Dungeon of Pride, Laplace



If your standing is low, your fate would be subjected to the whims and manipulations of the more powerful. That was how the society of the demon worked. In essence, it still retained the primal form of law, the law of the jungle.

A gathering like the Hexennacht serves as a vivid reminder of this stark reality. Only the  high-ranking demons here dominate the scene, a Demon Earl like Simon has no place.

Just like how right now he was forced to have the short end of the stick because the Demon Lord saw no worth in siding with a Demon Earl like him.

Of course, it was not like Belial did not put any consideration into his verdict. In fact, he had taken Oswell's standing into account because he didn't want his relation with the latter to break down, he gave that verdict. Or else, given Simon's standing, simply suffering from some concessions wouldn't be the end for him.

However, all of that did not matter to Simon anymore at this moment because something that he had been suppressing all this time, finally broke loose. Something within him snapped …

[Ding… Pride has been activated, all other emotions are being suppressed].

Although Simon tried to keep his calm since the beginning of this farce, but as the situation went on and after that biased verdict from Belial, he could no longer keep it together.

The Fragments of Pride activated at the injustice and quickly overwhelmed Simon. All of his emotions disappeared, his hesitation, uncertainties, doubts everything was swept away replaced by an unwavering belief in his own worth and capabilities.

It was as if a switch had been flipped, overwhelming arrogance surged through his veins, altering his very aura.  His ego swelled to colossal proportions, fueling a sense of superiority that bordered on the excessive.

With each passing moment, his egoism grew more pronounced, casting a shadow over his once modest demeanour.

"Haah!… What bullshit is this?"...

Simon who had been silent up until this moment, suddenly spoke up. His voice, which was calm and composed up until now, carried an undeniable edge, resonating with a quiet strength.

"What did you say?!" Duke Arctaurus and Famoon who were revelling at Belial's verdict that clearly favoured them, turned towards the Demon Earl with furrowed brows unable to believe what he just said.

"I said… what bullshit is this. Why should I be the one to compromise for insignificant fools like you all?" Simon repeated himself.

When his words dripping with overwhelming arrogance, reached the ears of the onlooking crowd, it was as if the entire venue was turned upside down. A silence palpable enough for one to even hear their breathing, descended on the venue.

Though it didn't last long before a collective gasp rippled through the assembly. Whispers and murmurs quickly spread like wildfire, filled with disbelief and uncertainty. Doubt hung heavy in the air as the audience questioned whether they had truly heard what they thought they had heard.

"Earl Simon, what is the meaning of this?"

Belial who never thought that an unassuming Demon Earl would go against his verdict, was annoyed. Faint traces of his powerful energy even started leaking out of his body as if wanting to squash this ant that dared to against his will into smithereens.

However, when he faced the Demon Earl this time, he realised that something about the other party was different. It was as if he was dealing with a completely different demon than before.

Not only that, but in front of that aura emanated by that Demon Earl, he felt a heavy sense of oppression that generated from deep within his soul. Additionally, his energy which was on the verge of bursting out of his body, had suddenly become stagnant and swiftly receded inside his body as if seeking shelter.

'What was going on?' Belial wondered in astonishment. It was not only him, all the demon nobles in the venue regardless of their ranks felt a heavy sense of pressure bearing down on them when facing the Demon Earl for some reason.

If it was before, hearing the rough and foolhardy words of the Demon Earl, the entire hall would have erupted in amusement and laughter. However, the environment in the Venue was tense with an inexplicable heaviness enveloping the place.

At this moment, when the crowd was still grappling with their own perceptions, struggling to reconcile the humble demon they saw before with the audacious individual standing before them, Simon spoke once again.

"Listen up, you pathetic excuses for demons. I stand here before you as the victor of the Ritual of the Blades, a title that grants me absolute authority over the outcome at hand which also includes the defeated party"

His words dripped with condescension, and a blatant disregard for the feelings and opinions of others.

