The Light Born In the Darkness (CH 47)

A/N: This story is rated M for mature content not suitable for children.

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Chapter 47: Retribution

Underworld

Beal Territory

Zekram Bael wore a wild grin as the energy from the king piece surged through him, granting him an unprecedented level of power. He felt unstoppable, surpassing any Satan, and had elevated himself to the status of a god—specifically, a demon god.

"Perish!" the ancient demon bellowed as he unleashed his destructive force, obliterating anyone unfortunate enough to find themselves in his way while he reveled in his own might.

To both the adversaries and supporters of the Bael, Zekram resembled and behaved more like a rogue demon than anything else, launching attacks on both friends and enemies indiscriminately.

Mio and Maria instructed all Extra Demons to keep their distance from Zekram as they observed his actions. He was spiraling out of control without realizing it, and up to this point, he had eliminated all of his nearby allies.

The Bael endured the scorching flames of Maria's dragon fire, sustaining burns yet remaining capable of battle. It is believed he had enveloped himself in his own destructive magic to shield against significant harm.

"I'll make you suffer in the worst possible way," Bael seethed, his eyes dark as night and a menacing energy radiating from him.

Mio and Maria got ready to launch their assault, but just as they were about to strike, a recognizable magical aura enveloped the surroundings. This brought smiles to their faces while sending shivers of fear down their enemies' spines, as if the presence of the grim reaper was looming nearby.

"What was that?" the ancient Bael wondered, sensing an unprecedented surge of power that radiated with fury and malice. Instead of manifesting on the battlefield, the energy surged towards the Bael Mansion. "I need to get over there immediately."

"You’re not going anywhere," Maria declared as she emerged from behind Zekram, taking advantage of his distraction. With her fist infused with gravity magic to shield herself from his destructive spells, she unleashed a powerful strike against Bael, sending him plummeting from the sky and crashing to the ground.

Bael Mansion

Naruto, with an expressionless face yet radiating a palpable sense of murderous intent, stood outside the Bael Mansion. Two guards approached him, attempting to block his path. However, before they could even react, miniature black holes formed around Naruto, piercing their bodies with countless gaping wounds.

"Show yourself, you coward! Let's see how it feels when someone wrecks your home," Naruto declared as he moved through the mansion, mercilessly eliminating anyone who tried to stop him.

"Where can I find the lord of this house?" Naruto inquired of a maid, who gazed at him in terror, too scared to respond. "Speak up or face the consequences."

Fortunately for the maid, a different voice intervened, saying, "Hey, back off and challenge someone your own strength." Naruto turned to find a striking young man with dark hair and violet eyes, embodying the essence of a true Bael, which infuriated him.

"I'll ask you only once: where is Lord Bael? Answer me or face the consequences," Naruto declared, his gaze fixed on the newcomer, who met his stare with assurance. Beside him stood a blonde-haired woman with blue eyes, and on the other side, what appeared to be a lion. However, Naruto was not concerned with either of them at that moment.

"I am Sairaorg Bael, and these are Kuisha Abaddon and Regulus. We are here to put an end to this senseless destruction," Sairaorg proclaimed. Under different circumstances, Naruto might have respected the young man, but not while he was defending the person he believed had attacked his home and caused his mother to fall into a coma.

Before Sairaorg or his companions could even react, Naruto appeared before them and delivered a powerful punch to the Bael Heir's abdomen, causing him to cough up blood as he was sent flying.

Sairaorg female companion ran to his side while the lion attacked Naruto, the Satanchia was in no mood for games so he bombarded the lion which he had a feeling was a sacred gear with his Orbs of darkness.

Gremory Clan Mansion

Zeotious and Venelana were experiencing a rough period as the Extra Demon Faction unleashed a fierce assault on their territory. They hadn't anticipated such intensity, believing it was merely retaliation for their own faction's prior actions. However, it seemed that the extra demon forces had long harbored a deep-seated desire to annihilate their faction, stemming from years of mistreatment by the pillar devil houses.

