As Tyler heard Levi drawing a comparison between him, Mammon, and the current Behemoth of Envy Levian, his mind instantly went to the only connection he shared with Mammon and that was the fact that they were both originally from a different world.
While there was no way for him to be sure that they were both from the same earth, that didn't really matter to him in the grand scheme of things as there was a chance most of these reincarnated souls wouldn't be able to retain the complete memories from their past lives.
The problem only lies in the few souls that are somehow able to retain their memories and ego through the soul shredding process of transmigrating through dimensions.
A soul that was crossing over to this world would literally have to be been disintegrated and reconstructed thousands of times before it would be capable of surviving in another plane of existence.
Such an intense process places tremendous burdens and strain on the soul, causing it to almost always lose its memories and ego unless the will of the soul could withstand such an agonizing process.
The perfect example of this was Mammon, or rather, Hemei Sakaguchi who had harbored intense emotions before his death and had managed to retain all his memories.
This also constituted one of the major differences between a summoned and a reincarnate as the necessary energy to protect the souls of summoned heroes was provided during the first stages of the ritual, in order to complete the summoning circle.
As Tyler didn't believe that anyone within the demon continent was a summoned hero. He only needed to find out if this Levian fellow had managed to retain his complete memories from his previous life and if he would pose a threat to the peaceful life he was planning on creating for himself here.
"Hmm... similar to Mammon and Levian I'm I? That's a bit demeaning, to say the least."
Tyler spoke with a blank smile as he stared straight at Levi while rapping his right index finger on the armrest of his chair.
"Huh? No please forgive my rambling earlier. I was not comparing you to those two, just stating a feeling I had felt."
With an unyielding smile that didn't show any sincerity in her apology as though she was hoping for a certain reaction, Levi's eyes sparkled in intrigue as she subtly sank back into her seat.
*Kusu... "Very well then, please continue."
Chuckling softly to himself, Tyler softened his gaze sightly as he urged Levi to continue speaking.
"As I was saying. After only a century of ruling my region, a mysterious man with strangely similar abilities to mine suddenly appeared within my region and challenged me for my title and everything that goes with it.
As per the agreement of the seven original behemoths, I had no choice but to accept any challenges in the form of a tournament in order to promote the idea of freedom and encourage a world where the truly strong would rule the weak.
At the time I truly believed this was the only way demons should live and not the title-based system the Great Five were promoting. However, that idea didn't matter much because I ended up losing to him in the end. He had similar powers to mine, yet strangely weaker. How he defeated me I still cannot remember but he did, and was somehow able to steal most of my skills and abilities after damaging and absorbing parts of my soul."
*sigh...
For the first time since they've met, Levi showed a sign of irritation as she recalled the memories from when she had lost to Levian before begrudgingly continuing her story.
"I don't know how he was able to achieve such a feat but I've been unable to recover ever since then no matter what healing method I attempted. Well, he was supposed to kill me during the fight but he hadn't so I suppose that was why. I ended up becoming his prisoner for a while and I was beginning to think that was how I would spend what little remained of my life. I later came to discover that he wanted all of my abilities but could not attain them at that time which was why he had been keeping me alive until he was able to find a way."
"I see..."
Tyler nodded his head in understanding as he pondered on the curious possibilities the questions that arose within him. He soon concluded and decided to share it with Levi.
"I suppose this Levian of a person either possessed an ability that lets him mimic the powers of those he fights. Still, to think he is able to absorb your skills just by absorbing your soul. He must have a pretty powerful authority."
'One that may be similar to my Monarch Authority, not that I fully understand that myself.'
"An authority? That..."
Hearing something unfamiliar, Levi's interest was piqued but unfortunately, it didn't seem as though Ty was willing to share his thoughts with her just yet so she just ended up muttering to herself.
"Either way this Behemoth of Envy, Levian is sure to become a problem for me in the future so I'd appreciate it if you can tell me everything you've learned about him over the years. I'd also appreciate it if you included all the information you know about the other six behemoths."
Naturally, Tyler's ears had caught the faint words that escapes Levi's mouth. However, he had no intentions of explaining further so he quickly moved the topic along.
"I see... I anticipated you'd require something extravagant in exchange for Mammon's soul but I didn't think you would be aiming for not only the Great Five but the seven Primordials as well. You surely do possess the ambitions of a demon king. Fufufu..."
Hearing Levi showers him with such high praise over something so basic. Tyler couldn't help but smile as he proceeded to properly enunciate his next words so everyone would clearly understand him.
"I believed you're severely overestimating me but I do appreciate the thought. However, as it pertains to your request for Mammon's soul, I'm afraid I can not grant you that request as I no longer possess his soul."
