Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

"Haven't you a single thing to say for yourself?" He finally demanded, the muscles of his face clenching as his red eyes narrowed. Philis blinked her eyes a few times, opening and closing her mouth as she stared at the man before her.

"I... how long has it been since that day?" She asked quietly, causing Asura to show an awkward smile before he closed his eyes to calculate but couldn't come up with an accurate number.

"At least three thousand years, your little niece is now the mother of six. Her youngest daughter is just over one thousand years old."

Asura wasn't sure how she would take it, and to his surprise, Philis giggled, the giggle transforming into full-on laughter while shaking her head, her silver hair swaying with the movement.

"Ha... so she managed to rebuild the kingdom and resist the cultists I let inside?" A moment of solemn gratitude and happiness became visible on her face as she leaned back. "Then you, what relation.... who are you?"

Asura shrugged his shoulders before answering honestly. "Azoth's successor, the lover of Ar Celinas, the youngest princess of the Ar'Levalius empire. Prince of the human Kingdom of Silvara."

"That's quite a few titles you have." She responded dryly, rolling her eyes. "I can see Azoth's resemblance within your looks, actions and even the way you seem to dodge the fact you have many women with those titles... A human kingdom on the Yurias Continent?"

"No, I am from the east, a continent much larger than Yurias. Celine gave me a pendant able to transport me to her room, allowing me to come here temporarily to help solve an issue. Both her brothers swallowed corrupted seeds." He explained, causing Philis to nod her head in understanding.

"I see. Then you came here to ask if I knew the source of those corrupted seeds... However, I am really sorry to disappoint you because I have no clue. They were just something a strange woman gave me."
Find exclusive stories on empire

"Strange woman? How was she strange?"

"How can I put it... She felt like a snake, untrustworthy and always seeking a benefit or talking about some kind of plan." Philis answered, recalling the oddity of the person who had approached her. "It's not like we met often, though. Ah! I remembered she would appear as different people, which confused me, so her true form is something I might never have seen..."

"I see; I am starting to think I know who it was; by chance, did she call herself Abaddon, ever?"

Asura didn't expect her to know anything about it, and Philis shook her head. "No, the only thing I ever heard her call herself was The saintess of the fallen sun."

"That sounds like her." Asura nodded, glancing up at the chamber's ceiling while putting his arms behind his back. Though he now understood who the enemy was in the past.

Did that mean it remained the same today? No... probably not.

He thought she seemed the type to get bored with things like this and probably passed it on to the first person she could.

How do I know her so well...?

"Just the fact you helped me by answering my questions is more than enough, your highness." He added, moving his feet as he readied to leave.

"W-Wait... what about this place? Azoth would never allow another devil to take his place here!" Philis shouted, almost adamant about remaining here.

"Are you a fool? Because you're not even a devil, the entire place went to shit, becoming corrupted, and you almost died. This place wasn't important to him; he only remained here to protect YOU!" Asura turned to shout at the woman, his sudden outburst startling her before he took a deep breath, trying to calm the disturbed Azoth memories within him.

Philis flinched from his words, dropping her head and hanging her head, tears falling from her cheeks as she tried to control her emotions. Her hair covered her face as her body trembled. "But if another devil takes this seat below the Elven kingdom and world tree, it could spell disaster."

"When you are strong, the weak will obey you; just kill the devil and take his place." Asura smiled, waving his hand as if it was easy to accomplish. "Plus, this isn't my continent to deal with."

"That's impossible! Please, you have to take the seat; if I cannot, then you must! It is obvious that's why Azoth sent you here to meet me!"

Well, it was your niece in reality, but if you ask properly, I will take the seat, but I don't plan to stay.

"Alright, I will take the seat."

Philis sighed, wiping her tears as she smiled brightly at him. "Thank you very much!"

"No need. Besides, I have conditions of my own." Asura lifted his finger, his steps heavy while approaching the throne, while Philis left the seat and stumbled forward, the sudden conditions making her feel nervous.

"What condition do you have?"

"To put it simply, I want to get stronger and continue to protect the Empire as long as I take this seat. You will keep your Niece and her daughters safe from harm. In return, I will never let another demon take this seat."

