Chapter 494 - Unknown Presence, Household Expands

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Noticing Tirasha's odd expression, Apollo turned towards her with a faint smile apparent on his face. "Is there something wrong? Why do you look as if you've lived through your worst nightmare? Has Valac troubled you that much?"

"N-no! That's not why!" Tirasha stammered while trying to recover from the earlier shock. However, it was too much for her to bounce back in this little time. She continued to look at Apollo with a shocked gaze until Apollo picked up on the reason why.

"Oh? If that's the case, could it be me? Have I done something to you? If so, allow me to apologize," Apollo said with an odd smile. A light fluctuation appeared around his body as the mist of Luxuria seeped from his eyes and surrounded Tirasha. 

Rather than invade her core, Apollo only allowed the Luxuria to circulate her body, giving him gradual bits of information. 'Oh? Well, that's interesting. I didn't expect her senses to be so keen. Her reaction stems from the fact she can sense the subtle change in my aura that I've kept hidden.'

Until now, Apollo hadn't run into anyone capable of sensing his hidden aura, much less someone weaker than him. So, Tirasha's ability to do just that took Apollo by surprise. In fact, Apollo started to wonder if this was possible because of some power or trait that Tirasha possessed.

If that was true, then her worth was more than Apollo estimated previously. 

'It'd be best to confirm my suspicions to develop more concrete plans for the future,' Apollo thought to himself while beckoning for Tirasha to come closer, which she did.

As she stepped closer, she felt a distinct tingle down her spine. Once she entered within two meters of Apollo, it felt as if she had stepped into murky waters, which wrested away control of her body. Unbeknownst to Tirasha, she was experiencing the effects of Apollo's title.

After seeing her visibly tremble, Apollo paused and observed her once again. He could sense the emotion that emanated from her body in droves―Tirasha felt genuine fear as she stood before Apollo. Consequently, Apollo grew curious about this development.

At least, his curiosity grew until the system alerted him of the situation.

〈System: A demon within close proximity is experiencing the adulterated effects of the Monarch's True Heir title and Abysmal Conqueror Bloodline.〉

A look of understanding appeared on Apollo's face as he scanned the alert before his eyes. While Apollo was aware of its effects, he didn't think that its impact amplified indefinitely on demons that weren't under his control.

After all, this was the first time that a demon outside of his household stood before him face-to-face, so it was an unfamiliar event. However, it came as a pleasant surprise.

'If the effects are this great, then there may be a few uses for this in the future. For the time being, let's continue to experiment on the extent of this ability,' Apollo internalized.

A few moments later, he leaned forward, smiling at Tirasha with a mischievous look. "Why are you trembling like a scared kitten? Do I scare you?"

Despite wanting to answer, Tirasha couldn't. All that escaped her lips was an audible gasp as she made eye contact with Apollo's unusual eyes. The dense Sin palpitating from her eyes caused her heartbeat to synchronize with the pulse. 

A faint feeling overtook her mind as her knees weakened with each passing breath. Finally, Apollo placed his hand behind her waist, bracing Tirasha's limp body. At the same time, he was satisfied by what he witnessed.

'So this is the effect of my bloodline mixing with the reverse effect of Ira while being augmented by Luxuria. However, I'm not sure the effect will be as intense on males as it is with females,' Apollo assumed.

Since he received a thorough enough answer, Apollo allowed the effects to subside before gradually continuing with his terse questions. However, he allowed Tirasha to answer his first question.

"I'm not scared," Tirasha answered after finally regaining her composure. Be that as it may, she couldn't make eye contact despite her confident tone. Of course, Apollo noticed this, but he didn't tease her about it.

Contrarily, Apollo favored his current attitude. It reminded him of a conversation that he and Fuhrer once conducted. 'A forgotten Sin, right? Perhaps she could be one to awaken it with this type of behavior. If my memory serves, then awakening that Sin wouldn't clash with any present powers.'

