The Demon Monarch System

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Except for Fuhrer, everyone looked at Apollo in awe after witnessing the amount of destruction unleashed by his attack. As a result, Apollo returned a blank look with a wry chuckle. Truth be told, the results of his attack also surprised him.

Not just because of the destruction caused by it, but because of how empty he felt. He looked down towards Gram in his grasp with a hint of exasperation, 'Will you ever not be so greedy?'

Of course, as it was an incomplete armament, the weapon wasn't sentient. So it was incapable of answering Apollo's question, not that he needed one. The system already revealed that Apollo could perfect the weapon through his efforts.

Meanwhile, after bearing witness to the effect of the weapon in his hand, every member of the Dominus Household, except for Fuhrer, wanted to get their hands on one, which was understandable. 

Because amongst the higher echelons of battle, the difference of strength came down to two important factors―powerful techniques and powerful equipment. Just as Gram displayed, high-level equipment was capable of not just multiplying one's strength, but turning them into an existence that could thrash anyone of similar strength.

As long as their equipment was sub-par as well.

However, as with all immense advantages, there were dire drawbacks. For example, Apollo's actions weren't applicable in combat against an enemy of his caliber. If he wasn't capable of defeating his opponent in one strike, then sacrificing an enormous amount of Ira and Anima to unleash an attack wasn't practical. 

It left him vulnerable after losing the protection of his stigmata. 

"Damn, I need me one of those! Like now! Now!" Valac exclaimed in shock before running up and hugging Apollo's leg. "Young Lord! My liege, can I have one of those, please? PLEASEEE!"

Apollo groaned because of Valac's actions, even kicking his foot a few times, but it was like Valac was glued to his limb because no matter how much Apollo shook his leg, Valac wouldn't let go.

Eventually, Apollo looked towards Typhir with a smile that was not a smile, "Typhir?"

"Understood," Typhir nodded before removing his greatsword from his back with an indifferent expression. With weighted steps, he walked towards Valac while raising his sword. "You have three seconds to let go or face the consequences."

"One."

Typhir's stigmata activated, sending a surge of Ira flowing through his limbs. As a result, the fiery veins on his greatsword pulsated with intimidating power.

"Two."

Typhir raised his sword above his head as it became wreathed in an energy that punctured the void. As his affinity with Fuhrer's sword techniques was high, he had mastered pretty much 80% of the first strike. Therefore, it was a shocking sight to behold as the power of the void and his Ira circled his greatsword in opposing spirals.

"Tch, I'm not scared of you! You're not the Lord," Valac snarled.

However, Apollo shook his head with an amused chuckle, "But, he is the Leader~."

"Three."

BOOOOOOOM!

"YOOOWWWWW!" Valac scowled in pain as Typhir's strike split his entire back open. However, the result they sought was achieved. Typhir's strike forced Valac to let go. And although Typhir unleashed a terrifying attack, the setting they were in was favorable to every one of Apollo's demons.

The high saturation of Ira increased the rate at which they healed. While it was nothing compared to the ability given to Apollo by his pendant, it was still substantial. Thus, the large gash on Valac's back closed at a visible rate.

As that happened, Apollo glanced at him, "I understand that the allure of an armament is great. But, it'll take time for them to be forged."

Afterward, Apollo turned towards everyone who seemed to be interested in acquiring one as well, "As the new core of the Dominus Household, you should only expect the best available, but you must also understand that in our current state… everything will take time."

"We understand that, Lord. Our household dunce is just too incompetent to understand that," Typhir replied while firing a disappointed look at Valac.

"D-Don't gang up on me! I'm dangerous!" Valac shouted with frantic hand movements, yet no one took him seriously. No one except for Furcas. He whispered something into Apollo's ear that made his expression fill with disgust.

"He did that?" Apollo asked in doubt. He couldn't believe what Furcas revealed to him.

"Yes. He did so. The old Monarch even punished him for it once. Though I must say, his disturbing tactic proved effective as it allowed him to get away scot-free for quite some time," Furcas admitted.

In return, Apollo turned towards Valac and made his disgust know, "You are… hilariously disgusting. But if you ever piss in our food, I'll find that Cerberus and let it eat you."

Gasp!

Furcas and Valac's eyes both widened. While the rest had no clue as to what this Cerberus was, they understood very well. The fabled undying hellhound that guarded the Nether Realm's gates, which connecting the Nihilistic Rings to an indispensable place.

In fact, Valac and Furcas had once seen the Cerberus because the old Monarch took his household to those mentioned gates and subdued the hound. But it was all a horrifying experience.

Aside from the Monarch, with how much Purgatory Blood the beast wielded, none of the demons could withstand its dominion.

"N-no hound. Please, no hound. I'll be good. I promise," Valac whimpered with a pleading expression.

Eventually, Apollo let up. Because, instead of antagonizing Valac any further, he had more important matters. For example, replacing his empty heart with the Ira exhausted by Gram.

In the meantime, Fuhrer looked towards Apollo when he started to actively absorb Ira, "Would you like to learn a Noble Art?"

Gradually, Apollo stopped what he was doing. "Why do you ask?" Though increasing his arsenal was never a bad thing, Apollo was merely curious as to why Fuhrer asked this question now.

"Well, although you've awakened a trait from your Gula, it's not ideal for battle. It requires you to pause your assault to devour. But, what if I said there's a technique that allows you to autonomously absorb the resources you exhaust?" Fuhrer questioned.

Immediately, Apollo's eyes brightened because the explanation of this technique was simply too enticing. The idea of overcoming the need to replenish used energy was alluring. However, Apollo also understood that such a technique was not as simple as Fuhrer made it seem.

"Why is it only classified as a Noble Art? Noblesse can do it as well?" Apollo asked. Although Noble Arts were still highly coveted techniques, after learning from a variety of Abysmal Practices, Apollo felt that the effects of this mysterious technique were more than worth being called an Abysmal Practice.

After all, it gave one the ability to sustain themselves effortlessly! At least, it did so when trained to the highest level.

"No, it's a Noble Art because of how demanding it is on the body. So I gave it this ranking," Fuhrer replied. Although he made it sounded straightforward, the technique was taxing since it put the targeted energy vessel in overdrive, which produced an autonomous absorption effect.

Still, while the technique had ample room for improvement, Fuhrer felt it was tolerable as it was.

A moment later, Fuhrer added, "Besides, I created this technique to emulate an ability of the Monarch. I'm sure you'll learn that ability soon enough, so you don't need to learn if you don't wish to."

"I see," Apollo nodded in thought. Although it was something that would awaken soon enough, as of right now, it wasn't within his grasp. Therefore, Apollo decided to learn this technique from Fuhrer. Just not at this very moment, given that the reason for coming here was to allow the others to come in contact with purer Ira.

And, learning how to overdrive a vessel took some practice with a disastrous initial side effect according to Fuhrer. Thus, he returned to absorbing some of the ambient Ira through Endless Devouring. 

Besides that, he also didn't forget to devour the remains of the demons for any additional gains.

Gradually, after devouring the remains of the slain demons, Apollo and the rest resumed their journey down the ruin's corridor. Substantial changes in the atmosphere occurred the deeper they went. It was soon enough to astonish them.

The Ira became so dense that it formed a crimson mist along the top of the ceiling. However, it was less dense the closer it came to the height of the demons.. After all, the ruin's corridor was made to be over 20 feet tall.