Cracked, spiked hide covered the humanoid figure that stepped forward. It matched every description Annan had ever heard of a demon: hateful and hideous.
Annan didn't know what this Lesser Demon was called, and he didn't care, any more than he'd cared about the names of the ratfolk he'd killed. He let it charge at him while he methodically cast Lesser Elemental Summoning.
Laughter erupted from the stands:
"What are you doing, King of the North? Sending a kobold to tickle the demon?"
"Eat him, demon!"
The fortress's reverence for strength had the crowd cheering for the demon. But plenty of female Warriors cheered Annan on and threatened the demon, lest the ugly creature hurt their handsome prince.
The Summoning Array formed, and the Greater Fire Elemental that appeared silenced every spectator.
“A natural-born sorcerer? The Reeves Family is lucky it didn't become a second Barros.”
“Barros ended up that way because his family lost its foundations. The Reeves Family's contracted Red Dragon is still around.”
The conversation between the two gray-cloaked figures was drowned out by a roar that seemed to shake the Gladiator Arena. The crowd promptly switched back to Annan's side.
"Fire Elemental, use Fire Whip to restrain it."
Annan gave the order from behind the Fire Elemental. A tongue of flame wrapped around the Lesser Demon's tough hide. As it growled, Annan looked it straight in the eye. "Submit to me!"
The Lesser Demon answered by tearing through the flames and lunging at Annan and the Fire Elemental.
Lesser Demons can't communicate. At least, this one can't...
Annan had the Fire Elemental end the mindless Lesser Demon's life. He didn't waste time burning the corpse; he picked up the Demon Iron, still hot to the touch. A piece this size could sell for seven silver coins