# Chapter 31: Who Knew Demons Were So Fragile
Sometimes, demons could be more tight-lipped than humans.
Of course, this was definitely not one of those times.
After hearing Joshua's words, Raldanas was very grateful that this human, who was currently stepping on its head, was willing to ask questions. If it were any other human, they would have long since chopped it into pieces and used its soul to fuel a magic furnace.
But now, the situation was different.
The black-haired warrior stood on the demon's head, his expression calm as he looked down at the massive creature beneath his feet. The surrounding ground was covered in cracks, and the shattered remains of the desecration ritual array were scattered everywhere. The spatial rift had completely closed, and the demon's connection to its main body had been severed.
"Answer me," Joshua said coldly. "What is the Takur Annihilation Order planning?"
"I don't know!" The one-eyed demon replied quickly, its voice filled with fear. "I'm just a vanguard scout! I don't know the higher-ups' plans!"
"A vanguard scout?" Joshua sneered. "A Gold Peak Greater Demon as a mere scout? The Takur Annihilation Order sure has deep pockets."
"It's true!" The demon struggled to explain. "The order has been preparing for a long time! They've been secretly summoning demons from the abyss, gathering power! I was just sent to test the waters!"
Joshua fell silent, his gaze sharp as he stared at the demon. Beside him, Brandon walked over, his expression complex as he looked at the scene before him.
"Joshua," Brandon said, "you actually managed to capture a demon alive. That's no small feat."
"It's just a clone," Joshua replied casually. "If it were the main body, I'd have to put in a bit more effort."
Brandon was momentarily speechless. A Gold Peak Greater Demon, even if just a clone, was still a formidable existence. Yet in Joshua's mouth, it sounded like it was nothing more than an ordinary monster.
"Continue," Joshua said to the demon. "Tell me everything you know about the Takur Annihilation Order's activities in the Imperial Capital."
The demon trembled, its single eye flickering with fear. "I... I don't know much. I was only responsible for the summoning ritual. The order has many safe houses in the Imperial Capital, but I don't know their exact locations. They use a compartmentalized system of management."
"Compartmentalized management?" Joshua frowned. "That's quite professional."
"Yes!" The demon nodded frantically. "The order has been operating on the Mycroft Continent for a very long time. They have a complete system and strict discipline. Ordinary members don't even know the existence of higher-ups."
Joshua fell into thought. This information was valuable. It meant the Takur Annihilation Order was far more dangerous than he had imagined. They weren't just a group of fanatical cultists, but a well-organized, deeply hidden organization.
"One more question," Joshua said, his tone turning serious. "What is the order's ultimate goal?"
The demon hesitated, its single eye showing a trace of fear. "I... I'm not entirely sure. But I've heard rumors..."
"Speak."
"They want to... open the Abyss Gate," the demon said in a low voice. "Completely open the seal between the Mycroft World and the abyss, allowing the true power of the abyss to descend."
Hearing this, Brandon's expression changed drastically. "Open the Abyss Gate?! Are they insane?! That would destroy the entire Mycroft Continent!"
"The order's members are all madmen," the demon said bitterly. "They believe that only by introducing the power of the abyss can they break the current order and create a new world."
"Ridiculous," Joshua said coldly. "The power of the abyss will only bring destruction and death. There's no such thing as a new world."
"I know," the demon said helplessly. "But the order's higher-ups don't think so. They've been deceived by the abyss's power, believing they can control it."
Joshua fell silent, his gaze deep as he looked into the distance. After a long while, he spoke again: "Do you know where the order's main base is?"
"I don't know," the demon shook its head. "But I know they have a stronghold in the Great Aias Mountains. It's heavily guarded and very secretive."
"The Great Aias Mountains..." Joshua murmured, committing this information to memory.
"Joshua," Brandon suddenly spoke, his tone serious, "this information is very important. We need to report it to the Imperial Royal Family and the Seven Gods Church immediately."
"I know," Joshua nodded. "But before that, I need to confirm one more thing."
He turned to the demon and asked, "You said you saw a group of dragons in the Plague Swamp?"
