The Demon Monarch System

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"Fuhrer, watch out!" Apollo roared, attempting to warn Fuihrer of the impending danger. However, Fuhrer barely acknowledged Apollo, giving him a nod. In a typical situation, Fuhrer would have outright responded, but not this time.

On the contrary, Fuhrer was frowning. 'As I thought, the Lord is absolutely not his opponent. If it was him in this spot, he would have been killed many times over. Truly a troublesome enemy, but not outside of my ability. It'll just take patience above all else.'

In truth, the warped point in space was a diversionary tactic employed by Erebane. It was meant to draw attention away from his true plans. And, judging by Apollo's response, he fell for it. If this small utilization of cunningness was enough to fool his senses, then Fuhrer was gratified he chose to step up.

If it was Apollo in this position, he would have already fallen victim to Eerbane the moment his focus wavered. For beings like them, all Fuhrer and Erebane needed was an instant to reverse any perilous situation they were in.

While he was growing stronger at a rapid pace, Apollo had yet to reach this state, failing to classify as Erebane's opponent. Fortunately, Apollo was blessed with above-average cognizance. When he watched Fuhrer barely react, his immediate thought was something was amiss.

'It seems I have made a blunder. Now that I think about it, why would Fuhrer, whose experience topples my own many times over, ever fall victim to a sleight tactic like this?' Apollo internalized, partially reprimanding himself. 

Although he treated himself harshly, this was truthfully a learning experience. Learning of practical schemes to employ in battle while separate from danger was a pristine opportunity. Not only was he allowed to expand his knowledge, but there was virtually no danger accompanied by it.

Granted, if Apollo had sent out a different Demon, his beckon might've resulted in some unsightly results. Perhaps even reducing his personal army by one!  This mistake was quickly etched in his mind, adding to a repertoire of thoughts that circulated during battle.

Meanwhile, Erebane clicked his tongue while with the boundless shroud of darkness, "Tch, this guy is too vigilant. He didn't even spare a glance at the feint. Perhaps the lack of superlative life energies gave away my actions."

Contrary to what one believed, Ereabne wasn't the one undergoing movement. However, the darkness around him was in perpetual movement, constantly shifting the angle at which it traveled. 

Hence, while Erebane was rooted in the same position, it didn't appear that way in Fuhrer's eyes. As he searched, it seemed as if Erebane was moving constantly, awaiting the perfect time to execute an attack. Of course, with his expertise, Fuhrer wouldn't just broadcast his this information.

All of a sudden, Erebane changed his actions, taking a light step that caused him to drift alongside the darkness. While watching Fuhrer's reactions, Erebane's focus remained locked on Fuhrer's eyes.

'His eyes aren't shifting, so I'm guessing he isn't aware of my true position. But, his stance also has zero openings. In fact, those two openings he is showing are purposely created. Although they were placed seamlessly, I can still tell abnormality surrounding them.'

Previously, when Erebane disappeared, Fuhrer reacted by changing his stance. Unless someone wished to exit from within the fabrics of dimensions, then it was hard to draw them out of it without a higher mastery of the same practice. Even then, it was taxing because it required one to first overcome their opponent's attainments then wrest control of the established space.

Since Fuhrer was unsure of the future dangers of this place, he wasn't willing to exhaust so much energy. Especially when it was difficult to recharge a Demon's energy in this region. If they exhausted Apollo's supply of Anima Crystals and Fragments of Sin, then he would need to return to the Nihilistic Rings earlier.

However, if these two continued in this same manner, then it would lead to a standstill that lacked an expiration date. Upon realizing this fact, Fuhrer sighed, releasing a stream of gaseous energy.

"If you don't stop hiding, then I will just destroy everything. The lives that will be lost in the process will be on your head. You might not fear this, but I have ways of melding their fates with your consciousness. Furthermore, you WILL reveal your intentions in coming here. This isn't a request but an edict. Try me if you will," Fuhrer said in a frigid tone.

The lack of emotion made Erebane wary of Fuhrer. It didn't seem his words were empty threats. While he wasn't aware of Fuhrer's past, he didn't need to be. That type of cold, murderous aura was something honed over countless years of perilous fighting!

