Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Chapter 1449: Foundation Shattering

---Northwest of Python, a little earlier---

The beast charging at her with shit propulsion, Porco Bella, a being close to becoming a legend with a level of at least 170+, was suddenly forced to throw himself to the side. Embarrassing and clumsy, the massive boar rolled on the ground to get away for the stream of fire that had suddenly aimed for its head.

For the first time since he transcended mortality and worked towards becoming a Demon Lord, he felt a cold shiver run down his spine and fear grab his heart. For a moment he felt actually afraid of death. His mind instantly cooled down, although it was still a little hazy.

This wasn't in the information they got. The cat girl wasn't supposed to be able to use such terrifying fire magic. She was a shadow assassin and a shadow mage and it was mentioned that she might have a legendary item, but it should all align with darkness and shadows.

His bowels churned and shit was running down his legs, but he pushed aside the shame he felt. He knew no magic for healing. A disease that could overcome his vitality ... There was nothing he could do but to endure it. Pushing aside these thoughts, he focused on the situation at hand.

Regaining focus just in time, Porco was able to slap away the fireball the size of his rotund belly. He acted on instinct, not fearing the magic, only to feel the searing pain cooking the palm of his hand after the fact. When his hand didn't heal instantly, he had a bad hunch concerning these flames, but he didn't have the time to think.

Another flame pillar tried to drill through his body, attacking from the back. Once again, the massive pig was forced to roll through the field of debris, crushing several of the sacrificial offerings on his way.

Rolling on the ground for the second time, he finally had the state of mind to gauge his situation. Looking at the cat girl, she was clearly frozen in fear and shock. Wasn't this her doing? Those feelings were not directed at him, but the man standing beside her.

The armor couldn't hide its origins from Porco Bello. There was tremendous demonic presence surrounding him and the darkness of the visor shone with incredible malice. there was no mention of a demon of that caliber to have sided with Minas Mar.

It was the armored man that shot the fireball. The great demon knew because he observed him throw it the moment he saw him. He didn't repeat the same mistake and evaded the attack this time. Slowly, his rusty battle senses reawakened. He had been fighting weaklings for too long, leading to this embarrassing situation.

Porco dodged the next flame pillar, too. The attack was lethal but predictable. How long had it been since he was forced to fight seriously? He had almost forgotten how to fight a dangerous opponent. Now, that his mind changed gears, he had no problem dealing with such attacks. The next fireball was leisurely slapped away. This time he protected his palm with his demonic power, not suffering any injury at all.

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“I am the Demon Baron, Porco Bello. Who are you?” the demon, vigilant of the second attacker who cast the flame pillar, called out. Although he couldn't know all the names of powerful demons, because they were a fragmented group of people, there was still a chance. If he knew his identity, he would have a better way to estimate his strength and powers. The other made a sound for the first time. He laughed.

“I know what you are thinking. My name won't be of help to you, even if you know it. I'm Bazilith, Guard of the Harem,” he announced loud and proud, slamming his fist against his chest. The face of the cat girl beside him turned a bright red.

The Harem Guard was right, the name didn't ring any bells for Porco Bello, but his heart dropped when he noticed something else. When the armored demon slammed his hand against his chest, Proco recognized the crest emblazoned on the cuirass.

With a racing heart, he dodged another stream of fire aiming for his life. He finally realized why he had a bad hunch about these flames. In the corner of his eyes, he also noticed who cast the streams of fire, it was a lone blade, flying in the air.

But this wasn't important! He didn't know who Bazilith was, but this was the crest of Xaphan, Demon God of the Burning Skies. Together with the hunch he had earlier, this left only one conclusion: Bazilith had the Blessing of Xaphan.

Rousing his powers, Poroc Bello ignored the floating blade and charged at the Bazilith. He had to take him out as quickly as possible. He couldn't risk fighting the Flame of Burning Skies for too long.

Even if he could bock it, it was a flame that could permanently burn holy and demonic powers. Someone of his level would never recover what was lost this way. He had to crush this Harem Guard as quickly as possible.

His senses tingled and he made a somersault. A blade covered in flames passed where his neck had just been. The unfinished sword kept attacking him as if swung by a master swordsman. The attacks of the blade had suddenly become incredibly sharp, totally different from the earlier, predictable magic attacks.

Bazilith also charged forward,. Covered in flames, his armor began glowing in a bright orange. As if they realized what he was trying to do and decided to work together, the blade and the demon attacked Porco Bello with synchronized attacks.

The knowledge about the flame severely hindered the great demon from unleashing his full power. Compared to his usual style of reckless, overpowering strength, he was forced to be incredibly careful, trying not to receive any attacks from the flame, at all.

As long as he bought enough time for the ritual to finish, he could leave this troublesome matter to the avatar of Gatris and capture the cat girl. Time stretched as he concentrated on evading with his large body, minimizing the times he counterattacked.

Porco clicked his tongue. What was the stupid priestess doing? With a side step, he turned into smoke once again, so get out of their combined attacks and throw a glance at the effigy of Gatris where- The priestess of Gatris was lying dead on the floor, a dagger sticking out from the back of her head. The cat girl stood close by, watching his fight with Bazilith.

He blanked for a moment. He had not paid any attention to her after Bazilith appeared. in that time, that wench went ahead and killed the Saintess! It was just a moment where he stopped, distracted by the sudden change in situation, but it came at a steep price.

It was too late to evade the blade suddenly slashing down at him. His arms rose to the sky, instinctively blocking the attack. The sharp metal sliced his thick hide, cutting deep into his flesh, all the way to the bone. The force was so great he sank and foot deep into the pavement, but it was unable to sever his limb.

Pain filled his mind. It was like liquid fire was flooding his forearms. The next moment a terrifying impact hit his already sorry stomach. While the sword force him to block, Bazilith had hit him right in the belly, causing another fountain of shit and blood to stain his legs.

This was it. He had enough. The ritual was ruined. There was no other way left than to deal with these maggots seriously! Tremendous power roused from the depths of his soul as he lifted his hands above his head and slammed them on the ground.

Demonic energy flooded the ground and traveled deeper and deeper. Past the pavement, past the roots, shattering the very foundation of the city; the mountain bedrock.