★67
THIRD POV
The next day, Ramiris arrived. She had been briefed on everything that had transpired, the chain of events that had shifted the balance, and the measures Asteri had taken.
Without delay, she made her way to Asteri's hall. Almost instantly, he appeared, dressed casually in white and black, his long hair tied neatly, flowing down his back. His posture was calm, yet there was an undeniable weight in the air, the aura of a Demon Lord who bore responsibility beyond words.
"Been a long time, Lady Ramiris."
"Hmm."
She replied, her eyes scanning him, taking in the composed figure before her.
"Heard what you've done, and I'm in no place to complain. You had your reasons, and I'm sure you'll maintain the balance."
"Yeah, the demons are well taken care of. How do you know about that anyway?"
"Elafria and the others told me all that happened."
She said, her tone even but carrying.
"I see—is that what you're here for?"
"Walpurgis is set. As a Demon Lord, you're invited, although attendance isn't compulsory."
"I will attend. What's the topic?"
He sat down with a measured grace, gesturing for her to do the same.
"Clayman, an undead elf just like Mimon. His puppets are making progress as an upcoming Demon Lord."
A new Demon Lord naturally drew attention.
"That's great."
He smiled.
"Great? How's that great? What if he decided to avenge his predecessor?"
"I'll gladly send him to the other side."
He patted his stomach with a relaxed motion. Ramiris blinked, a hint of surprise in her eyes, though she had expected it.
"I knew you'd say that."
"What else should I do? Let him have his way with me or my people? That I can't do no matter who I'm up against."
"I know your determination. No one is willing to make an enemy of you, at least not in the Cardinal World."
"Ah, about that. Where are the remaining True Dragons? I need to warm up with the strongest."
He said, stretching his arms
"Whatever you're thinking, don't do it. Going to war with the empire is suicide and fighting Velzard will be a tough fight even for you. She's the second strongest after the creator."
"Don't worry, I'll win."
Confident. Perhaps too confident.
"I know you're strong, but—Well, I just came to inform you about walpurgis."
"As an awakened demon lord, I should be among those to be informed."
"That's because your island is protected by some barrier. I'm only able to come freely because you're allowing that."
"Oh, I forgot it disrupts communicate. I'll work on that."
"I'll be off for now. See you later, Asta-kun."
She stood up and flew away.
Time skipped forward, and the day finally arrived. Rain and Misery descended upon Star Island, Asteri, with Atlas and Shinn once again as his attendants, took his place and waited for the remaining Demon Lords.
A man dressed in white as his hair with a pointed ear identifying he as an elf. He had two attendants, both dressed in black, covering their faces.
He sat down, and the maids did the introductions before he stood up from his seat.
"Great day we have, isn't it my fellow Demon Lords?"
Few nodded, and some didn't pay attention to him. Asteri had his eyes closed, listening.
"The name's Clayman, an undead elf. Ruler of the Puppet Nation of Jistav. My ambition as a Demon Lord was inspired by the Great Curse, Lord Mimon. He met his brutal end by someone who took his properties and ..."
Atlas couldn't tolerate this display, his aura flickering, the pressure radiating from him palpable even to those at a distance.
Clayman, caught off guard, stumbled over his own foot and fell hard to the ground, his expression a mix of shock and fear. Those nearby who lacked the strength or composure to resist felt it immediately—a suffocating weight pressing down on their minds, bodies, and very souls. Even the Sleeping Ruler, whose slumber was deep, blinked awake, unease flickering in his eyes.
This was no ordinary aura. It was a death aura, emanating the inevitability of mortality.
"Calm down Atlas, let him have his way."
I replied calmly, urging him to let the little dog bark all he wanted, unbothered by it's commotion.
Atlas's raging aura had been neutralised, yet the killing intent that clung to him was undeniable, pressing subtly against everyone present.
Clayman slowly got to his feet, forcing a semblance of composure as if the previous chaos had never occurred. He cleared his throat, attempting to continue his speech.
"As I was saying, he was killed for simply taking back what belonged to him. I'll be following in his footsteps and ruling the Puppet Nation of Jistav. That's all I have to say."
He sat down.
