Chapter 228: Verification Acquired In An Instant

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Once the two were a suitable distance away from each other, Fuhrer made his move. In an instant, he conjured the requirements needed to launch a Demonic Massacre Wave. In comparison, Apollo was in a precarious position. Although he was extremely focused, he was only able to muster slightly over half of the minimum consumption. 

Due to the actions of Fuhrer, he had stopped relying on the system too much. As it happened before, he never knew when there would be a time in the future where the system was inactive. Not to mention, something told him that system would be forever. 

To him, it seemed as if the system was just put in place to prepare him along with Azridan. After he obtained a certain height of power, he wasn't sure if the system would continue to assist him.

On the other hand, he wasn't quite sure how much power this would take. Nevertheless, Apollo didn't panic. Since he had a promise to stick to the Demonic Massacre Wave, Apollo refrained from using any of the Baleful Steps. 

As he was aware that Apollo wouldn't be able to keep up with his speed of energy activation, he stifled his launch of the Wave. While this wouldn't happen in a real battle, Fuhrer wasn't preparing him for a real battle. He was merely verifying that Apollo was familiar with all of the basics.

Any battle experience that he needed to obtain could be obtained by fighting those who could be killed. To the current him, no matter what he did, Fuhrer would be an unconquerable enemy. Not only did he possess every single technique Apollo currently did, but he could also use them much better than Apollo could.

Finally, Apollo mustered enough resources and launched his own Demonic Massacre Wave. But, even after he launched it, Fuhrer still waited. In his eyes, Apollo's wave moved as if it was weighed down. It was like trying to move your feet to walk in a deep pool. 

All of a sudden, when it was in the optimal position, Fuhrer executed his own strike. When the two collided, there was no contest. Fuhrer's strike caused Apollo to crumble despite seeming weaker. Unbeknownst to Apollo, Fuhrer's aura was always laced with a hint of Tenebrosity. 

Thus, he was unable to sense just how tyrannical Fuhrer's strike was. Of course, there was another reason for the two strikes colliding the way they did, "Care to tell me what I just did to your strike?"

Before formulating an answer, the scene replayed in Apollo's mind over and over. It wasn't until the final replay that he realized what Fuhrer did. However, he didn't understand how to fix the issue, "You took advantage of the weakness in the strike, but I can't really see it."

"I did, but it wasn't the strike that had a weakness, but you. Your control faltered after the wave traveled too far from you. I was testing the distance of your mental integrity, it's not terrible but it isn't ideal. Focus. Make it subconscious, that is how you strengthen your mind!" Fuhrer instructed.

In the meantime, Apollo conjured another Demonic Massacre Wave and launched it by the time Fuhrer finished his sentence. Needless to say, Fuhrer responded in kind by leisurely swinging his sword.

A Demonic Massacre Wave identical to Apollo's clashed with it. As this happened, Apollo was once again reminded of the difference between them. Even when doing this under Fuhrer's nose, he still couldn't best him.

"Interesting, that was a good idea. Attack while your opponent talks. However, next time, don't telegraph your movements. Furthermore, you might want to refrain from using a minuscule amount of Anima. Also, add more Intent. When they fuse, they give the technique more propulsion," Fuhrer chuckled before taking a step.

This time, he didn't give Apollo time to breathe. Although he said all that, he still found it to be slightly disrespectful. Thus, he intended to give Apollo a small beating lest he continued to think he could get away with such actions. While those tactics could be used with others, he didn't feel like dealing with them.

Consequently, Fuhrer brandished his sword three times. In return, three Demonic Massacre Waves hurtled towards Apollo. While Apollo's reaction seemed slow, in truth, he was building up energy since he fired the attack prior to Fuhrer's counterattack.

To try and deal with these strikes, Apollo consumed just over 10% of his Demonic Anima and 5% of his Slaughter Intent to perform a substantial perfected Demonic Massacre Wave. 

Despite sacrificing all those resources, it still took ample time for his strike to overtake Fuhrer's. Furthermore, unlike Fuhrer's which would continue traveling towards his, Apollo's dispersed. This meant each of Fuhrer's attacks dealt with a third of Apollo's.

"I believe you can do better than this. At this rate, it will take eons for me to deem you as worthy as accepting you to be the Monarch. How will you be able to go conquer the Lords and go against the other Monarch Candidates? Even if you possess his Intent, you don't hold the throne that resides inside his world!" Fuhrer bellowed.

For some reason, he felt an infernal building in himself. Every time he looked at Apollo's weakened state, he was reminded of his dear deceased friend. This invoked hurtful feelings that he tried to bury to the best of his abilities. Unfortunately, loss was never an easy thing to deal with.

When Apollo noticed his agitated state, he became slightly apprehensive. If Fuhrer was to fall into a mindless rage, he was almost certain there was nothing he could do to guarantee his life. In fact, he wasn't even sure if aunty failsafe measures existed against an enemy.

He was sure it existed in the event that he did something stupid, but even then, he wasn't sure if there was a limit to the number of times such a  thing would activate. What's more, the system deemed Fuhrer to be a piece, so the question was, would it even become hostile towards him?

Nonetheless, Apollo became quiet while once again stimulating more internal energy. When Fuhrer launched his attacks this time, there were at least 10 Demonic Massacre Waves hurtling towards Apollo from all angles.

In response, Apollo gawked. For a moment, his mind went blank. He was now sure that Fuhrer was becoming enraged, "Hold on Fuhrer! Stop! Stop!" Apollo yelled while trying his best to deal with the attacks and even the rest.

Sadly, the difference in their strength was too great. Numerous holes appeared in Apollo's Tartaren Fiend Regalia after receiving a majority of the incoming attacks. Additionally, his right eye started to close as blood from a wound above it seeped inside.

Again, he started to become angry, however, this felt different. Not just his Infernal Heart of Wrath, everything started to bubble in tandem. Unbeknownst to both of them, a presence inside of Apollo's soul was being stimulated by the rage of Fuhrer.

"Stop," Apollo voiced again. Yet, his words were once again brushed aside. As he dealt with even more strikes, he finally reached his breaking point. "I said to cease your actions!"

'Boom!'

An inviolable aura burst from Apollo's body that caused Fuhrer to freeze. As he froze, he trembled. Not from fear, but from the nostalgia brought about by the presence of this aura. 

"I have told you time and time again, cease your actions against the Monarch to be. Do I need to make you grovel before my feet before you understand my words?" Apollo said while taking rhythmic steps toward Fuhrer. 

Meanwhile, the system continued speaking in Apollo's ear.

〈System Alert! The Monarch's Ability «Domination Zone» has been temporarily awakened. All beings outside of you will be dominated for 3 seconds. After that, a state of weakness will follow.〉

For those 3 seconds, forget move, Fuhrer wasn't even able to think. This was inconceivable, this long-lost domain had appeared. Thankfully, the appearance woke Fuhrer from his enraged state. Moreover, it allowed him to understand what his purpose was. 

He existed to assist this boy. It was time he followed him. He had finally discerned his identity. At the time Apollo opened the zone, a sealed memory resurfaced in his mind. It was set to reveal itself only when the true successor to his old friend reappears. 

"Although I have forgotten your true name, I will follow you. When you remember who you truly are, I will stand before you as your guardian until you find your rightful power," Fuhrer swore and he fell to one knee.

While he did so, the 3 seconds elapsed and Apollo's body became powerless.