Danmachi Familia from Hell

25

- Guards! - Ares roared like a madman.

The guardians stationed at the door burst into the chamber in a fraction of a second, around twenty men in total, while the black figure forming on the table rushed toward them even faster. In the blink of an eye, all the soldiers lay unconscious on the floor, and the dark silhouette stood behind the last of them.
Matiás had not been able to see a single movement. Ares managed it only because he was the god of war. Even with his Arcanum sealed, he still possessed his experience, technique, and the ability to observe an opponent’s movements. Thanks to the last of these, he could see the strikes aimed at the guards’ vulnerable points. The speed of the attacks left the squad made up mostly of first-level individuals and a few low second-level ones no chance to react.
At last, the shadow surrounding the wind-swift figure dispersed, revealing a man in a neat shirt and trousers, with carefully polished shoes. He had long white hair, scarlet irises with sharp pupils, and a pair of fangs protruding from his mouth.

- Pleasure to meet you, King Matiás, Lord Ares - the stranger said in an extremely composed and polite tone, performing a flawless bow. - My name is Vlood Teepashtee.

- But you probably know him better as the demon from the castle - Hades added, leaning comfortably against the back of his seat. - However, from now on you will know him as a member of my familia.

Ares’s brain—composed of roughly ninety percent muscle—failed to withstand such a strain, and the god froze like a statue, his jaw hanging open. Despite the shock, his blond-haired follower proved capable of a somewhat livelier reaction.

- Lord Hades… what exactly are we supposed to understand by that? - Matiás asked, sweat running down the back of his neck.

- Me and Belakher had a rather lengthy conversation with Vlood, and I concluded that he would make a valuable member of my familia. Therefore I offered him my Falna, and he accepted my offer - replied the golden-eyed god bluntly.

- But he… he…

- He killed thousands of my children! Not to mention thousands of other people!

At last, the ten percent of the war god’s brain that actually contained gray matter made itself known.

- I remind you, Ares, that your followers attempted to seize his home by force.

- And that’s supposed to be a reason for me to simply accept his existence?! - he shouted, pointing accusingly at the vampire. - Should I apologize to him as well?!

- I understand that my actions may have provoked your anger, Lord Ares, but I was not the aggressor - the white-haired man defended himself, still maintaining a calm and humble tone.

- You...

Before Rakia’s patron could unleash a long and extremely emotional chain of insults and invectives, his uncle interrupted him with a loud clap of his hands.

- As I mentioned, I wish to renegotiate our agreement due to the extraordinary circumstances that arose during the execution of the task entrusted to Belakher and me. Would you be willing to hear what I expect and what I intend to offer in return?

Give and take. Had Hades not added the second part of that sentence, Matiás and Ares might have reacted very explosively. Instead, they took deep breaths and, though still agitated, sat down and turned into attentive listeners.

- First, I want the entire reward you previously agreed upon, an even one hundred million valis.

- Uncle! Forgive me, but that’s...

- Do not interrupt me when I’m speaking.

The look the god of death cast at his nephew was enough to make him swallow and fall silent immediately. At the same moment, Teepashtee shot the Landgrave a more questioning glance that seemed to say something like: “Is it always like this?” In response, the violet-eyed man smiled subtly, which presumably meant: “Usually.”