The Max Level Hero Has Returned!
chapter-677

The Sanctuary of the Demon God was a symbolic location for the demons that had been forced to move to the Demon World, where their ancestors had been exiled. That was why the traces left in the sanctuary bore the weight of a long history.

A light glinted in Davey O’Rowane’s eyes as he sat arrogantly on the throne, his lips stretched into a terrifying smile. Meanwhile, the throng of demons that had gathered felt fear and awe.

The throne had been vacant for too long. Because despite everything, most demons were stubborn in their ways, believing that only a true Demon King should sit on the throne. Ironically, it was a human who now occupied it. What was more shocking was the fact that none of the demons could even have any thoughts of intervening even after witnessing him usurp the throne. On top of that, they were plunged further into disarray when the gigantic black minotaur, Blackbull, died.

"Blackbull was killed in an instant...”

Blackbull had consumed one of the Demon King’s powers that had been scattered—the power of destruction. He was so strong that it was difficult for other demons to fight him. In other words, it meant that Davey could easily slay every demon that was present if he wanted.

"Do you guys have something to say?"

"Thi-this! ASTAROTH!!! Why did you summon a human here?!" A skinny, male demon shouted as he shivered.

Naturally, it was impossible for Astaroth to be with them at the moment because of his illness. Besides, it was Yushir, a powerful succubus even without the powers of the Demon King, who brought Davey to the meeting hall.

Observing the trembling crowd, Davey leisurely clapped his hands and said, "Now, calm down. Let's make this clear. Those who wish to oppose me can come to me anytime. But let's get one thing straight. Raise your hand if you don’t want to follow my lead."

The remark prompted everyone to raise their hands. After all, Davey was considered an enemy. He was the one who had waged war against the demons and had thrown them all back into the Demon World. So what was Davey to the demons? The answer was painfully clear.

Davey chuckled and loudly clapped as he got up from his seat. He then declared, "The Demon World was too stagnant, so I decided to bring in a new breeze by scattering the powers. But since you dislike it, those who oppose me will simply have to be dealt with."

Boooom!!!

A burst of mana erupted from Davey, showing he meant his every word. His demonic force combined with elemental mana began to heavily weigh down on the surroundings, seemingly crushing everything indiscriminately.

Having elevated the level of his spirit meant that his powers reached another level, and it was Taboo’s Karma that benefited most from his power growth.

Even with the same amount of mana, casting a simple Fifth Circle magic would now be so overwhelmingly efficient that it would make broader applications of magic possible. Simply put, he now had more influence over the mana within him and around him.

"If you won't listen to me, I'll kill you all," Davey warned.

The quick-witted demons instantly lowered their hands.

“...”

Out of all the demons present, only two continued to raise their hands. Meanwhile, the rest swiftly averted their gazes to avoid Davey’s. They had clearly sensed the difference of power between Davey and them, and so, despite their arrogance after having acquired the powers of the Demon King, they understood that recklessly going against Davey was a fool’s move.

“Neither of you is an idiot who can’t assess your opponent’s level,” Davey said, sounding almost regretful as he looked at the young, blond-haired boy.

The demon was actually a Balrog, even though he appeared to be a young boy. Not only that, but the energy he emanated suggested that he had a power that made him worthy, or even more than worthy, of being called the God of War.

The blond boy, Sauron, glared at Davey as he said, “You are a human, so even if it will cost me my life, I refuse to ever obey you.”

Davey then retorted, "And yet, I find it incomprehensible how someone who is supposedly so devoted could bring Perserque to such a state.”

"That's–"

"Enough," Davey interrupted before Sauron could finish.

Boom!!!

An invisible power blasted the boy, sending him crashing into a wall. Davey then turned his head to look at the only other demon who had raised his hand along with Sauron—a skinny, male demon who now faced him.

“...”

“...”

Even before Davey made a single move, the demon already brought his hand down in a blink of an eye. He even went as far as hiding both of his hands behind his back as though he was trying to pull off a nonchalant front.

Was there a difference between demons and humans? No, they were essentially the same, even though demons might appear to be more single-minded.

"So, you do know when to change your side," Davey remarked.

“...”

Davey turned his gaze toward where Sauron had crashed.

Rumble...

Sauron, who now had blood trickling down his forehead as if it had been split open from the impact, slowly appeared as he got himself out of the rubble of the shattered wall. He had let the attack happen without even having the slightest idea of who did it or how it was done.

"Red blood... That's quite a rare kind," Davey noted.

"Such a nonsensical monster, really," another voice chimed in with disbelief.

“ The attack was even made by a Demon King who used the Power of Punishment and is much stronger than any of the previous Demon Kings, so isn’t Sauron the strange one not to die after the attack?"

Surprise and respect heavily laced the simple remark.