Meanwhile, as Apollo was silent amidst his thoughts, Tirasha summoned the courage to look him in the eyes after realizing that all signs of the previous sensation had vanished. Although she still felt as if she was in the presence of the monster, there was also a faint amicable presence that comforted her.

Once she felt secure, he glanced up at Apollo and asked the question which continued to trouble her, "How… did you grow so strong in this short period of time? It hasn't been more than two years since we've met."

The standard rate of a demon's growth was approximately a twenty percent leap in evolution progress every three years. So, to find out that Apollo not only evolved into a Greater Demon but felt like he was on the precipe of becoming an Archdemon mystified Tirasha.

Not to mention, she felt small when comparing her progress to Apollo's.

Nevertheless, Apollo peered in Tirasha's direction with a meaningful grin. "Become mine, and I'll let you know the answer."

Immediately, a deep blush graced Tirasha's cheeks as she heard Apollo's response. As a woman in her position with the background she possessed, it wasn't often that a demon was confident enough to approach her with bold words of becoming theirs.

Granted, Tirasha didn't realize that she misconstrued Apollo's word due to his poor choice of words. Therefore, she once again failed to make eye contact with him as she looked away and continued sputtering.

"T-that… I don't think it is possible. You… haven't even met my father. How can I be yours?" Tirasha said. Her voice fell to a murmur the longer she talked. Despite her usually unwavering confidence, before Apollo, she couldn't draw upon that confidence in the slightest.

"You misunderstand me," Apollo said while shaking his head. "This isn't a romantic relationship, but a beneficial one. You offer your loyalty and support while I reciprocate with resources and guaranteed power. All other thoughts are irrelevant at this time because we don't have that luxury."

For a moment, there was disappointment in Tirasha's eyes. "Why not?"

"You're aware of the reason," Apollo said in a firm tone. These words forced Tirasha back into a rational state of mind as she recalled the demon's current situation. Not only did the Council cordon off their primary space, but they also revealed to every related party that the world was in danger.

However, what Tirasha didn't understand was how Apollo was aware of the current situation. Even she was just made aware of the particulars. 'Could Xonnomor have told him about it? Then…'

Silently, Tirasha turned towards Typhir and Sapphyr with a solemn expression. 'Their words were true. Xonnomor has truly joined their side. There's no way he'd reveal such sensitive information unless he were wholeheartedly devoted to their cause.'

Upon realization of this matter, Tirasha released a deep exhale before speaking in a confident tone. "I'll join you."

"I never had any doubt. I believe you to be just as, if not smarter than your elder brother," Apollo said with an amiable expression. Of course, Apollo wasn't an altruistic person. He learned from his past experiences that compliments tended to smoothen this entire process, especially when it involved a woman.

"So what happens next?" Tirasha asked. This was a situation that she wasn't familiar with at all.

"Nothing major, just relax as my power does its job," Apollo said. Immediately after, a pulse of energy encapsulated Tirasha's body as a loading bar appeared above her head. In addition to assessing her current limits, the system carried out its usual methods of identifying the most complimentary promotion for the newest member.

In truth, Apollo welcomed any archetype for their newest members since their current line-up included all positions outside of heavy defensive characters. Although Jorgun sported high physical prowess, it leaned more towards outrageous strength rather than improved defenses.

However, Apollo also understood that there was no chance of Tirasha receiving this type of bestowal. Her combat style opposed defensive movements greatly. She'd benefit most from receiving Amduscias's teaching.

Finally, a chime sounded in Apollo's ears as he towards the distance with an odd expression. 'What is that?'

〈System: An addition has been made to the Dominus Household. Due to their feelings towards you, a unique evolution has taken place.〉

Unfortunately, Apollo couldn't spare any attention to the notification as it was vested in the large energy signature approaching rapidly. According to his perception, this newcomer appeared to be at least on par with Amduscias, yet the system didn't indicate the relationship as friendly.

'Could our battle have alerted strong demons nearby?'