The Demon Monarch System

----

"Who are we?" Fuhrer repeated with a cryptic smile. He looked Lucifer in the eye before silently looking towards Apollo behind him. While confident in his strength, Fuhrer wouldn't do something as thoughtless as revealing their plan this early on.

After all, there was no telling if the Lords were Demons who were easily influenced. If their resistance were too strong, then it'd be pointless to introduce their goals to these few while Apollo's power of dominance was still in its nascent stages.

Therefore, Fuhrer allowed Apollo to take the lead in the answer, which he did. Apollo took a few leisure steps forward, folding his arms behind his back as he gazed at Rargith and Tolron's current condition. 

'I didn't expect this development. It seems Fuhrer continues to recover his battle conduct as time passes. Though, his evolutionary state remains stagnant, meaning that this change in his conduct must be linked to me. If that's the case, fulfilling the given tasks don't just empower me, but my followers as well.'

Although Fuhrer revealed deft usage of his Dominion before, it was never to the point where he overwhelmed a powerful opponent in one hit. He usually took the gradual approach, allowing his Dominion to chip away at the endurance of his opponent steadily.

For example, even during the "lesson" Fuhrer gave Apollo, he didn't utilize his Dominion to the highest degree. If he did, there was a chance that Apollo would be rendered motionless as well. Regardless of how high in the hierarchy of Aura his Aura of Domination was, it didn't mean anything in the face of an insurmountable chasm generated through a large disparagement in experience.

"Who are we, you ask?" Apollo said as well with a slight chuckle. However, unlike Fuhrer, Apollo continued to talk soon after. "I suppose you can see us as a group who cherishes the wellbeing of the Demon Race. The one's who shall expunge the cancerous roots planted by vile individuals who cower behind their sense of inferiority."]

By the end of his words, Apollo's eyes were filled with malice while thinking about the reason for the Ring's current state. On top of the ancient war, there were seeds of betrayal sown into history that escaped the notice of the Lords. After all, Azridan wasn't defeated through normal means.

The chains used to bind him during the inheritance process originated from the Angels! In other words, Irzanach had betrayed his race by communicating with the Angels through unknown means. 

The only reason the Nihilistic Rings had yet to face invasion was the sturdy barrier shielding it from ambush. Unfortunately, that barrier was no longer stable, and it was a direct result of pawns put in place to locate the links to the Nihilistic Rings indirectly.

Fortunately, Saehtyn and the others revisited the teachings of their corrupted tomes granted by Estran, who foresaw the future to a certain extent. Moreover, the fight against Irzanach alerted the Lords of a blaring issue―all of the wounds suffered from Irzanach took far too long to heal, indicating the presence of an unsettling power.

Had Amduscias been present at the time, he would have identified the power without fail. Be that as it may, Irzanach also decided to hide the unusual presence after Asteroth's appearance. For one, he didn't possess enough of the Angel's concentrated power to inflict a grave injury upon Asteroth.

A large portion of it was used to injure the Lords.

Meanwhile, despite receiving a response, Lucifer's frown deepened. These words didn't reveal anything about the individuals that stood before him! In fact, Apollo's remark only left Lucifer with more questions.

"Isn't that the aim of all sentient Demons? Why would we contribute to our demise unless our minds are incompetent," Lucifer said with a disdainful expression. Although they chose to stop fighting, Lucifer couldn't overlook the disgruntling situation.

"Is that so? So why has the Council cordoned off their connection to the Nihilistic Rings instead of taking this time to cultivate as much allies as possible. I'm sure they have gathered an extensive wealth over the years, especially from the number of ruins they've visited," Apollo countered.

The truth in Apollo's words left Lucifer unable to respond for a while. Furthermore, his eyes widened as he looked over to Tirasha. "Have you revealed the entire situation of the Council to him?"

"Nope, it wasn't me," Tirasha answered truthfully. After all, she wasn't the source of his information.

"Tch, I don't believe i-"

"It was my brother," Tirasha continued, which caused Lucifer to be dumbfounded. 

'His grasp extends that far? Wait a minute… if she's admitted that her brother is the source, then…' 

A look of realization appeared on Lucifer's face as he presented a faint grin. "The Council has been infiltrated, and they aren't the wiser. Tell me, how far does your influence flow inside the Council?"

