The Sterminatore Council was the governing body of the entire Sterminatore Organization.
They were located in the Northern Continent, where the organization's central headquarters was also based. The Sterminatore Council consisted of elderly individuals who had previously held the position of Level 0 Sterminatore. Lukhiel didn't know their current number, but a decade ago, the council consisted of six members.
"You need to go to the Northern Continent and investigate them directly to find the answers."
"…"
Serenity was the second-most targeted organization by Sterminatore, with only Anathema surpassing them. Because of that, no members of Serenity were ever sent to the Northern Continent. Rhemea would never risk sending her members to the most dangerous place for them. It was only natural that Celinee couldn't find the words to respond to the demon's statement.
"Let's get back to the main discussion," Lukhiel continued after nearly half a minute. "How many members did you bring?"
"There are only three of us, Sir. I asked the others to keep monitoring Doctor Lergen's assistant."
"In that case, let's move quickly. We need to capture a few lower-class demons as bait for those two Level 1 Sterminatore."
Demons were divided by Sterminatore into two main categories: upper-class demons and lower-class demons. Each category was further divided into several classes. Primordial Demon, Super Demon, and Ultimate Demon were the classes for upper-class demons. Meanwhile, the classes for lower-class demons, ranked from strongest to weakest, were Rare Demon, Extra Demon, and Lesser Demon.
Although there was a physical gate connecting the underworld and the surface world, no demons had emerged from that gate, which was guarded by two Primordial Demons, for as long as Lukhiel could remember. He didn't know exactly when it began, but as far as he knew, it had been over a thousand years. Demons now appeared on the surface world near locations where a human died at night. If the death occurred during the day, demons couldn't manifest.
"I'm not skilled at sensing the presence of demons when they suppress their aura," Lukhiel continued as he turned down a path between two buildings. "I'm relying on you to find them."
Celinee nodded, and they quickened their pace.
Lukhiel had a feeling this matter wouldn't be resolved within three days. He didn't share this thought with Celinee, hoping his instincts were wrong. But when had his instincts ever been wrong? It was precisely because his instincts had never failed him that Lukhiel decided to train Mariel.
Even so, Lukhiel still hoped this wouldn't turn into a prolonged problem.
Although he wasn't the youngest demon with the title of Primordial Demon, Lukhiel was perhaps the weakest. He didn't know if he could handle an individual as powerful as King Arthur IV. What was certain was that he wouldn't be able to regenerate his body if struck by the holy sword Excalibur. Among the thirteen holy weapons (allegedly) left by the gods, Excalibur was one of the most dangerous.
Lukhiel had managed to defeat the wielder of the "Sword of Salvation" because the woman hadn't yet mastered the thirteenth holy sword. The woman didn't even know the name of the weapon known as the "Sword of Salvation". She and King Arthur IV were in completely different leagues.
For that reason, Lukhiel hoped the situation wouldn't escalate to the point where they had to deal with the king.
⟨⟨ O ⟩⟩
Three days passed quickly.
For the umpteenth time, Mariel stood before the demon to continue his training. However, today he couldn't relax. Lukhiel wasted no time. After dropping off his belongings upon returning from the city less than ten minutes ago, he immediately ordered him outside to prepare. The demon didn't explain what kind of training they would do.
"We're going to spar today," Lukhiel said before Mariel could open his mouth to ask. "We'll spar until you can't move anymore. After that, I'll teach you how to use prana. It's time to take your training to the next level."
Mariel allowed a thin smile to curve his lips. "It is only a matter of time before Master says that," he remarked. "But why now? I thought Master would teach me how to use prana in another year or two."
"That was my initial plan," Lukhiel admitted. "But you need to become stronger as quickly as possible. Without mastering the use of prana, you won't be able to connect with the spirit within you. You won't truly become strong without harnessing the power of your spirit."
Lukhiel hadn't given Mariel any books about prana, but there were books about spirits. So, he understood what his master meant. He understood it very well.
In theory, spirits were the souls of beings that lived during the age of gods—including the gods themselves. Modern humans were creatures that developed after the era of the gods ended. Because of this, every human soul born was always accompanied by a spirit.
There was no historical evidence proving that era ever existed in the surface world. However, no other theory contradicted this one.
The existence of the thirteen holy weapons was even claimed to be remnants of that era. Beyond that, the power of spirits was undeniably real. Humans could become extraordinarily powerful through the strength of spirits. That alone was widely accepted as proof.
"But that still doesn't answer my question," Mariel insisted. "Why do you want me to become strong so quickly?"
Lukhiel only laughed, but his expression quickly turned serious. "The day you can make me bleed, I'll answer that question. For now, focus. We're sparring."
"It seems there's nothing I can say to convince Master."
