AN: Hello, the slothful author here, I want to say that the previous chapter was utter bullshit and you could not tell otherwise.
Anyways, there is literally no information about the Demon King's daughter aside from the fact that she was the strongest general, so I can write whatever I want about her. And so, I choose to give her one of the names that I feared the most, Akuma. (The mf tortured me via discord.)
Also, since we don't know the name of the former-demon king general (The angel guy who draws mana from the demonic realm), I will just name him Syspheraton; the same goes for Beldia's (Or is it Verdia?) apprentice, so his name is Ferdia now.
Ok, so I've decided to buff the army a little bit. And of course, last but not least, OCCness.
A dreadful moment in the Discord server (In which I will secretly drop a link somewhere in the fanfic in the future!):
Ville: Dear Xciozen,
I implore you with the utmost urgency to persist in the composition of your literary endeavor. Failure to do so will result in the most dire consequences, both personally and professionally. I humbly request that you consider the magnitude of your literary pursuit and the ramifications of abandoning it. Your writing has the potential to be a masterpiece, one that will be lauded for generations to come. By relinquishing your task, you are depriving the world of the beauty and profundity of your words. Moreover, I must warn you of the repercussions that will ensue should you cease your writing. Your reputation as a writer will be irreparably damaged, and your standing in the literary community will be forever tarnished. You will be viewed as a quitter, who lacked the fortitude to see your writing through to the end. In addition, you must consider the personal ramifications of abandoning your work. Your soul will be tormented with the knowledge that you gave up, that you failed to harness the full potential of your creative mind. This will be a source of regret and shame for the rest of your days. Therefore, I urge you to redouble your efforts and persevere in your writing. The world is waiting for your words, and to abandon them now would be a tragedy of epic proportions. I implore you to summon your inner strength, your creative energy, and your passion for the written word, and to continue your literary journey without delay.
Sincerely,
Villerairkiller, your co-writer who shall be the executioner. By the time you have finished reading this, I am a thousand meters within your range. Please, brace for the impact that is destined to be bestowed upon your thin glass worth of a human body.
Xciozen: Please send help.
[Chapter 7.5: Recruiting Rumors]
Every day is just like the one before it in this land. The bright blue sky is often dimmed by clouds, casting a shadow over a regal castle that seems isolated from the mortal world. Inside the castle's grand hall sits an empty throne, waiting for its master to return. A violet carpet path leads towards the throne, outlined by gleaming gold. Along the walls, smaller thrones are carefully arranged.
The castle belongs to a malevolent Demon King who is feared by all who know of him. However, the king's armies are now in shambles, and chaos reigns as his troops tremble with fear because of the rumors that are rapidly spreading around.
Just then, everything stopped in its track, as eyes poured toward a man.
Chatters and whispers took place as the troops opened up the way for the man. His superior aura was enough to make them kneel on their own without a command. Their mind raced around thousands of thoughts, wondering what it could be that brought their ruler here. As he walked through each quaking troop, his sharp and dangerous eyes locked on the castle, he read the hidden thoughts behind those sweaty faces.
"Worry not, my underlings. I'm here for a meeting," bellowed the man with glacial composure. "I expect you all to keep my territory safe from all forces until the meeting ends. Don't disappoint me."
One of the troops, possessing a steel heart, stood up to question the man. Their throat stuttered with each words, but encouraged by their comrades, they finally crafted a question.
"Mayhaps I ask? What brings you here? "
"Hmm? That's a good question," the man stops before the troop, towering over them. "Recently, people claimed that a few individuals with great power have descended upon this world. With the current state we are in, it would be hard to beat them if they were to take action against us."
The man's statement left everyone shocked, and they are trying their best to hold that feeling down, not wanting to cause an uproar in the face of their ruler. And as the man continues his marching into the castle, he stumbled across a mirror. He, at first, ignored it. But after a second consideration for his looks, he quietly walked back, inspecting himself.
"Hah... I've gotten older," he expressively muttered. "If the man in the mirror was the young King from years ago, maybe he would've conquered the world by now."