"What are Sirzechs and the others up to?" Zeotious swore as he evaded a lightning strike from an additional devil and retaliated with a magic bullet, knocking the devil down from the sky to the ground. "This wasn't supposed to happen."

"I'm worried that something unfortunate may have occurred to them," Venelana expressed anxiously. "If the extra demon army has arrived, it could indicate that my son and the other Satans faced defeat, which would lead to our downfall."

The frantic exchange between the husband and wife was abruptly interrupted by a powerful explosion that shook their surroundings and knocked them over.

"What on earth was that?" Zeotious inquired as he stood up. Venelana hurried over to the shattered window and peered outside, her expression turning to one of shock. Her husband, noticing her reaction, approached to find out what had caused her to be so taken aback.

"Oh shit!" Zeotious exclaimed, his eyes widening as he took in not just the extra demon army, but also the dragons being commanded by a stunning woman with blue hair, radiating a dragon aura that surpassed even that of a Satan-level devil.

Tiamat and her dragon-demon hybrid offspring, all possessing ultimate-level strength, loom over the Gremory Territory, observing it with disdain as if it were merely a colony of insects.

"Strike and annihilate," Tiamat commanded, and her offspring obeyed her orders. Taking on their dragon forms, they swooped down upon the Gremory Territory, unleashing blasts of fire, wind, and even darkness. "Once we finish here, we'll proceed to another pillar devil's domain."

Tiamat's function in this conflict was to unleash havoc, ensuring that nothing remained in her path except for those designated to be spared. As the mother of dragons observed with her piercing gaze, she identified a brown-haired she-devil on her list. In an instant, she vanished from one spot and reappeared outside the window, where Lord and Lady Gremory were peering through.

"Greetings, Lady Gremory. I trust your day is going well. However, I must request that you accompany me," Tiamat said, directing his gaze at Venelana and ignoring Zeotious, whom she deemed as no threat. The brown-haired woman paused, unsure of what this dragon in human guise wanted from her.

Phenex Clan Compound

The Phenex clan members were facing a tough situation; they were under attack from the extra demon faction. However, the worst part was that the attackers possessed weapons and abilities that could hinder or completely halt the clan's regeneration.

"Lord Satanchia was right without their regeneration the Phenex clan is a bunch of weaklings," A middle class extra demon said to another who nodded in agreement.

"I am a little disappointed, you would think a clan that has been around this long would know not to just relie on their natural abilities and train," the extra demon stated as he attacked a soldier of the Phenex clan "then again Lord Satanchia has supplied use with the best equipment to fight devils like them."

Naruto had been preparing for this war well any war that would befall his faction and planned ahead, he made special weapons infused with a fragment of Samuel curse and with special gloves to keep the curse from spreading to the user of the weapon.

The Satanchia had also had the holy weapon like guns and standard exorcist blades that the people of the church had a reegineered them so that devils can use them and just like the curse weapons he made special gloves to protect the user from the holy energy.

Lord Phenex and his wife were experiencing a rough period, and it seemed that all the devils within his domain were struggling as well. This was largely due to the effectiveness of cursed weapons and holy items, which were particularly potent against devils as a whole. Although this strategy was originally designed to target the Phenex clan specifically, it ended up being effective against most devils.

"Satan curse you, worms!" Rizer Phenex shouted as he charged at a group of extra demons, his peerage standing beside him. "Burn in hell, you scum!"

Rizer, accustomed to absorbing hits, didn't evade the bullet aimed at him. However, he cried out in agony as the holy essence of the bullet pierced through his body.

"What on earth is happening?" Rizer exclaimed as his group formed a protective circle around him, but the extra demons launched a relentless assault with their weapons.

Rizer and his peerage would have perished or sustained serious injuries if not for a wall of flames that suddenly burst forth, shielding them. This barrier was created by Ruval Phenex, the heir of the clan, who was responsible for their protection.

