– If I don't, he'll tear you to pieces and give your remains to the dogs," the demon smiled wickedly. – My magic has no power here… I should have seen it when I couldn't read your mind, bug king… But I'm the one who will send you to Hell! – He suddenly shouted and lunged forward to stab his enemy with his dagger.

But the king was right: without their magic, the demons were worth little. Quickness, strength, and agility left the demon, and Derek's sword went deep into its chest. The dagger fell from his weakened hands.

– It's not… It's impossible! – The demon wheezed out its last breath.

– Go back to your ancestor, you bastard," Derek said quietly into its face, pulled his sword from its chest and cut off its head.

– War awaits us, Derek… War! – Bergil muttered and sighed heavily. It was as if a huge stone had fallen on his shoulders. A stone of knowledge that soon hordes of demons would attack the peaceful, defenseless people of Kaldwind.

– Yes, Bergil, war," Derek replied grimly, staring at the corpse of his defeated foe with disdain. – Send the bastard's head to King Lamar: let him know that we fear neither him nor his black magic.

Half an hour later, a council of war was assembled to decide the life and death of the entire kingdom.

– O Great, O Terrible, our beloved Lord! – The Chancellor burst into the throne room with a shriek.

Lamar, the demon king, was annoyed by his servant's honors, but he didn't want to part with him, because the fussy demon had all the paperwork on his shoulders, and he did it well.

– Don't you shout! – The king waved him away with slight disgust.

– But…but… – The chancellor had a difficult fate: he had to tell the king about the recent incident and not lose his head, so he mumbled in an attempt to find the words.

– "But what?" – Lamar sipped from the golden cup and stared lazily at his approximant. – Had the angels finally sinned? Had the light come to a wedge? Has the lake of fire dried up? – The demon ruler chuckled, curling his fingers on his free hand.

– Not quite, oh, Great, there is such a thing … – almost a whisper began to speak cowardly chancellor.

– You tell me that the humans have declared war on us! – Lamar's laughter rumbled through the hall, and all the courtiers present caught it like a contagious disease.

– Yes… You could say that… You will definitely want to bare your sword now, my Lord," the servant said uncertainly, clutching the scroll in his hands.

Suddenly there was silence in the throne room, but a few seconds later the demons were laughing as they had never laughed before. Even the chandeliers seemed to move and the walls shook. But King of Flammehav did not yet know what he was about to hear.

– I'm sorry," the Chancellor said uncertainly.

– It turns out you have a good sense of humor! – said the King.

– Oh, Great One! People killed your brother! – exclaimed the Chancellor and shrank back in fear of being hit in the chest by a fireball, even closing his eyes.

– What?! – The demon king roared, choking on a sip of red wine.

– His head was cut off, Lord, right in the main square… He was kneeling and grinning… And then chick, and his head flew… – It seemed that if he had the opportunity to curl up and not lose face, close to the king would have done so.

– Everybody out! Now! – Like an awakened volcano, the supreme demon exploded. – And you stay! – Pointing his finger at the chancellor, he drained his cup in an instant, leaving not a drop of his favorite tart drink in it.

– Perhaps you would like some more wine? – remarked the Chancellor, trying to get away from the heavy topic.