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10 Years Later
A lot had happened in the past ten years.
Bordeaux had officially surpassed Blanc in strength after years of constant fighting. At this point, he was someone truly close to the power of the Black Primordial, Noir
Bordeaux could now be considered the third strongest Primordial.
Speaking of Noir, Bordeaux's battles with him in the Underworld had become legendary. In the last decade, they had fought no less than three hundred times, and every battle after the fiftieth had ended in a draw.
Two hundred and fifty draws with Noir. Granted Noir got bored after the 50th and didn't take the fights as seriously, but it was still a great feat.
Those constant, brutal fights were one of the main reasons Bordeaux's strength had skyrocketed so much in such a short time. Everyone in the Underworld now knew the name Bordeaux. Countless demons seeking notoriety or a shortcut to fame had challenged him over the years, only to be swatted away like they were nothing but minor annoyances.
As for his siblings, his relationship with Blanc had only deepened. Any lust Bordeaux once had toward her had completely vanished; he saw her entirely as an older sister now. He went to her for advice, guidance, and anything else that weighed on him.
Violet and Juane, on the other hand, did not have the comfort of Blanc. They hated the fact that Bordeaux, who was millennia younger than them, was also stronger than them. For ten years straight, both attempted to beat him into submission. Of course, Bordeaux was far too strong for either one individually, so whenever they were about to lose, they simply fled so they could not get embarrassed by being beaten by their younger brother.
At one point, the two even teamed up to try to overwhelm him, but even then the result was the same.
Now, ten years later, Bordeaux sat atop some ancient ruins with his old friend Agera, who was probably his only friend since reincarnating. Venom and Bordeaux couldn't be described as friends as he also had never met him again since the first time they met.
And most probably the reason why it was easy to become friends with Agera is because he was once human. Normal demons don't create bonds such as friendship. They are not designed for such.
Between Bordeaux and Agera was a bottle of luxury wine taken from Violet's luxury collection. Wine Bordeaux had taken after "borrowing" it during an uninvited visit. He made these visits ever so often.
Agera took a long, satisfied sip and exhaled. "It's crazy how much stronger you've become in less than fifteen years."
Bordeaux rested back with a shrug. "Really? I don't feel that I've gotten that strong."
Agera clicked his tongue. "You're not as funny as you think you are, you know, Bordeaux."
Bordeaux burst into a loud laugh. "But it's true! I can count several people on both of my hands that could still probably defeat me."
Agera scoffed. "Like who? I just cannot imagine you losing to anyone in the Underworld." He took another sip and hummed softly. "My goodness, this is some good stuff. Juane-sama doesn't have any wine, so having this is incredibly satisfying."
Bordeaux motioned to the bottle. "Drink up, my friend. Drink more. I can get more of these anytime I want."
Agera chuckled. "Are you sure Violet just gifts you these? For some reason, I find that very hard to believe."
Bordeaux was about to respond when a sudden pulling force tugged at him.
His expression flattened. "Ah!⌠It seems I'm getting summoned again."
Agera blinked. "Huh!? You're getting summoned? You? How!?"
"Yes," Bordeaux said, standing. "It seems the summoner knows a very high-level summoning circle."
"A summoning circle capable of summoning a Primordial, huh⌠Are you going?"
Bordeaux grinned. "Of course. I'm interested in what exactly I'm being summoned for."
Agera clicks his tongue and says, "Leaving me to drink alone just to satisfy your curiosity. What a terrible friend you are.
---
Moments earlier.
The Cardinal World
The moon was red. Everything around was black. A body lay on the ground, barely clinging to life. Next to that body was a woman, bruised, smeared with blood, and shaking as she drew a summoning circle with her own blood. These two women were clearly twins.
"You will pay for this," she whispered. "You will pay for this. That demon⌠I swear I will make you pay for this."
With trembling hands, she completed the summoning circle. She slammed both palms onto the blood-soaked ground.
"Come to me."
The ground rumbled.
"Come to me! Please!"
The summoning circle ignited, burning a deep maroon. Flames shot upward, spiraling wildly as stones lifted into the air. The maroon fire curved, folded, and twisted until it formed a floating oval of spiraling light.
The woman smiled through her tears.
The fire dispersed and from within stepped a demon wearing a smug grin, a pristine maroon suit, curious maroon eyes, black gloves and shoes, and an expression twisted with cruel curiosity.
That demon was Bordeaux.
The Maroon Primordial.
He floated gently downward until his feet touched the ground.
Then, in a voice he had practiced for years, he spoke:
"Who dares summon me to such a lowly place?"
The woman screamed desperately, "If you will grant my wish, I don't care if you are a demon! You can have my soul, so please! so please! Make them⌠make themâ!"
Tears streamed down her face. Bordeaux did not show it outwardly, but he was momentarily taken aback.
That statementâŚ
Why did it sound so familiar? And why did this girl look so familiar.
He brushed the thought aside and replied, "Very well. This does sound interesting. I will grant your wish. It beats being stuck in the Underworld anyway."
The woman pushed herself upright. "Thank you. And for your paymentâ"
She then proceeded to collapse.
Bordeaux smiled as he leaned down over her. He then licked his lips.
"Delicious. What emotions. Two souls, huh�" His grin widened, almost manic. "Because of this amazing taste, I will do you a great service."
He then lifted both bodies effortlessly.
"That said, this is barely enough to have as much fun as I desire. I'll just borrow these souls of yours for some time⌠and go find more."
It was then that it fully clicked.
He finally remembered where he had seen these girls and why that desperate plea had sounded so familiar.
The Silver WingsâŚ
He chuckled.
He had taken Noir's place in Episode 24 of Season 1 of Tensura,
"Black and the Mask."
He looked toward the horizon.
"Shizue Izawa," he murmured. "We are close to meeting, aren't we? Besides that,it's been a while since I've been to the Cardinal World. I shall enjoy it to the fullest."
Then he teleported away.