Chapter 12: Unwinnable battle

"It seems you do not know the gravity of the words you speak, human"

'I already got what I needed, no need to waste any more time'

Elias stood up and dusted off his knee, "You're right, I do not and I apologize for speaking without thinking. I take back my proposal.

I wouldn't want to end up with someone with such a temper. Thanks for helping me dodge a bullet, I appreciate it" he said, wiping off fake sweat off his brow

"What?! You insolent insect! How dare you!!" The entire throne room began to tremble at the sound of Ira's voice

Ira instantly appeared in front of Elias, she placed her hand on his face, "When you find yourself in hell, make sure to remember that you died for no reason"

Internally Elias was in turmoil, he was scared beyond belief. He was standing face to face with the ferocious Ira, if his plan were to fail, then there was definitely no way he was going to live to see the next day.

He swallowed hard and pushed down his fears, he squeezed his brow together and put on the most nonchalant expression he could make, "I guess lord Beraga was right, you are really nothing more than a raging flame that should be put out as soon as possible"

Ira froze for a second, then she dropped her hand, "Did you just say…Beraga?"

Ira clenched her jaw tightly and ground her teeth together, "That makes sense, you are a subordinate of that pest. I should have known, given how you are so insolent and full of yourself, I am going to enjoy killing you.

My only regret would be that fact that I won't be able to see the look on that cocky bastard's face when I send your head to him"

Elias maintained composure, not wavering in front of Ira's threat, "Go ahead, kill me. It will be your loss as you will lose your opportunity to get the upper hand over my lord"

Ira raised an inquisitive brow, "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, now you'll listen?"

"Tch, just speak"

"Very well. My lord Beraga has decided to challenge you to a one-on-one duel, the winner takes all. Their realm, their names, their right to live, their very essence of existence; their 'core'" Elias paused for dramatic effect, and also because he was waiting for Ira to bite on the bait he had tossed her

Ira's expression changed to a curious one, "He said that? Beraga? He mentioned the 'core'"

'Yes, she took the bait'

Elias' plan was simple, first, he had to lure Ira in with something she couldn't resist and that was Beraga's 'core'.

The core is a part that only the demon kings possess, it is a part of them that contains the essence of their existence, their information, and everything that makes up their being. If anyone was in possession of it, they could rewrite the existence of a demon king anyhow they see fit. No demon king would casually wager their core, it was an irresistible offer

Ira and Beraga had a history already, based on the knowledge Elias had from Arcane Days, Ira the demon king of wrath and Beraga the demon king of pride were always at each other's throats.

Ira disliked Beraga because of his prideful nature and how he always looked down on her, and Beraga disliked Ira because of her temper, he felt that she was no different from a wild beast due to her lack of control whenever she got angry and wrathful.

The paper-thin line that separated Beraga and Ira from being flat-out enemies was the fact that they served the same king. Elias was going to use this to win an unwinnable battle.

"Haha, that bastard has finally given in. For years on end I have challenged him to battle, to settle our differences once and for all, and each time he shamelessly declined like the coward that he was.

Just what has gotten into him to make him propose a challenge now? Somehow, I smell there is foul play at work here, something doesn't seem quite right" Ira spoke to herself

'Damn it! She's starting to calm down and think rationally. This plan won't work if she's calm, time for the next step'

"Lord Beraga asked me to read you a letter, and attached to the letter is a contract, that states that you agreed to the fight in case the Nether king should get involved"

"Letter? What letter?"

'Got you!'

The second part of Elias' plan was to use Ira's temper against her. He needed to make Ira as angry as possible because there was no way his plan was going to work if she was in a calm state.

Elias cleared his throat and brought out a rolled-up sheet of paper, he unfurled the paper, " Let me begin:

To the Inferior Demon King of Wrath, It is with great amusement that I, the Demon King of Pride, write to you.

Your outbursts and pathetic attempts at challenging me have provided endless entertainment.

Your so-called "wrath" is nothing more than a tantrum, a child's fit compared to the true power I wield.

I have heard whispers that you still harbor dreams of besting me, of proving your supposed superiority. How quaint.

I challenge you, if you dare, to sign the enclosed contract. Prove to me that you are not just all rage and bluster

This contract will bind us in a contest of strength and will, one that you are destined to lose.

But, I suppose, it might give you a fleeting hope of redemption. Of course, I do not expect you to understand the complexity of such a document. Your brute force is no match for the subtlety and intellect required to decipher its true nature.

But go ahead, sign it. Show me and the other demon kings that you are willing to step up, even if it means your inevitable humiliation.

With condescending regard, Beraga" Elias readout

Of course, there was nothing written on the paper, Elias simply made everything up in other to get Ira worked up, and it worked.

Ira was fuming mad, the way the air around her grew hotter, and the seething expression she had on her face, Elias could tell.

"Bring me that letter. I'll show that proud insect what true strength means" She said, forcing out her words between clenched teeth.

'Bingo! I have her exactly where I want her to be'

"Here," Elias presented the paper to Ira

Ira snatched the paper out of his hands, she tore out a tiny piece of her thumb, just enough to let it bleed and then she pressed her thumb against the paper, cementing her blood signature.

[The Demon king of wrath has signed off on the binding contract, she is now bound to you. Your will has become her will]

She threw the paperback at Elias, "Take it to your master and tell him to get prepared to hand over his core"

Elias picked up the crumpled paper and smoothed it, suddenly he burst out in an uncontrollable laughing fit.

"What is so funny?" Ira asked

Elias continued laughing for a while before stopping, "I can't believe it worked, you signed the contract. You belong to me now!"

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I can't believe I got the Demon king of Wrath to sign a binding contract! This has to be some kind of achievement "

"Binding contract? What are you talking about? You're pissing me off

Well, I don't need you alive, once Beraga notices that you didn't return to him, then he'll know I've agreed to his terms. Now die!"

Ira charged at Elias with an outstretched arm that threatened to rip his head off his shoulder.

"Kneel" Elias commanded calmly, and as if being controlled by an unknown force, Ira involuntarily dropped to her knees

[ Bonded Name: Ira

Binding progress: 2%]