Just as Sirzechs had said, the teleportation circles in the arena had all been distorted to varying degrees. Yoru, who had originally walked in together with Sirzechs, found himself transported to an unfamiliar place.
"Oh? I didn't expect to meet you here, soldier of the Gremory family."
A voice with an oddly provoking tone came from above. Soon, an elegant figure floated down from the sky.
"That day at the banquet, I didn't introduce myself. I am Diodora Astaroth, the next head of the Astaroth family. I believe you're not unfamiliar with me, are you?"
"Your family produced a Maou, yet you side with the Old Maou Faction to oppose the very Maou your family gave birth to. I really don't understand."
Yoru tilted his head slightly, amused.
"Don't tell me you think being a family head is boring and it's more fun to be someone else's dog?"
The casual jab instantly twisted Diodora's expression into one of rage.
"Hmph! You're just a soldier—what do you know?! A mere Maou is nothing compared to Lord Ophis! Look at the power I now possess! Ever since receiving the 'snake,' my strength has continued to grow! Surpassing the Maou will be no problem at all!"
Hovering in the air, Diodora spread his arms wide, laughing wildly as a black aura rose up, slowly enveloping him.
Rumble… Rumble…!
A terrifying black energy erupted, the waves of power several times greater than before, radiating from his body.
"Yes… yes! Ahahaha! Working with the Khaos Brigade was the right choice. This power is magnificent! With it, I can perfectly achieve my goals!"
"Ophis's Dragon power, huh?"
Yoru had seen it before. Ophis's power was indeed formidable, but unfortunately for Diodora, it was completely restrained by Nezha's power.
"Too bad… this power is meaningless against me."
Before Diodora could even relish his newfound strength, Yoru struck him hard, sending him flying.
"W-what?! Impossible!"
"So this is the power you gained? It's really not much."
Looking at the blood-spitting, retreating Diodora, Yoru's tone was filled with mockery.
"Impossible! With Ophis's power, I am invincible!"
"Get lost. You're not qualified to be my opponent."
When Diodora tried to rush him again, Yoru simply waved his hand—and blasted him away once more.
"Bring out the mastermind. She's the one I'm interested in."
Without even glancing at Diodora, who had fallen like discarded trash, Yoru spoke toward the empty sky.
"Impressive strength. No wonder they call you the strongest soldier in the Underworld."
A cold voice echoed, and a caped man slowly appeared before Yoru.
"H-how…? Isn't that Lord Ophis's power? Why did I lose? Why am I so helpless before him?! Tell me, Shalba—why?!"
Diodora, seeing the newcomer, roared his question in frustration.
"Are you questioning me, you useless worm?" The man, Shalba, swept his cape aside with a sharp motion.
"I am not useless! With Lord Ophis's power, I will only grow stronger! I will surpass everyone—even the Maou!"
But before he could finish his words, Shalba casually unleashed a black energy wave, erasing Diodora from existence.
"Hmph. Trash is still trash. Even with Lord Ophis's 'snake,' this is all you amount to."
The power radiating from Shalba was unmistakably at the Maou level—far beyond the newly enhanced Diodora.
"First time meeting, soldier serving those despicable usurpers of the Maou title. I am Shalba Beelzebub, rightful heir to the great True King—Maou Beelzebub."
"Today, the bloodline of the current Maou will be wiped out completely. I see great potential in you. Why not join us? Serve the true Maou bloodline. Of course, you can refuse… but if you do, I'll kill you."
His tone was calm, yet brimming with confidence in his ability to kill Yoru. His eyes burned with hatred—clearly toward the current Maou.
Stripped of their position, driven to the edges of the Underworld… the Old Maou Faction's hatred ran deep.
"Compared to that arrogant idiot earlier, you're much more pleasant. Unfortunately, I'm never going to join you."
Yoru shook his head lightly, rejecting the offer.
"I see… That's a shame. In that case, I'll use your blood to dedicate the flag, and then I'll wipe out the false bloodlines of Gressia, Astaroth… Sitri, and Gremory once and for all!"
Shalba's eyes narrowed, his voice full of venom.
"It's infuriating beyond words that our true bloodline is called 'Old' by you current Maou bloodlines!"
"Are you done talking?" Yoru tilted his head slightly, cutting him off.
"I think you've misunderstood something. The mastermind I'm looking for… isn't you."
"What are you talking about?!"
"It's Ophis—the Infinite Dragon God. I want to meet her. She's the one I'm interested in." Yoru said with a light smile, glancing around the vast, empty temple.
"You arrogant fool! Before Lord Ophis, you're nothing but an ant!" Shalba scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.
"Do you underestimate me? I already possess power that surpasses the Maou level!" he roared, as purple-black flames ignited around his body. A dreadful aura burst outward, making the entire temple tremble.
"So… more power from Ophis's 'snake,' is it? In that case…"
Yoru spoke casually—yet his fist, packed with terrifying force, was already in front of Shalba.
Inside the temple, a fierce wind howled. The once-gentle air now felt like blades, carving countless cracks into the temple walls.
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