The Demon Monarch System

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Whereas Valac showed a shocked expression, Typhir seemed unaffected by Tirasha's warning. After all, he felt that his Lord should be relatively confident if he tasked them with surveilling Amduscias' actions and learning of his connection.

Then again, he also wasn't as intimately aware of Amduscias' power as Valac was. So once he noticed Typhir's lack of worry, Valac looked at him in shock. "OH?! I didn't know you had such vim and vigor! Did you know that Amduscias is slightly stronger than Asteroth?"

"And?" Typhir questioned with an odd expression while watching Valac's hilarious behavior.

"And, we'll be the ones who have to follow him! Do you not understand what I'm hinting at? Try to remember what Asteroth did to the tower wall, dammit. I cherish my life," Valac exclaimed.

However, Typhir shook his head in response. "The Lord's orders are at least three times more valuable than your life. Besides, are you that scared of Amduscias? Didn't you call him a pretty boy?"

"Tuh," Valac scoffed in response before narrowing his eyes. "That pretty face hides savage behavior befitting of his powers. I'm not surprised that they've dubbed him the Lightning Killer. It sounds just about right for that fellow.

"Oh really? Is that the case? Then shouldn't the terrible duo experience a warming reunion?" Typhir said playfully. Still, the mere thought of reuniting with Amduscias caused Valac to shiver.

'Damn this curse! I'd be no weaker than either of them if I could just assimilate with the sealed power perfectly. Life is unfair!' Valac screamed out internally. Meanwhile, he released a reluctant sigh in the real world.

"Fine, fine. So what are we going to do? Lurk in the shadows while we watch him?" Valac asked while holding his head. Despite his words, he continued to shake his head in reluctance.

'Terrible idea. Bad idea. An absolutely horrifying idea. That's it. I'll run at first sight of danger! Wait, no… I said I would change. Ugh,' Valac groaned internally as he presented a troubled appearance.

"Not at all. From what you told me, snooping around this fellow would only irritate him. So, we'll approach his residence upfront, I suppose," Typhir shrugged.

However, contrary to the expected reaction, Valac looked at him, slack-jawed. "You want to do what!?"

"Oh, I'm with Valac on this one. Knocking on his door is worse than lurking since he takes it as a sign of disrespect. It's akin to announcing your courage to receive an attack from him. At that point, he's bound to unleash something terrifying."

"What the…" Typhir blinked winked incredulously. What options were left if they couldn't lurk to learn more about him and they couldn't approach him openly? 'Perhaps we should just take the risk of lurking in the off-chance that he's unable to detect our presence?'

"That's what I was telling you before! This is a truly annoying situation. Under normal circumstances, I'd opt for silent surveillance, but that's almost impossible. He'd probably sniff me out in a heartbeat."

"In other words, he's extremely familiar with your aura?" Typhir said with an intrigued expression.

"Precisely."

"So, then you'll just stay here with Tirasha while Sapphyr and I visit the premises," Typhir ordered. At first, Valac thought to agree without any hesitation. But he froze just before giving his consent.

While frozen, he contemplated a few things that weighed heavily on his mind. 'I can't do that. This was a mission given to me by the Lord. These two are only here for assistance. If I allow them to take it on by themselves, then it's as if I've failed to fulfill the Lord's orders. I'm certain he'll sense that then I'll be in trouble. Even if he doesn't, there's also the chance that Amduscias tells him after he joins us.'

Once he realized this, Valac released an exaggerated sigh and shook his head. "I'll come along. We'll just have to mull through whatever happens, that's all."

"Are you sure that's a reasonable choice? Sapphyr can transform into a nearly undetectable state, whereas I have the Tenebrous Practice on my side. At best, you have the Baleful Steps, but even then, how far does your proficiency stretch?" Typhir retorted.

In response, Valac fell into deep thought and recalled his recent progress. After a while, he nodded. "It should be fine. I've mastered the First Step completely and only require inspiration to advance with the Second Step."

A look of surprise appeared on Typhir's face after listening to Valac. 'I thought Fuhrer's teachings of the void would give me an advantage, but it seems Valac isn't far behind in learning this movement technique.'

While surprised, Typhir didn't think much else of Valac's progression. He didn't feel envy, nor was he threatened by it. In fact, Typhir felt pride towards Valac advancement. 'The stronger we get, the stronger the Lord becomes.'

