Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

"Hehehehehe."

Eliza chuckled, playfully tousling Layla's hair.

"We shouldn't underestimate him, kiddo. I chose him to carry out the Lazarus Project for a reason. It appears I've picked a natural-born fiend to execute my bidding in this era.

Looking at the scene unfolding in front of me, we all have to admit that his compatibility with demonic powers surpasses mine. Unfortunately for him, even if he secures four or five Sin Series Marks, it won't alter his current situation.

He played it safe and waited too long. Time isn't on his side for mastering the demonic blessings he's received. Sooner or later, he'll need to come here, the Sages from both kingdoms are at each other's throats.

Therefore, the Project will proceed, regardless of his intentions and power-ups," Eliza remarked in a composed and unwavering tone.

Eliza herself possessed three Sin Series Marks, so she didn't deem it entirely implausible for others to achieve the same feat. Nevertheless, even with her extraordinary talent and unique bloodline, it had taken her an extended period to unlock the full potential of her Sin Series Abilities.

Consequently, regardless of how exceptional Eren had proven himself to be beyond her initial estimation, she couldn't view him as someone who could wrest away from her clutches.

Nonetheless, she resolved to heighten her vigilance; underestimating Eren was no longer an option. It was a risk she couldn't afford to take. If she aspired to rejuvenate herself and construct a fresh vessel, her forthcoming actions needed to be executed with precision and at the right moment.

"Master, the forces of both kingdoms have stopped their battle," Layla eventually spoke, her voice strained under the oppressive aura. "So how will the Sages from both sides fight if both factions withdraw their forces?" she inquired of Eliza.

"Fufufu," Eliza chuckled softly before offering her analysis.

"This retreat is temporary, kiddo. Soon, both kingdoms will grow suspicious of the other's intentions. When the battle recommences after this brief pause, it will escalate to even greater intensity than before.

I guess the Sages will find it necessary to reveal themselves on the battlefield sooner than anticipated," Eliza predicted, her gaze fixed on the unfolding scenes in the distant battleground. One could say that her battle insticts were as sharp as ever.

***

In a secluded location within the Layos kingdom,

"First, that damned Beelzebub, and now this! What is happening in Anfang?"

Demonmir screamed, his voice echoing across the tranquil terrace of a simple villa.

He gazed at the twilight sky, his eyes filled with frustration. Below him, a vast lake's surface rippled sporadically, stirred by the waves of a mana pulse emanating from the direction of the Edinburgh kingdom.

Demonmir's schemes to profit from the ongoing conflict between Edinburgh and Layos had been utterly disrupted, as a full-blown war had erupted far sooner than expected. His sole reliable contact within the Layos army and his potential business partner, Saisha Goren, had met a tragic end just as Demonmir was on the verge of finalizing a lucrative deal for the production of Hex Artifacts within Layos territory.

Already agitated by this loss, Demonmir had been further rattled by the revelation that, apart from himself, there was another individual harboring the soul fragment of a Demon Prince. This enigmatic figure had incited a significant upheaval that did not escape the notice of Samael, the Demon Prince of Wrath, whose fragment resided within Demonmir.

Aware of the animosity between Samael and Beelzebub, Demonmir had no desire to become embroiled in their brutal conflict. Despite the influence of Samael's soul fragment on his personality, he retained his own ambitions and aspirations.

After all, even if he could be considered as Samael's incarnation, Demonmir had his own identity. He yearned to rise above his current limits in Anfang and ascend to greater heights before Samael abandoned him entirely.

A portion of his identity still remained that of Ottoman de Montmorency, a young and ambitious Ranker from Anfang striving to carve out his own legacy. Or at least Samael was letting him have his personality for the time being.

As Demonmir contemplated the recent tumultuous events and his thwarted plans, he mused aloud.

"Could… could this be the work of that bastard, the one Samael labeled as the Usurper? That brat Grimdawn... could he be responsible?"

His thoughts raced as he sensed the expanding mana pulse.

"I've heard rumors of his demon beast, Argo, but we've never crossed paths, and he remained elusive for nearly a decade…

Hmm?

Wait a minute. Billy's!"

Suddenly, it clicked for him, as if invisible threads connecting the dots in his mind snapped into place.

Determination filled Demonmir's eyes as he muttered grimly, "I cannot allow him to grow any further."

Realizing the decade-long partnership between Eren and Beelzebub had escaped his notice, he resolved to rectify this grave mistake, no matter the cost or consequences.

