Snap. Snap. Crrrunch. Blood pooled beneath Ilfris as the fleshy tendrils retreated back into his body. Only Elya's boots and her shattered greatsword remained as Ilfris' clothes took form. The man glared at them. His piercing, crimson orbs made his hand tremble out of some primal fear that welled up within the back of his mind. Though his visage is that of a Human, the thing that dwelled behind that mask was not. Something clawed at him from the back of his mind as he raised his dagger in a defensive stance. A primal instinct born from the nature of Goblins to serve the strong.

He gulped. Beads of sweat trailed down the back of his neck as he watched the Demon warily. Silence. There was a tense silence in the air as Ilfris stood before them, his body as still as a statue. The tension snapped with a loud bang that shattered the windows of the office. The wall beside Ilfris exploded inward as a bullet shot towards him. Ilfris moved quickly, the tip of his sword already in the path of the oncoming bullet while his eyes glared at the distant figure who shot the bullet. Sparks flew everywhere as the sword turned the bullets into smithereens.

Bang. Bang. Bang. Three shots rang out and three more rock-sized holes appeared on the wall. Just as Ilfris moved to block all of the bullets, the Guildmaster threw a Magic Scroll at him while Azalia threw her dagger at the scroll. The dagger pinned the Magic Scroll to Ilfris' arm as the circle began to activate. The Demon's hand moved to tear it off, only for his hand to be blown off by the bullets that flew at him. Before he could even comprehend the Magic Circle in the scroll, Riel and Semilia grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him towards the open window.

"Gob- Sirius! Put on your hood and don't ya' fucking take it off!"

Semilia shouted at him as she tossed him out of the window.

Riel and Semilia jumped out just as the Magic Scroll activated behind them. The Goblin could feel the tremendous pull of something behind him as he rolled onto the street. He looked back and saw the roof, the walls, and the very building itself contorted inward as if being sucked into a hole. The Guildmaster panted heavily beside him while Azalia stared at the effects of the Magic Scroll.

"A new type of Magic... Well, it's not really new but this is the first time I've seen that Spell."

The Guildmaster said as the winds around the guild whipped up into a strong gust of sorts.

"It's a Spatial Spell, am I correct?"

"Indeed. Although the one who developed this one called it "Gravity Magic". The Spell engraved on that Magic Scroll that I wanted to study was called [Blackhole] but the one who gave it to me said that it was an imperfect version."

"For an imperfect Spell to have that amount of-"

"[Demonic Aura: Disrupt]!"

A pulse of sickening energy exploded out of the building. Moments later, the Spell contained within the Magic Scroll failed, and the Adventurer's Guild began to crumble.

"Damn it... Azalia! I need you to run and call for reinforcement. Sirius, I don't know how capable you are, but I'll need you to buy time for me. And just in time, Eric! Lea!"

They turned to the two figures who crawled out of the alleyway beside the Adventurer's Guild. Eric held a shield over Lea as the Healer fumbled for the potions in her bag.

"You two! Grab Stefan and Iris and bring them over here. We're gonna stop this thi-"

"Perish."

From beneath the rubble of the building, Ilfris' sword shot out and flew towards the Guildmaster.

Everyone ducked to the side to avoid the weapon. Still, he couldn't help but keep his eyes on the Guildmaster as the man took in a deep breath. Flesh and bone formed instantaneously from the sword's handle, yet the Guildmaster remained steadfast. As Ilfris' body took form just behind the sword, the Guildmaster smiled. Fast! That was the only way to describe it. The Guildmaster's arms moved quickly and managed to pin the sword just as it was about to reach his chest.

Ilfris looked surprised, to say the least. Suddenly, the Guildmaster's arm was already cocked for a powerful punch. With his other hand, he made sure to grab the sword as tightly as he could as he swung his right arm into a powerful right hook. There was a vicious snap as Ilfris blocked the blow with his arm. The Demon hissed and jumped back from the Guildmaster. His shattered arm quickly fixed itself as his eyes warily scanned the Guildmaster as he took a fighting stance against the Demon.

"Tch. I knew that a Mage wouldn't dress in such clothes..."

"Ohoh? You thought I was a Mage just because I could use Magic?"

The Guildmaster grinned as Ilfris readied his stance.

"Yes. It was wrong of me to assume your Class just because of a few tricks. But now, will you show the extent of your skills?"

The Guildmaster paused for a moment. Then with a sly grin, gave his answer to the Demon.

"No."

