Extra's Revenge: Reincarnated As A Slave

’This is...’

Valdris Morgath stopped mid-stride, his wings twitching in a gesture that might have indicated surprise or satisfaction.

Amara noticed immediately. "Lord Valdris? What happened?"

The Devil’s expression shifted into something that resembled contemplation, his black sclera making his thoughts impossible to read despite the obvious change in his demeanor.

"The Divine Beast has been destroyed," he stated calmly, as though discussing the weather rather than the elimination of a Sequence #0 construct. "The Nephilim group demonstrated unexpected capability. One individual in particular wielded Sequence #1 techniques with notable proficiency."

Amara’s heart skipped a beat.

Could that be—?

"Were you able to identify this person? Maybe details about... their appearance?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"No," Valdris replied. "The group prioritized destruction over preservation. They killed my Beast before it could fulfill its interrogation objectives, then immediately began retreating toward what I presume is their settlement."

He resumed walking toward the artifact’s location, his pace unchanged.

"Their capabilities exceed what historical records suggested possible for Nephilim practitioners. Someone has been training them, or they’ve developed techniques that operate outside conventional understanding."

Valdris didn’t mention that the individual matching Amara’s description of Rey had been the one to deliver the killing blow. He kept that observation to himself, analyzing its implications privately.

If the slave Amara sought had not only survived three years in the Labyrinth but achieved capabilities exceeding Category S classification, then this investigation had become significantly more interesting than a simple artifact displacement.

’Contrary to her description, he even has dual affinities. Did he consume a Seed of Origin?’

They continued through passages that grew increasingly elaborate, the ancient architecture suggesting they approached a region of importance.

Finally, they reached what appeared to be an outpost—a fortified position guarding access to territories beyond.

Two Nephilim warriors stood watch, their mystical signatures suggesting veteran capability.

They noticed Valdris and Amara immediately, their expressions shifting from professional alertness to horror as they recognized the Devil’s nature.

"Halt!" one guard commanded, raising weapons despite obvious terror. "This territory is protected! You are—"

Valdris gestured casually, and both guards died.

Not from visible attack or mystical assault, but from simple erasure.

One moment they existed, the next they were gone—bodies, souls, consciousness, all removed from reality as though they’d never been present.

Amara stared at where the guards had stood moments before, her mind struggling to process what she’d witnessed.

"Lord Valdris... they weren’t hostile. They were just—"

"Obstacles," Valdris stated flatly. "I’m investigating a potential threat to the Nether Realm’s security. Their lives are irrelevant compared to that objective."

He moved past where the guards had been, entering the passage they’d been protecting.

The corridor opened into a vast cavern, and Valdris stopped, his expression showing genuine surprise for the first time since entering the Labyrinth.

A city. An entire civilization thriving in the Labyrinth’s depths.

The Sanctuary of the Forsaken spread before them, its protective dome radiating light that pushed back the surrounding darkness. Buildings constructed from luminous stone, gardens growing impossible vegetation, and infrastructure suggesting thousands of inhabitants living in an organized society.

"Fascinating," Valdris murmured, studying the settlement with Devil-tier perception that penetrated its defenses easily. "Seventeen thousand Nephilim, thriving in hostile territory for what appears to be centuries. Their defensive arrays are sophisticated, their resource management impressive, their mystical development notable."

He analyzed the Sanctuary’s capabilities with professional thoroughness, noting defensive wards, detection arrays, and the positioning of what appeared to be elite warriors throughout the settlement.

"Too many combatants for efficient investigation," Valdris concluded. "If I attempt direct infiltration, they’ll swarm me with numerical superiority while hiding or evacuating valuable assets."

He turned to Amara, his expression calculating.

"The Divine-grade artifact is located in the residential district, eastern section. Its mystical signature suggests it’s being stored in private quarters rather than public armory."

Valdris withdrew a small crystalline device from his spatial storage, activating it with a gesture.

"This detection beacon will guide you to the artifact’s exact location. While I create a distraction by engaging the Sanctuary’s defenders, you infiltrate covertly and secure the item."

Amara accepted the device, her tactical training recognizing the sound strategy despite moral concerns about attacking a civilian settlement.

"You’re going to assault an entire city alone?"

"I am a Devil," Valdris replied, as though that explained everything. "Their seventeen thousand defenders are irrelevant compared to my capabilities. The only challenge is preventing them from destroying or hiding the artifact while I’m occupied with combat."

He looked toward the Sanctuary, his wings spreading to full extension.

"Wait for my assault to draw their attention, then infiltrate from the northern approach. The detection arrays there are weaker, and the defenders will be concentrated on my position. Secure the artifact and signal me when you’ve succeeded."

Valdris didn’t wait for confirmation.

He simply launched himself toward the Sanctuary, his mystical pressure announcing his presence to every defender simultaneously.

WHOOOSH!

********

Kael was in the Council chamber discussing Rey’s expedition when every alarm in the Sanctuary activated simultaneously.

The mystical signatures were overwhelming—something approaching the settlement from the outpost direction with power that exceeded anything their detection arrays were designed to measure.

"All warriors to defensive positions!" Kael commanded, rushing toward the Sanctuary’s main gates. "This is not a drill! Category S threat approaching!"

Throughout the settlement, Nephilim warriors responded with practiced efficiency.

Veterans who’d survived decades of Labyrinth combat moved to strategic positions, mystical practitioners prepared their highest-sequence techniques, and civilians began evacuation protocols toward interior shelters.

Sera joined Kael at the gates, her expression showing controlled terror.

"What could generate that kind of mystical pressure? Even the Prince of Darkness doesn’t radiate power like that!"

"I don’t know," Kael admitted. "But whatever it is, it’s coming directly toward us."

Then Valdris Morgath descended from above, landing before the Sanctuary’s main gates with impact that cracked the ancient stone beneath his feet.

The Nephilim defenders got their first clear view of what they faced, and several gasped in horror.

Horns. Wings. Eyes with black sclera and red irises.

Artifacts radiating power that suggested Divine classification or higher.

And most terrifying—a mystical pressure that made the air itself seem to recoil from his presence.

"A Devil," Kael whispered, the word carrying implications that transcended normal threats.

Valdris studied the assembled defenders with casual interest, his expression suggesting amusement rather than concern despite facing hundreds of armed warriors.

"Inhabitants of the Sanctuary," he announced, his multiple-toned voice carrying clearly across the settlement. "I am Valdris Morgath, Third Circle Devil in service to Archduke Marbas. You possess items and information relevant to my investigation. Surrender them peacefully, and your settlement will be spared. Resist, and I will extract what I need from your ruins."

Kael stepped forward despite every instinct screaming to flee. As Council leader, he bore responsibility for the Sanctuary’s response.

"This settlement exists under an ancient compact. We harm no one, threaten no one, merely survive in territory abandoned by both Nether and Aether societies. By what authority do you violate our sanctuary?"

"By my authority as Devil," Valdris replied simply. "Your compact is meaningless if it conflicts with Nether security. You harbor resources and individuals of interest to my investigation. I will examine them regardless of your cooperation."

He raised one hand, mystical energy gathering with intensity that made every defender’s enhanced perception ache from proximity.

"Final opportunity to surrender. Choose quickly."