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A nine-foot-long and 3-meter tall golden lion appeared in the middle of the room following Cedric's, who's disguised as Derrek, whistle.
The beast has a thick golden coat, shimmering and oozing with power and heat. Its mane was like a fiery shoal of golden fire, dancing mystically as the lion snarled and bared its teeth at the cultists.
This was none other than Aurelion - the Radiant Sunlion and Cedric's companion beast. He had grown up in a terrifying existence much like his master. Although he's only Tier 6, thinking that he's weak would be a terrible mistake for his enemies because just like his master, Aurelion was Aurelion, he's not his Tier.
The intimidating presence of Aurelion already frightened some of the cult members, even more so when they felt the scalding heat he was releasing. They could feel the corruption within them reeling in pain and fear as if it met an element that could kill it, and that's not wrong.
Aurelion is a unique beast, a Radiant Sunlion - the last of his kind. He held the potential and the power of a True Sun within him, nurtured by Cedric who comprehended, completed, and improved the 『Aspect of the Sun』.
After several seconds of snarling at them, Aurelion turned into a streak of light and blitzed around the room like a pinball. Each time he hit a corner, he would send out lasers of concentrated sunlight and sunfire to ricochet across the room. Once there was enough, he returned to his master's side with his maws wide open to spit out the miniature sun that burned all the darkness away from the room.
The cultists scrambled to defend themselves. Some tried to run towards the exit; some failed before reaching it while others managed to get their hands on the door. Unfortunately, it wouldn't budge. No matter how much strength they used to force it open, the door was sealed shut and refused to open.
That's when they saw a massive rune plastered on the door. To their dawning horror, they don't know what kind of rune was that, but they do know that they don't have enough time nor strength to rid of it, which means that they're trapped here.
After realizing this, they tried their best. They truly did...however, the enemy was too strong. Aurelion chewed on them like toys, ignoring their attacks like they were nothing.
The beast was playing with them. They were outclassed even though their numbers were greater than the enemy. Aurelion saved the leader for last since his master wanted to personally deal with that one, the rest was fair game.
Aurelion's playtime ended rather shortly. It didn't even take him 15 minutes to take out the rest of the cultists. Without these people, the Cult of the Demon Saint was permanently crippled, all that was left was the leader - who looked as if he just lost his soul.
The sun lion took him by the collar and threw it towards his master's feet. Cedric, who was casually relaxing on the chair, watching as the carnage ended, leaned forward. He waved a finger and an invisible force lifted the despairing leader of the cultist towards him.
"Isn't it given that you should introduce yourself first before asking for someone's name? Or is the Demon Race lacking that kind of etiquette? Well...not that it's surprising if you don't." He shrugged in reply.
The ghost seemed amused before saying: "Right, pardon my lack of manners then. My name is Deliora, recently promoted to 132nd Demon Lord of my race."
Cedric stared at the phantom, digesting that tidbit of information before replying: "Derrek, an orphan, and this generation's Sun Sage."
"Oh my, a Sun Sage eh? I wasn't aware that your Humans still have an idea of what that thing even looks like." Deliora replied with a rather amused and sarcastic expression.
"Well, what can I say...your race's Demon King swallowing up our sun left a deep impression on us, and we're nostalgic creatures in nature so we tend to record history so that our young ones won't forget. It has great benefits if I do say so myself."
"...and you? How come a recently promoted Demon Lord has this much free time to extend your tendrils all the way to this place? An impressive feat, by the way, but still confusing. Shouldn't you be...I don't, trying to defend your title? As far as I'm aware, the competition for the title and resources should be rather intense on your side."
Deliora visibly flinched in surprise after hearing Cedric casually reveal what he knew. The recently promoted Demon King doesn't know how to properly control his expression, and Cedric takes advantage of that.
"My, it seems that your intelligence network runs pretty deep."
"Not really." Cedric casually deflected the accusation. "It's just an educated analysis. Your kind are simple-minded after all. Might make right...that's how it works on your side, correct?"
"Indeed." Deliora sighed, "We're not that different after all."
Cedric inwardly sneered at the poor attempt of the Demon Lord to sway him to their side by weaponizing empathy. This might work on someone else but certainly not him.
"Eh, I don't really think so." Cedric casually shrugged in reply, "Anyways, you still haven't answered my question though, which I find unfair, to be honest. How did you manage to reach this far? Are we really that undefended?"
"Well...kind of." Deliora casually mentions, completely unaware that he's already been swept by Cedric's momentum. "I mean, it's not really that hard to sneak in, especially when your defenses are busy dealing with a horde or two...even more so with the help of a Black Sky."
'Hook, line, and sinker.'