Just as Sirzechs had said, the teleportation circles throughout the arena had been distorted to varying degrees.
Arthas, who had entered alongside Sirzechs, had been teleported to an unfamiliar location, a stark contrast to the grandeur of the banquet hall.
"Oh, I didn't expect to see you here, Gremory family soldier. What a pleasant surprise."
A somewhat unsettling voice echoed from above, a voice that exuded an air of arrogance and self-importance.
An elegant figure slowly appeared overhead, descending gracefully from the sky as if he owned the very air itself.
"I didn't get a chance to introduce myself properly at the banquet that day. Allow me to rectify that oversight. I am Diodora Astaroth, the next head of the Astaroth family, heir to a proud lineage. I imagine you're quite familiar with me, aren't you? You've certainly made a name for yourself."
"Even though your own family has produced a Devil King, a figure of immense power and influence, you've chosen to side with the Old Satan Faction, going against the Devil King who came from your own house. I can't quite wrap my head around that, you know. It seems rather… counterintuitive."
Arthas tilted his head slightly, saying this with some amusement, his eyes glinting with mockery as he observed the young devil before him.
"Could it be that you found being the head of a family boring, a position of responsibility and leadership, and thought it would be more interesting to be someone else's lapdog? Is that the appeal? Do you enjoy groveling at the feet of your masters?"
As Arthas said this casually, his words laced with thinly veiled contempt, the expression on Diodora's face twisted in rage, his handsome features contorting into a mask of fury.
Hmph, what would a mere soldier like you understand! You're nothing but a pawn, a nameless face in a vast army! What does a Devil King matter?
They're nothing compared to Lord Ophis! They're weak, pathetic, and ultimately irrelevant! Look at the power I possess now.
After receiving the 'snake', the blessing of the Infinite Dragon God, my power is constantly growing stronger, reaching new heights with each passing day, and even surpassing a Devil King is no longer a difficult task! It's only a matter of time before I claim my rightful place!
Diodora spread his arms wide in the air, reveling in his newfound power, laughing maniacally as he spoke these words arrogantly.
Then, a black energy slowly appeared, swirling around him and beginning to envelop his entire body in a shroud of darkness, transforming him into something more, something terrifying.
"Rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble rumble!!!!!"
The terrifying black energy erupted outwards, unleashing a destructive force that shook the very foundations of the temple.
A wave of power several times stronger than before emanated from Diodora's body, causing the air to crackle with energy and the ground beneath them to tremble violently.
This is it, this is it… Ah ha ha ha ha ha, I knew it was right to cooperate with the 'Khaos Brigade'. This power, it's simply magnificent! It's intoxicating!
Using it to accomplish my goals, to reshape the world in my image, wouldn't that be the most perfect thing ever? I'll show them all! I'll make them regret ever crossing me!
"Ophis's draconic power, is it? I recognize that energy signature. It's quite potent, I'll give you that."
This wasn't the first time he had witnessed this power. Ophis's power was indeed formidable, a force to be reckoned with, but unfortunately, this particular power was completely countered by Nehelenia's power, rendering it virtually useless against him, a mere annoyance.
"Too bad for you, this power is meaningless before me. It's nothing more than a cheap imitation, a pale shadow of the real thing. You're playing with forces you can't possibly comprehend."
Diodora hadn't even had time to fully revel in this power, to bask in its intoxicating glow, before he was struck by a powerful blow, a devastating attack that he never saw coming, sending him flying backwards like a ragdoll, crashing into one of the ancient stone pillars with a sickening thud.
"Wh… what?! How is this possible!"
"Is this the power you obtained? It's a little underwhelming, isn't it? I'm not impressed. I expected more from someone who claims to be so powerful."
Looking at Diodora, who was coughing up blood and retreating in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief and a growing sense of despair, Arthas said with some amusement, his tone laced with disdain and a hint of pity.
"How can this be! I'm invincible with the power of Ophis! I'm supposed to be unstoppable! I was promised power beyond measure!"
"Get lost. You're not worthy to be my opponent. You're nothing but a pathetic pawn in a much larger game, a tool to be used and discarded. You're out of your depth."
Wanting to charge towards Arthas, to unleash the full extent of his newfound power, Diodora was blown away once more by a mere wave of Arthas's hand, his body slamming against another pillar with bone-shattering force, leaving a trail of dust and debris in its wake.
"Let the mastermind come out. I'm not interested in wasting my time with pawns. I want to speak to the one pulling the strings. I'm very interested in her, you see."
Without even glancing at Diodora, who had fallen to the ground like a piece of discarded trash, his body broken and bleeding, Arthas spoke to the empty sky, his voice echoing through the desolate temple, a challenge to the unseen force that had orchestrated this entire charade.
"Impressive strength, I must admit. You certainly live up to your reputation. No wonder you're called the strongest soldier in the Underworld. You've proven to be a formidable opponent."
A cold voice echoed through the air, a voice that spoke of power and authority. A man wearing a dark cloak slowly appeared before Arthas, materializing out of thin air as if he had always been there, a silent observer in this deadly game.
"H-How could this be! Isn't this the power of Lord Ophis?! Why did I lose? Why am I so helpless before him?! Tell me, Shalba, why is this happening?! I don't understand! You promised me power!"
