The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

As the magic circle, which needed periodic activation, began losing its power source and its light started fading, a desperate voice echoed.

[Hey! What have you done? Restore the magic circle at once!]

However, the oppressing force that had previously been present was nowhere to be felt. This was a natural consequence since the medium that had broken the seal and transmitted the creature’s power had disappeared.

[You!!! I'll remember you! The day I leave this land, you will be the first I devour!]

"Thank you, I’m looking forward to it."

[Ahh…]

The curse-laden shout gradually faded, and Davey calmly opened the Pocket Plane and took out a few mana scroll papers he had used for making talismans. He then took a nearby shattered piece of wood and, using a dropped sword, carved it into a crude gravestone, inscribing the words: ‘Resting here, the hungry pupper.’

Illyna chuckled, "Did you really name that fearsome beast 'pupper'?"

"Why be afraid of something on a leash?"

"So, what's this?"

"Just thought it might be troublesome if left as is," Davey said.

He was not sure about the effect, but what he planned to do had to be better than doing nothing.

"Hey, your name was Liline, right?"

"Yes? Yes!"

"How many can connect with Fenril through dreams?"

"As of now, just you, me... and the three of us. Only Marka could directly contact the ancient beast Fenril, but..."

"Okay, that's all I needed to know."

Before Liline could respond, Davey quickly pricked his fingertip with a sword, allowing droplets of blood to ooze out, and began inscribing words.

"Those are characters I've never seen..."

"They're not from this world." Davey interrupted before Liline could inquire further about his past.

"I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Listening won't hurt me." Davey skillfully inscribed the characters and watched as the enchantment on the white scroll activated. He then lightly adhered it to the gravestone.

[Grade 3 Sealing Circle]

[Four Gods’ Sealing Formation]

Simultaneously, the four talismans sparked and began radiating light, merging into the gravestone.

The Four Gods’ Sealing Formation was based on the power of the four cardinal deities. Although Davey currently only had access to three: Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, and White Tiger, it was still quite effective.

"It's done."

"What did you do?"

"Just applied a secondary lock, just in case."

However, it was a basic third-grade sealing technique. For anything more advanced, he would need preparations, especially given he was not sure how his power would interact with the creatures'. Davey judged that this was the limit for now.

Liline looked surprised. "Huh, I thought you'd immediately draw out and capture it."

"I value my life too, you know."

"So you can't defeat it?"

"No, it's just that it won't be easy."

If it was just a beast feeding on raw power, maybe Davey could trap and end it. But if it had consumed the power of the Divine Tree, it wouldn't be a simple opponent.

Hearing this, Liline looked distressed at the gravestone.

If he fully understood the opponent, Davey could confidently take a bet, but this buried monstrosity remained an enigma. Probably because it had absorbed the Divine Tree's power, especially if it absorbed that absurd force where not just mana but multiple powers would not work. If he had fought in his current unprepared state, he might have been the one at a disadvantage.

Of course, considering Megalodria and Lavatein, Davey's odds here seemed favorable.

[Such a mysterious power.]

Davey's fusion with the creature had not fully dissolved yet; his body momentarily flickered with flames. Without responding to Ifrit's query, he dispelled the fusion and reversed the summon.

[Ugh?! Contract holder, you brat!! Release me!]

"No, go back."

Davey’s business in the demon world had ended. Well, there was still a bit left. However, having spared succubi Yushir and Liline, he felt prepared.

"Illyna, release her."

"Huh? What?"

"The reinforcements have arrived."

With those words, hundreds of dark bullets flew toward him. Illyna hastily expanded a shield of swords to block them, but she could not deflect them all. She screamed, collapsing on the spot.

"Demon King!"

Emerging were numerous demons, entities in black robes. The many Dark Spears hurled at him were likely from Grand Duke Astaroth. The last time Davey saw him, Astaroth looked rather stately, but now he looked quite drained, possibly from the intense expenditure of his power.

"You've weakened quite a bit since we last met."

Despite the decrease in Astaroth's strength, he was not easy to deal with, especially for Illyna. It made sense, given that Astaroth once wielded significant influence as a demon. As Davey blocked an incoming spear with his bare hands, the demon's magic tried to corrode his body with intense resistance. However, the Demon King's magic flowed out, dispersing the demon's strength. This power was quite handy. The hierarchical order was very clear, so in situations like this, it gave Davey a significant advantage.

"Release Liline! What are you doing in this place?"

At his words, Davey nodded to Liline, who was sitting beside Illyna. "Go."

"..."

"I said go."

Without hesitation, when he released her, Illyna fluttered the small wings on her back, quickly approaching Astaroth.

"Illyna!"

"Ah, father!" Liline rushed to Astaroth, who, without a word, held her closely and comforted her.

"It's okay... it's alright... Your father is here; don't be scared anymore."

Her sobbing only fueled the hostility emanating from the surrounding demons. One of them spoke up. "Isn't it too early for the Demon King's competition? If I recall correctly, isn't it scheduled for another 10 years?"

"Silence! Even if you've chased us away with your monstrous strength, you won't break our spirit! Demon Cavalry!"

On Astaroth's command, the demons collectively raised their hands. Rebelling against the Demon King came with a heavy penalty. The dark sparks tormenting them did not deter their hostility.

"I forgive you all."