"Fuck those damned restrictions by the Last Blood Bastian, in a few days, I will break them all. Then, I will fucking kill him and his demon beast," Demonmir declared resolutely, vanishing from the scene.

***

Eren wasn't aware of what Demonmir was thinking or doing at this point. He was busy analyzing his own progress.

***

Name: Eren Elijah Idril (Verified)

Official Titles:

Edinburgh Bona Fide Title: Grimdawn

Affiliations:

Edinburgh Army (Veteran, Voluntary Exit)

Lionhearts Adventurers' Academy (Graduated with Distinction)

Founder of the City of White Raven

Guild Master of White Raven Guild

Ranking Technique:

Rootless (Custom Name)

Base Attributes:

Health Points (HP): 195 / 195 (?)

Mana Points (MP): 195 / 195 (?)

Strength (STR): 195 (?)

Agility (AGI): 195 (?)

Intelligence (INT): 195 (?)

Spiritual Force (SF): ?? (?)

Base Technique Points (BTP): 975 (?)

BTP Visibility: Private

Ranking Status:

B-Rank / Master Rank (Vapour State Core)

Available Classes (Custom):

Close Combat Expert

Summoner

Array Master

Berserker

Assassin

Ranger

Potion Expert

Sin Series Abilities (Custom):

Sin of Wrath (Domain of Wrath)

Sin of Gluttony (Domain of Gluttony)

Sin of Lust (Mist of Lust)

Sin of Envy (??)

Sin of Pride (??)

Sin of Sloth (??)

Sin of Gluttony (??)

Bloodline Abilities (Custom):

Memory Extraction

Expedited Regeneration

Life Drain

Devour

Shapeshift

Partial Shapeshifting

Acquired Abilities (Custom):

Instant Reset

Unlimited Weapon Works

Myriad Potioning

Hero's Heart

Self-created Abilities:

Upgraded Sedating Gaze

Self-created Spells:

Wind-Fire Shards

Elemental Fusion Spells

———————

Lightning-element Spells [ Aspects: Purple Speed, Red Destruction, Incinerating Blue Heat ]

Blitz Steps

Blitz Heal

Blitz Storm

Blitz Shield

Blitz Bolt

Solid Spark

Lightning Seed

Lightning Tree

Blitz Wave

Fire-element Spells [ Aspects: Amber Heat, Azure Cold Fire, Spatial Red Flame ]

Fireball

Firebreath

Hatching of the Flame (variations)

Fire Wings

Rain of Fire

Crimson Storm

Igni Chains

Igni Steps

Blue Fire Domain

Time-element Spells

Sedated Perception

Stunning Speed

Total Control

Age Expedite (Potion related)

Age Reverse (Potion related)

Motion Manipulation

Space-element Spells [ Aspects: Black Spatial Vibration ]

Spatial Chains

Spatial Knives

Spatial Arrows

Spatial Spheres

Blink

Dynamic Distance

Perfect Projection

Wind-element Spells [ Aspects: Enhanced White Wind Control, Ivory Heat Conductivity ]

Wind Wings

Wind-blade Tornado

Wind Steps

Wind Wall

Wind Shards

Wind Swords

Wind Sabers

Water-element Spells [ Aspects: Aqua State Fluidity, Turquoise Blade Forms ]

Aqua Hammer

Aqua Heal

Aqua Blades

Aqua Wall

Aqua Steps

Aqua Storm

Aqua Whips

Wood-element Spells [ Aspects: Green Nature Essence ]

Green Prison

Vicious Vines

Healing Vines

Wood Life Control

Earth-element Spells [ Aspects: Carbon Hardening, Yellow Tensility ]

Earth Wall

Earth Steps

Earth Manipulation

Earth Spikes

Death-element Spells [ Aspects: Controlled Rust Degeneration ]

Death Wave

Death Rot

Shadow of Death

Shadow-element Spells:

Shadow Steps

Shadow Switch

Shadow Clone

Shadow Chains

Shadow Flames

Miscellaneous Spells:

Beast Contract Spell

Demon Beast Transformation Spell

Wind-fire Wings

Wind-Fire Shards

Summoning Spells:

Fire Creatures (variations)

Lightning Creatures (variations)

Earth Creatures (variations)

Water Creatures (variations)

Wood Creatures (variations)

Ether Creatures (variations)

Undead Creatures (variations)

[ Urgent Alert: Immediate communication with Edinburgh's central administration required concerning the unexpected relocation of White Raven Guild's disptached forces.

Please reach out to authorized personnel without delay. Non-compliance within the specified timeframe will lead to severe consequences for White Raven Guild and its members. ]

***