★ 46 (WALPURGIS I) - TENSURA STARVERSE

★46

THIRD POV

The next day, Asteri, Hinamatsuri, and Shinn were ready to visit Ramiris. They entered her labyrinth, moving through the intricate halls until they reached the main chamber, where she awaited them.

"I won't blame you for what you did, but you're all over the world."

She said, her gaze sharp, taking in all three of them at once.

"Seriously?"

Asteri's golden eyes flicked between Ramiris and the labyrinth walls, his tone laced with disbelief.

He had expected discussion, perhaps rebuke, but not this weight of recognition.

Ramiris nodded slowly, her expression unusually serious. The faint glow from her wings dimmed as she floated closer, folding her arms across her chest.

"Bloody Alley."

Asteri blinked, caught off-guard.

"…What's that supposed to mean?"

Her gaze didn't waver.

"The Primordial Blanc caused the Lake Shore Dyed Scarlet massacre. Yours… is being called Bloody Alley. That's the name the people have given it."

Asteri tilted his head, a flicker of curiosity passing over his otherwise composed face.

"Alright. Hit me. What's so interesting about that?"

Ramiris' wings slowed, the air growing colder as she leaned slightly forward. Her voice fell, measured and chilling.

"The Misfits' Scourge."

The words struck like a hammer.

Asteri froze. His eyes widened, the title echoing through his mind like a dark refrain. He sank slowly back into his seat, the weight of the name pressing down on him.

The hall fell into a heavy silence after Ramiris spoke, the usual hum of magical energy in the labyrinth seeming to dull around them.

Asteri's mind churned as he processed the weight of the words.

The names weren't just labels, they were verdicts, a reflection of fear, horror, and the consequences of his actions etched into the collective memory of the world. The world was naming him, not out of respect, but out of terror.

"The Misfits' Scourge…"

He repeated under his breath, the words rolling off his tongue like a foreign weight.

"So, that's how they see me…"

Ramiris hovered slightly above the ground, wings still folded, her eyes never leaving him.

"They'll whisper it in every corner. It's not a compliment or a warning… it's the truth. Whatever power you wielded, whatever justice you believed you enacted, it has left its mark. The people will remember the horror, not the intent."

Asteri leaned back in the seat, his expression unreadable, but inside, a storm of contemplation brewed. He didn't flinch, didn't retreat, but the title had embedded itself in his consciousness, a reminder that the world beyond his walls now regarded him as both protector and terror.

The labyrinth hall remained tense, the three of them immersed in the gravity of the moment. Even Shinn, usually unshakable, kept silent, understanding that this was a reckoning of perception as much as of power.

"So.."

"Yes. They know you're an otherworlder."

"How did they know all that happened? I wasn't being watched or something that's for sure."

"The Demon Lords are observers. Humans and Demon Lords have mercenaries all over, nothing can escape their watchful eyes."

"Forgive me for interrupting."

Shinn spoke up.

"The Single Digit 000, namely Sai, heard the Emperor speaking about such incidents. But rest assured, he wasn't able to link it with his disappearance."

Shinn intervened.

"Emperor?"

"This is the perfect chance."

Asteri replied.

"Chance for?"

"Me to become a True Demon Lord."

"Yeah about that. I've already accepted you as one."

"I'll convince Guy. I don't know about the last individual."

"That's not needed to begin with. You've killed a Demon Lord so you can take their seat if you're worthy which you are."

"Really?"

"Of course. Leon did the same thing to Kazalim."

"Lady Ramiris, come with me to Guy's domain."

He invited.

"Hmm, sure if you want."

Finding no reason to refuse, she tagged along.

Asteri and the crew arrived in the hall where they had once chatted with Guy. The familiar space seemed smaller somehow, shadowed by the memories of past discussions.

Rain and Misery sensed their presence immediately and moved toward them, eyes narrowing.

"You!"

"Where's Guy?"

Asteri asked, his tone calm but edged with authority.

Suddenly, the ice door slammed open with a deafening crack, and through it stormed an angry red-haired demon. It was Guy.

"You bastard, you know what you've done!?"

"Killing Mimon?"

Asteri tilted his head, feigning ignorance.

There was a hint of amusement in his expression, this side of Guy, so fiery and unrestrained, never failed to entertain him.

"No, idiot! You've disrupted the balance in the Underworld! Did you seriously summon and evolve a hundred Demons into Archdemons for your pitiful revenge?"

