"BOOM!!!!"
The underground passage exploded violently. In the next instant, the blond Devilman's body was blasted out, smashing hard against the wall. At this moment, he no longer had even a trace of the calm, elegant composure he had displayed before. Instead, his entire body trembled uncontrollably, filled with fear and confusion.
Why? Why did it turn out like this?
Of course, the blond Devilman knew that his apostle had been killed, and even another Devilman, Satrra, had been seriously injured and forced to retreat to the Demon Realm. But back then, he had only believed that it was because the enemy relied on the power of that Sacred Armament. However…
That was not the truth at all!
This operation to assist the Kingdom of Helman was carried out by three Devilmen. They belonged to the same faction. Their reason for helping Helman invade Lisath was not out of boredom. Rather, they had learned that within the Kingdom of Lisath was sealed a weapon capable of countering Devilmen. The Sacred Armament, together with the bloodline of Lisath, was the key to unlocking that seal.
That was why they assisted Helman in storming Lisath's royal capital—so they could locate the Sacred Armament, break the seal, and obtain the weapon that could restrain Devilmen.
Because of this, when Princess Liya of Lisath realized the enemy were Devilmen, she chose to hand the Sacred Armament to Kanami and had her take it away. That was also why the Devilman Satrra hunted Kanami relentlessly—because to them, the Sacred Armament was essential.
After that, Satrra was defeated and fled back to the Demon Realm to recover. The blond Devilman, Ezeru, hadn't thought much of it, simply assuming it was the Sacred Armament's power. After all, if the Sacred Armament was connected to a weapon that countered Devilmen, it wouldn't be strange for it to possess such abilities.
So when he discovered that Duanmu Huai and his group had arrived at the mansion, the blond Devilman had already planned his countermeasures. If they refused to surrender, he would use Princess Liya as a hostage.
But…
That was completely wrong!
Who exactly was that man?!
Ezeru staggered as he tried to stand up, but in the next moment, he collapsed to his knees again. He no longer had the dignity of a noble gentleman. His once-luxurious clothing was now filthy with sewage. His legs trembled uncontrollably, so weak from terror that he could barely apply any strength.
Such terrifying power—almost on par with the Demon King… no, even stronger!
Recalling the moment when that power erupted, Ezeru's face turned deathly pale. He had only ever felt such overwhelming force from the previous Demon King—an irresistible power that seemed capable of destroying everything, leaving only the option to kneel, beg for mercy, and await death in despair.
But after the previous Demon King died, no new Demon King had ever ascended the throne.
Could this man be the new Demon King?
Impossible… how could that be?!
I—I must leave here…!
Forcing himself to think clearly, Ezeru struggled to his feet.
He had to tell Noth. He had to warn the other Devilmen!
"BOOOOM—!!!"
Just as Ezeru managed to stand, another violent explosion erupted. A roaring shockwave surged through the tunnel, lifting him off the ground. A tremendous impact struck his back, and he was sent flying once again, slamming headfirst into the wall.
When he turned around, he finally saw what had hit him.
It was the upper half of one of his apostles—Topaz.
Her body looked as though it had been snapped in half, grotesquely twisted and deformed. Her lifeless eyes were wide open, blood spilling from her mouth. Her flesh was torn apart, exposing muscle and internal organs.
At the same time, heavy footsteps echoed through the tunnel.
Thud… thud…
Hearing the footsteps, Ezeru shuddered violently and looked up in terror.
Under the dim sewer lights, a towering figure slowly approached him. In his right hand, he held the corpse of a red-haired girl—like a rag doll torn to pieces, her limbs severed, her body swaying loosely with each step.
"What? Not running anymore?"
Duanmu Huai raised his head and stared coldly at the utterly miserable blond Devilman. Suddenly, his right hand clenched.
Crack.
He crushed the red-haired apostle's head into fragments. With a dull thud, her headless corpse fell to the ground, instantly engulfed by black flames.
"Y-you… what the hell are you?! You're not human, are you?!"
Swallowing hard, the blond Devilman stared at Duanmu Huai and shouted.
"That's none of your business."
Duanmu Huai walked toward him.
"You were the one who brainwashed Princess Liya, weren't you? Undo it, and I'll grant you a swift death."
"Heh… hehehe…"
The blond Devilman let out an eerie laugh.
"Too bad. That's impossible. I merely brought out her true nature. What you see now is the real Princess Liya. Even if you kill me, nothing will change! Humans cannot resist the power of Devilmen!"
"Is that so."
Duanmu Huai paused.
"Then you're useless. Die."
"AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
At that moment, driven by overwhelming fear, the blond Devilman suddenly lunged forward, eyes bloodshot, throwing himself at Duanmu Huai. It wasn't an attack born of combat—it was hysterical self-destruction under crushing terror.
"DIEEEEE!!!"
Roaring madly, he reached out toward Duanmu Huai.
But Duanmu Huai didn't even bother to dodge.
He simply stood there, then casually grabbed the Devilman's outstretched arm, raised his right hand, seized his throat, and slammed him against the sewer wall.
BAM!
As the invincible barrier shattered, the massive impact left the Devilman dazed. But Duanmu Huai didn't stop there. He twisted the Devilman's arm violently—
—and tore his entire right arm straight off his body!
