The Broken Halo

The explosion of the portal would have been catastrophic.

It would have completely destroyed the entire auction house if not for the joint effort of all the demons present.

When the Greater Demons perceived the sudden instability of the portal, they immediately surrounded it and used every means that was in their disposal to prevent it from destroying everything and killing their children or slaves.

When Lucien’s mother saw that she was not blown away by the explosion of the portal, she quickly reacted.

She joined with the other Greater Demons who were struggling to contain the explosion, and the moment she did, the situation got a lot better.

Though she had just advanced and became a Minor Demon Lord, a Demon Lord was still a Demon Lord.

A sphere made of thick ice appeared around the defenses of the Greater Demon.

Lucien’s mother engulfed the portal and the defenses of the Greater Demon at the same time, then a second later.

The portal completely exploded, and it destroyed every single barrier and defenses the Greater Demons placed around it, but it was not strong enough to destroy the barrier of Lucien’s mother.

After it died down, every single demon released huge sighs of relief.

But Lucien’s mother was fuming.

Why would she feel any sort of relief when her son was missing?

When the only way to get to her son was destroyed?

“FIND THEM! FIND THOSE BASTARDS AND BRING MY SON TODAYYYYY!!!!”

“OR I’LL HAVE YOUR HEADS ON A FUCKING PLATTER YOU USELESS FOOLS!!!”

The Greater Demons and most especially, the Frostborns trembled in fear.

Even though it was clearly obvious that the young master of House Mercer was most likely in a far and hidden place, and hoping to retrieve the young master today was merely a foolish dream… They dare not say these words to Lucien’s mother.

Death would welcome them with open arms.

However, many of these noble demons were interested in the shocking revelation of Lucien’s mother becoming a Demon Lord.

This was huge news.

It meant that the situation in the north was about to take a drastic turn, and House Valor might have to start watching their backs.

(Meanwhile, in another location)

Simon stood with Lucien’s unconscious body in his hands.

And in front of him was Vexa, Silith, Noctis, Gorr, Morrow, and… Blackblade’s master.

The First Blade.

Simon’s expression was cold and extremely solemn as he stared at the Grey Pact standing calmly beside the First Blade.

’I definitely did not expect this… This is bad.’

Simon had thought of so many things Caesar and the Grey Pact could do to him if they had plans on stabbing him in the back, but the appearance of the First Blade was not one of them.

Vexa told him that the portal was going to take them back to the clan, but Simon had never completely believed her words.

And he was right not to believe them because he found himself on a sea of ice with glaciers in the distance.

He was still in the north, but he was far away from the regions controlled by House Mercer.

Though Simon did not know this.

He recalled how baffled he was when he saw that he was still in the north.

Even if the Grey Pact wanted to kill him, shouldn’t they move away from the northern regions entirely?

But before he could even ponder on what was happening, he saw the First Blade.

And he was honestly shocked.

He even thought it was an illusion or he was seeing things because the First Blade was the last demon or thing he expected to encounter after teleporting out of Gondor City.

It didn’t take him long to put two and two together, and he quickly backed away from the portal, knowing that the Grey Pact were most likely working with the First Blade.

And once again, he was right.

But there was one silver lining to the First Blade ’s presence.

Just one.

The First Blade was the reason behind the self destruction of the portal.

They had all sensed the terrifying and furious aura of Lucien’s mother, and even the First Blade was terrified of her aura.

He knew that the biggest threat was Lucien’s mother, so he used his abilities to destabilize the portal.

That was the only silver lining of the First Blade’s presence.

None of them would have been able to do such a thing which meant that they would have no other choice than to run or wait for Lucien’s mother to kill them.

’I might have to start thinking of the most painful ways to kill Caesar… if I’m able to come out of this situation alive.’

Just as Simon had this thought, Vexa spoke.

“Broken Halo, give us Lucien and his spatial ring.”

Simon blinked, then he tilted his head slightly.

“And if I do that, what would happen after?”

“If you don’t do that, you’ll experience a fate worse than death.”

Simon looked at Silith who replied with a cold tone.

“We’ll make sure to also report your deeds and actions during this mission.”

Noctis was the one who spoke this time around, and his tone was sharp and cold, just like the environment.

Vexa pointed at Gorr who was on his knees and was clutching his severed arm with a pained expression.

“Because of you, Gorr lost an arm! He has become a cripple.”

Simon rolled his eyes.

“It’s not a big deal. If he has the money, he can hire a powerful and skilled healer to restore his arm or he can buy rare plants that can also restore his arm.”

There was silence for a moment, and Vexa, Silith, Noctis, Gorr, and Morrow all stared at Simon with wide eyes.

They couldn’t believe what this bastard just said.

Vexa chuckled with barely restrained anger, then she brought out a bow and arrow.

“I knew you were a bastard from the moment you lied to-”

Puchi!

Her words were cut short as a claw pierced her heart from her back.

Everybody’s eyes widened in disbelief when they saw the source of the claws.

“I hate hearing the conversations of ants.” The First Blade said as he removed the claws from Vexa’s heart, then her body fell on the frozen sea with a thud.

Vexa… The leader of the Grey Pact… died.