Seeing the man who had suddenly appeared, Diodora questioned him angrily, his voice filled with resentment, confusion, and a desperate plea for answers.
Are you questioning me, you pathetic excuse for a devil?! You dare to question my judgment, after failing so miserably? You're a disappointment, Diodora.
A complete and utter failure! The man said, his voice dripping with contempt, pulling back his cloak with a swift and dramatic flourish, revealing his true form and unleashing a wave of oppressive power.
"I'm not trash! I'm not a failure! I obtained the power of Lord Ophis, I will become stronger and stronger, I will surpass everyone, surpass the Devil Kings! I'll show you all! I'll prove my worth!"
Diodora struggled and roared, his body writhing in pain and desperation, but as soon as he finished speaking, he was casually obliterated by a blast of dark energy from the man named Shalba, his body disintegrating into nothingness, leaving no trace of his existence.
"Hmph, trash is still trash. Even if I bestow upon you Lord Ophis's 'snake', you're still nothing more than this. You lacked the potential, the will, and the ambition to truly wield that power. You were a fool to think you could control it."
There was no doubt that he possessed Devil King-level power, a force that dwarfed Diodora's meager abilities. He was a true powerhouse, a force to be feared.
A pleasure to meet you, soldier who serves the usurper of the Devil King's throne. My name is Shalba Beelzebub. I am the rightful heir to the bloodline of the great True Devil King – Beelzebub, the one who was unjustly overthrown, robbed of his birthright. I am here to reclaim what is rightfully mine.
The bloodline of the current Devil Kings will be extinguished today. Their reign of terror will finally come to an end.
I admire your potential, your strength is undeniable. You possess a power that could be truly formidable.
Why don't you join us? Serve us as a soldier, serve our true Devil King bloodline, and help us reclaim what is rightfully ours, to restore the balance to this corrupted world.
Of course, you can also refuse. In that case, I'll simply have to kill you, and be done with it. It's your choice.
Shalba said calmly, his voice devoid of emotion, as if he were offering Arthas a simple business proposal.
He seemed utterly confident in his ability to kill Arthas, his eyes burning with a fanatical zeal.
His gaze was even tinged with hatred, indicating that he harbored a deep and festering resentment towards the current Devil Kings and their lineage.
Claims of lineage and family history, the throne of the Devil King stolen, and being driven to the edge of the Underworld – these grudges must have been deeply ingrained, festering within him for centuries, driving him to commit such drastic acts.
"Compared to that arrogant idiot from before, you're much more agreeable, and you certainly have a better sales pitch. But unfortunately, I'm afraid I'll have to decline. It's impossible for me to join you. I have my own path to follow, and it doesn't involve serving you or anyone else."
Arthas shook his head slightly, rejecting Shalba's invitation with a polite but firm refusal.
Is that so? That's a pity. A great waste of potential. Then I'm afraid I have no choice but to eliminate you.
I'll just have to use your blood as a sacrifice, a fitting tribute to our cause, and then completely extinguish the bloodlines of Griselda Quarta, Astaroth… Sitri and Gremory, those false Devil Kings! Their reign of deceit will end today!
Shalba said gleefully, a manic glint in his eyes, slowly narrowing his gaze as he prepared to unleash his full power.
"It's incredibly frustrating, you know. The fact that our true bloodline, the lineage of the original Devil Kings, is referred to as 'Old' by you blood relatives of the current Devil Kings! It's simply unbearable! An insult that cannot be allowed to stand!"
"Are you finished talking? Did you get everything off your chest?" Arthas tilted his head slightly, interrupting Shalba's increasingly unhinged rant with a hint of impatience.
"Perhaps you've misunderstood something, Shalba. You see, the mastermind I'm looking for, the one who's truly responsible for all of this, isn't you. You're just another pawn, a tool to be used and discarded."
"What are you talking about! Don't you dare underestimate me!"
"It's Ophis, the Infinite Dragon God Ophis. I want to meet her, to understand her motivations, to see what makes her tick. I'm very interested in her, you see."
Smiling slightly, Arthas looked around the empty temple, his voice echoing through the silent halls, a challenge to the unseen goddess who had orchestrated this entire conflict.
"You arrogant fool, you dare to speak of Lord Ophis with such familiarity! Before Lord Ophis, you're nothing more than an ant, an insignificant speck of dust! You're delusional if you think you can even stand in her presence!"
Hearing Arthas's words, Shalba said with disdain, his eyes burning with contempt.
"Are you underestimating me, Shalba? Do you think I'm just some weakling you can easily crush? I am, after all, someone who has already obtained the power to surpass the Devil Kings! I'm a force to be reckoned with!"
Roaring with rage, a violet-black flame erupted from Shalba's body, engulfing him in an aura of destructive power.
An ominous energy was released, radiating outwards and causing the entire temple to tremble, threatening to collapse under its immense pressure.
"So it's another power obtained through Ophis's 'snake', is it? Another borrowed power, another cheap imitation. Which means…"
Arthas said somewhat casually, his voice betraying no hint of fear or apprehension, as a fist containing terrifying power hurtled towards his face, a blow that threatened to shatter his very being.
A fierce storm raged through the temple, and the once-gentle wind now felt like a razor-sharp blade, carving countless cracks into the temple walls, a testament to the immense power that was being unleashed.
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