King of Devas

Asura Teacher, Rishi Shukraacharya, suddenly interjected.

His white sacrificial robe was impeccably straight, and as he took a step forward, the Naga staff was firmly planted by his side. He clasped his hands together and greeted Devi Alakshmi before him.

"Devi!" he exclaimed. "Please remain here for the time being. Now is the time for various items to rise from Kshira Sagara. We cannot afford to send a single asura back to Pataloloka!" Rishi Shukraacharya spoke with deep conviction, his voice steady and urgent.

"As the Amrita is about to emerge from the churning of the ocean, it is vital that we hold our ground. The Devas have regained their strength, and their forces are once again formidable. Sending one of our strongest warriors, like Holika, to Patalaloka at this moment could lead to irreversible consequences. We need every capable Asura here, ready to claim what is rightfully ours before the Devas can make their move."

Though he felt that Devi Alakshmi and Devi Lakshmi were closely related, like sisters, something about the situation seemed amiss. His wisdom urged caution.

"If we send Devi Alakshmi back to Patalaloka now, I fear something disastrous may occur," he continued. "It would be wiser to keep her with the Asura army for now. I will meditate and, through the power of the Vedas, explore the inner and outer realms to uncover the true identity and authority of the Devi."

At this, Hiranyaksha Asura became restless and could not listen any longer.

"Teacher!" he interrupted.

"With me on the battlefield, I will not be defeated by any Deva. What's more, my brother is about to complete his penance. When that happens, the Trimurti will be powerless against us."

Hiranyaksha clenched his right fist and struck his chest. A thunderous boom echoed as if the very earth itself shook with the immense and boundless power within him.

Having said this, Hiranyaksha ignored Rishi Shukraacharya's warning and waved to Asura Holika.

"Go!" he commanded. "Upon returning to Pataloka, build a temple for the Devi, light the Yajna Agni, offer tributes, and worship her!"

Turning to Devi Alakshmi, Hiranyaksha spoke with sincerity. "I swear by King Asura that from this moment on, the Pataloka shall be your eternal home, Devi!" With open arms, he smiled warmly in welcome to the Devi.

Boom!

The ground trembled slightly, as though the oath of Hiranyaksha was being witnessed by the very trilokas itself.

At the sound, Alakshmi 's once grim face flushed slightly, and a mix of emotions swept over her. Her goldfish-like eyes blinked, feeling a surge of emotion, and she nodded firmly.

"From now on, I will remain in the Underworld!" Alakshmi declared gratefully.

"Hahaha, very well!" Hiranyaksha beamed with pride. "My kingdom needs a Devi like you!"

Rishi Shukraacharya's face remained as rigid as a stone statue. He said nothing, merely turning and walking away.

Thud!

It wasn't enough!

Hiranyaksha, not even bothering to glance at him, turned his head dismissively. This old man had been telling him how to do things for too long. It was clear to him that they had welcomed a Devi and would soon defeat the Devas after churning the Kshira Sagara. Yet, this old man continued to talk back and challenge him.

It was better this way, now that he was gone.

Vajranga's gaze followed Rishi Shukraacharya as he walked away, and he took a step to chase after him. But after that first step, he hesitated. He glanced at his eldest brother, Hiranyaksha, unsure of whether to proceed.

"Well..." he murmured.

"I suppose only a Hiranyakashipu can sway Hiranyaksha, right?" Vajranga couldn't help but sigh, then withdrew his steps.

The Hiranyakashipu was his twin brother. Currently, he was in the Bhuloka, enduring a prolonged penance to Brahma, the creator, and had yet to come to the Kshira Sagara.

"Teacher!"

Puloman, visibly anxious, looked around a few times before quietly flying out, moving with care.

"Puloman!"

Rishi Shukraacharya flew high above the Kshira Sagara, his expression dark as he prepared to return to Earth.

"Teacher! Wait!"

Suddenly, a voice called out from behind him. Could it be that Hiranyaksha had changed his mind?

Shukraacharya froze, slowly turning around. A flicker of disappointment crossed his face when he saw Puloman standing behind him.

"Teacher!" Puloman clasped his hands together and bowed respectfully.

"What's the matter?" Rishi Shukraacharya's face was as stone, his voice deep and steady.

Puloman smiled, looking at Rishi Shukraacharya with respect. "Teacher, Hiranyaksha is arrogant and reckless. I have come to apologize for his rudeness."

