Side Story Chapter 169
Altheon Deos was known as the strongest demon in all of the Demon Realm thanks to his overwhelming power. He was also known as the ferocious demonic general who excelled in both strategy and martial arts.
Blood spurted out from Cain’s right shoulder literally in the blink of an eye.
“Ugh!” Cain groaned in pain.
The humans inside the council chamber were taken aback.
“Wh-When...?”
-He’s this fast?
Ulabis, the Flame Emperor, and Arie the death knight nearly bit their tongues in surprise after witnessing how impossibly fast Altheon moved. In fact, they hadn’t even seen Altheon draw his weapon. The demon who had done the deed simply adjusted his glasses.
-It’s too early to be surprised.
At the same time, three more holes were created in Cain, one in his left shoulder and each thigh. It was obvious what Altheon was aiming for.
Cain’s legs gave out from under him and he went down on his knee. Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
“Cain, you...” Ulabis’s brows furrowed.
Cain was a man who would choose to die rather than bend the knee, yet that prideful knight was groaning in pain. From a glance, Ulabis could tell that the Combat Emperor wasn’t in his normal state and was severely unwell.
“Be honest with me. How long can you hold out?” Ulabis whispered without turning to look at Cain. The moment Ulabis took his eyes off Altheon, the demon would no doubt also stab Ulabis using his unbelievable speed.
“I’m sorry.”
“Just answer.”
“...One minute at the most if I use my aura to the fullest extent,” Cain replied.
Ulabis’s face fell, although Cain’s answer was entirely expected.
In other words, Ulabis had to deal with those terrifyingly strong demons on his own. Of course, there was a death knight, but he was an ally that Ulabis couldn’t understand in the slightest. He had already learned the identity of the death knight: Marquess Arie bron Sten. The death knight was a maniac who had been the manipulator of the battlefield and was still obsessed with the Martial God.
“That’s problematic. Are all demons of their rank so ridiculously strong?”
-Let me introduce myself again. My name is Altheon Deos, the Killer Star Demon.
The word “star” in his title in all likelihood didn’t differ in meaning in the Demon Realm compared to the Human Realm. In other words, Altheon was one of the most powerful demons in his Realm; a being known as a Star by other demons.
-Red-haired human, are you not going to come at me? If not, I will come to you.
Right after Altheon finished speaking, Ulabis's tightly focused eyes widened. He saw the tiniest flash and immediately swung his sword.
-Oh?
Altheon’s eyes lit up with interest for the first time, but Ulabis seemed more surprised. The identity of the weapon that pierced Cain was revealed:
“Fingers...?”
Altheon’s ten fingers. Ulabis now understood how the demon had stabbed several places on Cain’s body at once.
-It happened within less than a second, but you still managed to block it... I see that you’re no ordinary human.
Ulabis nodded in return. “I would actually believe it if your title was the Second Demon.”
-Aha.
Urus quickly landed on the answer to his question: he realized that Altheon’s battle had also come to an end. The human, thoroughly perforated by Altheon’s fingers, collapsed to his side, coughing up blood.
“Sir Ulabis!” Icarus screamed from atop the throne.
Urus tilted his head in confusion.
-Hey, Altheon. Didn’t we say that we’re going to spare one human?
-I had no other choice because one human was already dying before I even did anything.
Altheon gestured.
-Ah, is that so?
Urus looked where Altheon indicated and saw a man covered with blood. Cain de Harry, mighty first knight of Avalon and the legendary Combat Emperor Star, was reaching the end of his life.
“No...” Icarus covered her mouth to stop herself from screaming.
Ulabis rose unsteadily to his feet without a word, despite the grievous wounds littering his body. Altheon looked down at him, eyes gleaming once again.
-I told you that I’d spare one of you.
“Thank you for the gesture, but I’ll have to turn it down,” Ulabis curtly replied.
-Why are you fighting so hard? From what I hear, you’re not even a citizen of this country.
“I’m doing it for a friend of mine,” Ulabis answered. Altheon chuckled.
-I really can’t understand humans.
-They form packs because they’re weak. Had they been strong like us, they would live on their own. If you’ve picked which one you’re going to spare, finish this up quick. We’re out of time.
Despite Urus’s mockery, Ulabis was burning with fighting spirit.
-I was planning on that anyway, so you should finish your break and get ready too, Urus.
-I was planning on that even if you don’t tell me.
Urus let out a long, exaggerated yawn before he slowly stood up.
Just then, the dying death knight who had been weeping smoke suddenly exploded with an extraordinary amount of demonic power, even making Urus stiffen.
-What is this?
Arie was resurrecting. From what Urus knew, there was only one instance where an undead like a death knight could recover like this: its master was close by.
-No way...
In mockery of Urus’s disbelieving mumbles, three sets of footsteps echoed down the hallway and through the council chamber’s doors.
-Hey, Altheon. Am I hallucinating?
-No, I see it too.
The footsteps belonged to two familiar demons and one human woman. The problem was, they were acting like they were partners. As if to prove to Urus and Altheon that they weren’t mistaken, the two demons politely stood behind the woman.
-You two...
Icarus sprang to her feet and joyfully shouted, “Your Majesty!”