"I know that!" he replied, bristling a little. "But that's not how it works... not for me--not for demons."

Laharl folded his arms tightly across his chest. "I need to fight, sometimes," he tried to explain. It might have started from him losing his temper, but he'd been curious of just what this other demon's strength was for a long time. He, admittedly, didn't think Mao was really as strong as him, but it seemed there was more to him than Laharl had thought. It troubled him to think he might've been about to lose there--had his skills slipped that far? Or was this a lingering problem from being sealed? ...Or could it go further back?

Either way, as much as Laharl thought Mao was still an idiot and a freak, there was a certain level of respect. Not many demons could go toe to toe with him like that.