In the dark cave, the walls were covered with blade scars. The ground was uneven, marked with dry patches of blood. The air hung thick with the stench of sweat and iron, as if a brutal battle had taken place moments ago.
Clank!
Hades's spear clashed with his clone's spear. Another clone suddenly feinted from behind, but Hades sidestepped with ease, creating distance.
One clone charged at him with relentless aggression. Hades met him head-on, only for another clone to whip a chain around his ankle and yank hard.
Thud!
Hades slammed to the ground. The clone seized the chance, jumped high to gain advantage, and hurled its spear straight at Hades's head with incredible force.
Swish!
The spear cut through the air. Hades jerked his head aside just in time, though the blade grazed his chin, black blood dripping down.
He retaliated instantly, throwing his own spear toward the defenseless midair attacker. The weapon struck true, piercing the clone, which collapsed into a pool of black liquid.
But the assault didn't end. The chain-bound Hades was swung in a brutal circular arc, smashing into the cave walls. Stone chips scattered as each impact cracked the rock. He gritted his teeth, strained against the chain, and finally snapped it apart.
The force still sent him careening into a wall, the collision cracking bones in various places and forcing blood from his mouth. Wiping it away, Hades wrapped the broken chain around his arm and dropped into a boxing stance.
The clone discarded the broken chain, gripping its spear once more. It lunged. Hades blocked with his chain-wrapped forearm, then drove a heavy punch into the clone's face.
The battle narrowed to quick slashes and sudden counters. Hades either dodged or redirected each strike, stepping back toward the wall.
When the spear thrust came, he caught the shaft in his chained arm and slammed a punch into the clone's neck. As it choked for breath, he smashed its head with a final blow. The body dissolved into black liquid, then vaporized.
Exhausted, Hades dropped to the ground.
Until then, he had been training with a single clone that matched his skill as it grew alongside him. But victory against one was no longer enough. Then he had begun to fight with two at once, forcing himself into harsher, longer duels. Each clash sharpened his strength, durability, and weapon mastery.
He exhaled deeply.
"I should train more in balance and killing intent sense. But like this… my progress is too slow."
He began to think about a new type of training method that would accelerate his progress.
His eyes fell on a broken spearhead. Inspiration struck.
He touched the ground, and sharp, pointy spikes of equal length erupted across it. Stepping onto them, he felt the sharp points pierce his feet, and blood trickled. He endured the pain, tied a blindfold over his eyes, and summoned more clones.
The training continued.
---
Meanwhile…
In the central lands, rumours spread among the demons about the dukes' generous offer of food and clothes for all, with no conditions. Many, greedy for comfort, flocked toward the dukes' territories, singing their praises and mocking the king's policies.
But some remained. They were either clever enough to suspect the trap behind the bait or familiar with the dukes' cruelty.
Amazel walked into the temple's office, knocking on the door.
"Come in."
Inside, Hecate sat at a desk, glasses perched on her nose, reading reports on duke movements and the geography of the underworld.
"Sit, Amazel."
Amazel took a seat.
"What brings you here?"
"The dukes are offering food and clothes to everyone with no conditions, no rules."
"So?"
"People are leaving and travelling to Duke territory."
"So?"
"So?!" Amazel's brows furrowed. "This is a trap. They're walking into the jaws of wolves and they don't even know it."
"Then let them walk." Hecate turned a page.
Amazel stiffened. "If we let them go, our forces will weaken."
Hecate exhaled slowly, set her glasses down, took a sip of tea and looked her in the eye. "Let me clear this up. Tell me, Amazel… what is the core strength of our side?"
Amazel hesitated, then answered, "You, Lord Hades… Druvak… and… me."
"Correct. Do we need an army to crush the Dukes?"
"…No. Even now, if you wanted, you could do it yourself."
"Exactly. Then why waste resources holding on to dead weight?"
Amazel's lips pressed into a line. "They're still our people. Shouldn't we warn them? Protect them?"
Hecate's gaze sharpened. "If I warn them, they'll think I'm lying to keep them here. They'll call me a tyrant. And when a ruler must explain herself to the masses, she has already lost their trust."
Her tone dropped lower, colder. "Loyalty bought with fear is fragile. Loyalty forged in truth they see with their own eyes is unbreakable. Let the Dukes pamper them. Feed them. Clothe them. Then, when the trap closes and they beg for mercy, they will remember who never lied to them."
Amazel's voice faltered. "And if the Dukes turn them against us?"
Hecate's lips curled faintly. "Then they will break against us like waves against stone. I am not afraid of numbers. I am afraid of rot within the walls."
She leaned back, steepling her fingers. "The ones who stay now. These are the seeds worth watering. Give them more food, more freedom, more challenges. Let them grow sharper than the sheep who left. When the exiles return and see the difference, they will curse their own stupidity and kneel without being asked."
Her eyes narrowed with a glint that made Amazel's spine tingle. "That is how you build a foundation that will outlast centuries, not seasons."
Amazel swallowed. "Lord Hades thinks the same way?"
"Yes. That's why he trains instead of wasting time chasing fools. And you, Druvak, and the others' growth is part of this plan. You are all pieces on the board. Never forget that."
Hecate's expression softened, and she leaned forward enough to pinch Amazel's ear. "But instead of studying strategy and work, you spend your time reading romance novels."
"Oww! Big sis! Not so hard, these ears are delicate!"
"Delicate ears, huh?" Hecate said with a thin smile, "won't hear the sound of daggers until it's too late. Read something useful, or next time, I'll train you again like those days."
Amazel broke into a cold sweat. "I promise, I will study knowledgeable books and help you with work. Please don't start those hellish classes, please big sis."