A/N: Sorry I haven't been posting. I'm currently visiting my grandma at the farms and oh my god is the internet garbage. And they have no wifi so I have to actually buy and use data.
I'm literally currently on a tree on some random mountain posting this chapter. Also sorry for the short chapter. Things have been happening. I'm going back home soon, so I'll be back to regular posting. ✌😁
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King Edmaris returned to the ruined meeting room, pushing the door open only slightly as he peeked inside.
"Razen… is it over?"
Razen stood where Haru had disappeared moments earlier. Without turning, he answered calmly, "Yes, Your Majesty. It was no more than a mere inconvenience."
King Edmaris exhaled in relief and entered fully, a proud smile forming on his face. "As expected of Razen. You truly are this kingdom's strongest."
Earl Nidol stepped in after him, nodding fervently. "Not just the kingdom. He has to be the strongest human in the world."
Minister Reyheim followed as well, adjusting his glasses as he looked around the damaged room. "To deal with a demon so swiftly and efficiently… impressive."
Razen finally moved, walking toward the long table. "Not really. Most Greater Demons shouldn't be that weak. I don't know what was up with that one."
King Edmaris chuckled lightly as he took his seat. "Razen, ever so humble."
Razen sat beside him. Reyheim and Nidol took their seats as well, though Nidol's expression flickered with a brief flash of irritation before he masked it.
Minister Reyheim spoke first. "Well, at least now we know the army was killed by that demon. What are our next steps?"
Earl Nidol stiffened.
Lark is dead… how am I supposed to explain this to his mother? Damn it.
He hid his frustration behind a forced smile.
"I think we should send another squad," Nidol said quickly. "I doubt those villagers can summon another demon of that rank."
Razen immediately cut him off. "No. That would be stupid. We already determined that sending another squad would alert Blumund. Now I'm more than certain Blumund already knows what happened."
Earl Nidol scoffed. "Who cares? We already determined our barrier is not good enough, considering how easily that demon infiltrated. Besides, even if Blumund gets angry, what can they do?"
Razen narrowed his eyes. "Earl Nidol, just because we have the power to subdue Blumund does not mean we should provoke a war simply because we feel like it."
Nidol clicked his tongue softly, then turned to King Edmaris. "King Edmaris, you agree with me, right?"
King Edmaris leaned back. "I think I agree with Razen, Nidol. We should let this go for now."
Nidol's jaw tightened, but he kept quiet.
Razen nodded. "That settles it. We can find other ways to fix the barrier issue."
He then turned to Reyheim. "Minister Reyheim, can I trust you with the rebuilding of this room?"
"Consider it done," Reyheim replied immediately.
King Edmaris rose from his seat. "Well then, i guess the meeting is adjourned."
The decision was final, leaving the room in its quiet, broken state, its destruction the only remaining evidence that Haru had ever been there at all.
---
In the Underworld, Haru stood in silent turmoil.
He raged internally.
I got no-diffed… one-shotted… given the Captain Kid treatment by Razen?! The fodder character used just to show how powerful Diablo was, he no-diffed me. What the hell is that? How could I drop my guard like that? I just swelled that guy's ego for what!?
I didn't think I'd beat him, but to lose without putting up a single fight… What kind of joke is that?
Diablo was off to the side, watching with a faint smile. "You don't look in a very good mood. Usually when demons return from the Cardinal World, they're all smiles."
Haru stumbled back when he heard Diablo's voice. "Noir—what are you doing here?"
Diablo smiled calmly. "I've been waiting for you to come back."
Internally, Yuzuki froze.
He's been waiting for me? Is this guy crazy? Can I even get away from him?
Diablo stepped closer. "What happened? You're not very cheerful."
Yuzuki clenched his teeth. "I got easily defeated by a human mage. I've never been so humiliated in my entire life."
"Oh, that's not good," Diablo replied with casual amusement. "A demon of your strength losing against a human, and a mage at that. How did that happen?"
"I dropped my guard," Yuzuki muttered. "Plus that dude just dropped Nuclear Magic out of nowhere. I did NOT expect that at all. Who starts a fight with nuclear magic?"
Diablo chuckled lightly. "I see. It was simply a difference in experience."
"Experience, huh?"
"Yes," Diablo said. "Combat experience is a very important aspect of battle. I can't tell how much stronger that human mage was compared to you, but combat experience can allow even weaker beings to defeat stronger ones."
"I see…" Yuzuki said quietly. "Then I should just fight as much as possible here in the Underworld and gain the strength to eventually take my revenge."
"That's plausible," Diablo admitted. "But you can only grow so much in a few hundred years. Most demons need thousands of years to truly grow strong. Do you have that kind of time? With your talent it might take about 600 to 700 hundred years, though."
Yuzuki sighed. "But It's not like I have any other options."
A small smile formed on Diablo's lips. "I have a better option you know."
Yuzuki eyed him suspiciously. "What is it?"
"Let me train you," Diablo said. "I'll teach you everything I know and turn you into a beast, someone who could easily embarrass that human mage if you meet him again."
"Train me?" Yuzuki repeated.
"Yes indeed," Diablo answered. "I don't like saying this, but I am most probably the strongest demon alive. The only one who could rival me is Rouge who is currently in the Cardinal World."
"I know that," Yuzuki said. "But why would you want to train me? What's in it for you?"
Diablo smiled, almost amused. "Nothing much. I just find you interesting."
Haru frowned. "I find that hard to believe. You'd take your precious time to train me just because you find me interesting?"
"Yes indeed," Diablo said. Then he tilted his head. "Do you know what they say about my black lineage?"
"What?" Haru asked.
"They call it weird and confusing," Diablo replied with a soft chuckle. "I find it pretty accurate you know."
He turned slightly, the faintest glow in his eyes. "Besides… if there is something demons have a lot of, it's plenty of time."
And so, on this day, Diablo became the sensei of Haru of the Minamoto.
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