The march to the Trade City of Valoria began under the bloody dawn. I, clad in my Blood-Dark Demon Lord Armor, led the vanguard. Behind me were five Demon Warriors (two old, three new), two colossal Demon Butchers, and three Demon Servants, all consumed by a thirst for destruction. Lilith remained in Elara, securing our base and continuing to exploit the resources from my slaves.
The journey to Valoria was quite long, traversing dense forests and vast plains. I was in no hurry. I wanted my forces to have time to adapt to the movement and maintain their terrifying presence. Beneath my armor, I constantly felt the flow of energy from Elara and the Queen coursing into my body, along with the abundant power from the Demon Essence I had collected.
Whenever we passed a small village or a patrol of soldiers, my demons did their work. Screams, crashes, and the scent of fresh blood were the telltale signs of Azazel's presence. I paid no mind to those insignificant lives. They were merely ants on my path of expansion.
TING!
[Quest: Conquer the Trade City of Valoria (0/100%) - Dominate Valoria and turn it into a Demon Lord's base.]
Along the way, I also tested my new skill, Dark Release. It was an explosive surge of dark energy, capable of dealing wide-area damage and sowing terror. I used it to clear out a group of forest monsters and even a small human military camp. My power, bolstered by the armor and new skills, had truly reached a new level.
On the second day of our march, as we traversed a treacherous rocky valley, a system notification unexpectedly chimed.
TING!
[New Enemy Detected! 'Holy Knight' Sir Kael is hunting you.]
[Urgent Quest: Defeat Sir Kael (0/1) - Reward: 300 EXP, 50 Demon Essence, 'Fang of Light' (Special Material).]
"Holy Knight?" I frowned. That name sounded troublesome. He was likely a devout and righteous individual, much like the arrogant light knights who had protected the Kingdom of Elara. But this time, the system specifically mentioned an individual, not a group. That meant he could be a significant threat.
Just a few minutes later, a figure appeared at the end of the valley. He was clad in gleaming silver armor, a large holy symbol embroidered on his cloak. The sword on his back radiated a dazzling light, as if forged from the very sun. His face was hidden behind his helmet, but I could sense the unwavering will and hatred for demons emanating from him.
"Demon!" His voice echoed through the valley, filled with righteous fury. "I am Sir Kael, the Holy Knight! I will not let you continue to ravage this land!"
My Demon Warriors and Demon Butchers immediately growled, ready for battle. But I raised a hand, signaling them to stop. I wanted to deal with this one personally.
"Do you truly believe you can stop me, puny human?" I scoffed, my voice reverberating under the armor, full of mockery. "You have no idea who you're facing."
Sir Kael drew his sword, the light on its blade growing even more brilliant. "I know you are a powerful demon. But the light of God will guide my path, and I will destroy you!"
He charged forward, surprisingly swift, his sword of light aiming directly at me. I laughed. A purely light-based attack. My armor's Pain Energy Absorption immediately activated. I did not dodge.
CRASH!
Sir Kael's sword clashed against my Blood-Dark Demon Lord Armor, producing a deafening impact. A powerful burst of light energy rebounded from his blade, but I only felt a slight tingling sensation. Pain? None at all. Instead, I felt a portion of his light energy being absorbed by my armor, transforming into power for me.
[HP +50! Pain energy absorbed!]
Sir Kael's eyes widened in shock. He couldn't believe his attack had been ineffective.
"Surprised, human?" I sneered. "Your light is merely food for my darkness."
I wasted no time. With a powerful punch, I sent Sir Kael flying. He slammed into a cliff face. Before he could regain his bearings, I was already upon him.
"You'll make good material for my armor," I growled, raising my sharp claws.
Sir Kael, though wounded, struggled to rise, his eyes filled with stubborn defiance. He was a formidable warrior. But he was facing a Demon Lord.
I swung my claws. A tearing shriek through the air.
TING!
[Sir Kael defeated!]
[Urgent Quest: Defeat Sir Kael completed! Reward: 300 EXP, 50 Demon Essence, 'Fang of Light' (Special Material).]
[Azazel has leveled up! Level: 9]
[Base stats have increased.]
Sir Kael's body slumped, his armor shattered, and the light from his sword completely extinguished. He was dead. From his corpse, a small, shimmering object appeared: a tiny, pale yellow fang, emitting a faint light. It was the "Fang of Light," the special material the system had mentioned.
"Excellent," I murmured, picking up the fang. "A valuable material. It will be useful for future crafting."
My Demon Warriors and Demon Butchers roared in triumph. The march continued. Sir Kael's appearance only reinforced my belief that no one could stand in Azazel's way. Valoria, you are my next target.