398. Deal with the Devil's Daughter

Novis bellowed a wary cry as he leapt down from a tree, diving for the flying fire. I got you this time, he thought as he brought his arms forward. He’d failed every other day, never able to catch Willy, but this time was different. He’d finally hit Level 10. He was now stronger than ever, having undergone his evolution just last night. He saw not much physical changes, sadly enough, but he felt the actual differences in how fast he moved.

He swung for the [Will O’ Wisp] right as he was about to hit the ground— but Willy just whizzed out of the way with ease. The baby Wyvern crashed face-first into the dirt and groaned. Bellum paused next to him and scoffed.

“Stupid.”

“Shut up!”

He scowled as he got back to his feet. Willy floated down between them. The [Will O’ Wisp] watched them bicker, before casting his gaze to Oriur in the distance, panting and resting against a tree.

“I don’t see you doing any better.”

Novis folded his arms. Bellum just shrugged.

“I tried, but not stupidly.”

“I’ll catch Willy first, you’ll see!”

“Sure you will.”

She snorted. They continued their argument, not even realizing Willy turned away from them. They didn’t notice the [Will O’ Wisp] staring at the mountaintop where their mama lay. It was only when he was flying high in the sky did they glance up and blink.

“Playtime over?

Both Novis and Bellum deflated. Willy looked down towards them. Novis glanced over at where mama was sleeping soundly. For some reason, he warily turned to mama again then flitted back down.

“No.”

He replied simply.

“Play.”

“Yay!”

Novis and Bellum exclaimed. Oriur just groaned and collapsed.

A dark mist clouded over me, pulling me into an empty void. I was surrounded by a sea of infinite shadows, yet I knew everyone from beyond would see a false vision of a scene that wasn’t playing out. It reminded me of the place I’d been in before I was born. Or— when I was being born.

But this void wasn’t completely empty. It didn’t lack any life or presence around me. There was a single figure here. A creature that faced me fearlessly, even in my form as a Wyvern. After all, he was a Primeval Demon. And my former enemy, now… ally of sorts.

“Hello, Belzu.”

I bared my teeth at him. The [Hellprince] didn’t move. He fluttered above me, his bulbous eyes fixed on my face. I tilted my head at the silent Demon and spoke casually.

“Did you get it?”

“...”

“Come on, Mr Lord of Lies, tell me the truth.”

I strode forward as my body shifted. I morphed back into my regular form. I was barely half of Belzu’s height now, and he towered over me in the air. Still, I wagged a clawed finger at him as I flicked my silver hair back.

“I promise I won’t get mad even if you failed.”

And his eyes twitched. Belzu’s body vanished and he appeared before me. The Primeval Demon grew three times in size as his figure warped. The insect became a monster. His eyes multiplied and bubbled into a thousand gazes that fixed on me. A putrid stench reeked from his rotting flesh as his mouth unlatched and spilled black blood.

“You dare mock me?”

“I’m not mocking you. I’m trying to be nice. If you want me to be rude, then I can be rude, stupid!”

I harrumphed and crossed my arms. Belzu didn’t move. He just loomed closer. I raised a hand and flicked a finger. The illusion of that deformed monstrosity vanished, and the Primeval Demon appeared once more, this time just standing. His wings weren’t beating. He held in his arms a glinting object. An ornate blade that illuminated this void, filling it with light.

My eyes widened as I took a step forward.

“There it is.”

I felt my lips curl up at the sight of the Mythic Grade artifact. The powerful weapon that could even tear armies asunder. One that could turn a [Mage] into a [Warrior].

“The Sword of Alexander.”

Belzu spoke its name as he held it up. The blade glimmered with magic, and I stepped forward. I brought a hand forward, but he stopped me.

“This weapon has felled hundreds of thousands— maybe even millions— of foes in its lifetime. It is the blade used by the Immortal King Alexander himself, Humankind’s greatest [Hero].”

I narrowed my eyes as I realized where Belzu was getting at. He raised the blade and pointed it towards me.

“With a single swing of it, I could end your life right now, Salvos. You have no Divine Essence. You cannot overpower me. You will die.”

I brought up a single clawed finger and placed it at the tip of the Sword of Alexander. It was sharp, and even a soft touch drew a droplet of blood from me. I didn’t react.

“Except, you're not going to do that. Because if you kill me, you won’t have any other allies left in the Mortal Realm. You would finally be alone, and you won’t be able to do a thing against Levithus.”

“And what makes you think I even need your help?”

He stared me down. I rolled my eyes.

“We already went over this, Belzu. You had everything. You had no enemies. You had an army at your side. You even had the Sword of Alexander— and you lost it. You failed, when you had all the advantages in the world.”

Belzu narrowed his eyes. He brought the Sword of Alexander dangerously close to my head. I didn’t flinch, but I wasn’t a fool either. I was ready to teleport out of here at any moment. If he tried anything— and I didn’t even pay attention to what I saw or felt, but used my spatial senses to detect if anything was amiss— I would be back at my Lair near Mavos Academy in an instant.

“Do not underestimate me.”

The Primeval Demon spoke threateningly.

“I have come from nothing, a Demon meant to become nothing. Yet, I have made Regnorex, the Demon King himself, quake in his boots at my name. I have met the Devil, and seen through his tricks and impressed him with my own ambition. I have faced the Beast and survived. I faced the Beast and I survived.”

His voice echoed as he repeated himself. I tilted my head when he finished his little spiel.