Asura could easily see Philis' mind racing as she contemplated the conditions given to her. Taking a deep breath, she extended her hand. "I agree to the condition; I will follow you and protect my family."

Asura nodded, taking her hand as he dragged her down the stairs before he sat on the throne and felt the strange power that lingered in his dreams. The energy then linked to his devil's mantle, constantly empowering it and changing its structure.

Philis looked at the throne with a bit of longing while walking up beside Asura, who patted the armrest. "This chair is not as comfortable as it seems. I won't be staying long."

"Eh... you're going to leave?" Philis questioned, slightly startled, and Asura nodded, raising his hand as a golden runic circle appeared between him and the chair before it linked his Devil's mantle and the throne.

"In reality, Azoth should have known he could leave too likely the existence of Muru stopped him as she couldn't wander the lands of Yurias or the eastern continents without humans and elves seeing her as a monster."

"I see... ah! That reminds me, what about the Kingdom that is above the chamber? What will we do with it?" She inquired, thinking of the simple task of taking control of a country.

"Let Melania take care of it. She worked so hard over the past years, watching and supporting whoever she chose as her successor. Otherwise, use it as you see fit. I want to have the freedom to come and go as I please without any interference or complications."

"I see..." The dark elf seemed to be dissatisfied, her long brown ears drooping as she followed Asura, who left the realm, which recovered, though nothing like Azoth's domain. Beautiful flowers, creatures and beasts started appearing. The domain of Asura wasn't just a devil's domain, after all.

"You're just like him..." She muttered while leaving the underground chamber with Asura as the two appeared back inside the Elven capital.

"Because I am, but also not. We will discuss the plan for your future as we go; there is no rush, right, Philis?"

Philis remained silent and nodded her head, following the young man who she couldn't stop staring at her as if he was a beautiful gem in his eyes.

***

Upon his return, Ar Melania and Celine were sitting together while drinking tea. The two locked eyes on Asura before Celine rushed from the table and dove into his arms while kissing his lips, a very adventurous action for Celine to take the initiative like this.

Melania watched her daughter kissing a man for the first time. She felt worried while keeping the cup close to her mouth before she glanced at Philis, who stood in the shadows, waiting to be noticed. The cup instantly dropped onto the ground, spilling the most expensive wine in the forest all over the carpet.

"Aunt Philis!?"

"Mel..." Philis responded behind Asura, her face blushing red while looking down at the ground in embarrassment. "Mom... Aunt Philis is here..." Ar Melania whispered as if communicating with her deceased mother, who loved Philis as the others doted on Celina.

The two women reunited after thousands of years looked different, with Melina, the young princess, now an exhausted empress. In contrast, Philis remained just as youthful and beautiful with her shimmering brown skin and golden eyes. "I've become old, like mother, haha." Melania joked with her mature tone pleasant to hear.

"I can see that... come here and hug me, Mel." Philis was the first to move, approaching Melania, who pushed Celine away from Asura and ran into the embrace of the dark elf, the two crying into each other's shoulders. "You look just like my sister... It's uncanny as if she's still here."

Asura didn't force himself to interfere with their reunion.

He just watched while keeping Celine quiet. Her little eyes narrowed into crescents as she seemed to be happy that he hugged and kissed her back.

"I'm sorry I couldn't protect you all," Philis answered, her words carrying a bit of remorse and sadness, taking a step back and staring at Asura before clasping her hands together. "No, I will support you and help protect the kingdom you and I fought to build. I am impressed you managed all alone as a little girl."

Melania shook her head before moving aside and presenting Asura. "No, it wasn't just me; I had people I trusted. Most of all, I knew you would one day come home."

"Ah... haha, I didn't think I would receive such a warm welcome upon my return, and to think your children became so big and cute." Philis smiled, glancing at Celine, who seemed a little shy and hid behind Asura; it might have been because Celine's skin was slowly transforming into the same beautiful caramel tone as she became a dark elf from partnering with Asura.

"She is my pride a joy and the only reason I could save you, fufu. To think the girl who enjoyed hunting goblins and playing with bugs would have such a handsome lover."

"Mother, not in front of Asura...!"