As Edmond was meandering about in the demon city, the heads of said city were grouped together on their stone thrones.
Abigor, Belphegor, and Caligo were the three presiding rulers of Ashborne City of this demonic realm.
"It seems we have a rather special guest with us at the moment," Abigor began speaking first.
"Indeed. We must first uncover the background of this highborn child and decide whether he can be consumed without any qualms," Belphegor said.
"You cannot seriously be thinking off consuming him already," Caligo was frustrated at her peer's thinking.
"What do you mean? That's a bona fide walking golden goose," Belphegor rebutted.
"A golden goose would lay the treasure. This guy is the treasure itself Belphegor. But it would be a waste to simply consume him outright," Abigor spoke up.
"What are you thinking in that sick mind of yours?" Belphegor knew the twisted personality that his compatriot possessed and grew curious.
"I've heard tales that some of the highborn possess a high rate of regeneration and thus make the perfect cattle amongst us looking to develop our foundations."
Caligo was the first to reject that idea, "Yeah? You know what else they say about highborns? They are literally born with abilities that make them a threat to lower-level demons from birth."
"Relax Caligo," Abigor said in a relaxing tone, "They are also born as ignorant as any other demon. We can simply goad him into chains like a lamb to slaughter."
"I'm against it, but seeing the saliva literally pouring from Belphegor's mouth it seems that once again I lose the vote."
Abigor chuckled and said no more; as she said, they would leave it up to a vote to decide their proceedings.
At once, a servant was called to bring Edmond to their castle.
Meanwhile, the subject in question had been sightseeing all the while.
'Hmm. I'm getting more and more accustomed to their language. I don't even need to focus on what's being said to understand it now."
As he grew more familiar with his new life, Edmond found himself at a standstill.
'What should I do now? I'd rather not resort to devouring the entire city so soon."
He mentally sighed as he walked the streets and receiving strange looks from all of the passersby.
Thanks to the obvious scene that followed him as he walked, the servant sent to receive him found him rather quickly.
Edmond suddenly stopped as one of the demons suddenly stood in front of his path.
The demon was dressed in a traditional livery and spoke tersely, "Greetings young highborn. My masters seek your audience."
'Oh! Now how should I go about this?'
Since he could more or less understand the meaning behind the servant's words, Edmond now had the choice of diplomacy.
"I go," he managed to utter to the surprise of the servant.
'He really is newly born. The masters have struck it rich!'
"Then follow me."
He said and proceeded to lead Edmond all the way to the grand castle in the distance.
'Based on the vast difference compared to the last city, these 'masters' must really be on another level compared to the one I absorbed.'
After passing through the rest of the city, they arrived before the doors of the Ashborne Castle.
"Right this way, sir."
The unnamed servant swiftly led Edmond to the center of the castle where the three thrones rose above the ground floor.
"My lords, I have brought the guest as requested," the servant bowed before letting himself out.
'He seems weak based on his physical features. That is not to say he doesn't have any hidden abilities.'
'His body looks tender. If he has advanced regeneration like Abigor brought up, then we will be able to enjoy a nice meal every day from now on.'
'He's cute. Nothing like the meathead and crazy over here. How will we determine if he has an outstanding background?'
Each of the masters had their own first impression based on the appearance of Edmonds demonic form.
His presence failed to affect the trio as much as the lesser demons that had not advanced as far as they had.
That was not to say that he had no effect on them.
'He's the real deal, that's for sure,' Abigor leaned back in his throne as he observed Edmond thoroughly before speaking.
"Welcome to Ashborne City little highborn. My name is Abigor. This is Belphegor and Caligo."
As they were observing him, Edmond too was observing the three in their thrones.
'He seems to be the leader of the group seeing as he spoke up first. The other one gives off the same vibe as the last demon ruler and the female looks to be the wariest of me.'
"Go on," Edmond spoke giving off a sense of superiority as he felt his purgatory flames would be capable of burning through each of the rulers.
'Hmm. He seems to suspect there is something already. He's quite cautious. It might be difficult to make him bend to our rule.'
"We would like to officially welcome you as one of our own unless you already have somewhere under your control?"
'So that's their ploy? Seeking to find out whether I have a backing or not before ruthlessly digging into my flesh.'
'You should preemptively strike them first. Kill and consume them before moving onto the next victims.'
With a shake of his head, Edmond reconfigured his thoughts.
"I have nobody but myself. I will rule over everything starting with you."
As soon as he said so, the three rulers felt fear as shivers went down their spines.
A flame so vile that it made the already hot atmosphere boil their blood erupted from Edmond's hand.
"Refuse die. Resist die. Understand?"
The rulers could not fathom just how dangerous the flames were, but they knew that if a single speck of flame touched them, they would regret it.
Even Belphegor rejected the idea of crossing Edmond at this moment.
'This bastard is even crazier than Abigor! That flame is something only a true demon can conjure.'
"I-I...," while Abigor wanted to reject the threat and divert Edmond's attention to come to a more common ground, he simply could not shake the fear he felt at the intensity of the flame.
"I am willing to surrender," Caligo immediately withdrew all thoughts at contending with the highborn.
"I too surrender."
It was only Abigor who could not utter a word after witnessing the purgatory flames strength.
Taking that as refusal, Edmond did as he said he would and sent a blast of flames towards Abigor who sat trembling in his throne.
"Wai-," before he could finish his words, Abigor was engulfed in the purgatory flame and thoroughly conglomerated into the pure demonic essence the same as before.
Edmond then opened his mouth and consumed the demonic essence.
Upon finishing it all, he shuddered and fell to his knees.
The last time he consumed the essence, he gained new markings on his body and this time, he was reformed from the inside as the markings suffused into his flesh and bones.
This time he was becoming a lot stronger now that a more powerful demon was what he consumed.
Meanwhile, Belphegor and Caligo were stunned in their thrones; fear was just the base of their emotions as confusion and anxiety flooded their being.
This was the first time in their lives that something as gruesome as one of their equals was removed from the face of existence.