Chapter 26: Demons Recruitment
Noir then went and got started, setting the foundation for his next big move. He began recruiting demons from his lineage, reaching out to his most loyal followers. After some time, Noir amassed a formidable group—around 200 demons in total. Among them were 10 Archdemons, each one with their own powerful abilities, and the rest were a mix of Greater Demons and Lesser Demons. With his new forces at hand, Noir was confident in his approach.
Once satisfied with his recruitment, Noir approached Arion, with a proposal.
"There is a certain primordial demon whose power and influence could be useful to us," Noir stated. "The primordial Blanc—a demon of unparalleled skill, though she keeps to herself. If we can bring her to our side, it will greatly bolster our strength."
Arion listened carefully, his golden eyes gleaming with interest. "Blanc, you say?… interesting." He smiled faintly. "Very well, let's go meet her."
Together, they traveled toward Blanc's domain, a region cloaked in an ethereal mist that carried an aura of eerie tranquility. The landscape was vast and silent, yet beneath the serenity, a sense of overwhelming power loomed. They approached the heart of the territory, where Blanc's castle stood in regal splendor.
The structure was a masterpiece of demonic craftsmanship—its towering white walls shimmered like moonlight, laced with elegant silver markings that pulsed with a mysterious energy. Frosty-blue roses climbed the stone, adding a strange beauty to the imposing fortress. The air was crisp, the silence deafening.
As they neared the entrance, two guards stationed at the massive ivory gates stepped forward, their dark armor gleaming under the pale light. They recognized Noir immediately and stiffened in alarm.
"Lord Noir," one of them said cautiously. "Lady Blanc was not expecting visitors. State your business."
Noir's expression remained unreadable. "Go and inform Blanc that we have arrived. I'm sure she'll be interested in hearing what we have to say."
The guards exchanged glances but obeyed, disappearing into the castle.
Inside, Blanc sat in her grand hall, a delicate cup of tea in her hands as she stared out of the tall, arched windows. The soft glow of the moon bathed the room in silver light, casting long shadows over the marble floors. Blanc's appearance was mesmerizing—her long, silvery-white hair cascaded like silk down her back, and her pale violet eyes shimmered faintly with an unreadable depth. Her skin was like porcelain, flawless and cold. She wore a flowing black gown, embroidered with silver patterns that mimicked the night sky. Every movement she made was graceful, as if she were a living piece of art.
Her expression remained calm as she sensed Noir's presence—along with someone unfamiliar. She frowned slightly. This one… is different.
When the guard informed her of their presence, she placed her tea down gently and gestured for them to be brought in.
As Noir and Arion entered, Blanc's gaze immediately fixated on Arion. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. Unlike Noir, whose demonic energy was potent and commanding, Arion was… strange. He had no aura. It was as if he didn't exist. And yet, she could tell, without a doubt, that he was dangerous.
Blanc leaned back against her throne, crossing one leg over the other as she addressed them. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?" Her voice was smooth, like silk wrapped around steel.
Arion stepped forward, offering a small smile. "Blanc, I am Arion. I have come with an offer."
Blanc raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her violet eyes. "An offer? And what makes you think I would be interested?"
Arion's expression didn't change. "Because I know what you seek." He took another step forward, his voice steady. "You have power, Blanc. You are feared and respected among demons. But tell me, how much further can you grow by remaining here, alone in your castle? How much more can you achieve, bound by old ways?"
Blanc's lips curled into a smirk. "And what exactly are you proposing?"
Arion's eyes gleamed. "Join me. Serve under my banner, and I will show you a path beyond what you have ever imagined. Together, we will not merely rule—we will shape the very course of this world from the shadows."
Blanc chuckled softly, shaking her head. "Bold words. But tell me, Arion, do you truly believe you are worthy of my allegiance?" She leaned forward, her gaze sharp. "We demons do not follow the weak."
Arion's smile never wavered. "Then test me."
With a snap of his fingers, the entire world around them shifted. Blanc's throne room vanished, replaced by an infinite void, stretching endlessly in all directions. A realm of nothingness.
Blanc's eyes widened slightly. A separate dimension…? She took a step forward, feeling the strange stillness in the air. It was unsettling—unnatural.
Arion stood before her, his hands in his pockets, his expression unbothered. "Here, you may go all out," he said simply. "No limits. Show me your strength."
Blanc's smirk returned. So be it.
Without hesitation, her aura erupted. The entire dimension trembled as icy winds surged around her, the ground beneath her feet fracturing from the sheer pressure. She vanished in a blink, reappearing in front of Arion, her fist aimed directly at his chest.
