Chapter 11: The Ambush
The grand Austin Patriarch Mansion loomed over the estate, its architecture a symbol of wealth and power. Tall marble columns supported a massive archway, and intricate gold engravings decorated the walls. The mansion exuded an aura of dominance, a place where only the strong thrived.
Inside the grand hall, the atmosphere was suffocating.
"You sold off 3% of our family business shares to the nobles?" the Austin Patriarch asked, his piercing gaze locked onto Kennith.
"Yes, Patriarch," Kennith admitted, forcing himself to stand firm. "I did it to secure my victory in the election."
"But then… you lost." The Patriarch's voice was calm, yet the temperature in the room seemed to drop. A crushing aura erupted from his body.
Shit! Kennith's body stiffened as the demonic entity possessing him, Dantanlian, cursed internally. I never expected this bastard to be this strong!
The Patriarch took a step forward. "I also heard that Cassandra is dead."
Kennith clenched his fists. "…Yes."
A moment of silence stretched between them before the Patriarch spoke again.
"Tell me… Are you really Kennith?" His eyes bore into Kennith's soul.
The demon inside him, Dantanlian, tensed.
Does he know?
But the Patriarch only exhaled. "It doesn't matter." His voice turned cold. "You are banished until you recover the shares you sold off. I don't want to see you in this mansion again. Pack your things and leave."
Kennith's pupils shrank. "Shit…"
"Didn't you hear me?" The Patriarch's aura flared once more.
"Y-Yes, Patriarch," Kennith stammered before retreating.
As he walked out, rage burned inside him. Damn it, Sebastian… this is all because of that bastard! If it weren't for him, I would have won!
Then, a shadowy figure emerged from the corner of the room. A hooded assassin knelt before him.
"The Demon Lords call for you, Master Dantanlian."
Kennith's breath hitched.
Here comes the big trouble.
Kennith, now fully embracing his demonic identity, arrived at a forbidden land near the sealed dungeon—a place so cursed that no sane person would ever venture near. The very air was thick with dark energy.
Kneeling before a council of four Demon Lords, he spoke:
"I, Dantanlian of the Mystery, greet the Lords."
A sultry voice scoffed. "Oh? You still remember your title?" The speaker, a female demon, smirked. She was Ruse, one of the high-ranking Demon Lords.
Another demon, Canine, growled. "I told you we shouldn't have trusted this fool. He failed."
"You were right," a third demon, Kiltrize, agreed. "Now tell us, Dantanlian… How do you plan to undo your failure?"
The strongest among them, Azaroth, finally spoke. "You failed to take over the throne. A mere human won instead." His voice was filled with disdain.
Kennith gritted his teeth. "I underestimated his companions and servant. I even sent Ludwig, but… he survived."
Azaroth's eyes narrowed. "When your plans failed, why didn't you take matters into your own hands?"
Kennith hesitated. "I-I thought it wasn't necessary… I could just win the election through politics—"
"Politics?" Azaroth's aura exploded, shaking the ground. "Instead of killing him, you tried to do it legally? You fool."
Kennith's body trembled. "I… I'm sorry, my Lord! Please, grant me one last chance! If I can just possess Sebastian, I can still become the emperor!"
Azaroth studied him for a long moment before speaking.
"Fine. This is your last chance. If you fail again—"
"Yes, my Lord! I won't fail you!" Kennith bowed deeply before retreating.
Kennith then left.
"Hmmm… that kid failed to be killed twice," Ruse muttered, eyes narrowing. "Kids like that are always bad news. He reminds me of that bastard Arthur—his father."
Kiltrize folded his arms. "What if he fails at possessing that boy?"
"Then we'll have to handle it ourselves," Azaroth answered coldly.
A sudden voice echoed through the darkness.
"Hmm… it's such a good thing you remember me, Ruse. Though I didn't expect you to be behind this."
The demon lords turned sharply.
A figure stepped out from the shadows.
Arthur.
"It's been a while, Ruse," he continued. His sharp gaze shifted. "And you, Azaroth. Trying to possess my son… you're quite the problem yourself, aren't you?"
Another voice followed.
"Are these the bastards responsible for possessing my son?"
Tch, looks like that bastard Dantanlian was followed," Azaroth muttered, frustration evident on his face.
