Outside of the inverted pyramid, another sky-breaking battle was nearing its conclusion. The members of Eldorin, each in their prime and full of life, brought down a large number of demons. Like a relentless tsunami, the demons came down in waves. Each time, they brought vast amounts of demonic energy, and each time, it was repelled by Eldorin's flawless coordination.

The Knights of the group, Flydian, Horus, and Rufus, took the frontline. Their unwavering resolve in the face of danger worked wonders for the hard hitters of the group.

Johann, Yeon, Verso and Recto showered the battlefield with magic, each showing how cataclysmic magicians could be when given free rein to do as they pleased.

The ranged members weren't slouches either. Venya and Lutz showed off their skills, with the God Archer sniping down demons by the dozens while Lutz's machines did wonders in both soaking up the damage and keeping the enemy at bay.

And while the formation was being kept, the other members could freely wreak havoc with their unique talents. Khali danced through the demons with her chakrams, slicing off heads as if they were rice plants. Lydia used a combination of sword and magic, defeating any stragglers that targeted the backline. Oswin showed off his dexterous gunmanship, putting holes in as many demon heads as possible.

All while Bane, Renee, Maelle and Ines gave them supplementary assistance, either through buffs, healing or weakening the demons through debuffs.

It was a perfect symphony, one that was orchestrated by their unique talents.

But no matter how great the orchestra played, they were never able to outshine the main act.

Commander Gallahad and Samael, the Apostle of Chaos, reached a stalemate in their battle in the heavens. No, a stalemate would be too kind of a description.

The Golden Dragon Order's Commander, second only to Alrock Solaris, was heaving and wheezing. His stamina was drained as his face turned pale with exhaustion. Although he was still coated in a dense golden aura, there was a stark contrast to when he began the battle.

On the other side, Samael stood completely fine, as if he were going on an evening stroll. His breathing and mana flow were stable, no, they were steadily approaching levels that even Gallahad couldn't match.

Empowered by the spatial rift that connected the Demon Realm to this one, Sameal stood on a well of infinite mana, something that the Golden Order's Commander couldn't compare to.

In this battle of attrition, Samael would constantly grow more powerful as he drained Gallahad's mana, and that was something the seasoned warrior could tell all too well.

And therefore, Gallahad turned to a new tactic… he had to stall for time.

"Battle God's Aura… The Ironblood House's bloodline technique… I know you… You're the son of the Grand Marshall… Gerrick. The one that was disowned for raping ten girls and massacring their families."

"Heh, so there's someone who remembers my infamy."

Still drunk with demonic mana, Samael humoured Gallahad's blatant misdirection. As if he were reminiscing about a fine meal, the Apostle of Chaos licked his lips and stroked his grey hair.

"Those girls were so beautiful… Virgins, no less. Ah, it's a pity that I killed them so quickly. I could have enslaved them in a pleasure house for a few years."

"You… bastard! Have you no shame?!"

As the paragon of justice, Gallahad couldn't ignore injustice when he saw it. Not only did Samael look unrepentant, but he was actively seeking enjoyment in his heinous deeds. Even among villains, there would be those who showed some sense of humanity.

But for Samael… those lives he claimed were nothing more than entertainment for him.

"Shame? What good is that? I live to enjoy my life, and the feeling of defiling those girls is one of my fondest memories. As for the families… well, if they didn't try to stop me, I wouldn't have killed them, now wouldn't I?"

Samael acted like an aggrieved party, as if he were forced to take those lives. And as he saw Gallahad's weathered face boiling with rage, the Apostle of Chaos shrugged his shoulders and said:

"In the end, whether you are a serial killer or a perfect saint, we all end up in the grave. So why should I live by the morals society decided?"

"... no wonder Gerrick disowned you."

"My father just didn't have my vision," Samael stuck his tongue out in defiance. "But, still… I don't particularly like hearing my connection with that stuck-up house."

Samael opened his demonised hand and sent a shockwave of demonic mana flying in Gallahad's direction. Forced to defend himself, the Commander swung his axe filled with Solar mana, and the two energies clashed violently in the skies. The clouds above them split in two, as if two emperors were vying for supremacy. And when the dust settled, Samael opened his mouth with a smile of ecstasy.

"Amazing… Old man, you're not that bad for a Solaris. How about it? Care to join the Demon Cult?"

