Mephisto is one of the Demon Lords of Hell, so Blackheart is considered a prince.
But this prince's life is truly tragic.
His old man, the Emperor, has a long way to go before his demise, so how can the Prince ascend to power? How can he inherit the legacy? Moreover, Mephisto doesn't seem like the type of demon who would voluntarily abdicate.
Blackheart had no choice but to seize it himself.
The imperial family is the most ruthless… If it's like this among humans, how much more so among demons?
Blackheart accidentally received a piece of news.
It was about the San Venganza Contract.
He realized this was an opportunity!
An opportunity to seize Mephisto's power, territory, and rule over the World. Especially the latter, that was an ambition Mephisto had plotted day and night but failed to achieve.
Surpass Mephisto!
Thinking of this, Blackheart's blood boiled.
In Hell, Blackheart could be considered a powerful figure, and for him to descend to Earth in his true form, he would have to pay a huge price. However, the hot-headed Blackheart couldn't care less.
To be safe, Blackheart summoned three Exiled Demons: the Earth Demon, the Wind Demon, and the Water Demon.
Exiled Demons were originally Angels, who, after falling, hid within natural elements and used them as their combat style.
The Earth Demon was completely useless; last night, he was burned to ashes by Hellfire wrapped around chains.
Standing outside the church.
Blackheart and his group were blocked by an invisible shield. This was a Holy Light barrier infused with the power of faith, and it was these powers that protected Carter Slade, preventing Mephisto from reclaiming the San Venganza Contract.
Blackheart extended a hand and pressed it against the shield.
Hiss!
It sounded like cold oil poured into a hot pan.
Smoke rose from Blackheart's palm, as if it had been scorched by intense Fire. However, he didn't retract his hand; instead, he channeled the energy within him into his hand, making his palm as black as ink.
As Blackheart exerted his power, the Holy Light barrier's resistance grew stronger. Blackheart's entire forearm began to burn.
"Haaah!"
Blackheart grabbed hard, and his entire arm turned to ash, while the Holy Light barrier burst like a balloon.
Scattered Holy Light permeated the air.
Blackheart let out a joyous laugh; this was something Mephisto had failed to do.
He did it!
Blackheart became even more spirited, as if the peak of his demonic life—punching Mephisto and kicking Lucifer—was about to arrive.
The Wind Demon and Water Demon exchanged glances, feeling that their new master was quite reliable.
Mike looked at the three people walking in.
Rock 'n' roll style!
The one leading was naturally Blackheart, also translated by some as 'Black-Hearted Demon,' but the name didn't matter; he was a bad guy anyway.
He wore a long, dark blue woolen trench coat, a shirt with a vest, matte leather pants, and retro sideburns. If it weren't for his pale complexion, like a corpse soaked in formaldehyde, Blackheart could have debuted directly.
The Wind Demon's attire was similar to Blackheart's, but his coat had a fur collar. He had dreadlocks, a small mustache, and sharp teeth, revealing an untamed arrogance.
Lastly was the Water Demon, in a dirty, dark green jacket, perpetually damp, with stringy long hair, and sapphire blue eyes that showed the cruelty of a psychopathic killer.
Honestly, with the style of these three, even a mute person could attract a crowd of rock fans.
Blackheart's gaze fell on Slade: "Hand over the San Venganza Contract, or die!"
After speaking, a devilishly ferocious set of teeth appeared in his mouth—what was the use of that?
Yes, it showed emotional agitation, and then... it was meant to scare people!
Coulson and Stark's breathing quickened slightly. Although they had done a lot of mental preparation, facing a demon head-on was inevitably a bit nerve-wracking. Moreover, Blackheart was still a Prince of Hell.
Mike hadn't spoken yet when the five priests behind Slade became agitated, shouting "Demon!"
They held Bibles and crosses, positioned in a pentagram formation.
Mike asked Slade, "What are they doing?"
Slade replied, "Although there have been many scoundrels and degenerates, it's undeniable that for thousands of years, the Church has been active on the front lines against demons. This is how they fight."
These priests chanted a Latin spell: [Priine caelig; lestis militiaelig;, sancte Michaeuml…]
The English language evolved from Latin, and people in English-speaking countries know a few Latin words, but that's a long way from "mastery."
Moreover, the priests used a special tone when chanting.
Mike was a bit confused.
Mike tapped Stark's chest plate, "Translate it."
Jarvis's emotionless translated voice: [Most glorious Prince of the Heavenly Host—Saint Michael, protect us in the battle against the invaders from the Dark Dimension and in the fight against those who deny sacred things, striving to free us from the rule of evil.]
Stark asked, "Isn't this a bit... I mean, will it be effective?"
Stark didn't say the word "stupid."
Five flesh-and-blood people, standing there unprotected, chanting for twenty seconds... Is this a turn-based game, where one side can't attack until the other finishes their attack?
If, during the chanting, the demon were to use a machine gun to shoot or throw a grenade, what then? Without hot weapons, throwing a large rock would also work.
Priests and demons have been fighting for so many years; they wouldn't be this rigid. Mike felt that these priests simply lacked practical combat experience. Therefore, he was prepared to act from the start.
As for whether it would be effective?
Mike could feel that as the incantation was chanted, a special energy gathered around them.
This energy condensed into a six-winged Angel holding scales in its left hand and a sword in its right. But how to put it... it was a bit dim. Perhaps the priests' strength wasn't enough.
It seemed only Blackheart and Mike could see the six-winged Angel.
Blackheart sneered.
The Holy Light barrier that could block Mephisto had been destroyed by him; what use was the exorcism prayer chanted by five priests?
So, he deliberately let the priests complete the chant, then defeat them, to destroy the enemy's will to resist.
As the chanting finished, the six-winged Angel swung its sword at Blackheart.
Blackheart was already prepared.
His mouth opened, splitting to his ears, revealing sharp teeth.
"Ha!"
Blackheart exhaled a thick black mist.
The black mist collided with the six-winged Angel, rippling the air. The black mist spread out, completely surrounding the six-winged Angel.
The six-winged Angel quickly became even dimmer, finally disappearing completely.
"Whoa!"
The five priests simultaneously spat blood, suffering a backlash. They looked at Slade, indicating they had done their best, but to no avail.
Like demons, Angels cannot descend to the World at will; it's either a projection of power or they pay a price.
Just a faint projection of a six-winged Angel.
It was an expected defeat.
Blackheart arrogantly declared, "Resistance is meaningless before me. Hand over the San Venganza Contract. This is my last act of mercy. Hand it..."
Bang!
This was Carter Slade's answer. He took out a double-barreled shotgun and fired a shot at Blackheart.
Mike watched Carter hold the gun with both hands, thinking, Where's your precious shovel? Uh... the shovel was on Carter's back, slung diagonally like a sword—wasn't that just telling everyone: the shovel is very important?!
The bullet, just an ordinary bullet, made Blackheart sway, its greatest effect being to shove the words Blackheart wanted to say back down his throat.
It's quite awkward to have your grandstanding interrupted.