Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

Chapter 961- Fighting a Demon Duke

Looking at their pathetic state, Simon didn't berate them. Besides, this was not the time and place for that.

STEP… he took a step forward planting himself between the mercenaries and the Duke. His crimson eyes narrowed, his voice cutting through the camp like a blade and forcing their attention back to him.

"Whatever happens, do not engage him directly. Stay behind the barricades. Shoot from a distance. If the latter gets close—run. No heroics."

The soldiers looked at him in disbelief, one of them couldn't help but ask "You're going to fight it alone?"

Simon gave a grim smile, his eyes never leaving the Duke.

"I'll handle it. Your job is to survive and keep the illusion of the main camp being here intact. If the enemy figures out we're stalling them, everyone here—and the entire southern alliance—is finished".

"If you all understand then get up and do your job. We hold the line here. Don't think—just follow orders. Every second you stay alive is another second we give Rothgard's army to reach the fortress."

After saying everything he needed to, he no longer bothered with the soldiers and prepared to face the Demon Duke. With the next step, he was already closing in on the enemy.

Behind him, the mercenaries exchanged uneasy glances, still not completely out of the grasp of the fear. Neverhtless, they still reluctantly played their role.

As the Demon Duke moved towards the camp, his steps were slow, deliberate, and entirely unconcerned with the feeble opposition waiting for him. To a being of his station, this was hardly a battle; it was an errand, a task given by his master, the Demon Lord of Envy.

Under any other circumstances, he would have never sullied his hands by marching personally to a human camp. But orders were orders, and he intended to follow them—as effortlessly and as quickly as possible.

Just as he neared the camp, out of nowhere a flicker of movement caught his attention. A figure was rushing toward him from the shadows, sword drawn, eyes blazing with a reckless determination that, frankly, amused him.

The Demon Duke stopped, observing the human who dared stand in his path with thinly veiled disdain. This mortal—this human— whose head had become too big for his britches was in his opinion a moth drawn to a flame.

An ignorant being who didn't know the difference between their strengths.

For a moment, he simply stood there, allowing the man to draw closer, giving him the honor of facing a Demon Duke's undivided attention.

When the other party was close enough, he put his hands behind his back and spoke in a deep voice that carried an edge of command, as if expecting obedience from all who head it.

"You there human, before you proceed any further into an unwinnable fight, allow me to introduce myself. Thought I don't think someone of your level would be able to recognise my majesty". n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Rejoice, the one you face is the Infernal Duke, Keeper of Ruin, Lord of Shadowed Flames, and vanguard of the Demon Lord of Envy's host, Vordanaz. One of the highest of demonkind and a power far beyond anything you could ever imagine."

The Demon Duke who introduced himself as Vordanaz, spoke in a tone brimming with with mockery and satisfaction.

"Now then, before I kill you, surely you possess a name human? Speak so I might remember the fool who dared cross a path not meant for his kind."

A highly conceited and arrogant foe, since that was the case, Simon believed that he had a chance. He introduced himself.

"Simon, is it? Fitting for a human of no rank, no bloodline, and no hope. A name that will soon be nothing more than dust in the annals of my victories."

A look of condescension appeared on Vordanaz's face. The next second, he released his aura spreading it like black smoke on the wind.

The ground cracked, caving in from the pressure and even the air itself grew heavier. The shadows intensified, creeping like ink along the ground and pressing down on the camp with an invisible weight that made it hard to breathe.

Vordanaz watched with satisfaction as Simon's shoulder tensed. Though the next second he was a little surprised finding that the human refused to bow down even against his pressure.

"Interesting" In truth, the Duke had no intention of engaging with the other party fully, he believed that such effort was beneath his standing. His mere aura alone should be enough to cow lesser beings, to make them falter and reveal their weaknesses.

He thought that would be enough to extract whatever information he desired from this 'Simon'.

"Consider yourself fortunate," Vordanaz continued, his voice sinister. "Normally, I would not waste words on someone like you. But tonight, I've been given a task by my master. A small errand, you can say. He sent me here to gauge your numbers, your capabilities, and your weaknesses"

"Usually such a task would be handled by a low ranking demon but the Demon Lord is a cautious one. He sent me here because he believed the humans are up to something. That said, even if this is an order from a Demon Lord, I have no plans of lowering myself to fight a weak human".

"So save us both the trouble, and tell me: what forces do you humans possess? Reveal your numbers, your strength, your hidden plans and the names of your leaders."

His attitude was completely looking down on the other party.

Simon raised an eyebrow, his expression part surprised part confused "The great Vordanaz, the mighty Infernal Duke, here to count soldiers and scribble down notes? I would have thought a demon of your rank had more... important duties. But perhaps I was wrong."

For a split second there, Vordanaz was taken aback. This human knew of his rank? Intrigued, the Duke lowered his hand, letting his aura withdraw slightly as he regarded Simon with renewed interest.

A mortal who could see through his rank, and still dare mock him to his face.