''She''s notmaking any moves….''


    As Adrian surveyed the aftermath of the battle, a mixture of frustration and intrigue simmered within him. Being tested by the goddess had indeed angered him, but beneath that frustrationy a growing curiosity. What was the goddess truly after? What did she hope to gain by pitting him against her angels?


    Despite his annoyance, Adrian couldn''t deny the tactical advantage of this encounter. As he scavenged the battlefield, his keen eyes analyzed the fallen angels, searching for any hints of weakness in their divine essence. Each kill provided valuable insights into the workings of the goddess''s power, allowing him to better understand her strengths and vulnerabilities.


    But it wasn''t just knowledge that Adrian gained from this battle. With each soul he devoured, he could feel his own power growing, his demonic essence pulsating with newfound strength. It was a satisfying sensation, knowing that he had bested the goddess''s servants and emerged even more formidable than before.


    Yet, even as Adrian reveled in his victory, he couldn''t shake the feeling of being a pawn in arger game. The goddess''s motives remained shrouded in mystery, her intentions unclear.


    Was she testing him for her own amusement, or did she have a more sinister purpose in mind?


    As Adrian pondered these questions, a sense of unease settled over him.


    ''Well, what did I expect?''


    He knew that he couldn''t afford to underestimate the goddess, not when the fate of the heavens hung in the bnce.


    Whatever her ns may be, he would need to tread carefully if he hoped to outmaneuver her.


    Although being tested infuriated Adrian, there was little he could do about it. Much like the goddess was attempting to assess his capabilities and weaknesses, Adrian also scrutinized her divine essence through the angels he vanquished.


    Surveying the aftermath, both sides reaped benefits from the skirmish. The goddess gained an initial evaluation of Adrian, while managing to diminish approximately half of the demonic forces stationed there. Although the angels merely unleashed spears of light, their sheer numbers in the surprise attack proved devastating. The demons couldn''t fully defend against such energies, their demonic energy being their sole weakness.


    For Adrian, consuming the angels and testing his strength proved advantageous. Not only did he bolster his power slightly, but he also gleaned valuable insights intobating the goddess. Thus, everyone involved experienced both gains and losses in the encounter.


    Adrian''s mind churned with strategies and observations as he reflected on the battle. Despite his irritation, he recognized the tactical importance of the engagement. Each fallen angel provided him with crucial information about the goddess''s vulnerabilities, allowing him to refine his approach in future encounters.


    ''Her supposed allies as well weren''t making any moves…. Even though I made sure to remain open throughout the whole fight….''


    Yet, beneath the surface, Adrian couldn''t shake a sense of foreboding. The goddess''s motives remained elusive; her intentions veiled in mystery. Was she testing him out of genuine curiosity, or did she harbor darker intentions?


    "My lord…" With tattered, tentacle-like wings, the demonicdy approached Adrian with a slight bow.


    "How many of them did you kill?" Adrian''s voice held a hint of curiosity as he regarded the demon by his side. Observing her battered state, it was evident she had fought fiercely; she even seemed to be missing an arm.


    Nervously, she met Adrian''s formless gaze, a flicker of fear and apprehension dancing in her eyes before she responded, "Around 12 of them, my lord."


    Though Adrian was technically her ally, it was still nerve-wracking to address such a powerful being directly, especially given the aura of creepiness and fear he naturally exuded. Despite her unease, she remained obedient, awaiting further instruction from her formidable master.


    "You''re quite strong…" Adrianmented, his gaze shifting to the demonic tentacledy in a new light. Initially, he had presumed that most elite demons would perish against angels, but it seemed there were a few exceptions. It made him reconsider the notion that demons were merely the opposite force of good, nothing more.


    Slowly, Adrian resumed his humanoid form and studied the demonicdy for a moment, pondering his next move. Should he attempt it? Manipting his own energy, he entertained the idea of trying to heal her. However, he quickly dismissed the notion. His own energy, demonic or not, might inadvertently devour her instead. Besides, with the malevolent energy saturating the area, she could likely heal herself soon enough.


    "Is the duke incubating already?" Adrian inquired, steering the conversation toward the main topic at hand.


    "Yes," came the demon''s prompt reply, confirming that the duke was indeed undergoing the transformation process.


    Peering down into the dark cocoon below, Adrian''s eyes glowed with a hue of purple as he delved into the essence of whaty inside. It was a mesmerizing sight—a pure soul slowly sumbing to corruption, undergoing a transformation into a demon of unparalleled power. The energy pulsating from the cocoon hinted at the immense potential contained within.


