The mages reacted in an instant at Neve's words, a ring of blazing blue flame immediately surrounded Sorin. The heat smoldered around him as the fire crackled and burned the perimeter around Sorin.

It was a gallant attempt, to showcase the powers of the council mages. Behind the curtain of the azure blue flames, Sorin could hear them casting a spell as bright magic circles started to form above Sorin and Neve.

A predatory grin formed across Sorin's lips, the expression looked unfit for his gentle features "What a feisty bunch." he snarled at them, his tone condescending.

The sound of the magic being cast was a testament to their strength. Sorin knew that even if he used divine magic, he would not survive, there wouldn't even be a trace of him left.

But Sorin does not only have divine magic, does he?

The demonic beasts hissed and howled at the assault, Their forms shifted and contorted in response to the attack on their master, they were to attack the moment Sorin gives an order.

Sorin gestured his hand, telling the beasts to stand down.

This was his promise to Neve, he was the one responsible for these old bastards.

Sorin closed his eyes for a second, the energy around the chamber shifted. Despite the bright flames blazing around the saint, the air turned cold.

Purple eyes opened a tint of black swirling within his pupils. The flames flickered at the sudden change "Oh, Lucifer." he hummed in a soft exhale, his words dripping with devotion.

"May you punish these fools who dare to stand in my way."

Everything came down to a halt. An eerie stillness fell unto the chamber as the flames disappeared in an instant, not even leaving a trace of mana in the air.

Sorin locked eyes with the mages, his smile had changed to something gentler after he had mentioned Lucifer's name. He reveled at their expressions of surprise and fear, a shiver run down Sorin's spine.

A surge of miasma crackled in the air, tendrils of pure darkness that seemed to purge any semblance of light. It was the complete opposite of his divine magic.

The tendrils coiled and twisted around Sorin, a mocking imitation of the mages' magic.

"This is the price you pay for your arrogance, dear mages." Sorin smiled as he watched terror fill their faces.

"We will not forgive you for what you've done, heretic." One of the council mages growled at him, his golden staff casting a bright light as a barrier surrounding them.

The black-haired saint rolled his eyes at his words "I do not seek for forgiveness, you old man."

With a casual wave of his hand, Sorin pushed away the rubble surrounding him before gently placing Neve on the floor. He leaned closer to her and whispered "Should I give you a show, archmage?"

Neve's silver eyes flickered with a mix of amusement and exhaustion as they locked onto Sorin's gaze. She shakily returned Sorin's smile "You're rubbing your filthy nature on me, Sorin."

A sly smile curled at the corner of Sorin's lips as he straightened his back, his attention shifting back to the mages.

The mages watched with wary eyes, they knew they were cornered, their display of power was nothing compared to Sorin's– A man who made a deal with the devil.

It was a familiar feeling, almost like Sorin had been using dark magic all along. The atmosphere shifted as the miasma danced and twisted around Sorin's figure, casting a shadow on his figure.

The very air vibrated with a sickening amount of dark energy– a testament to humanity's despair and suffering. Sorin extended his hand out in a graceful manner his palm facing the mages, revealing the stigmata etched on his skin.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

The tendrils of miasma obeyed his command as they spiraled around him like serpents. Sorin's expression was serene as if he was praying, a soft smile gracing his lips.

Then, every ounce of miasma disappeared, all gathered within Sorin's fingertips. He clenched his hand into a fist, the destructive energy concentrated with his palms.

He could see them panicking, casting defensive spells but it was a blur to Sorin. The only thing he could focus on was the sheer amount of power that Lucifer had gracefully provided him.

This wasn't even a drop in the bucket.

And then, Sorin had decided their fates.

He opened his palms and the miasma surged forward, instantly clashing with the barrier. The chamber trembled at the sudden impact before a sharp sound rang through the air.

Sorin's laugh reverberated in their ears, it was low and melodic, filled with grotesque amusement as he played with their lives.

"Power is such an unfair thing, isn't it?" Sorin tilted his head mockingly "Even if you try your whole miserable lives, you wouldn't even reach the peak of strength. That's because power is given to those who deserve it."

The smoke and dust dissipated to show some of the council mages already on their knees, the slight smell of blood already wafting around the air.

