Episode 467

“Didn’t you hear me say move aside?”

Titus’s demand was met with confusion from the dark sorcerers of Narak. They were taken aback by his insistence.

One of them stepped forward, trying to reason with him. “This area is restricted. Even for someone like you, Titus, entering here is not allowed—”

Before he could finish, a crimson eye appeared on Titus’s forehead, its red glow seeping into the sorcerer’s eyes.

“Ugh!”

The sorcerer, overwhelmed by the gaze, convulsed and collapsed, foaming at the mouth. The other sorcerers, witnessing this, retreated in panic.

Titus addressed them coldly, “The rules of mere humans do not apply to the Tri-Eyed Clan. Stand aside.”

With that, he pushed past the sorcerers, entering the restricted zone with Yulina.

Yulina reached out to Titus telepathically. ―Is this really okay, Titus?

―Call me brother, not Titus. You are now part of the Sacred Blood.

―B-brother.

Yulina struggled to address him as such. Zeke, having mastered the power of the Blood King, had awakened her potential, opening her own crimson eye. Surprisingly, Yulina’s latent power surpassed even Titus’s, allowing her to grow stronger with training.

Despite her inner joy, Titus maintained a stern demeanor as he spoke to her. ―Good, Yulina. This is a command from the Blood King. We must execute it flawlessly to prove our loyalty.

Yulina nodded, recalling her first encounter with Zeke. His overwhelming presence had left her trembling and collapsing in awe. Despite her initial blunder, the merciful king had granted her the gift of the crimson eye.

Determined to fulfill Zeke’s command, Titus and Yulina steeled themselves. Watching from the shadows, Zeke chuckled softly.

“They don’t teach infiltration tactics in Tantra, do they?”

Though they were trying their best, Zeke noted their clumsiness. Fortunately, they were managing to navigate the dangers using the power of the crimson eye.

Zeke followed the siblings, examining the structure of the building. He then directed ghostly soldiers, wielding swords imbued with Arataso and Nebilos, to scout for similar structures or caves elsewhere.

The reconnaissance revealed that all three locations had similar layouts, likely constructed by orcs. With this information, Zeke ordered the ghostly soldiers to retreat and wait in the forest.

“The sorcerers of Narak can see through the ghosts’ concealment with their evil eyes, making deeper infiltration difficult.”

As Zeke pondered the next steps, he followed Titus and Yulina deeper into the cave, eventually reaching a heavily guarded area. Orc special forces and dark sorcerers stood watch, and behind them, a demon clad in green armor polished his sword.

Zeke was taken aback. “That one… he feels similar to Arataso.”

Arataso, a knight of the demon realm, was a servant of the “Clear Green Wish,” capable of using the original form of aura, the art of fighting spirit. Demons who wielded this art could disrupt human knights’ auras, making them formidable opponents.

“Unlike Arataso, this one looks more human with horns. Must be a demon of the fighting spirit clan.”

Zeke reached out to Arataso through their mental link. “Arataso, is there a servant of the Clear Green Wish like this one?”

Sharing his vision with Arataso, he soon heard a vehement response. “That’s Morgant, isn’t it?”

The immediate recognition confirmed Morgant’s identity as a servant of the Clear Green Wish.

“Doesn’t sound like you two get along.”

“How could we? He pretends to be a knight but has no honor, always resorting to underhanded tactics.”

“I thought the servants of the Clear Green Wish were better than that.”

“Being demons, you can’t expect much. But he’s particularly bad, not hesitating to commit vile acts like those under the Horsemen of Blood and Madness.”

“How strong is he?”

Arataso replied with a gritted voice. “He’s a mid-level demon. But unlike me, he hasn’t earned a title, so he has no domain or army.”

“Then how do you, a mid-level demon, have a title and your own domain and army?”

”…That’s a long story.”

Sensing a lengthy explanation, Zeke decided to focus on the task at hand and save the story for later.

Given that Arataso, a mid-level demon, could exert power equivalent to a red knight in the mortal realm, Morgant likely possessed similar strength.

“A demon knight without honor… might be useful.”

After a moment’s thought, Zeke telepathically instructed Titus.

Following Zeke’s orders, Titus approached Morgant. The orcs initially moved to stop him but hesitated upon recognizing him as a member of the Tri-Eyed Clan.

The dark sorcerers then blocked his path, demanding, “How did you get in here? You must leave the restricted zone immediately.”

“I’m not here because of you. Step aside.”

Titus’s blunt defiance left the sorcerers flustered. They couldn’t act rashly against someone controlling a monster army, yet they couldn’t simply open the highest-level restricted zone.

The commotion drew the attention of the demon knight, who turned to observe Titus. Rising from his seat, Morgant approached.

“What’s going on here?”

As Morgant neared, the sorcerers bowed their heads. Titus addressed him with respect.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Morgant. I am Titus, the future king of the Tri-Eyed Clan.”

Morgant, intrigued by Titus’s bold introduction, regarded him with curiosity.

“Ah, the Tri-Eyed Clan. I’ve heard of your presence here, but I didn’t expect to see you.”