The man stands lost in thought, reminiscing about his prime. Meanwhile, in the vacant throne room just beyond him, two of the Demon King's generals are already seated, waiting for the arrival of others.
Rouzelli, the Elder Red Dragon, was infamous for her destructive power. Reports claimed that with a single breath of fire, she had incinerated an entire village, leaving nothing but ash in her wake. Some even whispered that a single flap of her mighty wings had been enough to level buildings and send people scattering in all directions.
Ferdia, the Dullahan and apprentice of Beldia, was feared for his dark powers. Many believed that he had the ability to curse people and turn them into his undead servants, forever bound to do his bidding. It was rumored that he once destroyed an Eris church that had strayed too far from the safety of its capital, leaving nothing but ruins and death in his wake.
Currently, there's only Ferdia and Rouzelli in the room, and Rouzelli is getting very impatient, not that she could do anything anyways.
"Making the mother of all dragon eggs, Rouzel. Can't fret over every dragon." Said Ferdia as he leaned against the chair with his hands behind his head, which is currently attached to the neck.
"Are you so bored now that you have to mock me?" Rouzelli spat, "Should I spend my free time to find a way for your thing to be able to stand so you won't get so bored?"
Hearing that, Ferdia's head rolls off his shoulder, then gets picked up by his hand, "H-Hey! That was personal to us undead! And besides, I've done my homework, and I found nothing to help my boy. But if you managed to find a way for him to stand up by miracle then please tell me, I will forever be grateful to you until I'm dead."
"...But you're already dead." Rouzelli deadpanned.
"...I-" But Ferdia was cut by a loud door slam, whipping back, he sees a young-looking woman storming, looking very...Furious.
"Hey Furiosa, how you doin-" The Dullahan wasn't even able to get an attempt at courting the furious goddess before he was met with a massive fireball to his face. Which he managed to dodge in the peck of the time.
"Hey! What was that for?!"
The army has recently gained a new recruit, General Furiosa, known throughout the land as the fearsome Goddess of Wrath and Destruction. Furiosa is a goddess of fierce power and beauty, with striking features that draw attention. Her most notable feature is her long, flowing hair, which glows with a fiery red radiance that seems to emanate from within. Her eyes are a piercing yellow, feline in shape and intensity, and seem to glow with a similar inner light. Along with her elf-like ears slightly peeking from the sides.
Adding to her otherworldly appearance, Furiosa also possesses a pair of majestic horns, which curve gracefully upward from her forehead. The horns are a deep, rich brown in color, with a polished gleam that catches the light and adds to their otherworldly beauty. She also has an oval-shaped mark between her brows just like her sister, Wolfbach.
Furiosa's clothing is as bold and striking as her appearance. She wears a flowing gown of deep crimson, crafted from a fine silk that shimmers in the light. The gown is form-fitting, hugging her curves in all the right places, and trails behind her in a long, flowing train.
The gown is adorned with intricate embroidery in gold and silver thread, depicting scenes of battle and triumph. The embroidery is so finely detailed that it almost looks like it was painted on, and adds to the sense of majesty and power that surrounds Furiosa. Over the majestic gown, a black cloak cat with a thick row of snow white fur at the collar adds more to her superiority.
Around her waist, Furiosa wears a thick leather belt studded with polished gems of ruby and onyx. The belt is ornate but functional, holding a variety of weapons and tools that she uses in battle.
Her reason for joining the army is a deeply personal one - she seeks vengeance for the death of her sister, Wolbach, the Goddess of Sloth and Violence. Furiosa had been in a deep slumber in an unknown location after wreaking havoc upon humanity, but one day, she woke up prematurely, filled with unease and worried about something unknown to anyone else.
As Furiosa searched for answers, her gut feeling only grew stronger, telling her that something had gone horribly wrong. She delved deep into her memories until she realized that she could no longer sense the link between herself and Wolbach. The overwhelming feeling of wrath consumed her, and she didn't care about her lack of rest. She stormed out of her quarters, determined to seek vengeance for her fallen sister. In that moment, even Furiosa herself doubted whether she was truly deserving of her title as the Goddess of Vengeance.
