Meanwhile, in the Angra Theocracy, the Angra siblings recovered from their injuries, Akamana sitting on her throne while Belphegor knelt with a low and humble stance.
"Of the 300 original zealots, we've lost 250. A disaster through and through. Oh well, I've managed to save our Blood Longevity demon nobles, so the foundation is still there.
But until we've rebuilt our forces, we should cancel our Sanctuary expeditions and focus on protecting our borders." Staring at a map of the Angra holdings in the Sanctuary, Akamana sighed—wishing she'd not underestimated Mithras that much.
"If you'd just killed the dragon youth with Cruel Genesis, we'd have taken control of the situation long before Vel'Asha woke up—to say nothing of giving her the chance to summon an army of Yaksha nobles.
And even that army is just a drop in the bucket compared to the forces she's still hiding. We have committed professional suicide, and it's all your fault." Still pissed that Akamana went ahead and stole Springtime City, adding unnecessary trouble to their heavy plate, Belphegor didn't mince his words—his sister's brows arching into a lopsided slope.
"First of all, my cutie pie is much harder to kill than you imagine. Second of all, I'd never kill Mithras, take that out of your mind. Are you fucking insane? He's Menaka's son and your future brother-in-law. What kind of big brother tries to murk his brother-in-law? Belphy, you disappoint me.
I didn't picture you as the cockblocking bro type," Akamana said with a little pout, turning sideways, and ignoring Belphy.
The Knight of Ahriman's face stretched with confusion, a mix of emotions going through his chest as he struggled to process his sister's words.
"You're serious? You are not messing around? You really...like that kid?"
"Of course I do. You think I call him 'cutie pie' because I find him funny?"
"Then I'm confused. Why are you still holding back? Over these past few years, you've had so many opportunities to make him yours, he was right there in your hand, yet you never truly let him inside your heart.
Why?" Aware of his mischievous sister's secrets, Belphegor asked, causing Akamana to bite her index as she remembered past events with a certain dragon youth whose eyes were not purple back then.
The Grand Priestess' thoughts went wild, and her cheeks turned red. But the moment next, she pulled in a deep breath, calming the surge of emotions and looking into the distance.
"Because I'm scared. My heart is small and only has place for one man. The first must be the one, for he for sure will be the last. There is no way around it. So I can't afford the slightest mistake...because I know I will not recover from a deception.
But Mithras is so young. If only he were over 100, 200, 300...I wouldn't be that worried. But he's so young and still has so much time to change—especially as his body evolves.
The one I'm falling for is the greedy, charming, and cheerful lad with a penchant for mischief. The overlord of the next era...doesn't interest me," Akamana said, and as Belphegor tried to make sense of his sister's words, the Grand Priestess stood up, crossing spatial rifts to land in another dimension.
A world of fire and brimstone welcomed her, with squads of gargantuan beasts and herculean demons growling as they faced the Grand Priestess.
"Swell! A welcome party of little freakies," Akamana said and raised her right hand, letting her darkness unfurl in full force.
The growling sounds of formless fiends reverberated throughout the scene, causing the demonic creatures to look left and right, seeking the hiding place of those invisible killing machines.
"Now, now...who is dying today?"
---
Why should she resist?
Why not just...let go...let go and embrace the sun?
"Please..." Elektra's hands tightened on Mithras' sleeves, and she leaned into his chest...melting in his arms. The Human Aphrodisiac's eyes had never looked more radiant, and he raised the queen's chin, taking her lips in a slow and sensual smooch.
Their tongues met and coiled, Elektra's mind becoming a fog as Mithras imprinted himself on her. Here, the Human Aphrodisiac raised the queen by the legs, carrying her even as their lips stayed connected.
Meanwhile, in Vel'Asha's palace, the Yaksha ruler received a little surprise that Mithras left to help her forget her dead son.
"Oh Queen Mother, in all this madness we forgot to notify you that while you were in a coma, the king changed one law at Mithras' request but died before he could announce the change. It's not that big a deal, but since only Mithras knows the law's in effect, we should either announce or reverse it," the attendant said, causing Vel'Asha's face to twist into a frown.
"What...law?"
"The Right of Conquest.
Also, the Dukes of Astalon and Tantares died in the carnage—including other influential figures. The Duke of Balt was already killed by Cassandra after trying to mess with Mithras during the failed Honoria wedding. Meaning that the four dukes are all dead or crippled.
Also, half the royal palace's women have announced they wish to leave with Lord Mithras, including all the Uriah women." When the attendant's words reached this point, Vel leaped off her seat, grabbing the middle-aged woman by the collar.
"Not a big deal? Have you gone insane? What here is not a big deal? Ending the nobility's Right of Conquest is the foundation of absolute monarchy! Reverse that law, and the most powerful lords will eat the rest, quickly gaining power that surpasses the crown.
And you're telling me that of all the lords of the Blood-Smelting Kingdom, only the strongest knows the Right of Conquest has been restored?!" Vel'Asha snapped, making her poor attendant tremble in fear.
At that time, it began!
News coming from afar that'd in a flash make the Yaksha queen realize...that she'd mistaken a devil for an angel.
"The House of Tantares has signed away its assets to the House of Astalon!"
"The remnants of Balt have signed away their assets to the House of Astalon!"
"The Duke of Elektra has abdicated to lady Cassandra, who in turn will abdicate to the heir of the Astalon and Elektra—her godson, Mithras di Astalon." One after the other, Vel'Asha's messengers gave the news, making the queen stagger in a mix of shock and confusion.
Here, Vel took out a map of the Blood-Smelting Kingdom, trying to find how the assets Mithras had inherited from Gaiseric would align with his new holdings.
The result...was simply flabbergasting. For now, in essence, Mithras controlled...60% of the nation!
"The...nerve. The bloody nerve.
Gaiseric, there was no need to plan for his future. Because under my nose...that boy...has just stolen the kingdom."