"You see, the rules of this pitiful ritual are crystal clear. The winner claims not only the territory but also the spoils of the battle. The defeated must bow down in submission and accept their fate." A sinister smirk formed on Simon's lips as he gazed at Duke Arctaurus.

"The weak will always be subjected to the whims of the strong. It is the natural order of our world and how we the demon nobles do things isn't it? Then as the loser, Duke Arctaurus what rights do you have to throw all those accusations on me? Even if I take your [A] rank subordinate, you shouldn't have any complaints".

In front of Simon's verbal assaults, the entire venue was stunned silent. The contrast between the Demon Earl's previous demeanour and this newfound arrogance was so stark that it defied all rational explanation.

It was a jarring juxtaposition that challenged all their preconceived notion. The confidence with which he belittled them was both astonishing and enraging. However, facing his gaze none of the demons present were able to do anything.

They could feel an intense suppression bearing down on them, as if the very essence of their being was scared of him.

The weight of his presence was so that it commanded attention and submission from those around him. In front of that Simon, all everyone could do was take it lying down.

With a twisted smile on his face, Simon turned his attention towards Duke Arctaurus, who stood there, seething with anger and humiliation. 

"How pitiful, Duke Arctaurus" he sneered "Your precious Giga Minotaurus, once so loyal, now refuses to obey your feeble commands. How amusing it is to see you blaming me for your own incompetence. Now that it has nullified the contract with you, you go crying to the Demon Lord to amend justice. You spineless fool, learn to accept your defeat. Don't worry though, I shall graciously accept your defeated subordinate. It will serve as a constant reminder of your inadequacy and my superiority to everyone".

"Ah, also Duke Famoon the crybaby who cannot handle a loss" Finished humiliating Duke Arctaurus, Simon's eyes shifted towards Famoon.

"I stole something from you? Is that why you have come to the Hexennacht, seeking justice for a petty squabble?".

Simon taunted, his voice filled with mocking laughter "You dare accuse me of stealing? How absurd. I took what was rightfully mine, with my own abilities. Your feeble attempts to reclaim it with Belial's help only prove your own weakness. Cry all you want, but it will not change the fact that you lost, and I won."

While Simon continued to humiliate his adversaries, driving each syllable deeper into their wounded pride, those near him looked at him in astonishment. This was especially true for Theodore and Maybell, his loyal subordinates who were like a family to him.

At this moment, they had their eyes wide open in surprise and disbelief. This was a side of Simon they had never seen before- a being consumed by arrogance.

They had always known him as a kind and cool master, someone who valued their loyalty and treated them with great care. But what they witnessed today was a stark contrast from the master they thought they knew.

"Brother, what is going on with master?!"

Maybell, usually quiet and reserved, found herself taken aback by the overwhelming aura of arrogance emanating from Simon. Her expression shifted from surprise to concern as she struggled to reconcile this new side of her master with the one she was so familiar with.

In her concern, she could only turn to her brother who was the perceptive one between them.

"Don't worry, I think I know why Master is like this" Theodore reassured his sister. He who had been silently standing beside Simon, felt something change within him. It was not like he had no idea what triggered that change.

Just like how the Valkyries could see Simon from that special void before they were summoned, Theodore and Maybell too shared a similar view from the place they were summoned from and thus knew about the special fragments that were within their master.

This was not the first time such a change had occurred. Thought that said, he still felt a pang of confusion and unease. The reason for that was because, unlike the other times when Simon acted haughty and confident when under the effects of the fragment, this time it looked like he was completely consumed by it.

This excessive arrogance that reached unparalleled heights and held nothing but pure disdain for others, even shook him to his core.

Theodore's observation was right, usually even when under the effect of the Fragment of Pride, Simon wouldn't usually be completely consumed by it until he was no longer himself. He would still have a little bit of self control remaining. 

However, that was before he acquired the second fragment of pride.