Guy's words boiled with exasperation, his role as a mediator completely ignored by Asteri's impulsive actions.

"Oh… yeah… I had to..."

Asteri expression quickly changed.

"But hey, you have more than that. You have three lineages under you. I think you've just been unfair."

Asteri replied smoothly, almost teasingly.

"Yes, Guy, he's right."

Ramiris added, her voice calm but sharp. She had insight into both sides, and in this rare moment of Guy's temper flaring, she decided it was better to side with Asteri.

"Shut up, both of you!"

Guy threw up his hands and exhaled heavily.

He moved to sit down, finally attempting to contain his rage.

The rest of the group, including Rain, Misery, and Shinn, waited silently, anticipating his next move.

After a tense pause, Guy finally spoke, his voice still carrying the weight of his anger, though moderated.

"What do you want?"

"I want to take Mimon's seat as a Demon Lord."

"I don't have the strength to trigger Walpurgis right now. But that's not my problem. You seriously have 100 Archdemons above the grounds? Do you know the magnitude of what you've done?!"

Asteri's calm tone contrasted sharply with Guy's rising fury. The weight of his words lingered, a subtle tremor of disbelief vibrating through the hall.

"Don't worry, I can—"

"Handle them?"

Guy interrupted, eyes narrowing as he tried to process the scale of Asteri's actions.

"Yeah."

Asteri's voice was steady, almost casual, but it carried the authority of someone whose power needed no demonstration.

"I have someone ruling over them beside me, and that one individual has been evolved into a Deamon Lord."

The air seemed to freeze. The term "Deamon Lord" hung in the space between them like a blade. Rain and Misery's expressions betrayed their shock, while Guy's jaw clenched.

Rain's mind raced, connecting the implication of that rank to the established hierarchy.

Misery whispered internally, her fear thinly masked by disbelief.

"What?!"

Guy's shout shattered the tense silence, echoing off the stone walls.

"Yeah."

Asteri's smirk was small but unmistakable. The kind that hinted at absolute control, power beyond reckoning, and a calculated audacity.

"Ramiris, please tell me this is a joke."

Guy said, his tone a mixture of anger and incredulity.

"I couldn't believe it either, but I saw it with my own eyes."

Ramiris confirmed, her voice calm but resolute, giving weight to Asteri's claim.

"You don't know how the system in this world works, yet you just went ahead and summoned 100 Archdemons."

Guy's voice was sharp, each word a mixture of astonishment and exasperation, as if trying to make Asteri understand the chaos he had unleashed.

"Actually, there are 105 Archdemons and 1 Deamon Lord."

Asteri added, raising one finger to emphasise the exact count. His words were precise, deliberate.

Each number carried the heavy implication of his authority, his ability to manipulate and command forces that could rival entire nations.

Not only did he wield immense power, but Asteri's influence over the demons elevated him to a threat comparable to Guy himself, a being capable of wreaking havoc without even moving an inch.

"You said I needed power, influence, and an army."

He raised three fingers deliberately, each one punctuating the weight of his words.

"Otherworldly powers? Check…"

He lowered the first finger, his calm certainty unshakable.

"Influence? Demonic sway, continental threat? Check…"

The second finger followed.

"Armies? One hundred and five Archdemons, one Deamon Lord, two Stars, one fairy, etc… check."

He brought down the third finger, the gesture final and unyielding.

Asteri's golden eyes gleamed, and a rare smile curved across his face.

"I just cleared the checklist you gave me that day. I didn't do anything wrong. I'm still being a good boy."

He raised both hands in mock innocence, the display both playful and imposing, a subtle reminder that his power, influence, and army were now fully under his command, making him a force that even the likes of Guy had to respect or fear, perhaps both.

Guy's eyes widened, his face a mixture of disbelief and frustration. The scale of Asteri's actions, the audacity, and the sheer impossibility of it were almost too much to comprehend.

Rain and Misery exchanged uneasy glances, realizing that the implications of Asteri's power extended far beyond the immediate moment, they were witnessing the presence of someone who had bent the system itself to their will.

The hall fell silent, each individual absorbing the weight of what had just been revealed: one hundred and five Archdemons, a Deamon Lord, and a Star who casually asserted control over them. It wasn't just a display of power; it was a fundamental shift in the hierarchy they had long understood.

