While we were not quite ready to really open the train line we were getting close. The VIP's had somewhat enjoyed their ride and seemed really impressed. Also, it got them to our town. My people wasted no time and started advertising our products.

  And there was hell.

  "This is the gate towards hell." I told Duke William. It was the morning of the next day and I had decided to offer him a private tour to deepen our relations with Iron Rock.

  "Hell…" He examined the gate, then the hall we were in. "The building looks quite peaceful. I enjoy the amount of plants. However, the gate does look a bit sinister, even with the greenery…"

  "You get used to it. Let me show you the other side!" I offered.

  Duke William

  I looked at the night elf, no the archfey, Amaya. She was smiling and seemed to be in good spirits. I still remembered meeting her for the first time. She had been scary, she had challenged the Empire and in the end, she had saved us all.

  The woman who slew a demon lord was now inviting me to visit hell. Life was strange at times. On the journey to Petunia I had learned that her maid was now a demon lord as well. And Lilith had ascended, or increased her power, in some way.

  "Very well, let us visit hell." I told Amaya and bravely stepped through the portal. I had no idea what horrors awaited on the other side but I did trust Amaya.

  We appeared in a plaza. Instead of the desolate wasteland I had been expecting, hell looked rather civilised, or at least this part did. Of course, I had been told as much. But part of me just had not quite believed it.

  "This is Haruka!" Amaya pointed towards an enormous tree, likely a dryad. I could not see the humanoid body but I sensed a certain pride in Amaya's voice.

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  "Impressive." I commented and got a pleased grin in return. Maybe the tree was special because it grew in hell?

  Amaya started talking about hot springs and special waters used by succubi. She showed me merchant stalls selling different things. Even a scandalous store selling what succubi considered clothing.

  Amaya did not seem to focus on a specific thing, she just kept showing me random stores, while talking about succubi and hell in general. Maybe her goal was to show me how normal hell was?

  I pondered that. Demons were shopping, working, walking around with their kids… Just like normal people. Of course, succubi were known for their ability to blend in. This could have been a stage, set to train them for the mortal world. A year ago I would have believed that, but Amaya had protected Iron Rock. She had proven herself.

  Maybe it could really work. Having them openly inside Iron Rock. Once this train started to operate, more people would see hell. More people would start to accept demons. It would be slow, but doable.

  What had she said about demonic hot springs? Was she thinking about turning some aspects from hell into a luxury experience? It could work. It sounded exotic enough and succubi had their allure.

  Amaya's town itself was impressive as well. The glowing trees at night were spectacular. Even if people did not dare to enter hell they would run into succubi, and some of their products in Petunia. This really was a great way to introduce people to demons. However, this would make demon summonings more popular. How many other demon lords would take advantage of that?

  I looked at the giant tree again. We were not that close right now but it seemed to tower over the demonic city. A reminder that a fey held power here. An archfey with a demon lord as a maid…

  I chuckled, the world was absurd. But maybe this whole venture could truly work.

  Amaya

  I had a good feeling about this. William seemed to be lost in thought a lot but he had never looked afraid. It seemed as if he was doing just fine in hell. He was chuckling at something, while I bought some food from a vendor. Clearly he was enjoying himself.

  "Here! Those demonic centipede skewers. They are mortal grade! We have introduced a new food system to ensure people only eat things that they can stomach." I said as I handed him a skewer.

  "A grading system?" He asked, while accepting the treat.

  "Yes. More powerful adventurers eat all sorts of things that a regular person could not consume. However, those things are usually served in special restaurants. Here in hell even the street food could be problematic for people. So we have come up with signs. See, this cute green face with the two x for eyes shows you the toxicity. There are multiple levels. If you want we offer a test where a healer can examine you and rate what you can eat. Also, stall owners have to make people aware of the danger." I explained.

  "What if people overestimate themselves? What if they refuse your test? And do you have enough healers for that?" Duke William asked.

  "The truly dangerous stuff is only sold if you have a test. The system is not perfect but everyone gets a warning. If they don't heed it, well, that is their business. As for having enough healers, I think it will be fine. You only need to be rated once and then you are good, unless you grow more powerful. The system might even spread throughout the continent." I explained.

  Also, I hoped it would get normal people to eat at least slightly magical food. Maybe it would help their growth. And it might increase the variety of food available. Everyone deserved great snacks after all!