“And?”

“And…?”

His eyes blazed with fury. I just shrugged.

“Despite all that, you’ve already lost once. It can happen again. This is your last chance to make an ally. To stop being stupid and wild. Levithus is my enemy too. I want to help you, and you need to help me.”

I met his gaze as I spoke clearly. Without backing down. He didn’t move. I pushed the Sword of Alexander away and turned around.

“Plus— we made a deal. You’re not going to go against your word, will you?”

I glanced back at him, winking. Belzu just stood there, the frustration clear on his face. He slowly lowered the Sword of Alexander, and I waved a hand.

“Now, hand it over.”

The Primeval Demon hesitated. I gestured for the Mythic Grade artifact.

“Belzu, you’re not a fighter. You use illusions and curses. We both know it’s a better fit in my hands.”

“We have an agreement, don’t we?”

He finally spoke, looking up to meet my gaze. I nodded.

“Yep. You give me the Sword of Alexander, and I’ll get the rest of the Treasures of Alexander for you. Then we’ll kick Levithus’ ass and stop his crazy ritual from happening.”

Belzu had explained everything about Levithus’ plan to me. And it wasn’t something I really liked. I’d rather prevent his ritual from happening so my companions weren’t endangered.

“After that, we’ll both return to the Netherworld together. We’ll go our separate ways— you can do whatever you want, maybe kill Regnorex or die trying— and I’ll go and find Haec.”

My goal hadn’t changed. I remembered my first companion. I would find him no matter what. Belzu shifted slightly, his wings buzzing as he deliberated whether or not to follow through with our deal. Finally, he made his decision. He lowered his head and spun the Sword of Alexander around, facing its hilt towards me.

I smiled at him and accepted the Mythic Grade artifact.

“Thank you.”

I beamed as a notification resounded in my mind.

Temporary Skill [Superior Strength] Obtained!

Temporary Skill [Superior Endurance] Obtained!

Temporary Skill [Champion’s Slash] Obtained!

Stats:

[Available Stat Points: 0]

[Vitality]: 175 (+30) (+10)

[Strength]: 175 (+10%) (+30) (+10)

[Endurance]: 175 (+10%) (+30) (+10) (+3)

[Wisdom]: 292 (+30) (+10) (+20)

[Agility]: 353 (+30) (+10) (+5)

Three Temporary Skills, just like the Breastplate of Alexander. I swung it around, but it didn’t cut up the earth around me as I expected it to. I had a suspicion that was a result of [Champion’s Slash], rather than a passive ability.

“Let’s see— [Champion’s Slash]!”

I swung it down once, and the air flickered. A giant ethereal blade swung after the Sword of Alexander, tearing the earth asunder. I blinked as the hilltop shattered beneath me broke apart and went crashing down the side of the hill.

“What is that?”

Novis paused as he heard the crashing of rocks. He turned towards the hill mama had been lying at, and watched in horror as a landslide collapsed into the valley. Bellum and Oriur looked up too. The three baby Wyverns exchanged glances, and they all had the same thought.

“Mama!”

They went scrambling for the hill as Willy sighed and gave chase.

I didn’t see the destruction caused by the Sword of Alexander, but I could hear it and sense it with my spatial senses.

“Huh. And I can do that as many times as I want?”

I swung it up, and again the attack followed the Sword of Alexander’s trail. The clouds above the sky parted, and Belzu nodded.

“It is not all-powerful. There is a limit to how many times it can be used before it has to be recharged. However, until that limit is reached?”

The Primeval Demon stared at the weapon greedily, then turned away.

“It can unleash ultimate destruction.”

“I see.”

I admired the blade. Then I flicked my hand and it vanished into my pocket space.

“I’d like to test it out. See how far I can push it.”

“Play with your new toy as you wish. I have upheld my end of the bargain. I shall wait for you to complete yours. Until then, you know where to find me, Archdemon.”

I looked toward Belzu as the void around us began to dissipate. His illusion was ending, and his form was growing distorted. I pointed at him indignantly.

“Hey! Why are you calling me an Archdemon again? You were using my name just a few minutes ago!”

The Primeval Demon harrumphed and vanished, leaving behind only an echo.

“Farewell.”

Then he was gone, and I was back in the real world. I looked around the area, surveying the valley. I’d cleanly cut across the hilltop, causing it to collapse down into the valley where I usually slept with the three baby Wyverns. It was pretty impressive, but more a result of gravity than just the Sword of Alexander. Still, it would aid me more in battle than even a Divine Nebular Scythe. Far more. After all, it was a Mythic Grade artifact.

And I was not just going to let it go unused.

I looked down. I heard the footsteps rush up the rubble. I sensed them before I even saw them coming. Novis, Bellum, and Oriur rushed up the side of the valley to where I was as Willy followed after them.

I beamed, waving their way.

“Hey, guys! Sorry for the mess, but I’ll make it up! Let’s go on a trip to the Beastmen Plains—”

And the three baby Wyverns paused. They exchanged glances before screaming and scrambling away from me. I blinked, then looked down at myself. I wasn’t in my Wyvern form, and Novis, Bellum, and Oriur fled as they shrieked.

“Oh, oops.”

Willy just sighed resignedly as he flitted up to me.

“Stupid.”

I crossed my arms at him.

“Hey! You should stop that, you know? You’re going to teach the children bad things!”

“Already did.”

“Oh.”