Chapter 521: Territory: One for All, All For One

Damian frowned as he continued examining the strange world surrounding them. Nothing appeared different at first glance, yet that was precisely what made the situation unsettling. There were no mountains, no capital, no armies and no civilians, only an endless expanse that seemed to exist solely for the two of them.

Damian slowly turned his head in different directions, but there was nowhere to hide and nothing else to use as cover. It felt as though the entire world had been stripped away until only he and Dantalion remained, leaving Damian completely exposed to whatever the ancient Duke intended to unleash.

"For an abomination like Dantalion, it’s only natural his capabilities are unusual." Abel’s voice suddenly rang inside Damian’s mind, causing him to blink in surprise.

Damian had expected to be completely cut off from his spirit beasts the moment Dantalion’s Territory enclosed him. Normally, once a Domain or Territory completely separated its target from the outside world, unsummoned spirit beasts could no longer communicate with their master.

Yet the Abyssal spirit beasts appeared to be an exception to that rule. The connection between Damian and Abel remained intact despite the Territory surrounding them, another indication of how fundamentally different the Abyssal inheritance was from ordinary powers.

"Duke Dantalion is the epitome of perfection as he is able to embody the inheritance and power of all demon races. For that reason, his Territory creates a balanced world like ours but allows him to draw out the full power of each element or resource bound to the face he wears. Consider this as just tripling his already insane power. It has no unique effect like other Domains but it’s far more powerful by every standard." Abel explained calmly.

Damian’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. "And let me guess, he is only able to summon a Territory because just like Racheal, Ruby and Hazel, he is close to the God realm and has gained access to the power of divinity."

"Of course." Abel agreed immediately. "And remember, attacks that come with divinity are critical and even take longer than usual to heal. I recommend you rely on my strength to deal with this. The anomaly inheritance will serve us a great deal in our journey."

Damian silently nodded, his frown deepening. Whenever the Abyss recommended that he rely on its strength, it was rarely because the enemy was ordinary.

The Abyss had never encouraged him to draw upon it without reason, and Dantalion was clearly different from every opponent Damian had fought since awakening his inheritance. Damian’s thoughts immediately turned toward the throne of power.

"Can I win without drawing the faith of the people with the throne of power?" he asked inwardly.

His concern was justified. The Abyss had already made it clear that defeating Lazarus would require Damian to combine its strength with the boost provided by the throne of power simply to bridge the enormous difference between them.

Dantalion was not a God, but he stood dangerously close to that realm and could already imbue his attacks with divinity.

Damian was not foolish enough to assume that the difference between them could simply be overcome through confidence. He knew from experience how difficult advancement became once someone reached the demigod realm. Dantalion’s current level represented centuries of cultivation and experience, a gap that could not be erased through a few breakthroughs.

"Of course, but considering the veteran enemy before us, I can tell you for certain it will be difficult and you will get hurt from this conflict." Abel answered confidently.

A small smile tugged at Damian’s lips.

Across from him, Duke Dantalion noticed the expression immediately. His eyes narrowed as he watched Damian smile despite everything he had just explained. "Even now you are still ignorant." Dantalion hissed, venom dripping from his voice.

Damian slowly shook his head and pushed his hair backward. "I’m sorry to say this, mighty Duke but in this regard you are the one who is ignorant!"

Dantalion’s expression twisted, but before he could respond, Damian continued, his voice carrying an unmistakable confidence.

"Think about it. Defeating Bathin just a month into awakening my inheritance... Killing Haborym a month later... Defeating Kaizer a year later, effortlessly slaughtering the pillars of your puny Order, despite just waking up from a decade long slumber and finally storming Cinderfall and rescuing a treasonous dragon with a death sentence... Do you really think I was capable of doing all of this with my measly Lust inheritance?"

Buzz!

Dantalion’s frown disappeared almost instantly.

For the first time since entering the Territory, genuine surprise appeared across his many faces. The ancient Duke’s expression slowly became thoughtful as he processed Damian’s words. He had obviously known about Damian’s accomplishments, but he had interpreted them through the lens of the Lust inheritance.

Now, with Damian openly claiming that another power had been responsible for the impossible feats he had accomplished, Dantalion began reconsidering everything he thought he knew about the young Prince.

His numerous eyes eventually focused on Damian again, their previous arrogance replaced by sharp curiosity. "Show me this secret of yours... I will be the judge of that!"

Damian chuckled mockingly as he stretched out his hand. "Gladly."

His eyes suddenly turned pitch black.

Darkness began oozing from Damian’s body, spreading across his skin like living shadows. The air around him became heavier as the demonic force within his body surged, and Dantalion watched closely as the first pieces of black armor began forming across Damian’s body.

One plate appeared over his chest, followed by another over his shoulders, then his arms, legs and back. Each piece locked into place with unnatural precision until Damian’s entire body had been transformed into the armored form of an ancient Dark Knight.

"Infernal Transformation: Dark Knight Physiology!"

The transformation continued as the final armor plates sealed themselves around Damian’s body. A dark helmet formed over his head, completely concealing his face, while his neck suddenly erupted in crimson flames. The flames wrapped around his throat and shoulders before gradually solidifying into a crimson scarf that fluttered behind him despite the absence of wind.

Duke Dantalion’s eyes widened further.

He could feel the difference immediately.

This was not merely another transformation. The power radiating from Damian had fundamentally changed, and beneath that power was something far older and more terrifying than the Lust inheritance he had expected.

Damian slowly raised his hand, and pitch black flames erupted from his palm. They twisted violently around his arm before condensing into the shape of a massive black greatsword covered in glowing crimson runes. The weapon’s presence alone caused the empty Territory to tremble slightly.

Damian tightened his grip around the greatsword and raised his helmeted face toward Dantalion. When he finally spoke, his voice was no longer entirely his own. It was ten times deeper, layered with several overlapping voices that echoed throughout the Territory.

"Now... Tell Me, Mighty Duke.... Which One Of Us Is Ignorant!"