Chapter 27: The King's Banquet – Gateway of the Nobles
The city behind them was nothing more than a memory. The debris and ash still filled the sky, yet Rin and Mr. X now stood at the foot of Princess Mazah's tower. The tower loomed tall, clad in black and red that shimmered as if alive. Its doors were surrounded by glowing magical sigils, and every step on the ground echoed like a faint warning.
Rin took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the Second Grimoire in his hand. Every previous blow, every struggle, every loss he had endured… every tear he had held back… all had led to this moment.
> Rin: "I have to save her… no matter the cost."
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Part 1: Battle Inside the Tower
Upon entering the tower, the guards' energy surged toward him like relentless waves, their bodies marked with glowing red sigils. Each guard launched spells at Rin, but his movements were sharp and precise; he absorbed, reflected, or stole each wave of energy to strengthen his body and spirit.
The power he had stolen from the beast using the Grimoire had matured. Every strike from the guards fueled him, every attack turned into a counter.
The corridors were filled with mechanical and magical traps: ceilings that suddenly shifted, pillars that shot up to crush intruders, red leaves writhing like serpents—but nothing could stop him.
> Rin (whispering): "Focus… there's no room for mistakes."
He reached the main chamber, where Princess Mazah was encircled by pulsating red energy. The three elite guards protecting her charged with their massive weapons. One attacked with a sword infused with raw energy. Rin dodged, dismantled the guard's defenses using the stolen power, and sent him flying, moving swiftly to the next.
> Guard: "How… is this possible?"
Rin: "It's not impossible… it's just precise energy calculation."
Finally, the energy barriers surrounding the princess began to crack under the combined force of the Grimoire and Rin's precise control. The red glow dimmed and gradually collapsed, until the room returned to normal light.
> Princess Mazah: "Did… you do it?"
Rin (with a faint smile): "Yes… you are free now."
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Part 2: Escape from the Tower
Before any guard could catch their breath, a dark humming echoed from outside. The rear gates of the tower swayed, on the verge of collapse. Rin grabbed the princess's hand and raced toward the exit—the battle was far from over.
> Rin: "Hold my hand tightly! Every step matters!"
Princess Mazah: "I trust you… please, don't let them catch us!"
The pursuing guards used shadow magic, shaking the ground and warping the walls. Rin unleashed every ounce of stolen energy, sending counter waves, and shattered the floor beneath the guards to slow them down. Every moment was tense; every step calculated.
After a long struggle, they reached the tower's upper garden, where a small magical aircraft awaited, prepared earlier by Mr. X.
> Mr. X (shouting from afar): "Get on! Before everything collapses!"
Rin lifted the princess, leaped onto the aircraft. The final jump was heavy with energy, but the Second Grimoire ensured their survival. A final explosion illuminated the sky as the tower crumbled entirely behind them.
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Part 3: The Royal Banquet
After the rescue, they arrived at the Demon Royal Palace. The gateway before them was massive, engraved with ancient runes, glowing with dark, majestic energy. Guards flanking the corridors stood like living statues, their yellow eyes gleaming, every movement deliberate, every step monitored.
Inside the grand hall, the seven noble houses sat in their places, each representing a noble family:
1. Crimson Flame
2. Black Shadows
3. White Bones
4. Blue Ice
5. Golden Sand
6. Storms
7. The Depths
> Rin (whispering to Mr. X): "Each house has its own magic… their eyes are on us."
Mr. X: "Exactly… and no one acts recklessly here."
Princess Mazah sat beside the king, her eyes following Rin with admiration and gratitude. The king rose slowly, his piercing gaze tracking every motion.
> King: "I've heard of your courage… of how you saved the princess. I wish to know more about you."
Rin bowed respectfully, while the nobles of the seven houses exchanged glances filled with challenge, curiosity, or suspicion.
> Rin: "I am but a soldier… I did nothing without orders."
Princess Mazah (softly): "Yet you did… and that is enough."
A small but warm smile touched Rin's heart. He hadn't felt such a feeling in months.
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Part 4: Exploring the Demon World
Mr. X whispered:
> "Focus… this is not just a banquet. Everything here is tied to the full system of the demon world. Every move, every word… is being observed."
Rin noticed:
Every movement of the guards interacted with energy; the hall itself seemed to breathe. The sigils on the nobles' robes symbolized power and control. Laws were strict: any violation meant immediate punishment, potentially death. Magic was not merely strength—it was a tool for maintaining political dominance.
Princess Mazah noticed Rin's attention and said:
> "You are unlike anyone I've ever seen… nothing escapes your notice."
Mr. X smiled:
> "This is the demon world… everything is calculated… every mistake is followed."
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Part 5: Tension and Threats
As the banquet continued, Rin noticed a subtle movement: one noble touched a small dagger, eyes fixed on the princess. Rin showed no reaction, but recorded every detail.
The king observed him carefully, the princess beside him, while the nobles exchanged glances. The tension was palpable—every motion under scrutiny, every word evaluated.
> Rin (whispering to Mr. X): "It seems the intrigues have already begun."
Mr. X: "Exactly… and we must be ready for everything."
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Chapter 28: Shadows' Conspiracy – The Extended Battle
After the demon warriors stormed into the hall, the atmosphere became unbearably tense. Every noble of the Seven Demon Houses observed from their seats, while Princess Mazah's eyes were filled with worry.
Rin stood firm, the Second Grimoire glowing in his right hand, his energy beginning to radiate. The weight of responsibility pressed down on him, yet he was determined to protect the princess at all costs.
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The Assault Begins
The first attack came from the tallest warrior, clad in heavy black armor, his sword extending over two meters.
Rin stepped forward, pivoted to the side to dodge the blade, and raised his left hand to generate a shadow barrier, absorbing the strike.
The clash of sword against energy echoed through the hall, the sword rebounding violently, barely missing a nearby column.
> Rin (calmly): "Your first strike will not be your last mistake."
He lunged forward with unexpected speed, his right fist smashing into the attacker's chest. A wave of dark crimson energy erupted like a miniature internal explosion, sending the warrior tumbling several meters, his scream mingling with the ringing clash of metal.
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Counterattack
Three other warriors tried to surround Rin.
One fired shadow-infused arrows, leaving trails of black smoke in the air.
Rin leapt high, spinning midair, smashing the arrows with his bare hands. The energy absorbed the arrows and transformed them into blazing streaks of fire, reducing the stone floor beneath to ash.
> Mr. X (whispering): "Be careful… they can disrupt your mind."
Rin landed, rapidly manipulating the Grimoire, symbols spinning in a whirl around him. Shadow energy surged into his body, enhancing his speed and strength as he launched his counterattack.
His fist collided with another warrior's shoulder, the impact sounding like iron slamming into the hall itself. The warrior was sent flying into the wall. With a single motion, two more discovered that every strike from Rin stole a portion of their dark power, transforming it into his own.
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The Final Strike
The last warrior, their commander, roared with terrifying power, leaping into the air, his sword blazing with darkness.
Rin took a deep breath, concentrating all the stolen energy into his fist. Dark crimson energy coalesced, forming a destructive wave.
He dashed forward at unimaginable speed, striking the commander's sword directly with his force. A colossal explosion shattered the air, shaking the walls of the hall.
> Princess Mazah (astonished): "Rin…!"
The commander was thrown back, his wings fading, his screams vanishing as his body disintegrated into black ash.
Rin exhaled deeply, his hand trembling slightly from the exertion, but he stood confidently beside the princess.
> Rin (with a commanding, fearless tone): "You'll have to kill me before you even touch her."
( To be continued…)
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