"Ptooey, you still have the nerve to poach me?!"

Gallahad spat out blood, utterly disgusted by Samael's proposal. To him, he would rather die than join the Demon Cult—no, even if he were turned into a zombie or ghost, he would haunt the Demon Cult, and Samael until they perished alongside him.

"Don't be too hasty. How many years do you have left? Ten? Twenty? If you were turned into a demonic human, you would live for thousands of years, if not, for eternity! How about it? Doesn't that sound appealing?!"

Drunk on his power, Samael was in a terrific mood. He was even extending an arm to his enemy.

But Gallahad wasn't interested in his proposal in the slightest.

"Hmph! You sold your soul to the devil for that! Your freedom, your autonomy! Just for that?!"

"Heh, the Demon King is merciful. With all his subjects, do you think he'll care about small fries like us? He'll let us do anything so long as we don't cross his will. Imagine that?! An eternity to do whatever you want!!!"

Samael joined the Demon Cult for one reason, and one reason only… to do as he pleased.

"What say you?! I'll even let you join as a Vicar, second only to myself!"

"... you're sick."

There wasn't any need for further words. Like two people speaking different languages, Gallahad and Samael would never see eye to eye.

"A pity… I thought I would gain a new right hand after obtaining this power… but, you're just too foolish to see."

Samael raised his black fist and gathered demonic energy at a rapid rate. The sky trembled while the earth shook violently, as if trying to run away from the dastardly energy that was invading this realm. As the world retracted, Gallahad stood steadfast even as cold sweat dripped down his cheek.

All of that energy condensed into a black sphere, one that commanded dread just by witnessing its whole grandeur. It was a force that wasn't of this earth… a force that no human could wield.

"T-that…"

"We can't win…"

Even the members of Eldorin, who were all in high spirits from defeating the waves of demons, felt despair when watching the black sphere before their eyes.

Against the full might of a juiced-up Apostle… it was going to be impossible for the Golden Order Commander to fight back. And it seemed… There was a high likelihood that he would perish in the next attack.

But even then… the Commander didn't turn his back.

"If I die tonight, I shall die with honour!"

Channelling all of his mana out for the final blow, Gallahad prepared himself in a defensive stance. There was no way he could repel Samael's next attack, hence… the best he could do was protect those fighting below.

For even if the old tree were to pass on, the new saplings would rise again and dominate the forest.

But fortunately… Gallahad didn't have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

The rift that empowered Samael abruptly closed, and the demons that poured out from the crack faded into ashes. Demonic mana, which should have corrupted the entire land, was now being purified at an astonishing rate, as if the world itself were rejecting its presence.

The inverted pyramid, the resting place of El Dorado, began to change as well. Most of the Demon Cult's influence had been flushed out, and the desert was showcasing that change.

With the tides shifting, Samael lowered his fist and absorbed the raging demonic mana back into his body.

"Hah… We're out of time, huh? Seems like it's too early for this world to accept the Demon King's love."

The Apostle of Chaos glanced regrettably at the closed rift, a tear falling down his pristine, ceramic-like face. Although the world rejected the portal between the Demon Realm and this one, the demonic mana that Samael absorbed remained in his body.

Ascended into a higher being, the man still possessed the power to wreak havoc and potentially annihilate all of Eldorin with a fist. But instead of doing so, he turned his back on Gallahad.

"W-What?! W-Where are you going?!"

"My role here is done. There's no need to play around with you anymore."

Like an enlightened sage, Samael released his earlier insanity. Without the demonic rift continually giving him mana, there was no need for him to remain. The Apostle of Chaos punched the air, and a portal appeared at his knuckles. However, before he left, he glanced back at Gallahad and let out a sigh of pity.

"You were great, old man. But next time. I would like to fight the hero instead."

"You…"

Gallahad wished to stop Samael… he really did.

But he was in no position to do so. Wrecked beyond belief, Gallahad lacked the power to contend with Samael, let alone protect the members of Eldorin. The best-case scenario was to let Samael leave, showing them mercy.

"Till we meet again."

And just like that… the Apostle of Chaos disappeared into the darkness.

On paper, Eldorin had won this engagement against the Demon Cult. They annihilated the demons and chased away an Apostle. But yet… none of them celebrated this victory.

Why?

For they were too weak.