Aiden awoke slowly, blinking as his eyes adjusted to the soft surface beneath him. He noticed Selveria standing nearby, her calm presence cutting through the haze of his confusion. Outside the window, the view was unsettling yet fascinating—a row of stately, Victorian-style buildings and busy streets filled with demons going about their lives. Only then did he realize the room was part of a moving carriage.

  As he peered through the window, Aiden couldn’t shake the growing sense that he was no longer in the familiar world he knew. The demons outside, with their distinct features and purposeful strides, confirmed his worst suspicion: he was deep in Hell. The scene looked almost like a carefully arranged exhibit, each element a part of a society that was both alien and meticulously organized.

  Breaking the silence, Selveria said, “Hey you, you're finally awake” Aiden looked at Selveria.

  Aiden tried to recall the events leading up to this moment, but his mind was clouded by a dark vision that flashed unbidden before him. Shaking his head to clear the disturbing images, he turned his attention back to Selveria. “Where are we going?” he asked, his voice tentative.

  “We’re on our way to the Colosseum,” she replied. “There, warriors clash in battle, and the event is as much a display of strength as it is a celebration of our society’s order. It’s an important ritual that reinforces the values we hold here.” Aiden’s apprehension mingled with excitement.

  Aiden asked, "Don’t you have that ability where you summon a swarm of crows and teleport? Couldn’t we just use that to get to the Colosseum instead of taking a carriage?"

  Selveria smirked. "Then you’d miss the view of the city."

  Aiden turned to the window. he sprawling streets, towering spires, and eerie crimson glow and dark grey clouds of Inferica stretched before him. For a moment, he forgot about the destination and simply took it all in. He glanced at Selveria and felt a quiet gratitude—she wanted him to see this, to experience it, not just pass through.

  As the carriage continued along its route, Aiden eyes scanning the buildings in his eyes. His thoughts drifted back to a conversation he had overheard with Grendolyn, where Selveria had mentioned owning the city. This contradicted everything he thought he knew about power structures, where the head of a family traditionally managed such matters. Intrigued, he turned to her.

  “Is it really true? You own all of this?” he asked, genuinely curious.

  Selveria offered him a measured nod. “Yes, it is true,” she said. “I hold a position of responsibility as the heiress of the Maltrix family, and in our society, bloodline determines worth. I oversee the operations of this territory, but I’m not alone. I work with a network of trusted advisors, enforcers, and administrators who manage different aspects of our domains. Each person has a specific role, and their individual contributions ensure that the whole system functions smoothly.”

  Aiden was in awe of the confident person before him. “How old are you, Selveria?” he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

  “I’m 17, Aiden—just like you,” she replied, as if it were the most natural fact in the world.

  Aiden marveled at the contrast. At their age, he was struggling to hold down a part-time job, while Selveria already commanded an entire territory of demons.

  Aiden listened, his curiosity deepening. “I’m impressed, but why is it organized this way? In my world, the head of the family handles everything.”

  Selveria met his gaze steadily. “In Hell, power is not just about holding a title—it’s about managing influence on a very personal level. In your world, collective effort is often celebrated. Here, we focus on the strength and potential of individuals. But there's more to it. Even though the city you see is impressive by Earth standards, it’s actually quite small in the grand scheme of Hell.”

  She continued, “In Hell, the largest cities are those governed directly by the Head of the family, and those metropolises can house billions of demons. Compared to those, this city is only a fraction of what exists in our realm. In Earth’s eyes, it might seem vast, but here it’s relatively minor. That’s why a mere heiress like me is entrusted with it. The scale of everything in Hell is different—what seems small on our map can be massive when you compare it to Earth, yet still be insignificant compared to the colossal centers ruled by the heads of our families.”

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  Aiden absorbed her explanation, trying to understand the logic behind such a society. “So, the focus on the individual and the way you delegate power is partly because this city isn’t the center of everything in Hell?”

  “Exactly,” Selveria replied. “We work on the principle that an individual demon, when given the right guidance and opportunity, can achieve feats that a collective approach might never allow. The enormous cities under the direct rule of our family heads are the true power centers, housing billions and controlling vast territories. My city, while grand by Earth’s standards, is only a stepping stone in the grand hierarchy of Hell. This system of dividing power allows us to manage each part of our realm more effectively, ensuring that each level of society contributes to the overall strength of our people.”

  Aiden considered her words, slowly grasping the rational foundation of this demonic society. It wasn’t merely a matter of brute power or ancient tradition; it was a carefully thought-out system that recognized the importance of individual talent and strategic delegation, all operating on a scale that made Earth’s measurements seem trivial.

  Aiden absorbed her words “So… how is it that you know so much about my world?”

  Selveria’s eyes closed briefly, and a quiet sigh escaped her lips as the carriage rattled along. She offered no immediate explanation. Silence descendent on the carriage, Aiden knew Selveria had no intentions of speaking any further.

  The carriage eventually slowed and came to a stop in front of the Coliseum. A crowd of demons gathered outside, their anticipation palpable as they queued to enter—a clear sign of the significance this event held. circular arena emerged on the horizon—a colosseum that embodied both the spectacle and savagery of on the stories that Aiden read. Its looming presence and the shouts inside that can be heard is intimidating.

