The Demon Monarch System

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'No way,' Apollo thought to himself with widened eyes as he stared at the state of Amduscias's attributes. On top of the system highlighting the changes that took place in his attributes, it also revealed that Amduscias possessed several traits not found in the other members of the Dominus Household.

「Name: Amduscias [Follower]

Race: Archdemon (99.99%) [Restricted]

Title: Demonic Dark Lightning Duke, Lightning Killer

Bloodline: Lightning Tundra (Aura of Acceleration)

Demonic Anima Reserves: 625,000 units

Sin Volume: 37,500 units

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[«Traits»]-

«Frigid Soul»

«Over-vain»

«Hyperconductive»

«Inverse Fusion»

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[«Attributes»]-

Strength: 6,150.0 [18,450.0]

Agility: 8,000.0 [28,000.0]

Intelligence: 7,950.0 [16,500.0]

Vitality: 6,100.0 [16,000.0]

Perception: 7,500.0 [20,000.0]

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Superbia: Late [Dark Lightning]  」

'All of his actual stats are insane as well. I assume this is the benchmark of a Noblesse? There's no way this type of strength is achievable as an Archdemon. Not to mention, his current state is labeled as restricted. I wonder what that's all about,' Apollo thought to himself.

Soon enough, he looked towards Amduscias and asked the inevitable questions gnawing at his mind, "Are you aware that your evolution has been restricted? Did this happen before or after the household was forcibly disbanded?"

Amduscias shuddered faintly after hearing his words. Apollo's seemingly harmless question triggered Amduscias's memories, which resulted in a helpless frown. "I'm aware of this restriction. I was once a Noblesse, but the great war led to some injuries that I've been unable to heal."

Amduscias's defeated expression piqued Apollo's interest. What type of injuries could restrict him from returning to being a Noblesse? What's more, Apollo wanted to know just what sort of absurd speed he was capable of if his current capabilities amounted to no more than a quarter of his prior abilities.

"What injuries?" Apollo finally asked. But, there was a brief silence before Amduscias nodded.

"Since you wish to know, I shall display it," Amduscias said. A pained groan escaped his throat as a gash formed on his torso. A few moments later, the incision opened up, revealing the state of Amduscias's Infernal Nucleus.

Half of the nucleus appeared crushed as the other half seemed decayed. It was unknown just what kind of power he was attacked with to deteriorate his internal strength to this degree, but Apollo was alarmed by what he saw.

Meanwhile, after displaying the injury, Amduscias posed a question, "Are you aware of the requirements to become a Noblesse?"

"Not entirely, but what's more important right now is for me to learn more about who did this?" Apollo replied.

"It wasn't done alone. At my peak, I wasn't too far from fulfilling the requirements to become a Daemos. Therefore, it took a combined attack of a high-ranking Tytaen and Angulus to render me to my current state."

"So, the Angulus is the reason for the decay and the Tytaen is the reason for your nucleus being crushed?"

"Precisely," Amduscias admitted.

However, Apollo's expression grew confused as he examined the injury. According to what he knew, the Angulus operated on a power known as Virtue, which was a direct opposite of the power of Sin that the Demons wielded, yet the injury possessed an air of death.

'Could he have been attacked by his own kind?' Apollo wondered. But, Amduscias sensed the skepticism on Apollo's face and continued the story.

"You must be wondering how an attack from an admittedly holy race is capable of this, right? It's because of the adverse effect that appears when either of our races mortally wound one another. Whether it's a demon wounding an angel or vice versa, the result is a corrupted aura due to the conflict of powers," Amduscias revealed.

Apollo's expression lightened after listening to this explanation. 'No wonder we've been labeled mortal enemies. If someone were born strong enough to escape the curse of this type of injury, they'd essentially become a monster, and the balance broken.'

The more Apollo thought about the reasons behind the war, the more he realized that the fear of the upper races ran deeper than any other lowly. Only those who have tasted power and wielded its glory could understand the fear of losing it.

"Now, back to my earlier question regarding the transformation into a Noblesse. This injury is the source of my restriction. Because my nucleus is essentially on the border of death, I can't complete the last step of forming a Noble Demon Body," Amduscias said with a troubled expression.