Ancient races with unique powers were fascinating even to demons. While humans typically summoned demons to fulfill their desires, ancient races could summon not just demon servants but demons themselves.

Morgant asked, “How do you know my name?”

“The Apostle told me. I came here to meet the valiant demon knight.”

Titus spoke smoothly, guided by Zeke’s telepathic prompts.

Morgant, whose pride and vanity were easily flattered, smiled with satisfaction.

“A mortal of the mortal realm, yet you speak well. What do you seek from me?”

“I wish to form a contract with you, Morgant.”

Morgant paused, surprised by Titus’s proposal. He then sensed the power of the crimson eye emanating from Titus and Yulina, licking his lips in anticipation.

“You wish to contract with me. Do you understand what that entails?”

“Of course. A soul contract, where we fulfill each other’s desires.”

The dark sorcerers were shocked by Titus’s intention to contract with Morgant, a demon summoned by Narak’s power.

“Titus, that’s—”

Titus silenced them with a glare, unleashing the power of his crimson eye.

“Ugh!”

The sorcerers writhed in agony, collapsing to the ground.

Titus looked down at them disdainfully. “Mere humans dare to interrupt an important conversation.”

Morgant, pleased by Titus’s ruthlessness, grinned.

“You’re even more to my liking. A contract with me, you say…”

“If my soul isn’t enough, I’ll offer my sister Yulina’s as well.”

Yulina flinched at his words, but Morgant only chuckled.

“As a renowned servant of the ‘Clear Green Wish,’ I can grant any wish you have in the mortal realm.”

Titus gazed at Morgant with earnest eyes. “I wish to become the king of the Tri-Eyed Clan.”

He continued, “The other heirs are already preparing to become kings by seeking out other demon servants. All I have is my sister, whose power is insignificant.”

Morgant nodded, understanding Titus’s ambition. “You wish to become king of the Tri-Eyed Clan, to surpass the other heirs.”

Titus’s eyes gleamed as he replied, “To become king, I must capture Zeke Draker and reclaim the power of the Blood King.”

At the mention of Zeke Draker, Morgant’s expression soured slightly.

“Zeke Draker, the one who captured Arataso.”

Sensing Morgant’s reaction, Titus spoke with a hint of unease.

“Is it difficult to capture the descendant of the dragonslayer?”

At those words, a green light flickered in Morgant’s eyes, and green flames danced across his armor.

Morgant turned to Titus, his voice a menacing growl.

“Arrogant mortal of the material realm. Even if you are of the Three-Eyed Clan, to a demon like me, you’re nothing more than an insect.”

The oppressive aura of the mid-level demon washed over Titus and Yulina.

Yulina turned pale, trembling uncontrollably, while Titus clenched his teeth, struggling to withstand Morgant’s overwhelming presence.

Seeing Titus’s determination, Morgant finally withdrew his aura.

In that brief moment, Titus was drenched in cold sweat, gasping for breath.

Morgant spoke slowly, “That insolent dragonslayer will die by my hand.”

Titus lifted his head again, addressing Morgant.

”…If you do that, I will gladly offer you the souls of myself and my sister.”

Morgant, seemingly pleased with Titus’s resolve, let out a satisfied chuckle.

“Very well. We shall make a pact.”

Relieved, Titus’s face relaxed slightly as he spoke.

“I am familiar with the traditional contract methods of the Three-Eyed Clan. We need a spacious area for the ritual. Is there a suitable place?”

Forming a contract between a being of the material realm and one from the demon realm was no simple task.

Moreover, since Morgant had been summoned to the material realm through a ritual of the abyss, an improper contract could invoke the wrath of karma.

Though he didn’t show it, Morgant was quite eager at the prospect of acquiring the rare soul of the Three-Eyed Clan.

He glanced at the fallen dark mages and orcs by the door, then turned his gaze to the guarded entrance.

“Inside there, you’ll find enough space for the ritual.”

He instructed Titus to retrieve a key from one of the fallen dark mages and removed the seal he had placed on the door.

Titus inserted the key into the unsealed door and turned it.

Rumble—

The massive stone doors parted, revealing an energy device channeling power to a gate.

Morgant, noticing Titus’s hesitation, reassured him.

“Pay no mind to that. Prepare the ritual for the contract here.”

At Morgant’s words, Titus nodded and gestured to Yulina, who began drawing a mandala on the floor.

The tantra mandala was unlike any ordinary magic circle, and Morgant watched with curiosity.

Once the mandala was complete, Titus spoke.

“It’s ready. Stand with me inside.”

Morgant stepped slowly into the mandala Yulina had drawn.

Once he was fully inside, Titus cut his hand, letting blood flow into the mandala.

A low hum resonated as the mandala reacted, a crimson aura seeping out.

Morgant observed the emerging energy, sensing the power of the Three-Eyed Clan within it.

‘A soul of the ancient, mysterious race. Consuming this soul could elevate me to a higher demon…’

Just then, Morgant’s senses picked up something amiss.