[283] Demon Duke

August looked at Diodora and smiled before beckoning Asia over with a wave of his hand.

Obediently, Asia walked over and sat beside August, looking every bit like a devoted companion.

"She is my peerage. If not my property, then what is she?"

With that single statement, every devil in the banquet hall nodded in agreement. This was the rule among devils. Any reincarnated devil belonged to their master unequivocally.

Asia herself showed no sign of dissatisfaction; instead, her face flushed with joy and contentment.

That sealed it. If she saw it that way, who were they to argue?

"Sir, Asia is not an object. However, if you insist on this, I am willing to exchange one of my pieces for Asia."

As he spoke, a beautiful woman with a pure aura appeared at Diodora's side, leaving a favorable first impression on everyone.

But August smelled something foul and repulsive. This woman was rotten to the core; her appearance was just a facade created by Diodora.

"I find it amusing that you claim Asia is not an object, yet you wish to trade her for one of your pieces. Quite the contradiction, don't you think?"

Everyone in the room looked at Diodora with contempt. So, he was interested in someone else's peerage after all.

Those who knew Diodora well were especially disdainful. This was the heir of the House of Astaroth? What a disgrace, and in such a public setting.

Diodora's expression faltered slightly, his previously calm demeanor now tinged with embarrassment.

"And to think you could trade pieces with me? Who do you think you are?"

Boom!

A Power of Darkness surged forth, enveloping the entire banquet hall.

Diodora, being the closest, was immediately crushed under the pressure, unable to move.

"Satan-class power."

"Incredible, he's actually a Satan-class?"

"Does anyone know who he is?"

"I've never heard of a Satan-class from any family."

"No idea. Never seen him before."

The entire hall buzzed with astonished whispers as they tried to make sense of the powerful presence before them.

...

The entire banquet hall erupted into murmurs and discussions, yet no one seemed angered by August's actions. In the world of devils, the strong ruled over the weak, and August, with his immense power and Satan-class strength, was simply exercising his rightful authority. Strength was truth.

"What are you planning to do? I am the heir to the House of Astaroth, a blood relative of the Satan Beelzebub."

"A blood relative of a Satan? How interesting. I have plenty of those around me." August replied, glancing at Sona and Rias, who were both true blood relatives of Satans, being the younger sisters of Satan-class devils.

In contrast, Diodora was merely from the same family as Beelzebub, sharing a distant connection that was hardly significant in comparison.

"You-"

"Enough with the talk. You've dared to have designs on one of my people, and for that, your boldness must be addressed. However, this is not the occasion for killing, so a small punishment will suffice..."

"Hadō #90. Kurohitsugi."

In an instant, a pitch-black cube materialized and engulfed Diodora completely.

"Ahhh!!!"

The hall echoed with Diodora's agonizing screams. When the Kurohitsugi vanished, Diodora lay on the floor, his body covered in wounds, blood pooling around him.

The banquet hall fell into a stunned silence, the very air seeming to thin as everyone held their breath. The sheer power of a Satan-class being was overwhelming. A High-Class Devil had been defeated in a single move, underscoring the vast gulf in their abilities.

"Someone, take this trash away."

Two attendants hurried over, lifted the wounded Diodora, and carried him away for treatment. After all, he was still the heir to the House of Astaroth, and any severe injury could spark significant trouble.

The surrounding devils gasped. August's ruthless efficiency was terrifying. Even a blood relative of a Satan received no mercy from him.

At this moment, everyone in the hall realized one thing: August was a monster, not to be provoked. Diodora's fate was a stark warning to all.

But then, a realization dawned on the crowd. To have the princesses of the Sitri, Gremory, and Phenex by his side, August could not be an ordinary person.

"Wait a minute, isn't Lady Rias engaged to the Demon Duke?"

"The Demon Duke?"

"Yes, the last descendant of the ancient Demon God, holding the title of Duke."

"Wait, does that mean-"

"This man is the legendary Demon Duke?"

The revelation hit the hall like a depth charge. The elusive Demon Duke was not only a Satan-class powerhouse but also Rias's fiancé and, seemingly, a significant figure to the Sitri and Phenex.

Meanwhile, in the VIP section, the most influential figures watched the events unfold below.

When August defeated Diodora in a single move, everyone's eyes lit up. The spell he used was clearly extraordinary.

"Impressive, swift, and ruthless." Odin remarked with a smile, clearly pleased.

"Old man, you haven't seen his true power yet. That's where things get really terrifying."

"Hmm? What do you mean by that, you fallen angel rascal?" 

"That guy isn't just a descendant of the Demon God. He's also the Red Dragon Emperor of this generation."

"A descendant of the Demon God and the Red Dragon Emperor? How is that possible?"

"He seized the Boosted Gear from the previous Red Dragon Emperor."

"Incredible. This kid is really something."

Odin was once again impressed. The audacity and decisiveness required to seize a Boosted Gear were astonishing. Such actions were rare and dangerous, as they could easily turn the previous holders into enemies. Once the precedent was set, others might fear it could happen to them as well.

"But this kid's luck with women is outrageous. Truly enviable." Odin cast a glance at the girls surrounding August.

"Odin-sama, you're the Norse chief god. How can you say such things? It's really inappropriate."

A Valkyrie beside him chided, clearly displeased with Odin's behavior.

This scene made Azazel want to laugh out loud. The chief god being scolded by a Valkyrie wasn't something you saw every day, and it seemed like this wasn't the first time either.

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