Chapter 496: Takeover

"Enemy of an enemy is a friend. There's a saying like that. Since you're the enemy of the Warlock Council, and we are also their enemy, we can fight together to take them out!" Milena said. 

"And you're here for the stone. I already gave that to you. So there's no reason for conflict between us," she added. 

"That's an interesting offer, but why me? Why don't you just fight me and give this stone to them instead?" Lucifer asked. 

"Because that would boost their ego and make it seem like we're defeated. The Warlock Council would probably become even more brazen in the future," Milena replied. "They would return again in the future for another conflict. The only way to solve this is by giving them crushing defeat."

"And you are certainly strong. Instead of fighting, I must as well hire you as a help," she continued. 

"Is that so? And how do you know that I'm strong?" Lucifer asked, amused. "I don't think we fought before. At least not in this reality?"

" You were able to defeat that Dungeon Dweller that was controlling everything in this Empire! You were able to take him out and free me," Milena answered. "So, I'm sure you are strong."

She also remembered the time when she blamed Lucifer for invading their Palace. She was about to kill Heath to force the answer out, and Lucifer was prepared to attack her. 

"Moreover, on our first meeting, you didn't hesitate in attacking me for your friend. It was enough for me to understand that you weren't weak," she added. "And even now. Despite knowing that all of us are here, you came to save your friend. Not only that, you stayed behind alone, still confident that you can kill us all."

"I'm not sure if you really can. In fact, I mostly think that you're a bit overconfident, but it shouldn't be by too much. That's why I want your help. So will you?" she asked.

"Help you?" Lucifer muttered. "Can I trust you?"

"You can. I never break my promise. Especially now that I'm not under any influence. Moreover, the lives of my men are at stake. So I wouldn't betray you," Milena answered. "Moreover, I already gave you the payment for this job in the form of that Stone you were after. You'll get even more treasures after you're done."

Lucifer lost himself in thought as he observed the other Nobles. All of them were surprised that Milena was taking someone else's help. 

He didn't look at them to see their expressions. Instead, he memorized their positions to make some calculations in his head. 

"Well, I was looking forward to this battle. But fine. I'll accept the offer and fight the Warlock Council," he ultimately said yes as he reached out his hand towards Milena to shake her hand.

"I'm glad to have you join our side," Milena smiled as she also reached out her hand to shake Lucifer's hand. 

However, just when her hand was about to meet Lucifer's hand, Lucifer moved his hand ahead a little bit and grabbed her wrist. 

"Happy to have this cooperation," Lucifer said, retracting his hand. 

Milena looked down at her wrist, surprised to find a bracelet on her wrist. 

"What? What is this bracelet?" Milena asked, frowning. 

"It's simple. You can think of that as a friendship bracelet," Lucifer responded, smiling. "Also, it's a device which will stop you from using your powers. So don't even try it. Moreover, you can't take it off. In short, you're now no better than an ordinary human."

"So you betrayed me?" Milena asked, taking a step back. 

"Betrayal? Not entirely. I promised that I would fight the Warlock Council. And I'm going to keep that promise. Moreover, I will also keep your men safe, as long as they don't go out of their way to die. It's just that you won't be joining this war," Lucifer responded as he kept the second stone in his pocket. 

He kept the second stone in a different pocket, but both the stones could still feel each other's presence. 

Milena glared at Lucifer and yelled, "You're not a good person."

"Who knows," Lucifer shrugged. "I'll leave that decision to you. But that doesn't change the fact that you'll be out of the battle."

"If you think that this toy can stop me, then you're wrong!" Milena declared as she touched the bracelet with the intention of breaking it. 

She didn't take it seriously. Moreover, she had faith in her healing. She was mostly sure that Lucifer was simply bluffing. That's why she didn't attack Lucifer. It was the same for Arthur and others. 

They also believed it was a bluff. There was no way for humans to develop a device that could stop someone from using powers. Even if it were possible, Variants wouldn't have supported this development since it put them at risk.

Lucifer understood what Milena was trying to do, but he didn't interfere. He simply stood back and watched. 

Milena touched the bracelet, but as soon as she applied even a little pressure, she felt a current course through her body. Moreover, it wasn't any ordinary current. It seemed like a pretty high grade one which made her scream. 

"Arghhh!"

Milena yelled before dropping to the ground. Her eyes closed. 

"Your Majesty!" Arthur yelled as he teleported near Milena. "Are you alright?"

He didn't get any response. Feronia also sat near Milena, worried for her. 

As for the other Nobles that were surrounding Lucifer, they also got impatient. 

"You Bastard!" They yelled as they all ran towards Lucifer to attack him.

A glimpse of a smirk appeared on Lucifer's lips, watching the attacks. 

Boom~

Lightning bolts fell all around him in circles targeting the Nobles. 

At the last moment, the Nobles flew back, saving themselves from the inevitable death. 

All of them realized how close they were to death. 

"Be glad I didn't target you. If I wanted, you wouldn't even have time to move back. As I said, I promised Milena that I wouldn't let you die unless you go out of your way. So stay within your limits and don't do it again. It's your last warning," Lucifer said.

He also noticed Arthur glaring at him. "And you, the same warning goes to you. I won't give a second warning. Moreover, I already warned Milena that she wouldn't be able to take it out. She underestimated my warning, thinking I was lying. You can't blame that on me."

Lucifer shrugged all the responsibility, acting like an innocent kid.