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
Having enjoyed centuries without pain thanks to his invincible barrier, the blond Devilman finally tasted excruciating agony once again. His will completely collapsed. Pride, reason—everything vanished. He could only scream instinctively, venting unbearable pain.
The next instant, Duanmu Huai shoved the severed arm straight into the Devilman's mouth, forcibly silencing his screams.
"MMMPH—MMMMPH—!!!"
"This is the punishment for daring to massacre humans, heretical scum."
Duanmu Huai glared at him, forcing the arm deeper into his mouth as he growled.
"MM… MM…"
While choking on his own arm, the Devilman stared at Duanmu Huai with bloodshot eyes. At the same time, his voice echoed directly in Duanmu Huai's mind.
(Why?! Why help humans?! You've seen it—humans are cruel, heartless, despicable creatures! That princess, all of them! Give them power and they'll abuse everything at will! Such beings don't deserve protection!)
"So what?"
Duanmu Huai stared back coldly.
"How humans act is for humans to decide. It's not for demonic trash like you to point fingers and pass judgment. No matter how cruel or violent humans may be—that's humanity's problem. It has nothing to do with you—absolutely nothing!!!"
As his words fell, Duanmu Huai's grip tightened.
Under his crushing strength, the Devilman's handsome face twisted and swelled. His skull deformed like an overinflated balloon. His eyes bulged from their sockets, cheeks puffing outward—
—and in the next instant, his head exploded, bursting into a pool of blood. His body jerked like a dead fish, then went completely still.
"Hmph."
Duanmu Huai snorted and tossed the corpse aside. Black flames erupted, swiftly consuming the Devilman completely.
"No matter where they come from, heretical filth always uses the same excuses. Ridiculous."
He didn't care about the Devilman's arguments. Countless bosses spouted similar nonsense before dying, ranting about humanity's sins as if that justified their actions. It was laughable.
Any species that wants to survive has its brutality. Using humanity's crimes to absolve themselves? By that logic, every species in the universe should be wiped out.
Maybe some idiotic philosophers liked pondering such garbage. But to an Inquisitor—
Human survival was all that mattered.
Nothing else mattered.
"Alright. Next…"
Duanmu Huai lifted his head, gazing deeper into the sewer.
"It's time to deal with the most troublesome problem."
At the same time, two figures burst out of a hidden sewer passage, stumbling into ancient ruins.
"M-Maris… he… he didn't chase us, did he?"
"Please rest assured, Lady Liya. Lord Ezeru will definitely stop him."
Seeing Princess Liya's pale face, her maid Maris hurriedly comforted her. Of course, they weren't foolish enough to stay behind and wait for death. The moment Duanmu Huai erupted with power, they fled through a hidden passage and ran for their lives.
"Th-that thing… what was it…?"
Trembling, Princess Liya reached out and clutched her maid's hand. That overwhelming aura—like destruction and slaughter incarnate—was something she had never experienced before.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. We must return to the palace immediately. As long as we find Prince Barton and Lord Noth—"
"BOOM!!!"
Before Maris could finish, the wall behind them exploded. The shockwave blasted them away. When they turned back, Duanmu Huai had already stepped out, frowning slightly as he stared at them.
"You're quite impressive."
Princess Liya stood up, brushed dust from her dress, glanced at her unconscious maid, then looked at Duanmu Huai.
"I didn't expect you to chase here. Looks like Lord Ezeru is dead too. In that case… would you like to become my subordinate?"
"Hm?"
Duanmu Huai raised an eyebrow. Princess Liya smiled brightly and continued.
"How about it? As my subordinate, you can play with as many women as you like. Status too—general, minister, whatever you want. Any woman you fancy, I'll give her to you."
"Do you feel no remorse at all for what you've done? Kidnapping innocent girls, torturing them body and mind—does that suit a princess of a nation?"
"..."
"I don't think I've done anything wrong."
Princess Liya lifted her chin proudly.
"I was too foolish before. For the nation? And look how it ended. So I've decided—I'll live for myself. It's that simple."
"Haah…"
Duanmu Huai sighed softly. He could clearly sense the demonic aura emanating from her. Just as Ezeru had said, her mind and spirit were already completely twisted.
By all logic, he should purify her now.
But…
"For Kanami's sake, I'll give you one last chance."
"Huh?"
Before Liya could react, Duanmu Huai suddenly lunged forward, ripped apart her white ceremonial dress, and lifted her up.
"W-wait! What are you doing?!"
"I'll see if I can kill the demonic aura inside you. If I can, good. If not—then you die. Whether you live or die now depends entirely on your luck."
"Wait! You can't! I'm a princess! I'm the Princess of Lisath—AAAAAAHHHH!!!"
Before she could finish, violent force erupted. Her petite body convulsed violently.
"AAAA—AAAAAAHHH!!!"
Princess Liya's eyes flew wide open, mouth agape as searing pain tore through her, making her feel as if she were being ripped in half. Her lower abdomen bulged grotesquely, brutal and savage.
"N-no no no no no—AAAAHHH!!! Help! Help meeeee!!!"
"This is the pain endured by the girls you tormented. If you cannot repent—then be destroyed along with it."
(End of Chapter)