Rearing Demons
Chapter 38: Prince Aglazeth; Azure Lord

Chapter 38: Prince Aglazeth; Azure Lord

"Prince, we have detected some unusual movement in the Land of the Mother—near the border of the Eyes of Dripping Blood." Within an eerie throne room, a slimy demon dripped and oozed across the floor as it spoke. Though it had a vaguely humanoid outline, it was anything but truly human.

"What sort of movement?" The Prince—Aglazeth—sounded a low growl, his voice echoing in the black marble hall.

"It concerns raw essence, my lord," the slimy demon slurred. "We’ve sensed someone tampering with it... possibly absorbing it."

It had been only a few days since Yur and Ris left the area. Soon afterward, patrols sent by Prince Aglazeth arrived, accompanied by numerous Mawstriders and Husked Lords, scouring the region.

"The heir!" Aglazeth sprang upright, eyes feral with sudden intensity. "So he’s in that vicinity?"

"We believe so." Unlike humans, demons possessed more knowledge regarding the Heir’s attributes. Supposedly, the Heir—like Mal—could absorb raw essence. That particular talent was impossible among demons, guaranteeing the figure in question was the Heir.

"Gather the troops!" the Prince commanded, voice reverberating through the throne room. "Barricade the Land of the Mother; let no one enter or leave that region!"

"Already done, Prince." The slimy demon lowered its head, then added reluctantly, "We did encounter some cunning humans we couldn’t handle. They require your personal attention."

"Humans?" Aglazeth’s tone dropped. Of course, demons were aware that humans had been entering Zulmasharr, but they hadn’t bothered reacting if the intruders were all under Rank Six. The Heir was the real priority.

"Prince... the human leading them killed some of our Valgath royal guards," the demon confessed, trembling slightly. Even though it was itself a Valgath, Aglazeth’s power dwarfed its own.

A Prince was no ordinary Valgath; he outclassed thousands of them, and in some cases only a Demon King—like Yukinly—could truly command a Prince.

Aglazeth frowned. "Are you suggesting the humans sent an Aetherial Soul cultivator? Do they wish us to crush them entirely?"

A flicker of dread passed over the slimy demon’s face. It hesitated, but Aglazeth’s glare forced it to speak. "Prince, this human...he’s still only at Luminous Heart."

"What?!" A roar tore from Aglazeth’s throat, shaking the fortress walls. Imps in a nearby bowl spontaneously burst into a spray of gore. Even the slimy demon’s body almost collapsed into gelatinous pieces; it had to fortify itself with demonic essence.

"A Luminous Heart cultivator killing Valgaths?" Though not unheard of, it was close to impossible. Such individuals would be extraordinary anomalies, hidden away by human sects. "Who is he?"

"We don’t know. Our informants were all killed on sight," the demon quavered. "None survived to gather more intel."

"That rat!" Aglazeth growled, unleashing four massive wings from his back. He strode past the bowing demon, who cowered in his wake. "I’ll see for myself who this human is."

With that, the Prince stepped out of his grand castle, leaping skyward in a blur of black wings. The slimy demon trailed behind, bowing profusely.

First the Barren Canyon, now a meddlesome human, Aglazeth seethed inwardly. Why must it all plague my territory?

————————————————————————

"What’s with all these damned demons?!" Fyr snarled, covered in wounds and sticky blood. "We already lost Reni and Tourn!"

Their group’s numbers had dwindled, and every survivor was in terrible shape. For days now, Gralith, Kyrrath, and even a few Valgath demons had swarmed them, intent on killing.

Fyr had been forced to handle the Kyrrath alone, while the rest struggled against the Gralith.

Celis, who had grown uncharacteristically silent, had slain three Valgaths himself—and dozens of Kyrraths had also fallen by his blade. Before, the others considered him merely strong, but seeing him now, they realized no one could match him. He was too formidable.

"Fyr, which way is the next exit?" Celis’s voice sounded low, as though his spirit had broken since losing two friends. Now, he only strove to guide the remainder to safety. Never had he imagined losing anyone; he’d believed his power made him untouchable, but grief proved otherwise.

"We can’t return to Skinless Mountain, so we’ll have to cross the Barren Canyon and head to Marrow Island." Creating a rough map via his essence, Fyr indicated their location and the route to the next accessible portal. "But Marrow Island is the territory formerly controlled by Demon King Yukinly."

"That’s where the big battle happened, right?" Celis asked.

"Yes." Fyr nodded. "Sect Leader Olmi died there, along with the Demon King."

"Olmi..." Celis sighed, recalling the great figure. Even though Olmi wasn’t that powerful, the fact he managed to slay a Demon King remained a proud achievement for humanity.

Demon Kings, much like Demon Princes, reigned at the peak of their rank. Hundreds of Dyrmath demons couldn’t challenge them, yet Olmi—a mere Rank Eight Etherial Convergence cultivator—had brought down a King.

"A few of our elders should be stationed there by now," Fyr went on. "Though it’ll take a day or two to reach them."

"Fine." Celis abruptly halted in place. "You all go on without me."