Two Hours Before the Ambush
Arthur crouched on a tree branch, his sharp eyes locked onto Kennith from a distance. His squad—seven elite sword masters—remained hidden in the shadows.
"Hmmm… are you all ready?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, Master Arthur," they responded in unison.
Sebastian, standing beside his father, hesitated. "Father, are you sure about this? Maybe we should observe who he's meeting first before ambushing them."
Arthur chuckled. "Don't worry. If we can't handle it, then it's truly the end of the world."
He turned his gaze toward the man standing next to him.
"And besides, I called in an old friend… someone who's really furious."
A deep voice rumbled.
"Aren't you quite the old friend, Adam Austin?"
Sebastian's eyes widened.
"What? Austin?!"
Arthur nodded toward Adam.
"Yeah. That old guy over there is Kennith's father."
"Hey, don't call me old," Adam grumbled.
Arthur laughed before turning serious. "So don't worry, my dear son Sebastian. I've got it covered."
He placed a hand on Sebastian's shoulder. "The real question is—are you sure you can handle Kennith?"
Sebastian clenched his fists. "Yes, Father. Of course."
Griffin, listening from the side, thought to himself:
I mean, I have to. I need to acquire his skills. And I also have to awaken the Blessing Sword… but—
His thoughts were interrupted as Sebastian spoke up again.
"Hmm… Sir Austin, are you really okay with me killing Kennith?"
Adam's expression darkened.
"Huh? Why wouldn't I be?" His voice was cold. "That thing is no longer my son."
A deadly silence followed.
Arthur smirked. "Well then… let's begin."
Now, back to the present
"Hah, courageous as always, Arthur," Azaroth said with a smirk. "I'll give you that. But things are different now. While you've been playing emperor, we've been training and preparing." He folded his arms. "I admire your bravery, but tell me—why didn't you take out Kennith when you had the chance? Why wait for him to leave?"
Arthur's eyes darkened. "Oh, Kennith? He's my son's meal."
Azaroth chuckled. "Is that so? Well then, let's see if your son can handle it… and more importantly, if you can handle us."
Austin stepped forward, his voice low and urgent. "Did you hear what they just said? They're planning to possess your son. And if he fails—" He hesitated. "You do realize Elizabeth will kill you if she finds out, right?"
Arthur met Austin's gaze without hesitation. "I wouldn't send him if I didn't know he could handle it." He exhaled, determination settling over him. "And if things go south… we'll take care of it. Just like old times."
The Battle of Legends
The battle erupted.
Arthur's squad of seven high-rank Sword Masters charged forward, each one locking blades with a Demon Lord.
• Arthur vs. Azaroth
• Adam Austin vs. Canine
• Arthur's Squad vs. Ruse, Kiltrize, and the rest of the Demon Lords
Arthur vs. Azaroth
Azaroth's black flames clashed against Arthur's golden aura, sending shockwaves through the battlefield.
Arthur smirked. "You've been training, huh? Let's see if it paid off."
Azaroth lunged forward, his demonic sword slashing down, but Arthur parried effortlessly, countering with a blindingly fast thrust.
Azaroth barely dodged. "Tch—fast!"
Arthur's footwork was flawless, his movements refined by years of battle. Every swing of his sword forced Azaroth on the defensive.
"You're strong, but I've fought stronger," Arthur taunted.
Azaroth roared, unleashing a devastating dark explosion, but Arthur charged straight through it, slicing Azaroth's left arm clean off!
"GAAAH!" Azaroth staggered back, his eyes wide in disbelief.
Arthur wiped the blood off his blade. "Disappointing."
Adam vs. Canine
Canine pounced, his claws aiming for Adam's throat.
But Adam sidestepped, grabbing Canine by the wrist and slamming him into the ground.
"You call that an attack?" Adam sneered.
Canine growled, his body mutating into a monstrous form, but Adam simply cracked his knuckles.
"Fine, let's see if you can handle this."
He vanished.
Before Canine could react, Adam reappeared behind him, driving a blade through his chest.
"Argh—!"
Canine coughed blood as Adam twisted the blade. "You demons always talk big, but you fall just like anyone else."
The battle raged on, each Sword Master taking down a Demon Lord one by one.
After an intense, grueling fight, the last of the demons collapsed.
Arthur flicked his sword. "Well, that was fun."
(TO BE CONTINUED...)