Glasya-Labolas Territory
Entrance of the Glasya-Labolas Territory
Riser, Tiamat, Erza, Merlin, and Ophis materialized at the entrance of the vast Glasya-Labolas territory. The surrounding environment was gloomy, filled with an oppressive energy. The sky was perpetually dark, reflecting the constant night of the underworld, and a dense fog covered the landscape, creating an almost spectral scene.
The towers of the Glasya-Labolas mansion loomed imposingly in the distance, built from black stone and adorned with menacing gargoyles. The main gate was massive, made of wrought iron, and guarded by two imposing devils, both with suspicious looks.
"These traitors are still here, despite aligning with the Old Satan faction," Riser said, looking at the mansion with disdain.
"Since the war, the Maous have maintained a pacifist policy," Tiamat said, crossing her arms. "This attitude gives them a sense of impunity."
"You know the politics of the underworld well," Riser commented, casting an interested glance at Tiamat.
"I am an ancient dragon. I know many things," Tiamat replied, her voice carrying the weight of ancestral wisdom.
Merlin, with a confident smile, intervened.
"My Peerage is well-qualified, whether in strength or knowledge."
Riser, ignoring Merlin's high praise, turned directly to her.
"Merlin, block teleportation in the area. We can't let any of them escape."
Merlin nodded and began chanting a spell, her hands tracing complex patterns in the air. A blue glow enveloped her fingers as ancient runes appeared around her, creating an invisible magical barrier that expanded throughout the territory.
"Done," Merlin announced, her voice firm.
Riser turned to Erza.
"Erza, do the honors."
Erza, with a determined look, unsheathed her sword, which gleamed with intense energy. She advanced toward the two devils at the entrance with impressive speed.
"Who dares to invade the Glasya-Labolas territory?" one of the devils shouted, brandishing a spear.
Before he could react, Erza was already upon him. With a precise strike, she cut the spear in half and, in a fluid motion, decapitated the devil.
SLASH!
The second devil, armed with iron fists, tried to attack Erza, but she deftly dodged, spinning her sword and piercing the opponent's chest.
THUD!
Erza looked at the fallen bodies, her expression impassive. "They were no match."
Riser observed the scene with a satisfied smile. "Let's go inside," he said, starting to walk toward the gate.
Ophis, walking beside Riser, suggested in her soft, expressionless voice, "Wouldn't it be better if I destroyed everything at once?"
Riser looked at her with an amused smile. "That would take away the fun."
With Tiamat and Merlin by his side and Erza leading the way, they headed toward the entrance of the Glasya-Labolas mansion. The devil guards nearby watched the group's approach with recognition and fear in their eyes.
"Riser Asmodeus," one of the guards murmured, his eyes wide. "What is he doing here?"
"What do we do?!" another guard asked, panic in his voice.
"Quick, inform Lord Glasya-Labolas. This is far beyond us. It must be a mistake!" the other guard said, trying to remain calm.
As the guards rushed to inform their superiors, Riser and his group advanced without encountering resistance. Upon reaching the mansion's main entrance, the large wooden doors opened automatically, revealing a vast hall adorned with tapestries and ancient armor.
From the back of the hall, three figures approached: Lord Glasya-Labolas, Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas, and Iryuka Glasya-Labolas.
"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Glasya-Labolas demanded, his voice echoing through the hall.
Riser stepped forward, his dominating presence filling the space. "I'm here to collect on your betrayal. You aligned with the Old Satan faction, and that will not be tolerated."
"You may be a Maou, but you're still young," Lord Glasya-Labolas said, his voice dripping with disdain. "My son was a Maou before you. You don't know what you're doing."
Riser looked coldly at Lord Glasya-Labolas, his voice filled with determination. "You dishonor your son's memory. Falbium was killed by the Old Satan faction, yet you allied with them. That's unacceptable."
Zephyrdor, the heir to the family, stepped forward, his expression full of hatred and defiance. "You don't understand anything. We did what was necessary to ensure our family's survival."
"Betrayal is never necessary," Riser said firmly. "You chose the wrong side, and now you'll pay for it."
Iryuka, who had remained silent until then, stepped forward, her hands trembling slightly. "Wait," she said, her voice trembling a bit. "I did not partake in this betrayal. I never supported the alliance with the Old Satan faction."
