Diluc loosely gripped his right hand, and the Blackrock Slasher embedded in the ground trembled violently, its dark red patterns instantly blazing with black-red light.
"Zheng—!"
With a clear, resonant clang, the Blackrock Slasher defied gravity, tracing a fiery arc through the air as it flew back into its master's hand.
Blackheart narrowed his icy blue eyes, his tattered priest's robes fluttering in the aftershock of released energy. Then, he revealed an elegant yet dangerous smile and said:
"We are not enemies—so why be so hostile?"
Blackheart spread his arms, his smile disarmingly sincere, his voice smooth as venomous silk:
"Hand over San Venganza Contract, and I will not only pardon your disrespect today… but when I rule the mortal realm, you shall stand as my sole demon prince."
As he spoke, a crown of ice materialized from his fingertips, which he idly turned in his palm.
Diluc angled his longsword downward toward the ground, unmoved by the Warlock's words, and replied coldly:
"I've heard demons of Hell are famed for their cunning and treachery—but in you, I see not a trace of wisdom."
The Demon prince's brow twitched dangerously. He glared at Diluc, his voice dropping to a chilling whisper:
"Diluc Ragnvindr… it seems you still haven't learned to appreciate the opportunities I've granted you."
"But that's alright. I'll be a very good teacher."
Diluc ignored Blackheart's threat. His pupils, reflecting flickering flames, held steady as he added:
"The contract isn't a source of power at all. It's a trap—crafted by Mephisto himself."
"A trap that harvests the energy of thousands of fallen souls with saintly potential… to transform a Hell-born demon—descended in true form—into a spatial anchor, bridging Hell and the mortal world."
Blackheart's smile slowly froze.
Diluc stepped forward, locking eyes with Blackheart, and said:
"Think about it. Mephisto is careful even with his earthly projections… yet you—you descend in your true form."
"Ignorance is the greatest source of courage. It seems even demons are not immune."
"Boom—!"
Ice crystals erupted violently around Blackheart.
The entire kitchen transformed in an instant into a glacial cavern; the walls shattered under the assault of absolute cold. For the first time, a tremor of unease crept into the demon's voice:
"Naïve! You think… such a clumsy lie could ever fool me?!"
Blackheart's form blurred—then reappeared directly before Diluc, icy claws lunging straight for his heart!
"Clang—!"
The Blackrock Slasher met the frozen talons, unleashing a shower of brilliant sparks.
Scorching flame clashed against glacial ice, and thick mist surged through the space in an instant.
Using the collision's momentum, Diluc leapt back, his blazing blade carving a perfect arc—
"Haaaa!"
A dark-red wave of flame erupted, shattering every ice wall in its path.
"Boom…"
Blackheart didn't dodge. He simply crossed his arms before his chest—and a crystalline ice shield formed instantly.
"Clang—!"
The black-red flame blade struck the barrier with a deafening roar.
The already crumbling apartment collapsed beneath the force of the shockwave.
Johnny Blaze struggled to his feet, feeling incredibly fortunate. Thanks to his need for a motorcycle, he had moved to a relatively remote apartment near a large open space.
If this had happened in the city—given the commotion before and now—quite a few people would probably have died.
At that moment, in the center of the battlefield, the Demon prince changed tactics. Its ice claws transformed into long, whip-like tendrils that coiled around Diluc's right foot like venomous snakes. Extreme cold surged up his leg, instantly freezing his trousers into a solid block of ice.
"Got you!"
With a sinister grin, Blackheart unleashed its power, swung Diluc violently, and slammed him toward a distant building.
"Bang—!!"
Diluc's body pierced through three walls before finally crashing into a closet in a woman's bedroom. Splinters of wood and scattered clothing flew everywhere—but the moment he landed, he adjusted his posture, kneeling on one knee to steady himself.
"Whoosh—!"
Diluc hurled the Blackrock Blade. The blazing sword shot straight at Blackheart's face like an arrow released from a bow, trailing a black-and-red superheated wake.
Blackheart sneered and dodged to the side—but unexpectedly, the blade changed direction mid-air.
"Pfft—!"
The scorching Blackrock Blade embedded deeply into Blackheart's right shoulder, and flames erupted violently into the wound.
"Ughhhhh!"
Blackheart let out a pained roar, grabbing the hilt with his left hand to yank it free—only to find his palm sizzling from the intense heat.
Before he could react further, Diluc closed in like a phantom and delivered a whip kick straight to the demon's abdomen.
"Bang—!"
Blackheart was sent flying backward, crashing through several walls before landing hard on a sofa in the living room. The Blackrock Blade remained embedded in his shoulder, its flames steadily eroding his body.
Diluc approached slowly, his right hand loosely clenched.
"Buzz… buzz… buzz…"
The Blackrock Blade trembled violently—then abruptly tore free from the demon's shoulder and flew back into Diluc's grip.
Blackheart struggled to sit up, icy blue blood oozing from his wounds—only to freeze almost instantly. His face twisted in pain, but then a strange smile crept across his lips.
"Diluc… do you think you've won?"
Diluc frowned, the blade leveled at the demon's throat.
"I've never tried interrogating a demon before. But this seems like a good learning opportunity."
At that, Blackheart's smile widened, revealing gleaming white fangs as he snarled:
"Hahaha! Before coming here, I made a special trip to visit Roxanne Simpson… and all my friends from the Hot Rush team. They—"
Johnny Blaze rushed over, eyes bloodshot, glaring down at the demon. Through gritted teeth, he demanded:
"Damn bastard! Where are they? What did you do to them?! Tell me!!"
Blackheart merely smiled, calm and nonchalant.
"Don't worry. They're honored guests. All in a safe place now."
He paused, eyes glinting with malice.
"Whether they stay safe… depends on your decision."
His voice grew weaker, yet still laced with venom:
"Two days from now. North Brother Island. You must arrive on time—with the San Venganza Contract—to exchange for their lives."
"Otherwise—"
Before the demon could finish his threat, Diluc plunged the blade into his chest without hesitation.
"Hehehe… This is just a projection of me," Blackheart chuckled weakly. "We'll meet again, Diluc."
His body beg
an to carbonize in black-and-red flames. As the last ember faded, only a charred skeleton remained—steaming faintly and reeking of sulfur.
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