The Earth After Rebirth

"Is that so? How many hellhounds oppose my uncle?"

All the 5 of them were shaking with fear, they could sense how unfriendly he was towards them. They could sense the anger that seemed to be buried deep within him, it seeped out with every syllable he spoke to them.

"There—are—many of us Sire, though most are those who can no longer fight. Both the Old and young generation." Said one of the two that seemed to have sense, though he stuttered badly at the beginning, his speech gradually became better.

Hubris didn't seem to care about the rambling the hound in front of him was making, he just wanted a number, an estimate. He knew how cunning his uncle was, he'd naturally use his people as meatshields before he falls from grace.

"How many?" He asked, impatience leaked out from his maw.

"About, 300 Sire. But with more than a thousand on his side, we didn't stand a chance."

"And what did you think one hound could do? I am just one, was your intention to lure me in and get me murdered?" He didn't put anything past his uncle, Kiro understood his line of questioning.

The Hellhound didn't answer. He'd heard of the blessed bloodline of royalty, so he didn't doubt it. He didn't think he'd lose against a thousand hounds, that's why everyone, believed in him. That's why the current King spreads false information that he was dead.

"What's your name?" Hubris asked him.

"Sire, I'm not worthy of the rightful heir to know my name. I am your subject, command me however you please."

Kiro stopped himself from bursting out laughing. It came out as a slight cough, he used his fist to hide his mouth and cleared his throat, making a very serious face.

"I won't repeat myself to you."

"I am Belial, Sire, you can have my head for my insolence."

Part of Hubris wished he could walk away from all of this. He wasn't quite used being treated the way he was. Kiro gave him a knowing look, as if to say, 'See? This is what I meant.'

He understood them, because he also had a master he respected beyond anything. He would die if it meant saving him, so he understood a little. That didn't stop him from being annoyed by the treatment.

"Belial is it? No one must know that I am back. At least, not yet."

"You're not exactly inconspicuous Hubris, you're huge even by hellhound standards."

The 5 on the ground looked at Kiro like he was the biggest idiot. He spoke so casually with him, most of all, he was speaking as if they were equals. They were ready to kill him, if their King ordered it.

"Master is right, I suppose we cannot leave this forest, for now."

Manners be damned, their necks mechanically turned their heads, looking at Hubris in shock and fear. They didn't understand why he was calling this low level creature, Master. Unless his name was, Master?

Noticing their reaction, Kiro joked, "You better refrain from calling me master Hubris, otherwise the following you've gained will dwindle into nothingness."

"My Lord, I could never." He turned his head to look at the 5, who had their mouths agape, shocked at the conversation. "Problem with that? This is my master."

They were lost for words, but they shook their heads to answer him nonetheless. They didn't understand anything but they weren't about to question it either.

"Where's your base?"

"In the city," He noticed that Hubris was looking at him like an idiot. "It's to hide in plain sight."

"Dumb." Kiro didn't mean to, but the word just came out of his mouth involuntarily.

"How dare a being with low level—" The dumber of the two said with a disgusted face and tone, but he didn't get to finish his sentence though.

Hubris had already reached his ignorant self and pinned his head to the ground. Which caused more damage to his skull, it absolutely crushed.

He felt like the whole world was resting on his head. He was sure this would be the end of him. He never knew the strength of a royal hound, but today he was not just a witness but also a victim. He didn't even attempt to fight it, he just laid there and accepted his fate.

Kiro reacted faster, the hound Hubris had pinned down didn't have long to live. He quickly pushed Hubris off him and made him drink a restorative potion.

"Hubris, you stupid pup! Now you owe me a very expensive potion."

Hubris suddenly looked like a child who was being scolded, he really let his anger get the better of him. Especially when they couldn't contact Hiro for more of these.

"So sorry master, this idiot was disrespecting you." He then turned to the hound that was on the ground just lying there, not because he was injured but his legs were so weak he couldn't get up.

"I didn't think this needed to be said, but this is my master. If he is my master, he is your god. If you bow down to me, you decapitate your head before you even think of talking to him without permission."

As shocked as they were, they didn't dispute. They had originally thought Kiro was just a slave their King obtained on the way here but they didn't imagine he was their King's superior.

They had seen his strength with their own eyes, the way he easily pushed Hubris out of the way made them think they were more or less were equals in the battlefield.

"Yes King and God, I'm so sorry for my brother. He is as dumb as a knob." Belial answered in an apologetic manner, his whole face was now buried in the dirt.

"Hubris, fix this, I don't want to be called a god."

Hubris ignored him, he didn't think the title was misplaced.

The hound he pinned down lost all its confidence it had its tail between the legs. That was arguably the most embarrassing thing for a hellhound to experience.