Reborn as the 68th Demon Lord

The Demon Realm appears to be a vortex of pure chaos, but its survival is predicated on a set of ancient, inviolable laws known as the Codex Daemonica. These rules, enforced by the collective and overwhelming power of the 72 Demon Lords, are the only thing preventing the realm from consuming itself. To be a Demon Lord is to understand and exploit these rules.

Article I: The Law of Sovereignty

A Demon Lord's Dungeon is their body; their Dungeon Core is their heart. A Lord's power is absolute within the borders of their own domain.

To enter the dungeon of another Lord without formal invitation or a sanctioned declaration of war is a capital crime. The trespasser may be killed without consequence. This law is the foundation of a Demon Lord's safety.

Article II: The Law of Challenge (Lex Duellum)

All conflicts are stratified. A formal Challenge for Rank is the most serious and may only be declared during the Walpurgis Night Conclave. The duel is to the death, and the victor claims the loser

The duel is to the death, and the victor claims the loser's rank, title, and a significant portion of their core territory. This is the ultimate path to power, but also the most direct path to oblivion.

Skirmishes (Lex Minor): Lesser conflicts over borders, resources, or insults are classified as Skirmishes. A Skirmish must be formally declared via a magical contract, with the aggressor stating the precise stakes (e.g., "the Sunken Vein of Soul-Iron on our shared border") and the exact number and type of combatants to be involved (e.g., "ten Demon Knights and one Viscount"). This prevents disputes from escalating into all-out wars that could destabilize the realm. Yielding is permissible in a Skirmish, but the loser must pay the agreed-upon stake without question. Refusal to pay is a grave offense, inviting sanctioned punishment from neighboring lords.

Article III: The Law of Neutrality (Lex Neutralis)

Certain locations are designated as Neutral Ground, where all conflict is forbidden. The most prominent is the capital city of Pandemonium, especially during the Walpurgis Night Conclave. Any act of aggression on Neutral Ground results in immediate and severe punishment, often carried out by the highest-ranking Lords present.

This law also extends to official emissaries. An emissary carrying a Demon Lord's recognized seal is considered an extension of that Lord's sovereignty and cannot be harmed without it being considered a direct attack on the Lord they represent. This allows for diplomacy and communication in a realm built on conflict.

Article IV: The Law of the Core (Lex Anima)

A Demon Lord's Dungeon Core is sacrosanct. While a Dungeon may be invaded during a sanctioned war, the destruction of a Core outside the rites of a formal Challenge for Rank is considered the gravest of crimes.

This law exists to prevent assassinations and surprise attacks that would bypass the formal structures of power. A Lord who unlawfully destroys another's Core is declared "Anathema." Their name is struck from the roster of 72, their lands are declared forfeit, and a bounty is placed upon their head, to be claimed by any Lord who can destroy them. It is the ultimate deterrent.

Article V: The Law of Succession (Lex Hereditas)

When a Demon Lord dies, their rank and domain become vacant. If they die in a Challenge, the victor succeeds them. If they die by any other means (e.g., killed by a mortal hero, a natural disaster, or an accident), a Vacancy is declared.

The Vacancy is filled by the spawning of a new, unformed Demon Lord (like our protagonist) at the lowest available rank (Rank 72). All Lords below the rank of the deceased are then automatically promoted one rank to fill the gap. This creates a slow but constant upward mobility and ensures the number of Lords remains exactly 72.