The Demon Monarch System

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Silently, Apollo browsed through his current status page while also moving forward with the rest of his followers. 

(Demon Monarch System) Lvl.4

Name: Apollo Kaiser

Race: Lesser Demon [97.15%]

Title: Azridan's Successor

Age: 15

Level: 125

Experience: 0.00%

Health: 100%

Demonic Anima Reserves: 10,100 units.

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(Impermanent)

Body Cultivation Realm: ~Rank 3 Zul Knight

Spirit Cultivation Realm: ~Rank 1 Spirit Warrior

Meridians: Saint-Grade (Middle Tier)

Zuls: 25,500

Oz: 1,000

Strength: 850.0

Agility: 795.0

Intelligence: 750.0

Vitality: 670.0

Comprehension: 96.0

Willpower: 75.0

[«Traits»]- 5

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[«Techniques»]- 7

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[«Elemental Affinities»] 

Level 9: Darkness, Fire

Level 7: Metal, Wind, and Lightning

Level 5: Earth

Level 3: Space 

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[«Demonic Servants»]

[Daemonic Avatar] Erus Fuhrer (Demon Knight) - The Tenebrous Master.

[Greater Demon] [Requires 5,000 units of Demonic Anima to summon.] 

[Demonic Acolyte] Typhir Estrada (Demon Knight) 

[Lesser Demon {Non-Summon}] Added benefits to you.

[Demonic Follower] Furcas (Demon Knight) - Wiseman of Corruption

[Greater Demon] [Requires 3,000 units of Demonic Anima to summon.]

[Demonic Servant] Zarkath (???)

[«Weakened» Greater Demon] [Requires 0 resources to summon.]

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[«Interdimensional Inventory»][«Inheritance»] [«Lucky Draw»]

Stat Points: 0

At first, he thought it was rather underwhelming that all of those demons only amounted to a mere 5 levels, but then as he thought about it, it made sense.

'The higher my level, the more experience it will take. Furthermore, obtaining these pieces could be seen as accomplishing special side tasks. Thus, it should also reward a set amount of bonus experience that isn't mentioned. As long as I continue to bring them under my control, then this should be something for me to worry about,' Apollo thought.

Then, he looked further down and noticed something that immediately caught his eye. Unlike the rest of his followers, Zarkath seemed to be some type of anomaly. 'Not only does he lack a demonic standing, but it also doesn't require any resources to summon him? While he may be in an extremely weakened state, that doesn't explain why this is so.'

Apollo held up his hand and summoned for him since he was overcome with curiosity, "Zarkath, appear." A small portal appeared before Apollo from which Zarkath exited. As he did, Apollo was shocked to find out it was truly as the system displayed.

Not a single shred of Demonic Anima or his mental strength was utilized to summon him. Yet, he could still feel the link to him and tell that his power was somewhere along the lines of Furcas, if not a tad bit greater. However, the reason for his shackle was undoubtedly due to his nearly shattered mind.

"You have called for me My Lord?" Zarkath uttered while taking a knee before Apollo. There was a faint lifelessness in his eyes but APollo didn't pay it any mind. Because of his actions, this was the result.

"Nothing, I was merely curious about something. But, since you're here already, stay and act as my bodyguard. With the number of injuries I've sustained, I'll need to heal them," Apollo announced. 

Zarkath nodded in response and took up a guarded position in front of Apollo. Meanwhile, Fuhrer continued to hold them in his grasp as his gaze fell upon what seemed to be a civilization in the distance. 'Hmm? This is a first, it seems to be some type of crude civilization within these castle walls. Could the Lord's reign be so loose over this Ring?' 

Until he was sure about his assumptions, Fuhrer didn't voice it. They would need to enter a smaller radius for him to sense the actions taking place in that civilization. As of right now, the distance from the walls was too great and he was moving further and further away from his source. Unlike Astarat, the Nihilistic Rings each possessed a special spatial barrier that caused his link to diminish.

