As Aurelio and Rueben continued their journey across the Pinhian Republic, they visited several cities, each with its unique architecture and culture.
They had reached the Rondor City and were busy exploring it when suddenly, the two came across the city lord, a man with a stern expression on his face.
"Sir Rueben, I have come to request help from you," the city lord spoke a bit anxiously. Rueben and Aurelio wondered the reason behind his distress.
"What is it, city lord?" Rueben asked.
"…Sir, a few days ago, something strange occurred as we heard a loud commotion from the Ironspine Peak. Yin Ardor has been overflowed and I sent a team of scouts to investigate this commotion. I received a report that a Demon Nest has emerged on this mountain. This nest has thousands of demons led by a Demon King. It's likely that they had just emerged from the Underground Labyrinth of Demons."
"A Demon Nest emerging from the Underground Labyrinth of Demons?!" Rueben was shocked to hear that statement.
"…This implies the demons have lived past millions of years. But that should be impossible even for them… Did they use a special technique to slow their body's age?" Aurelio couldn't help but ponder aloud.
The city lord ignored him and focused on Rueben, "That's not all, sir. After emerging from the Underground Labyrinth, these demons abducted many humans from the nearby towns and cities. According to their pattern, Rondor City will be next."
"…I have already requested for a 6 Star Warrior's assistance but haven't really received a response from the minister. I beg you to destroy that Demon Nest, Sir Rueben," The city lord lowered his head as he sincerely requested Rueben.
"Please lift your head, city lord. I naturally won't reject such an earnest request. As a citizen of the Pinhian Republic, it is my responsibility to protect the citizens from any harm," Rueben spoke.
"Yeah. The demons are going to regret emerging from the Underground Labyrinth," Aurelio added confidently.
The city lord couldn't help but gaze at Aurelio and wondered his identity. He asked curiously, "What is your name, Sir?"
Since Aurelio was accompanying Rueben, it was right for the city lord to refer to him as sir.
"You can call me Aurelio."
The city lord had expected Aurelio to introduce himself further, but he soon realized that Aurelio had no such inclination.
"Sir Aurelio, this is an incredibly dangerous mission. I don't wish for you to endanger your life," the city lord spoke generously.
Despite the city lord's apparent magnanimity, his true motive was to ensure that Aurelio did not impede Rueben's progress.
Rueben naturally noticed the city lord's apprehensiveness and spoke candidly, "You don't need to be worried about him, city lord. He will be of great help to me on this mission."
The city lord was startled to hear those words and couldn't help but gaze at Aurelio curiously. Rueben's words implied that his companion wasn't a normal warrior, but someone who had reached King Rank.
"…We will be on our way then. We must not waste any more time and rescue those people as quickly as possible," Aurelio spoke as he immediately flew towards the Ironspine Peak.
His flying speed was extremely high, but the city lord noticed another white ray pursuing it just as quickly. This ray was none other than Rueben.
It took them barely fifteen minutes to reach the Ironspine Peak at their top speed.
Once they were close to the Ironspine Peak, they immediately sensed intense aura of the demons coming from the summit.
The two realized that the demon nest might be situated near the summit and headed in that direction.
As Aurelio and Rueben approached the Ironspine Peak's summit, they could see a massive Demon Nest in the distance. The nest was surrounded by jagged rocks and spires that stretched upwards into the dark sky. The air around them grew colder as they approached the nest, sending shivers down their spines.
As they got closer, they could see the full extent of the nest's size. It was enormous, sprawling over acres of land and built into the mountainside. The nest was filled with thousands of demons, all of them scurrying around, preparing for something ominous.
In the center of the nest, Aurelio and Rueben could see a powerful and rare altar made of dark obsidian. The altar was unlike anything they had ever seen before. It radiated a dark and powerful energy that pulsed through the air.
"That altar is radiating the power of spatial laws. Just what are these demons summoning?" Aurelio frowned as he wondered aloud.
"No idea. But it can't be anything good," Rueben responded coldly.
At this time, the two turned their gaze away from the altar and noticed three Demon Kings around it. The Demon Kings were massive, towering over the other demons with their fearsome and twisted forms. They were surrounded by hundreds of captured humans, all of whom looked tired, scared, and hungry.
"Fortunately, the people are still alive. We can save them if we act quickly," Aurelio commented while heaving a relieved sigh.
Meanwhile, Rueben continued to observe the markings on the altar and commented, "…The summoning array of the demons is a bit different. This feels more like they are trying to break a seal using the spatial laws."
The altar glowed with a pulsing red light, and the ground trembled with each beat.
"…The altar doesn't seem mature. I imagine it will demand for more sacrifices," Rueben guessed.
He then gazed at Aurelio and asked with a smile, "Do you want to attack now or prepare a plan first?"
Aurelio responded with a tone of incredulity, "What manner of question is that?" He stated while gazing at the demon nest and bellowed, "We should attack now!"
Meanwhile, the three demon kings were discussing a serious matter.
Zorath the Soul-Eater: He has the ability to devour the souls of his victims, granting him immense strength and regenerative abilities. His heavy weapon of choice is a massive mace, which he wields with brutal efficiency. He has crimson skin and is adorned with various bone ornaments.
Sylphida the Stormcaller: She commands the power of the elements, particularly wind and lightning. She wields a heavy halberd those crackles with electricity. She has pale blue skin and hair that seems to constantly shift and flow like the wind.
Valtor the Shadow Wraith: He who wields a powerful heavy axe that can slice pulverize solid rock with ease. He has the ability to teleport through shadows and move at incredible speeds, making him nearly impossible to hit.
Sylphida was speaking at this moment, "We need to capture more humans if we want to break the seal of the Underground Labyrinth that has sealed our master."
"How many more humans do we need?" Valtor asked. His speed was the quickest among them and he could go to the nearest city and capture more humans.
Before he could speak, Zorath suddenly sensed something strange and lifted his head. He was shocked to discover two humans flying towards the demon nest.
"Humans!" His shout resounded in the entire demon nest and alerted everyone.
Instantly, the demons glanced in the direction Zorath and mentioned and sure enough found two stinky humans spying on them..
Two archers flying in the sky while looking down at them.
Aurelio shouted, "Filthy demons. You made a huge mistake capturing these humans and you are going to pay the price for that."