"WHAT!!!"
"You Bastard!"
At Tyler's surprising words, even Levi who had excellent control over her emotions and had been able to keep her cool no matter what was unable to maintain her composure for a moment but managed to hold herself back from reacting.
However, the predatory beastmen behind her could not believe what the hell they had just heard as the only reason they had remained here even after being delayed unreasonably for so long was that they had placed all their hopes on obtaining Mammon's soul.
And yet, this man had just told them that their entire journey had been for naught and a complete waste of time as not only did they never even have a chance of getting Mammon's soul. They had been completely played for a fool as they had managed to get their teacher to reveal so much to him them knowing full well that they no longer had what she needed to survive.
Of course, one could not blame them for this as their teacher had been the one that had offered up that information without first preparing an agreement between both parties and completing their negotiations with a contract spell.
However, in the heat of the moment, such minor technicalities couldn't appease the devoted pair as their rage had immediately flared up and before Levi could even react to the rapid fluctuations in their emotions in order to stop them, it was already too late as their feet's had left the group and killing intent had been directed at Tyler's direction.
Unfortunately for them, their first instinct had been to lash out at the one they had denied being responsible for this mess.
"Please stop!"
Naturally, that had been a mistake as their necks had almost been separated from their heads by the shadow rogue that had suddenly jumped out of Tyler's shadow before they could even take a second step towards him.
Her presence had come out of nowhere and completely sealed the room in absolute darkness that felt like an abyss. The pair of predatory beastmen were completely frozen but the terrifying aura of their rampaging emotions was immediately overshadowed by a single one.
The fear of death.
A pair of black blades sharper than anything they had ever seen in their lives had managed to break through their tough skins and drew blood as it rested on the base of their necks. Their minds went numb as their body knew that any slight movement and their heads would be rolling on the exquisite carpet which was not ideal.
"I'd appreciate it if you two do not interrupt me when I'm speaking."
Tyler was keenly aware that these two really didn't have any intentions of hurting him but had simply reacted heatedly after all the bottled-up frustrations they had been suppressing over the past few weeks thanks to his refusal to see Levi.
That frustration had suddenly surpassed its limits and exploded out after hearing him calmly condemn their teacher to death with such a smug expression.
However, this was all going as he had expected. Or rather, as Uriel had expected. One of the reasons why he hadn't bothered making time to speak with Levi before now even though there were a lot of opportunities for it before the undead war had even started was simply to create such a fragile state in the minds of these two in order to use it to his advantage.
This was something Uriel had predicted after hearing Jarret's full report on the situation that had transpired with the trio at the red River. She was able to accurately judge their personalities and relationship with Levi to be able to predict how they would react when their request was blatantly rejected after being strung along for so long.
While Tyler had the means to negotiate with Levi for the information he sought. There was a chance she wouldn't be willing to divulge the more sensitive and important secrets he wanted even at the cost of her own life.
This was why he needed to go the extra mile even though he wasn't exactly fond of such tactics. There was a chance Levi had expected him to try something the entire time they were waiting on him but Tyler didn't think she knew exactly what he was after so she couldn't prepare her students in advance. Unfortunately, it was already too late even if she wanted to use her abilities to restrain their emotions.
*sigh...
Seeing her students already at the mercy of a different shadow rogue than the one they had seen before. Levi couldn't help but let out a heavy breath. As this was a city's lord mansion, it meant they were currently having an official discussion with this region's ruler and thus, those two idiots had played right into the palm of his hands and had commuted a grievous offense.
"Please allow me to apologize on my disciples' behalf. While they were only thinking of me, I admit they have overstepped their bounds but I hope you'll forgive their transgressions."
Hearing Levi's somewhat diplomatic apology, Tyler could tell that she understood his intentions and waved an arm to dismiss Zelda— who had followed after him with shadow movements while using her soul link to bypass his barrier.
"While I do understand their reactions today, I'm afraid as this is a former and official event, I cannot pardon such blatant disrespect on such an occasion. However, in consideration of your situation, I shall give you my word that they will not lose their lives for this."
"I understand. However, I hope you can be lenient in regards to their punishment. I will also be more willing to listen to a request of you grant me this favor."
At this point, it was already blatantly obvious to Levi that thing so far had gone exactly as this demon had wanted it to and the idea on its own was completely terrifying.
Even at her peak, she didn't think there was any way she could be content with such a being be it in the strength of intellect. In the end, she had no choice but to go along with his will.
'Well whatever, I'm already retired so why should I care. My apologies guys, you may all be in serious trouble if this man decides to come after you.'
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m