Suddenly, two shapes appeared behind him. Ilfris wasn't even given the chance to turn his head as two swords hacked off his arms.

"Terius! Arwin!"

Ilfris shouted the names of the two Lords that wounded him.

"This is the end for you, Demon!"

Arwin unleashed a flurry of blows upon his opponent. His strokes easily cut slashed through Ilfris' chest while Terius thrust his sword into him and shoved him down onto the ground.

The two of them jumped out of the way as a familiar, loud explosion rocked the streets. Ilfris roared as a blinding light filled the street. The force of the bullet sent bits of rock flying everywhere and stirred up a cloud of dust. Ruric shot another round, and the light illuminated the inside of the dust cloud. A deformed silhouette could be seen as it tried to snap things back together. The grotesque sight of Ilfris as he pulled himself back together, only to be scattered all over the ground once more made his stomach churn. Still, the rounds kept coming and each time, Ilfris' regeneration slowed.

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Four shots echoed out from Ruric's position. As the final shot reached the spot where Ilfris once stood, the sound of a pained growl could be heard. As the dust settled, everyone could see what has become of Ilfris. The sword itself was still intact, barely. Around it was the burnt remains of Ilfris, along with a small heap of flesh that clung desperately onto the sword. A skull formed slowly from the heap of flesh, its body strained to face Terius, its two crimson orbs filled with bitter hatred as it locked eyes with the young Lord of Arenhein.

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"Not... Not like... this."

Ilfris' body began to form once again. Slowly, this time.

"The core of that Demon lays within the sword itself. Shall I end it for you, Terius?"

"... No. This is my duty."

Terius steadily approached Ilfris, whose body looked like that of a decomposed skeleton left in the forest.

The Demon raised its sword feebly while its body slowly took a more solid shape. The blade pulsed weakly. Ilfris glanced at it as Terius raised his sword over his head. His hand moved to block the incoming strike. The flash of steel shone brilliantly as the sword cut through the air towards Ilfris' hand. Perhaps it was desperation. A plan concocted in the depths of Ilfris' mind, perhaps. Whatever it was, Ilfris cried out as the edge of the blade bit deep into his wrist.

"[Devour]!"

Ilfris' hand flew to the side, but it was done.

Like a beast unshackled, the sword's edges cracked open as the pommel of the sword opened to reveal an eye. Terius jumped back, but the sword followed after him with its tendrils. Both the Guildmaster and Arwin rushed forwards in an attempt to save him. Ilfris jumped quickly to his newly formed feet and dashed towards Terius as the sword's tendrils shot towards him. Terius moved to block the inevitable blow from both Ilfris and the sword, but their blows never connected. Instead, Arwin managed to shove him out of the way. He let out a grunt as the tendrils struck his arm and wrapped around it tightly. He let out a shout as he drew his sword.

"[Flickering Blade]!"

In an instant, the tendrils were torn apart like a weak rope. Everything below the Lord's left elbow was gone as well, most of it in the clutches of Ilfris.

The Demon said nothing as he began to devour the meat off of the bone as the sword returned to his side. Ilfris' teeth dug deep into the raw flesh. Everyone watched as the monster slowly regained its former body with each piece of meat it swallowed. Lord Arwin cussed softly as the Guildmaster cauterized the wound with a Magic Scroll, an expensive waste of a good Magic Scroll but a necessary one. Terius pushed himself off of the ground and spat. Ilfris took a step back as the sword in his hand began to throb.

"Retreat?! What do you mean? You promised me victory. I-"

Ilfris' whispers were shushed by the sword's violent hissing. The eye in its pommel shifted and moved towards the guard as a mouth began to form in its middle section.

"Kiedir kl ikl Ri'ir ikr kal 'ak ikl draekr in le'os."

Ilfris grimaced at the sword's shrill words. Ilfris glared at everyone as he held his sword so tight that he drew blood from his hand.

"It was your idea to go and fee- Nevermind. What should I do now?"

The sword let out an ear-piercing shriek as Ilfris' arm moved ina forced and shaky manner.

Ilfris sliced at the ground in one, clean stoke. Instead of cutting a groove in the ground, the tip of the blade simply left behind blood that coagulated into strange symbols. Flames erupted from each symbol. It writhed around like serpents and bit into Ilfris and consumed him rapidly. As his body was burned away by the hellish fire, Ilfris laughed at Terius. His crimson eye blazed like falling stars as his other eye melted in its socket. He raised a skeletal finger at the young Lord as his body began to crumble slowly.

"Next time... I'll kill you."