    "How long will it take for him to fully develop?" Adrian''s inquiry betrayed a mixture of curiosity and anticipation. Despite his prior experience with the demonic stone, this was the first time he had employed it on an individual of such profound stature. He couldn''t help but wonder about the unique nuances of the demonification process in this case.


    "Based on the duke''s former strength, once he emerges, he will rival our most powerful generals," the demonic informant responded, his voice carrying an air of certainty. "Given his exceptional potential, I estimate it will take roughly 30 to 90 days for his transformation to reachpletion, my lord.


    As a high-ranking demon herself, she understood the intricate processes of demonic cultivation. Demons of such formidable stature typically spent hundreds of years cultivating their inner energies before emerging fully transformed. It was a natural progression within the demonic realm, a relentless cycle of growth and refinement that defined their existence in the infernal depths of the world.


    However, with the aid of the demonic stone, this arduous process could be elerated exponentially. The infusion of its dark energies acted as a catalyst, hastening the transformation beyond the constraints of conventional timeframes. The duke''s metamorphosis promised to be swifter and more potent than any seen before.


    "I see…." Adrian nodded, his expression morphing into a smile tinged with excitement. The prospect of witnessing the transformation of the individual he once called father filled him with anticipation.


    Absorbing every information with keen interest, and contemting the implications of the duke''s impending metamorphosis.


    The prospect of adding such a formidable ally to their ranks filled him with a sense of exhration. Yet, he couldn''t afford to underestimate the challenges thaty ahead.


    A demon of the duke''s caliber would undoubtedly reshape the bnce of power within their realm, both in terms of strength and influence.


    As Adrian mulled over these thoughts, a sense of urgency crept into his mind.


    ''We have to make him progress faster…. A month or two is too long specially with all the things happening right now…''


    Time pressed upon Adrian, emphasizing the urgency of ensuring the smooth progression of the duke''s transformation.


    Yet, this process demanded a constant supply of bodies to sustain the monstrous appetite of the emerging demon. Adrian surveyed the assembled demons with a knowing smile, recognizing the pivotal role they would y in facilitating this dark metamorphosis.


    Fortunately, hemanded not only the demons present but also the millions awaiting his orders back home.


    With such vast resources at his disposal, Adrian saw an opportunity to exert pressure on their adversaries. If he were to mobilize these forces, surely the goddess would bepelled to respond.


    Descending down the ground approaching Lilliana in the distance carrying her in his arms


    With Liina cradled gently in his arms, Adrian cast a final nce at the ominous ck cocoon before him.


    The transformation within was nearing itspletion, a harbinger of the power that would soon be unleashed upon the world.


    With a sense of satisfaction, he turned away, his attention shifting to the unconscious form of the girl in his embrace.


    Opening a portal to the chamber where the other girls rested, Adrian paused to survey the demons gathered around him.


    Their eyes gleamed with anticipation, their loyalty unwavering in the face of impending conflict.


    Though he spoke no words, his intentions were clear.


    Death.


    The empire still thrived, its forces poised to oppose their dark ambitions. Yet, with the emergence of a new ally, fresh sustenance was required to fuel their insatiable hunger for power. Adrian''s silentmand hung heavy in the air, a directive to unleash their wrath upon their enemies and im the lives needed to sustain their burgeoning might.


    With a nod of assurance, Adrian stepped through the portal, disappearing into the shadows with Liina held securely in his arms.


    ….


    In the midst of a tranquil garden, bathed in the gentle hues of twilight, a woman of ethereal beauty sat across from her opponent, her eyes fixed intently on the chessboard before her. With each move of her adversary''s hand, she felt the weight of impending defeat settle upon her shoulders once more.


    "Checkmate," the man dered, his voice soft yet tinged with amusement as he observed the defeat reflected in her eyes. Despite sharing simr features with the woman, there was an air of serene confidence about him, a testament to his prowess on the chessboard.


    "Again," Elena murmured, her voice tinged with determination as she refused to ept defeat so easily.


    "I don''t think ying again would result in a different oue," her opponent remarked, his toneced with gentle amusement.


    "Again!" Elena insisted, her resolve unyielding as she prepared to face her opponent once more.


    With a resigned sigh, the man acquiesced, clearing the board of its pieces before setting them up for another round. As the game resumed, Elena''s eyes zed with determination, her every move calcted with precision as she sought to outmaneuver her opponent.


    This time surely she would win.