It seemed to excite the demonic beasts.

"But none of you greedy bastards deserve the power and position you hold." Sorin continued in an amused tone-

"That power that you hold, do you think you deserve it?!" A council mage cut him off as he coughed blood from his throat.

Sorin's eyes narrowed but his smile remained "Do I?" he hummed teasingly "It was given to me by someone the likes of you couldn't even fathom to comprehend. A God made flesh."

"You are indeed a heretic, the gods will never forgive you."

"I do not care about those petty figures. I only worship the one who gave me this chance, the only one who deserves my praise and you dare compare her to those puny gods?" Sorin's words burned with retaliation.

These mages really are foolish.

"I have to end this now, I have someone waiting for me back home."

Sorin signaled his hand as all the demonic beasts lunged toward the council mages and the remaining surviving mages.

As screams echoed within the chambers, Sorin eyed the scene with his full interest before gesturing to a woman "Bring her to me." he ordered.

The demonic beasts pushed the shaking mage towards Sorin, her cloak and face were already coated with the blood of her comrades.

Sorin stepped closer to her before bringing her down to her knees with a flick of his wrist. A soft grunt escaped the woman's lips "Ugh..."

He gently placed a finger under the woman's chin, eyeing her face. She was probably the same age as Sorin and Neve, her skin was fair although not as fair as the archmage's. The mage's eyes were a deep green and her hair a dark shade of blonde.

She trembled at his touch, her breathing uneven and panicked. Sorun could easily trace the terror lacing her every breath. He let go of her face "Hm, you'll do well."

"W-what?" she asked.

Sorin ignored her question and turned to Neve "Can you use your magic? I think you're more adept than me." He asked her.

The archmage's brows furrowed but she let out a tired sigh and just nodded her head. Sorin's eyes brightened at her response as he helped her up from the floor, moving her closer to the mage.

The mage let out a shrill shriek, trying to crawl away from Sorin and Neve but it was futile. Sorin immediately grabbed her by the hair, harshly pulling her back to them.

His expression turned cold, one that was filled with disgust "Are you an idiot?" he clicked his tongue "You can go back into the fray if you want to be eaten by the beasts."

The mage shook her head in response, crying out apologies and begging for her life.

"That's enough, Sorin," Neve warned as she placed a hand on the woman's face, her face remained stoic as always as she locked eyes with the mage.

"A-archmage, please, spare my life, please," she begged.

"I wish I could be as ignorant as you." Neve whispered, her tone filled with resentment "Unfortunately, this must be done so that I could finally be free."

An azure light glowed on Neve's fingertips as she spoke: "You understand right?"

"No, please, please, I'm sorry, I'm sorry-" The woman's garbled words of apologies were ignored as Neve's magic surrounded her.

It didn't even take a second before her hair and eyes became the same silver color as Neve's.

"Is this enough?" Neve asked Sorin.

"It's amazing." Sorin returned.

"I'll need someone to be the archmage's replacement, nobody would care if an insignificant mage is gone, right?" Sorin pulled the woman closer to him "At least, you'll be worshipped in your death."

Sorin placed his palm on the woman's face before miasma surrounded her flesh like flames licking at her skin. Sorin would burn all traces of her, in the end, she'll be a burnt corpse resembling the archmage.

The woman's pained scream grated in Sorin's ears as he dropped her body to the ground. The mage writhed and rolled around the floor, trying to put out the fire.

Neve blinked at the sight "...How jarring."

The transformation of the woman's appearance mimicking her own was eerie to witness but it was necessary. Neve's expression remained impassive as she watched the mage's writhing form slowly still.

Her flesh was nothing more but a charred image resembling the archmage's 'death'. There were hints of silver hair left but just enough to be used as evidence.

Sorin's eyes gleamed with satisfaction, as the chamber was filled with the screams of the other mages, a choir of agony and despair.

Their fights against the countless demons were already halting.

"Can you leave the head mage for me?" Neve asked quietly. Her emotions were veiled by her icy facade.

Sorin's smile remained the same, a hint of surprise in his purple eyes "Of course," he answered "This is for you, after all."

Neve's heart skipped a beat.