The Netherlore Family was going to be branded as a criminal Household.

Their crimes not only included the horrible incident that occured when Maria was little, but also involved the illegal experimentation and non-disclosure of the harmful elementNetherto the Kingdom.

It was treasonous, to say the very least.

For harboring and researching something that could potentially bring the entire Eastern Kingdom to ruin, the Netherlores were officially screwed.

'I just have to put on a good show.' I smiled at the ominous creature.

We both ignored the people beneath us. It was a threat to me, and I was a threat to it. That was all that mattered.

>FWHOOOSSHH<

Flapping its massive wings, the Nether Beast lunged at me with incredible bloodlust.

With its body shrouded in Nether, it killed off all the Mana around while charging straight for me.

I could choose to defend or run, but none of those options seemed appealing at the moment.

'Time to fight!'

Taking in more power than earlier, I increased my capabilities and focused most of [Strength] in my fist.

>BOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

I swiftly evaded the monster's brutal chomp and responded with a heavy blow on its face.

Space distorted even more and a massive shockwave spread across the sky where we fought.

I could hear the screams of everyone beneath us as the impact was enough to make even them tremble.

"GURAAOOOKK!!!" I heard the Nether Beast scream in pain, most definitely feeling more of its body eroding.

>VWOOOSHHH!<

It flapped its wings and retreated backward, probably trying to create more distance so it could launch a long-range attack.

I wasn't going to let that happen.

>FWHOOOSSHH<

Enhancing myself with power, I launched my body toward it and have another blow to its chest.

"AAARRRKKKK!!!" It coughed a dark, vile substance as it's body got propelled backward.

Not wasting any time, I sped to the powerless Beast's destination before it could get there, sending yet another powerful strike to it.

>BOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

Shockwaves spread across the area, and the destructive power of my some strikes caused every cloud in the vicinity to spread apart.

Nothing but the vast blue sky could be seen close to our vicinity, and even that was distorted by further strikes from me.

>WHOOSSHHH<

>VWOOOMMM<

>FWUUUUSSSHHH<

I kept increasing my pace with each strike, ensuring the Nether Beast could not react before another hit sent it flying again.

'Its durability is higher than I thought. Such tenacity...' My mind wandered as I felt myself tiring out.

Using [Strength] too much was not good for an inferior body like mine.

As someone who wasn't used to such power, I was going to expire soon if I wasn't careful.

'I'll have to end this soon. I'm just waiting for Maria!'

Fortunately, as I was making this thought, several flashes of blue light appeared underneath me.

Warps in space popped all over the place, and people began coming out of them.

'Finally!' I smiled in satisfaction, happy Maria was able to complete her mission.

I spotted Elrich Lendertwale, King Albion, my Father, the head of the Crimson Family, and the Head of the Helmsworth household.

Of course, several Imperial Warriors and Mages also showed up, all donning their gear as though ready for war.

'Alright! Looks like I can finally close this act.'

"GUURRRRRAAAAHHHHHH!!!" The Nether Beast roared, causing everyone and everything in the vicinity to tremble.

The power it expressed, though weakened, spoke volumes of its character. This was a true harbinger of destruction.

Once again, I watched the Nether Beast gather a great amount of its repulsive energy in one spot.

This time, it was even greater than the last. I understood that it saw me as an even bigger threat and desired to end me without further delay.

'It's a lot weaker now, but it still expends so much power...' I was truly amazed by the creature's tenacity.

Unfortunately for it, games were over.

Energy concentrated within my grasp, and a glowing blade was formed.

>VWUUUUUUUUUMMM<

The power within it was unrivaled, and I could sense the atmosphere quivering as a result of the amount of energy that dwelled in it.

My body was also feeling extremely overwhelmed, but I endured.

"Your power is truly something, I admit." My lips moved and I exhaled a heavy breath.

However

>SWISH!<

It was not enough to change the results of our match.

>SWISH<

From my distance I gave a cross slashsending both horizontal and vertical attacks flying toward the enemy.

The speed at which it traveled was too fast for even methe assaulterto comprehend.

The only thing I noticed... we're the results.

"G-GUU!!!"

The Nether Beast's body instantly divided into four clean bits. Usually, it would glue itself together and healor break away the dead cells.

Howeverevery the energy poured into the strikes sent the Beast's opposite energy coursing through its body.

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!<

It ruptured, as a resultturning into nothing but ash and embers of death.

As I watched every fragment of the Nether Beast decay and evaporate, I noticed a tiny darkness gleaming at the center.

It shone obsidian, and despite the rest of the monster dying off, it remained intact.

'Hmmm?'

I considered the jewel worth investigating, but after considering the dangers of the Nether Element, I decided against it.

"Die off." Sending a thrust of concentrated energy straight at it, I whispered.

The gleaming crystal turned to dust as well, disappearing without a trace.

With that, the Nether Beast was gone foreverat least this one.

Heaving a sigh of relief and exhaustion, I looked beneath me and noticed the Imperial Forces establishing a perimeter around the Netherlore Estate.

They were also arresting every single member of the household and securing the areajust as instructed.

Since Elricha Grand Magewas supervising the whole thing, I didn't expect much resistance.

Plus, the other top Noble Families were also presenteven the King. I didn't need any more confirmation.

Things would be playing quite nicely from this point onward.

'Are you watching this, Stefan? I hope you are...' I looked up at the sky and smiled.

I hoped the troublesome boy was.

After all, he was next.