Mariel took a deep breath, spreading his feet into a fighting stance. He had been training for nearly three years, but he had never sparred before. Until now, he had only fought animals, mostly predators. This would be his first real fight. Mariel didn't want to disappoint.
"Come at me!"
With that command, Mariel dashed forward, closing the distance between them. He opened the fight with flair, leaping straight into the air and swinging his right fist toward the demon's face. His master had always laughed while watching his wrestle with animals—he would use this opportunity to pay him back.
However, before Mariel's punch could hit its target, the demon's left leg struck the left side of his body first. The kick was not weak; Mariel was sent flying and dragged for several meters. Fortunately, none of his bones cracked—Lukhiel still knew how to hold back.
"That's the worst way to start an attack," Lukhiel commented, his left leg still in the air. "An opening like that only works against opponents who aren't significantly stronger than you." He dropped his leg and closed the distance between himself and his student. "Stand up. Try fighting with the strategy you use to beat me in chess."
Mariel had acted recklessly, but it was understandable. He was too eager to teach the demon a lesson. He wanted to start the fight with flair. That approach worked on lions, tigers, and black rhinos. But Mariel forgot that he was facing the demon known as a Primordial Demon.
"You ask for it, Master," Mariel said, standing up within seconds. "I'll attack you seriously now."
"Good. But make sure you maintain your defense. Just because you know I won't hurt you too badly doesn't mean you can ignore your guard. In a real fight, leaving even the slightest opening can get you killed."
Mariel nodded in understanding. His teacher was harsh during training, but everything he did was truly for his development. Lukhiel was also highly knowledgeable and experienced beyond question. He always listened carefully to the advice he gave and applied it as best as he could.
"Come!"
Mariel obeyed the command. His body surged forward at the highest speed he could muster. Determination painted his expression. He dashed in a straight line, his fist swinging directly ahead. Lukhiel anticipated this easily. But suddenly, Mariel lowered his body and slid past the demon's left side.
He didn't know if he had managed to deceive his master, nor did he let it distract him. He immediately stood, turned around, and attacked Lukhiel from behind. This strategy worked against large predators, and Mariel hoped it might surprise his master. He used his small frame to his advantage.
But hope was a hollow word without sufficient power to back it up. And Mariel lacked that power. Lukhiel simply shifted one step and spun, perfectly dodging his punch.
Mariel wasn't surprised. It was easy to imagine the demon dodging his attack. That was why he acted quickly. Using the momentum pushing him forward, he dropped to the ground, planting both palms on the dirt. He then unleashed a powerful side kick aimed at the demon, who was preparing to counterattack.
Lukhiel blocked the double kick effortlessly.
Before his master could capitalize on the moment and target his hands, Mariel spun his body and flipped away from Lukhiel. He didn't take the opportunity to catch his breath; instead, he launched another attack, this time directly from the front. At the very least, he needed to try building momentum with a frontal assault.
Lukhiel blocked punch after punch from Mariel. His kicks were also deflected. Lukhiel didn't move from his spot and used only his hands. Mariel couldn't land a single hit. He kept attacking relentlessly and aggressively, but Lukhiel continued to block with ease and full precision.
At this point, Mariel had no choice but to fight dirty. They were battling in an open area, with nothing around to exploit. Lukhiel was somewhat insane for asking him to fight as if it were a chess match. In chess, a pawn could take down a queen. In reality? Absolutely not. More than that, he didn't even have any "pieces" to play. Mariel was forced to rely on dirty tricks to show his progress.
Mariel ducked to avoid his master's kick. While ducking, he took the opportunity to scoop up some dirt from the ground, clenching it in his fist. Then he rolled to the left, dodging Lukhiel's attempt to stomp him. His master seemed to be growing bored of just defending—his movements suggested he was ready to attack.
Things would worsen for Mariel if he let his master go on the offensive. He still hadn't forgotten the pain from his first strike. So, Mariel didn't waste any time. After getting back on his feet, he launched himself at his master again. He unleashed another flurry of punches, but this time, he had a different objective in mind.
After unleashing a barrage of attacks for some time (all of which were effortlessly blocked), Mariel finally saw an opening. As Lukhiel deflected his spinning kick, a gap appeared, and Mariel didn't waste the opportunity. He immediately threw the sandy dirt in his hand toward his master's face.
But suddenly, Lukhiel vanished from Mariel's sight.
The sandy dirt Mariel threw hit nothing but the empty air. He stared at the scene, cold sweat dripping down his temples. He could feel someone behind him. Lukhiel hadn't disappeared; he had moved far too fast for Mariel's eyes to follow. More than that, an intense sense of foreboding overwhelmed him.
"By doing that, it means you've prepared yourself for the worst, right?"
"Ma-Master, l-let's talk this through calmly."
"We can do that later. For now, try defending yourself with everything you've got."
...Maybe he shouldn't have thrown the sandy dirt at all?