"What?!" Fyr looked stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Exactly that." Celis turned to face the group, speaking bluntly. "If we’re ambushed by another patrol from Gravesong Wastes, you’ll all die." Lately, patrols had been led by Valgath royal guards—those who normally served Prince Aglazeth—rather than the typical Husked Lords.

"We can’t—"

"Shut up!" Celis snapped, rolling his eyes. "You aren’t strong enough to help me fight, and I’m sick of defending everyone. Might as well chop off my arms and fight with my damn dick!"

Stunned by his crude outburst, the remaining three fell silent. They knew he was right; guilt gnawed at them, but there was no alternative.

"Fine, we’ll go," Fyr acquiesced. "We’ll notify the elders to send backup."

He and the two others turned away, about to run.

"Use the pills!" Celis called after them, recalling a crucial detail. "They’ll conceal you!"

"On it!" Fyr didn’t look back, pulling out a small black pill and swallowing it. The other two—also core disciples—followed suit.

It was the same Demonic Transformation Pill Elder Fir had given all core disciples. Most had hesitated to use it, as it granted a demonic form for up to six months. Once canceled, that form was gone forever—a one-time lifeline.

Celis had one, too, but he’d always believed it beneath him. Now he wasn’t so sure.

He gazed after his friends until they vanished from sight, then exhaled a jagged breath. A cold glint rose in his eyes as he turned, scanning the empty air. "You can come out now, Prince Aglazeth."

At his challenge, the air itself sizzled, twisting under an immense presence.

Though the crushing pressure bore down on him, Celis stood firm, hands gripping his large sword.

"You knew I was watching, hmm?" A handsome man emerged from nothingness, as if parting an invisible curtain. His appearance radiated a sinister confidence.

Slowly, Celis lifted the blade toward him. "You killed my friends, so I’ll..." his eyes burned with hatred "...I’ll rip you apart!"

"By all means, try, little one," Aglazeth taunted. Floating above, he gave Celis a casual smirk.

Snarling, Celis lunged forward, launching himself off the ground with such force the wind howled. A deep blue aura ignited around his sword, azure flames spiraling around his body. The pressure alone caused nearby Mother Trees to melt in an instant.

"Die!" With a savage roar, he slashed, a huge crescent of flame erupting from the sword. Simultaneously, his free palm aimed at Aglazeth, warping the air around the demon until it blazed. "Rupture the Air—Transon!"

In a thousand-meter radius, the air caught blue fire. The landscape itself burned, the ground liquefying like molten metal.

Pausing midair in the heart of the azure inferno, Celis panted heavily. Yet he wasn’t done—closing his eyes, he raised the sword overhead, letting swirling flames enshroud him like a cocoon.

Lord of the Flames. Lord of the Winds. Lord of the Azure World— I offer my body as the vessel. Ignite me! Azure Lord!

A low whisper echoed in every direction. The flames suddenly froze, then rushed into the cocoon, vanishing from the surroundings—apart from those clinging to Aglazeth.

With the world’s flames absorbed, cracks split the cocoon’s surface, and Celis emerged anew, hair ablaze with blue fire, his eyes shining the same hue. A cloak of flames wrapped his frame, the sword now composed entirely of scorching azure light. His face was grim, gaze locked on where Aglazeth still burned.

"Interesting..." A voice came from the midst of the flames. They died away, revealing Aglazeth hovering, utterly unhurt.

"So the successor of the Azure Lord is here?" He smiled, staring at Celis without concern. "If the real Azure Lord stood before me, I might worry. But you’re just a seed. What can you do?"

"Silence." Celis’s voice was cold, brandishing his flame-formed sword. "I’ll avenge my friends."

"Sure." Aglazeth gave a bored nod. Then in an eye-blink, he was behind Celis. Startled, Celis tried to react, but the Prince clamped a hand around his neck, lifting him off the ground with ease.

Celis’s pupils constricted in shock. So this is a Prince’s power...?

He had slain Valgaths easily—without even his Azure Lord form—yet Aglazeth treated him like a child.

How did Olmi kill Yukinly...? The thought flickered in his mind as he recalled humanity’s victory in that fateful battle. He’d always assumed titled demons were overhyped, but seeing Aglazeth’s might, he understood the gap was real.

"Enough of this game," Aglazeth growled, brow furrowed. "You being a successor of some Aflorian Lord means I shouldn’t underestimate you." As if Celis weighed nothing, Aglazeth strolled across the battered ground, still gripping Celis by the throat. "Go! Kill his friends," he ordered, gesturing to a cluster of Valgath demons that emerged from hiding—burn scars littering their bodies, likely remnants of Celis’s previous strike.

"Yes, Prince!" With a quick salute, they vanished, racing after Fyr’s group.

"Fuck you!" Celis hissed, glaring hatefully at Aglazeth.

"My, what a vile tongue." The Prince spoke calmly, but his actions were merciless. Ramming his other hand into Celis’s mouth, he seized the young man’s tongue and tore it free in a splatter of blood. "That should keep you quiet."

"ARGH—!"

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