The Demon Monarch System

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The silence was dreadful, appallingly so. Only broken by the resounding snarl of the enraged Ashur. "Are you insane? Are you some maverick hellbent on killing those around you?" ​​

Apollo's list of names was rather large. In fact, it was around 1/10th of the current talents of the Kaiser Family. Even Kayn was surprised by his exorbitant demands. While the second one could be fulfilled, the first one seemed counterproductive to his existence.

As for what they were, they were simple—only two things remained in mind; to seek vengeance and to secure a surefire way to increase his strength.

The first was for the family to willingly give him the heads of Axel, Brendel, Dylon, Klyde, and Ymir. As for the other, it was to allow him access to the entirety of the family's treasury.

"You want the heads of these children? Doesn't this seem to go against the purpose of you offering your services to the family?" Kayn questioned skeptically as he looked at Apollo with an awkward gaze. Rather than answering, he sought to understand the reasoning behind that first demand.

"I alone am enough. As for them, they must go for my words to stand," Apollo replied in an adamant tone. It was time the malice in his heart was directed towards the ones who gave birth to it.

"Hmm… I don't believe I can agree to this. You're effectively cutting off the family's precautionary measures. Despite your adamant stand, I don't think I can wrap my mind around you amounting to 5 other youths. Not to mention, two of which reside in the top five talents of the family," Kayn began to dismiss honoring this demand.

"Grand Elder is right. Your desires are too malevolent. How can you travel far on the path of cultivation? Let alone possess talent in Spirit Cultivation where it is said to require a pure soul to form a connection to an ethereal world," Rhyne stated. It was the first time he had spoken, however, he couldn't allow this to take place.

After all, needless bloodshed in the family would weaken it once more even more so than it already was. Its position among the small nobles could be threatened. Hence, one by one, the elders began speaking up, denouncing Apollo's desire.

"Yes, do you understand how insane you sound right now? What are you—some kind of murderous demon? The enmity between you kids isn't large enough to warrant some death penalty on their heads," Sallaya input with a look of derision. This was the lives of hers as well as other children they were discussing —it was no laughing matter.

However, that is exactly what Apollo did. They didn't understand the weight of his resentment. Unbeknownst to them, he had truly died because of their actions! The original soul of Apollo wouldn't be appeased unless this was repaid in kind. Hence, his mind wouldn't be changed.

It began with a small chuckle that soon turned into a maddened laughter, "My answer is simple! I don't walk the path of the rest. Since it is like this, Kayn, how about we do this another way?" Apollo paused peering straight into Kayn's eyes.

"I would like to invoke a deathmatch. Furthermore, I'll allow it to be 5 against one. Axel, Brendel, Erik, Klyde, and Ymir are welcomed to come at me all at once," Apollo spat venomously. A burning fury seethed within his eyes giving birth to an infant bloodlust. One threatening to burst from his body.

'This...this... he's serious. His mind won't be changed! Unless his desires are met that bloodlust will be incubated into something much more terrible. Perhaps, at that point, the Terrors would be the least of our worries. Do I...kill this boy? But then… my family won't reach the height it could've.'

Kayn became conflicted as he listened to the heated clamor intensifying within the room whilst locking eyes with Apollo. While he didn't know his accurate current strength, he was aware the upcoming trial was a comprehensive test. It covered far more topics than a basic meridian test.

"So what will it be, Kayn? Do you choose to place your bets on me and my future shrouded in mystery? Or, do you choose to settle for the subpar future of Axel? Perhaps you may rely upon Lily but how far will that go as well? The disparity to the Heaven-Grade is not small from what I understand. As you know, the future is also an untold thing," Apollo added as his unwavering gaze remained planted on Kayn.

Releasing a sigh, Kayn lamented the fact he let these old matters get out of hand, 'I should have handled those matters differently. If so, we wouldn't have reached this point today.

"SILENCE!" Kayn's Zul General cultivation exploded forth, calming the turbulent clamored atmosphere of the room. The stifling pressure rooted everyone in place until he retracted it. Looking towards Apollo, he continued to seek answers, "It is true, the future isn't set in stone. If I allow this deathmatch, what can you promise me?"

"Grand Elder...don't!" Ashur once again tried to dissuade Kayn from making what seemed to be a terrible decision in his eyes.

"I said silence," repeated Kayn with a grim gaze.

At the same time, Apollo turned towards Ashur with a sneer, "It's already a five against one. Surely, you're not afraid of the possible outcome, are you? Come on, these are your talents you should take pride in them. Unless… you understand their talents are truly dogshit in the grand scheme of things."

Apollo was like a slap on the faces of all present. After all, the aforementioned youths were the offspring of pretty much all the elders present. In other words, he was called a dogshit in a sense as well. Nevertheless, they couldn't rebut his words. It was true, there was a lack of confidence amongst them.

Apollo's aura was too much of an anomaly to them. Seldom was the irregularity of a Mortal possessing an aura on par with a strong Zul Warrior seen. As a result, this felt to be a risky affair.

"As for your question Kayn, I offer my prestige. In the upcoming selection trial, I will use the Kaiser name and claim amongst the top. However, to do so, you'll have to fulfill my second demand," confidently stated Apollo extricating his sights from Ashur.

'Heh. Just like your Dad. That's right. Claim what you seek and rid this family of their cow dung ridden minds. It's no fault but their own that we are in our current state. In fact, much of this is due to the 2 other deceased Grand Elders,' Cynthia smiled pridefully as she spectated the unraveling events.

"Very well. I will allow the deathmatch. However, in turn, you must enter one of the 9 Famed War Academies," stated Kayn, offering his own demands. In response, Apollo was taken aback.

"I thought there were 12 Academies?"

Kayn nodded in agreement before clarifying, "That is true, however, the Great and Supreme Families only attend the top nine. In a way, they are branches of the family. They just don't house the secrets that flow through the families themselves. Hence, the separation between Families and Academies."

"Very well. I will do it. When will this happen?" asked Apollo

"Two months from now. As for this corpse, you may keep it. I will not intrude upon your rewards. I'll allow you access to the treasury, however, I'll be monitoring your progress. Your promise is to be fulfilled! There is no room for failure!"

Apollo's eyes gleamed at the mention of the treasure. There were bound to be some useful items stowed away inside there seeing as years had passed. Not to mention, once a year, a certain number of resources would be sent down from the ruling family of the domain ensuring the small noble families retained the ability to guard the border.

Apollo stowed the corpse as Kayn's voice thundered in the room. After doing so, Apollo turned around and left the area. There was nothing left to talk about. However, upon his exit the conference room was thrown into an uproar—their children had been potentially sentenced to death!

'Just another stepping stone on my path,' Apollo's gaze grew colder as this thought passed through his mind turning into a dissipating shadow. In two months, it would spell the doom of numerous people.