"The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."
You're familiar with that quote, aren't you? Spoken by Werbal from the movie, "The Typical Suspects". This line, I believe, represents "The Hollow Crown" or its, let's say, purpose as a book.
The book introduces the concept of devils as a species, not just another name for who we are familiar with as Lucifer, the Devil. A species with whom humanity has fought at war with for centuries. A species wielding supernatural abilities beyond our capabilities.
Despite this intriguing idea and concept, this story received absolutely minuscule recognition. That poses the question of why was this book barely acknowledged? Well for one, the book was only 20 pages long. Yes, the entire book. Disregarding that and many other reasons I'll list shortly, I believe the point or as I said earlier, the books purpose, was to go unnoticed.
While the book leads with an interesting premise, its execution is quite awful. In the story, which took place in 1991, it tells the tale of how the "Immortal Devil King", Dekir Azaroth, was defeated by Cenos Azmodeus, the young Patriarch of the Azmodeus Family. After this fight, it was stated that the war against these devils ended after humanity lost memory of them. The details of how this fight went, how Cenos Azmodeus killed this immortal being, or even how we lost our memories were completely left out. Not to mention, the reason for this whole conflict. Now, why would these seemingly very important details be left out?
Here's my theory. This book isn't just some story, it's a cover up. Now stay with me. I believe something is hiding behind this story that the author doesn't want us to know. Fun fact by the way, this book does not have an official author. In fact, no one knows who made it at all. So taking into account that there's no author to a story which introduces us to this idea but omits pretty much every important detail, would you not be suspicious as well?
"You sound absolutely insane. This whole story could've been made by anyone. Maybe the author is just a terrible writer."
In a corner at a small bar, a blonde man stared quizzically at the brunette man in glasses sitting across from him.
"See, you're proving me right. Remember the quote I bought up? The book was made to plant the idea of devils as fiction. To make you shrug off the thought of them ever being real by having this story be completely unremarkable and it worked. While most people have no idea what this book is, those who've read it think nothing of it."
"Ok… Know what? I'll entertain you. Let's say this theory of yours is even the least bit true, what's the point in this? Making this book to make its like… 5 readers have the idea that devils don't exist?"
"I don't know. I think that question can only ever be answered by the author, don't you think? By the way, where did you hear of The Hollow Crown?
"Such a cop out answer. Anyways I found it on a random 3chan forum. Small group of conspiracy theorists were making a big deal of it but I couldn't find it anywhere. That's why I came to you, our resident bookworm and clearly, you seem to be one of the conspiracy theorists too, haha."
The man in glasses chuckled. "I see… So what do you think now that you've learned about it?"
"That listening to this crap was a giant waste of time, no offense."
The man in glasses laughed and stood up from his seat. "Anyways, it's getting late isn't it. I better start heading home. Same time tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow."
The man in glasses left the bar and walked out into the dimly lit street of the small corner in the city. The moon shone brightly down the street as people moved about their night. Some, sitting on a bench nearby. Some, walking with their children. Others, standing by, waiting for a taxi. The man in glasses stopped walking and took in a deep breath of the night air.
"(Nice night out... People going about their lives. The air is, well, decent. It's peaceful. The Hollow Crown, huh… A book simply chalked up to being a terribly written story but I know what's behind it. That first time I came across it and read it, I just knew I had stumbled upon a- Huh..?)"
In the distance, the man in glasses spotted a dark figure standing behind a street lamp in the distance.
"(Who is…)"
Suddenly, it disappeared. Any trace of it, gone.
"(Was I seeing things..? Am I that tired..? I have to get home…)"
The man in glasses departed into the night road.