The sky of the Belphegor Kingdom, once covered in storm clouds, was now split apart by a holy light and a creeping darkness seeping through dimensional cracks.
Leon had arrived.
His eyes immediately locked onto Sylvaine, trapped in a prison of light, her body weakened. Beside her, the former Demon King Zar Belphegor and Fenrith lay powerless, blood flowing from their severe wounds.
"My Lord... forgive me for failing..." Fenrith rasped, his voice hoarse.
Leon knelt beside him, placing a hand on his loyal servant's shoulder. "You did your best. Now, rest."
With a wave of his hand, Valker opened a rift in space, and Fenrith vanished into it.
Then, Leon stood.
His blood boiled.
He glared upward, where a winged angel hovered arrogantly.
"Who are you?" Leon's voice thundered.
"And what do you want by allying with the Leviathan and Beelzebub Kingdoms? Don't your kind despise demons?"
The figure smirked coldly, then opened her robe.
The face of an angelic woman appeared—beautiful, yet filled with arrogance. A holy sword and shield gleamed in her hands.
"I am Shalara," she declared.
"Leader of the Ninth Order of the Angelic Race. I have come to retrieve my niece, Sylvaine."
Leon frowned. "What niece?"
Shalara raised her hand, and a holy light swept over Sylvaine's body.
In an instant—
Glistening white wings emerged from Sylvaine's back, and her appearance transformed. The aura of an angel radiated from her.
Leon froze.
"Impossible..."
"Sylvaine is the only child of my elder sister, a pure-blooded angel," Shalara continued.
"Zar concealed her true identity. Now, I will take her home."
Leon gritted his teeth. "You think I'll just let her go?"
Shalara laughed. "You? A weak demon like you dares to stand in my way?"
Leon smirked.
"If you want to take her..."
"You'll have to step over my corpse first."
Shalara sighed. "Futile."
She gestured—
WHOOSH!
A massive armored angel wielding twin axes landed beside her. "Introducing Bellarion, Leader of the Tenth Order of the Angelic Race."
"I am Leon Astaroth," Leon replied.
"Leon Astaroth," Bellarion growled.
"I will crush you."
BOOOOM!
Lightning struck!
Raiden suddenly appeared, blocking Bellarion's axe aimed at Leon with his hammer and sending the angel flying.
"Hey, long time no see, Aunt Shalara!" Raiden grinned.
Shalara scowled. "Don't call me aunt, you disgusting demon."
Raiden laughed. "You haven't changed at all!"
Bellarion, who had been flung back, grinned wildly. "Finally, a worthy opponent!"
Raiden glanced at Leon. "Leon, I'll handle the crazy one. You deal with my aunt here."
Leon nodded.
Valker swiftly materialized a sword and handed it to Leon.
"Here, my Lord."
Leon gripped the blade—
AND INSTANTLY LAUNCHED HIS ATTACK!
CLANG!
Shalara effortlessly blocked the strike with her shield, the ground beneath her cracking from the force of Leon's assault.
"You're weak," Shalara taunted.
THUD!
A holy kick slammed into Leon's chest—
BOOM!
Leon was sent flying, crashing dozens of meters away.
Dust scattered.
Shalara floated closer, her sword gleaming. "This is your end."
But suddenly—
"Eternal Darkness Mode."
SUUUUSH!
Dark sigils crawled across Leon's skin. His hair turned white, and his eyes glowed crimson.
Shalara halted, her face twisting in shock.
"What?!"
In an instant, Leon was before her, his sword slashing faster than lightning.
CLASH!
Shalara was forced back, her shield cracking slightly from the impact.
Her expression changed.
"Impossible... this power!"
Leon smiled.
"The fight has only just begun."
=== BAB 13 END ===