The Demon Monarch System

Chapter 369 - The Seven Unmatched Stigmata (I)

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"Absolutely terrible idea, young Lord. Do you even remember who Asteroth is? The Infernal Duke of Destruction. Are you sure that's a demon you wish to seek right now? Even I don't know how much of his strength he has retained. Although there are many demons far stronger than him...let's just say he's one of the few obsessed with incomparable destruction," Fuhrer stated.

As a demon of the Lost Council, each one possessed a unique personality, along with a certain style of combat. After being bestowed a certain amount of power by the First Monarch, their strengths varied greatly. Separated into a few different levels there were the Presidents, Knights, Earl, Marquises, Princes, Archduke, and lastly, the Kings.

Each of the rankings denoted an ancient power. These levels existed outside of the presences of the Lords and standard measurement of powers. Unlike power attained from consuming Demonic Anima, the ranking granted by the First Monarch bestowed a different type of authority.

Similar to how Valac induced a second transformation, these chosen demons resided outside of the normal scope for demons. After all, to maintain the order of raucous demons required uncontestable strength. Granted, it couldn't be activated all the time without supervision or it'd abused.

As a result, each demon possessed a unique command to cut off the power funnel needed to power this given ability. So, after learning of this, Apollo felt he possessed a trump card to control the lost council.

If they couldn't access their unorthodox power, then they were no different from regular demons.

"Don't worry. I'm not silly enough to set out this very moment. For now, let's focus on cementing my evolution and delving deeper into the hidden techniques of...my father," Apollo determined.

For a while, he entertained the thought of returning to the academy by flight, but that wasn't exactly advised in his current situation. Thus, Apollo settled for the better alternative—instructing Fuhrer to cut open a portal leading directly back to his dorm.

However, before Fuhrer could do so, Odessa stepped before Apollo with an odd expression, "No thank you for me? I'm guessing you just intend to leave without speaking?"

The frown on her face deepened as she took notice of Apollo's unchanging depression. The way he looked at her was akin to a nuisance. And such, his next words were even more impactful.

"I don't recall asking for your help. What makes you think I can't handle myself. If this is a ploy to guilt into thinking I owe you, then let's cut the act right here. Your help was negligible," Apollo stated in a harsh tone.

As Odessa listened to her word, her face filled with hurt as she looked down. Honestly speaking, this thought hadn't crossed her mind. While her actions were always indirectly linked to her fearing the poaching of Apollo by Alistair, she genuinely cared for his safety. 

Unfortunately, Apollo didn't view her actions the same way Odessa did. Instead of grey, Apollo's views were shifting to an immediate white of black. Meaning, Apollo's views were starting to lean towards the absolutes, leaving the grays of uncertainty to vanish.

"Is that how you view me? I can't just look out for you? You're really a jerk, you know that? I don't care what happens to you. Since you push everything away, how about I just vanish?" Odessa grumbled while firing Apollo a frightening glare. 

However, Apollo merely shrugged, "That'd be fine by me. If you're this sensitive now, how will you ever think to lead a pack." 

Before she could answer, however, Apollo stepped through the portal, which vanished in an instant. Blankly, Odessa could only stare at the portal dissipate in front of her very eyes.

Meanwhile, Nadida quietly approached her from behind and placed a hand on her shoulder, "Odessa, don't worry. Apollo is just like that. His words are very harsh and he doesn't really take others' feelings into account. I suggest you just ignore what he said."

"It's not that," Odessa said while shaking her head, "I'm just scared he'll renege on his promise. Doesn't he seem more detached to you? At least he put up with us before, but now it just seems like we're an eyesore to him."

"It could be possible but, only time will tell. Besides patience, I can't really see another solution. I'm sorry, Odesa. I know Apollo is important to your plans," Nadida said with a soft sigh.

Afterward, Geneva rounded up the remaining student. Since the excursion was over, it was now time to return to the Vermillion Night Academy. The longer they idled was the less time they had to perfect the use of their acquired items and even propel their cultivation higher.

In the meantime, Apollo and Fuhrer had a conversation related to his brusque behavior.

"Overly ruthless wouldn't you say, young Lord? I can sense it. Her actions truly put your care first. I am just curious as to why you're admittedly pushing her away. Isn't she always a viable candidate?" Fuhrer questioned.

