A Demon's Journey

Nearly half a day later, in Azaroth's courtyard, the three servants he bought were lined up next to each other.

Each one had a different expression on their faces, one was indifferent, the second was angry while looking at Azaroth, while the third one showed an arrogant look as if he was the master here.

"My name is Edwin Rhodes and I am your master. What are your names?"

"My name is Noah…" Only the child with an indifferent look answered Azaroth, the other two remained refused to answer him.

In fact, the arrogant demon spoke up, "You aren't worthy of knowing my name. Just kneel down and give your respects to me. If I am in a good mood, I can let you know my name."

Meanwhile, the demi-human and beast just growled in anger.

"I guess I first need to break someone's delusion."

Azaroth stared at the arrogant demon child and slowly made his way towards him.

Before the arrogant demon could say anything, Azaroth punched this guy very strongly.

Moreover, it was to such an extent that this demon's face crashed into the ground.

Azaroth spoke with a cold and arrogant tone, "I believe pain is the best tool for discipline. And you know, it's easier to kick you while you are kneeling like a dog."

With that, Azaroth proceeded to kick him. He kicked his face, his chest, and then stomped on his hand and cracked his bones.

As Azaroth kicked his face strongly, the demon's teeth flew out.

Azaroth hit the demon's chest so many times that it was about to break.

And the feeling in Azaroth's mind right now? It was Euphoria!

He was enjoying beating this kid to a pulp!

For a second, Azaroth stopped.

At that moment, the demon sneered and spoke out, "What? Tired already? My wounds are already closing though. No matter what you do, it will never be enough."

Azaroth though gave a crazy smile as he answered while licking his lips, "You misunderstood, kid. The reason I stopped was so that your healing could actually proceed. After all, where would I find such a punching bag that won't break no matter how hard I hit it?"

The three slaves who saw Azaroth gulped down a mouthful of breath. Especially the demon who was being beaten badly and the demi-human who remembered he had shown off his rage in front of this crazy master.

Meanwhile, Noah was somewhat worried 'Master won't beat me to satisfy himself, right?'

With that, the demon experienced another session of Azaroth beating him to a pulp.

Azaroth noted that this demon still had quite a bit of pride left in him.

He sighed out and spoke, "I guess I should quit this gentle way and start with my personal favorite method."

The three slaves ahead of Azaroth were shocked to hear him call this a gentle way. Just how was this gentle?!

But when they saw Azure Flames burning in Azaroth's hands.

"So… I wonder just how long the child of a Demon Emperor can resist this pain. There should be a limit to your healing ability." Azaroth showed an excited smile as if he was undergoing an experiment and was going to get its result soon.

"W-What?" The demon was utterly flabbergasted. He didn't think that Azaroth actually knew of his identity.

And more surprising was that Azaroth was still being so ruthless to him even after knowing that he was the son of a Demon Emperor?!

Soon, the Azure Flames shrouded the demon and began to burn his whole body.

This time, the demon couldn't help but scream out in pain, "AAAhhhhhh… NO… Please stop…!"

Those loud screams resounded in Azaroth's entire courtyard.

Noah and the Demi-Human covered their ears because of the loud scream from this demon.

Meanwhile, Azaroth licked his lips as he spoke while staring at that burning demon, "What a melodic sound. I missed hearing these. You can continue with your singing, my dear servant."

Azaroth then turned his head and looked at the demi-human who was quivering with fear. With an almost gentle smile, Azaroth asked him, "Don't you have something to say?"

The demi-human realized that he had been given a chance now. If he doesn't take it, then he would probably have a worse end than that demon.

While shivering in fear, the demi-human spoke out, "M-my name is Ralph, master." As he spoke those words, Ralph also kneeled down and paid his respects to Azaroth.

"Good. You better not forget this. If I even think you are a disobedient servant, I will roast your leg and force you to eat it." Azaroth's words were spoken with a cold voice.

Ralph was truly scared as he heard Azaroth and nodded quickly to save his dear life, "Y-Yes, Master."

Azaroth then stared at Noah.

He was curious what expression Noah would have now. Was he scared of him now? Would he be disobedient as well?

But surprisingly, Noah remained the same as before. In fact, he just had a hint of pity for that demon who was being burned to death right now.

Azaroth asked Noah coldly, "Are you not afraid of me, Noah?"

"I am a little scared master. But you are the one who pulled me out of that prison. Even if I am scared of you, I won't hesitate to do what you want. Even if you want to torture me for your satisfaction, I won't resist at all." Noah sincerely replied.

Azaroth coldly harrumphed as he walked closer to Noah, "So you won't resist even if I want to torture you? Let me see how true those words are."

Noah's heart was beating crazily as Azaroth stepped closer to him. He was truly scared because he had seen what happened to that demon slave earlier.

Maybe Azaroth would punch him and start kicking him relentlessly as well. He didn't have the regeneration, the vitality, or the defense of a demon so the effects would be more evident on him.

But still, he didn't take a single step back and remained rooted on his spot. Instead, he even raised his head and looked into Azaroth's eyes. It was as if he wanted to say that he was scared but he was determined to keep his words.

Azaroth moved his hand closer and the punch Noah was waiting for never arrived. Instead, Azaroth's hand was over his dark hair and seemed to pat him gently.