Furiosa looked like she was about to jump at Ferdia, but she decided to swallow her wrath for now.
"Oh, Ferdia-kun~, please don't play around with my young maiden heart~" Furiosa spoke with an awfully sweet voice, but the dullahan and the dragon could see the venom (that could melt metal in seconds) in that so-called honey.
Ferdia trembled with fear as he gazed upon the imposing figure of the woman before him. Unable to find his voice, he sealed his lips and cowered in silence, whimpering as he buried his face in his trembling hands.
Rouzelli, while more composed than Ferdia, was also visibly rigid and tense in the presence of the woman. The three sat in uncomfortable silence for several moments, their nerves on edge.
Suddenly, the room was filled with the sound of a door opening and slamming shut. Another noblewoman had entered, gliding gracefully across the floor with an air of elegance and poise.
Seresdina, known throughout the land as the Dark Priest, was an anomaly in the Demon King's army. She stood out as the only (Full) human, and her unwavering devotion to Regina, the Goddess of Vengeance and Manipulation, was well known to all who dared to cross her path. Her fervor had reached such heights that even the Axis Cultists, who were renowned for their fanaticism, would have been taken aback by her intensity.
At times, Seresdina would become a vessel for Regina's power, allowing the goddess to briefly take control and unleash her full wrath upon the world. These moments were rare, but when they occurred, they were truly awe-inspiring, showcasing the awesome might and cunning of the Goddess of Vengeance and Manipulation.
"Hey, Sere-"
Before Ferdia gets to finish his greeting, he was gifted with a glare that sent shivers down his spine. No, forget about the spine - soul. His soul was frozen in fear. As if Regina, the Goddess of Vengeance and Manipulation herself just sent him a death glare. He feared that it might be true due to Seresdina's new unbreakable devotion to Regina.
Ferdia's ambition to attain the rank of General had been replaced by a more pressing desire - survival. At that moment, all he wanted was to escape the room with his life, as he felt the weight of the intense gazes of the three powerful women bearing down on him. He could sense their disdain and contempt as if they viewed him as nothing more than a lowly insect unworthy of their attention.
Ferdia could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he hugged his head close and shut his eyes tight, praying for another night of life so he could bask in the glow of the moon once more. Suddenly, the door creaked open, and in stepped Syspheraton, the Fallen Angel and former general of the army. Dressed in a pristine white robe and mask, and wielding a staff of the same color, he cut an imposing figure. With pure white wings adorning his back, Syspheraton was the full-time guardian of the Demon King's castle and was rumored to be an incredibly powerful mage, who has the potential to outdo the Demon King.
[Sohom edit: No doors were hurt during this chapter.]
As the tension in the room grew thicker, another figure appeared – a woman who exuded an aura of quiet confidence, standing tall and proud like a dark knight. Her striking features were impossible to ignore: a sharp jawline, piercing fire-red eyes that gleamed in the dim light, and a mane of fiery red hair that was tightly braided. Her skin was pale and flawless, lending her an almost ethereal quality. She commanded attention with her presence alone, and it was clear that she was not to be underestimated.
She wears a suit of armor that is both functional and stylish, its sleek black design adorned with intricate silver details that catch the light with every movement. The armor is form-fitting but allows for a full range of motion, emphasizing the dark knight's lithe and agile frame. The outstanding part of her gear was the absolutely oversized axe she effortlessly carried over her shoulder; it was at least twice her size and looked as if it could bisect a dragon in one blow.
Meet Furea Akuma – the adopted daughter of the Demon King. Despite being (Nearly full) human, Akuma is the strongest General in the army, possessing both incredible combat prowess and the ability to lead with skill and cunning. Her strategic mind is unparalleled, allowing her to plan out the movements of the army and execute complex schemes with ease.
But what truly sets Akuma apart is her weapon of choice – the Cursed Demon Axe, Utyr. This blade is permanently imbued with the curse of anti-regeneration, making it a formidable tool in battle, catching her enemies off guard with its unexpected effects. With her skill and deadly weapon, Furea is not to be trifled with.