"It seems a powerful one has emerged," Stella remarked in her human form. She had come back with Naruto and summoned her children, who are essentially clones of her, but infused with devil DNA from Naruto's essence used in their creation.

The Jorogumo smiled broadly at her adversary standing before her. Naruto seldom summoned her for combat anymore, as he had grown strong enough to fend for himself. However, in this war, it was a full-scale conflict, allowing her to fight as much as she desired.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Ruval inquired as he attempted to stall for his brother and companions to escape, but he cursed under his breath when he noticed a group of women, nearly identical to the one before him, encircling them.

"I am Stella, and I'll be your executioner for today," the dark-haired figure announced, a toxic purple aura enveloping her. Her daughters mirrored her actions, prompting Ruval to curse as he realized that they had been targeted by an enemy whose powers could bypass the flames of rebirth.

"Rizer, as soon as you have the opportunity, I need you to escape and take Ravel with you," Ruval commanded. Ravel, his sister, along with his younger brother Bishop, made him grateful that she was part of Rizer's peerage, as it meant they could stay together and be would not need to search for them separately. He understood that their chances of victory were slim, even if he managed to defeat their current enemies. The absence of the Satans likely indicated that they were either dead or captured, both of which were detrimental to their faction.

"What was that force I sensed earlier? It rattled the very foundation of the underworld," Ruval pondered, though he realized it was likely an individual from the extra demon faction. Without a superdevil to protect them, their fate seemed sealed. "Rizer, no matter what occurs, prioritize Ravel's safety and focus solely on surviving."

Rizer wanted to protest and offer his assistance, but the holy bullet had depleted his strength. Even though one of his peerage managed to remove the bullet, he could still feel the lingering holy energy within him, sapping his power.

Stella remarked with a mischievous smile, “It's adorable that you're concerned about your siblings, but there's no need to worry—we're not going to eliminate them. After all, who would want to lose the Phenex tears? However, they will need to be reprogrammed to be loyal to the extra demon faction.”

Stella's words caused Ruval's expression to shift to one of seriousness as he faced the harsh truth: the extra demon clan intended to keep his younger siblings alive, which could be a fate more terrible than death. He was all too aware of the lengths factions would go to with captured foes—the torture, the violation, and the manipulation to bend them to their will. With a newfound resolve, Ruval's magic surged forth; he was determined to protect his siblings from enduring such horrors at any cost.

Astaroth Clan Territory

Lady Astaroth couldn’t help but beam with delight as she witnessed the forces of the Extra Demon Faction emerging and launching an assault on the territory. Anyone who caught sight of her might assume she had lost her mind, as it seemed bizarre to be pleased about an invasion of one’s own homeland.

"The moment has arrived, my dear," Lady Astaroth exclaimed with a joyful expression, cradling her adorable baby girl who was laughing playfully. "Your father is about to eliminate all the pests, and then we can be together."

Lady Astaroth glided through the mansion, paying no mind to the butlers and maids who fled in terror for their safety, as the guards struggled to protect the estate with minimal effectiveness.

"Where do you think a rat would hide?" Lady inquired of her daughter, who gazed up at her with a toothless grin. "I bet he’s tucked away in his office, waiting for someone to rescue him."

Lady Astaroth rushed away to find her husband, knowing that her unwelcome son would be with him. They both mirrored those other two loathsome individuals perfectly.

Elizabeth laughed uncontrollably, prompting her daughter to join in the laughter. Onlookers might assume that Lady Astaroth had gone mad, but in reality, she felt liberated now that her freedom was finally within reach.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Please, darling, let me in! It’s me, Elizabeth Astaroth," the she-devil called out as she stood at her husband’s office door, knocking with a feigned tone of fear, all while a maniacal grin spread across her face. "Hurry, I’m terrified out here—what if the other demon finds me?"

Elizabeth heard the sounds coming from outside the door and inferred that Diodora and her partner were debating whether to admit her. Although she could easily breach the magical barrier surrounding the room, she contemplated the idea of forcing her way in. However, she wanted to assess their worthiness of survival first.

