Chapter 687: The Pact of Hell

The title “Duke of Steel” stemmed from Dispat’s peculiar preference. Perhaps as a remembrance of his former noble life, this demi-god warrior loved to build magnificent steel castles and cities in his territory. At first, with limited resources and abilities, Dispat only constructed small steel towns as his own demonic castles. As his power and territory grew, these towns evolved into castles and eventually into large cities, becoming quite famous among the many realms of the Abyss.

However, since being sent to guard the entrance to Mathius’s Realm of Perdition in the Great Abyss, Dispat had not overseen any expansions of his steel cities for a long time. A small fortress was built in front of the portal to Mathius’s Realm of Perdition for the rulers of Perdition who guarded it to reside in.

The demons controlled by Astymos’s projection bribed the outer guards, gaining access to the fortress where they met Dispat, the demi-god. Dispat was dressed in opulent, form-fitting noble attire, holding a long, hard-headed scepter tightly in his hand. Sitting on a high seat, he looked down at the demon before him. It was just an ordinary horned demon, but Dispat, thanks to his keen senses, detected something extraordinary about it.

“Is it you who asked to see me? Demon—”

This demi-god demon lord appeared as a handsome man with black hair, standing over 7 feet tall. If not for the pair of small horns on his forehead and his fiery red eyes revealing his true nature, many would have mistaken him for an elegant human noble. Astymos showed no fear or humility, only offering the barest form of courtesy.

“Yes, Your Majesty Dispat. I have matters to discuss with you.”

As he spoke, he discreetly glanced at the guards around them. Dispat immediately understood what the demon meant and tapped the armrest of his seat, signaling the guards to leave. Soon, only Astymos and Dispat remained in the fortress hall, so Astymos stopped hiding his identity and removed his disguise, allowing the aura of the King of Hell to manifest in the hall.

“A friend from Hell sends his greetings, Your Majesty Dispat!”

“You are Astymos, Your Majesty?” Dispat said, greatly surprised.

Due to the hostility between the Abyss and Hell realms, such a strong and intense demonic aura immediately triggered a fierce reaction in Dispat’s own Abyssian demon bloodline.

Astymos wasn’t surprised that Dispat could guess his identity—after all, aside from himself, there was only one true god-level ruler in Hell, Zareel. But she was a woman.
“I’m sorry for the intrusion, but I have an important matter to discuss with His Majesty Matthews, so I’ve come to ask Princess Dispat to convey my message!”
After hearing Astymos’ purpose as the new king of Hell, Dispat, the Iron Duke, frowned slightly, looking deep in thought before finally responding, “I can pass on Princess Astymos’ words to my master Matthews, but the final decision still rests with him!”
Astymos wasn’t dissatisfied at all. Instead, he said confidently, “It’s fine. In fact, it’s not me who wants to meet His Majesty Matthews—it’s someone who has invited him to Hell. Please convey this message to him: ‘When the sun and silver moon fall, their immortal light will rise again. I’m sure His Majesty Matthews will be interested in the invitation!’”
Confused by Astymos’ cryptic words, Dispat said, “I’ll relay these words to my master. Princess Astymos can wait here for a while!”
Although she didn’t understand Astymos’ intentions, as a realm lord who could confront the Abyss and had already achieved initial victories, his status was enough to earn the attention of the Fallen Monarch. So Dispat didn’t make things difficult for him and decided to report directly to Matthews herself.
But Astymos didn’t choose to wait. He immediately asked to leave.
“Let’s skip this time! As the king of Hell, I’m in great distress in the Abyss! The invitation has been delivered. Hell looks forward to His Majesty Matthews’ arrival!”
With that, he subdued his aura, reverted to an ordinary horn demon, bowed slightly, and left the fortress.
Watching Astymos’ retreating figure, Dispat murmured thoughtfully, “It seems another major change is coming to the Abyss! Perhaps this is an opportunity. I’m tired of this place anyway…”
Her voice faded into the air, and the figure of the Iron Duke disappeared… The nineteenth layer of the Abyss, Matthews’ Realm of the Fallen.
“Lady Dispat!”
Dispat stepped out of the portal, and the guards on either side immediately bowed respectfully.
Waving her hand, she headed straight toward the palace of the Fallen Monarch.

Compared to other demon lords, the palace of the Fallen Monarch resembled more the style of a true god’s realm—and indeed it was so. Even after descending into the Abyss, its original divine style hadn’t changed much.
Most of the Fallen Monarch’s subordinates were his followers, as, aside from being a lord of the Abyss, he was also the most powerful demon god there.
The demi-god powerhouse, Duke of Steel Dispat, was an exception—one of the few non-followers among Matthews’ subordinates.
After entering the magnificent palace and meeting the Fallen Monarch, Dispat immediately relayed the message of the King of Hell’s visit and the invitation.
“Will the glory rise again?”
After hearing Dispat’s full account, the Fallen Monarch Matthews sat on his throne, gazing into the distance beyond the royal temple with a hint of nostalgia in his voice.
Matthews, in his true form as a 30-foot-tall demon god, appeared as a towering man like the sun. Yet his once vibrant face now bore only sorrow and melancholy, and even the divine radiance he emitted carried a strong sense of decline.
The other party had mentioned the sun and the silver moon, combined with the idea of glory rising again—it was clearly what he had been thinking.
Matthews quickly composed himself and said to Dispat, “My most loyal Dispat, I fear I must make another major decision—one that will bring about earth-shattering changes. I wonder if you’re still willing to follow me?”
Upon hearing this, Dispat realized his earlier thoughts were correct. He bowed humbly and said, “Great Lord, even if you intend to invade the heavens, Dispat will never betray you and will always stay by your side!”
Hearing his subordinate’s words, Matthews rarely smiled.
“Then let us witness history together. Whether we succeed or fail, even in failure, we must shine with final brilliance like a falling meteor!”
With that smile, the entire realm of the Fallen Kingdom seemed to greet the dawn, as light dispelled the original gloom and cast a golden glow!