  As Selveria and Aiden stepped out, his attention was immediately drawn to a demon with the head of a goat, dressed in a neat butler’s uniform. The creature approached quickly, bowing deeply before them—a silent reminder of the complex order that governed this dark world.

  That demon said “Gree—“

  Selverian cut him off saying “Take us to the room.”

  The demon bowed and signaled for us to follow. Selveria remained silent, so Aiden trailed behind her. Aiden doesn't know anything what's happening here, all he knows that Selveria seems to have planned everything already.

  They reached a large arch guarded by spear-wielding demons. Their eyes fixed on them, yet they raised their spears only to allow their passage. Beyond the arch lay a dim tunnel lit by flickering torches, their footsteps echoing in the darkness.

  At the tunnel’s end, a bright light led them into an empty lobby. They slipped into a small compartment where the doors closed, and an elevator clanked upward until it fell silent before its doors creaked open.

  A long hallway bathed in red light awaited them. The demon led the way, stopping at a door and gesturing for them to enter.

  They eventually arrived at a dining hall—a grand chamber unlike any other in the mansion. A magnificent crystal chandelier illuminated dark, ornate carvings along the walls. In the center, an endless table boasted an extravagant spread: bizarre birds, glowing fruits, and a bubbling crimson soup with a sweet, metallic scent.

  On one wall, a glass partition offered a view of the coliseum outside, where thousands of demons howled like wild animals. The pounding of drums was so intense that Aiden could feel their vibrations in his chest, while cauldrons with raging fire circled the arena.

  Selveria stepped to the glass and said, “The arena’s center is clean. The event hasn’t started yet. We’ve arrived just in time, Aiden.”

  "Go on, take a seat," Selveria urged, gesturing toward the far end of the table.

  Aiden walked to the seat she indicated, and Selveria, ever the picture of elegance, took her place at the opposite end of the absurdly long table. Aiden noticed that Selveria was moving her lips, it seems that she is talking about something at the moment.

  Aiden shouted “What?”

  Selveria shouted but the distance between her and him made it nearly impossible for Aiden to make out her words.

  Selveria rolled her eyes in exasperation. "This is ridiculous," she muttered, standing up. She strode over to his side with a predatory grace, her golden hair shimmering in the warm light of the chandelier. Without hesitation, she grabbed her plate and walked and sat beside him.

  Selveria chuckled as she gestured to the ridiculously long dining table that stretched across the grand hall. "Normally, tables like this wouldn't be an issue for demons," she began, her tone dripping with amusement. "You see, most demons have enhanced senses—hearing included. Conversations across vast distances like this? Child's play for us."

  She leaned on the table, running a finger along its polished surface as a mischievous grin spread across her face. "But this table? It wasn't built for practicality. No, no. This monstrosity exists purely for... appearances. It's a favorite among nobles—a symbol of status and superiority."

  "So, let me get this straight," he said, crossing his arms. "This table—this ridiculously impractical, banquet-sized monstrosity—is basically here because some demon nobles got insecure about... what, their hearing? Or is it just their egos in general?"

  Selveria smirked, thoroughly amused by his reaction. "Precisely. It's all about appearances here."

  Aiden shook his head, letting out a small, disbelieving laugh. "You know, where I'm from, people just buy sports cars or wear expensive watches to show off. But here? Tables. Demonic nobles are out here competing over table lengths. Makes me wonder what else a contest around here is."

  Selveria paused, locking eyes with Aiden, her expression both amused and disdainful. "You know what they say: the longer the table, the stronger the senses—or so they'd like everyone to believe. It's less about utility and more about a contest of ego." She smirked, leaning closer to him as if to share a scandalous secret. "In truth, it's just another form of a dick-measuring contest. Only in Hell, it's about whose senses are sharper, not... well, you get the idea."

  She scooped a spoonful of the strange soup and held it to his lips. "Here, try this," she said with a mischievous grin.

  Aiden flushed crimson, flustered by her sudden proximity and the unexpected intimacy of her gesture. "I-I can feed myself, you know," he stammered, avoiding her amused gaze.

  "Oh, but where's the fun in that?" Selveria teased, leaning closer. "Besides, I want to make sure you're eating properly. You're my precious little human, after all."

  Aiden reluctantly opened his mouth, the rich, spicy flavor of the soup surprising him. Despite his embarrassment, he found himself giving in to her teasing, though his heart raced every time her fingers brushed against his cheek or when she leaned in too close.

  He found himself glancing at Selveria, noticing the way her golden hair framed her face and how her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement. Her beauty, he realized, was otherworldly, but it wasn't just her appearance that drew his attention. There was something captivating about her confidence, her mischievous demeanor, and the way she seemed to effortlessly control the room.

  For the first time since his arrival in Hell, Aiden felt his thoughts shift. The fear and confusion that had clouded his mind began to fade, replaced by a strange sense of comfort in Selveria's presence.

  The first few early chapters are designed to make the readers question the morality of demons.