After listening to this dilemma, Apollo finally understood why the system offered a Noble Demon Body as one of the upgrades! If he accepted that offer, then Amduscias's weakness would have disappeared. 

Unfortunately, Apollo wasn't aware of this issue before he made this decision. If he were, then he would have presented this choice to Amduscias. Be that as it may, Apollo didn't feel any regret.

If Fuhrer said it was possible to give Azridan a body again, then it was possible to heal an Infernal Nucleus from a near-death state. In fact, Apollo felt that the medallion in his possession, which also doubled as the key to the household's fabled blessed land, held the secret to rehabilitating Amduscias's injured nucleus.

Hence, Apollo wasn't too troubled about the predicament. On the contrary, Apollo was grateful because he received early information on the method to become a Noblesse. He wasn't sure when, but Apollo was confident that the system would lose effect sooner or later.

At that time, it'd be up to him to continue his progress.

"Without my nucleus in perfect condition, the fusion of the Sin Vessel and Infernal Nucleus, even before assimilating with the Demon Body, would result in a devastating explosion. Because of that reaction, I've decided not to attempt it at all," Amduscias.

While confident in his ability, Amduscias was far from brainless. He wasn't willing to throw his life away for a horrifyingly tiny chance at achieving more power. Besides, he wasn't the only one with diminished powers.

Despite his being the result of a gruesome injury, his power more or less fell in the range of his peers after experiencing their gradual decline over time.

"I understand," Apollo said. Afterward, he chuckled softly. "Though it shouldn't worry you at this very moment. I can confirm that not many will be your match with your current powers."

"You were," Amduscias countered. However, this remark made Apollo laugh even more.

"My predicament is unique, and after joining me, I'm sure you know why. If not…" Apollo paused before placing his hand above Amduscias's head. An ethereal energy passed through his palm, causing Amduscias's countenance to change over time.

Soon enough, it became one of utter shock. "T-The Lord's actual child?!"

"In the flesh," Apollo said.

As a result, Amduscias fell to his knee with a repentant expression. "Please pardon my unsightly behavior. I didn't know the link to the Monarch ran this deep. My actions were disrespectful."

Shockingly, Apollo brushed off the reaction. "No need. Trust and respect are things gained through one's effort. Borrowing on the reputation of my father will only make me grow complacent. I'm beginning to understand why my progression was designed this way."

After another bout of inevitable apologies, Amduscias rose to his feet with a complicated expression. "I recall you saying that you intend to go up against Asteroth now?"

"Correct. On top of that, there are other matters that I need to attend to as well," Apollo said. Recounting the number of demons under his authority Apollo grinned faintly. 'I should have to required number as soon as I bring Asteroth under my wing.'

Although he was strong, Apollo didn't feel his current numbers were sufficient for leading an expedition across worlds. After all, the upper races weren't the only powerful races or worlds out there.

Apollo could be in for a rude awakening if he visited a world with the notion that all of their inhabitants were bugs.

"Ahem, does that mean we can return now? BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE ANYMORE," Valac screeched while glaring at Amduscias. 

"Why would I be in such a hurry to leave? Now that I'm here, shouldn't I finish up what you started," Apollo answered with a meaningful smirk. 

"Whaaaaaat? Are we going back there? But we just left," Valac complained while shaking his head repeatedly. "At least send me back to Ashiraem!"

"No need. From what I sensed, you should have already received your punishment. I doubt Tirasha will beat you again."

"Nope! I'm afraid I have to disagree! I put nothing past that deranged woman!" Valac shouted back.

Suddenly, Valac shuddered as he noticed Apollo's unusual smile. "S-she's right behind me… isn't she?"

Just as Valac finished speaking, a cold voice echoed behind him, sounding as if expressed through a clenched jaw. "I'm sorry… what did you say about a deranged woman?"

"Ahhh!! Mercy! My mouth has diarrhea, and it is explosive. You know I can't control the bullshit that spews from it. If I could clench it shut, I would!" 

In return, Tirasha just scoffed while shifting her attention towards Apollo, then Amduscias.. The change she sensed from Apollo made her tremble and stand with her mouth agape.