The Demon Monarch System

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The transformation of Azridan subsided as soon as Fuhrer instructed him to relinquish control. Instead, Apollo's consciousness reappeared with a perfect recollection of the conversation between Fuhrer and Azridan. As a result, there was no reason for Fuhrer to clue him in.

Apollo picked up from where they left off, "I take it I have permission to officiate a Household?"

"Indeed you do. However, let's revisit this once more. Are you sure you're willing to live in such a precarious situation? One wherein those same demons who betrayed and then ultimately killed Azridan will hunt you endlessly?" Fuhrer questioned once more.

Perhaps he felt Apollo didn't place enough importance on this matter, because if they managed to kill Azridan and accept the rite in his stead then that meant they'd officially arrived at a state located between a Noblesse and a Daemos. While weaker than a Daemos, they'd still be strong than a Noblesse.

In fact, there was even a chance that Irzanach and the others were stronger than the current Lords. But, without proof, this was mere speculation. After all, the full power of the Lords was unknown, because taking up that position also rewards a special power capable of being used just a handful of times.

Nevertheless, despite understanding Fuhrer's wariness, Apollo felt it was misplaced. "I was told that I must be willing to take risks to achieve what I seek. That means risking death as well. Besides, if it isn't my fate, then I have no worries to spare over this situation."

"Very well, if that is your honest opinion then begin the process," Fuhrer answered. However, a part of him was also surprised. 'With his personality, I'm surprised he managed to keep from establishing one until now. I for sure thought he would slip up and give it to creating one before evolving.'

Meanwhile, Apollo retrieved the medallion from his inventory before looking into it. Once again, information that hadn't appeared for a long time appeared before his eyes. But, some minutes differences caught Apollo's eyes.

For one, the initial medallion was golden with cracks in it, producing an archaic vibe. However, the medallion's current appearance was pitch black, with the cracks releasing a purplish hue. Moreover, there was a faint crimson aura circling the medallion in his palm.

Overall, the changes seemed to be linked to him. Compared to its prior form, this current medallion felt twice as oppressive. Just looking at its invoked some dark thoughts.

"What a pure medallion! That must be made from a Dark Mythril. To think someone would form a medallion from this item. You're in luck young one. If you ever get your hands on a stronghold and use this as a core, the environment will be extremely beneficial to your followers," Fuhrer revealed with eyes glued to the medallion.

The worth of the medallion alone was capable of inciting some horrendous events. Fortunately, the broadcast didn't transmit the grading of the core, otherwise, Fuhrer would forbid Apollo from making the Household at this very moment.

Any demon with matured intelligence, including the current royal demons would fight to the death for such an item. After all, one of its cores benefits was something lost with time as this material was currently extinct.

After the movement of the Nihilistic Rings, it lost its optimal position to continue its creation of Dark Mithril. Any amount of it found at this point would be treated with the utmost care and only utilized by the strongest of demons.

'Who would have thought that earlier item was truly Dark Myrthil with a disguise covering it. However, now that Apollo holds the seven corrupted sins, it must have absorbed each property and recovered to its original form,' Fuhrer thought.

In the meantime, Apollo searched through the current information about the Household Creation Medallion.

「Item Name: Household Creation Medallion

Item Ranking: Abysmal 

Usage: Being in the possession of this medallion allows the users to create a household of the highest renown, bestowing a special title. This creates the highly sought «7 Corrupted Zones» environment.

«Ruler of a Lost Household» - Unlike the rest of the present household, your household is one of a kind with the potential to contain each unique Sin signature thanks to the unique properties of Dark Mythril. Because of this, you'll be given the title of a «Unique Ruler».

«7 Corrupted Zones» - As long as you inject the proper Sin properties, this medallion, once registered at the core of a stronghold will produce 7 unique zones, which are essentially forbidden zones capable of accelerating the absorption of Sin by breaking it down to its most basic components.