Lord Glasya-Labolas looked at Iryuka with anger, his expression hardening. "Iryuka, are you betraying us too? Are you placing the blame solely on us?"
"Father, you know it's true," Iryuka said, trying to stay calm. "I was always against this alliance. When Rizevim announced the betrayal, I wasn't there. I did not agree with this decision."
Zephyrdor shot a furious look at Iryuka. "You're abandoning us now, Iryuka? After everything we've done for you?"
"I'm trying to save what's left of our honor," Iryuka responded, her voice firm. "I cannot support such vile treason."
Lord Glasya-Labolas, furious, took a step toward Iryuka. "You insolent fool! How dare you turn against your own family?"
Before Lord Glasya-Labolas could get closer to Iryuka, Riser raised his hand, invoking his fire magic. An intense sphere of flames formed in his palm, and with a swift motion, he hurled it directly at Lord Glasya-Labolas.
WHOOSH!
The flames engulfed Lord Glasya-Labolas, burning his clothes and skin. He screamed in pain and surprise, falling to his knees as he tried to extinguish the flames with his hands.
AAAAH!
Riser watched the scene with a cold, impassive look. "Boring. I don't have time for family drama," he said, his voice dripping with disdain.
Zephyrdor, seeing his father engulfed in flames, tried to advance but was stopped by Erza, who brandished her sword with deadly precision, placing it dangerously close to his neck. "One more move, and you're next," she said, her voice firm and authoritative.
Iryuka stood paralyzed, her eyes wide with fear as she watched her father being consumed by the flames.
She instinctively stepped back, her hands visibly trembling. 'What should I do?' she thought, her mind spinning in panic. The feeling of helplessness overwhelmed her as she witnessed the destruction before her.
The guards, seeing Riser's attack, were immobilized by indecision. They exchanged anxious looks, unsure of how to act. Intervening would mean going against their own lord, but disobeying Riser, now a Maou, seemed equally suicidal.
"What do we do?" one of them whispered, desperation clear in his voice. None of them dared to move, fearing the consequences of any action.
Lord Glasya-Labolas, badly injured, managed to extinguish the flames that consumed him.
He panted, his skin burned and painful, but his eyes were still full of hatred and determination. "You will pay for this," he said hoarsely, struggling to stand.
Riser showed no sign of compassion, his cold gaze fixed on the wounded noble. "You had your chance to redeem yourself," Riser said, his tone merciless.
Lord Glasya-Labolas looked at Riser with disdain, despite his condition. "Do the other Maous know what you're doing?" he asked, trying to buy time.
Riser gave a disdainful smile. "Yes, they know," he said, his voice icy. "And they all agreed that the eradication of traitors like you is necessary for the peace of the underworld."
Zephyrdor, still under the threat of Erza's sword, tried to resist. "This is an injustice!" he shouted, his face contorted with rage. "We did what was necessary to survive!"
Riser shook his head slowly. "Betrayal is never the solution," he said, his voice full of condemnation. "And now, you'll pay for your choices."
Iryuka, still terrified, looked at Riser with a mix of fear and gratitude. "Thank you," she said in a low voice, her voice trembling. "I only wanted to save our honor."
"Unfortunately, it's too late to save your family's honor," Riser said, his voice cold. "But you can still save your life."
Iryuka, still trembling, looked at Riser with eyes full of uncertainty. "What do you mean?"
Riser took a step forward, ignoring her thanks. "You have a choice: death or servitude," he said, his voice firm. "I want you in Merlin's Peerage."
Iryuka hesitated, her gaze shifting from Riser to her father and brother. Lord Glasya-Labolas, despite his burns, sneered at her, his expression full of contempt. "Traitor. I'd rather die with honor than see my daughter humiliate herself like this."
Zephyrdor agreed with his father, his expression full of disdain. "He's right, Iryuka. Don't bow your head to them."
Iryuka felt the weight of her family's words but also the reality of her situation. 'My life is worth more than the honor of a traitorous family,' she thought, finally making her decision.
She looked at Riser, her gaze firm. "I choose life," Iryuka said, her voice stronger. "I will serve in Merlin's Peerage."
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