"Those hellish bastards truly savor this stuff, to be honest…" Belette inhaled deeply, his expression resembling that of a drug addict entranced by their vice. "It has a rather delightful taste."

"Put that down, you bastard! I’ll break your hand…" The fat on Meat Mountain seemed ready to explode, and while Carlo couldn’t discern his face, he could feel the intensity of his simmering rage.

"Calm down, Ebolos…" Belette casually set the snuff bottle aside. "Shouldn’t a friend be graciously welcomed when visiting? It’s basic etiquette…"

"Damn your etiquette! Do you wish to become my next meal?…" Meat Mountain huffed, the fire of his anger flickering a bit. "This damn rage is exhausting me…"

Carlo watched as a large chunk of fat sagged from Meat Mountain, repulsive and writhing like liquid on the ground. He then opened a black box beside him.

A hissing sound escaped, as if countless small creatures were crammed together.

It was a box of little demons, fresh from their shattered eggs. Carlo even spotted the broken shells beneath.

Meat Mountain swiftly seized one of the struggling little demons and pulled it back into his mass. The sound of chewing echoed, followed by splattering juices. Carlo finally located Meat Mountain’s mouth, a foul orifice that continuously exhaled putrid air.

"What brings you here, Belette…" Meat Mountain, having consumed something, appeared in a much better mood, mumbling, "You aren’t planning to exploit poor Ebolos again, are you…"

Belette’s long fingers rhythmically tapped on the counter, his gaze roaming with an unsettling hunger.

"I need six soul orbs, six space boxes… hmm, and any new trinkets you might have…"

"Sure…" Meat Mountain picked up another little demon and stuffed it into his mouth. "But I want to see the disaster coins first…"

Belette chuckled, suddenly producing a small black pouch and tossing it onto the counter with a crisp clink of irregularly shaped black crystals.

These must be the disaster coins.

"Papa!" Meat Mountain suddenly exclaimed, a foul stench filling the air.

The little demon that Belette had kicked earlier scampered in, bowing respectfully. "What is your command, esteemed Lord Ebolos?"

"Six soul orbs, six space boxes, bring them to my dear friend Belette." Meat Mountain happily devoured another little demon.

Capriciousness was the nature of demons.

The little demon swiftly retrieved the requested items.

The soul orbs resembled black crystal spheres, while the space boxes were no larger than matchboxes.

Seeing the goods, Belette nodded in satisfaction and casually pocketed the snuff bottle from the counter.

"Until next time, Ebolos…"

Carlo heard Meat Mountain’s furious roar behind him: "You will die in the blood battle this time, Belette…"

Having secured what he needed, Belette led Carlo and Nemos out of the fortress, leaving the other three behind.

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So far, Belette hadn’t shared any of their plans or goals with Carlo, and Carlo didn’t inquire.

As the fifth blood moon fully descended, the bloody fortress transformed into a boiling cauldron, the sounds of horns, wails, and roars intertwining as countless powerful demons unfurled their wings and soared into the sky.

Then, a shadow blotted out the sun.

It was the dragon; Carlo beheld it once more.

"Go up and tear apart those heavenly bastards…"

A deep voice echoed through the skies, imbued with a powerful, sinister aura that sent chills through every demon’s spine.

It was the roar of the demon lord, Anros.

The demons howled frantically as the gates of the bloody fortress slowly creaked open, resembling a giant head gaping wide, spewing forth countless locusts.

The dragon flapped its wings, unleashing numerous armored high-ranking demons, accompanied by a horde of lesser demons below.

"For the glory of Lord Anros!" a boisterous voice rang out, belonging to a massive demon the size of three Carls, its presence terrifying, a force above even Belette, commanding in stature.

Outside the bloody fortress, a surge of great demons joined the demonic army, most being high-ranking, with a few at the commander level.

Like Belette, they sought to profit from the war, hoping to navigate the chaos of the blood battle.

Carlo followed Belette into the ranks, surrounded by blood-red eyes and twisted, frenzied faces.

These demons were driven by a lust for slaughter, slipping into an inexplicable frenzy.

This intent also began to affect Carlo, seeping into his mind like mist, a voice incessantly urging him to kill, kill, kill…

As the demon army reached the chasm of the abyss, the fourth blood moon in the sky erupted in dazzling light, bathing all demons in a blood-red glow, enhancing their strength and igniting their desires.

Carlo felt an inexplicable rage surging within him, a tempest of irritability and destruction.

"The power of the wrath demon Sammael, this blood battle is under his dominion."

The seed of original sin that had long been dormant in Carlo’s mind suddenly ignited with a red light, absorbing the fiery rage like flowing water, bringing Carlo’s heart back to a tranquil state.

He suddenly jolted, then resumed a façade of being influenced, emitting low growls from his throat.

The stronger the demon, the less they were affected by the blood moon. Even the usually slick Nemos now resembled a furious beast, all the insects buzzing restlessly, while Belette merely had slightly reddened eyes.

"Keep up!" Belette murmured, spreading his bony wings and moving toward the center of the ranks. Before long, Carlo spotted the three he had separated from earlier.

"Where are the items?" Belette growled, radiating a chilling, ruthless aura, starkly contrasting his usual feigned benevolence; perhaps this was his true nature.

Karthas and Midena each produced a shriveled, dark red fruit.

Carlo’s pupils contracted slightly, his heart jolting, though he displayed no outward signs.

The fruit bore a resemblance to the Sin Fruit but appeared malnourished.

Belette collected the fruits, contemplating briefly before selecting one and handing it to Carlo.

"Sir…" Karthas hissed like a snake, glaring at Carlo with her crimson eyes, "This is so unfair…"

The others echoed her sentiment, especially the inherently violent Scythe Demon Midena, making Carlo feel as though the scythe in her hand might fall upon him at any moment.

"I don’t need your guidance!" Belette seized Karthas by the neck, choking her so she couldn’t breathe, his face revealing a vicious expression.

"We understand…" Karthas licked Belette’s hand lightly, like a pet seeking to appease its master.

Belette released Karthas and tossed the fruit to Carlo: "Hold onto it, eat it when you’re about to die… I don’t want you to perish so easily in the blood battle…"

Belette panted heavily, a sinister smile dancing in his eyes.

Karthas and the others fell silent, while Nemos looked at the fruit with evident jealousy.

Carlo stowed the fruit away, feeling no gratitude toward Belette; this man was clearly eyeing his potential, hoping to cultivate a powerful and loyal servant, especially since he had learned Carlo’s true name, making betrayal impossible.

Next, Belette distributed the soul orbs and space boxes he had just acquired to everyone.

"I’ll wait for you all at the usual place." Belette’s gaze swept across the group, grinning, "I hope to see each of you after the blood battle."

Karthas, Nemos, and the others dispersed, leaving Carlo alone.

"Stick close to me, little one, don’t get torn apart aimlessly," Belette flapped forward, and Carlo quietly followed.

At this moment, the demon army unleashed a deafening roar. Ahead of them, countless golden lights poured down, and the spatial barrier trembled violently.

In the next instant, numerous black fissures opened, from which emerged robust giants, elves, silver-armored warriors, and winged angels.

The heavenly army had arrived, led by a six-winged seraph, a match for the commanding demons.

The blood battle had begun!