Sirius felt the tension in the air escalate as Demonmir's name was mentioned by Ariella.
He glanced at Eren, intending to warn him about the dangers of confronting Demonmir within the Last Blood Bastian. However, Eren interjected before Sirius could speak.
'Relax, Sirius. I know how to conduct myself. Everything is under control. But you must ensure that Demonmir himself does not provoke any conflict with me. If that were to happen, I cannot be held responsible,' Eren reassured Sirius, clarifying his position.
The butcher had no intention of engaging in a fight with Demonmir within the stronghold of the half-blood forces. By this point, Demonmir would have likely garnered support from numerous influential individuals. Eren had to admit that Demonmir possessed a charisma capable of achieving such influence.
Sirius nodded in agreement and replied, 'Of course. This is House Fenris' territory. Regardless of the favor House Lowin holds for Demonmir, he wouldn't dare to challenge you here. He and House Lowin are well aware of our unwavering support towards you.'
Eren acknowledged Sirius with a nod before settling back into his chair. As he gazed subtly toward the hall's entrance, he contemplated the significance of the upcoming meeting.
***
Eren and Demonmir harbored deep personal grudges against each other, stemming from Eren successfully claiming ownership of Minerva's Utopia. Their first direct clash occurred during the battle at the Edinnica Arena, but even before and after that encounter, Demonmir had continuously obstructed Eren's plans using various methods, employing his subordinates as expendable pawns.
Demonmir had chosen to go rogue after recognizing the hidden opportunities presented amidst the war between the two kingdoms. Despite severing ties with the kingdom of Edinburgh and House Montmorency, Demonmir persistently interfered with Eren's endeavors over the past nine years.
Eren and his closest allies faced numerous assassination attempts orchestrated by Cultists and rogue Rankers who maintained direct or indirect connections to Demonmir. When these attacks failed, Demonmir's covert forces targeted individuals associated with Eren's business and guild, aiming to hinder their growth.
Demonmir's forces had even employed rogue mercenaries to attack members of the White Raven Guild. Jake's father, Jack, had fallen victim to one of these incidents, and Renita had been severely injured in another attempt orchestrated by Demonmir's forces. The White Raven Guild lost valuable members like Ketsu Hasu and Wan Wilder in acts of sabotage orchestrated by cultists hired by Demonmir.
In summary, Demonmir had repeatedly targeted Eren and his allies over the past nine years. While property damage and financial losses were recoverable, the harm inflicted upon Rankers affiliated with Eren could not be resolved solely through monetary means.
Furthermore, Eren recognized that there were limitations to the precautions he could take against Demonmir's persistent threats. He couldn't just cease his activities during this tumultuous period. As such, Eren had also started counterattacking.
Despite Ottoman's actions, Eren still retained a level of control over himself and his organization. This was primarily due to Demonmir's status as a rogue, making it difficult for him to directly target Eren or his allies. Being one of the most wanted men by the Anfang Alliance, Demonmir faced significant restrictions and limitations as a result of his fugitive status.
As a result, Eren used Edinburgh's forces to counter Demonmir. Even the individuals dispatched by Anfang Alliance had aided Eren in subjugating Demonmir's forces many times during these 9 years.
Furthermore, Eren had adeptly employed strategies derived from Demonmir's own playbook. He had hired rogue Rankers and cultist organizations to eradicate Demonmir's forces operating within Edinburgh and Layos. Over the course of nine years, Eren had invested considerable resources to deliver substantial blows to Demonmir's side. Consequently, Demonmir's forces had been kept on constant alert, unable to find respite.
The cold war between Eren and Demonmir persisted for nearly a decade without their paths crossing. This gathering at Fort Fenris marked the first occasion since the battle at the Edinnican Arena where they would come face-to-face. Naturally, the tension within the fortress was palpable.
Both Eren and Demonmir held crucial positions within the realm of the half-blood forces. While Eren had proven his value by supplying Hex Artifacts, Demonmir had contributed with his wealth of knowledge and techniques specific to half-bloods. Given Demonmir's possession of a soul fragment of a Demon Prince, it was unsurprising that he possessed such knowledge. Consequently, the half-blood forces were reluctant to antagonize either Eren or Demonmir.
The half-blood forces were comfortable to remain on the fence. They preferred to maintain a status quo where both individuals remained within their respective domains, avoiding any direct interaction. However, Eren's persistent request for this meeting could not be ignored indefinitely, prompting the gathering to take place.
***
The sound of approaching footsteps reverberated through the narrow corridor, signaling the imminent arrival of several individuals. As the grand hall's doors swung open, all eyes turned towards the figure who entered first—Demonmir himself.
Dressed in an exquisite black coat layered over a light blue tunic, Demonmir exuded an air of elegance. His dark gray pants and shoes completed the ensemble, accentuating his impeccable sense of style. Flowing white hair, neatly arranged in a shoulder-length ponytail, framed his face.
With sharp, commanding eyes and chiseled facial features, Ottoman de Montmorency possessed an aura of regal charm. His tall and imposing stature, coupled with a physique radiating strength, left an indelible impression on all who beheld him.
Yet, it was not merely his physical presence that made Demonmir formidable. His Individuality, the essence of his being, permeated the hall as he stepped inside, instantly making his newfound status as a Grandmaster known to all.
Eren couldn't help but feel taken aback by the revelation that Demonmir had attained Grandmaster Rank in a mere nine years. It became clear that plotting against Eren was not the sole focus of Demonmir's endeavors during this period.
'Now I understand. This is why they agreed to meet only now.'
Eren mused silently, comprehending the reason behind House Lowin's decision to arrange this meeting at this specific time. It seemed that House Lowin intended to dissuade Eren from taking any direct action against Demonmir, subtly conveying a warning by highlighting the latter's recent promotion to the esteemed A-Rank.
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