Hafleet felt better than ever before. Originally a small-time general in the Demon King's Army with only two followers, he had now leaped to become a Great General truly commanding thirty members of the Demon Race.
Everything was because he had found an underground stronghold filled with treasures.
One year ago, he had lost two loyal followers during a conflict with his own kind. Fortunately, heaven did not abandon the Demon, and while fleeing, he discovered a dilapidated house. He had originally intended to just make do and stay there for a bit, but he accidentally triggered a mechanism inside the house.
Beneath this house, there was actually a cave of wonders—a small underground stronghold piled high with gold and treasures.
Inside, Hafleet found rare potions that restored his two severed arms. In addition, there were many sets of military armor and standard-issue weapons.
What satisfied Hafleet the most was a powerful staff hidden in the deepest part, cast entirely from purple crystal.
This staff could actually amplify his magic by a full twofold, which thrilled the usually emotionless Hafleet to no end.
Hafleet was certain that he must have discovered a long-lost treasure hoard.
After possessing all of this, Hafleet knew that his era was coming.
With these riches and equipment, he could completely organize a small unit of Demon troops. Coupled with this powerful staff, he would be the veritable Demon General in the future—Hafleet of the Ashes.
The facts were indeed so. Today, one year later, Hafleet had taken in thirty low-level Demons who were wandering outside because of the Hero, accepting them as subordinates and equipping them with armor and sharp swords.
He repaired and perfected the ancient house, had his soldiers build simple living quarters nearby, and even erected a wooden perimeter wall on the outside to demonstrate that this was his territory.
Looking at this stronghold built up within a year, Hafleet, clad in expensive golden armor and holding a golden curved saber and the purple crystal staff, was extremely satisfied.
At this moment, he felt that everything was ready. He prepared to lead his troops out to do something big.
"Let's start by destroying the village where I met that damn white-haired, broken-horned Demon!"
Just as he stepped out of the wooden city gate, he heard two voices quarreling outside.
"Is your stronghold really this blatantly exaggerated?"
"How is that possible! Someone clearly seized my stronghold and stole my treasures! Is your mana perception fake? There is a pile of mana sources here."
Aura was pointing toward the gate, and she happened to point right at Hafleet, who was leading his troops out.
The pupils of the fully armed Hafleet contracted slightly. It was too familiar. Wasn't this the white-haired Demon he had just been muttering about? It was just that compared to before, there was an additional pink-haired Demon with them.
Was his mouth blessed? He said he would meet them, and he met them the moment he stepped out.
But Hafleet did not panic at all, because this time he had brought thirty fully armed Demon soldiers.
"Enemies truly meet on a narrow road."
Hafleet interrupted the two's argument. Over on Nanoda's side, Linie stood silently to the side, mana in her hand transforming into a broadaxe as she remained on guard against this large group of Demons.
Seeing the four-armed red Demon at the lead speak, Nanoda froze for a moment.
"Who are you? Do we know each other?"
Hafleet almost flushed red with rage. This damn guy actually didn't put him in his eyes. Just as he was about to speak...
"That is the armor I prepared for myself! That is my equipment! That is my staff!"
Aura pointed at the equipment all over Hafleet, her expression gradually becoming ferocious.
"Nanoda, release my restrictions. I want to teach him a good lesson!"
"Enough! Are you two not taking me seriously?! I am the Demon General, Hafleet of the Ashes! I won't let you run away this time. I will use my magic to burn you to ashes!"
Hafleet pointed his golden saber at Nanoda, and fireballs began to condense on the purple crystal staff.
"Oh, I remember now. The one who threw a smoke bomb and ran away a year ago."
Nanoda slapped her forehead. No wonder he looked familiar.
Hearing Nanoda's words, the Demon soldiers behind Hafleet all looked at him in unison.
"What are you looking at! Hurry up and surround them and take them down!"
Hafleet was very confident. He had more people on his side this time. He would sacrifice a few useless guys to block blades and stall for time, while he found an opportunity to release magic from a distance. As long as his flames touched them, they would not extinguish until the target was burned to ashes.
"Should I take the lead?"
Linie, holding her axe, was eager to give it a try.
Nanoda shook her head and turned to speak to Aura.
"Aura, only this once. I permit you to release the Magic of Obedience."
Hearing Nanoda's words, a cruel smile appeared on the face of the originally angry Aura.
The Scales of Obedience, which had been shelved for two years, were held in her hand once again. She felt the barrier that existed when using the Magic of Obedience disappear.
Now, Hafleet was facing the complete form · Aura.
Massive mana, which had been dormant for a long time, erupted with fluctuations once again. Scales composed of mana appeared in the sky.
The thirty Demon soldiers who were just about to form an encirclement suddenly stagnated in their movements. Black souls drifted out from their heads one by one, flying toward one end of the scales.
On the other end of the scales was Aura's massive black soul.
The moment Hafleet saw those scales, his original arrogance and confidence vanished completely.
That was one of the Seven Sages of Destruction, a Great Demon with over five hundred years of seniority—Aura!
Thirty souls piled together were actually not even enough to equal half of Aura's soul. The scales tilted, and the Magic of Obedience was instantly established.
"No one is allowed to move!"
Aura's order came down, and the thirty Demon soldiers who still wanted to act became like wooden figures, staying motionless on the spot.
With a single strike of the Magic of Obedience, the unit was completely neutralized.
Since Hafleet indeed possessed General-level mana, to be safe, Aura captured those soldiers first.
At this moment, Aura's murderous gaze stared straight at Hafleet, who had just recognized her.
Seeing that the situation was lost, Hafleet canceled his prepared magic. He put down the golden curved saber and the purple crystal staff in his hands, and also took off the golden armor on his body.
Hafleet barely managed to imitate a smile.
"I surrender. Can we reconcile?"
In this moment, Hafleet's era came to an end.
Aura drew a longsword from the waist of a Demon soldier and slowly walked toward Hafleet.
"Aura, be careful of the hand he's hiding behind his back."
With the reminder, Aura, who was in a fit of anger, discovered that Hafleet had one hand hidden behind his back.
Seeing his petty trick exposed, Hafleet pinched out the hidden fireball.
With a very fluid motion, he slid into a kneel right in front of Aura, hugged Aura's thighs with his four hands, and spoke with deep emotion:
"Great Seven Sages, Lady Aura, I beg you not to kill me. As long as it is something I can do, I am willing to do anything."
____
New Story: Junji Ito: I Shall Smash Hellstar Remina
🔥We're handing out that '30% bonus' that makes your wallet smile. 😄
✅ Get immediate access to 40 early chapters for all stories.
✅ Enjoy exclusive material and special announcements!
Help us unlock these community rewards:
🎯 100 Powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone
🚀 140 MEMBERS = +5 extra chapters across ALL STORIES!
👻 P - Walnutchan