543: Forcalor, A Fearsome Demonic Duke

Forcalor, A Fearsome Demonic Duke

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The sudden appearance of Forcalor, who aside from Apollo, only a few knew about, caused a slight disturbance in the compound. But just because they knew about Forcalor didn't mean they expected him to show up unannounced. So, it came as a huge surprise.

"OOOOOOOOH! I-I-It's! Isn't that Lord Forcalor?!" Valac shouted at the top of his lung while bursting through the gates that separated the outer premises from the inner courtyard, housing Gallmath and Xonnomor's residences. At least, that's who the residences belonged to before Apollo temporarily took control of the stronghold.

'So that's how it is? It would seem she has received a lucky opportunity,' Fuhrer inwardly thought while shifting his gaze between Geneva and Forcalor. It took him no time at all to sense that Geneva's stigmata linked to her Luxuria circulated differently.

Because she received Forcalor's training, his circulation mannerisms were passed onto Geneva. This wasn't necessarily bad or good since these mannerisms originated from Aztraval, who spared time for extremely talented demons. Each of the Demonic Dukes received guidance from Aztraval at some point in time, which contributed significantly to their current power.

"Valac," Forcalor said with a faint smile before gently ruffling his hair. While Valac was a troublemaker, he was also likable in some instances because his behavior depended on the opposing party's reaction. The more negative the response, the more Valac would act out.

In Forcalor's case, he usually showed some kind of affection after learning of Valac's pattern. Despite their considerable time apart, he hadn't forgotten this quirk of Valac.

Meanwhile, Forcalor's gaze shifted towards Fuhrer. "Old Man Fuhrer, so you're here as well. I have to say; I'm surprised that you haven't changed at all."

Since Geneva didn't disclose any vital information regarding Apollo or the members of the Dominus Household despite the familiarity she felt towards him, Forcalor wasn't aware that quite a few of the household's ancient members had joined the newer version. 

More notably, Forcalor sensed the presence of at least two other Dukes nearby, and judging by the intensity of their aura; he had a good idea regarding their identities.

"I can say the same about you. Unlike most of them, it seems you haven't lost a great deal of your strength to the transgressions of time. It's safe to assume that you've remained active on a higher level, correct?"

"Heh, it seems nothing manages to escape your perception," Forcalor said with a faint chuckle. However, he didn't answer the question directly because doing so would reveal that he didn't remain in the Nihilistic Rings like the others. It was clear he had ventured elsewhere.

After quieting down, Forcalor's gaze fell on Apollo, which caused his eyes to widen in complete shock. If it weren't for the underwhelmingly trim physique and the slight difference in his inherent feeling, Forcalor would have mistaken Apollo for Aztraval's younger self.

Sadly, while Apollo was strong, he had a long trek to fill the absurdly large shoes of his father. Still, Forcalor couldn't help but address the similarities between the two. But, he didn't need to ask the question on his mind as the behavior of Geneva besides him delivered the answer.

"My Lord, I've returned, and I'm proud to say that I'm stronger than when I left," Geneva said with a dipped head. Part of her sought praise for her accomplishments, but she mostly revealed this because she wanted to share her every experience with her Lord, even if it didn't garner praise.

"Oh?" Apollo replied with a shocked expression. "I'd be happy to learn more about it more in-depth later. But for now, let's focus on our new friend here."

'Friend?' Forcalor thought to himself. Although some of the others knew him, and he didn't register as hostile, Forcalor didn't expect a demon to interpret him as being a friend without appropriately vetting him.

'I guess he had a certain amount in his followers to judge me off this basis alone.'

"I must ask, what is your relation to Lord Aztraval?" Forcalor questioned after hearing Apollo's amicable tone. While he didn't need clarification on Apollo's position as the ruler, he couldn't shake the eerie resemblance.

"I am his son," Apollo admitted.

However, Forcalor didn't instantly believe Apollo. Instead, he looked towards Fuhrer for confirmation, who gave a slight nod. Initially, the revelation mystified Forcalor, causing him to mutter the phrase repeatedly while staring at Apollo. But, eventually, Forcalor came to terms with it.