Shukraacharya, too tired to entertain pleasantries, narrowed his eyes. Was Puloman here for this?

A joke!

"Stop with the nonsense. What do you actually want? If you don't speak clearly, I'll leave." Shukraacharya snorted coldly.

Puloman visibly stiffened, taking a deep breath before speaking. "I ask, Teacher, that you come to the palace of our Danava clan and guide us in our fight to defeat the Devas."

At this, Shukraacharya's gaze shifted, appraising Puloman carefully. "I know you, Puloman," he said, his voice measured. "You are the son of Danu, the mother of the Danava clan. It seems you've grown quite wise."

The Asuras are generally divided into two branches. One branch is the sons of Diti, known as the Daityas. The other branch is the Sons of Danu, called the Danava.

Puloman's excitement was evident as he quickly clasped his hands together and said, "Thank you..." But before he could finish, Shukraacharya's tone shifted, and a sneer crossed his face.

"Ha, it's a pity you're too weak." Rishi Shukraacharya continued, his voice cold.

"Not only are you no match for Hiranyaksha and the Hiranyakashipu, but can you even defeat the Vajrasna? You can't. Without hard work, you can't even become the king of Asuras let alone Triloka."

He stared at Puloman, delivering each word with measured slowness. Puloman's earlier joy quickly faded, replaced by unease.

"The current Lord of Svarga, Indra, is far too cunning and ruthless," Shukraacharya continued. "Even if you control the Bhuloka and Patalaloka and receive the boons, you still wouldn't stand a chance against Indra. He would destroy you without hesitation. What's worse, he's even stronger and wiser than before."

Puloman's face darkened with frustration.

"You still have tens of thousands of years before you could possibly defeat Indra," Shukraacharya's voice was calm, yet it struck deeply into Puloman's heart. "If this is the mindset you have, you'd be better off focusing your energy on serious penance."

Puloman's face turned from blue to black with anger. His lips trembled, his expression deeply troubled.

"Hiranyaksha is indeed arrogant, but his strength is real, and his dedication to training is even more so. Hiranyakashipu may be stubborn, but his strength is also the result of relentless effort. His hard work will make him even more powerful than Hiranyaksha."

Rishi Shukraacharya paused and looked at Puloman with a critical gaze.

"Almost all of Diti's offspring in your generation are stronger than you. Perhaps you should return, focus on having more children, hope for a better chance, and make your mother proud in the future." Shukraacharya's voice grew colder.

"I'm glad you came to me, but I'm angry that it was for such a reason. You are Danu's son but don't forget Hiranyaksha is your King and brother from father's side. Do you want to go against him?"

"Even if you succeed, you still can't defeat Indra! I advise you to focus on taking care of yourself!" Rishi Shukraacharya had barely finished speaking when Puloman snarled in fury.

"Enough!" His eyes burned scarlet, his beard and hair whipped in a wild frenzy—he was furious. A massive scimitar materialized in his hand, its sharp edge gleaming with menace.

At this point, Puloman had lost all control. Knowing something was one thing, but hearing it spoken aloud was entirely different.

"It's just Indra. If Hiranyaksha can defeat him, so can I! I will conquer the Svarga! I will surely defeat Indra!" he bellowed, his voice filled with fury.

"An old man who only knows how to teach—what do you know of war?" he roared. With a flash of golden light, Puloman swung his scimitar toward Rishi Shukraacharya, his anger boiling over.

But Rishi Shukraacharya's gaze hardened, and an overwhelming aura of power surged from him.

"Presumptuous!" Rishi Shukraacharya's voice rang out like thunder, each word shaking the very air. Puloman staggered back, taken aback by the force of the sage's presence. His chest heaved, and slowly, his fury began to subside.

"Puloman, you dare to attack me? I curse you!" Rishi Shukraacharya's white hair whipped violently around him as his voice echoed with divine fury. "Puloman, everything you hold dear will be taken from you by Indra! You will fall by his hand as well!"

At these words, Puloman froze, his expression turning blank as a cold chill ran through him.

"Something I hold dear?" He muttered, confusion seeping into his mind. "My wealth? My throne? Or... my daughter, Shachi?"

---

Read 20 chapters ahead on P*treon.c*m/Marioni. For commission requests and early access Ko-fi.c*m/Marioni37