"I do not like to bulge, but do not start a fight you can not win."
The giant spoke facts.
"I didn't say anything about fighting anyone."
He replied.
"Just curious, Angelic Devil, why did you spare some elven kingdoms?"
Roy asked.
Asteri replied, his eyes still closed and arms folded.
"Looks like getting old has started messing with your memory. I'm positive I said I only attack those who invaded us directly. I have no intention of ending the elven race. Their beauty is—one of a kind."
The last sentence wasn't necessary, but it's just a way for others to think lowly of him.
"Hmm."
"What will happen if Clayman actually follows Mimon's steps. And maybe take vengeance."
He smirked before Atlas took the answer off his mouth
"I'll personally handle that matter when the time comes."
The demon lords were surprised not at his words but at who uttered them.
"Hey, attendants aren't allowed to intervene, not as much talk on behalf of a demon lord. Unless given the permission to do so."
The first demon lord, Guy Crimson, spoke. Atlas's gaze slowly marked the demon in red. Guy, however, remained composed, entirely indifferent to the tension unfolding around them.
"Apologies, Red, but if that happens, I'll let him handle it. Besides, Atlas is my equal and our ideas seem to match."
This wasn't a satisfactory answer, so he added.
"I gave him the signal to talk anyway."
Guy nodded, not interested in dragging this any further.
"You guys should take note from here on out."
Atlas and Shinn nodded.
"Is that all? Cause I have something important to attend to."
Leon complained, finding an excuse to leave. After a minute of silence, Rain took a step forward.
"Any in opposition to the Marionette Master Calyman, being a Demon Lord?"
None moves an inch.
"Good. Time to conclude."
As she took her step back, Misery took the same steps beside her.
"The Nine Great Demon Lords,
Demon, Lord of Darkness, Guy Crimson,
Pixie, The Labyrinth, Ramiris,
Dragonoid, The Destroyer, Milim Nava,
Giant, The Earthquake, Dagruel,
Fallen, Sleeping Ruler, Dino,
Vampire, The Dracula, Roy Valentine,
Demonic, Platinum Sabre, Leon Cromwell,
Star, The Misfit Scourge, Asteri,
and
Undead Elf, Marionette Master, Clayman.
This marks the end of today's Walpurgis."
EEveryone was leaving, Asteri's eyes still closed, unbothered.
"Hey, don't fall asleep here."
Guy said, firing a fireball toward him. The ball shrank as it closed the distance, then he exhaled softly, extinguishing the flames effortlessly.
"What makes you think I sleep?"
Asteri spoke, opening his eyes without meeting Guy's gaze.
"I've been waiting for our rematch. Don't make me invade your island and do something. It's not against the rules."
He chuckled.
"I beg you. Please—do it."
"You being like this has something to do with what Ramiris told me, right?"
"I'm beyond weak Red. I need someone to train with."
"I'm always here, you know."
"You don't take the fights seriously. I need a death battle once in a while."
"Start a way with the demon lords. You'll have one, oh—how about including the two primordial races in the game to make it more epic?"
"Why? I'll take down most of you. The angels aren't that weak. It'll technically be a two‑v‑one. Me against you and Feldway."
Guy's brow furrowed, jaw tightening as he tried to mask the unease creeping into his expression.
"Feldway this, Feldway that—you scared of him that much?"
Asteri's lips curled slightly, a faint smirk forming as his gaze remained distant and unyielding.
"You won't understand,he's a descendant of light—"
"The same source the Supreme Star God came from. Yeah, yeah, I know—"
Asteri rose from his seat, his motion unhurried. Before him, a portal unfolded soundlessly, its surface reflecting the faint distortions of reality it connected to, his island, his domain.
He paused at its edge and spoke without turning back.
"Mark my word, our rematch is closer than you think. Oh, and—say hello to Lady Velzard for me."
The portal closed the moment he stepped through, leaving the space hollow in his absence.
Guy stood frozen. The shock lingered for a fraction of a second too long.
'He knew, huh? For how long? Well, it doesn't matter. I can't wait to stretch again.'
With a low laugh still echoing in the air, Guy turned and departed, his maid following silently as the space settled back into uneasy calm.
To be continued...