"What is your name?"

"Zethroz Dominus."

'Carrier of the Dominus name. He is truly the master's son,' Forcalor thought. 

In the next moment, he dropped to his knee with a respectful posture. Unlike the other demons who Apollo accepted into the household, Forcalor performed an unrecognized action, holding his right palm over his heart while hovering his left palm above the insignia seared on the back of his hand.

A fierce storm of demonic energy was kicked up, causing an immense disturbance in the center of the stronghold as an ephemeral image, matching the old insignia manifested in the sky. Forcalor lifted his head and made eye contact with Apollo as this happened.

"I, Forcalor, the Dominus Household's 2nd Demonic Duke, seeks to rejoin the ranks of our family. I hope that you will accept this lowly one into your household," Forcalor said.

The current situation happening in the stronghold was a surprise because even Apollo was amazed by the phenomenon. Until now, he had yet to experience the powerful demonic energy possessed by a mighty ancient member of the Dominus Household. Just the fact that Forcalor's pressure engulfed everything within a kilometer radius triggered Apollo's desire.

Soon enough, the disturbance akin to a terrifying storm even forced Amduscias and Asteroth's appearance. 

"So it was true… this guy is here now," Asteroth said in a tone that almost seemed as if he was groaning miserably.

"Wahahaha! Forcalor showed up! I dare you to step out of line now. You never once won against that guy, and from the looks of it, he hasn't lost his edge at all," Amduscias teased while pointing his finger at Asteroth.

Although it was the truth, Asteroth glared at Amduscias while clenching his fist. "Are you feeling confident?"

"Somewhat," Amduscias replied in a similar tone. On one hand, crackles of dark lightning appeared around Amduscias, but so did a glacial wind, which seemed to want to meld as one. However, it was evident that Amduscias had yet to reach that stage of mastery.

Nevertheless, Asteroth could sense a substantial difference in Amduscias's abilities. 'Has he finally found a way to utilize that useless bloodline? It even seems to have matured.'

Meanwhile, Apollo finally processed what Forcalor said. 'Wait, second? This guy is ranked second despite being so powerful? Furthermore, if I recall properly, Asteroth was only ranked seventh or something along those lines? If that's the case, who is truly the strongest Duke?' 

Initially, Apollo thought the rankings were related to the order in which the demons were conferred their titles of Demonic Dukes. However, after witnessing Amduscias and Asteroth's expressions, on top of listening to their conversation, Apollo gained a slight understanding regarding the ranking.

It wasn't the age of the position, but their individual strength, or at the very least, their battle record, since each of the dukes had fought each other at least once to determine their standing.

The fact that Forcalor possessed such a high ranking despite Luxuria's lack of viable combat augmentation was a testament to his pure strength. Apollo could only imagine how much of a frightening opponent he was.

A few seconds later, Apollo gazed at Forcalor and smiled. "This is where you belong. Even if you didn't appear here today, I would have sought you out eventually. Therefore, welcome to your rightful home."

〈System: «Forcalor, the Savage Temptation» has joined the «Dominus Household»!〉

〈System: Luxuria's Sin Purity has undergone a change.〉

〈System: The need to visit «Luxulania, the Ring of Luxuria» has been lifted due to Forcalor's presence.〉

Aside from the last notification, Apollo barely reacted to the information before his eyes because he expected as much. If the system didn't reward him something after accepting a Duke, then Apollo would start to foster doubts towards it.

As for the last notification, Apollo assumed that the presence of a Duke who could rule over the Ring if he willed it was more than sufficient for the system to label the requirement as complete. 

Shortly after, the disturbance subsided, and the insignia on the back of Forcalor's palm underwent minute changes. He then stood once the changes concluded and marveled at the sensation. 'It feels familiar yet different; I don't know how to explain it.'

Similar to how Forcalor was in awe, so was Apollo―just for different reasons.

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