The Last Paragon in the Apocalypse Chapter 1520: The Mad Hunter (2)

[Demon Universe - Planet Blood Star - Red Castle]

Planet Blood Star served as the ancestral home of the Blood Demon Race, where their most esteemed individuals resided, including their paramount leader, Supreme King Alastor. He commanded immense power and was a warrior of terrifying renown.

Even the Celestials yielded to him, acknowledging his overwhelming might and seemingly invincible combat prowess.

Alastor ascended to the throne four million years prior. Since that time, he had dramatically amplified the renown and strength of the Blood Demon Race.

Initially, he orchestrated the Blood Demon Race's departure from the Demon Faction to join the Neutral Faction, strategically positioning them beyond the control of either the Heavens Court or the Demon Court.

One might anticipate that a single race's secession from such a vast demonic alliance would provoke a retaliatory force capable of annihilating them. Paradoxically, the opposite transpired.

Out of the sixty-four demon states within the Demon Universe, twelve subsequently aligned themselves with the Blood Demon Race after their departure from the Demon Court.

This development precipitated conflict. Nevertheless, Alastor, through his solitary might, demonstrated to the entire Demon Faction that he possessed the capacity to obliterate them should they dare to interfere with his people.

While such an action would have led to his own demise and that of the entire Blood Demon Race, his retaliatory massacre would have presented the Heavenly Faction with a crucial opportunity to finally eradicate the Demon Race altogether.

Consequently, a pact was forged, and from that period onward, the Blood Demon Race has maintained its presence within the Demon Universe as a distinct entity, commanding twelve subordinate races.

Alastor was the father of seven offspring: four sons and three daughters.

The youngest and most gifted among them was Hunter, who now found himself encircled by adversaries eager to end his life, solely due to his decision to protect and nurture the last Paragon.

His innate talent was unparalleled within the history of the Blood Demon Race. He was being meticulously prepared to succeed his father as king upon reaching maturity. Many even voiced the conviction that he was fated to profoundly enhance the standing of the entire Demon Race.

However, a single egg and the choice to preserve it had transformed him into a fugitive of the highest order, declared an enemy by the Heavens Court.

At this juncture, a man with striking crimson hair, possessing comely features, a robust physique, and an aura indicative of nobility, occupied a throne fashioned from scarlet jade. This jade was reputedly sourced from the rarest Blood Jade, believed to exist only from the Blood Era.

This figure was none other than Alastor, the most formidable Supreme being in the entirety of the Demon Universe.

Standing before him was a man of impressive stature, six feet and five inches tall, also adorned with fiery red hair. He exuded a powerful physique and had sharply defined cheekbones that further enhanced his handsome appearance.

His luxuriant hair cascaded down his back, with two distinct braids framing his face, resting upon his shoulders. This individual was known as Azai, a Celestial and the fourth son of King Alastor.

Despite Azai's cultivation being a full realm superior to his father's, the profound respect evident on his countenance as he addressed his father was unmistakable.

"Azai, you comprehend that your request is beyond the realm of possibility, do you not? Should you lend aid to your brother, the neutrality we have striven to maintain would shatter, and our people would be thrust into unforeseen turmoil.

"Already, that scoundrel casts covetous glances our way, seeking a means to subsume our people under his dominion. This poses an unacceptable risk."

"I understand, Father, which is precisely why I intend to sever ties with the Blood Demon Race and embark on a path as a mercenary."

King Alastor's brow furrowed, comprehension gradually illuminating his features.

"You have indeed arrived well-prepared, have you not?"

Azai offered a smile.

"Indeed, Father. Hunter stands as the finest among us. His fated path is far grander than anything any of us could envision. If we abandon him in this critical hour, I fear we will face profound regret. Though he is an enemy of the Heavens Court, in my eyes, he remains my beloved brother. As his elder brother, my duty is to shield him at any cost."

Azai experienced a momentary pause, and within his mind, a visual representation materialized. It depicted a man clad in crimson armor, standing resolutely atop a mountain, with countless swords suspended ethereally in the air behind him.

That man was Hunter, having achieved the Celestial realm, and each sword arrayed behind him represented a Celestial weapon. Beneath him lay the remnants of billions of lives, their spilled blood forming a crimson tide.

In addition to his exceptional skill with the spear, Azai possessed an innate Clairvoyance ability. This power he kept concealed from all, with the sole exception of Hunter.

In truth, a fact not widely known was that the very reason Hunter ventured to the location where he encountered the Angel of Death was due to Azai's guidance.

He had perceived glimpses of potential futures and an infinite array of possibilities. Within one such vision, he witnessed Hunter standing shoulder to shoulder with the Paragon, their expressions serene as they surveyed vast multitudes of beings, some possessing the destructive capability to annihilate entire planets with a simple gesture.

This particular future solidified a singular realization within him.

Hunter, his younger brother, was destined to become the progenitor of the Paragon of Nine Stars. And as beings whose lineage traced back to the Asura Race, they bore an intrinsic obligation to protect the Paragon and his companions with unwavering dedication.

Therefore, he diligently worked behind the scenes, meticulously orchestrating events to ensure this prophesied future would indeed unfold.

King Alastor emitted a sigh and gave a solemn nod.

"Fine. Ensure you never come back to this place, or I'll hand you over to the Heavens Court myself."

Azai nodded with a smile.

"Rest assured, Father. Unless you hire me as a mercenary, I would never set foot in this forsaken place again."

Azai bowed and disappeared into thin air.

Alastor smirked.

"Tsk. Do you think I wouldn’t know it was you who pushed Hunter to go to that place?"

He shook his head and turned to his left. A door opened, and a woman with red hair walked out, a smile gracing her lips.

"Azai has always loved his brother more than himself," stated the woman, Queen Renna, as she seated herself on a throne near King Alastor.

"I just pray that he and his brother don't ignite another bloodbath like the one they caused on Planet Quak years ago."

King Alastor smiled, his gaze fixed on a screen. It displayed Hunter, relaxed on one of his swords, with thousands of demigods and several gods surrounding him.

Observing Hunter's calm demeanor, King Alastor felt a sense of unease.

"Truly regrettable. Here we are, under attack from alien races, with thousands perishing daily, yet the Heavens Court still has the resources to dispatch these individuals to their demise."

He sighed, leaning back against his throne's armrest.

"After today, they will finally comprehend something crucial. In this universe, the sole individual worthy of being the father of a Paragon... is my son, Hunter."

***

Hunter remained seated, with Uncle Ziggy, Xian, Jojo, Mark, and James standing by his side. Lady Elysia occupied a throne meticulously crafted from over a hundred swords, each imbued with the might of a Demigod.

Surrounding them, more than a thousand Demigods had drawn their weapons, their eyes fixed on the seven figures who, two decades ago, had annihilated over 100,000 warriors from the Heavens Court solely to safeguard an egg.

"You are completely surrounded, Hunter. There is no escape," declared a god clad in green armor, the emblem of the 25th Heavens Army emblazoned upon it. He pointed a finger at Hunter.

"Surrender now, and let this conclude peacefully. Resist, and you will not survive this day."

Hunter smiled, slowly raising his head before speaking.

"Ah, I had no idea that in the 20,000 years I was absent, the Heavens Court and the Celestial Supreme had grown even more foolish."

Lady Elysia covered her mouth, feigning ignorance of her amusement.

The five Blood Guards erupted into uncontrollable laughter.