Chapter 51 - Kaliss versus Erica 2 (2/2)

It was her first time feeling such a pressure.

The Demonic Energy inside Woohyuk was very strange, and that sword was even more unusual.

An Abyss that seemed to want to suck you in just by its sheer existence.

‘Just what is his identity?’

Just by Hierarchy alone, he would have to be quite a bit higher ranked than even Belial, but she couldn’t match his likeness with any of the 72 Demon Kings which she knew of….

As Amanda hesitated, Verserios was already tearing through the air, aiming for the opening caused by her momentary lapse.

Amanda tried to hurriedly parry the attack

Chwaaak!

But Verserios was able to cleave right through her Dark Spear.

Pooah!

Piercing right into her stomach.

“Kuluk”

Amanda spat out a mouthful of black blood, a look of incredulity on her face.

Absurd destructive power, the gap between their weapons was simply too large.

‘He’s difficult to deal with.’

Although she didn’t know who he was, she knew that she might not survive if they continued fighting. After coming to such a conclusion, Amanda urgently tried to negotiate.

“If you kill me, won’t you be bringing a lot of trouble upon yourself?”

“Why would you think that?”

“Because you’d anger Lord Belial. I am his most cherished subordinate, his vanguard here to conquer a piece of the Eeth continent. In other words I am important to him.”

Belial might be able to live with the loss of a potential base, but if one of his top subordinates were killed, he surely wouldn’t stand still and do nothing.

Not to mention, that he belonged to Ars Nortorial. He would have to tread carefully, or risk angering an entire circle of Demon Kings working together.

In order to be able to accomplish the plan he had set out for himself, he couldn’t afford such interferences or else he’d waste too much of his precious time.

After contemplating a while, Woohyuk finally nodded.

“That makes sense.”

“The continent is a big place. There are many areas which we can use as a base, even if it isn’t this one. If you show me mercy, I can return and explain the situation to Belial.”

If another High ranked demon had taken the city first, Belial would likely simply shift his target to a different region.

There was no use in trying to fight among themselves, since it would just result in an unnecessary competition.

‘She has the nimble mind of a schemer.’

She definitely knew what to say in order to save her own hide. Still, he couldn’t rule out the possibility of Amanda returning for revenge, so Woohyuk summoned Aris.

“Hihing Asura. Why did you call?”

“What is the situation with Erica?”

“The mercenaries under Kaliss came, but were easily taken care of. Also Darius made an appearance and was captured just like you’d instructed.”

Woohyuk’s party was strong enough that the mercenaries never managed to even set foot in the mansion.

After having his main force wiped out so quickly, Sebastian immediately fled, going into hiding. Erica however was over the moon, as she had her men scour the city in search of him.

Once Aris had completed her report, Woohyuk introduced her to Amanda.

“This here is Aris, she is of similar rank to Belial whom you serve.”

“...Sorry but can you tell me what her rank is? I have to report this when I return.”

“We are from this world, so we don’t have a ranking among the 72 Demon Kings.”

Two Demon Kings native to this world. To Belial that was ranked 68th, they would be quite the foes.

Amanda nodded back, knowing that they stood no chance.

“Okay, I will inform him about this as well.”

“Are you confident in persuading him not to target this place again?”

“Belial is a moderate, so he’d want to avoid conflict with you as much as possible. Of course we were to establish a treaty, then our relationship can be more clear.

Amanda took the initiative to establish a non aggression pact with Woohyuk.

A promise to not attack each other’s territories. Any break in the treaty would require an advance notice of 30 days, during which no aggressive action could be taken,

‘It’s a treaty with a Demon King.’

A pact with a spawn of evil which he would have to one day defeat. Still, it wasn’t a bad idea for Woohyuk who currently had a lot on his plate.

It wouldn’t be too late to take care of Belial down the road.

“Good, then let’s agree to a non aggression pact.”

“Thank you, then I….”

“Wait, there is one more thing though.”

“What is it?”

“Release the curse placed on Darius.”

He needed someone to protect Erica when he wasn’t in Landium, and Darius was the best person he could think of.

“Oh, you mean that gray haired mercenary? Sure, I’ll do that right now.”

‘But can’t he first remove his sword?’

Amanda sighed, as she looked down at Verserios that was greedily absorbing her Demonic Energy.

* * *

Shortly after Amanda left to report to her master, the civil war was brought to an end, resulting in Erica’s complete victory.

Sebastian was caught trying to flee the city in a carriage and was beheaded. The Deep Sea’s Vortex however managed to escape back to their ships, having fled at the first sign that the odds were turning against them.

Unfortunately he had missed out on killing Blackbeard.

His conversation with Amanda had gone on longer than he had expected, so he had completely forgotten about him.

At least he had managed to sign a treaty with the Demon King Belial, which was quite beneficial for him at the moment.

“Blackbeard isn’t likely to show his face back here any time soon either.”

Low, who had succeeded as Captain of Barbarossa’s fleet, shook hands with Woohyuk.

Although he had arrived a bit, late, he had played an important role in bringing an end to the civil war, and also had a treaty with Erica.

For Woohyuk, he was definitely an acquaintance worth forming a relationship with.

“I hope you can take care of Blackbeard in my stead.”

“I swear an oath before the Sea God, that I will hunt him down until the end of the world and end his miserable life. Else, Captain Barbarossa won’t be able to rest in peace.

Low had been Barbarossa’s closest confidant and first mate.

As he took his Sea Snake’s Fury crew back with him and headed back out to sea, Erica approached.

“Fortunately everything turned out well.”

“Now you are the city’s ruler.”

“It isn’t even a good thing though, if anything the burden I have to bear has increased.”

Erica was always trying to help out the city’s poor people. She had also had a tough time when she was young, so she could sympathize with their situation.

“You will do a good job.”

“Thanks, but it is all due to your help, Woohyuk.”

Erica gave him a brilliant smile, as her hair was blown by the wind.

She was such a pure girl, it reminded him of another woman he knew.

‘...We may yet meet again.’

One of the many he had lost in the past, however this time it would turn out differently.

“Let’s head back and discuss your plans for the future.”

“Great, we can have some tea as well.”

Black tea was quite fashionable among the upper class in Landium.