Ep. 234 The Arena Part 9 (Patreon)

When I look up from eating the heart I see that Lord Shendaw and his loyal followers are all gone. I am surprised that the fat pig can move that fast, they must have gone to the great hall. I need to make my way there as well, I'm not missing the show after everything I have gone through.

Before I can go chasing after them I notice that the door to my cell is open and the jailer is waving me over. I rush over and quickly tell him to gather any humans who wish to survive and serve new lords down in the cells. Then I easily jump out of the arena into the stands and make my way towards the great hall.

When I reach the doorway to the great hall I stop to see what is going on inside before I enter. It's a good thing I did, the allied lords haven't arrived yet, Lord Shendaw is still in command. He is currently ordering his guards to launch a counter attack and to hold out until the army arrives.

Lord Timment says "Not much chance of that, your army is already dead."

Lord Shendaw says "What? You?! You allied with Lord Dra?"

Lady Xinun says "What, you still haven't figured it out? Lord Ash played you two against each other, he was working with us the whole time!"

Lord Sakra says "Yes, and he did a wonderful job keeping you distracted until we got here."

Lord Bibiq says "A little too good, we couldn't bear to launch the attack earlier and interrupt his wonderful fight."

Lady Xinun says "You mean you couldn't!"

Lord Shendaw says "I will kill you all!!!"

The fight that follows is truly eye opening for me, Lord Shendaw really could have killed me with one hand. Even against five other lords he is almost a match for them, mainly because his body seems very hard to damage. The fight teaches me a lot about the powers of a demon lord in general and the five allies in particular.

It is a little unsettling to realize that each of the demon lords is about three to five times my current strength. I am starting to think dealing with their armies will be the easy part. As far as I know there is no one on the peninsula that comes close to their level of power, not even me.

My powers are going to have to grow very fast over the next few years if I want to have even a chance of matching one of them in power. Even if I manage that I am still going to be outnumbered five to one. I sure hope the goddesses have a plan they haven't told me about yet.

Of course their plan is probably dependent upon me destroying the temples like they asked. Once I get back I will need to make that a priority, then I can ask them about further plans. I have been watching the battle while thinking, paying particular attention to the different powers of the five allies.

Once I see that they have Lord Shendaw completely subdued I walk out to join them. From the look on Lord Shendaw's face when he sees me I was right to wait until he was under control. He looks like he would do anything to get his hands on me right now, even if it cost him his life.

Lord Sakra says "Ah, Lord Ash, wonderful performance!"

Lord Timment says "Yes, you have surpassed even my expectations!"

Lord Shendaw yells "This is all your fault! I will tear you into tiny pieces!"

Lord Bibiq says "Lady Xinun, you bargained to be the one to finish him, please do so."

Lady Xinun says "With the utmost pleasure!!"

Lord Shendaw yells "You can't hurt me! You are mine and always will be!"

With a scream of rage Lady Xinun leaps atop Lord Shendaw and starts stabbing him repeatedly. His massive body is fairly resistant to damage so it takes her a long time. As I slowly back away I notice the other four demon lords are also backing away.

The sight of her stabbing away completely covered in blood and gore completely kills any interest I had in sleeping with her. It takes a long time for Lord Shendaw to die, but Lady Xinun seems glad of that. When he dies I see a cloud of energy split five ways and drift to the demon lords.

The section that goes to Lady Xinun is about half the size of the ones that go to the other four lords. So she gave up half her share just so she could kill him, I guess that they had history. I am starting to think that when the war comes I should make sure to take out Lady Xinun first.

Because while she is the weakest of the demon lords I think she will be the most dangerous to have as an enemy. What's worse is she seems to like me, as if I don't have enough problems with women as it is. While she is busy I tell the other four lords about the humans ready to surrender in the cells.

My excuse is exactly what the other lords were waiting for and they quickly leave to resume control of the invading army. When I turn back to Lady Xinun not only is she looking at me but somehow she is completely clean. She is smiling at me like she wants to eat me, it is not a comfortable feeling.

Lady Xinun says "My dear Ash, you have exceeded my wildest dreams!"

"You say that like you didn't expect me to succeed?"

Lady Xinun says "I didn't! That is what makes this so impressive!"

"I had a plan, otherwise I wouldn't have agreed to try."

Lady Xinun says "Oh, don't give me that! I was watching the whole time, you were making it up as you went!"

"Ahem, does it matter? After all, I completed my part of the deal."

Lady Xinun says "True, and I will hold up my end of the deal."

"Good! By the way, can I keep these manacles?"

Lady Xinun says "I guess so, but why?"

"They will be useful in training."

Lady Xinun says "So you are asking me to help you get stronger knowing that you will be my enemy one day?"

"Well, yeah, I guess I am."

Lady Xinun says "Alright, you can have them."

"Thank you."

Lady Xinun says "No need to thank me, you helped bring about my fondest wish."

Lady Xinun tosses me the key and tells me to wait here until the demon lords finish taking control of the castle. As she walks off I use the key to remove the manacles and stuff them in my pouch. Once the manacles are off I suddenly feel like I could jump over a building if I wanted to.

It is so nice to be able to stand up straight and take a deep breath without it taking a massive amount of effort. In the distance I can still hear the occasional explosion and sounds of fighting. I sit and wait patiently for the demon lords to finish everything they need to finish and turn their attention back to me.