"Yes," the demon replied, "a group of dead dragons."
"Dead?" Joshua frowned. "How did they die?"
"I don't know," the demon shook its head. "When I found them, they were already dead. Their bodies were covered in strange black patterns, as if they had been corroded by some kind of power."
"Black patterns..." Joshua's expression grew serious. "Could it be the Mad Dragon Plague?"
"Mad Dragon Plague?" Brandon was startled. "That's a legendary disease. It's said that dragons infected with it go mad and eventually die."
"Yes," Joshua nodded. "And the Mad Dragon Plague is closely related to the abyss. If the Takur Annihilation Order has mastered the method to spread the Mad Dragon Plague, then the situation is even more dangerous than we imagined."
Hearing this, Brandon's face turned pale. "This... this is terrible. We must stop them immediately!"
"Don't rush," Joshua raised his hand to stop him. "First, we need to confirm the authenticity of this information. And then, we need to formulate a plan."
He looked down at the demon beneath his feet and said coldly, "You've been very cooperative. For that, I'll give you a quick death."
"Wait!" The demon panicked. "I've told you everything I know! You promised to let me go!"
"I never promised anything," Joshua said calmly. "I only said I would ask questions. I never said I would spare you."
"You—!" Before the demon could finish its sentence, Joshua's foot suddenly exerted force, and with a loud crack, the demon's head was crushed. Black blood and brain matter splattered everywhere, and the massive creature's body twitched a few times before going still.
"You killed it just like that?" Brandon looked at the scene in surprise. "I thought you were going to keep it for questioning."
"It's already told us everything it knows," Joshua said, withdrawing his foot. "Keeping it alive would only be a waste of resources."
Brandon shook his head with a wry smile. "You're really decisive."
"Sometimes, being decisive is the best choice," Joshua said, turning to look at the distant city. "Now, we need to find the Imperial Royal Family and the Seven Gods Church. This information must be reported as soon as possible."
"Agreed," Brandon nodded. "But before that, I have one question."
"What is it?"
"How did you know there would be a demon appearing here?" Brandon asked, his gaze sharp. "You seemed to have arrived here prepared."
Joshua was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I had a premonition."
"A premonition?"
"Yes," Joshua nodded. "When I was at the Mage Association, I suddenly had a vague feeling that chaos would appear somewhere. But it was just a feeling, so I hesitated and didn't set out immediately. Then, a moment later, the Azure Orb vibrated, detecting a reaction to chaos. And that vague feeling turned into a seemingly real image, showing me everything happening at the sacrificial site."
"This feeling..." Brandon frowned. "It sounds like the power of a prophet."
"Maybe," Joshua said casually. "Or maybe it's just the Saint's blessing."
Brandon fell silent, his gaze complex as he looked at Joshua. He knew that this black-haired warrior in front of him was no ordinary person. Whether it was his strength or his insight, both were far beyond ordinary people.
"Alright," Joshua suddenly said, "enough of that. Let's go find the Emperor."
"Wait," Brandon stopped him. "There's one more thing."
"What is it?"
"Just now, I received a message," Brandon said, his tone turning serious. "Nostradamus wants to see you."
"Nostradamus?" Joshua raised an eyebrow. "The Imperial Royal Mage Association's president?"
"Yes," Brandon nodded. "And he wants to see you together with His Majesty the Emperor."
Hearing this, Joshua's expression grew thoughtful. "It seems they've already learned about what happened here."
"Probably," Brandon said. "After all, the commotion here was so big, it would be strange if they didn't notice."
"Alright," Joshua nodded. "Then let's go. I also have some things I want to ask them."
Saying this, he turned and walked toward the city center. Brandon looked at his back, shook his head with a wry smile, and quickly followed.
Behind them, the demon's corpse gradually turned to ashes, scattering in the wind. The surrounding city guards began to clean up the battlefield, but the traces of the battle would forever remain in this land.
And in the distant sky, a few black spots flickered, as if watching everything happening here.
The storm was about to arrive.