Still, Erebane didn't appear. Despite his thoughts on the matter, Erebane still tested Fuhrer's resolve. Or, rather he was testing how much slaughter Apollo would permit. Once he perused Lazaro's memories, he found that most of the orders came from Apollo, which was odd in his eyes.

"Heh, if I was that strong, I wouldn't take orders from such a weak person," Erebane snorted. Some of the respect he held for Fuhrer evaporated after learning of this. Apart from Apollo's current state, there was also the fact he fell victim to Erebane's scheme so easily.

Since Erebane refused to acknowledge Fuhrer's promise, a torrential aura of destruction and slaughter started to spill from Fuhrer as a composed madness filled Fuhrer's eyes. Needless to say, he was tapping into his Berserk state once again.

Different from last time, he did so willingly and without a catalyst such as receiving damage.

Once the aura appeared, Erebane's pupils constricted. 'I...I know this aura! But why is that so? Never in my life have I met this person. No, this just means I need my answers even more!'

Gradually, Erebane's presence appeared from within the darkness. Immediately after he appeared, Erebane's body became coated in an obsidian-like armor with shadowy embers flowing at the joints.

Magnificent white etchings flowed through the armor and met one another forming an intricate pattern, filled with ghastly energy. As the armor appeared, it seemed to absorb all light.

'An Arcanic Armament,' Fuhrer thought while observing the armor. While Demons possessed Sin Armament, if their purity was strong enough, a Spirit could invoke something just as powerful; an Arcanic Armament. 

Comprised from a Spirit's quintessential predecessors, they drew upon the source of their births to tap into the hidden weaponry of their souls. The stronger a Spirit was, the more Armaments there were hidden amongst their lineage. 

The moment the armor appeared, Erebane's demeanor changed. From the way he stood, one could sense the pride emanating from his being. However, as a being of pure Pride himself, Fuhrer found this situation laughable. 

It was started to become a battle of pure ego!

BOOM!

Two enormous aurae clashed together, causing a tempest strong enough to upheave some of the individuals standing on the staircase. Despite their attempts to rectify this issue, they were still pushed back nonetheless. Not to mention, this was just from the impact of their aura, they hadn't even truly clashed yet!

Fuhrer brandished Byrnhildr with three mirror images formed from glossy, dark energy appearing within arms reach. With their appearance, each sword covered their immediate 90-degree circumference. In other words, Fuhrer had used an offensive technique to establish his ultimate defense.

"U-ugh...it's so terrible," Nadida groaned. The pressure felt as if a boulder had been slammed into her chest. Suddenly, Odessa stepped in front of her just moments before raising her hand. 

A barrier erected, experiencing some weight fracture almost immediately.

However, Fuhrer and Erebane made their move. Their high-speed exchanges were astonishing! Not to mention the fact Erebane wielded two long daggers, similar to Lazaro's previous style.

His swift yet light attack quickly gained momentum while dealing with the mirror attacks of Fuhrer. Although his combat experience paled in comparison, Erebane ingeniously utilized his weapons.

Thin threads attached to Erebane's dagger, allowing him to deftly switch between ranged and close-quarters defensive measures. At the last second, before he suffered damage, Erebane retracted his weapon akin to teleportation.

Nevertheless, Fuhrer found his actions laughable. The longer Erebane engaged in the fight, the more pressure Fuhrer added. 

"You fight well, it is a shame that your flames of life will soon be extinguished after you've worked so painstakingly to achieve them," Fuhrer said in a taunting tone. Although psychological warfare was the most basic of the basics, sometimes that was all that was needed to turn the tides.

Especially so, in a fight where an end was barely in sight.

Meanwhile, Apollo squinted with his palm before his eyes as he noted their exchanges. The results were appalling, but to Apollo, this was valuable information. Gradually, he was absorbing their patterns of attack along with their unique techniques. 

All of a sudden, Fuhrer slashed his sword horizontally, the other three mirror images mimicking his actions. A horrifying rift was ripped open, which continued to spread without end.

It seemed Fuhrer's words weren't just a taunt!