Chapter 1620 Azaz’s Origin <TOC> Chapter 1622 Gloria's Decision
Translator: SumTLMan
After Gloria emerged from her contemplation, Angel mentally connected her into their shared mental link and relayed Sanders’ conclusions.
Gloria said, “Azaz does seem sincere, but his demon offerings cannot be denied. He says he will hold fast to his beliefs, but who can guarantee what the future holds? He remains a volatile element, regardless.”
Gloria wasn’t wrong. If Angel were in her shoes, encountering someone who could potentially jeopardize the entire gourmet community, he wouldn’t be at ease either.
“What do you think is the best course of action?” Sanders suddenly inquired, posing the question to Gloria through their mental link.
“Without a doubt, making him disappear forever would be the best solution.” And by “disappearance,” she meant the utter annihilation of his life.
“Killing him won’t kill the demon, though. The demon can simply move on to tempting someone else. Especially given that this demon has already made its way to the Southern Region,” Sanders stated.
Gloria would have liked to suggest exterminating the demon as well, but demons are notoriously cunning, particularly those that lurk in the void. Wizards find it difficult to accurately locate them and successfully target them. If it were that simple, the gourmet world in the Northern Territory wouldn’t have garnered such a bad reputation.
That is unless the demon crosses boundaries and enters the material plane.
But it seemed the demon had no such plans; otherwise, Azaz would not have been captured by them.
Gloria furrowed her brows, “So what should we do?”
Sanders replied, “There are numerous ways, but if you seek a permanent solution, you’ll have to weigh the options yourself. However, I am rather curious. Why would a Rune Fire Demon choose a wizard apprentice as its sacrificial subject?”
Turning to Azaz, Sanders said slowly, “I’d like to have a word with the Rune Fire Demon you’re in cahoots with.”
“Rune Fire Demon?'” Azaz had heard Angel mention the term before, but it didn’t click that it referred to Sebastian.
“It seems he hasn’t even revealed his own race to you,” Sanders whispered.
Azaz fell silent, unsure of what to say. Just then, a mist of darkness emanated from him, materializing into a spectral demon. The entity appeared to be a sophisticated noble clad in finery, but the illusion was broken by the demonic horns atop its head and the shadowy mist that faintly spread behind it, suggesting demonic wings.
“Human, how do you know that I am a Rune Fire Demon?” A delicate, ethereal voice emerged from the demonic phantom.
“As a noble amongst demons, why would you choose a wizard apprentice as your tribute?” Sanders responded, a mixture of curiosity and scrutiny evident in his eyes.
“I thought humans would have more decorum than demons — questions answered with answers, is that not the case among the strong of humankind?” Sebastian calmly observed Sanders through the spectral form.
“The notion that demons would discuss etiquette with humans is perhaps the greatest jest I’ve heard today,” Gloria suddenly chimed in with a cold laugh.
“Demons have manners too, but they are reserved for the strong,” Sebastian shot Gloria a brief glance before refocusing on Sanders. “I admit, you are powerful. However, this void remains my dominion.”
“I had no intention of raising a hand against you. Are you mentioning this because you’re frightened?” Sanders leaned back against the couch, appearing more languid than before.
“I was merely stating that we have no mutual enmity. Even if I cannot defeat you, killing me would still be out of the question.”
Throughout the conversation, Sebastian maintained a sense of decorum uncharacteristic for a demon, resembling more a noble than a creature of the Abyss.
Indeed, what he said was true: the idea that Sanders could kill Sebastian was utterly improbable. Though it may appear that Sebastian is always lurking behind Azaz, the truth is far more complex. He exists in an unbounded expanse of void, and even if one were to vaguely discern his outline, pinpointing his precise location would be unattainable.
Even if one were to successfully locate him in that limitless void, Sebastian’s agility and maneuverability would undoubtedly surpass that of any wizard. This holds true even when facing Sanders.
Because of this, Sebastian confronts Sanders with a palpable air of unwavering confidence.
At this point, Angel interjects, “Do you wonder how we know you are a Rune Fire Demon?”
Sebastian looks at Angel. Although he manifests as but a shadowy projection of a demon, a subtle gleam is still discernible in his eyes. “As the bearer of the Odeklaes’s mark, you intrigue me as well. Would you care to share?”