Quite frankly, out of all the demons with the powers from the Demon King, Davey secretly wished he could spare the little boy in front of him. After all, Sauron was a being who, at the very least, did not resort to cheap tricks.

"Ugh!!"

After he was hit directly by a shockwave, Sauron gasped as he was brought down to his knees with blood trickling out of his mouth.

"For Sauron to be so defenseless...”

As a person who held the title of a Demon King, Davey had used demonic force to attack Sauron. Such a power was familiar to all demons, yet it was also the most lethal when used against them. If Davey hadn’t launched such an attack, it would have required far greater power to defeat Sauron; yet, as long as the opponent was a demon, demonic force was the most effective method of attack.

Sauron was undoubtedly strong, but Davey had also walked down a rough path of his own, building a prowess that couldn’t be compared to those demons. It was like dropping a Swordmaster in a hunting ground meant for beginners. But Davey didn’t allow himself to have even an iota of complacency. He adhered to one absolute truth: negligence could lead to downfall. As they said, it was wise to exercise caution around women, children, elderly, and sneaky attacks[1].

Davey was supposed to treat a venerable and strong opponent with respect.

"If you surrender and start to obey me, I will spare your life,” Davey said, offering a chance for mercy.

"As a commander leading the proud demon legion, under no circumstances will I ever obey a human who had slaughtered my kin and usurped the Demon King's power," the boy answered with a surprisingly mature tone.

Davey closed his eyes and contemplated quietly for a moment. After a short while, he then nodded and finally replied, "I respect your decision. You have one day. Try your hardest to uphold your principles. "

"Thank you for your considerate gesture," the boy responded without any complaint about the short time he was given. He then turned his back, ready to face death, and exited the hall as if vanishing into thin air.

"Those of you who are good at figuring out which side to join, you may leave if there is nothing else to discuss.”

“...”

"Did you say this land is a harsh place to live?" Davey asked, but no one dared to say anything back to him. So he went on to declare, "I can change it for you.”

“...”

"Ah, of course, I have to stop by the Sanctuary of the Demon God first."

Davey had to prioritize adjusting his power at the level of a demigod, and most importantly, making Perserque undergo Metamorphosis so she could control her power.

***

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The solemn sound of the drums resonated, symbolizing an obstinate subject’s last attempt to show his loyalty. After all, a servant’s loyalty did not always have to be for a king.

Sauron was a being who could think for himself, so he decided to stake his life, for he was unable to accept a reality in which Davey was the Demon King.

The Sanctuary of the Demon God was, in truth, at the center of flood damage, and tens of thousands of Sauron’s soldiers reigned over it. While it was by no means a small number, it wasn’t impressive either, given the current situation wherein Davey’s demon army was roughly hundreds of thousands.

Still not yet in their sword form, Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon covered their ears while having an upset expression on their faces, seemingly pained by the loud sounds of the drums and horn.

They then whined with a whimper, "Urgh... So noisy..."

Davey silently petted them while Perserque sighed and asked, "Is all this really necessary?"

"This is to respect and let him abide by his principles to the end if he can’t accept the change.," Davey reasoned, even though Sauron’s actions seemed foolish in his opinion.

Then, Sauron, who was riding a great dragon, approached Davey. He dismounted the dragon and landed quietly. He then said, "Grant me one promise."

"Why do I have to promise anything?" Davey asked.

"I've heard you're a man of honor, even to your enemies.”

“...”

"Even if we battle here, please spare the women and children living in my territory," Sauron requested.

"You’re not in the place to be saying that,” Davey countered.

This remark silenced Sauron.

With the lack of reply from Sauron’s end, Davey then went on to explain the stark reality of the situation, saying, "These demons have homes and families too. But they all rush in here like moths to a flame, only to perish in the end because of your greed.”

"They will not return," Sauron finally spoke.

“You should have at least tried to solve this on your own and you only.," Davey criticized.

"Please don't look down on the pride of our noble Balrog legion. Like bamboo, we may break, but we will not bend," Sauron retorted.

‘Bamboo-like fools,’ Davey thought with a sigh.

"Do as you wish. This conversation is over."

Sauron quietly mounted his dragon.

A bluff threatening complete annihilation had kept at bay anyone who dared approach the Sanctuary of the Demon God. So the remaining demons and the legion had already withdrawn the troops encircling the place.

After silence descended upon them, Perserque, who probably could not bear the bitterness of the situation, heaved a deep sigh and flew away from Davey.

Boom! Boom!

Hoooonk!!!

The sounds of the drums and horn took a crescendo, reverberating more in the air as Davey began to walk toward Blue Ribbon and Red Ribbon.

"Red Ribbon."

With baby steps, Red Ribbon approached Davey after his call. Red Ribbon then transformed into light before finally taking the shape of a sword.

1. The raw is ??? ??? ??, ??? ???? ????. It’s usually about not letting the look deceive one, but it is now used to always exercise caution. ☜