After her majesty's arrival, the room fell silent as the King made his entrance. He exuded a dense black mist that seemed to invigorate everyone present, yet it also instilled a growing sense of fear within them. His attire, entirely black, appeared to embody the essence of darkness itself. Two menacing horns protruded from his forehead, and his short gray hair seemed to contain an unnerving amount of unholy magic power. This was Kyouichi Yasaka, the fearsome King, and his presence commanded respect and awe from all who beheld him.
Despite his advanced age and the apparent decline in physical prowess, there was no denying the formidable strength of the Demon King. He is still capable of breaking the president in two with bare hands. Could've gone pro if he went to the president-breaking college instead of becoming the Demon King. Nonetheless, his current abilities were still awe-inspiring. In his presence, even the lowliest of soldiers in his army could be transformed into mighty warriors, with the strength and power to rival giants. Though his body may have grown weaker, his skills and abilities remained potent, and his reputation as a fearsome leader was well-deserved.
As the two royals entered the room, every person in attendance immediately kneeled on the floor to show them their respect.
"Your Majesty," they intoned in unison.
"Please, rise and take a seat," commanded Yasaka, indicating with a gesture that they should stand and return to their seats. "We have an important meeting today."
Once everyone had settled, the Demon King leaned forward, his arms crossed in front of him. "As you are all aware," he began, "our army has suffered significant losses at the hands of a certain adventurer and his party. I'm sure you know of whom I speak." He raised an eyebrow in question, his gaze sweeping across the room.
"Very well, Your Majesty," Seresdina replied with a respectful bow. "I have devised a plan to blend in with the peasants in Axel and, once I have achieved that, I will utilize my puppetry ability to manipulate the target as necessary."
"However, before we continue with that discussion, may I respectfully acknowledge our guests?" Yasaka gestured towards the door, prompting everyone to turn their attention toward the entrance.
"Please come in, candidates. If you aspire to become a General, it is important to first show respect to your superiors by greeting them."
Everyone observed as a scrawny man enters the room, noting his nervousness and uncertainty. They could see that he was intimidated by the presence of the important figures in the room, but also determined to make a good impression.
As the first candidate approached the center of the room, he awkwardly bowed before the assembled group and introduced himself.
They watched as the candidate stepped forward, clearly nervous and struggling to maintain his composure. Everyone could see the effort he was making to control his shaking legs and steady his voice.
After taking a deep breath and loudly clearing his throat, the candidate introduced himself with a slightly shaky voice. He nervously adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
"Greetings, Your Majesty and Your Highness. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a position in your formidable force. My name is Netray, and I am a demon... More specifically, an Oni, as described in Japanese folklore."
Netray the genius Oni. He's a remarkable figure, despite his short and scrawny frame. His striking blonde hair and piercing yellow eyes catch the attention of anyone who would enter the room. He is often seen wearing black pants and a white coat reminiscent of a lab coat, which adds to his scientific aura. As he surveys his surroundings, his eyes seem to sparkle with intelligence and curiosity, a testament to his genius mind.
Yasaka was intrigued by Netray's admission of his demon heritage. He wondered what skills and abilities Netray could bring to his army, and looked forward to learning more about him.
As the chatter in the room grew louder and more chaotic, Netray felt himself on the brink of collapse. However, he summoned all the confidence he had been bottling up for years and managed to maintain an outward appearance of composure.
"State your reasoning," Yasaka demanded with pride, his chin resting on the back of his hand.
"I came here to find a way to put an end to the conflict between humans and our kind, the Onis," Netray replied. "They have caused immeasurable suffering for my people, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to bring it to an end, even if it requires brutal measures."
Ferdia couldn't resist the opportunity to bully Netray, finding him an easy target. "Heh, this demon is the most pathetic I've ever seen," he snickered. "Hey, Nerdtray! Care to explain the materials used to build this place-"
"Shut up, Mister Walking-brainless-corpse-who-tries-to-eject-every-10-minutes-despite-knowing-full-well-that-it's-impossible," Netray snarled in response, his frustration boiling over.
