----

Because most of the demons in the Dominus Household were focused on increasing their Sin Purity while inside the storage area of the ancient ruins, Valac wasn't privy to how large of a power increase Typhir received after deepening the connection with his bloodline.

Not to mention, besides all the followers created through the system's assistance, Typhir was the only one whose stats didn't get revealed. Or rather, Apollo didn't check them after the system's authority increased to Level 6.

Compared to the others, Typhir's stats were on a level that betrayed his current evolution stage, which was further exaggerated by his new weapon, Armageddon.

「Name: Typhir Estrada [Follower]

Race: Greater Demon (77.66%)

Title: Tenebrous Sword's Successor, historical

Bloodline: Infernal Rampager (Aura of Destruction)

Demonic Anima Reserves: 155,000 units

Sin Volume: 27,500 units

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Strength: 3,945.0

Agility: 3,666.0

Intelligence: 2,950.0

Vitality: 3,100.0

Perception: 3,500.0

----

Ira: Primary [Hellfire]

Superbia: Primary [Fearless Spirit] 」

Aside from Apollo and Fuhrer's nonsensical stats, Typhir was one of the only demons to come close to the baseline of an Archdemon's stats while still possessing ample room for growth. Typically, in the current age, a Greater Demon's attributes should cap at around 2,800 stats. However, Typhir's strength easily eclipsed that norm. Even his weakness stat, Intelligence, surpassed the available cap for his current evolution.

Hence, the reason Valac was so shocked by the display of power and understanding from Typhir's effortless usage of his rudimentary technique. At the very least, the method shouldn't be usable until he was an Archdemon.

Though both powers were available to Typhir as a Greater Demon, the act of merging techniques was typically a matter employed by Archdemons since it required a solid mental strength to keep the fusion constant.

Only once an individual perfected the fusion could mental strength be removed from the equation. Unfortunately, reaching such a state required years of practice and tens of thousands of Intelligence.

After all, Intelligence and Strength fused to create Fortitude, a hidden stat that doubled as both a physical and mental attribute. The higher a demon's Fortitude, the harder it was to receive extensive damage that weakened their combat power.

On the mental front, the higher one's Fortitude, the slower the consumption of the mental strength. Furthermore, the meager amount could be stretched beyond its standard limit when in danger of being over-consumed.

Though it was hidden, based on the amount of pain Apollo's demons endured, their Fortitude should all be relatively high. If not, absorbing the copious amount of Ira inside the ancient ruin would have taken a much longer time.

Suddenly, Typhir stopped in his tracks while narrowing his eyes. He turned towards the right and continued to intensify his gaze. At first, he didn't detect anything amiss, but as his vision stretched into the distance, he noticed a grim look staring back at him.

Instinctively, Typhir placed his hand on Armageddon's hilt. The chances of someone presenting that type of gaze and having no foul intentions were slim. Therefore, Typhir prepared himself for battle.

Meanwhile, Valac shivered. "W-we're being watched!"

"Oh really? I couldn't tell," Typhir scoffed. Part of his annoyance originated from how Valac continued to state the obvious, but the other was the fact that Valac was so odd. Despite being a demon possessing the Sin of Superbia, Valac was spineless. Unless angered, Valac approached every situation with fear these days.

Compared to their first meeting, Typhir felt something had changed. Perhaps Valac's courage came from the fact that he was initially stronger than the others. But, now that everyone experienced growth at a rapid rate, he felt vulnerable. As a result, his original mischievousness was replaced by fear.

Additionally, Typhir noticed something else after monitoring the hostile gaze for some time. 'Is it me.. or does this gaze seem awkward?'

To test out his speculations, Typhir moved to the side while creating space between him and Sapphyr. However, while he traveled on the same x-axis as Sapphyr, he left Valac behind to conduct some tests.

After a while, Typhir was able to confirm his suspicions. The gaze wasn't focused on their party. It was directed exclusively at Valac, indicating this individual should be familiar with Valac. Or, at the very least, there was some bad blood between the two parties.

"I guess this person is here for you," Typhir said with a faint smirk. According to their orders, they didn't need to render aid unless the situation was dangerous and if Valac wasn't to blame for the conflict. However, Apollo never addressed matters related to past events that Valac's involved himself in.

