Evolution begins with an ant colony

Chapter 218: Demon Prince Alzureth

The man in question was First Prince Alzureth, Demon King Delikan’s first son. Unlike Emily and the other demons, he seemed to be suspended in the air without any wings on his back.

Upon laying his blue dragonic eyes on Alzureth, Yandol couldn’t help but shiver at the mere sight of him. "I don’t understand; he’s just standing there, yet I feel like if I move an inch, my life would be forfeit," Yandol mused. He had come to the realization that the opponent flying before him was no simple adversary but rather one that needed to be approached with extreme caution.

"Seems you all are having your work cut out for you," Alzureth spoke in a calm yet commanding tone, gesturing inquisitively and narrowing his gaze at the battle-ruined city.

His words were directed at the demons who stopped fighting immediately to bow at him. A mixture of fear and respect could be found on their faces.

Yandol gritted his dragonic teeth as he mused inwardly, "I can’t let myself be overwhelmed with fear. I still have to protect my home, my people, and my family. I have to be strong; I have to be brave."

Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice when Alzureth suddenly appeared directly in front of him, speaking with a cold and serious tone, "Better not be planning on doing anything stupid.

Father said I should try to retrieve anything or anyone unique if I spotted it, but if you do anything to piss me off, I can’t guarantee I’ll bring you back conscious." The look in his eyes seemed lifeless, like voids that threatened to swallow all hope. They seemed to be able to instantly discern Yandol’s intentions even before he made his move.

He then added with a tone that sent a collective shiver down the spines of Yandol, the guards, and adventurers still alive, "Are we clear?"

Yandol was shocked into silence. He couldn’t possibly reply with a yes; that would mean he wanted his life spared while his people would be slaughtered. If he didn’t answer, it would be like challenging the terrifying being flying directly in front of him. Also in his mind was the concern that maybe his wife and unborn son could be spared along with him.

He was torn between what to do; his ideals and principles were being tested by fire. This encounter would either break him forever or let him die a noble death.

But either way, he was going to lose something today; it was just a matter of what.

"Am I really being forced to make a choice right now?" Yandol mused as he gritted his dragonic teeth, feeling extremely conflicted and confused about what to do.

His thoughts continued to churn away as his gaze locked with Alzureth’s.

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Suddenly, Alzureth let out a sigh as he said, "I’ll take your prolonged silence as a yes. Stay here while my people continue what we started."

Alzureth then proceeded to hover past Yandol, slowly descending toward the ground where Emily lay. Just as he hovered past him, Yandol couldn’t handle the thought of what was about to unfold. Inwardly, he mused, "I lost my mother on the day I was born. She died due to the fact she couldn’t handle the coming-of-age process and the pain of childbirth.

My father fell into such profound despair after her death; he fell seriously ill and eventually died. I had only my maids, my knights, my butler, and my advisor while growing up. I don’t want such a life for my baby boy, but I also don’t want to be a failure of a man—I want to be an example to my son and a proper lord to my people."

Yandol turned around slightly, gazing at Alzureth as he slowly hovered down. He mused further, "Even if I may not be able to save all of my people, I should at least beg that some of them be spared." Mustering up his courage, he began to speak, "P-please, young lord, c-could you consider—" Before he could finish his statement, Alzureth suddenly turned around and waved his hand.

A very thin line of demonic energy shot forward like a blade, instantly slicing off Yandol’s right dragonic arm.

The lord let out a massive dragon cry as he slowly fell to the icy ground and slowly reverted back to his human form.

Upon seeing his lord in such a state, Erion wanted to rush over to his side. "My lord!" he yelled, his tone a mixture of fear and worry. Unfortunately for him, Zeki and Bellua stopped him in his tracks.

"What are you fools doing?" Erion echoed. He then added, "Our lord is in pain; we should rush over to his side."

Zeki whispered in Erion’s ear, "Sir Erion, please, read the room." Zeki slightly gestured to the faces of the other knights and adventurers who wore looks of absolute fear. They were all trembling, some had even unconsciously let go of their weapons, their weapons falling to the floor with loud thuds.

Erion took in the sight before him, realizing everyone could feel the sudden change in atmosphere as they all gazed helplessly at Alzureth. His very presence spelled doom for all of them, and that alone made them lose all hope.

Erion gritted his teeth as he whispered, "So, are you saying I should just abandon the lord?"

Zeki then replied in a hushed tone, "No, but running over to his side now will very well be the death of you. From the sheer aura this demon has, he could have easily ended the young lord’s life, but he chose to spare him, meaning he has something in mind. So, we should not forfeit our lives if our lord is not yet in mortal danger."

Erion gritted his teeth. He understood the logic behind Zeki’s reasoning, but not being by his lord’s side while he was in such pain made his heart ache. It was a pain he wasn’t sure he could bear.

Erion then whispered, "Fine, I’ll play along for now, but if that demon lays another hand on my lord, then I shall make sure I thrust my sword into his heart, even if it’s the last thing I do." He narrowed his gaze as he tightened his grip around the hilt of his sword.

Yandol was in serious pain; the part of his hand that was sliced off didn’t seem to revert back to its human form but instead seemed to remain in its dragonic form, falling to the floor with a massive thud.

Suddenly, Alzureth spoke up as he casted his cold piercing gaze at Yandol, saying, "Don’t get on my nerves. Although father said I should bring you back, he never specified in what state. So, you could be in pieces for all I care. I’d have completed my objective regardless."

Upon hearing those words and seeing how serious he was, Yandol felt a massive chill run down his spine. He was frozen with fear and didn’t know what to do. Inwardly, he mused, "He’s serious. He could actually kill me." He gritted his teeth as he then proceeded to slowly freeze the severed section of his hand, remaining silent where he was.

With Yandol seemingly listening to his instructions this time, Alzureth then mumbled, "Much better." He finally landed close to Emily and gazed at her battered, unconscious body. He let out a sigh, looking at her with disgust as he said, "Pathetic! You are most fortunate my father still has his uses for you.

If not," he paused momentarily, then added, "if not, I would have ended your useless life here."

Alzureth then redirected his cold, piercing gaze at one of the soldiers. He pointed at him and said, "You." The soldier pointed at himself. Alzureth then added, "Yes, get over here."

The soldier trembled as he slowly made his way over to Alzureth. Not fond of his precious time being wasted, Alzureth swiftly used his demonic power in such a way it propelled the soldier right towards him.

The soldier was shocked and confused as to what was going on. Suddenly, he arrived directly in front of Alzureth, freezing up with fear. Alzureth proceeded to thrust his claws through the soldier’s chest, catching everyone off guard. All were shocked by the sudden act, but all seemed to have silently expected it.

Suddenly, the soldier began to break down as purple cracks spread around his body. The way Alzureth’s demon curse seemed to spread was far faster than Emily’s. Then something peculiar happened; as the soldier continued to break down, he began to compress around Alzureth’s claws until he finally condensed into some sort of blood orb.

In reality, it was a super-condensed ball of life energy, and it seemed to pulse, glowing slightly every second.

Everyone present was left utterly speechless, the gruesom display sent shivers down their collective spines.

Alzureth then redirected his gaze at Emily as he proceeded to let go of the ball of life energy.