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For example, Geneva's current weapon was incomparable to Sapphyr's, whose weapon experienced reinforcing by Destrys. While Geneva was a few times stronger than Sapphyr, her weapon was inadequate when compared to her current strength.

So, a glaring weakness of his people was the lack of suitable weapons to use. Even Jorgun was entirely unequipped.

Fortunately, there was Xonnomor, the one who supplied the entire stronghold with weapons. While he was no famed forger like Asteroth or such, Apollo felt his ability was more or less enough for the task.

Besides, there were more than enough materials in his possession for him to risk a few failures. Although they might be failures on the surface, there was a lot to take away from it. In a sense, failures were the most opportune time to extract knowledge and apply corrections.

This would allow Xonnomor to hone his expertise with the forge while also familiarizing himself with strong weaponry as well as materials. After all, not everyone would enjoy slaving behind a sweltering heat.

So, when he found an odd person such as Xonnomor, Apollo held no qualms with properly cultivating them.

"Xonnomor, I have a request," Apollo said while gesturing for him to come closer.

"A request? No need. As I am your follower, your wish is my command. Therefore, it is no request but a humble order," Xonnomor replied before taking a seat next to Apollo.

"Well put," Apollo chuckled softly before removing a grayish crystal the size of a demon's fist. At a glance, its purity level was absurd because despite being gray, it was also translucent, allowing Apollo to see his hand on the other side.

Xonnomor's eyes widened in shock when he laid eyes on this crystal. It was only something mentioned in the tomes and the Council only possessed three of such items. Yet, it seemed like Apollo retrieved this item without a care.

Clearly, this wasn't the only piece in his possession.

Nevertheless, Xonnomor wasn't certain if this was truly the same item. Therefore, he asked a prodding question. "Is that… Dark Mythril?"

"It is. I'm surprised you know about it," Apollo answered with a tinge of astonishment weaved into his tone.

"It's only possible because of my grandfather. That's where my love of forging comes from. I was fortunate enough to once witness him smith with a piece of this found inside an archaic ruin. However, the piece was only two or three times bigger than the one in your hand," Xonnomor answered.

It seemed that although it was extinct and production for it was halted, some ancient places still held deposits of this material.

"I see. Would you like to travel in his footsteps and forge something with a material like this?"

Immediately, Xonnomor's eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "You jest?!" 

The honor of working on something like Dark Mythril was an opportunity that could not be sought! Therefore, Xonnomor's delight was indescribable. Even if he didn't successfully force anything, just the act of interacting with that type of material would be a marvel.

"Not at all. Your brethren are in need of equipment. It'll be up to you to supply them," Apollo said before falling into thought. 'I suppose other material would be needed as well.'

Steadily, Apollo raised his hand and closed his eyes. This allowed him to sift through his inventory to find materials that agreed with the nature of Dark Mythril. Although it didn't look like it, once melted, Dark Mythril became toxic to other materials.

So unless the material was of equal or greater durability, then the mix would undoubtedly fail. 

Eventually, Apollo withdrew a medley of shocking materials, each one capable of causing Xonnomor to faint. To name a few, there was Congealed Miasma, Purgatory Ore, Macabre Stone, Nether Crystals―everyone carried a pure trait of the demons.

In return, Xonnomor was slack-jawed, sputtering foolishly, "I-I… You… Ih..." 

In the end, Xonnomor could only blink wordlessly as he realized that every sound that left his mouth was incoherent at this point. Matter of fact, Gallmath slapped his back while shaking his head.

"Come on old friend, get it together. You're embarrassing yourself before the lord," Gallmath teased.

"You shut your face. You just don't understand the severity of these items! Just one of these are worth more than your life. In fact, people would kill for these!" Xonnomor shouted animatedly.

Xonnomor's words were no over-exaggeration. Demons had already died at the hands of the Council due to the existence of these materials. Lowly parties carried most of the excavations of the ruins out, so some of them became tempted only to suffer a tragic end.

Granted, that wasn't the only experience. There were singular demons who explored ruins of their own accord in search of items to better assist their journey through demonhood. 

Sometimes they succeeded in gaining items for their personal improvement, other times they failed at the last moments when an excavation team was dispatched by the Council to search those same coordinates.

When it came to ruins, it was a game of luck―would they succeed or would the Council already be on the move?

Meanwhile, Gallmath snorted after hearing Xonnomor's claims. He didn't believe it. How could a mere material be worth more than his life? Could it slay enemies as he could? He didn't think so.

Unfortunately for Gallmath, he froze in motion when Apollo spoke his next words.

"These materials I'm giving could cause your death many times over if it were ever to be leaked that you owned them. Even I wouldn't be able to protect you. Do you understand what I'm insinuating?" Apollo remarked while gazing straight at Xonnomor.

His expression became solemn before indicating his understanding, "I do. This is to be handled with utmost secrecy. I wouldn't risk my life, nor your resources through a foolish mistake. But, does that also mean you'll be leaving?"

Apollo pondered that question. While he didn't intend to leave, it was hard to say. There was nothing forcing him back to Astarat, and he hadn't thought of a way to acquire power in the other rings aside from Suprenis, so Apollo wasn't sure of the timeline of his departure.

Eventually, he gave an answer that he felt best portrayed his intentions.

"I shouldn't be leaving within a short period of time. There are still a few things I must do before moving to the next place. So, if you start now, there should be no issue," Apollo said but then his expression changed once he looked towards Fuhrer.

He was unusually tense, even gripping Brynhildr while staring towards the space directly behind Xonnomor.

Apollo didn't think twice before storing the items back into his inventory. After all, Fuhrer's expression wouldn't change so much unless there was imminent danger. 'Is it Asteroth? Was he this close to us all along? Perhaps my earlier actions revealed my position…'

Gradually, Apollo became tense as well as he thought of the possibilities. Although Fuhrer erected a Wrath Blanket to contain any aura of their fight, it was always best to keep some room in your plan for any unforeseen circumstances.

"Someone is coming," Fuhrer said in a grim tone before completely unsheathing Brynhildr. Even now, he couldn't tell the origin of the individual, which was surprising given the original state of his perception.

'The deterioration of the barrier and interference of this place are truly annoying. And it will only worsen from this point on,' Fuhrer thought while readily wielding Brynhildr.

Once that happened, a portal with infernal edges opened behind Xonnomor. At first, there was nothing, but then the shadow of a colossal figure appeared. 

The first thing Apollo noticed was an unusually slow gait, with him being unsure if it was to add suspense or for some other reason.

Finally, the figure's immense frame appeared from within the portal, which revealed their appearance. Vibrant crimson skin with pitch-black markings etched over their entire torso with large spurs jutting out from their joints was the first noticeable feature.

Then, Apollo saw the short ash-grey hair and scarlet pupils and immediately knew who it was.

It was Saehtyn, the Lord of Ashiraem!

'Has he come for me?' Apollo thought with a frown. Meanwhile, he also sent a message to Fuhrer, instructing him to not attack.

Suddenly, Saehtyn turned towards Xonnomor with a grim expression, "I need to meet with your father."

Unexpectedly, Saehtyn didn't come here for Apollo at all!