Chapter 328 The Split Groups



Asmodeus ventured into the forest, from the fifth entrance to the southwest, while he watched the others all entering first. He felt a sense of danger the moment he started progressing along this path and realised it was right to split the groups.

'The empress followed Alice and Vinea's group... I don't know what's going on but she seems strange.'

'The second group seems alright, no tails and only a few nobles followed them.'

However, somehow, he noticed a strange group with hidden faces following Yuina's group, which made Asmodeus worry.

Before he entered, he noticed that Fredricka's group remained still and quickly galloped towards them since most of the nobles and competitors vanished, as Asmodeus approached them without hiding himself.

"Fredricka!"

"Your Highness, what's wrong?"

'Well thankfully they group is quite strong, but who needs the support most.' Asmodeus thought to himself. He then thought about the groups and their potential opponents and decided that Yuina might need support if attacked.

"It's nothing, but those knights following Yuina seemed strange. Can you follow that course, and support them if needed?"

Fredricka and the knights didn't aim for victory from the beginning, and seeing Asmodeus look so concerned, she could only nod.

"Though I would prefer to aid Her Highness since you have asked. I shall follow."

'I see, Fredricka was always Anne's friend and knight... Then!'

"I see, once you've aided Yuina and ensured safety, send half your unit to support group one who took the north-west entrance."

"Ah!" The moment she heard Asmodeus speak, her eyes lit up, and her body shuddered. "Thank you, Your Highness. I am grateful for your consideration!" An excited voice that made the woman look rather lovely.

"Don't mention it, you are all my people now. I must be more observant."

With that, Asmodeus looked back at the knights and the nobles, who began to look back at him. He didn't wish for people to notice their plans. So he whispered to Fredricka. "If possible, try to split your group up so it's not obvious where you are aiming."

Fredricka was an intelligent vice-captain and instantly noticed the gazes watching them.

"Understood, Your Highness!" With her hand across her chest, she and the knights began to trot towards their target.

'This is good... now I believe things should improve.'

Asmodeus took a deep breath before pulling on the reins and rushing towards the forest with his horse galloping.

***

The moment he entered the forest, the scent of grass, flowers and beasts filled his nose. Asmodeus could hear the distant clacking of horse hooves. Yet somehow, he almost felt something observing him from the shadows.

He grasped the black longbow from his shoulder and reduced his pace to a brisk canter.

'Thanks to being a demon with enhanced senses, I can easily draw my bow and aim at this speed.'

'Hmmm...'

Asmodeus thought even at full gallop, he would be able to shoot well. However, he wanted to gather some prey in the forest while grasping a black feathered arrow between his fingers.

Then, watching a distant fox skittering through the grass, he took a deep breath before drawing his bow.

'There it is...'

A quick moment passed, and he let the fox become calm as it sniffed the grass.

The wind blowing slightly to the east as he adjusted the aim.

'You want me to go eastwards, then I shall go west,' Asmodeus said while preparing to leave.

"I'll hunt you two later."

...

Meanwhile, the female Apostle and her black-haired assistant with the black eyes became annoyed.

"Fuck, what is this bastard doing?! We need to ensure we remain ahead!" The female showed her lack of class while hopping from tree to tree—she felt a sense of anger watching Asmodeus so calm and relaxed.

"Did you really think a few monsters would kill someone who could defeat that pope?" The black eyes male spoke while smacking a shadow wolf off the floor, causing a thud on the floor and its body to explode.

"The demon seems to have already noticed us and started toying with us," he replied, without minding the female. "It will be difficult to catch up if this continues."

"I know that you fucking mutant!" The woman was getting frustrated.

The female didn't care too much about the black-eyed man and continued forward.

'It should have been enough time...'

While thinking, she watched as the two began to progress behind Asmodeus. After a few moments, he turned to look in the opposite direction and ventured off after ensuring nobody noticed him.

"This damn demon... who does he think he is?! If only I could kill him!" The female Apostle complained while holding a black crossbow, the bolt oozing with a green smog.

"Haa... we should strike soon, the Pope already gave the signal and is waiting for us to tie him down." The man sighed and ignored her. With the power of the shadows, they leapt high above into the trees and progressed towards their target.

Yet, unknowingly, the things they said entered the ears of Asmodeus.

***

The moment the pair arrived near his location, he realised his markings vanished; however, the duo landed softly on the floor. A massive distance between them.

The forest was dark despite the time of day, with only a little light seeping through the tall pine trees and hitting the grass below.

'This seems like a good place to start...' Asmodeus thought while switching his bow for the black greatsword. He trudged through the lush woodland and ensured they followed him.

Step.

Step.

Step.

'They are progressing quickly.'

Asmodeus narrowed his eyes and opened his mana, able to detect everyone around him within a certain distance. The world turned grey, but he could see the colourful souls, or rather their magic of which the two were visible.

'It seems they've narrowed the distance... only 500 metres right now.'

He slowly moved deeper, noticing the water trickling over stones.

'Their speed increased again... and they've separated.'

He saw a beautiful waterfall falling off a cliff 40 metres wide. It crashed down onto the river below and carved out a small section, creating a lagoon.

This lagoon is the place I will fight!

Before they could rejoin, he targeted the female. His body exploded with mana and demonic energy as he transformed into his demon king form, four huge wings flapping and propelling him forward with immense speed.

'Now!'

"Wha?!" The female with two daggers looked shocked as an enormous blade sliced through the sky, aiming at her throat.