Lady Astaroth gazed at the barrier, fully aware that she could shatter it at will. However, she was curious to discover if her husband and son possessed any redeeming qualities. When they failed to open the door, she wasn't let down; in fact, she was convinced that they had only reinforced the barrier, which transformed from a deep purple to a fiery red.

"hehe he," Lady Astaroth chuckled, shaking her head. She realized that those cowards would leave her behind if it meant preserving their own lives. "I suppose it runs in the family."

Lady Astaroth gently kissed her daughter on the forehead and then enchanted her with a sleep spell, surrounding her with a protective circular barrier before levitating her beside herself.

"You’re still a bit too young for this, my dear," Elizabeth remarked as she dismantled the barrier surrounding the room, taking command of it in a way reminiscent of how her son managed his Kankara Formula. "It's amusing that many are unaware of the magic I possess—Ajuka included. While he may have gotten his father's power, he definitely inherited my skills."

"Whether you're prepared or not, I'm coming in," Lady Astaroth announced as she stepped into the room, leaving her daughter waiting outside. She remained alert, keeping her instincts sharp in case of any trouble. "Did you come here to seek shelter while the rest of us faced the enemy?"

Lord Astaroth began to perspire under the intense stare of his wife, which radiated animosity and a threat of demise. He had anticipated that she might attempt something like this eventually, but he certainly didn't expect it to happen at this moment.

“No, my dear, we are merely sending commands to the troops stationed here. Our defenses would collapse if something were to happen to me, so my safety is the top priority. I hope you understand,” Lord Astaroth attempted to clarify, while Diodora watched anxiously.

The youngest son of Lord Astaroth knew from an early age that his mother hated his father and she disliked him, he saw how she acted towards his older brother and her indifference towards him while his father took him under his wing and showed him how to be a true devil.

Lady Astaroth cast a playful glance at Lord Astaroth and sighed, "You know I'm going to end your life today, but before that, I have a few things to confess." Elizabeth observed her husband and son, noticing their confused expressions in response to her words.

"What," Lord Astaroth and his son said dumbly to with Elizabeth ignored they were going to die anyway.

"Let me reveal my secrets to you," Lady Astaroth said, glancing at her husband, whose initial shock quickly shifted to fury. "It's clear that Ajuka doesn't belong to you. After all, how could someone as remarkable as Ajuka possibly be related to you?"

"You wretched woman, how could you do this?" Lord Astaroth bellowed in fury, but Elizabeth merely chuckled in response. "I will see you pay for this," he threatened.

"Does that imply he isn't my father as well?" Diodora suddenly inquired of his mother, but she simply shook her head in response.

"Absolutely not; you are definitely his," Lady Astaroth replied with disdain, causing Diodora to feel uneasy. "I'm fully aware of how you spend your free time—you visit churches to taint innocent maidens and impose yourself upon them."

Diodora stared at his mother in disbelief; he had no idea she was aware of that—only his father had known. If this information got out, he could be in serious trouble.

"I’m not upset about you 'imposing' yourself on someone, though I do hold your father responsible for that, as he can only secure a woman through arranged marriages or by forcing himself upon them," Lady Astaroth remarked, explaining that her own marriage was merely a political arrangement to bolster her family's standing. The maids at the Astaroth estate despised Lord Astaroth for his behavior towards them. "However, I am infuriated by your choice to target holy maidens—the very women blessed by the heavens. Your reckless actions could ignite a conflict between factions that we are ill-prepared for, all because of your selfish desires."

Lady Astaroth hissed her words with malice while staring down Diodora. Her gaze then shifted to her husband, sensing his intent to launch a surprise attack. However, she was more than ready to counter his move.

Chapter End

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A/N: Here’s another installment of this tale, and I hope you all find it enjoyable as we approach the conclusion. After this, I’ll focus on updating one of the main stories until it’s finished. It will either be Rise of the Uzumaki or Lightning General. I might hold a poll for you all to choose which one gets completed first.