Ferdia was left speechless and devastated by Netray's biting retort, his once-confident demeanor now crumbling into dust.
The Demon King was highly perceptive and quickly took notice of Netray's possession of information that he should not have known, which piqued his interest.
All of a sudden, Netray dropped to his knees with an inscrutable smirk on his face. "Yes, your Majesty, you are correct," he chuckled with confidence, adjusting his glasses. As he did so, his lenses emitted a blinding light, illuminating the entire room with the intensity of the sun. "I do possess information that I was never supposed to have."
"Argh! My eyes!" Ferdia agonizingly shrieked, his throat throttling from the scream, stupidly using his head to block the source of light for his body. "What have you done?! My eyes!"
"Payback~" The nerd teased in a rather feminine voice, and nobody within the room wanted to ask how he did that. Ferdia was absolutely flabbergasted afterward, he had been shocked for the umpteenth time ever since this meeting.
"...Alright, you're hired. Nerdtra- Netray." Yasaka stuttered, he was kinda in shock at what just happened. Before gaining all of his composure back in an instant and shouting, "Next!"
Netray goes to sit on a spare chair afterward.
And just then, a tall woman slammed the door open. Cracking the floor with every footstep of hers, a ruthless aura of wrath emits from her, casting fear upon most of the inhabitants within the room.
"Hm? I wonder what such a fierce lady like you are doing here?" Yasaka said with an interested grin. The fierce lady in question wasted no chance to-
"I am here to avenge my children," She growled, her voice thick with anger. The blood vessels in her neck bulged as she spoke, and her body tensed with barely contained fury. Despite her rage, she approached the Demon King with poise and elegance, her lips pressed into a tight smile. "That damned war criminal will pay for what he's done. I will not rest until I see his flesh rotting in the ground."
Furiosa looked at her in awe, impressed by her wrath, sharing sympathy with her too. While Seresdina mused to herself in amusement, thinking to herself that she could be an amazing follower for Regina. Too bad, Seresdina is a little bit selfish and she wants to take all the perks for herself, silently sending an apology to the furious candidate.
Yasaka tilted his head, regarding her with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, "Oh? And who is it unfortunate enough to be caught in your ceaseless wrath?"
"It's none of your business," she spat, her eyes flashing with fury, "Just give me the power and I will demolish that filth."
Akuma stepped forward, her axe raised threateningly. "How dare you speak to my father like that?! Do you wish to have your head cut off?" Her glare showed hostility, ready to strike the opponent down at any second.
Ferdia cowered in fear of getting caught in the crossfire, being afraid of death, (Well, he's already dead but you get what I mean) he zipped his mouth and silently activated a skill that let him hide in the darkness. On the other hand, Furiosa wouldn't mind sitting in the back and observing how the situation unfolds.
The woman's lips curled into a sneer as she regarded Akuma with disdain. "I have faced far greater challenges than the likes of you, child. But if you insist on getting in my way, I will not hesitate to strike you down."
"Is that a challenge?" Akuma narrows her eyes, intensely blazing with a crimson glow.
"Haha, so full of spirits for an extinct species," Yasaka gently laughs. "Tell me, what might your name be, snake lady?"
"Call me Yzetra," she spoke in a low voice, with empowerment and authority. "Mark my words, none of you can go against me. Doubtful of my words? We can test the honesty of mine right here and now."
Serena and Furiosa snorted in doubt, but Ferdia being the coward he is, took Yzetra's words seriously, not that he could be blamed anyway.
Yzetra the Titanoboa, she has a striking figure, a body that is both serpentine and human. Her upper body is that of a woman, with a lithe and athletic frame that seems to ripple with barely contained energy. Her skin is smooth and unblemished, like polished ivory, and her eyes are deep and piercing, seeming to hold a world of secrets within them. She also has long beautifully smooth deep virescent hair with large patterned black dots, gleaming with mischievousness, holding a resemblance to mother nature.
From her abdomen down, Yzetra's body is that of a snake, coiled tightly around itself in a seemingly endless loop. Her scales are iridescent, shimmering with a rainbow of colors that seem to shift and change with every movement. Each scale is razor-sharp, hinting at the deadly power that lies within her.