After all, the power of the First Monarch was not to be trifled with. Even in his peak state, Fuhrer was unable to contest any seals the First Monarch put in place. 

While they were moving at rapid speeds, Apollo opened his eyes all of a sudden, "Fuhrer, can you speed up faster than this?" However, Apollo didn't use his voice as the violent winds from their current speed would just absorb it.

  Thus, he used his mental link.

"It's possible, but the turbulence will cause you all to lose footing and may even interrupt any plans you have to recuperate. Are you nervous about your dwindling time remaining?" Fuhrer questioned in return.

Needless to say, Apollo admitted this to be true. He was indeed nervous that he wouldn't have enough time. 

"Very well, to appease your worries, I will move even faster," Fuhrer relented. A moment later, a loud shockwave that nearly shattered their eardrums resounded as Fuhrer crossed the distance of 100 meters in the blink of an eye. With each step, it was as if he was performing miniature teleportations.

Fortunately, to deal with the aftershock, Apollo had Zarkath conjure a large number of Infernal Rampart. At first, they shook due to their lower solidity, but they withstood the impacts nonetheless. With this problem solved, Apollo returned to recuperating.

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In the state of recovery, time passed faster than Apollo perceived. He only opened his eyes when he realized they were no longer in motion. At the same time, he had Zarkath dissolve the Infernal Ramparts. 

"Is...this some type of civilization?" Apollo muttered when he noticed this additional set of walls within the castle's perimeter.

"Correct, I believe this is something another demon has created. It doesn't seem to have been erected since the beginning of this castle. In fact, when compared to the standards of this place the structure seems to be very crude," Fuhrer commented.

Nevertheless, since they were brought here, they couldn't shy away from advancing. As a result, Fuhrer took the lead as he ventured past the initial gates. However, the moment he did so, he unsheathed part of his sword.

A torrent of dark gold energy assaulted his body before being sliced in half by his aura, "What a rude bunch of inhabitants we have here. Is this the hospitality to present to your guests? Shall I make a mess of this place as a result?!" Fuhrer bellowed with a trace of cold fury in his eyes.

In response to his words and aura, a collection of demons materialized before him, "That is a very strong aura of Superbia you possess. Who are you and what brings you to our home?" One of the demons questioned in return.

In light of this questioning, Fuhrer bolstered his aura even further. When it came to demons born of Superbia, the only way to confront them was to establish your superiority. Only an adequate amount of bullheadedness could counter their initial gusto. 

"My identity is none of your concerning. The real concerning matter is you heathens and the lack of order this establishment possesses. It's as if you're primal demons back in the barbaric times," Fuhrer chortled. As he looked around, the demons here seems to wear crude clothing, and even their weapons lacked refinement. 

If he had to guess, this bunch of demons must have experienced some type of ruling coming in and taking a control of the place. 

Almost as if his words were some type of cue, a rhythmic thumping could be heard from behind a grand set of stone gates. In response, Fuhrer's eyebrows rose when he sensed the power of the being behind it.

'An odd power this one possesses. It's hard to tell, they must be some type of abomination,' Fuhrer mused while completely sheathing his sword. 

'BOOM!'

The silhouette of a large figure bust through the gate, shattering the stone to pieces. Naturally, this caused a cloud of rock dust to fill the surrounding. But, a grand ax was wave as it split apart the dust with ease.

"That tone of yours. Are you prancing through here as if you're our ruler? How about I smash you to bits until you learn that there is indeed order in this place? As for outsiders, there is no reason for us to be courteous," the new demon spat. 

When he noticed this prideful demeanor, Fuhrer struggled to hold in his chuckle. The days wherein a youthful demon chortled with him were behind him. Thus, he cracked his neck, "If you aren't the ruler here, then who might you be?"

"I am Jorgun! The Vice-Leader of our Prideresh settlement. Also known as the area of chaos. Now, come and learn your place!" Jorgun bellowed before releasing a pressure that made Fuhrer's eye gleam with excitement.