Aectaeon was not subtle in his desires at all.
He even went out of his way to let his order be heard by the other Meisters. In such wise, no one would dare do something against his will in the succeeding battles.
{-{ "As you wish, Meister Igor." }-}
There was a perk that other Meisters didn't know about summoning a King.
Kings could act beyond the control of the Portable Device. These Demons could decide for themselves as long as it's in the best interest of their Meisters.
The silent rule among Mentors and Grand Meisters was to keep that fact hidden.
Having said that, Aectaeon acted as if he was navigating the device to commence Bacharoth's attack.
{-{ "Before anything else, Meister Igor, would it suit you if I erect a temporary shield? My attack could endanger the humans nearby." }-}
Aectaeon simply nodded at the Demon. Just then, a panel appeared in front of his opponent.
{-{ Opponent is requesting to act out of turn }-}
{-{ Accept }-} {-{ Reject }-}
The woman's shoulders trembled, and so did her lips. She kept on giving glances at Aectaeon and the panel, oblivious of what was the right thing to do.
'If I accept… If I accept… What will happen to me?! What will happen to my Demons?!' She thought, screaming inside her head.
Noticing her hesitation, Aectaeon spoke.
"Just accept it. Bacharoth wants to put up a shield. You have two consecutive turns after this anyway."
Ironically, the woman didn't believe his words. But she still followed his suggestion. Once she had tapped accept, Aectaeon randomly navigated his device. The other Meisters couldn't see his panels in any event.
In less than no time, Bacharoth had conjured an invisible Barrier between the audiences and the Demons he was about to attack. It also made sure that Aectaeon's opponent was beyond the barrier. Hence, the only human inside was Aectaeon.
"Bacharoth, bear with the attacks of the other Demons for a bit. I'll make sure your wounds get healed."
{-{ "These little Demons wouldn't be a problem to me, Meister." }-}
"That's not what I meant. It's stated in your profile that your wounds heal ten times as slow than the normal Demon. I'll buy the most expensive potion for you."
{-{ "If you insist, then I'll take you up on the offer." }-}
Aectaeon then faced the female Meister who was now banging on the barrier. He could still hear what she was saying, but he only ignored her words.
"It's your turn to attack." The man hollered, ruffling his hair yet again.
"A-ah, yes… yes…"
The woman's voice was meek, different from her bravado earlier. Her fingers fumbled as she attempted to activate the engage command. She hadn't even decided which Demon to use for that turn.
With his patience running out, Aectaeon clicked his tongue several times. He leaned his weight on one leg, massaging his forehead thereafter.
"Bacharoth, while we're waiting, can you answer some of my queries."
Bacharoth, who had its eyes on its opponents, turned to Aectaeon right away.
{-{ "Yes, Meister." }-}
"How does it feel to stay inside the portal?"
{-{ "The portal, it's difficult to describe the interior of the portal without having visited it first, Meister Igor." }-}
"I see. Then is there any way for me to enter the portal?"
{-{ "No, there is none. It has been attempted a variety of times, but there's no progress as of to date." }-}
"Is it because visiting the portal is equivalent to visiting the realm of Demons itself?"
Bacharoth ogled at the man, showing nothing in response. Aectaeon just shrugged his shoulders at the Demon and returned his attention towards his opponent.
"Just when is she going to attack? I'm already wasting time as it is. I don't need a contributor." Aectaeon mumbled, putting his hands in his pocket as usual.
At that instant, the man noticed some movements within the group of Demons. A goblin-line Demon took a step forward and stood directly opposite of Bacharoth.
Its entire body was shivering, as if it was being embraced by the coldest of winter air in the dead of the night. The little Demon proceeded to bow at Bacharoth before starting its approach. A few steps in, the Demon stopped all of a sudden. It glanced back at its comrades, shaking its head out of fear.
To all observers, it only looked like Bacharoth was intimidating the little Demon. Withal, the giant Demon wasn't even doing anything as to a blink.
Having had enough of waiting, Aectaeon decided to inspect the Demon that was nearing them.
{-{ Traxkur Lv. 70 }-}
'That's a pretty high-level Demon, isn't it? Though it's only of Baron rank.' Aectaeon thought, scratching his forehead with his finger all the while, 'The problem is its order. It's similar to Thyr, belonging to Imitators of Miracles.'
Aectaeon gazed at Bacharoth, wondering if the Demon knew what it was facing. Imitators of Miracles were mysterious in a way that their attacks could adapt to the capabilities of their opponents.
'Bacharoth is a King. No matter how powerful a Demon is, if they're not a King, they wouldn't be able to inflict much damage on the Kings.'
The man debated on whether to inform Bacharoth or keep his reticence. But as the little Demon resumed its approach, Aectaeon chose to shut his mouth. He shouldn't disturb a confrontation between Demons.
Once the little Demon was only a meter away from Bacharoth, it bowed its head over and over again.
{-{ "Dear King, please pardon my insolence." }-}
The Demon conveyed its message to Bacharoth, looking at the bigger Demon with its watery eyes.
{-{ "Do as you please. This is a battle. You should never hold back on your enemies." }-}
After gaining permission, the little Demon couldn't help but lit up. It then walked towards Bacharoth until it could reach the King's left foot. The Demon placed both of its trembling hands on Bacharoth's foot, peered at its Meister, and gave her the signal.
{-{ Activating 'Thaumaturgical Detonation' }-}
Before Aectaeon could even react, Bacharoth's entire left side exploded into smithereens. The King's flesh and blood splattering all over him.