The Demon King gave a round of applause at the excellent introduction, then to turning his gaze over to the entrance. "Next!" he shouted.
As the door opens, a tall and imposing figure cruised in, his steps were slow and laid-back, as he sees this as nothing else but a stroll through the city. His chiseled features are flawlessly symmetrical, and his skin has a warm, inviting glow. His confident smile exudes an air of self-assurance, and his hazel eyes sparkle with excitement. His ear-length hair is perfectly styled, as if he had spent hours preparing for this moment. Dressed in a fitted black shirt, his muscular physique is on full display, accentuated by a crisp white lab coat and rugged brown cargo pants. Completing the look are a pair of high black boots and rimless glasses, giving him the air of a classic scientist.
Above all of those clothing, are futuristic gears he possesses. Neon black-white gauntlets, a belt strapped across his body attached with radios, grenades, and smoke bombs. Abaft he wears is a duffle bag, stuffed with even more futuristic gears. His name is Badger, the Unhinged Sorcerer.
"Greetings, peasant-looking thing," he pointed at Yasaka, his voice calm yet arrogant, shifting his eyes around the room. "No- Wait, I mean, king-looking thing, I don't know," he continued. "Anyway, I'm interested in being whatever that category is to be lumped with these idiots."
"...Another fool," Akuma groaned, her voice full of frustration, once again raising her axe, standing up for her father. "Listen here, human. Don't make me cut that dirt-stained tongue of yours. I have done that quite a lot of times before, and my patience is running out."
"Haha, what can a woman like you do?" he mockingly whipped back, taunting her by folding and unfolding his finger. "What should I call you? That one broken heroine who turned emo after her loved one got folded no less than eight times like paper?" he added, hysterically laughing as he added more salt to her open wound. "Damn, can't relate!"
With every venomous word that Badger uttered, Akuma could feel her blood boiling and her skin prickling with anger. She was sick and tired of arrogant fools who continually disrespected her father. She had let them off the hook before, but when this man had walked in and made her and her father look like utter fools, she had had enough.
In a fit of rage, Akuma rose to her feet brandishing her axe. In a flash, the weapon was held inches away from Badger's neck, and if nothing were to interfere, she would have severed his head from his body.
Akuma came to an abrupt halt as if she had collided with an immovable object. She cast a quick glance at the obstruction that had prevented her from carrying out her intended execution and was left speechless by what she saw.
Badger smirked and taunted her, "What's the matter, fiery one? Did a band of raccoons snatched your ankles?"
The Demon King intervened swiftly, instructing Akuma to return to her seat in order to prevent a confrontation from erupting in the room. After a few minutes of diffusing the tension, Yasaka turned to Badger with interest.
"What brings you to us?" Yasaka asked the potential recruit.
"I'm here because I need a place to conduct my research," Badger replied without hesitation. "And to my surprise, I found this place. It's not too shabby, considering it's owned by a peasant like you."
Yasaka raised an eyebrow at Badger's disrespectful tone but continued. "Would you be willing to serve our army, even if it meant putting your life on the line?"
"I don't make soul-binding contracts with anyone, especially not with lowlifes like you," Badger sneered. "But if serving your army aligns with my goals, then I'll consider it when the time comes."
"Fine by me, you're hired," the Demon King said, extending his hand to the final candidate. But to his surprise, Badger responded with a rude gesture.
"I don't shake hands with people like you," Badger spat.
Yasaka could feel the tension in the room and let out a defeated sigh. "Not only are you a crazy scientist, but you're also incredibly rude," he remarked.
"Shut up already," Badger snapped before walking over to an empty seat next to Yzetra.
Rouzelli was taken aback by the scene and let out a small yelp. "Oh my," she murmured, feeling uneasy.
Badger's voice dripped with disgust as he turned around the room. "Did a mouse just run by? Hell, I just praised this place and there are already mice roaming around..." he growled, clearly displeased.
