Not long after Nero arrived, almost all the Hell Lords were present.
For the Hell Lords, no one would be happy to have a Satan above them. Why had the throne been empty for so many years?
Because no Hell Lord dared to actually sit on it. Anyone who dared to declare themselves Satan in front of all the Hell Lords would truly be trying to die. Only Mephisto had managed to sit on it for a few days by trickery.
But this time, it was a direct appointment; whether they liked it or not, it had to happen. So their defiance was useless. However, while there are policies from above, there are countermeasures below. After figuring out the newcomer's background, she would witness the wisdom of the Hell Lords.
But this investigation revealed something amiss: the coveted Satan throne was merely a stepping stone for her. She was destined to become one of the Creator Gods later. Wasn't this a prime opportunity to cling to a powerful figure?
Moreover, her authority was related to sin. For many Hell Lords who grew stronger through negative energy, wasn't this a complete suppression?
Could Nero truly suppress so many Hell Lords?
The answer was a definite yes.
She was once the entity that destroyed the most prosperous and depraved 'city' of her era.
In other words, a city brimming with human desires.
When all the desires humanity could express converged in one metropolis, that city became the most exquisite delicacy for her.
Thus, in the War of the End, she gathered the most deeply desired individuals from across the world, creating a City of Sin that far surpassed Mary Geoise.
But when she arrived in this universe, the rules had already changed.
Now, she was the embodiment of sin and punishment. When a world's evil reached a certain threshold and the balance was broken, Nero could activate her corresponding authority to judge the entirety.
As for what this threshold was, it was quite flexible, determined by Nero herself.
Does a wolf eating a rabbit count as a sin? Yes! Because it took a life.
Then, on a larger scale, if such an event occurred in a universe, would it count as the universe's sin? Of course, it would, because that universe wasn't 'good' enough.
At least for Nero, this was enough to trigger her mechanism. Otherwise, how could she, an end-bringer from the Pirate World, lord it over the powerful figures in Marvel?
Of course, the deeper the sins accumulated by a world, the greater the power Nero wielded for judgment, and it would also strengthen her own power.
Her status was actually on par with the Five Great Creator Gods, though her energy was still slightly insufficient. If she were willing to judge a universe, her power could instantly soar to that of the chief of the Five Great Creator Gods.
And this was what Nero referred to as her metamorphosis period; she understood this after defeating Dormammu.
Aside from Nero herself, currently only some of the Creator Gods could perceive this. The others, including The Ancient One, were unaware, believing Nero would remain on Satan's throne for several eons.
So, Nero now just wanted to have some fun. The Villain Alliance she pulled together wasn't meant to be experience points for Tony and his allies.
A back-and-forth between both sides was what she expected, but now… hmm, the Villain Alliance seemed a bit too strong.
Nero looked at Mephisto and fell silent. Why couldn't these… why couldn't these Hell Lords join the side of justice?
It's quite normal for an imperial dynasty to have a few loyalists, right?
The Hell Lords Nero subdued were mainly Class 2 Demon Kings. They had all spread fear and harvested souls in Satan's name, mostly remnants and illusions of ancient gods.
Figures like Chthon, Set, or Atum, though also called ancient demons, were essentially among the earliest ancient gods of the world.
Facing Atum, even an un-metamorphosed Nero would have a tough time.
"Hmm, well then, Mephisto, from now on you are a member of the Justice Squad. Immediately transform according to Captain America. Later, I want to see you in the guise of a hero!"
Nero directly made Mephisto, the original boss, join Tony's Justice Squad.
"As for you, Lucifer, you don't need to transform. A team needs a 'bishōnen' character like you to act cute."
Mephisto was fine with it. What role hadn't he played to trick people? Joining the Justice Squad was also fun for him. When Nero spoke, he readily accepted.
But Lucifer was different. As the Demon King of Pride, his external manifestation had always been the traditional demon image with horns and hooves, but as a fallen angel, his appearance was actually quite handsome.
Being called a 'bishōnen' by Nero angered this demon god who was absolute in his own dimension, but with power against him, he could only say with a dark face:
"I am different from other Hell Lords; I cannot leave my dimension at will."
He was not only a Hell Lord; Hell was also his cage. He had tried many ways to escape, but they were mostly useless.
"Bold! Is this 'at will'? Under the Goddess's decree, do you only execute it when it's 'at will'?"
Mephisto's words instantly revealed his cunning. Who among those present, besides Nero, didn't know Lucifer's true situation?
Even if he wasn't 'at will,' he couldn't leave Hell. Mephisto had even used Lucifer's name to contract with the Ghost Rider once.
"Mephisto, you!!" Lucifer slammed the table, standing up. What did this scoundrel mean?
"Hmm, it's alright. If you can't leave Hell at will, Mephisto." Nero waved her hand magnanimously.
Mephisto suddenly had a bad premonition.
"If Lucifer can't do it, then you will. You don't need to reference Captain America's image; just reference a feminine image."
"As you command, Your Majesty the Goddess!" Mephisto bowed respectfully in a gentlemanly manner, and at the same time, his form shifted, transforming into Lucifer's appearance.
Do not overestimate the integrity of a demon. Even if he were told to turn into a woman to absorb some hero's 'essence,' he wouldn't have any psychological burden.
In Mephisto's view, arrogant fellows like Lucifer were the true anomalies, but the great Mephisto forgave him.
The other Hell Lords hadn't seen Nero's murderous demeanor when she arrived. If Mephisto hadn't knelt fast enough, the term 'Hell Lord' might not exist tomorrow.
Lucifer dared to speak like that. According to Mephisto's prediction, he wouldn't live. This Goddess was not some benevolent new Demon King.
These idiots still thought they would be Nero's helpers, that even surrendering would be a strong alliance. A bunch of fools who couldn't see the situation clearly.
And the situation unfolded exactly as Mephisto predicted...
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"