial devil.

"No! No!! No!!!"

Vael said out loud, unable to hold himself together. How could he be the son of the world’s greatest calamity? How could he battle the lord of time?

No matter what he did, he would lose. It wouldn’t matter if he copied the abilities — going back in time would reset even his system. There was no winning that battle.

Vael slowly tried to catch his breath as he thought.

No, there’s still a way.

Vael slowly stood up, walked back to his bed, and sat down. He had only one option left to fulfill his plan. He muttered, barely a whisper:

"The king must live."

Somewhere south of the demon castle, Valak stood on the balcony, watching the demon army slaughter each other. He seemed awfully pleased with the result, but then he heard footsteps from behind him.

"Valerie, what brings you here?" Valak muttered without looking back.

She sighed, resting her shoulder against the doorway. "Do you have any plans I don’t know of, brother?"

"Why do you ask?" His gaze stayed fixed on the battlefield.

"You sent Dreece away. Why did you send her back to the human realm?"

At this point, Valerie’s gaze was fixed on him, as though she were reading his thoughts from behind.

"Isn’t it obvious, sister?" Valak finally turned to her. "She’d die if she stayed." He paused, letting it settle. "—Or they could use her the way they used Erna."

"Really?" Valerie leaned off the doorway and fully faced him.

"Yeah. Dreece is strong — much stronger than Erna and Nevis — but she isn’t smart. If Erna could be outplayed, she’d certainly become a pawn." He turned back to the army killing themselves. "—If it were Lambadack, I’d suggest she stay. She’d certainly be the one hindrance to whoever is plotting our fall."

"Lambadack," Valerie repeated. "She’s been in the human realm for almost a year now, right?"

"Yes, she has. Still chasing a dead hero. Though it seems she has a bigger issue with how his death played out than the death itself." He laughed under his breath. "Dreece is still convinced Lambadack is mainly after the hero."

"I couldn’t care less about a fallen hero. Anyway, I’m still keeping an eye on Vael — I hope you are too. It would be a shame if a mere five-hundred-year-old demon brought us to our knees," she said, turning to leave.

"Truly, dear sister," Valak muttered without turning around. "—it would be a shame."

After he had fully regained himself, Vael walked to the balcony, looking down at the demon wasteland. His eyes, though focused, were lost in thought.

I have less than seven days to work up a plan. As much as I love the fact that it’s more interesting this way, it’s extremely worrisome too.

He looked toward the south and could see the army of demons in training. In human terms, it would be less like training and more like a battlefield—they could actually die, and it would be seen as nothing.

Vael wondered what kind of catalyst he’d need to kick off his plan. While Valerie was his major piece, something needed to stir up a reaction at the same time — something perfect enough for her to believe.

Whatever plan he had toward Valak, he’d need to keep his distance and make sure the method of communication was foolproof.

Then, in that moment, Vael’s eyes drifted north. A figure was walking toward what looked like the only living field in the demon realm — one he hadn’t noticed since he transmigrated.

The demon lord Cronos. For a moment, Vael trembled slightly, but just as quickly, he caught himself. There was no need to fear yet.

Suddenly he noticed something striking about Cronos, though the image had always been in his mind — only now did he fully see it. Among all the demon heirs, he was the most identical to Cronos. He was his copy.

Vael’s lips widened, and a subtle giggle followed as he whispered to himself:

"There. That is the catalyst I need."