Ferdia let out a quiet whistle, thinking that this had to be the craziest day of his life so far. Rouzelli was at a loss for words, still reeling from the disrespect that Yasaka had endured not once, but twice. It took some nerve to treat the Demon King with such disdain. Furiosa, however, has all of her attention on Yzetra, who she felt could be a potential friend.
Akuma's patience is wearing thin, and she vowed that as soon as the discussion ends, Badger and Yzetra shall be dealt with.
"Now, get to the main topic, shall we?"
"Father, are you sure that you need more Generals or candidates? In my opinion, those three are enough."
"Daughter, they may be enough to conquer Belzerg, but what about other countries? Think, daughter, think! And there are more of those 'chosen heroes' coming in day by day. And some of them are no joke! If we don't get prepared enough, we might lose to these 'heroes'."
Akuma noticed the quoted 'heroes' word.
"Yes, daughter." Yasaka said before his daughter could question, "They won't be heroes for long, for I will recruit them!"
The room was in an uproar right this instant.
"Yasaka, I might be an old friend of yours. But are you crazy?! How the hell are you going to recruit those damned righteous heroes?" Syspheraton gasped at how far his friend has fallen.
"Father, you are undoubtedly shrewd and smart, but even I have to admit that sometimes your plans are crazy!" Akuma said in sheer disbelief and disappointment.
"Old man, are you trying to recruit our soon-to-be-murderers!?" Ferdia shouted in outrage, uncared of whether or not he was going to get executed right here and then. Because he's going to die soon anyways.
"Is this my incoming Boss? If so then I might as well just find my own solution." Netray mumbled to himself, gazing disappointedly at Yasaka.
"To think that you've fallen this far..." Seresdina muttered to herself all the while Regina laughed manically in her mind.
"Maybe I should take your role away from you right here and now." Furiosa raised her palm at the Demon King, ready to cast some devious spell.
"I think I will relinquish my candidate position to-" Rouzelli got cut off by Yasaka.
Waving his hands about in the air like the flapping wings of a startled duck, he cried out, "OIOIoioi, you all are misunderstanding!"
After a few minutes more of arguing back and forth, the whatever-it-was finally got settled down. "Now, let's get to the point."
"Xciozen, the Great Spirit of Lightning, as he calls himself. An honorable knight he said, though I do agree that he deserves that title. He has amazing sword art and held great magical power that could rival or even surpass Syspheraton."
Syspheraton looks shocked, "What?!" Not even Wiz was able to rival him, how could a mere spirit do that?!... Talking about spirit, how is there a spirit on this land? They were extinct long-long ago. This isn't possible... unless-"
"You heard it, Phera. The spirit also has many unknown spells in his arsenal, either they are long-lost magic that we couldn't even find or it is something more than that."
"Mayhaps he is one of those chosen heroes?" Syspheraton questioned but the answer he got was Yasaka shaking his head.
Meanwhile, Badger who is sitting in the dark corner of the room, and Yzetra who is also sitting nearby just snorted, they obviously knew that this is advanced magic, the ones that they're familiar with, probably. And this 'chosen heroes' stuff too, they're just some peasants wandering in space and managing to stumble upon this fantasy world.
"Before we discuss that, we have to look at his companion first," Yasaka flips to another page, and his eyes narrow with interest, looking at it for a while. "Vargus the Demon with severe anger issues. A man whose eyes are unique. His true power is unknown, but what I do know is that he can create a firestorm of blades. He also finely kneaded Mitsurugi into a dough and baked him with the heat of trauma. That alone is very impressive. Frankly speaking, no offense, but he might be stronger than you, my dear daughter."
Akuma was shocked to hear a demon stronger than her and her father. Of course, Vanir isn't included, mainly because he's a Devil.
"Perhaps, one day I will have to see him by myself then," Akuma rests her back against the wall, excitedly looking forward to the day when Vargus and her cross path.
Within the room, outside of sights, Yzetra's eyes narrow down, so sharp that they could pierce those who met her eyes. Her heart pounding with anger, so loud that Badger, who is sitting next to her could hear it loud and clear.
