Chapter 207: Hell -3

"Ha, looks like I will have to step things up," I say, hovering off the ground. The sheer number of flying demons swarming above and Zannarth's imposing presence make it clear my earlier move won't be enough this time.

A grin spreads across my face as an idea strikes. "I have been meaning to try something new."

"Holy Sword!" I command, pushing my palm forward.

The white flames erupting from my hand begin to coalesce, taking form. In seconds, a pulsing blade of pure fire materializes before me, floating in the air.

"Cool," I mutter with a smirk, gripping the Flame Sword in my hand. It feels as solid as steel, though it's made entirely of flames. Magic is weird like that—impossible and utterly fascinating all at once.

The sword pulses and shines brighter, as if reacting to the demonic entities drawing closer. "Don't worry," I say, holding the blazing weapon in my right hand . "There is plenty of you to cleanse here." In my left hand, white flames flicker to life, crackling with intensity.

"Yes, Father, the girl I told you about is down in this valley."

A loud, haughty female voice echoes from above the valley. My smirk vanishes as recognition hits. Mephista.

Just as I realise who she was talking to, an invisible, dreadful pressure begins to blanket the valley. The oppressive darkness thickens, pressing down on everything around me. Even my Flame Sword shrinks, dimming until it's no longer a sword but a dagger. The white flames in my left hand vanish entirely, snuffed out as if they had never existed.

The demons that had been charging towards me falter, their snarls replaced by strained groans. One by one, they collapse to their knees, including the hulking Zannarth, his massive frame trembling as his legs buckle under the overwhelming force.

I don't feel the same physical pressure they do, but the malice saturating the air is suffocating. The very darkness around me feels alive, writhing like tendrils of pure hatred. Quickly and silently, I move towards Raven. The shield I had placed around her has vanished, dissipating without a trace.

"Oh, what an interesting young man we have here."

A sweet, charming male voice whispers in my ear, sending a chill down my spine. I whip my head around, but there is no one nearby. The voice wasn't spoken in the unfamiliar demonic language Mephista and the others used earlier—it was clear, perfect American English.

"And that is the thief I told you about."

My gaze shifts upwards as Mephista descends into the valley. The red-skinned beauty, her wicked grin as sharp as her glowing eyes, floats gracefully towards the ground. Behind her, I spot Grayfia, her expression unreadable as she silently follows in her maid uniform, head bowed.

The flying demons that once swarmed the skies are nowhere to be seen. The sky itself has turned an ominous shade of red, the colour deepening as the seconds tick by.

The gears in my mind keep turning fast. I had suspected that Mephista might call in her 'big bad devil daddy' if pushed too far, but I had hoped she would back off after being just sent away earlier. Clearly, she wasn't willing to risk Raven falling into Satana's hands. I also still have no idea where Satana had been teleported to, but the thought of her involvement made my situation even more complicated.

Well, what's done is done. I had prepared a contingency plan for this scenario, though I am far from certain it will work.

"Well, my daughter," came that smooth, disembodied voice again, "Why don't you let the young man speak? I am quite curious to hear his explanation for entering my realm. After all, it's not every day that a living soul dares to walk into Hell uninvited."

I hear the same smooth voice, but its source remains unseen. Both Mephista and Grayfia, however, have stopped their descent, hovering above Raven and me as their piercing gazes lock onto us.

"Mr. Satan," I say, flashing a charming smile, readying myself to activate one of my powers. The plan was incredibly risky, but it might buy me some time. With exaggerated flair, I spread my arms wide. "I have traveled to this hellish realm… to ask for your daughter's hand in marriage!" I deliver the bold proclamation with a cheeky smirk, my eyes fixed on the red-skinned beauty above.

Mephista's jaw practically hit the floor. "WHAT?!" she exclaims, her voice filled with disbelief. Her fiery orange eyes widens as she points at me. "You want to marry me?"

Behind her, even the stoic Grayfia's expression cracks, her eyes widening ever so slightly.

"Absolutely," I say, leaning into the absurdity. A cheeky smirk crosses my face as my eyes shamelessly roams over Mephista's figure with an exaggerated expression of naked lust. "From the moment I first laid eyes on you, your devilish charm captivated me. Your horns, your crimson skin… and especially that red-hot body. I just can't get enough of it." I lick my lips dramatically as my gaze lands on her exposed breasts, daring her fury to erupt.

"HOW DARE YOU SPEW SUCH FILTH, MORTAL!" Mephista roars, her fiery eyes now blazing like twin infernos. Her wings snap open as she launches herself towards me, fists wreathed in hellfire.

Despite her rage, my smile didn't falter. My muscles tense as I prepare to grab her mid-flight and activate Personal Anti-Power. But before I could make my move—

"Wait, my dear daughter," the smooth voice interjects.

Mephista freezes mid-air, her body suspended against her will. She thrashes briefly, then glares down at me with seething hatred.

"Let me first have a little chat with my wannabe son-in-law," the voice adds, dripping with amusement.

My confident facade remains intact, but internally, I am screaming every curse I can think of. The original plan—to kidnap Mephista and bargain for a deal to leave this hellish realm with Raven in exchange for his daughter—has gone up in flames. As my mind races for an escape route, I weigh the risks of opening a portal right now, but before I could act, the air in front of me shimmers.

The oppressive darkness of the valley dissolves like smoke, replaced by the warm glow of an antique wooden room. It was out of place, impossibly serene amid the chaos I had just been engulfed in.

"I hope I haven't arrived too late, my disciple."

The soothing, familiar voice fills my mind. Relief and disbelief surges through me as teacher steps through the portal that had materialized before me. Her back was to me, her poised figure radiating calm authority, while her sharp gaze remains locked forward.

In that moment, all the dread and malice of the valley melts away. I feel as if I am floating on air.

Her hands glow with radiant energy, forming a circular, golden-yellow disk that pulses with concentrated mana, its intricate patterns shimmering like a living spell.

"Ancient One?" The male voice booms aloud this time, cutting through the oppressive darkness. The very realm seems to react, the ground trembling as the crimson sky roars in response.

'Go. Get into the portal. I will handle things here,' teacher's calm and unhurried voice resonates in my mind.

"Mr. Satan," I say quickly, turning towards the unseen figure, "It looks like my teacher has arrived. She will handle the specifics of my marriage to your daughter!" Without missing a beat, I grab the unconscious Raven with my Psychokinesis. "Ladies, I will be back for you two lovely beauties—wait for me patiently!" I blow a playful kiss towards Mephista, whose furious glare practically burns through me, and Grayfia, whose puzzled expression falters for the briefest moment.

A devilish laugh echoes behind me, rich and mocking, shaking the very fabric of the air. "Hahaha! Have you come to entertain me again, Ancient One? Very well. Come, let us resume our fight!"

The laughter grows louder, ringing in my ears as I step through the shimmering portal, leaving the chaotic scene—and the enraged daughter of Satan—behind.