They then flew into a region of Hell that was vastly different from all the others. The land resembled an area surrounded by numerous volcanoes spewing lava, with countless fiery craters still boiling. The monsters roaming the region had also changed into gigantic forms. Gruzhnil and Glynpatra immediately recognized them from the great war they had experienced before.
"W-What is this place? Why are the monsters I saw during that great invasion here?" Gruzhnil asked in astonishment. Glynpatra and Sherubiel embraced each other again, their face became very tense by the scene before them.
"HAHAHA! Welcome to Lord Azkerath's domain! They're all guardians of this territory, called Arch-Judgementors and Arch-Licoths. Remember this! He's extremely cruel, impossible to negotiate with, and can curse you with nothing more than his gaze!" Banasphate tried to frighten them.
"Oh... Has he also been brought back to life? He was defeated by Lord David during the massive invasion of Planet Grivendal!" Mendicore said.
Banasphate was once again shocked that his jaw dropped as he glanced at David. He showed no reaction and continued looking straight ahead.
"I see dreadstones here in overwhelming abundance, unlike the previous regions!" Gruzhnil said as he noticed the black crystal stones scattered everywhere.
"HAH! Of course! Those damned High Heaven forces used to come here just to obtain those stones! If you want to take them, you'll have to deal with Lord Azkerath first! HAHAHAHAAA...!!!"
Gruzhnil looked rather irritated by Banasphate's arrogant remark.
Turgash flew over the gigantic monsters, all of whom bowed their heads upon seeing him. They headed toward the tallest volcano in the region. Above it, thick black clouds swirled around the mountain while crimson lightning thundered continuously.
"I-I hope this is the final part of our journey..." Glynpatra still felt frightened.
Turgash reached a plateau near the summit. His enormous body landed while coiling around nearly the entire mountain. They had expected to find Azkerath's palace, but instead the place was filled with rivers of flowing lava and countless Dreadstones. David walked forward, and just as they had expected, Demon King Azkerath was already waiting before them, holding his gigantic black sword. Behind him stood a massive stone wall resembling the entrance to a cave, engraved with numerous symbols of Hell. David simply glared at him, and the Demon King returned the same stare.
"I've come to settle matters with your former master!" David said.
"I never imagined that You would come searching for the one you cherish most. He truly is an existence unlike any other in all the realms. Why is it that, even after we nearly killed him, He still revived me and the other demons? I'll never understand His actions. Is that why You've come searching for Him again? Could He truly be the 'desire' that belongs only to You?" Azkerath said.
"If that's the case, then You must prove it before facing my former master. Show him that You're the one worthy of possessing all of this." He continued.
Azkerath then teleported behind them, near Turgash's head, and activated a spell with his left hand. The symbols on the stone wall immediately began to glow, and a portal appeared.
"Will this take us to where Ruciphar truly is?" Mendicore asked.
"Let's go." David walked into the portal. The others followed him.
When they emerged, they found themselves standing on a relatively small stretch of land surrounded, as far as the eye could see, by black clouds illuminated from within by crimson light.
Standing directly before them was a towering winged man figure. His black wings were badly tattered, and he wore the distinctive armor of the ruler of Hell. A large wound gaped across his chest. Although he remained standing, he was struggling to keep itself alive.
"H-How could Ruciphar end up like this???" Banasphate shocked for umpteenth time.
Ruciphar slowly turned toward them, his expression filled with both fury and despair.
"W-What have... y-you done... t-to reach... t-this point, h-huh?! Y-You and h-him... t-truly... r-ruined... e-everything, and... y-you stole... w-what I... s-spent all... t-this time... b-building. R-Remember this... y-you... n-never... e-ever be able... t-to k-kill meee...!!! O-Or everything... y-you love will..."
Looking utterly fed up with Ruciphar's rambling, David immediately summoned his magnum pistol. Just before pulling the trigger, crimson energy accompanied by crackling red sparks enveloped his entire right hand as he called previous trace of his Grunginus power. When he fired, the bullet was wrapped in the same energy and struck Ruciphar squarely in the chest, reopening the very wound that was already there. Instantly, Ruciphar's entire body became engulfed in crimson energy and crackling red lightning, rendering him completely unable to move.