“It seems you’re familiar with Odeklaes,” Angel says, lightly caressing the mark on his ear. A green luminescent rune flickers, concealing the mark entirely. “Then do you also know Tantin?”
Tantin? Sebastian’s brow furrows. “I know many individuals by that name, but I’m not sure who you’re referring to.”
Angel’s mention of the name Tantin perplexes not just Sebastian but also Gloria, who wonders, who is Tantin?
“Is the name Tantin so commonplace among demons?” Angel mutters under his breath before clarifying, “The Tantin I’m referring to is a Servant of Fire.”
Servant of Fire.
In the dark emptiness of the void, Sebastian’s pupils contract slightly, as if a realization has dawned upon him. However, in his corporeal projection, he remains impassive. “Servants of Fire are mere underlings, slaves to the flame. As a Rune Fire Demon, I wouldn’t bother remembering the names of such vassals.”
Angel gazes deeply at the shadowy projection of the demon. Even though Sebastian does a good job of hiding it, a slight variation in his tone does not escape Angel’s notice. Despite his verbal denial, Angel senses that Sebastian may have some level of recognition deep within.
Choosing not to continue with this enigmatic exchange, Angel lightly rubs his fingertips together, summoning forth another demon illusion before him.
Though this demon more closely resembles a human, shrouded in a crimson robe, even its facial features are indistinct.
However, the moment Sebastian laid eyes on this phantom, his heart skipped a beat abruptly.
Perhaps this visage may appear commonplace, but as a Rune Fire Demon, how could Sebastian not recognize it?
“Steward… Tantin,” the phantasmal demon finally uttered the identity of the Servant of Fire. Even if the phantom’s expression was indecipherable, the lengthy pause was sufficient for anyone to sense the emotional upheaval within it.
After an extended moment, the demon seemed to regain its composure: “How have you encountered him?”
Angel: “So you’re acquainted with Steward Tantin? I naturally encountered him in the Abyss. Does this answer your previous query about how I knew about the Rune Fire Demon?”
The demon phantom was silent for a moment before saying, “So, you’ve encountered that Young Fire Demon…”
“Of course, I have.”
“… Has that pesky youngster not yet undergone metamorphosis?”
Angel knew that the demon was referring to Greaves. Greaves’s deepest obsession was to mature, to metamorphose. It was because of this fixation that he had specifically ventured into Angel’s shop while in La Sutherland, aiming to utilize the Rhythm of the Ocean.
“In the beginning, he had not, but I believe he likely has by now,” Angel said. Initially, Greaves had not metamorphosed; the Rhythm of the Ocean was tailored for water-aligned beings, so it naturally wouldn’t have been effective on a Young Fire Demon like Greaves. However, Greaves was nourished by the fallen True Spirit of the Flameless Lord on the Original Tan Continent, and his metamorphosis should not be far off.
Gloria found herself lost in the conversation between Angel and Sebastian. She felt it wasn’t her place to interrupt at this juncture and could only continue listening with a furrowed brow.
“How did you come to meet him?” Sebastian remained somewhat incredulous, questioning Angel’s acquaintance with Greaves, who is a legitimate heir to the Demon Lord lineage.
Angel: “I’ve already answered three of your questions; you previously mentioned the principle of courtesy. Now it’s your turn to reciprocate with an answer.”
Angel paused briefly before proceeding to address Sanders’ question, asking, “Why did you choose Azaz as your devotee?”
Azaz himself was quite curious about this too.
Sebastian chuckled, “I am not a human, so I don’t need a reason for everything I do. Besides, it’s not like I am the one making the choices. In other words, do you think it’s the gods who choose their followers, or is it the followers who voluntarily choose to worship the gods?”
Sebastian might have put it that way, but Azaz was likely the only one present who would take him at his word.
The more nonchalant Sebastian appeared about it, the more it indicated that he didn’t take Azaz as lightly as they had all suspected.
If he truly didn’t care, Gloria wouldn’t have had to endure the demon flames emitted by Sebastian’s true form earlier.
Chapter 1620 Azaz’s Origin <TOC> Chapter 1622 Gloria's Decision