"Nowhere," Apollo admitted. "Because they aren't my target. Those who run and hide instead of making preparations of war aren't worthy enough to appear on my radar, nor will they be considered for the future."

'Hoh? What is this feeling this boy has,' Lucifer wondered. While Apollo's words sounded overconfident, Lucifer could feel the pride inside his words was backed by the intent to materialize his goals. What's more, Lucifer had this odd premonition that this boy could perhaps realize his dreams.

"If that's the case, what are your plans for this Ring? With that old man by your side, I doubt many can trouble you," Lucifer said.

"That's incorrect because there are countless people who are more than strong enough to put us in grave danger. We are nowhere near strong enough, and we all understand that. Once you understand how small your existence is all well, you'll open yourself to a new realm of power," Fuhrer said all of a sudden.

Similar to Apollo, Fuhrer could sense the overall issue that plagued each Lord's Sin Vessel. In Lucifer's case, it was his inability to accept his powerlessness. As seen earlier, whenever one mentioned him being inferior, it triggered a spirited response.

If this were a typical battle between two powerhouses, that weakness could be easily exploited. Once that happened, the chances of Lucifer coming out on top plummeted dramatically.

"Lord, shouldn't we be moving soon?" Amduscias asked suddenly. Ever since he learned that Apollo's next target was Asteroth, he couldn't contain his excitement. If there was one thing he wanted to see more than anything, it was Asteroth being beaten senseless.

Besides that, Amduscias also wanted to acquire more time to familiarize himself with his bloodline powers. 

"I suppose we do need to get going," Apollo said after giving the matter some thought. In addition to the system relaying Asteroth's position at all times, Apollo received constant feedback from those left on Ashiraem.

"Leave?" Lucifer muttered while glancing at the state of ruins the building was currently in. 'Could they really be leaving after decimating this building? Meaning, the only reason they came here was for Amduscias?'

"Correct. Leave," Fuhrer said before suddenly executing an upward slash. An immense portal opened up with a clear impression of what was on the other side. Lucifer could make out the image of Ashiraem's crimson tower.

'Splitting the fabric between the Rings with such ease? What level of expertise does that take? Even we Lord need to expend a generous amount of energy to perform this feat, yet this old man performed it effortlessly.' Lucifer thought in a slight state of shock.

At most, Saehtyn and the other Lords could perform instant movements throughout their respective Rings. However, moving between Ring required focus before locking on to the intended location. Hence, it was no surprise that Lucifer was shocked by Fuhrer's earlier feat.

While the portal opened, Amduscias walked up to Lucifer while eyeing the spear in his grasp. "There may come a time where you experience the grandeur of that weapon's true presence. Once that time comes, you'll understand why I said what you said is a mere figment."

"It's not mine, to begin with. This spear simply appeared after I recovered. I supposed the source of my power sensed the worrying change in my power and gave me this weapon to supplement my weakened strength," Lucifer said while also looking down at the spear.

Right before he was given the weapon, the tome in his mind thrummed with a message. Until now, he didn't understand its meeting. But, after meeting Apollo and his entourage, Lucifer gradually pieced together the meaning of the message.

'Is this the great change in an unsuspecting package that the message mentioned? Unfortunately, I can't place my hope in someone or something unfamiliar. Before I entrust my future to him, I'll have to witness this so-called great struggle firsthand. In the meantime… I must search for a way to grow stronger,' Lucifer internalized before gesturing to Rargith and Tolron.

The two shook off the earlier damage upon noticing the gesture before returning to Lucifer's side with tense expressions. Neither of them voiced it, but both of these demons wished to leave as soon as possible.

The amount of bloodlust they were subjected to just before being attacked was almost enough to injure their minds, and this was coming from two demons who achieved a Noble Demon Body.

One by one, the members of the Dominus Household entered the portal, but Apollo stayed behind and looked towards Tirasha with an uncertain look. "Would you rather tag along or remain in the Suprenis? As you know, Ashiraem doesn't possess a source to support your Sin."

"I need to stay here. It's only a matter of time until my father returns. Until then, I'll comb through the stronghold and deliver a list of suitable demons. Besides, I need to deal with this new power you've given me," Tirasha said.

"Very well," Apollo said with a faint smile. "I look forward to learning the extent of your unique transformation.. After all, you're the only one traveling towards the path of that forgotten Sin."