As Davey, who was silently observing their suffering, spoke, the sparks emanating from their bodies abruptly ceased.

"What did you do...?"

"We must be clear about our debts, no matter if they're enemies or not."

Upon hearing this, Liline tightly gripped Astaroth's arm. "Father..."

"…" Astaroth clenched his fist and glared at Davey.

"Your Highness, should we prepare the restraining magic circle?"

"Restraint magic circle?"

He had fallen for it once, but he would not a second time.

"Liline, are you hurt?"

"I-I'm sorry. I couldn't fulfill my duty..."

"It's okay... How could I blame you?"

After mumbling to himself, Astaroth glared murderously at Davey and exhaled sharply. "Demon Cavalry, stand down."

"But Your Highness!"

"He's the one who usurped the Demon King's throne! We can't just allow someone who came all the way here..." began a robed demon, but Astaroth silenced him with a stern glance, and the demon's expression resigned itself. "I will follow... your command."

The dark magic that had coalesced in their hands dissipated. As the oppressive atmosphere surrounding them lifted, Illyna discreetly exhaled a sigh of relief.

"How could you have come to this demon world? Traveling between the continents and the demon world exacts a significant penalty," Astaroth inquired, visibly perplexed by Davey's presence.

Davey remained silent in response to Astaroth's question. The state of the demon realm had become evident to him, and he now comprehended the chaos that was unfolding. "Weren't you aware?"

"Know what?"

"I suppose you now have a rough idea of the situation in the demon realm."

"What are you trying to say?"

Silently, Davey retrieved an empty piece of paper from his pocket. With a hand still stained with fresh blood, he inscribed a symbol on it and sent it flying toward Astaroth. "Take it."

"What's this?"

"If it's torn, I'll know. You might need it later," Davey said flatly and turned away. "Let's go."

"Huh? Ahh!"

Davey embraced Illyna with one arm, turning his palm downward as he immediately summoned mana. Simultaneously, a grand-scale magic manifested.

* * *

Davey, the mysterious youth who had deceived not only the demons but also humans and gods, had vanished. He appeared more mature than the last time they had seen him. Considering the human lifespan, not much time had passed.

‘I can't sense his mana anymore... but it feels different.’

"Your Majesty! Why did you let them go?"

"That's right! Even though the Demon King's contest happens periodically, we might have had the chance to kill that human right now!"

Trust was rapidly eroding. Even among the demons who had blindly followed him, doubts about Davey were surfacing.

‘The storm can’t be stopped now.’

The demon realm was plunged into utter chaos. The Demon King's throne, once solely the domain of demons, had become an object of human desire, a situation that should have been foreseen. A handful of demons, emboldened by the powers emanating from it, began to declare themselves as the Demon King, amassing considerable power and engaging in internecine conflicts. It was a fitting end for those who had lost a common enemy.

"Father..."

"It's okay, Liline."

With a gentle smile, he patted Liline's head and, soon after, released the horrendous curse Marka had placed upon her. Gradually, Liline's form changed, returning to that of a young girl.

"Your Majesty!"

"You fools. Can't you see?"

At Astaroth’s words, the demons flinched. "What...?"

Looking confused, the demons watched as Astaroth summoned his magical power and waved his hand. Although weakened from the power struggles, he still lived up to his reputation as the most powerful of the demons.

Shortly after, his magical energy enveloped the entire area. Numerous ambush and restraint magic circles appeared, set up by the demon troops on Astaroth's command, unbeknownst to Davey.

"This magic... we set it up..." Voices filled with doubt echoed from the demon troops.

However, when they looked up at the sky to where Astaroth was pointing, they gasped in shock. "What..."

"This can't be..."

"How can a single being possess such power..."

The sky was teeming with countless magic circles, difficult to believe were crafted by a single entity. Astaroth's magic illuminated the surroundings, revealing more and more magic circles.

"These are what he set up, fearing our discovery."

From basic magic to trap spells, defensive wards, and ambush enchantments, what was terrifying was not just the overwhelming number of magic circles Davey had installed, but how each one was interconnected for maximum efficiency with minimal consumption.

Astaroth knew that to achieve such a feat, it wasn't just about having a vast reservoir of mana, but also the experience and profound insight to orchestrate such a complex network. A shiver ran down his spine.

If they had likened the magic circles cast by the demon troops and Astaroth to a spring, the ones set up solely by Davey, the human Demon King, were like a massive river with a powerful current. His response had been swift, and traces of sophisticated magic circles were left on them, ones not even Astaroth could decipher.

In the past, Astaroth would not have compromised with humans. He might have cursed their underhanded methods, but in battles with humans, he did not discriminate. However, now he could not resort to diverse strategies as public opinion in the demon realm was swinging.

"It can't be..."

"Oh my god."

"If a battle had occurred, everyone would've been killed..."

Looking at the traces of magic circles that seemed to fill the sky, some of the demon troops appeared to falter from fear.

Astaroth's expression hardened. Even though Davey could have annihilated them instantly, he not only spared them but also seemed to have waited, ignoring Liline. Knowing they were preparing magic here, yet ignoring them, and now giving them this strange paper imbued with power. Tear it, and he would receive a signal? Astaroth felt as if he were being toyed with in the palm of someone's hand.

"I can't fathom what kind of plot he's hatching."