The Big Deception
Azazel didn't answer his accusatory question. He sighed, as if to clear his doubts, and continued to sip his drink leisurely.
Emeric wasn't upset at the lack of a response, but walked back over to the table and picked up the glass, from which he never took a single sip.
«That's why I didn't feel like tasting this drink... - Emeric sniffed it lightly, but he couldn't make out any flavor. - You wanted to poison me, didn't you...?
Azazel confirmed his direct accusation with a nod. What would become of him afterward remained untold, but the conflict between them was escalating inexorably.
«Even after all this time, I still underestimated you.....
Azazel's expression changed periodically, as if he couldn't make up his mind about what he was feeling. Now that he'd loosened his grip a little, it was clear that something was wrong with the leader of the Fallen. From anger to despair, from melancholy to determination.
Another picture was already beginning to form in Emerick's mind.
«And I was stupid with Cleria too... - Azazel kept saying something into the void. No, in fact he was, but he wasn't making eye contact. - How did you know she'd managed to steal the King's Figure? Shit!" Azazel threw his glass at the wall, where it shattered into many shards. - Damn Azazel! Just when I'm a little more relaxed, he blurts out something!
Now some of the strange occurrences that happened in conversations with Azazel were coming to Emeric's mind. For example, that moment when he talked about Solomon's artifacts...
«The mask... - Rolled a hunch on his tongue. - Solomon's mask! Then I thought it was strange that you reacted to your disclaimer like that! - The realization of the situation was terrifying. - The real Azazel was trapped in the Mask of Solomon, and you are only his captor...! - Emeric paused and concentrated fully on the impostor. - You're Cockabiel, aren't you?
«Huh," Azazel's laughter began to gain momentum. - Ha-ha-ha! - He laughed like a child. Joyful and surprised. - Kid, you hit the bull's-eye even here! Tell me. - Azazel, or rather Cockabiel in his disguise, began to walk around the room in a bit of a stroll. He didn't come close to him, though. - That's how you do it! One, two and you've got it all figured out! Some of it's pure deduction, some of it's an educated guess, but you're still right! How is that possible?
Emeric only hummed in response:
«The recipe is simple, Cockabielle," the named one seemed even sincerely eager to hear his answer. - Two ascorbics in the morning, an astrology session in the afternoon, and an episode of Sherlock before bed. Repeat after me and you'll be able not only to click intrigue, but newspaper crossword puzzles will take off their underpants in front of you!
«Yeah," Cockabiel summed up and shook his head. - What did I expect? Well," he smiled again. - That's your thing! Charm, isn't it...?
Emeric interrupted his entire would-be monologue:
«Are we still gonna talk about my undeniable awesomeness? Spoiler, especially for old people with a midlife crisis: no words will suffice to describe it... - Emeric also started walking around the room, parallel to Azazel. Like two predators ready to pounce on each other at any moment. - You don't want to make trouble and tell me how to take off the mask?
It's worth a shot, as they say. I think he might have told, judging by his unstable mood.
«Not bad, kid," Cockabiel laughed at him in the guise of Azazel. - But that's the problem! No one can take it off but me! Unless Solomon himself, but he's kind of in a bit of trouble, he's been dead for a few thousand years....
That's bad! This is very bad! Not only can Cockabiel fully utilize all of Azazel's memories and abilities, but he's holding him hostage! If you kill him, there's a good chance you'll hurt the leader of the Fallen. In this case, you can not only say goodbye to the world, but also prepare for a new war!
Emeric sighed in frustration, but began to stretch his neck, thus showing his readiness for battle.
«Well, in that case, I'll just have to knock you out," Emeric began to disperse the demonic energy through his body. - It'll be a headache for those who'll be looking for ways to disconnect you....
Azazel raised his hand. Strangely enough, Emeric stopped. Too strange a premonition visited his mind.
«Sorry, kid, but I'm not going to be your opponent today.... - There's a new energy signal somewhere behind the house. Given the thick barrier, only a fallen man could come in here by direct invitation. - Frankly, I'm curious to see if you can beat Azazel's power, but in favor of the plan, I've invited my new friend here especially for you. By the way," Azazel smiled with anticipation. - He's a mutual acquaintance!
Emeric and Azazel turned in synchrony toward the entrance, where calm, measured footsteps came from. The footsteps of a man who was completely confident in his abilities.
At last the new protagonist came into the light. A familiar red uniform, a powerful figure, and a lock of white hair.
Emeric greeted the new face without much change in expression:
«Greetings, Dichauser," Emeric nodded to his idol.
Eyes full of determination met his.
«Hello, my young friend...
At this point, he should have opened his mouth in shock and bulged his eyes. But...
He expected something like this.
From the very beginning, all events have been talking about exactly this kind of thing.
