Chapter 22: Before Departure part 1
(Hail: Eileen's Strange behavior will be cleared in the future chapters. )
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Easily subdued by Sherman twice in a row.
Despite her stubbornness and anger, Eileen had to admit that indeed, as a new generation apostle, she had a significant gap in strength compared to these older generation apostles.
The Succubus "hmphed" and turned her head away.
Seeing this, Sherman took it as Eileen acknowledging her superiority. Thus, she released the shadows that pinned the Succubus against the wall and thoughtfully used the shadows to gently help Eileen land, so she wouldn't fall.
Eileen was originally venting her anger, but instead of dispelling it, she ended up causing herself more trouble. Seeing the Succubus's frustrated demeanor, Sherman couldn't help but comfort her:
"Eileen, as a new generation apostle, being able to compete with me evenly in just a thousand years, you are already the most talented demon I have seen, even surpassing your mother."
"I believe it won't be long before you surpass all of us apostles."
Although Sherman's initial remark about "competing evenly" was somewhat to spare Eileen's feelings,
the latter part about the Succubus's talent rating was not false, even predicting that Eileen would soon become the first among the apostles, not even the Great Demon Hector could catch up, was entirely serious.
Demons are different from humans.
The lifespan of demons is almost measured in tens of thousands of years.
Just having been born a thousand years ago, Eileen, who has already lit up the "Quad Sculpture" life track, is extremely rare in the entire history of demons.
You should know, these old-generation apostles who have lived for tens of thousands of years, only a few have reached the "Sept Sculpture" full circle of perfect life track, the rest of the apostles, including herself, are just stuck at "Hex Sculpture."
Moreover, now that the summoning ceremony was successful, the new Demon King has arrived.
Following this, as a Succubus, Eileen just needs to perform the unique ritual of the Succubus tribe with the new king, and her strength can once again leap forward, saying surpassing the Great Demon Hector is truly just around the corner.
However, Since the Succubus ritual was mentioned.
Sherman asked the Succubus somewhat curiously: "Eileen, your power seems to be as strong as usual without any signs of weakening. You... didn't you go through the ritual with the new demon king?"
According to tradition, on the day the Demon King is summoned, the Succubus apostle should perform the ritual with the king at the first opportunity, after which the king's power will be amplified, and the Succubus apostle will enter a brief period of weakness.
But looking at Eileen now, who could still angrily come to fight with her, where does she look even slightly weak?
"No."
Eileen, albeit reluctantly, had to admit.
"His Majesty doesn't like you?" Sherman asked with concern, after all, holding the ritual is not a private affair between the Demon King and the Succubus but a major event for the entire demon race.
And upon hearing the Shadow Demon's blunt words, Eileen instantly became like a cat whose tail was stepped on, bristling with anger.
"You—nonsense!"
"It's because His Majesty cherishes me, not willing to take my power at this time, so he decided to postpone the ritual!"
"Oh!"
Sherman nodded as if she understood.
After a few seconds, as if she couldn't hold back,
"If needed, I can help you contact Eris and Dian, they can make his majesty more interested in you."
Sherman, speaking in a senior's tone to impart experience, was immediately silenced by an angry glare from Eileen.
Seeing that the Shadow Demon obviously didn't believe her.
Eileen was also annoyed.
To maintain her dignity as a Succubus, Eileen rolled up her sleeve and showed Sherman a mark on her arm, faint but definitely there.
The mark of the Succubus.
Sherman was immediately puzzled, her petite body under the cloak tilting her head.
"Eileen, you said his majesty was unwilling."
"Hmph, of course, I have my ways!"
Eileen stood tall and proud.
A demeanor of "don't underestimate a Succubus."
Getting the essence of the king is not the only way.
Although this method, compared to the normal ritual, is much inferior.
Pulling back her dejected emotions.
Eileen showing Sherman the mark of the Succubus was not just to prove herself but also had a more important purpose, which was the second main reason she came to the Shadow Demon.
"Sherman, give me your hand."
Although Sherman found it strange, she did as asked.
But afterwards.
When her hand overlapped with Eileen's, the ritual light of magic flickered from the Succubus's body, and Sherman recognized the magic as a transfer spell!
"Eileen, what is this?"
"Transferring the demonic mark to you" The Succubus said simply.
But the implications behind that statement were far from simple.
If previously, the Wicked Demon offered a soul stone to apologize to the king, consuming a large amount of the Wicked Demon's soul power,
Now, the demonic mark that Eileen was giving her was essentially the essence of the Succubus!
Even more so, It symbolized the most important proof of the "bond" between the Succubus and the Demon King!
In the subsequent ritual, the Demon King will reciprocate power back to the Succubus, and the Succubus can ride the coattails of the Demon King's power surge, all thanks to the "demonic mark" that establishes the connection.
It can be said that the demonic mark is the most important thing for a Succubus.
But now…
Eileen had anticipated Sherman's shock.
While performing the transfer ritual, Eileen pretended to be nonchalant:
"Don't overthink it, because I didn't perform the normal ritual with His Majesty, this demonic mark is only a half-finished product. Its main effect is to help the holder sense His Majesty's current location and condition, nothing more."
Hearing this, Sherman finally understood why Eileen did this.
"Use it to protect His Majesty well."
"Promise me, don't let our demon race lose another king, okay, Sherman?"
Eileen's transfer ritual ended.
The Succubus was visibly weaker than before.
Even a half-finished demonic mark is still a mark.
Equivalent to Eileen willingly giving half of her essence power to Sherman.
And the purpose?, merely to let Sherman better protect her king.
Why say merely.
Because from the battle just now, it's clear that the Shadow Demon possesses powerful combat capabilities, as well as strong reconnaissance and transfer abilities.
If a great danger were to occur.
The Shadow Demon is definitely the apostle who could detect it first and evacuate safely.
Perhaps, this is also why the king chose to bring Sherman.
But.
Even if Sherman is 90% sure she can protect the king well, Eileen is still willing to add even just an extra 10%, 5%, or even less, with all her effort.
Sherman fell silent.
After a long time, the apostle of shadow finally spoke.
"Eileen, you and Diane... are really similar."
Diane, the name of the previous Succubus apostle.
Also, the only apostle who died in battle during the war between humans and demons a thousand years ago, falling alongside the Demon King to the Son Of Desteny(Chosen One).
To this, Eileen replied:
"But I don't want you, and you all, to end up like you did a thousand years ago."
After the Succubus spoke, there was a moment of silence.
However, this time the silence was short.
"I promise you, Eileen."
"I will protect His Majesty"
"With my true body"
Apostles usually invade through projections, hiding their true bodies in safe places. This is why, a thousand years ago, although the Demon King died in battle, the other eight apostles survived.
In a sense, although the Demon King is their Leader, he is more like a tool that the demon race can specifically produce at certain times.
Hence the saying, "Demon Kings come and go, but apostles remain unchanged" — except for the Succubus apostle.
Forcing Sherman to come in her true form to protect the demon king, to advance and retreat together with the king, was Eileen's ultimate goal.
And.
Sherman actually got it wrong.
Eileen and her mother wouldn't be the same.