The Demon Monarch System

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Eventually, Apollo and Fuhrer landed before the gates of Guloria's central city, which, unlike Firaria, remained nameless due to the abundance of cities in this Ring. However, just like Firaria, there was an entrance fee. Except, the price of this particular place was exorbitant even in Apollo's eyes.

The gatekeeper raised their hand, barring Apollo and Fuhrer from entering this place. Unsurprisingly, Fuhrer saw this action as disrespectful. While he could tolerate being stopped due to the rules put in place, he couldn't accept the gatekeeper raising their hand to Apollo's face.

As a result, his hand subconsciously reached towards Brynhildr's hilt. It was done so fast that the gatekeeper failed to sense Fuhrer's movement despite being at the peak of the Archdemon state.

Fortunately for this individual, Apollo was feeling uncharacteristically reasonable. But, that was only to a certain extent as a playful smile appeared on his face. "Would you repeat the entry fee once again? It seems my hearing has been failing me these days."

The gatekeeper shook his head with a sneer on his face as he listened to Apollo's words. "Tch, so young yet your body is already deteriorating? What a shame! As I said before, it's 300 Fragments of Sin for the two of you to enter."

Compared to the entry price of 6 Fragments of Sin required to enter the city of Firaria, the asking price for this Ring was fifty times greater! It was simply highway robbery for any demon familiar with the pricing of other Rings. 

Therefore, Fuhrer felt this price was unacceptable, as did Apollo.

"Are you sure that's the price you wish to keep? I'm sure there's a way for you to lower the cost, no? After all, how can a mere Greater Demon manage to offset that much Sin?" Apollo said in a calm tone. But, there was a murderous intention brewing within his gaze.

However, as an Archdemon, the gatekeeper felt no apprehension towards Apollo's gaze. On the contrary, his Sin compelled him to ask for even more. "If this price is unsuitable for you? Then, how about we up the ante to 360 Fragments of Sin?"

A disgusting grin appeared on the gatekeeper's face while he hiked up the price, but Apollo paid him no mind. Instead, he nodded to Fuhrer. "You can act as you please."

"With pleasure," Fuhrer said. In the next moment, a trickle of dense green blood flowed down the gatekeeper's neck as his eyes widened. 

He didn't even detect the movement of Fuhrer's blade sliding across his neck. Although Fuhrer's blade barely grazed his skin, it was enough to clear up the greed in his mind. Unfortunately, these two weren't as forgiving as the gatekeeper hoped.

A collection of miniature void portals materialized around the gatekeeper, with each one producing a sharp sensation. Evidently, each portal held a lurking blade deep within.

"While it is fine for a demon to draw power from a Sin, falling victim to its temptation means you're unfit to possess it, much less someone of your stature. Perhaps you'll ponder your choices in the afterlife," Fuhrer said lightly before slowly placing Brynhildr back in its sheath.

Once the click of his weapon attaching to its sheath sounded, a vortex of undetectable slashes tore the gatekeeper's body apart. Greed sustained his life, yet that greed was also the source of his end.

All of the demons in the vicinity watched with awe and fear as Apollo and Fuhrer stepped over the mutilated body and sauntered within the large gates of the city. However, by the time they disappeared, so did the gatekeeper's body.

"Quite delicious. It seems absorbing the Sin Energy, and Essence from demons of this orientation quells that lingering hunger," Apollo commented.

"I would assume so since you're feeding your Gula," Fuhrer agreed. 

Meanwhile, a raucous formed at the city gate since one of the gatekeepers were missing at the western entrance. All the demons seeking to visit the city flooded towards the gate. Naturally, the frantic influx of eager demons was noticed by the tower's staff immediately.

As a result, a replacement was dispatched. However, by the time the stand-in reached the area, the source of the predicament was long gone. Both Apollo and Fuhrer ventured through the city while taking note of its landscape and the locations of essential powers.

"I wonder if the Lord of this place is free," Apollo muttered while looking towards the tower.

"Who cares? If they aren't, then we'll simply have to make them free," Fuhrer shrugged. In his eyes, there was nothing more important than their agenda. Besides, he was sure that the Lord of this place was busy engorging himself. Though he wasn't familiar with the Lord's behavior, after sensing the inconsistencies in Saehtyn's power, the Lord here shouldn't be much better off.

The influence of their irregular Sin should influence a generous portion of their actions. 

"You sound like more of a tyrant than I do," Apollo said in a joking tone. However, Fuhrer smiled in response. But then his eyes narrowed as he looked towards the tower. "It would seem we have their attention already."

"Oh? That makes our job easier," Apollo responded. 

After learning of the Council's actions, Apollo moved with less restraint. If the Council destroyed the link to their headquarters, it was impossible to restore its functionality in a short amount of time. So, even if Apollo caused untold levels of mayhem, the only ones able to respond would be the Lords.

However, as long as Apollo limited his tyranny to a small sector of the Rings, the chances of invoking the other Lords' appearance were abysmal. 

....

Inside the peak of Guloria's Tower…

"Who are these damned people? Unfamiliar and causing a disturbance? I should eat them," Belphegor snarled while throwing a fit in his throne room. Unlike Saehtyn's area, which was in a pristine state before the destructive battle, Belphegor's area was in complete disarray.

However, based on his outward appearance, this was to be expected. As a glutton, the odds of his quarters being orderly were nonexistent.

While grumbling and spitting everywhere, his attention turned towards the opening door, which presented two people. Naturally, it was Apollo and Fuhrer.

A look of disgust appeared on Apollo's face as he glanced around Belphegor's quarters. 'Even worse than I assumed. However, it's a rather useful depiction of what to expect from this individual.'

"The Lord of this place, I presume?" Apollo said, causing Belphegor's odd look.

"The name is Belphegor. I go by that and nothing else," Belphegor replied.

However, instead of answering immediately, Apollo continued to scan the condition of the room he stood in. There were traces of Gula everywhere, and some were strong enough to sustain a link to whatever dead space the glutton's absorptions were linked to.

"I understand that you've recently fought against some enemy that went by the name of Irzanach?" Apollo stated. Anger instantly seethe in Belphegor's eyes as he heard this name. After all, it was because of this person that he was in his current state.

While it wasn't apparent at first sight, a large gash on his stomach that healed at an alarmingly slow rate caught Apollo's attention. Perhaps it was due to Irzanach's irregular Sin signature, but a tricky energy reduced his healing factor to a fifth of its usual speed.

"Are you related to him!? That damned scoundrel. He is a plague that needs to be ripped apart and eaten!" Belphegor scowled indignantly. 

Meanwhile, Apollo saw this as an opportunity. If he confirmed that Belphegor loathed Irzanach to this extent, he could capitalize on this opportunity. All he needed to do was point him in the right direction.

"If I were to locate his position, would you like to assist me? I'll even allow you to consume him once I'm done with him," Apollo offered. But although it sounded like a good deal, Belphegor looked at him skeptically. Only now did he sense Apollo's current strength.

"A Greater Demon? Locate him? Are you playing around with me right now? That person resides at a state above a Noblesse! How exactly can you possibly do something we couldn't?"

"Asteroth could," Apollo commented. 

Similar to Saehtyn, Belphegor blanked before giving Apollo a bizarre look. He couldn't believe that Apollo held any relation to Asteroth. After all, Apollo's power was concealed entirely by his bloodline. Unless he wished to disclose the abnormality of his strength, then outside of those on his father's level, no one could sense it.

"You… want to use him?"

In response to the question, Apollo gave an enigmatic grin.