All of their progress contributed to their singular goal. So, if the weakest link made ample progress, that meant the household was moving forward as a whole.

"So… do we go now?" Sapphyr asked all of a sudden.

As a result, Typhir and Valac looked at each other before rubbing their chins pensively. They could easily receive the location from Tirasha and visit the area, but they weren't sure if they should conduct any other business inside Suprenis before accomplishing the main task.

Because, they had to tread with the possibility of their journey ending early. After all, their preparation was a makeshift precaution filled with uncertainty. What if Amduscias's sense were acute enough to pierce their concealment techniques?

It'd render their action useless and turn them into vulnerable targets. In that scenario, they'd have to rely upon Apollo's help to extricate them from the situation, which is why these three didn't even think of bringing Tirasha along.

Since she wasn't a part of the household, she couldn't be summoned. In other words, she'd be left powerless and alone if Apollo were to pull them out of the situation suddenly.

"You know what, I say we just go," Sapphyr decided amidst the silence. Eventually, the other two nodded along. They were only tasked with judging Amduscias's strength, not to capture him. So, treading with so much caution could also hinder their objective.

"Fine, but you'll take the lead with Valac traveling behind us. Perhaps the combined effects of our technique could help conceal Valac's presence better. If not, then we fight as long as we can I suppose," Typhir shrugged.

"Agreed," Sapphyr nodded.

Afterward, Typhir turned towards Tirasha, who revealed the location of Amduscias. However, she also announced that she possessed a blueprint of the layout they intended to visit. Because of a past job, she commissioned the Nautilus to draw up a rough draft of the area.

Unfortunately, the mission related to the blueprint was unsuccessful. Amduscias was just too terrifying. In fact, Tirasha was lucky to have escaped with her life after revealing her identity. Although Amduscias was a savage killer, he was able reasonable.

Having the entire Council hunting him down was something he couldn't afford, especially when he learned that there were a few beings inside the Council who claimed that particular state between a Noblesse and a Daemos.

Although he was strong, according to his understanding of that extraordinary power, he was no match. The others didn't know it, but his power didn't recover like the rest. In order for Amduscias to recover spent dark lightning, it required a unique conversion process that supercharged his dark tendencies and pride to produce more dark lightning.

However, it was a long process that took at least one year to complete. The chances of the Council failing to locate him within a year were slim. Therefore, he wasn't willing to risk his safety while awaiting the others.

"Wait, wait, wait… did you just say that he's inside a shrine-like construct?!" Valac exclaimed in shock while analyzing the blueprint. Just as Tirasha explained, Amduscias was holed up inside a construct resembling a cross between a temple and a shrine.

"Correct. But, why does that matter?"

"Oi… it seems his complex has deepened," Valac frowned and scratched his head in frustration.

"His complex?" Sapphyr muttered with a confused look. Initially, she thought this comment was related to the building itself, as if it was built from Amduscias's energy, but that wasn't the case.

"Yes, an aftereffect of his lightning powers is a perverse mutation of his powers. While viewing the Lord as his master, he also views himself as some sort of deity. He vowed before that he would erect a place of worship for his sole worship," Valac revealed.

In response, Sapphyr and Typhir looked at each other with baffled expressions. What kind of absurd situation was this?

"So what you're saying is that Amduscias is just an extreme narcissist?" Tirasha blinked.

"HAH! What a gross understatement that only covers the shallow exterior. He draws power from this behavior. So, even if his evolution has fallen… I'm willing to guarantee that his lightning hasn't. That's the absolute worst of his abilities!" Valac yelled frantically.

"Meh, we've already decided on our course of action. We'll just have to deal with it or avoid it. Now, let's go," Typhir commanded before waving to Tirasha. "If possible, we'll revisit you. I'd love a small battle."

"Possibly," Tirasha agreed before silently observing Typhir's steps. Signs of extensive training showed through his moments. Despite a leisure gait, she found no openings to take advantage of.

Eventually, Tirasha realized a harsh truth. 'It'd be even more difficult to find an opening in battle. And there's no indication of how fast he is. But if I remember right, he wielded Hellfire in the past. So, at the very least, he's like Arleo.. A mix of Ira and Superbia.'