"Long time no see, Mother Yzetra," Badger leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs. "How's the seething?"
"...Not that good," She sadly expressed, her gaze softened, slithering back to her seat.
"Hmm, I see. Then I'll make it so that the guy regrets being born into this universe." He sympathized, giving her a pat on the shoulder, and consoling her of her loss.
For a while, the two silently sat there, enduring the demon king's babbling. Until seconds later, Yzetra broke the silence by leaning towards Badger's ear.
"So, you met the same fate as I, huh?" she whispered.
"Yup! Can't wait to reunite with RG-666 one day," Badger shrugged, his face smiled friendlily, but the tensing blood veins at the edge of his face, along with his gritted teeth said otherwise. "He'll definitely be surprised seeing me roaming around the world once again."
After a while of discussions, Yasaka nodded in agreement to a suggestion and flipped to the next page, mumbling something that no one could hear, but they all could see him reading in interest. Finally, after a minute that felt like years, he spoke loudly for everyone to hear.
"And finally. Solaeter, the Duelist, a formidable white-haired woman in all-black with immense power. No one has ever had such a 'job' before. She also has a passive ability that makes people around her know her as if they had known her for a long time, and the moment she walks away, everybody forgets about her, as if they had never met her before."
"My Majesty, if I may, how are you remembering this then?" Ferdia questioned and then slowly realized his fatal mistake.
"Ferdia, do you know who you are doubting?!" Yasaka looks down upon him with sharp eyes, a chilling sensation pierces through Ferdia's armor, quaking him inside out.
Ferdia could've sworn that he had died a thousand times, but it was just his paranoia that made him feel so.
"You know that I am the Demon King, and you still dare doubt my capabilities?!" Yasaka ragingly grips the handle of his throne, crushing it into bits.
Ferdia hurriedly bowed down under the death glare of Akuma and Yasaka, he quickly stammered out apologies and pleaded not to kick the bucket at the top of his lungs. "I-I sincerely apologize, your highness. I will never repeat this mistake again!"
At that second, the fear that coursed through Ferdia was unmatched, undefeated by any being in the vast space we call the universe. The feeling of unease everyone had felt in the core of their being, as they could see death's door open itself gently to Ferdia. The demon king would kill Feiria without any hesitation whatsoever. But he didn't. Feiria being a long time underling of him, he chose to spare his life. Just this once. And Ferdia would make it so that the rest of his life was spent never repeating this one mistake again.
"Ferdia-kun, remember that there won't be a second time," Akuma said softly, with soothing warmth in her tone. However, beneath that sweet layer is ambushed by hornets, ready to lash out at Ferdia if he were to make another wrong move.
Fortunately for Ferdia, they let him live to tell the tale for another day. He wondered how his luck was so great, doesn't Eris absolutely despise undead and demons? Not that he is complaining, mind you. 3 new weird candidates in a single day were enough, dying permanently was the last thing he needed.
Badger deviously cackled, his eyes tapering with amusement. "Hey king-looking thing, how are you gonna recruit them? Any plan in mind? Cause I personally know one of those individuals. Actually, no, not 'know', but well acquainted."
"That's good, we will have a private talk later. But as for the plan I have in mind right now..."
Half an hour of discussing, arguing and improving the plan later...
"So, everybody got it clear?"
"Yes, Father." "If this is what I need to do to make that damned war criminal pay, I will do it." "Most of this was my idea..." "Zip it, Nerdtray. We are gonna have fun in the lab, don't waste the chance." "Could've just sent me right this instant and I will wipe them out of the surface of the earth. But fine as I've pledged my loyalty to you." "Regina does not have a problem with this, and neither do I."
Yasaka nodded, flouted in evilness.
"Now, let the fun begin!" The Demon King shouted with a devilish grin.
AN: Traditionally, every candidates and generals have certain quirks to them, so expect that for those new ones too!
This chapter took a long while huh? Well, worry not, this story won't ever be discontinued... Unless the co-writer quits, that is.
Note from Sohom the proofreader: I had to search for the meaning of like 20 words in this chapter.
Akuma had nothing to say.