The Demon Monarch System

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"I believe we need to move. Furthermore, it would be best if we do so right now," Fuhrer warned while a certain fluctuation kept appearing in his eyes. Meanwhile, since he appeared, Furcas' eyes had never left his figure.

"It seems you have grown so much weaker Fuhrer. Granted, this isn't even your real body, but a mere will projection if you must. Nevertheless, it is still commendable that you have retained so much strength without damaging your core vitality," Furcas uttered.

"And you, you whimsical fool, it seems your behavior hasn't changed in the slightest. I've seen it all. Your methods of teaching are still as unorthodox as ever. You could have openly told this lad that you were left with the objective of teaching him how to look beyond what he has felt," Fuhrer replied.

At the same time, he approached the Link Portal. Unlike a typical demon, Fuhrer accessed it in a completely different manner. He extended his arms and ripped opened the portal forcefully. Simultaneously, he also released absurd amounts of Superbia to stabilize the ripped open portal.

"No questions, everyone needs to enter now," Fuhrer commanded. From his tone, it was clear that he wouldn't take no as an answer. As a result, everyone rushed into the portal without a moment's hesitation.

On the other hand, before Fuhrer entered the portal, he looked into the distance, "We may have caused some trouble for you, but the position can always be refilled. As for right now, it isn't the time for us to meet." After he said this, Fuhrer clapped his hands together and sealed the Link Portal shut, erasing the presence of his Sin signature in the process.

Meanwhile, not even a few moments later, Saehtyn appeared with flaming wings flapping behind his back. There was a look of intrigue, surprise, and even disappointment on his face, "I moved with the fastest speed possible, yet I didn't manage to meet that party."

As he released his wings, he dropped to the floor before the Link Portal. For some time, he extended his hand to sense the channel used. Sadly, no matter how much he pried, he couldn't find any active channels.

"This can't be right, the Lords have special authority with the Link Portals, we aren't limited by Sin, but why can't I pinpoint the world they are entering? It seems there is someone amongst them extremely skilled in cloaking. This goes beyond the common knowledge of the demons," Saehtyn determined. 

On the contrary to leaving, he looked at the mangled remains of Zarkath's new body, "To deal with an Archdemon...would require another Archdemon. Yet, there is only the aura of numerous Greater Demons and some Lesser ones. Even if numbers were on their side, this body has no soul left in it. Could someone who has trained in the methods of Gula arrived in this world?"

As he examined the body, the more he felt it to be true. It seemed as if the entirety of the soul had been ripped away from the body. According to his memory, this ability belonged only to those who followed the path of pure gluttony. Of course, he wasn't aware of the fact that he couldn't be more wrong.

Only after some time did Saehtyn make up his mind to vacate the area. Since there were no answers present, it didn't make sense to continue idling here. After all, he could do so in the comfort of his throne.

Once again, he opened his wings and shot off into the distance, flying straight up. His ascent was faster than anything a demon had ever laid eyes on, yet he was still too slow to appear before all of them.

----

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Link Portal. 

Apollo and company were ejected from within the turbulent space of the portal. Instantly, they were bombarded by an aura that both Apollo and Typhir were unfamiliar with, whereas Furcas just outright scoffed at it.

"Tch, we're back in this dubious place. I  hate being here, that putrid stench of those imbeciles. How can they even take pride in such a useless Sin?" Furcas spat while his frown continued to deepen. The abundance of Superbia in the air unsettled him as there was nothing for him to absorb.

Fortunately, Apollo was prepared thanks to Fuhrer, "Take these, I know you won't be able to recuperate you Ira here." Apollo said while handing Furcas five Fragments of Sin. When he laid eyes upon them, he glanced in Fuhrer's direction.

"You have given the boy these treasures already?" Furcas questioned.

In response, Fuhrer nodded but then stopped. "Yes. Wait, no that's incorrect. If you're talking about those treasures, I've never had possession of them. I have no knowledge of their whereabouts. As for those, well he truly needs them."

"Does the world he comes from not have a source of adequate Sin?" Furcas inquired. This was another matter he could never determine. When he tried to divine Apollo's initial location, it always came up as enshrouded. 

"Forget Sin, it doesn't even possess Anima. He has to rely upon his special conversion ability. It's a blessing that he isn't the typical demon, or he wouldn't possess it," Fuhrer said. 

"I see. Truly a shame. A waste of such an amazing talent," Furcas sighed. However, he didn't lament anything as this was all within the plan of the fallen one. For now, they all bided their time and awaited the moment Apollo's growth reached the needed threshold.

'The day it all returns will soon be upon us,' Fuhrer thought with an expectant expression. He couldn't wait for the time wherein the glory of the Demons was reclaimed. As of right now, the actions of the Demons betrayed their true natures.

'Truly laughable that us creatures of utter destruction have to go into hiding. However, it is understandable. When you acquire as many enemies as we have, this situation should have been expected. Especially, when we are one of the major races,' Fuhrer sighed while recounting numerous past events.

A short while later, Apollo's voice alerted everyone, "I have a question, that castle, does everyone Ring have one?" Apollo asked while pointing up towards the peak of the obscenely large castle in the distance. Unlike the obsidian one in Ashiraem, the one here was ash-grey. Furthermore, it seemed like it was emitting a rather smoky atmosphere. 

"More or less, it could be seen that way. After all, the castles were to serve as a beacon. However, now, it has become a place where the Lords reside. If I'm not mistaken, the current Lord should be named Lucifer or something along those lines," Furcas answered before Fuhrer could.

Unlike him, Furcas possessed far more information since he wasn't sealed within a cave for countless years.

"Lucifer, you say. The Lord of Pride, I wonder what type of being he is in comparison to Saehtyn," Apollo muttered while in thought. But, before he could fall any deeper, Furcas added his input.

"I wouldn't suggest you aim to meet at the Lords. All of them possess a unique personality bestowed by their Noble Minds. You can see it as supreme intellect. You should be especially aware of Lucifer. According to the rumors, he is a quirk and an obscene trickster.

Upon hearing this claim, Fuhrer's eyebrow rose. "Interesting; YOU calling someone a quirk? They must be absolutely terrible. Nevertheless, we came here with a purpose, what is it? Who is it that we have to locate?"

"Well, based on my divinations and what I have drawn, there are quite a few choices. However, the closest one is undoubtedly Valac. But, that demonic little child, you know how much of a handful he was," Furcas muttered with a touch of frustration in his voice.

"That was the past, I'm sure the passage of time should have matured him. If not, we'll just have to deal with him the same way we used to. Due to the restriction, most of us can't go beyond a certain level or we'll shatter the balance. Only when he allows it can that change," Fuhrer answered. 

"Very well, then it is settled, we'll aim for Valac," Apollo announced. After a couple of extra minutes, the locator became active again. Moreover, this time, the locator even indicated how far the target was—785 km.

'Thankfully the Linked Portals all seem to reside within the walls of the castles. And, every portal area is devoid of a crowd. Not to mention,' Apollo glanced at the indicator in the corner. Time was running out fast; there were only approximately 2 and a half days remaining. 

Whether or not he could claim another piece was an uncertainty at this point. Nevertheless, he still wished to push his luck. 'Let us explore the gates of Suprenis.'