[Current Sin Purity = +20% Absorption speed for your followers. +25% personal Absorption Speed.]

*Note = Dark Myrthil is unlike other materials. It possesses the ability to bind to a master as long as a fragment of your soul blood is embedded within.」

....

Immediately, Apollo was intrigued by the new information received. 'In other words, the household is just the name whereas the stronghold is the true vessel of the household. Even then, it seems there are some benefits present without a stronghold. But…'

Apollo pondered the end of the first set of information. If he was rewarded a title for establishing his household, then didn't the mean the name and orientation of it would already be determined? If so, then Apollo had an idea of just what the messages the others would receive.

'I guess the Old Monarch doesn't permit me to feel fear amongst the lower denizens of the Demon Race. Very well, I will play along and follow your plan. It seems I have no choice in this matter regardless.'

〈System Alert: Household Creation Medallion found. Intent to register recorded.〉

〈System Alert: Do you wish to create your Household. [Y/N]?〉

First Apollo exhaled before answering the system, "Yes."

Boom!

The medallion released a torrential before forming a mirror image coalesced from this same energy. However, rather than move anywhere, it started to spin readily, eventually reaching a speed that made it seem like a straight line.

Once that speed was obtained, the rotating medallion burrowed deep into Apollo's mind without a shred of pain. In fact, the medallion soon found itself before Apollo's Tainted Temple and implanted itself there, which formed an identical imprint.

The shape was similar to a D, except wasn't closed with some being refined and others producing an unsurpassed rough feeling. Not to mention, it was finished with obscure dots placed in bizarre spots.

But, while Apollo was surprised, a shred of mental energy came in contact with the imprint. Surprisingly, the moment it did so, Apollo's body emitted a burst of terrifying aura of Domination, one that didn't seem to belong to him.

"I should have known," Fuhrer said with a grimace. On the other hand, this spectacle precipitated Apollo's next set of notifications. 

〈System Alert: The creation of your household has been finalized.〉

〈System Alert: The registered household already possesses a name. Now bestowing the name.〉 

〈System Alert: Congratulations! You have become the head of the «Dominus Household».〉

Whoosh!

An ethereal ripple undulated from Apollo's body, traveling far beyond his current space. In fact, while this ripple couldn't be trained, the undulating wave possessed a clear target. It went past Ashiraem, Suprenis, Gularia and kept burrowing through the protective barriers erected through Fuhrer and the Old Monarch's efforts.

Eventually, it arrived within the Lost Ring and collided with a gargantuan temple. Although it didn't produce much of a reaction. The temple rumbled for an instant before releasing a frightening wave that wave over each Ring simultaneously.

While some demons were unaware of this presence, others narrowed their eyes with a hint of fear laced within.

"Has he returned? Is this the return of the Monarch's household?!"

Meanwhile, a demon with a disgruntled appearance opened his eyes as signs of hatred throughout them. 'This isn't the monarch that I remember. It is far too weak to even be linked to him. No, it seems someone has finally been able to accept the mantle. Which means I finally have a target to funnel my anger into!'

Boom!

The demon destroyed the table he occupied before bursting through the roof of the tavern he sat in. While in the air he scanned the area to locate the ripple that passed through just as instant before in the air. 

A few moments later, he caught a trace of the ripples while looking towards a tower in the center of Ashiraem, "If I can't find you, then I might as well wait for you there. If you're the monarch's successor, then you'll have to meet these new lords. And I, Asteroth will be waiting there for you!

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Gradually, the wave of energy undulating from Apollo's body dissipated. Other than being granted the new title, Apollo didn't feel much different. However, the way the others looked at his him changed.

All of the demons bowed and repeated the same message. "Young Lord, please accept me into your household. We are willing travel even into the darkest depths of nihility with you. Your dark brilliance shall overshadow all."

With a nod, Apollo accepted their vow, which unsurprisingly generated another message.

〈System Alert: The «Dominus Household» has increased to 8 members. (Rulers: 1)〉