Countless Demon Stars drift across the Sea of Chaos. This was once a great expedition of the Demon Stars. Initially, the Demon Stars were not born within the Greek Pantheon's Mythological World but originated in the Sea of Chaos. This is why they can wander in the Sea of Chaos and traverse numerous worlds.
In the Sea of Chaos, the Demon Stars displayed terrifying power. They devoured voraciously, and the immense divine items contained within the 108 Demon Stars today were amassed during this expedition. Moreover, damaged or broken Demon Stars were mercilessly consumed by others.
Eventually.
Only 108 Demon Stars remained. During this eternal expedition, they sensed Hades' impending birth and gradually converged on the Greek Pantheon's Mythological World, waiting quietly in the Astral Realm for Hades to be born.
This is the complete journey of the Demon Stars from their creation to the present. As for Mephistopheles… his situation is rather unique.
The greatest acquisition of the Demon Stars was the devouring of a broken Mythological Universe. Within this universe, Mephistopheles, who had mastered the power of contracts and created his own Contract Hell, was supposed to break free and become a demon god wandering the Sea of Chaos, awaiting his opportunity. However, he was targeted by the Heavenly Prime Star and was devoured in one gulp.
Subsequently, there wasn't much left to say. Mephistopheles, having been swallowed, was sealed within the Heavenly Prime Star. The Demon Stars possess a unique law of sealing, which subjected Mephistopheles to countless ages of imprisonment.
Until today!
With Hades' arrival, Mephistopheles saw a glimmer of hope for escape. But upon seeing Hades effortlessly command the power of the Demon Stars, Mephistopheles' faint hope turned to despair. He thought, "Why give me hope only to take it away?"
Mephistopheles, feeling utterly hopeless, watched Hades manipulate the power of the Demon Stars. It became clear that this person was their master, making escape impossible. Could he outwit this god?
"Mephistopheles," Hades began after understanding everything, waving his hand to dissipate the spiritual mirror. "Do you desire freedom?"
Hades' voice was calm, devoid of emotion. Hearing this, Mephistopheles' hope extinguished completely. He realized that Hades was a being of absolute rationality, controlling his emotions perfectly. Such beings, whether gods or men, lack clear desires or can perfectly control them, making them immune to temptation.
"Let's get to the point," Mephistopheles responded bluntly. "What must I do to break my seal?"
Hades laid out his terms directly: "Become my subordinate deity."
"No..."
Before Mephistopheles could refuse, Hades continued, "You have only one chance. Think carefully. The raw material for the Heavenly Prime Star's Underworld Armor is the Contract Demon God, Mephistopheles. Killing you and using your divine body and soul to forge the Underworld Armor while preserving your essence isn't difficult. Your Contract Hell still exists. I could nurture a new Mephistopheles. It would only take some time."
Hades spoke softly, but this made his words all the more chilling.
Mephistopheles felt a shiver down his spine. As a god, he shouldn't feel this way, but the cold fear was undeniable. He stared intently at Hades, wondering how someone with such a pure appearance could utter such dangerous words.
"I agree."
In the end, Mephistopheles chose to comply. Clearly, Hades wasn't joking. He would indeed kill him without hesitation. Even though a new Contract Demon God might be born in the future, it wouldn't be him—it would be a new entity bearing the name Mephistopheles.
After all.
As Hades stated, it would merely be a matter of time. Just as Hades' potential is to become a God-King because he is inherently a God-King, Mephistopheles, as the Contract Demon God, could ascend to the level of a Titan Chief God without any limitations. Given time, Hades could easily cultivate such a being.
Mephistopheles, true to his nature as a demon god, understood the value of flexibility. With a flash of his divine consciousness, a crystal, radiant and heart-like, appeared and floated toward Hades.
Hades took the crystal, sensed it briefly, and confirmed it was Mephistopheles' divine heart. He absorbed it completely, instantly feeling the life and essence of Mephistopheles perfectly under his control. A mere thought could now end Mephistopheles' existence.
The Divine Heart!
This is the essence of a god. Unlike master-servant or even slave contracts, when a god hands over their divine heart to another, it signifies entrusting their life entirely to that being. A single thought from their new master could end their life instantly.
With a sweep of Hades' divine sense, all the chains on the Heavenly Prime Star began to dissolve, releasing Mephistopheles, who had been bound for untold ages. Although the Contract Demon God would now forever lose his freedom and serve as Hades' subordinate deity.
"Your Majesty..."
"No need."
Mephistopheles, now in the form of an elderly gentleman, knelt respectfully on one knee. Hades raised his hand to stop him. "Use a different title."
"Lord Hades!"
Mephistopheles quickly understood the meaning. Hades nodded. Currently, he was not in a position to be addressed as 'Your Majesty' or 'God-King.' Those titles would only be appropriate when he reached his destined rank. For now, such titles were unnecessary.
Nevertheless.
In addition to the countless divine treasures found within the Demon Stars, gaining a subordinate deity of Titan Chief God level was an unexpected bonus.
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