David then turned and stared sharply at Banasphate. That demon became frightened once again after witnessing his former master's condition.
"Put him inside your body! I don't want to hear his voice ever again!" David ordered.
Banasphate was momentarily stunned by the command, but he quickly obeyed. He flew toward Ruciphar, who remained immobilized by the crimson energy, and opened his mouth wide. Purple flames enveloped Ruciphar's body. Beginning from his feet, every part of him was drawn into Banasphate. Ruciphar cried out in agony, and the screams abruptly ceased the moment the last part of his body disappeared into Banasphate.
The demon fell silent for a moment. Then the scenery around them erupted with violet lightning crashing against itself. The purple flames engulfing Banasphate blazed even more fiercely as he floated into the air, transforming into a much larger form. Not only that, but his teeth became sharper, and jagged spikes grew wildly from his bones around his forehead and eye sockets. Banasphate then floated toward David.
"I have carried out your command, My Lord..." His voice had also changed, becoming much deeper and thunderous. Glynpatra and Sherubiel instinctively clung to each other, their bodies trembling with fear.
"We're going back," David said as he walked toward the portal. The others followed him out, with Banasphate being the last to leave. As soon as they emerged, Banasphate floated into position beside Azkerath and Turgash.
"Lord David... from this moment on, you are the true master of this realm. We are merely your pawn. We'll be ready to carry out your commands whenever you desire!" Banasphate declared.
Everyone except David looked at the three most powerful giant demons with a mixture of awe and fear, for they were truly kneeling before David.
"I won't rule this place! The three of you will govern! And remember one thing! If any of you ever cross the line, I'll come to deal with it!" David warned.
"Very well. Thank you, Lord David. We'll always remember your words." Turgash replied.
David walked over to Mendicore. "We're going to Grivendal now."
Suddenly, Gruzhnil, followed by Glynpatra, approached David.
"Oh... Lord David, first of all, thank you for protecting us throughout our journey here. But there's something I need to tell you now. I once mentioned to you that Grivendal is in terrible condition after that bloody civil conflict. I'm not sure the energy we still possess is enough to restore it. However, if we could produce the Element of Desire again, we would certainly be able to overcome this problem. Unfortunately, all the dreadstones we used to create it were lost back then, my Lord," Gruzhnil said pleadingly.
David glanced around at the countless black stones scattered across the area, then looked back at Gruzhnil with a quiet grunt. After that, he walked toward the three demons whom he had appointed as the new rulers of Hell.
"I want to take some of these stones."
"Please, take as many as you like, Lord! We have no need for those dreadstones!" Azkerath replied.
David then instructed Mendicore once again to create a portal to Grivendal. Gruzhnil gave directions for the portal to open directly into the mining division at the main military base. Once the portal had formed, Gruzhnil and Glynpatra stepped through it. David, Sherubiel, and Mendicore simply waited beside the portal. David folded his arms and occasionally glanced toward the three demons, who still had not moved from where they stood.
After some time, numerous people accompanied by Gruzhnil and Glynpatra, emerged from the portal carrying mining equipment. Every miner froze in place upon seeing the three gigantic demons. Gruzhnil assured them there was nothing to fear and instructed them to begin mining as many Dreadstones as they could carry.
"If you ever need more of those stones, just come back here!" Banasphate said.
Gruzhnil, Glynpatra, and the other miners stared at him in astonishment upon hearing such generosity from a demon lord.
"T-Thank you, Lord Banasphate. I also want to apologize for mocking you earlier..." Glynpatra said. Banasphate merely chuckled softly and told her not to worry about it.
After mining a considerable amount of dreadstones, everyone began leaving Hell through the same portal, with David remaining until the very end. Just as he was about to step through it, Banasphate called out to him.
"My Lord, if you meet Johann, please give him my regards! I hope we'll meet again someday." Banasphate said with a faint smile.
David gave a slight grin before stepping into the portal, leaving the three demons behind.