Meanwhile, at the castle, Lucifer said, "What? Klaus is missing?"
Licht said, "During the battle, there were about 13 people who went MIA (missing in action). For now, I will start to investigate. And Lucifer, you and Existforger, along with Roy, prepare to go to Purgatory Prison."
Lucifer said, "As of right now, all members of Existforger, we are returning to HQ."
Licht said, "Core Fury, same for us. The banquet can be attended later on. Right now, one of our own is at risk."
Lucifer said, "We will have an emergency meeting at our HQ in 4 hours."
Then, in about 2 hours, everyone was at the Existforger HQ, and just as they were about to enter, the entire base exploded.
Riruru said, "How? We were just here yesterday! How did our base—our home—turn to nothing?"
As everyone shed tears, Lucifer said, "Everyone, stop crying. Faiz, Riruru, and Masaki, check the underground floors 6 to 9. Make sure all the beasts and pets are okay—their lives are worth more than our base. It can be rebuilt. Elizabeth, work on extinguishing the fires. Astrea, Anew, and Celestio, floor 1 to 3. Licht, check floors 4 to 6. I will take care of the rest."
And in the next few hours, the fires were extinguished. As they all stood outside, Elizabeth asked, "Captain, how could it be possible that our base is gone? We are supposed to be the strongest knighthood. Our territory is supposed to be the safest. Then how?"
Lucifer said, "It was Rubues. He planned this. Now we know he took Klaus and destroyed the base with a bomb to remove evidence and destroy the portal."
Astrea said, "Sir, where is this Purgatory Prison island? We should go there."
Lucifer said, "Purgatory Prison isn't a place. It's a different tiny dimension completely separate from ours. There are about 3 entrances to Purgatory Prison. One was in our base, the other is in a spatial rift in the middle of the ocean—that's where the prisoners are taken. And the third is—"
Licht said, "Don't tell me. The Sky Island, Pangea Island. But even that portal is impossible to access from the prison without my permission."
Lucifer said, "Here is the plan. We have 48 hours, and in this time, we have to go to Purgatory Prison. Licht, you and I will meet up with Hedin, and Astrea, you will be leading this mission to save Klaus. But in these 48 hours, you have to grow stronger—one hundred times stronger. In your current state, even sending you there is a death wish. Astrea, you, Masaki, Riruru, Anew, and Faiz will be on the mission, and your job is to find and rescue Klaus and make Rubues pay. Meanwhile, everyone else remains at our base and focuses on stabilizing everything. And Astrea, I will personally train you to be the strongest. Now, let's go. Everyone, man your posts."
And everyone said, "Sir! Yes, sir!"
Then Lucifer took Astrea to the cathedral in his house, the noble house of Faust. As they reached the doors, Lucifer said, "Oculus Cordis Obscuri." Then the crystal cathedral was revealed.
Lucifer said, "Get ready now. Dark magic—drop of black." And a drop of black fell from the ceiling, and they started to sink into the ground.
Lucifer said, "Don't worry."
As they sank, they eventually fell into a room. Astrea said, "Sir, what is this place?"
Lucifer said, "A place I wish to forget. The reality is your soul isn't just yours—and that your body is possessed by a devil. It's been reacting to the holy relic you have. That's why whenever you use it, it feels like your hands are burning. I will teach you how to harness its power and how to grow. In these 46 hours, you will be stronger—strong enough to stand up to Rubues."
Astrea said, "How, sir?"
Lucifer said, "I will summon it, and after fighting it, you will receive part of its power. That's how you will grow. But first, take off your shirt."
Then Lucifer used mercury to draw a magic circle on Astrea's chest.
Lucifer said, "Step onto the altar."
As Astrea stepped onto the altar, Lucifer said, "Evoca eum qui ultra longe exstat."
Then Astrea's skin began to turn black as it engulfed his entire body. Astrea began to scream in pain. Then the black substance condensed and turned into a droplet and was separated from his body—and then it took the shape of a devil.
Astrea said, "It was in me all along."
Lucifer said, "Ask for how much power you want—and fight it for that power."
As the ritual continued, the devil stated, "I will share up to 20% of my full power with you for letting me live in your body."
Astrea said, "Why? Why is it you need my body?"
The devil said, "I'm no more. As of right now, I'm only alive because my soul is also a part of you. Without your body, I can't survive for more than a few minutes." Do you accept.
Astrea said, "Deal."
The devil laughed and stated, "Accepting the conditions, you are being consumed by hatred."
Lucifer said, "As of right now, I need power, and I don't mind letting you live in my body as long as I can grow stronger."
"I need power, and I don't mind letting you live in my body as long as I can grow stronger," Astrea said.
Lucifer said, "The pact is formed, and as of right now you are stronger than you can even imagine. The power you are about to use is called Demonic, and only 18 hours are left for the time limit. I will personally guide you until you get used to it."