Aengus and Bella settled the thousands of demons temporarily in the Fortress City’s military barracks. They had come a long way, leaving their family behind for now, with the hope of building a new foundation here—if they could make enough contributions to the city.
The atmosphere at the barracks was tense, a strange air of unspoken rivalry lingering. The joined soldiers kept their behavior in check after a stern reminder from both Bella and Aengus, but there was an undeniable sense of competition. They engaged in small talk, mostly to gauge each other’s strength.
Bella’s side boasted nearly a dozen elder demons and around ten thousand lesser and greater-ranked demons, twice the number Aengus had brought with him. Together, they formed a formidable force, one that could significantly bolster the Marquisate’s strength.
Now, inside the grand residence of the Marquis—a large mansion guarded by demon sentinels—the ruler of this powerful Marquisate was currently being decided.
The meeting hall was filled with elders, nobles, and a few Barons, all gathered for Aengus’s coronation ceremony.
Bella stood confidently at the center, unfazed by her father’s earlier summoning. She knew he would come around eventually—after all, Belial had been searching for a worthy partner for her all this while, and Aengus, with his strength and presence, was perfect for the role.
She was certain her father would see the wisdom in her choice, even if it took time.
The hall buzzed with anticipation as the ceremony was about to begin.
“My lady, isn’t it a bit hasty to declare a new Marquis like this?” an elder demon interrupted, his deep voice cutting through the formal atmosphere of the hall.
Several heads turned toward him as he continued, his expression defiant. “We don’t even know if he’s worthy of the post. We cannot accept this until Lord Duke Belial gives us the official decree.”
Murmurs of agreement quickly followed from a few noblemen seated comfortably around the hall. “Yes, the Elder is right,” one chimed in. “We won’t accept it without the Duke’s approval.”
Bella’s gaze narrowed as the murmurings grew louder. A cold glint passed her eyes, and everyone shivered.
Aengus remained calm, watching the unfolding tension with an air of indifference. To him, this was all unnecessary—mere formalities. He knew no one here could challenge him, and their hesitation was likely due to his status as a half-breed. They didn’t want to bow to someone they saw as lesser.
Bianca, standing beside her sister, couldn’t help but notice Aengus’s unbothered demeanor. It intrigued her.
“Why doesn’t he look worried at all?” she thought, a flicker of curiosity sparking in her eyes. “Is he really that confident in his strength? This might turn out more interesting than I thought.”
Bella, meanwhile, was growing visibly irritated by the resistance. Her voice trembled with barely restrained fury as she addressed the gathered nobles.
“Have you all forgotten that strength is everything in the Abyss?” she snapped. “Do I need to remind you of that?”
Her eyes blazed as she gestured toward Aengus. “I have chosen this man as my partner, and he will rule in my place. Is that so difficult for you to comprehend?”
The elder demon stood his ground, unshaken by her outburst. “Lady Bella, that’s exactly what we’re questioning. Strength is what matters most. If he’s weak, he cannot take your place.”
Bella’s face twisted with anger. “What nonsense!” she spat. “Didn’t I just say he is as strong as I am—perhaps even stronger? Are you calling my judgment into question now? You’ve become bold indeed.”
She exhaled sharply, her patience clearly thinning. “Fine. If any of you wish to challenge him, step forward. But be prepared to die. This is no game.”
The room fell deathly silent. The words Death Challenge hung heavily in the air. A few demons visibly trembled at the idea, knowing what a challenge like that meant in their world.
Bianca chimed in from the side, her tone dripping with mockery. “That’s the best proposal, sister. These old fogies won’t learn any other way.” She sneered, casting a disdainful look at the room.
The gathered demons hesitated, exchanging glances, but none dared to move forward.
“My lady, I would-”
The four-armed giant was about to speak, challenging Aengus.
But before he could finish—
SPLASH!
The giant was instantly obliterated into a gory mess, his body reduced to nothing more than a gruesome display of blood and flesh. The room froze. The sheer brutality of it sent shockwaves through the assembly, paralyzing them with terror.
“Ahh…”
Several demons shrieked in horror, their faces drained of color as they gazed at Aengus, whose glowing golden eyes faded back to normal as if nothing had happened.
It had all occurred in the blink of an eye—too fast for anyone to react.
THUD!
The old demon and the others, who had moments ago dared to question Aengus, collapsed to their knees, their bodies shaking with fear. Heads bowed low, they didn’t dare meet his gaze as they frantically begged for mercy.
“We—we accept you as our new lord, your excellency! Please, forgive our insolence!” Their voices quivered, full of desperation, as they pressed their foreheads to the floor.
They now understood the truth. The half-breed they had so arrogantly dismissed was no ordinary demon. He was death incarnate, a force beyond comprehension.
“He was an Elder demon…” one of them muttered, barely able to speak through his terror. “He could command millions, and yet… The new Marquis… He wiped him out like nothing…”
The room was gripped by an oppressive silence.
Every noble blooded demon present realized they were no longer in the presence of just another noble vying for power. Aengus was something far greater—a being whose strength was so overwhelming that it defied belief.
They had been given a harsh lesson. Aengus was not to be challenged. Not now, not ever.
Bianca’s mouth formed an ‘O’ shape as she witnessed her ‘Brother-in-law’ powers first hand.
She had noticed the ethereal golden glow in his eyes, which made her felt that she was naked in front of him.
“Listen well. Those who submit, lives! For others, only death. ” Anegus remarked, his voice carrying authority and power.
These nobles and barons have their own invidual armies, so their submission were important.
Bella crossed her legs like a queen, and smiled lightly witnessing their futile resistance crumbling into pieces in seconds.
Now, the only one was headache on her mind was her father and Marquis Reynard’s audacious claim.