"Good. You are my first retainer and will be my right hand from now on. Understood?!" Azaroth spoke loudly as he gathered Ralph and Noah's attention.

Noah was shocked to hear this declaration from Azaroth. In fact, he was somewhat overcome with happiness as he heard those words.

Almost all his life, he had heard people call him useless. He didn't really know his parents. He had never met them for as long as he could remember, he was serving under a lord in another territory far from this place.

He had seen the lord practice these sword skills and thought of them rather cool

When he started practicing those same skills with his wooden stick. Once the other residents saw him practice the sword skills, they came forward to teach him a lesson.

He had no idea that servants were not allowed to practice the sword skills.

One day, he surprisingly defeated a few servants. Even the young master of that manor was defeated by him.

When he was 6 years old, he remembered being sold to some shady men.

They grabbed hold of him then threw him in a prison. Since that day, he had lived in those brown-red walls…

With nothing to do, he began to practice the sword techniques he had found interesting in his childhood.

He had no sense of hunger or pain or even exhaustion. It was when his body collapsed that he would get his rest or else, he would just keep on practicing his techniques.

The reason he was practicing those techniques wasn't to get out of the cave. It was mainly because he found them quite fun. With nothing else to do, he was just practicing them to pass his time.

He didn't realize that he had gained a treasure that others are unable to get even if they pursued after for 10 lifetimes.

The first requirement of the Enlightened Sword Heart was to have an empty heart and hold nothing but the sword in it.

Even those sword fanatics were unable to reach such a state.

Today, as Noah heard from Azaroth's mouth that he accepted him as his retainer, he couldn't help but smile brightly and reply, "Yes, master. I definitely won't disappoint you!"

Azaroth had been observing the emotions of this kid using his Mystic Eyes of Perception. He had seen how this kid was quite scared earlier but still hadn't run away, proving his bravery.

Now, the genuine color of pure happiness on him just proved how delighted he was. In fact, such a good result was somewhat unexpected for Azaroth.

This was the first time he was dealing with someone possessing an Enlightened Sword Heart and wasn't sure of his approach. All he had heard were rumors about the character of the people possessing the Enlightened Sword Heart and made this plan using it.

Good thing it proved to be useful.

Azaroth then instructed Noah, "Go and change your clothes. I have already prepared a set of clothes for you. Also, take a bath, a servant will soon enter and show you the way to the bathroom."

"Got it, Master." Noah was a little excited to complete his first assignment that he couldn't help but run towards Azaroth's room.

He was still a little kid, after all.

Amongst these three, Azaroth placed the most importance on this child. He wanted this child to be so emotionally connected to himself that even when he reaches the peak, he would still listen to his orders.

Well, this was atleast what Azaroth intended. No one could accurately read the flow of time.

Soon, Azaroth had a cold expression as he turned towards Ralph, "As for you… Do as you are told and I won't roast you before eating you. Follow Noah and take a bath. You are smelly…"

"Y-y-es master." Ralph was still rather scared of Azaroth and immediately ran towards his room and followed Noah.

Meanwhile, Azaroth then turned to look at the burning demon. The screams from his mouth had long stopped. It was mostly because he was in too much pain to even let out a squeal.

Azaroth recalled those Azure Flames and then looked into this Demon's eyes.

The Demon was lying on the ground, his clothes burnt and the skin over his entire body had been burned.

Azaroth could see that this demon's regeneration was working but on a smaller scale. It was probably healing his internal injuries first.

"Looks like you are in the mood to listen. Aren't you?"

There was no response from the demon. After all, in his condition, it was impossible to even move his mouth.

But Azaroth didn't seem to care. He spoke somewhat angrily, "I asked you a fucking question!"

He then proceeded to kick the demon so strongly that his organs that had just healed immediately burst apart.

"Still so disobedient?!" Azaroth then continued on to beat the shit out of the charred body of this demon.

"N-no… n-no… I-I g-give up…P-please… no…more… I… give… up…" One by one, the demon let out that pitiful voice and begged Azaroth to stop.

"Your brain began to work, heh." Azaroth sneered as he stared at this pitiful demon.

"Your father is just a Demon Emperor. Moreover, the fact that you have been captured by such a low-ranked organization in the human world means that you have been abandoned by your family. Was it one of your father's wives? Well, I hardly care. But remember, your previous identity means jack-shit to me. You annoy me and you will live while wishing for death for every second!" Azaroth gave this final threat to this demon.

"Yes. Yes. I will obey. I won't dare to think of anything else." The demon quickly spoke while preventing himself from screaming due to the pain.

"Master, my name is Sargan Bach."

"Remember, Sargan Bach, I am Edwin Rhodes, but I am also Azaroth." As he spoke those words, his eyes turned purple.

Seeing those eyes, Sargan muttered with a low voice, "…The Mystic Eyes of a Demon God?"

"It seems you know some things. The Evil Eyed Clan of the Purgatory, the Bach Clan." Azaroth nonchalantly spoke the title of this Bach Family in the Purgatory.

It was at this moment that Sargan understood that the man ahead of him possessed a background far beyond his imagination.

Even a Demon Emperor was not worthy of talking on equal terms with the subordinate of a Demon God, let alone a small demon-like him who was relying on the power of his bloodline.