Technically, even if it was in the past, since Valac was the one to blame, these two didn't need to help out immediately. So, Typhir gradually removed his hand from his weapon and stepped aside to see how the situation would progress.

A moment later, a rhythmic tapping entered their ears as the individual grew close. However, the singular tap sound evolved into a cluster of footsteps that caught everyone by surprise.

'There's no way he's generated enmity with so many people, right?' Sapphyr wondered. Based on the number of footsteps she sensed, at least fifteen people were advancing towards them.

Regrettably, these two underestimated the chaos that Valac caused in the past for the Ring of Suprenis. It wasn't just individuals that were after him; even the administrative staff, such as the official guards of the tower, were after him.

Fortunately for Valac, many within the Ring were unaware of his true childish form, aside from a select few. His middle-aged facade was only employed to cement his image of strength. After all, who would take an individual that looked like a child seriously?

Not too long after, an organized collection of demon aligned themselves in rows before the three. Afterward, the ranks split open to reveal a demonic beauty with purplish-red hair and soft armor clinging to her curves.

Her cold violet eyes gazed at Valac with scorn. Clearly, these two knew each other. But, both Typhir and Sapphyr showed some surprise as they revisited the image in their mind. Apollo didn't send them to Suprenis blindly; he implanted a model of the target in their mind.

So, the appearance of this female caused a slight reaction. Needless to say, the newcomer was one of the reasons for coming to this place. It was the princess of the Royal Faction, Tirasha.

"I knew it was you that I sensed. Do you know how long it has taken me to restore order to the stronghold after suffering from your chaotic order? And you have the gall to come back to this Ring?!" Tirasha seethed.

The spear attached to her back vibrated as a faint ripple of Superbia emanated from her body. Just as Apollo warned, Tirasha had completed her evolution. Based on the force of her Sin, she was a bonafide Archdemon!

Not to mention a sufficiently strong one since she was assisted by one of the strongest demons in the Council.

"Woah! Hey! Hey! Calm down! I gave it back, didn't I? How about we let bygones be bygones? No reason to cause any damage, right?" Valac said with a wry chuckle. After sensing the spear on her back, Valac desired combat even less.

If he wasn't mistaken, the weapon on her back was only slightly weaker than the weapon in Typhir's possession. Although he received an incomplete Armament as well, Valac didn't have any time to practice with it, whereas it seemed the weapon given to Tirasha was special.

However, that was to be expected since Xonnomor promised to give her a unique present as congratulations for evolving. It wouldn't be considered extraordinary if the weapon he gave his little sister was generic.

"Bygones? I'm sorry, but we're a little too far past that point. Or, did you forget what you did what you first came to the stronghold?" Tirasha said. Her voice grew overwhelmingly icy towards the end. Evidently, Valac must have done something unforgivable for her to harbor this kind of resentment.

"Oh, come on! It wasn't even that back. All I did was forcibly steal your position and lock you and anyone else who revolted inside the abandoned underground cellar," Valac responded.

Sadly, it seemed that this wasn't the matter she was speaking of since her gaze grew even more enraged. Her hand even more towards the spear on her back slowly.

"Oi! I'm sorry. I apologize. I shouldn't have broken your limbs and left you all down there unattended for three months!" Valac screeched.

Hearing this, both Sapphyr and Typhir looked at Valac. Their eyes seemed to agree on the matter.

"You deserve what you get. A takeover is fine, but that's just disturbing to leave some down there for so long and in a helpless state is just.. absurd," Sapphyr muttered. She then turned towards Tirasha and gave a faint nod.

"We're here on the orders of Apollo, but you also have permission to return the torture you faced as a show of our willingness to associate with you," Typhir said.

Tirasha froze for a moment as she recalled the individual that fought Valac and ultimately freed them from his bizarre leadership. However, she couldn't believe that Apollo managed to mature his influence to this extent in under two years.

'He has even more Greater Demons under his authority already? Then how strong has he become?' Tirasha wondered. Simultaneously, she removed the spear from her back, which caused it to blaze with a purplish-gold flame.

"I don't care about torturing. I just believe we deserve the long-awaited rematch where there are no ambushes, don't you think?"

"Errr.." Valac grimaced while his eyes darted about. Unfortunately, a large hand grabbed his wing before he could protest and threw him towards Tirasha.

"By all means, have all the official combat you'd like."