"Should I say this is worthy of an Archdemon? Not just an empty reputation after all~"
Seeing Vanir's mask still intact despite his body having vanished, Ethan clicked his tongue in frustration.
Because he had realized—despite that earlier attack being overwhelmingly powerful, enough to heavily injure Verdia in the past—it was still too weak against Vanir, a being even the Goddess Eris had to be wary of.
Not only had Vanir escaped Ethan's full-powered strike unscathed, but the other Archdemon, Maxwell, had successfully taken Alderp back to hell!
How could Ethan not be annoyed? If not for his concern about damaging important buildings in Axel, the fear of bankrupting the Treasury Department (or being forced to pay for repairs), and not wanting to worry Iris, he would've unleashed another attack to teach that masked demon a lesson!
Admittedly, Eris and Ethan really were a perfect match—even their thought processes were the same!
But just because he wasn't using destructive techniques didn't mean Ethan had no way to deal with Vanir!
"Steal!"
Yes! The Thief skill! The same move that had once flustered Verdia was now deployed again!
A white glow enveloped Ethan's hand, and Vanir's black-and-white mask instantly transferred into his grip. Then, he activated the Lich skill Drain Touch, siphoning away the demon's life force and magic power!
No matter how strong or immortal a being was, without life force and magic power, death was the only outcome!
"So this is your plan? But this actually suits my desires—behold the power of Vanir Possession!"
Despite rapidly losing life force and magic energy, the mask showed no panic... Though, of course, it was impossible to read expressions from a mask.
Instead, the mask controlled Ethan's own hand, forcing itself toward his pale face!
If nothing intervened, the next second, that filthy mask would latch onto Ethan's face, beginning a horror-story-worthy possession ritual!
"Damnable demon! Still resisting!? Die!"
A beam of holy purification struck Vanir's mask, making it shriek in pain as black smoke billowed out like it was burning. Only a goddess like Eris could pull this off!
"Is this what they call a filthy demon? Even its smoke is high-level pollution!?"
Such a scathing remark was hard to believe coming from the usually kind-hearted Eris.
"Get away from Ethan! Light of Saber!"
A golden blade of light shot from Yunyun's hand, aimed straight at the smoking Vanir mask!
*BRAK!*
Unlike usual, where Light of Saber could slice through anything, this time, the skill only sent Vanir's mask flying high into the air!
"How dare you hurt Onii-sama!? Die, demon!"
Her face flushed with rage, Iris raised her glowing golden Holy Sword, gathering magic power no less immense than Ethan's!
"Exterion!"
Though Iris was still spouting weird English that Ethan couldn't understand, the power of her Holy Sword was very real!
A golden sun enveloped Vanir's floating mask, effortlessly splitting the clouds in the sky!
Truly worthy of being a hero's descendant—even the power of her Holy Sword was above average!
It seemed Vanir's mask had finally been destroyed in this attack!
"The demonic aura... is gone?" As Ethan pondered, Eris muttered in disbelief: "An Archdemon... defeated just like that?"
"Seems like it...? But the adventurer card already shows the message 'Vanir defeated'? Iris must have finished him off?" Iris tilted her head, also seeming unsure about this victory.
This battle had been strange. Vanir hadn't used any of his unique demonic abilities—instead, he'd almost let himself be defeated, taking hit after hit without fighting back.
Even his last-ditch effort—Possession—had been predicted and crushed by the team's solid cooperation.
"Well... if he's defeated, that's good, right? Maybe the combined strength of Ethan, Eris, and little Iris was just too much, and that arrogant Archdemon lost before he could show his true power?"
Sensing the awkward atmosphere, Yunyun tried to lighten the mood, though her cautious tone made Ethan smile and pat her head.
"The four of us defeated that Archdemon together—remember that, Yunyun..."
"No fair! Iris wants head pats too!"
Seeing Yunyun blush, Iris immediately protested and clung to Ethan.
"I should've just let that demon possess you... then purified both of you with holy magic!"
Eris smiled sweetly, but the dark aura and icy glare behind it sent shivers down Ethan's spine.
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
Regardless of Ethan's showboating, the Alderp situation was finally resolved.
Though Alderp, as the mastermind, had committed countless crimes—and all his misdeeds were exposed after Maxwell dragged him to hell—the kingdom decided to close the case by labeling him a traitor who had conspired with demons, then died during capture.
The process of seizing his territory, titles, and assets would still take time.
Ethan returned to the villa with the three beautiful girls...
And had as much fun with them as he wanted!