Chapter 120: Chapter 120: Preparation; Power Up!

"Crimson Demon City?" Aengus inquired, his curiosity piqued.

"Where is that?" he asked, glancing at Bella.

Bella turned her gaze toward the horizon through the window, her expression turning serious.

"Crimson Demon City is a hub for ancient treasures, trade, and human slavery merchants. It is ruled by Demon Lord Crimson—a being infamous for his mastery of the Crimson Flame of Destruction. He is an extremely dangerous individual. My father, Duke Belial, along with twenty-six other dukes, serves him as if he were a king."

"Demon Lord Crimson?"

Aengus furrowed his brows, sensing the gravity of the situation. He found the prospect a bit troubling. Although his power had increased, it still paled in comparison to Bella's raw strength, let alone that of Duke Belial and the other Demon Lords.

He realized that he had a long way to go before he could truly contend with such formidable forces.

"Do you want to go there?" Bella asked, her voice curious yet cautious.

Aengus paused, his gaze distant before he finally responded. "Yes, but not right now. Leave me alone for some time," he said, his tone flat as he entered his room, shutting the door behind him.

Bella stood there, slightly taken aback by his sudden coldness. "Ah, sure... darling," she muttered, her voice trailing off as she watched him disappear into his chamber. What's wrong with him all of a sudden? she thought, concern flashing across her face.

Her eyes fell on Maid Donna, who stood fidgeting nervously in the distance.

"Guard the door, Donna. I'm going to send a message to the Fortress City," Bella ordered sternly, her commanding tone leaving no room for argument.

"Yes, Lady Bellfrost," Maid Donna replied, straightening up as she moved to stand obediently outside Aengus's door,

---

Aengus sat cross-legged on the cold, dimly lit floor, feeling the weight of the challenges ahead. He had sensed Donna's presence just outside the door but dismissed it. It didn't matter right now. What mattered was preparing himself for the battles that awaited him.

The pressure was mounting. He knew it.

[ Agility: 1230 ]

[ Defense: 1300 ]

[ Mana: 65,000/130,000 ]

[ Nether Energy: 65,000/ 130,000 ]

---

"Rumble!"

Without realizing it, Aengus placed his hand on the floor, and the sheer force of his touch sent cracks spiraling outward, collapsing the ground beneath him into a deep pit.

A throbbing headache crept in. He still wasn't used to his newfound strength. Managing such raw power would take time. Until then, even the slightest touch could shatter anything around him into dust.

"Lord, what happened?" Maid Donna rushed in upon hearing the thunderous crash.

Her eyes widened in disbelief as she saw the gaping pit beside Aengus. At first, she thought it was a display of anger, but his calm, emotionless expression left her bewildered.

Still seated, Aengus glanced at her, his voice as cold as ice. "Nothing happened. Leave."

"Ah, y-yes, my lord..." Donna stammered, backing out of the room and shutting the door. Her heart raced; for a moment, she felt a crushing pressure radiating from Aengus—the same overwhelming force she once felt from Bella.

"Lord Aengus has grown even stronger... Will he ever forgive me?" she whispered to herself. Then, with steely resolve, she muttered, "No. I will earn his forgiveness, no matter what."

---

"It's time for synthesizing the Skills and Abilities!"

Inside, Aengus started another round of synthesizing for using his energy for more destructive and useful mediums.