Ilfris' body crumbled into ashes as the flames disappeared. Terius gnashed his teeth as he stared at the pile of grey ashes where Ilfris once stood.

"We will not be seeing him for a while."

The Guildmaster muttered softly as he stared at the ashes.

"He sacrificed his physical body to return to Hell. A dirty trick used by Demons when they cannot risk losing important information."

Lord Arwin scuffed at the Guildmaster's words as he pressed a hand on the cauterized stump that was his arm.

"Nothing less from a Demon."

He said with a grim tone as he turned to his Knight. Aster let out a mortified gasp as she approached him, a Healing Scroll already at the ready in her hand.

"M-My Lord! Your arm! I-"

"It's alright, Aster. A hand is a small price to pay to secure victory."

Lord Arwin tapped his right cheek as he stared at the stump.

"If my [Commander's Foresight] failed me in those few seconds, Arenhein would've been slaughtered."

"M-My Lord?"

Lord Arwin muttered whilst he stared at the ashes with a furrowed brow.

"To think that if our enemy had a greater understanding of the weapon in his hands, we would've been at his mercy. Still, the cost was greater than I expected..."

Lord Arwin turned towards Terius. The young Lord stared at the spot where Ilfris once stood, the corners of his lips curled into a deep frown.

"That Demon... Why did it hold such a deep grudge towards you, Terius?"

"... I don't know."

Terius said softly as he continued to stare at the pile of grey ashes.

"Besides, that's not important. What's important is getting this city up and running again instead of dawdling around asking what caused this."

----------------------------------------

"And thus, we have recovered a most important piece."

A female voice echoed within the grand, dark hall of a palace far greater than those made by Men, Dwarf, and Elven hands.

"Sadly, not all artifacts were recovered. But we have captured the three pieces needed to secure your position."

A deep, soothing voice purred from somewhere within the hall.

"It's fine. Prepare a body for the one that brought Father's sword back where it belongs."

"... We're not going to cast him aside?"

"Of course not! As much as I want to throw out that abomination to the eyes, we are still bound by a Devil's Contract."

In the midst of the spacious yet empty hall, a slender woman rose from a simple throne of black rock and steel. Her indigo haired rolled down her back and reached her waist. Her green and red eyes glistened as she glanced out of one of the many large windows. She smiled and revealed a pair of sharp, white fangs. Her body was covered with armor from the neck down, an armor made from thick steel with a deep shade of black. She walked towards one of the windows and stared at the vast city that lay beneath her.

"Besides, that man may be of use in the coming days ahead."

She stared at the blood-red skies and the black clouds that covered her lands.

Beneath the Barag'End Citadel, a vast river of bodies marched out of its gates. From their homes, people cheered as their warriors carried the black and red banners of Elishna, the Demon King that ruled over the one Demon kingdom outside of Hell. Slowly, they marched towards a chasm in the midst of a ruined city. Beyond that chasm is the largest rift that leads to Hell and the first of the four kingdoms she will need to subdue. Her people's cheers filled the city as both False and True Demons marched towards the homeland of their kin in the name of the one who will soon become their Emperor.

Elishna smiled softly. Although she failed to capture most of the items she will need in her future battles, she had secured the most important pieces among them. It would take them a few years at least to make the other Demon Kings bend their knees, but she knew she had the time. If she could secure the entirety of Hell, she would have an army no kingdom nor empire could triumph over. The thought made her tail wag. With all of Hell's might behind her, she could break that damned nation to the west of her.

"I also have to mention the situation at the Northern Front."

The figure behind Elishna spoke softly with a slight tremble in his voice.

"It seems that they have managed to beat the punitive force we-"

"Forget about the eastern front and reduce our presence there. Send the majority of our forces to secure the western borders and impose strict rationing of food in the kingdom."

Elishna said as large sections at the back of her armor folded away to the side. A pair of wings unfurled and sent black feathers everywhere.

"I'll go for a stroll for a few hours. Have someone clean this up, Beelzy."

Gusts of strong wind scattered the black feathers all over the room as the figure let out a hiss and a sigh. A pair of insect legs fixed the figure's bowtie as his compound eyes scanned the room.

"That girl is a damn handful... Just like her father."

The figure's mandibles snapped and clicked as his four arms folded together. He glanced at the feather nearest to him and picked it up.

"Spread your wings, little Eli, for it shall cover the world in its shade... That's a good line. I will need to write that down."

Beelzebub smiled—if you could call stretching his mandibles out a smile—and quietly left the room.