Cockabiel's search for the King's Figure.
The assassination of Dichauser's younger sister by the Great King.
And most importantly, resigning with the Emperor's ties completely cut off right at this time. What an incredible coincidence that the Emperor disappeared during this mess, isn't it?
Even during his sister's revelation, Emeric realized that he was simply destined to fight Dichauser Belial. Fate itself had pushed them into this conflict, which was why he had been preparing for it all this time. And Emeric knew how to correctly decipher the signs this fickle woman was giving him.
No one thought that he, like a snot-nosed broad, would just spend hours revisiting old photos, did they? Just to bring up old memories of better times?! What do you think he is, some snotty little punk?!
All this time Emeric had been absorbing the knowledge of his likely opponent's abilities. He was preparing himself for a life-or-death battle.
«Well," Azazel clapped his hands and headed for the exit. - I'll leave you to it! Emeric, it's been a pleasure to have such a friend! To be honest, not only Azazel, but I also like you as a person. It's a shame you'll have to die, but it's for a higher purpose. The complete genocide of you demons as a race. Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha!.....
They silently escorted the leader of the Fallen, who immediately teleported somewhere behind the barrier. He was probably going to deal with Sona and his retinue.
Emeric wasn't worried about them. Valerie should be able to hold out long enough for him to finish his task...
«I'm sorry," Emeric spoke first, breaking the awkward pause. - To your sister...
«Don't be, it wasn't your fault," the Emperor covered his eyes. - I was the one who wanted to apologize, for- - Dichauser met him with a determined look. - For what I'm going to have to do ...
«And what do you want to accomplish with that? - Emeric tilted his head with interest. - Elemental revenge? Who? My sister?
«I've always respected Aldis Lucifer as the leader of our race. Emeric, you have no idea how difficult it is to control such selfish creatures as demons...'' - The emperor looked away melancholically. - I, inspired by her experience, have tried to inspire others in the same way! To show that there was more than just a basic desire for power behind strength! I've always supported her course of action, both in thought and in deed! - He began to raise his voice, most likely out of overwhelming emotion. - And this is how she thanked me?! She just handed my sister over to that bastard! She never said a word! All these years I had to smile through my hatred for her, knowing that she was the one who let it happen!
«Your sister was not an innocent in this situation.....
«She was just a young girl who'd been turned on by some fucking exorcist! - The Emperor interrupted him angrily. - I would have given up everything for her! My titles, even just to be enslaved by fucking Zekram Bael, but he never tried to work it out through me! They've gotten used to asking questions, just taking and taking.... - Dichauser sighed, calming his inner emotions. - I realize that your sister is only indirectly involved in this case, but I'm sorry, Emeric...'' - He paused. - I'm disgusted with myself, but, for my revenge, you'll have to be sacrificed....
«Repeating the question... - Emeric did not avert his gaze. - What are you trying to accomplish by doing this?
«I want grief for her beloved younger brother to drive a wedge between her and the Great King.... I assure you, there is no more agonizing feeling than the loss of a loved one... - The Emperor chuckled bitterly. - Do you think Zekram was in his own right? No one knows, not even the current Lords, that there are several demons with a Royal figure in the current 'ten'... - He noticed his surprise. - I, too, lost a lot of respect for them in my time... The current 'tops', Roigun Belphegor, or the same Bedeze Abbadon, never liked him by the way, but respected him for his strength. As it turned out, in vain...
Particles of demonic energy began to form in the room. It was the result of Emeric and Dichauser's combined aura.
«He's using these figures to completely take over the current rankings," he continued his story while preparing for battle. - Bypassing the New Lords, just because he can.... At first, after your death, Aldis won't stir things up, but I know from my own experience... And after my death, when she has no one to take revenge...? - Dichauser shook his head, chasing away the grief. - The death of a loved one would not leave her mind.... It would constantly come back in the form of "what if?", "why?" questions.... Coupled with the deception on Zekram's part, whose scheming indirectly led to your death... Sooner or later, all of this will force Aldis to act. I alone am not enough to undermine the position of the Great King, but a grief-stricken Lord of Hell? - Dichauser shook his head. - He wouldn't understand what had struck him...'' I'm sorry, Emeric...
Dichauser was instantly right in front of him. He was within striking distance, which he used to his advantage. That is, he sent the young demon's body into a flight that broke through the house and "drew" a trench outside. Dichauser was one of the strongest demons in Hell for a reason. Such a crushing hit would have killed a demon who had just entered the top class.
«... But for my sister's sake.
The rays of destructive force that came from the side of the dust cloud formed by Emeric's collision shattered powerlessly against the white aura. The force of destruction, which was created specifically to disintegrate any phenomenon, simply stopped working as it should. It was as if Dichauser didn't notice them, continuing to approach him.
«... You have to die.
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