The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 356 - Preying On The Weak (II)

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"W-what do you expect me to do?" Vellaria stuttered as her eyes switched between Apollo and Typhir's position. Although his words were quite clear, due to her personality, Vellaria wasn't able to piece together what Apollo was asking of her.

Therefore, Apollo could only sigh and simplify his intentions, "It really is quite simple. Either this place becomes your perpetual grave, or you become my personal minion. However, before the latter can happen, I would like for you to discard that worthless disposition of yours. The world is much crueler than you know."

"Y-your minion!?" Vellaria muttered with widened eyes. Even though she was desperate for her survival, she didn't expect Apollo to have this type of demand. Not only did it shock her, but it frightened her as well.

'If I want to live...then I have to become one of them?' Vellaria internalized with shaky eyes. Becoming one of Apollo's minions and committing terrible atrocities went against her beliefs. Her timid and empathetic inclination would be shattered to pieces if she was to become a cruel being. 

Thus, it led her to question whether or not staying alive was worth it. And, Apollo could see this ambivalence in her eyes. It made him remember his former self, the vulnerable boy who could acquire nothing due to his destitute circumstances.

As a result, there was a small reaction within Apollo. A hint of anger surfaced in his eyes as he gazed upon Vellaria, "Is this all you're worth? Allowing your peers to trample upon you because you don't wish to voice your opinion? Don't try to deny it, I have already felt your repressed impulses, I know very well what you keep hidden."

Vellaria paled at the mention of her repressed sentiments. After all, it was true that she couldn't endure the actions of Lazaro and the others; willfully ruining the lives of many who went against them. This was both an abuse and misuse of their power by using it to threaten others.

I mean, who would go against a Great Family, whose ranks possess a collection of Heroic Spirits? It was nonsensical! Going against a Great Family's direct descendants was akin to a death wish. 

So, their victims could only suffer in silence, dreading their own weakness as it kept them nailed down to the vice of nihility.

"W-what do you mean from me?!" Vellaria screamed at the pitch of a bloodied shriek. Apollo's fervent reprimanding was burrowing deep into some of the repressed images in her mind. Flashes of disturbing events passed in incited a remembrance as Vellaria bit her lip.

"You want me to tell you that they deserved to die? That they are scum? But you are no better! Even if they deserved to die, it isn't your right to determine their death," Vellaria retorted with a trembling hand. Despite her instability, there seemed to be a hint of resolve that appeared in her previously fragile gaze.

"Then, whose right is it? The parents that led to their corruption? Their background which enabled their actions? Face it, after being born with a golden spoon, they never experienced the true treachery of an impoverished life. If so, they wouldn't squander it the way they do. That goes for all of you who lived a previously sheltered life," Apollo answered in a deep voice.

His grim tone resonated in the ears of many. Based on his expression, it was clear he was speaking from experience. They were almost certain that this individual had suffered an abundance of his own hardships.

"I-I," Vellaria stammered, unable to find the correct answer. While she felt Apollo had a point, it was still difficult to accept the cruelty of taking someone's life. Nevertheless, if the decision was left up to those people, then the situation would never evolve or devolve from its current state. No punishment would be administered and it would all be swept under the rug.

The only way for something to happen was for them to mess with someone of a stronger backing. However, all of the children of the Supreme Families were remarkably well known. Just the thought of provoking one of them was madness.

The upper levels of the family didn't need to mobilize, simply sending their strongest youths to commit a massacre was possible. After all, some of them possessed top-notch talents in Spirit Cultivation, harboring some horrifyingly strong partners. 

"Lord, how about we just kill her and be done with it? This little crap right here is very irritating, I just really want to squash her fragile body! Like, bam, I could do it right now and it'd be that easy!" Valac snarled, licking his lips as one of his wings appeared in the form of a sharpened weapon. It took all of his willpower to refrain from sticking holes in Vellaria.

Nevertheless, as Apollo was engaged in something, he wouldn't allow Valac to act wantonly and monitored his actions, "Fuhrer, keep an eye on Valac. He isn't allowed to cause any mayhem unless I permit him to do so."

"As you wish my Lord," Fuhrer nodded and raised his hand to Valac, restricting his body on the spot.

"D-damn...this isn't fair! I did nothing wrong. You know it as well as I do, she is annoying and we might as well put this peasant out of her misery!" Valac shrieked indignantly.

In response, Fuhrer hit him on the head with the sheath of Brynhildr. "Quiet, he's doing this for the sake of his excursion back to the stronghold. Our current force isn't strong enough to go up against our foes. It's only a matter of time before we experience conflict with the current order of Demons."

"Tch, I'll just eradicate them all," Valac responded with a scowl.

Fuhrer's eyebrow raised with amusement, "Oh yeah? Then why did we find you hidden in the ranks of some unknown stronghold? Why weren't advancing closer to Lucifer's position?"

"U-uh…" Valac started to sputter with a furious blush as Fuhrer's prodding poked holes in his display of vain strength. 

"Heh, you should've been the one to old the Forgotten Sin of Vainglory with all that rubbish you spew," Furcas chuckled at the side of both of them. Outside of the 7 knowns Sins, there was another that had long since been forgotten.

It was only prominent during ancient times—the times of catastrophic wars. The sin of vainglory was a trait found in the demons who spoke grand words yet backed it with zero action. Furthermore, any minute action taken was performed by their underlings, for which they took credit.

Such a practice earned a despicable repute and ultimately led to the abolishment of the Sin since anyone found with this Sin was murdered ruthlessly before their deceitful ways allowed them to snake their way into power.

"Ahem," Apollo cleared his throat to signal everyone to shut their mouths. Afterward, he returned his attention to Vellaria, whose state seemed much better than before. Honestly speaking, this is what Apollo sought.

In fact, Apollo was looking for her to start overcoming this fragile shell of hers, "Now tell me exactly what is on your mind."

"Joining you...won't change my life for the better. You'll just be condemning me to your murderous aberration. I can't stand by that," Vellaria said while shaking her. As much as she wanted strength, this wasn't the route she visualized for herself.

Apollo smiled faintly and then posed a question, "Really? Tell me, what would you do on the day of the destruction of your family?" 

"D-destruction? Are you threatening me? Is this...such a severe ultimatum?" Vellaria asked in response but Apollo merely shook his head.

"No, I'm just talking about the inevitable. Some people have brought to my attention the presence of something known as a disaster. It is coming. Haven't you realized? I'm sure your academy has recently implemented extreme cultivation regimens. Ever cared to ask why?"

Apart from Apollo, there weren't many amongst this generation who were privy to the looming catastrophe. After all, not every individual was able to mold their Headmaster like putty in their palms.

"So we are in danger? Is this why you seek me out? But, if that's the case, why me?"

"It's simple actually," Apollo answered before pressing his finger against Vellaria forehead. A scene of Apollo leaving an imprint in the depths of her body appeared. This happened back in the Dark Ruins Labyrinth, during the time he absorbed the Sin Energy from her mind.

"A mark?"

'Precisely, and I'm sorry to say that I don't know how to reverse it. Truthfully speaking, that wasn't my doing. So, I can only offer to place you by my side to guarantee your safety. Otherwise...your death will be certain and you will be powerless to change anything.

Vellaria's eyes rattled at this revelation. Did she not have a choice in this matter? Would she have to ultimately commit abominations?

Meanwhile, Apollo turned to Fuhrer before seeking verification, "How much have you uncovered about this place?"