“Master… Name…”
“Huh?” Aengus responded, his gaze fixed on the sharp pointy blade with a hint of astonishment.
As he held the blade, it seemed to come alive, initiating a telepathic dialogue within his mind. He felt an immediate connection, as if the sword recognized him as its one true master.
He gripped the weapon tightly, sensing the holy aura it emanated. It appeared incredibly menacing to all evils, as though a mere touch could reduce their flesh to ashes.
The powerful holy aura signified that it would show no mercy to either humans or demons alike. Those who had committed evil deeds would be struck down by its formidable might.
Suddenly, the words of Ilyana, the elven merchant Princess, echoed in his mind.
She had mentioned something akin to this—when sentient weapons are upgraded to B-grade, they gain the ability to communicate with their user.
“So you want a name, huh?” Aengus muttered softly, seemingly to no one.
The blade hummed in response, as if affirming its desire.
“Very well then. From this moment on, you will be called ‘Aegis of Judgment.'”
“Thank… you… Master,” the sentient blade, now named Aegis, replied, pleased with its new identity. This moment marked the beginning of Aegis’s tale.
Aengus looked around for a suitable scabbard for Aegis. The blade’s holy radiance was overwhelming, and he was certain it would draw too much attention if left exposed.
Afterward, he turned his attention to synthesizing the demon cores, concluding his power-up session.
By the time Aengus stepped out of the chamber, it was already the start of a new day. He had spent nearly 12 to 16 hours inside, immersed in his tasks.
“Master, you’re finally done with your work? Do you want something to eat?” Maid Donna stood outside his door, having waited there the entire time. Aengus had sensed her presence all along.
“No need,” he replied.
He had long passed the need for food to sustain himself, though he could still indulge in it on occasion. That was all it meant to him now.
His tone softened slightly, but it was clear he hadn’t yet forgiven her.
THUD.
“Lord! Please forgive me!”
Suddenly, Donna knelt down, clutching at his legs, her eyes watery with desperation.
“Master, I had no choice. Please forgive me! I won’t do it again. Just give me one more chance. Don’t give me that cold shoulder. I’m always afraid of incurring your wrath. I know I’ve done wrong, and I’m willing to do anything you ask.”
Aengus paused, but showed no reaction to her plea. The only thing that mattered to him now was practicality.
“So, you want forgiveness, huh?” Aengus asked, his tone indifferent as he looked down at her.
Shiiin…
He drew the Judgment Blade from its sheath and said, “If you can lift this sword without injury, I will forgive you.”
Clang.
The blade fell to the ground, even though it did not want to. Yet, it obeyed its master’s command.
“Really, my lord?” Donna’s face lit up with hope, and she reached for the blade.
“Ahhh!” But as soon as she tried to lift it, her hand burned, and she dropped it with a loud clang.
Aengus’s lips curled into a slight smile.
“See? You’re not loyal enough. When your devotion is pure and without selfish desire, only then will it acknowledge you.”
With a simple gesture, the blade flew back into Aengus’s hand, pristine and untouched by dust.
He walked away, leaving his maid gazing after him, her mind filled with awe and fear. She had thought it would be an easy task, but how could she have expected anything simple from her master?
She sighed, already beginning to think of ways to become truly loyal, free of selfish desires.
But it definitely won’t be easy.
—
THUD, BANG—
BOOM, CLANG!
In the open field, Aengus observed Bella, Sen, and Sienna engaged in intense sparring. It seemed Bella was teaching them, a rare sight. They fought in their human forms, wielding weapons as mortals would, sharpening their skills for battle.
Nearby, high-ranking demons stood watching from the sidelines. Among them were Vespera, Gourmond, Sienna’s father, and the Wolf King and Queen, all in their human forms.
Aengus stepped forward slowly, but each step reverberated with a suppressed, overwhelming power.
“Ba-dum, ba-dum!”
The demons nearby felt their hearts involuntarily skip a beat. His very presence sent a shiver down their spines, as if a primal instinct within them screamed of the danger he carried.
With trembling hearts, all eyes turned toward Aengus, and for a fleeting moment, they swore they saw a devil incarnate—an immense, shadowed power simmering just beneath the surface, ready to unleash itself.
Bella paused mid-strike, followed by Sen and Sienna, their hands trembling slightly from exertion. Bella, however, smiled—she could sense it. Aengus had grown even stronger than before.
The other demons immediately bowed as Aengus approached, but Bella remained upright, her heart skipping a beat as he drew closer.
“So Darling, you’re finally willing to step out?” she teased, though her smile was genuine. “I thought you’d be holed up in there forever. And it seems you’ve made a lot of progress.” She sighed, her tone carrying a hint of playful frustration. It felt unfair sometimes, watching him grow so rapidly, but the occasional help from him soothed her nerves.
Aengus met her gaze, his voice steady and confident. “Let’s spar.”
He used Appraisal to check her information and abilities….
[ Appraisal: ]
[ Name: Bella Bellfrost ]
[ Rank: Archdemon ]
[ Race: Demon-Human-Phoenix ]
[ Bloodline: Succubus (Royal), Eternal Phoenix (Royal) ]
[ Abilities:
1. Art of Seduction / Charm
2. Vitality Drain
3. Mind Control Puppetry
4. Illusion Crafter
5. Dream Hunter
6. Royal Demon Physique
7. Eternal Youth
8. Phoenix Rebirth
9. Eternal Fire Manipulation.
10. Phoenix Tears.
11. Eternal Phoenix Transformation.
[ Skills: ….. ]
As Aengus examined her more closely, curiosity sparked within him. Her background intrigued him.
She had the bloodline of the Phoenix. But what caught his attention even more was that she appeared to be a hybrid of three races.
“Where did the Phoenix Bloodline come from? From what he knew her mother was human and father was a demon. Was there’s something more than it meets the eye?”
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