Guy, for once, had no strategy, no reprimand, and no argument ready. He simply stared, caught between awe, fear, and exasperation.

"I have three lineages under my command, but you failed to notice that not everyone is present. Where the hell will you keep them?" Guy's frustration was palpable.

Asteri leaned back, a smirk tugging at his lips as he enjoyed the spectacle of Guy's indignation.

"Hmm… I'll have them inhabit Flitwood while the others stay on my island and in the Kingdom of Raja."

"You… are you really this stupid?!"

Guy's voice rose, disbelief and irritation mingling.

"We can't have Archdemons roaming freely in the Cardinal World."

Guy continued.

"And what's this Raja kingdom anyway?!"

Asteri's expression remained calm, almost teasing.

"Flitwood's existence is already beyond this world. I have Shinn and Eto transfer it elsewhere. Raja is a peaceful nation; we're in a relationship, so I'd like to protect them. Because hey..."

Asteri's eyes sharpened, and his posture stiffened. For a brief moment, it was clear he had recalled something important, a memory or insight that demanded his full attention.

"Guess what—Violet has been meddling with the kingdom for decades, and I had Eto deal with her."

"V… Violet? You've met another Primordial?" Rain's voice was tinged with shock.

"Yes. She ended up taking Eto and Shinn Underworld, planning to kill them. And guess what again? Eto had to fight Blanc and Violet for that. I'm the one at a loss here."

Asteri complained. Even though it was merely an act.

<> Misery's mind raced.

"Actually, Eto-kun was having the upper hand, so I had to intervene before he does something stupid."

Shinn interjected, speaking on Asteri's command.

"Who's this?!"

Guy demanded, pointing at Shinn, clearly confused.

"This is Shinn. He's my clone. So is Eto."

Asteri's tone was casual, almost dismissive, yet every word carried weight.

Rain's astonishment was clear.

"I'm not surprised anymore. This being is an absolute menace."

Misery muttered under her breath.

Guy placed a hand on his forehead, exasperated.

"I should've kept an eye on you."

Asteri chuckled softly.

"Too late."

Guy exhaled deeply, though Asteri wasn't done pressing his advantage.

"Eto and Shinn also met Noir… when they conquered Flitwood."

Guy's surprise had peaked earlier, but now it was tempered with resignation. He let out a long breath, a mix of frustration and acceptance.

"Whatever, man… it's all on you. Better take care of your mess."

Even the mediator's composure was restored, Guy could do his job now, but it was clear that Asteri's reach and influence had made the Underworld a far more complicated place.

"Come on Red, friends help each other right?"

"Yes, all this wouldn't have happened if you had taken my hand."

"I preferred to achieve it alone and I did."

"Hmmm... Why did you attack Leon's domain though?"

"I'd like to explain all in Walpurgis."

"Ramiris, myself... who's your last piece? Three individuals are required for Walpurgis to run."

"Dino."

"What?"

"Asta kun, have you met Dino chan already?"

"No."

"Then give up. That idiot won't even listen to you."

"He's a fellow Supreme Being. He might understand."

"Was, man… he's corrupted now."

Guy corrected flatly.

"As long as there's even a trace of divinity left, I'm fine. I'll still talk to him."

"What about Milim?"

Ramiris suggested, her tone cautious.

"Milim?"

Asteri repeated the name, clearly unfamiliar with it.

"Promise me you won't slip a word."

Guy said, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

"Yes, Asta-kun. This is very important."

Ramiris added.

For two Demon Lords to press the matter this hard, it was obvious this was no ordinary secret.

"I'll try my best."

"Don't try."

Guy snapped.

"Give it everything."

Asteri straightened slightly.

"Alright. What's the big secret?"

Guy didn't answer immediately. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and heavy.

"Milim is Veldanava's child."

Asteri froze. His eyes widened, breath caught in his throat. For a moment, he couldn't speak at all. The weight of those words was immense too immense to brush aside.

"The great blood… in flesh."

He finally murmured. His expression hardened, not with fear, but with resolve.

"I'll keep it sealed with me."

He said firmly. Then his gaze shifted slightly.

"That applies to you too, Shinn."

There was no room for argument in his tone. This was not just information, it was a responsibility he had already accepted.

"No problem sir."

"What about her?"

Guy asked, pointing at Hinata.

"Oh, Hinata you too."

"Humans aren't flawless. I'd like you to erase that information from me."

"Heh?"