But the next moment—
She was on the ground.
Pain shot through her body as she struggled to process what had happened. She had attacked—no, she thought she had attacked. But before she could even register her own movement, Arion had already countered, striking her down effortlessly.
She coughed, trying to rise, but the weight of his presence kept her in place. For the first time in a long while, she felt something foreign—helplessness.
Arion looked down at her, his golden eyes calm. "Do you understand now?"
Blanc's fingers clenched against the shattered ground beneath her. Her pride screamed at her to resist, but deep down, she knew—she had lost.
Slowly, she exhaled and whispered, "Yes."
With another snap of his fingers, they were back in her castle. Blanc's subordinates, who had been watching from the shadows, gasped at the sight of their leader kneeling before Arion.
Blanc stood, regaining her regal posture, and turned to them. "Kneel before Arion," she commanded. "He is now our master."
Her demons obeyed without hesitation.
Arion's expression remained unreadable as he addressed Blanc again. "You have strong warriors, but not enough. I need more. Gather the strongest demons you can find. Convince them. If they refuse, force them to submit.
When you return, we will begin our true work."
Blanc smiled, her excitement hidden beneath her composed exterior. "As you wish my lord."
With that, she departed, vanishing into the night. She would return soon, and when she did, she would bring more power than ever before.
After a short while, Blanc returned, and with her came an army.
800 demons in total.
The air was thick with their combined aura, a suffocating blend of overwhelming power and seething malice. Their collective presence made the very space around them distort, as if reality itself struggled to contain their might. Among them, 50 Archdemons stood tall, their forms radiating the dark majesty of beings who had seen countless wars and spilled oceans of blood. The rest—Greater Demons and Lesser Demons—stood in disciplined rows, their glowing eyes filled with dark anticipation, ready to serve their new master.
Arion observed the gathering, his golden eyes scanning them with an eerie calm. His expression remained unreadable, but there was an unmistakable sense of satisfaction emanating from him.
Blanc stepped forward, her usual smirk playing on her lips. "I believe this is what you asked for," she said, gesturing to the assembled force behind her. "They were… persuaded to join. Some required more convincing than others."
She glanced back briefly. A few demons still bore faint marks of battle, subtle reminders of the forceful negotiations Blanc had conducted. A couple of the Archdemons carried minor injuries—scars of their failed defiance. But now, they all stood united, bound by the undeniable authority Arion had displayed.
Arion's gaze lingered on them for a moment before he gave a slow nod. "Impressive," he finally said. "You work fast, Blanc."
Blanc's violet eyes gleamed. "I know what's at stake."
Arion turned, his gaze settling on Noir. "Let's not waste any more time. We'll head to your castle, gather the rest, and then I will take us to our new domain."
Noir gave a slight grin, his red eyes flickering with dark amusement. "I'm curious to see how this will unfold."
With that, Arion turned sharply and flew the rest followed him.
When they finally approached Noir's castle, the demons from Noir's lineage stood guard at the entrance, their crimson eyes narrowing at the sight of the approaching horde.
At first, they tensed, gripping their weapons, ready for battle. Seeing hundreds of demons marching toward them was an unmistakable sign of war. Their instincts screamed of an incoming attack.
However, their alertness turned to confusion when they spotted Noir and Arion calmly landing at the front of the procession.
The tension cracked.
Realization hit them like a wave, and without hesitation, every demon of Noir's lineage dropped to one knee, their heads bowed in absolute respect.
One of the higher-ranked Archdemons among Noir's forces dared to look up, his voice steady but laced with curiosity. "Lord Noir… what is the meaning of this?"
Noir gave a small chuckle, his piercing red eyes gleaming with amusement. "Do you think I would allow an enemy to march so boldly upon my castle?" He gestured to the army behind him. "These demons are now ours. They march under lord Arion banner now."
The Archdemon turned his gaze to Arion, whose golden eyes flickered with something indescribable—something beyond comprehension.
There was an instinctive reaction among the demons.
A deep, primal part of their demonic nature whispered a warning—Arion was not normal. He was not a mere demon. He was something… else.
And then, Arion spoke, his voice carrying a weight that silenced the entire gathering.
"All of you," he began, his tone even and unwavering, "will be coming with me."
A ripple of uncertainty spread through some of the lesser demons. Though they didn't dare question him aloud, their expressions betrayed their thoughts. All of us? How?
One demon finally dared to ask, his voice hesitant. "My lord… are we to march through the Underworld to reach this new domain?"
Arion looked at him. A single, faint smile curved on his lips.
"No."
Then, before any could react, Arion snapped his fingers.
And everything vanished.