Still inside the spatial tunnel, Apollo froze while glancing in Fuhrer's direction. "Truth be told, her growth could be faster. But, her mind is plagued with thoughts of assisting me. Something tells me she still believes me to be weaker than her despite my feats."

"That's understandable. As someone in her position, admitting someone has surpassed you might be difficult," Fuhrer responded while recalling some past situations. As a competitive race, there were many instances wherein a demon was on the verge of losing their ranking, yet refused to do so amicably.

Such actions led to strife and sometimes, that strife escalated into inevitable injury. And, the losing side was usually the one who refused to abdicate their position.

"True, but I don't wish to reveal my strength just yet. I'd like to leave a great surprise for these so-called Absorbeyns before we go," Apollo replied. A faint smile appeared across his lips as he recalled Fuhrer's warning.

With a Disaster-level Terror in the midst of being birthed, there was only a matter of time before a full-scale war occurred. Especially so if the one who empowered the Disaster recovered to their former strength.

"Understood. But about Asteroth, I suggest you deepen your repertoire before attempting to meet him. This isn't an estimation, but a certainty. When he sees you, he will confront you—physically."

Apollo just gave a nod as a response before exiting for the spatial tunnel. At a glance, his room remained unchanged save for a minute difference from the ones inhabiting the room. 

Both Ouroboros and Elaia were sitting in a meditative stance. Surprisingly, Elaia was in her fox form, showcasing her illustrious coat. Compared to before, her state seemed illusive, almost as if the sway of her hair induced a faint illusion.

"It would seem her attempt was a success. Perhaps Typhir and Ouroboros won't be the only visitors on our next trip," Apollo thought. A few seconds later, he pricked his index finger before beckoning to her, "Elaia."

Elaia's eyes flutter opening, revealing to eyes swirling with mental energy, "Hm?"

"This is for you." Apollo extended his finger before dripping a few drops of blood onto her tongue. As a beast, Elaia required a different type of practice to demonize her. Typhir simply required the injecting of his vital Anima, meanwhile, Elaia required blood to expunge the beastly natures embedded into her bloodline.

Once that was complete, Apollo's blood reconstructed the prior bloodline, just with a demonic orientation. Naturally, this was courtesy of Apollo's earlier mixture used on Geneva.

"Do you need any more resources before I continue with my own matters?" Apollo inquired before exhaling. A quick transformation occurred as Apollo returned to his demonic state.

"No, not yet. I think I'm fine. But Boros seems to have consumed all the resources you left him. He's a glutton! The moment you left he devoured them all without remorse and then has been asleep ever since," Elaia exclaimed. 

But, contrary to what she expected, Apollo didn't show any signs of anger. In fact, he chuckled softly, "Fuhrer, is his innate Gula deepening?"

"More than that, I believe it is beginning to fuse with Avaritia. That means not only will his hunger be genuine, but he'll be able to retain an overabundance of what he needs. Hence, I suggest you monitor his intake."

"I'll take your advice seriously. In the meantime, let's advance with the program."

Boom!

Apollo clapped his hands together, summoning the shroud of the wrath's blanket. Different from Fuhrer's, Apollo blanket overlapped countless times over. Even then, Apollo still requested Fuhrer's assistance to reinforce it further.

After all, while the first Stigmata was formed by one Sin, the remainder needed to be performed successively. Otherwise, the Sin energy stored for this process will disperse, requiring Apollo to seek out new sources.

This meant venturing to the respective Ring for their purest forms. His Stigmata was created before going through a complete Awakening, so the starting requirement wasn't as stringent. But now, along with an obscene power-up, he also complicated the mandate purity.

Nevertheless, Apollo was fine with his decision.

'Azridan, reveal the available stigmata to me.'

?Alert: 6 Unique Stigmata have been found and listed below.?

?Voracious Gula Stigmata (Gluttony)

Insipid Acedia Stigmata (Sloth)

Covetous Invidia Stigmata (Envy)

Insatiable Avaritia Stigmata (Greed)

Dauntless Superbia Stigmata (Pride)

Deluging Luxuria Stigmata (Lust) ?